The Tournament's Irresistible Prize
"There's one otherworlder I know of. A guy named Mu-hyuk. I checked, and he hasn't signed up for this tournament."
"And what does that have to do with this situation?"
"Of course it does. Among otherworlders, he's one of the absolute top-tier powerhouses. If he's not participating, doesn't that mean other elites might skip it too? If they don't join, our goal of gauging their strength goes out the window. You all know it well—darkness is lurking everywhere. We might not hold out with just our own power. We need to assess the otherworlders' abilities in this tournament and accelerate their growth through commissions..."
"I get it. That'll do."
"Ahem, alright then."
Duke Amur scanned the room.
"What do you all think of Count Kairon's opinion?"
"It seems worth looking into."
"It's just one person. Overturning our decision for a single guy is problematic."
As the nobles clashed, Duke Amur rapped the table.
"We'll vote on it. Aye if you think we should investigate properly. Nay otherwise."
The vote proceeded.
"23 ayes, 17 nays."
In the end, they decided on a thorough check.
"We'll reconvene in two days."
To grasp the situation accurately, they burned a full two days. When the nobles gathered again, their expressions were grim.
"At least that's good news."
Duke Amur's words eased the tense atmosphere somewhat.
They were nobles from other empires, but with a common enemy, they were allies—like comrades.
Besides, Amur was a duke, so no one dared treat him lightly unless it was the emperor himself.
"Thanks to Count Kairon's insight, we've assessed the situation properly. You all know the issue. Turns out, the fastest-growing otherworlders mostly skipped registration."
"Yes, we've confirmed it too."
"Not being able to measure the top growers' progress is a huge problem."
"How about observing them hunt instead...?"
"Monsters are too simplistic; we can't gauge true combat prowess."
Count Kairon stepped forward.
"What if we improve the rewards?"
"I thought the same. Originally, only top three got prizes—why not expand to eight and add five new ones?"
"That ups the odds; it'd spark interest."
"And if we boost the quality of those extra five..."
The nobles nodded.
Watching them, Duke Amur continued.
"I've got an idea for first place."
"What is it?"
"Whatever the user wants."
The nobles blinked in confusion.
"Whatever the user wants...?"
"Exactly as it sounds."
They still tilted their heads.
Amur chuckled.
"The first-place user gets one item they precisely desire, and we must procure it—even if we open our hidden vaults."
It was a shocking reward, straight from Duke Amur's mouth.
*
Finishing a hunting commission on the way to the Kingdom of Vir, Sung Min-woo made a request.
"Sparring?"
"Yeah, PVP. I've tangled with some PK users, but they weren't great. Figured sparring with you would sharpen my edge."
"So I'm helping you out?"
"Yeah! My treat—beef!"
"Deal."
Mu-hyuk grinned and drew his sword.
"I'll start solo?"
"Huh? No skeletons? Summon like ten. I'm not that weak!"
"Not 'cause you're weak."
"Then?"
"Most PVP opponents aren't summoners. Feels totally different from monsters or PK packs."
"Ah?"
"Come at me."
"Okay, summoning first."
Sung Min-woo called twelve spirits. Facing them alone felt burdensome, but it was a prime chance for Mu-hyuk to test his solo feel, so he committed fully.
"Leaving the party."
"Got it."
The instant the party dissolved, Mu-hyuk dashed back.
Transformation, Powerful Arrow Shot.
Sword to bow, arrow nocked. It pierced the air with lethal speed, but Sung Min-woo directed a spirit to block effortlessly. Meanwhile, the other eleven advanced, pressuring Mu-hyuk.
Hmm.
Mu-hyuk retreated, waiting for them to close in. But the spirit Ers in front showed no intent to move.
By then, the rest narrowed the gap enough; no more backing up. Mu-hyuk applied Storm to unleash Multishot.
Bang! Boom!
Oncoming spirits reeled from the arrows.
He didn't forget a shot at Sung Min-woo.
Seemingly minor, but it'd force a dodge or block—Mu-hyuk could exploit that gap.
Wind Step. Transformation, transformation.
He moved like the wind.
Whoosh.
Slipping past spirits toward Sung Min-woo. Ers swung forward, cracking the ground. A hand burst up, grabbing at Mu-hyuk's ankle—but he'd anticipated the known skill.
Hup!
Holding his breath, he veered sharply. Sword slashed Ers's ankle. It'd heal fast, but it'd stall briefly.
That was enough.
"Uracha!"
Now one-on-one with Sung Min-woo.
Clang! Scraaaape!
Knuckles met sword in rapid clashes.
Storm. Cross Slash.
Spirits closing from behind, no doubt.
Quick and decisive.
Mu-hyuk gave no quarter. His stats outclassed anyway; Sung Min-woo barely held on.
HP hit rock bottom; he raised both hands.
"I surrender! Mercy!"
Mu-hyuk halted his swing.
"Ah, damn it!"
"Know why you lost?"
"Nope."
"Your spirits chased too far. What if I lure 'em away?"
"Ah?"
"They couldn't catch up, fight over."
Sung Min-woo nodded.
"Got it."
"Again?"
"Yeah, after HP refill."
"Sure."
They sat, crafting gear.
Clang, clang!
One piece done.
"HP full."
"Already?"
Sparring resumed.
Fifth round.
Sung Min-woo no longer commanded spirits selfishly.
He'd formed patterns countering Mu-hyuk's moves. Now Mu-hyuk struggled.
Time passed; Mu-hyuk surrendered.
"Kuhahaha!"
Sung Min-woo's mad laugh.
"Finally beat you."
"Improved, huh?"
"Heh, one solid punch."
Mu-hyuk's brow twitched.
"One more?"
"I accept your challenge."
"Heh..."
Mu-hyuk chuckled, summoning skeletons.
"Huh? What? Why summon?"
"Why not?"
"Cheating!"
"Hey, hey. Buddy. I'm a necromancer."
"..."
Sung Min-woo looked shocked, like he'd forgotten. Mu-hyuk smirked, unsummoning some.
Left: 15 Armor Knights.
"This fair?"
"Deal."
They clashed full-force again.
Early rounds even, but after a few, Sung Min-woo dominated.
Twelve spirits were that potent, synergy sharpening.
Mu-hyuk added 7 Armor Archers and 3 Mages. Now it was anyone's game.
*
Sparring done, they entered the Kingdom of Vir.
A quest popped up again.
"Pops every time we come?"
"Probably."
Mu-hyuk nearly dismissed it lazily, then tilted his head.
Forma Continent Strongest Tournament (Revised)
The "Revised" caught his eye.
Was there something like this?
Mu-hyuk checked the details, head tilted.
Forma Continent Strongest Tournament (Revised)
The nobles behind the Forma Continent Strongest Tournament have upped the reward quality.
Preliminaries now grant EXP; tournaments yield 3x more than before.
Top ranks expanded to 8; 1st place gets a game-changing prize.
They vow to procure any item the user desires.
Mu-hyuk stopped.
"Whoa, this..."
"What's up?"
"What is this?"
Not the timeline he knew.
Much had changed. Tower and Treasure Dungeon opened sooner; he'd claimed benefits meant for others.
Skulls mostly his, boosting him abnormally. But this felt off.
Related?
His gains didn't link to the tournament.
Unaware of Count Kairon's role, Mu-hyuk pondered unresolved.
"Oh, quest changed?"
"Yeah."
"That's why?"
"Yep."
"What's the issue?"
"Nah, just... thinking of entering."
"For real?"
"Mulling it. 1st place gets whatever you want."
This reward would draw hidden elites.
Any item whatsoever.
The weight hit hard.
He had a few dream items, but needed more thought.
"Dude, what's to mull? Enter!"
"Huh?"
"Sign up now!"
Dragged by Sung Min-woo, Mu-hyuk queued. Suddenly, resolve solidified.
Fine, let's do it.
Time to go wild.