Chapter 170
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 170
Chapter Title: People from Other Countries
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[Oracle Island] was a trial of ever-shifting difficulty.
It set the challenge level based on the number of participants and their combined ranking scores.
I planned to select the highest difficulty among them, and at least in terms of scores, we weren't lacking.
After all, ranks 1 through 5 were all concentrated in our party.
'The problem is the numbers.'
Please wait a moment. Currently forming teams. (923/∞)
We needed over 800 for the top difficulty.
But the current vibe was like everyone was itching for a fight to the death.
'What a mess.'
In the tense standoff, someone drew their sword, and like they'd been waiting, weapons came out everywhere.
Of course, no one had swung yet.
Once blood was spilled, there'd be no turning back.
Everyone instinctively knew to hold off until the absolute last moment.
"Ugh, uwaaa!"
But there were always the weak-hearted who couldn't make that call.
Whoosh!
Finally, someone panicked and swung their blade.
Fortunately, it happened right near us, and the target was me.
I focused forward to see a bespectacled man trembling in terror, slashing his weapon down from overhead.
"Jun-gun, wait!"
I could see what looked like their leader and the others widening their eyes, trying to stop him, but it was too late.
I snorted and caught the blade with telekinesis before it could descend.
"Wh-what?"
"Hey, what the hell are you doing?!"
"You idiot!"
"S-sorry!"
His group rushed over, took the weapon, and smacked the back of the glasses guy's head.
One put him in a headlock, and the warmth snapped him out of it. He finally realized the situation, eyes snapping open.
I spoke flatly to the apologizing group.
"Let's not fight among ourselves."
The glasses party nodded.
I glanced sideways. Another group facing ours, having witnessed it all, nodded too.
They'd come that close to brawling and backed off, realizing their path led nowhere good.
"What's the point of us fighting each other?"
"No alliance, but let's at least not fight for a while."
Such negotiations started with us and spread outward. A good sign.
'Surprising, though. I figured my crew would counterattack right away.'
For some reason, everyone except Ju Ah-hyun and Kim Yu-rim had just watched without drawing weapons.
I looked at my party, and Shin Seo-yeon quickly read my mind.
"You're not gonna lose, right? No point escalating, so we stayed put. Wasn't much of a threat anyway."
"As Seo-yeon said, their movements were sluggish. Plus, our training sims covered situations like this. We judged standing by was best."
When we first arrived, the group had been on edge, but now they'd sized up the surroundings and relaxed.
Lee Sera was straight-up lounging in the Saintess's lap, yawning lazily.
The Saintess was even playing with her ears.
Seeing that, Ju Ah-hyun and Kim Yu-rim awkwardly scratched their cheeks and lowered their weapons.
'Alright, so two directions secured.'
We were positioned at the cliff's edge, overlooking the drop, so we just needed to watch left, front, and right.
Left and front groups had negotiated fine; now just the right...
"......"
They seemed uninterested in fighting too—like us, twelve sat resting on the ground.
'No need to talk to those guys.'
"Let's not fight either."
"Good idea."
"Keep it peaceful."
Thus, peace accords spread, and our whole area settled into a no-fight zone.
But elsewhere, tensions boiled over.
"These bastards are so brazen. Plenty of space, so why crowd us out?"
"You Koreans live crammed in a tiny country, so you're used to it. We come from vast lands; we're used to space."
"Bullshit."
At the center, words and actions grew uglier, gearing up for a brawl.
'Too far to intervene, and too late anyway... Better watch a bit longer.'
I floated up about 50cm into the air to survey, courtesy of the [Wind Sorcerer] skill from Rangyi—comfier than telekinesis.
Scores of heads dropped into view below, forming a circular arena of people where 28 men and women faced off, weapons raised.
"Ah, hands itching. How about some blood?"
"Yeah, let's school these Korean punks."
"Signal incoming—get ready."
The Chinese shouted in their language.
"Here it comes."
"Perfect. How many Koreans died humiliated by those guys? Let's wreck 'em so bad they can't get it up again."
The Koreans sensed trouble, forming ranks—supports back, melee forward.
The two groups were so loud, or maybe everyone else had already negotiated like us, that dozens of parties just eyed each other warily, watching the showdown.
And that's when I realized something.
'All new faces... No wonder. They'd have to be insane to charge me knowing who I am.'
Of everyone here, only Ju Ah-hyun and Kim Yu-rim recognized me.
If they knew my face, they'd know our party and approach like those two—instead, they'd charged. Weird.
'Looks like this batch is from Jeju Island and southern coastal cities.'
That explained the fierce standoff with the Chinese. Jeju folks and Chinese got along like oil and water.
'Jeju's crawling with Chinese.'
Fewer than Koreans overall, but minorities sometimes outdo majorities when united. Cohesion's a killer.
Higher survival rates, in short.
'That's why, until Jeju joins the mainland side, plenty of Koreans get brutalized by Chinese.'
It sparks anti-Chinese sentiment, souring Korea-China relations.
But that wasn't special.
As the selection process merges groups, every nation ends up at odds.
'Especially now, with [Human Hunters] rampant and humanity stripped away—neighboring countries meeting?'
Neighbors always hate each other—ancient grudges of invasions.
Throw in selection process killing and looting? Disaster.
'No wonder they're foaming at the neck.'
"Today, we'll cut those bastards' throats for Hye-rin and Soo-jung's revenge."
"Make 'em regret crossing us here."
Even the women ground their teeth, bloodshot-eyed—Chinese must've run rampant on Jeju.
"Who'll win?"
"Us, obviously. More numbers."
"Chinese look low-quality, though. Those eyes have killed before."
"Some trick up their sleeve?"
"Numbers win out. 17 vs. 11."
Most bet on the Koreans.
"Kill!"
"Incoming!"
But the fight erupted, and Koreans got slaughtered instantly.
"Gah."
"Wh-what the hell?!"
"W-wait! Attacking from behind! No, the sides too... kuaaaak!"
Thought it was two groups facing off, but spectators flipped in unison, encircling and slashing mercilessly from all sides.
"Kuhuk."
"Aaaak!"
Not 17 vs. 11—a 17 vs. over 100 massacre. And numbers kept swelling.
"Wh-what?! They're all together?!"
"All Chinese?!"
"You filthy chinks... guk."
As I said, minorities can threaten majorities with unity.
They'd probably banded Chinese from the start, killing countless Koreans.
Hiding strength due to low numbers, revealing at key moments.
'Problem is, Chinese outnumber us here in this [Special Trial].'
By fight's end, over 500 Chinese had gathered.
In normal trials, they'd skulk outnumbered; here, majority bold, they showed true colors.
"Ptoo, nobodies acting tough."
"Hey, keep yapping! Yap more!"
Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!
The brawl ended fast; five women survived. They begged, hands clasped.
"P-please spare us."
"Just our lives, please."
"Wanna live? Suck my dick then."
Not understanding words, but when men whipped out cocks, women crawled trembling.
"Fuck off!"
One refused—instant axe to the forehead. Hiiik! The rest sucked eagerly.
Two cocks in mouths, one per hand, jerking furiously.
"Man, thought it'd be boring—then pussy delivery."
"Whoa, Korean bitches suck like pros. Mouths like whores, bodies insanely hot."
"Never ceases to amaze. Our greedy bitches back home can't compare."
About 500 Chinese grinned sleazily, awaiting turns.
Overwhelmed by numbers and brutality, Koreans who'd been posturing now huddled, no challengers.
"Idiots messing with our 'Cheongbang'."
"Our guild ranks 71st. Boss is 41st solo. You bugs gonna match?"
"No one here beats our big bro! None beat our org!"
Not understanding Chinese, but instinct screamed danger—no one stepped up. Even women's pleas got backs turned.
"Hey, Kim. Back off. Those are dangerous. Takes guts to name a guild 'Cheongbang'."
Even [Human Hunters] grabbed slaves and retreated.
Their survival instincts were sharp; if they tucked tail, Cheongbang was lethal.
'Heard somewhere Cheongbang's seen as Triad origin.'
Who knows if true.
Anyway, sensitive name—government cracked down hard, rarely used even in selection.
Yet they flaunted it? Serious confidence.
I narrowed my eyes coolly.
'More blood incoming.'
If it stopped here, over 800—decent for rewards.
Maybe four women weren't enough; they itched for more.
"You bitches, arch those asses right!"
Smack!
Not content with two cocks per ass, long lines formed—Chinese eyed remaining Koreans.
"While we're at it, wipe 'em all, boss?"
"Everyone's pent up from not playing thanks to Kim Jin-woo's crew."
"Skip the boredom—grab a girl each and enjoy."
Clang, clang—subordinates eyed their leader, a sharp-featured half-bald man in his mid-40s, scanning the crowd. He nodded.
Approval given, underlings gleefully drew weapons.
"Hehe! Let's go, boys!"
"Die!"
"Kill men, spare women!"
No escape.
But Koreans, crushed in morale and cohesion, cowered—barely mustering defense.
'No choice.'
"Everyone up, watch surroundings. I'll be right back. So-hee, take command."
Party sprang up, fanning out flawlessly.
'Annoying, but can't drop below 800.'
Rewards scaled with difficulty. Mine were set—I needed this.
So, wedge between factions as buffer.
I flew to their clash point for landing—
Hold.
"Wait! Everyone, calm down!"
Someone beat me, claiming the spot.
Party dress ill-suited for battle. The woman in it halted both sides.
"Who're you? Move!"
"You can't fight here!"
"Can't?"
"What the fuck's this bitch saying?"
Terror set, ready to charge for easy win—then she interrupts.
Chinese, victory in sight, fumed.
But they eyed her up and down.
"Damn, this bitch is smoking hot. Fresh arrival, clueless?"
Gown bared shoulders, cleavage—huge tits, perky ass captivated men.
"Hey, miss. How old?"
"Boyfriend?"
Excited Chinese groped verbally. But in heat, they missed one thing.
"...Why ask my age?"
Everyone—Korean, Chinese—understood her perfectly.
Her words translated for all.
Players couldn't do bilingual at once.
"Why? Check compatibility. Skip that—how about tonight? Harmonize yin-yang, make a kid here?"
"No cutting, asshole. I called dibs on the big-tit slut."
Seven Chinese spewed filth, reaching competitively.
Then her aura shifted.
"...Hah, crossing the line?"
"Huh?"
Thud.
Splatters.
Seven men's bodies exploded instantly.
"Wh...?"
"Wh-what...?"
No warning.
No motion.
Just gone in a blink.
Blood misted to dust, swept by wind; crowd's frenzy died.
Silence fell, heavy with unease, as a low voice and alert rang.
"Pathetic worms daring to insult a god?"
[Ancient God Versia] has appeared.
[Oracle Island]—first trial facing an ancient god in selection.
Ancient gods: all cranky, even avatars untouchable by players.
One had descended to earth.