Chapter 87
Chapter 87
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 87
Chapter Title: The Bet and the Disappearance
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The 129 participants were organized into thirty-one teams of four, one team of three, and one team of two. Once they were sorted, Yashio had the teams line up and spoke.
“From the left, the first team is Team 1, and the last is Team 33. Confirm your position and make sure you know your team number. Furthermore, odd-numbered teams are chaser teams. Even-numbered teams are tail teams. Any objections?”
After confirming he was in the last team, Team 33, and thus a chaser team, Lee Si-woo immediately checked on Schizo’s team.
‘Good, Schizo is on a chaser team. Well, it's not the best-case scenario since I couldn't become a tail team… but it's still a relief. If Schizo had been a tail team, I might have had to call off the bet in the worst-case scenario.’
Deciding he could proceed with his plan, Lee Si-woo shot a glance at Yahalong, giving him a signal.
At Lee Si-woo's subtle urging, Yahalong raised his hand with a sour look on his face.
“I have an objection.”
At his grandson’s objection, Yashio asked with a sullen expression.
“I only asked for objections as a formality, but I didn't expect anyone to actually have one. So? What's your problem?”
Intimidated by his grandfather's inexplicably foul mood, Yahalong's spirit faltered as he answered in a voice as small as a mosquito's.
“…Elder. There are only two of us. But for two people to chase four… don’t you think that’s a bit… harsh? So, if possible, we’d like to be a tail team….”
“Hmm, what did I say beforehand? Didn't I clearly state that connections are a skill, and so is reputation?”
“St-still, this is too much. What I mean is, with so few of us, it could cause t-talk later… and also….”
“Talk? From who? Who in the world would dare to spout such nonsense about the way I, Yashio, handle things? You? Or you?”
As Yashio glared, pointing first at Yahalong and then at Lee Si-woo, Si-woo gave a bitter smile.
It seemed that hoping for the situation to resolve as he wanted was a distant dream.
‘Hey, Yahalong. You were bragging about how your grandfather was the proctor, so what's this? I'm not asking for some huge favor, just a simple switch from a chaser to a tail team, and that's too much? Hah, I thought since you’re his grandson, he’d secretly give you a small advantage if you ended up in the worst-case scenario of a two-man team… but he’s not budging an inch.’
Do they say blood is thicker than water for nothing?
Thinking things would work out if Yahalong just pleaded and played on his sympathy, Lee Si-woo let out a faint sigh and stepped forward himself.
The only silver lining was that he had prepared a backup plan in case things didn't go his way.
The only problem was that it was a plan based on improvisation, so he couldn't guarantee it would work one hundred percent.
“May I be frank for a moment?”
Yashio glared at Lee Si-woo, making his displeasure obvious.
“Fine, speak. But be warned, if it’s some trivial nonsense, I won’t let it slide.”
“Frankly, with our numbers, it makes no difference whether we’re a chaser team or a tail team. There are only two of us, so what does it matter what we do?”
“That’s true. So why insist on switching? Going so far as to use my grandson?”
Lee Si-woo finally understood why Yashio was in a bad mood.
The troll of an elder didn't like that his precious grandson was being played by the likes of Lee Si-woo.
Having identified his disposition, Lee Si-woo resolved to be more careful in the future when using Yahalong and opened his mouth.
“It’s because of a bet.”
As Lee Si-woo spouted nonsense with a shameless face, Yashio looked at him as if he were a reckless fool.
“A bet? Hah, what kind of crazy bullshit is that?”
“I checked earlier and saw that Schizo is also on a chaser team. The problem is, I made a 500-coin bet with him. The winner is the one who escapes or catches the other, and the loser is the one who gets caught or fails to catch. Simple as that.”
That was why it was a relief.
“…500 coins?”
Yashio clicked his tongue at the thought of betting 500 coins on something so trivial. He also realized why Lee Si-woo wanted to switch teams.
“Hmph, so you asked to switch? Because the bet can't happen if you're both chaser teams?”
“That’s right. That’s why I dared to ask your grandson to speak up. I was greedy, thinking it would be better coming from him since you two are related… Ahem, if that made you uncomfortable, I apologize.”
Yashio’s eyebrow twitched at Lee Si-woo's sincere apology, which struck home as if he had uncannily read his mind.
‘This brat…’
The more they talked, the more he felt like he was sinking into a swamp.
Even while speaking with him, an elder, the way he firmly grasped and controlled the conversation was anything but ordinary.
Yashio found this fact both uncomfortable and gratifying.
He was pleased that his grandson’s eye for people wasn't bad, but at the same time, he found his grandson, who couldn't even handle a guy like that, pathetic.
In any case, with some of his animosity toward Lee Si-woo resolved, Yashio asked in a much softer voice.
“Hmm, so you asked to switch…? But this goes against fairness….”
“I suppose it does. So, if you’ll allow it, Elder, I was thinking of asking the other mages for their understanding… what do you think? If the others agree, we’ll do it, and if not, we’ll proceed as is. I can’t inconvenience everyone else just for a bit of fun.”
Just then, Schizo, who had been simmering with rage ever since Lee Si-woo started talking about him and ‘fun,’ stepped forward.
He shot a glare at Lee Si-woo, looking ready to chew him up and spit him out.
“Elder! I humbly request that you switch Lee Si-woo to a tail team. I've been challenged by a junior who's still wet behind the ears. As his senior, how could I possibly hold my head high if I don't accept?”
Lee Si-woo beamed at Schizo, who looked like a balloon about to pop from suppressed anger.
“As expected of a senior, you are truly magnanimous. Ah, in that spirit, if you manage to cut even one centimeter of my tail, I'll consider it my loss and give you the coins. Not only that, but for the duration of the evaluation, I will obey any of your commands as if they came from the heavens. A junior must properly respect his senior, after all, right?”
He’ll admit defeat if he cuts even one centimeter of his tail?
Wasn't this as good as saying he wouldn't even be able to touch his tail?
Provoked by Lee Si-woo’s condescending tone, Schizo shouted in a rage-filled voice.
“Likewise, if I can't cut even one centimeter of your damned tail, I'll give you the 500 coins, and on top of that, I'll be your damn slave for the rest of this evaluation! How about that?!”
“I wasn't asking for a slave… but well, if you insist, I'll gladly put you to work.”
At Lee Si-woo’s smug attitude, Schizo flapped his wings and went berserk.
“This punk who doesn't know his place is really—!”
Seeing the two mages on the verge of a brawl right in front of him, Yashio waved his hands and shouted.
“Enough! Settle your grudges during the evaluation! Fine! Team 33, which Lee Si-woo belongs to, will be changed to a tail team, and we will proceed with the tail-catching. Are there any objections from the other participants? If even one person exercises their veto, this will be nullified.”
Who would pass up such an entertaining spectacle?
Naturally, not a single person objected. Yashio shot Lee Si-woo a look one might give a mischievous troublemaker before speaking.
“Then, in five minutes, we will begin the tail-catching evaluation. The time limit is two hours! Tail teams will be given a one-minute head start to run. For your information, you can flee anywhere on this plain for the next two hours, so feel free to show off your mobility! Now, all tail teams will wear the red silk. Begin!”
As soon as Yashio finished speaking, the mages began to move with alacrity.
Each tail team passed the red silk to their designated ace, who would act as the tail, while the chaser teams watched with eyes like hawks to see who was wearing it.
One minute.
It was a short time, but if the mages fled at full speed, it wasn't too pressing.
Lee Si-woo leisurely tied the tail on and spoke to Yahalong.
“Yahalong, you stay here.”
“What? What do you mean? I need to cover you so you can escape more easily, don't I?”
“No. You'd just get in the way, so trust me and stay put. Just trust me and hang out here leisurely for two hours. Oh, I heard some fun mobile games came out recently. Maybe you could try a few.”
Yahalong was so flabbergasted he started to stutter and jump up and down.
“You, you, you! A-are you really crazy? Have you lost your mind?! I just don’t get it. What in the hell is going on inside that damn head of yours! Dammit! I must have been insane. How did I end up trusting a guy like this for the evaluation…!”
While Yahalong was throwing a fit, Lee Si-woo was simply playing with the tail swishing behind his back, as if fascinated by it.
Just as Yahalong, now at a loss for words, stared at him with a dumbfounded expression, Yashio announced the start of the evaluation.
“Five minutes are up. The tail-catching will now begin. Tail teams! You have one minute. Move!”
Like a starter pistol at a 100-meter dash, as soon as Yashio finished speaking, the tail teams scattered in all directions in perfect unison.
That is, all except for Ixion's Team 2 and Lee Si-woo's Team 33.
Shaking off his teammates' urging hands, Ixion remained rooted to the spot like a nail.
His abandoned tail lay enticingly on the ground.
Receiving the heated gazes of the chaser teams, like bees to a flower, Ixion spoke with a deadpan expression.
“I will not move from this spot for two hours. You are welcome to touch my tail as much as you wish. However… you’d better weigh your options carefully.”
As Ixion released his mana, ripples of it spread out from where he stood.
The violent wave of mana, sharp enough to sting their skin, froze the chaser teams in place like statues.
Ixion spoke to them in a stiff tone.
“I guarantee it. One or two chaser teams joining forces won't be nearly enough to touch my tail. And yet, my tail is a mere one meter long. On the other hand, there are many of you. Hmm, is it better to antagonize me and fight over my tail? Or would it be better to go after the easier targets?”
Crushed by Ixion’s sheer presence, they didn't even realize that the one-minute head start had already passed.
However, not everyone was intimidated.
Naturally, among them were those confident enough that while they were wary of Ixion, they were not afraid.
Schizo scoffed and walked forward.
“Ixion, I admit you’re incredible. After all, what kind of chaff would dare to recklessly challenge a Ranker of your renown? You've earned the right to act this way. However, it would be best not to be too arrogant. At the very least, I am not included in that chaff. So, you’re quite lucky today. Normally, I would have tested just how great you are… but I have a prior engagement today.”
Having said that, Schizo whipped his head to the side.
There sat Lee Si-woo, plopped on the ground, watching the scene with an expression of pure amusement.
Glaring daggers at Lee Si-woo, who looked ready to break out the popcorn, Schizo continued.
“Lee Si-woo, why didn't you run? You… don't tell me you really intend to have a proper fight? Someone of your level? Or what? After all that provocation, are you starting to regret it now?”
“Regret? Why would I have any regrets? I’m about to acquire a useful slave from the Falcon tribe, after all.”
At Lee Si-woo’s insult, Schizo suddenly burst out laughing.
The surrounding mages, guessing that his laughter stemmed from extreme fury, quietly took their leave.
They began to move to catch other tail teams before it was too late.
Schizo's inventory ring glowed, and an artifact shot out.
It was claw-like magic gear, designed to be worn on the feet of avians, perfectly resembling the talons of a bird of prey.
After carefully fitting the claw gear onto his three-toed feet, Schizo spoke.
“Since we’re from the same magic tower, I won’t kill you. However, I think I’ll take one of your left arms. You can still use magic with one arm, after all. Ah, but before that, let me ask one thing. You’re acting like a man possessed, determined to pick a fight with me… why? Are you so nervous that you’ve lost your mind?”
As expected of someone with his level of skill, he wasn't a fool.
But it was already too late.
Realizing you’re in a swamp after you’ve already fallen in only makes you sink deeper.
With a faint smile on his lips, Lee Si-woo said.
“Among my Avian friends, there's one named Laim. His magical skill is a bit low, but being an Avian, he knows every little detail about the Falcon tribe. That's why I provoked you.”
The Falcon tribe, due to their nature, possessed immense pride and were easily provoked.
Because of this, they often met with disaster.
Especially when it came to things like bets or gambling.
“To raise the stakes high enough that you'd have to bet yourself. Ah, so about that… Schizo, surely you didn't think I was going to fight you for real?”
The moment Schizo, sensing an ominous nuance from Lee Si-woo, was about to move, Si-woo pulled the Barathrum from his coat and continued.
“Stupidly?”
And then, he logged into the Barathrum.