The 500-Man Death Match
By the time sightseeing around the kingdom had grown tiresome.
Creak, screech.
A knight in full armor and a middle-aged man dressed as a noble emerged from the palace. The overwhelming presence they exuded captured the attention of all the users nearby.
At his words, the users gathered around.
The middle-aged man watched them assemble for a moment before turning and heading toward the massive training grounds at the rear of the castle grounds. A group of users had already claimed spots here and there.
"Gonna give some speech here or what?"
Mu-hyuk chuckled at Sung Min-woo's remark.
"Probably?"
"Ugh, this is gonna suck. Back in school, the principal's speeches were the worst."
Just then, the middle-aged man halted.
The users shuffled into position at his command.
Mu-hyuk and Sung Min-woo did the same.
That's when they spotted a few familiar faces.
"Huh? That guy..."
It was Asrahan.
Hmm...!
The moment Mu-hyuk laid eyes on him, a chilling shiver ran down his spine.
Something about it just felt off.
The silver lining was that they were in groups far apart.
"PK scum just wandering around like it's nothing."
"Ignore it."
"Tch, fine. Oh, that guy's here too."
"Who?"
Mu-hyuk turned his head again.
It was Rudolph, the one who'd signed a contract with him. Rudolph spotted Mu-hyuk too but quickly scowled and looked away.
They're all showing up.
Sung Min-woo's fussing wasn't over yet.
"Whoa! No way, dude, dude—over there."
"What now?"
This time, the user Sung Min-woo pointed out was Dark. Mu-hyuk's playful expression hardened the instant he confirmed it.
Dark.
No matter how impressive Mu-hyuk's achievements were, he could never match Dark's raw gaming talent.
Unlike Mu-hyuk, who'd climbed this far using foreknowledge, Dark held the top spot without any such advantages.
And his class—Holy Knight—was a necromancer's worst nightmare.
Just then, Dark turned, and their eyes met.
A sharp, prickling sensation stabbed at Mu-hyuk's chest.
Thump.
An emotion too complex for words.
His fist clenched involuntarily.
*
Kilimanjaro, the user with Dark.
"Hey, who're you staring at?"
"Nothing."
Dark, who'd locked eyes with Mu-hyuk, turned away.
But Kilimanjaro wasn't one to let it slide.
Dark knew that all too well, yet he could only click his tongue inwardly at the undeniable reality.
"Nothing, my ass. Users who catch your eye aren't exactly common."
"Hmph."
"Who is it?"
Kilimanjaro peered intently in the direction Dark had been looking. Spotting Mu-hyuk, he let out a subtle gasp.
"Oh, that guy?"
Busted.
Dark deliberately stayed silent.
"Gangster Necromancer, right? You got a thing for him?"
"Crazy bastard."
"Huh? Denying it just makes it more suspicious. Can't be romantic interest as a guy. So that leaves... he pissed you off somehow?"
Kilimanjaro paused, eyes closed in thought, then clapped.
"Oh, right! You had that boss monster plan, and he one-shotted you, yeah?"
"..."
"Kekeke, nailed it. Got curious now, huh?"
Dark's lips twitched.
"Whoa, what? Gonna throw a punch?"
"Maybe."
"Guards'll nab you."
"Haa, annoying prick."
"That's my charm."
Dark shook his head and shifted his gaze again.
Mu-hyuk was gone.
"Looking for that guy?"
"No."
"He headed to Group B. You're groups apart."
"So?"
"Just saying."
"Don't assume shit. You think a necromancer's any match for me?"
"Pfft, nah. You're a Holy Knight, after all. Necromancers are the easiest matchup for you. Outcome's obvious if you clash."
"Obviously."
"Tch, true. Sucks that the guy who wrecked you happens to be a necro. Missed opportunity."
Just then, a group approached Dark.
"Excuse us!"
"Who're you?"
"Oh, we're from the broadcast station. Got a minute for a quick interview...?"
"Not interested."
"Please, sir! Just one word!"
Kilimanjaro stepped in.
"Just talk while looking at the camera?"
"Yes!"
"Ahem. Alright, one line then."
Kilimanjaro grinned.
"Hey, cuties! I'm Kilimanjaro. Cheer for this handsome bro—he's totally winning!"
"Uh, sir..."
"C'mon, Dark. Your turn."
The crew couldn't protest his prodding.
Why? Dark was infamous for never doing interviews.
*
The filming crews from various stations took positions at the end of the lines.
"Get the shot perfect."
"Yes, director!"
Special broadcast capsules allowed angles impossible for regular users. Competition for prime spots was fierce.
"Ugh, jackpot after jackpot."
"Right? Treasure Dungeon was wild, but now the strongest warriors tournament...!"
"Heh, pure money. Oh, interviews secured?"
"Yup, most top contenders. Skipped the real assholes."
"Who?"
"Eh, Dark, for one..."
"..."
The director's face twisted.
"That fucker Dark?"
"Pardon? Oh, yeah."
"He's rank 1!"
"Y-yeah."
"Personality or not, you had to get him!"
"Director, you know he's famous for no interviews. Begged like hell, but he's a rock."
"Useless!"
"But I got Mu-hyuk."
"That gangster necromancer?"
"Yeah, the Treasure Dungeon opener!"
"Forget it. Focus—this is about the tournament, not some dungeon. Necro's poison to Holy Knights. You got a brain or not?"
"B-but maybe—"
"Maybe my ass! I know everything!"
Meanwhile, the Forma Continent Strongest Warriors Tournament kicked off.
A crowd ascended the high platform at the front of the vast hall. A representative stepped forward.
I am Duke Amur.
Magic amplification carried his voice clearly to all.
Short and to the point.
"Huh, not bad."
"No boredom here."
The host wrapped up the opening ceremony.
All eyes locked on the host.
"Nail the shot."
"Got it."
The prelim format was being revealed for the first time.
500-Man Death Match!
A murmur rippled through the crowd.
"Death match?"
"Shit, 500 all fighting?"
"Insane."
Some nodded knowingly.
"Makes sense with so many entrants."
"Whatever."
"But with 500, even skilled ones could drop out."
"Yeah..."
"Weaklings team up, pick off the strong first."
"Hope they clump in my group."
"Idiot, who knows how many survive?"
"Oh, right."
The host continued as the chatter died.
The noise faded.
With so many participants, groups were massive—even among elites.
"Even top tiers..."
"Huge."
"Plenty to watch."
The 500-man prelim death matches would be spectacles. One-on-one was fun, but mass user slaughter? Pure captivation.
The host's voice echoed softly.
Users were already lined by group and number.
Mu-hyuk, B98, was in b1. Group A entered a building in the corner, guided by attendants. Soon, b1 followed.
"Enter here."
Inside was a vast hall.
They took positions on marked lines.
"Before summoning: Once transported, stay calm, find and eliminate foes. Magical space means no real death—wounds vanish on respawn here."
The man's voice lowered.
"Questions?"
"..."
"Summoning ritual now."
He chanted incomprehensible spells. Light erupted from the lines, engulfing everyone.
*
Mu-hyuk opened his eyes, scanning around.
A shabby, cramped room.
Starting point.
The other 499 were summoned somewhere similar.
He might run into one leaving.
Mu-hyuk nearly summoned a Hydra for Skull Snakes but stopped.
Hmm.
No need to alert the first encounter.
He could summon post-start.
Confident enough.
He approached the door, gripped the handle, pulled.
Screech.
Louder than expected; he winced slightly, stepping out.
Vast plains stretched before him.
A eerie forest loomed in the distance.
That instant.
Whoosh.
Something lunged from beside him.
A razor-sharp blade.