Live Broadcast from Mana Hell
Amy was steadfastly broadcasting from inside the gate, using her drone camera and smartphone.
Flat on her stomach on the ground, she pounded the earth, lamenting her fate.
"This can't be happening—why me? Whyyy!"
After her outburst, Amy stared blankly at her stigma, her eyes vacant. It showed no reaction, and not a scrap of mana stirred within her body.
"It won't come out…."
All mana in the body has been sealed.
The irritating hologram popped up again.
Amy's special training sessions flashed before her like a montage, flooding her with injustice.
"I'm strong, you know… sniff! I'm a top contender, you damn gate…."
As Amy said, she was strong.
In terms of skill with combat-type magic tools, she could stand toe-to-toe with any academy's number one. But today wasn't the day to show it off.
"I couldn't even appear in the last broadcast! I thought I'd finally get to shine! Waaah!"
Tragedy from up close, comedy from afar—or so the saying goes. Viewers were cracking up at Amy's misfortune.
Tears welling up, Amy hiccuped as she checked the chat on her phone.
"Chat, sniff! Why's the chat scrolling so fast? What's so funny? Sniff! Huh, wha?"
G Channel had specially approved her account for internet streaming. Even so, her viewer count was exploding.
"Wh-why's the viewer count like this?"
The viewers explained her curiosity.
Normally, she'd be thrilled about snagging broadcast footage, but Amy thrashed about wildly.
"Huh? What's this? Main cam? Why give main cam for this? Hey! Network! You watching? You pervs?"
Drunk-like, Amy flailed and ranted.
Still, her anger didn't subside.
"And we're Sabers in a gate— is this our role?"
Quest: You are a reporter. Head to Christie Auction House with the broadcast team for coverage.
Details: Outscoop your rival reporter and land an interview with Sky Group's only daughter, Yume.
Assigning a broadcaster role to a streamer already live? Amy's eyes bulged.
"Hey! Gate! This the quest you wanted?! Make me a broadcaster inside a gate? Did I come here to stream the gate? Huh?!"
After venting at the camera, Amy griped at the innocent gate about her role. But viewers thought differently.
Amy finally accepted reality.
It was still bitter, but she comforted herself thinking she'd secured broadcast material.
"Fine. Complaining won't change anything. Gates are all like this…."
That mindset shift did the trick.
Suddenly, strength surged through Amy.
"Yeah! Positively, it's a virtual gate—what luck! If it were real, I'd be dead meat!"
She mimed slitting her throat, turning the situation into content.
"Hehe, right? I'm weaker than anyone right now. In Zone 4 terms, slime or goblin level… but hey, isn't this just venting bad luck? Actually a good thin—?"
Reading the chat, Amy's face lit up in surprise.
"Wait, party's really at some Sky thing? Oh, so maybe… we could meet at the auction house?"
Her mind raced.
Weak from the mana penalty now, but if she linked up with Zien?
'At least I won't die pointlessly!'
Decision made, Amy beamed at the camera.
"You guys get it, right?"
She resolved to clear the quest fast and head to Sky Town. Somehow, she'd rendezvous with the party leader. Viewers caught on instantly.
"Yep! Let's go smash this quest! Beat some rival? Piece of cake. Who am I? A streamer with over 200k subs!"
Thus, Amy headed to the network—still broadcasting from the gate—with viewers' expectations and dreams of reuniting with Zien.
On the 5th floor of Sky Town.
While others took exams, Zien was in a private meeting with examiner Jin Yura.
"Heard you're a student—mind if I drop the formalities?"
Jin Yura was friendly, but Zien replied curtly, dutifully.
"Sure."
"You heard from Vermouth, but you're pre-approved. Knocking out 22 people solo…."
Jin Yura had tons of questions: his trait's effects, why a 2nd-rank hunter license with that skill? But she was a pro. She held back.
"So, the security team's leadership spot is yours."
"Thanks for the kind words."
"Thanks? Hmm. You really don't know, do you?"
Jin Yura smirked mysteriously at Zien. The info given was too limited. To progress the quest, he needed more from her.
"…What do you mean?"
"Not curious who you're guarding that they need an exam for? Your team's charge is a real handful. The chairman's one and only daughter."
Pieces clicked in Zien's mind.
'Sky Group's only daughter….'
He couldn't recall all Zone 1 history, but Sky Group was the top conglomerate he remembered.
Quest gave an escort mission, so the target was surely under threat.
'An enemy bold enough for that company….'
Enemy level: at least 5th to 6th rank.
Perfect stage for a 5th-rank gate.
'Won't be easy.'
But Jin Yura thought differently.
"Sure, no idiot would try kidnapping Sky Group's daughter. But being a chaebol kid? This girl's a handful like no other."
She chuckled at Zien, amused.
"Thought you'd landed a sweet gig at a big corp? Tough luck. With your skills, you'll be kissing up to a spoiled brat. Worst job ever, right?"
Explanation done, she switched back to pro mode.
"Not thrilled? Quit now. Plenty want the spot."
But Zien had no choice.
Taking Sky Group's exam wasn't just job hunting.
To clear the gate, he had to follow the quests.
"Doesn't matter."
Zien's answer made Jin Yura grin ear-to-ear, oddly pleased.
"Great! Exam's over. Number 36, meet your future teammates."
With her words, the door opened. Four entered; Zien knew three.
Jin Yura introduced him.
"This is your security team leader. Quick intros."
The blond man spoke first: Franklin. His posture was surprisingly meek.
"Haha, knew you'd be leader! Your swordsmanship was unreal! Were you, like, an inspector or something?"
Sin Ha-seong eyed pathetic Franklin with disdain.
"Pathetic. I'm Sin Ha-seong. Pike's my weapon, 25 years old. Older than you."
"Sigh, why are people from your country so age-obsessed? In a security team, show respect to the leader!"
"What? This fly should just flatter…."
Franklin shot back, sparking their bickering. Tiny Kumo gauged the mood, then sidled to Zien.
"I'm Kumo. 2nd-rank hunter. My trait's kinda embarrassing to show, but…."
Kumo extended a hesitant hand.
Threads spurted from it.
"Thread-spinning! Mana-proof, so most attacks can't cut it."
"Got it. And the last one?"
The woman Zien asked wore a dress and heels—odd for an exam. She oozed confidence.
"Me? Call me Red~ Or whatever's comfy. Ability…."
Red approached, whispering in Zien's ear.
"Sexy. Lick."
Her sultry voice and move made Jin Yura grimace in disgust.
'What's her gimmick? But that license—only 4th-rank here….'
Zien surveyed the four teammates with a wry expression.
'One weirder than the next….'
The oddballs gave him a headache.
'Isabel, Chris, Amy….'
He missed his party members. But the gate quest was just starting.
Quest: Protect your charge 'Yume.'.
Details: If the charge dies, mana seal penalty applies.
Zien glanced between the hologram and the four.
'Tch, this'll be a workout.'
Zien had graduated from babysitting academy kids. Now, time to wrangle 'adults.'
"As your security team leader, here are the rules."
Zien's voice rumbled low.
My Previous Life was the Strongest Sword God