Chapter 47
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: Who to Kill
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The 4th round quest was simple.
Kill another player.
But being a main quest, it also had a hidden sub-quest.
[A hidden sub-quest is available!]
└Kill the zone representative within the time limit
└Success Reward ▶ Lowest-Grade Mana Stone Ticket
[You have completed the sub-quest!]
[You have been rewarded with a 'Lowest-Grade Mana Stone Ticket'!]
This was why Ryu Min had killed Hwang Yong-min.
To kill the zone representative and claim the sub-quest reward.
[Lowest-Grade Mana Stone Ticket]
-Classification: Consumable
-Grade: Rare
-Effect: Randomly acquire 1-5 lowest-grade mana stones.
-Usage Restriction: Until the next round, Apprentice grade or higher
-Description: A limited-time item that allows you to obtain mana stones randomly. The item will be automatically destroyed upon entering the next round. Affected by the Luck stat.
'Good. I got the reward I wanted.'
The Lowest-Grade Mana Stone Ticket was a gacha ticket that could yield up to five mana stones.
Since it was a limited-time item, he had to use it before the 5th round.
'When I return, I'll have to ask Min Ju-ri for a buff.'
Just then, a sharp scream pierced his ears.
"Aaaah!"
"S-Someone's dead!"
"I saw it! Black Scythe killed him!"
People started screaming, having finally noticed Hwang Yong-min's severed head.
Some stared at Black Scythe as if he were a wild beast.
'Weren't you the ones holding knives, aiming to become the zone representative? How hypocritical of you now.'
He clicked his tongue and flicked the blood from his scythe.
At the sight, some players sputtered, pointing fingers at him.
"Hey, Black Scythe! How could you just kill someone out of the blue!"
"Do you have no blood in your veins, no tears in your eyes?"
"Murderer! You're a murderer!"
A murderer?
True. He had killed Jang Seok-hyun.
And was that all?
He had killed countless people on his way to the 20th round.
'Though they were all trash who got in my way.'
Any explanation would be pointless; the reason didn't matter in their eyes.
They just needed a target for their blame.
'They probably think they've found the perfect excuse.'
Sure enough, when he looked at the players criticizing him, they were all thinking the same thing.
That this was their chance to drag Black Scythe's image through the mud.
'It's laughable.'
Perhaps provoked by his smirk, the players raised their voices.
"You! You think this situation is funny?"
"Are you a psychopath? What's so funny about what you did...?"
Just then, a message appeared before the players' eyes.
[Player 'Black Scythe' has become the new zone representative of ESKS45-5.]
The message announcing the change in zone representative made people realize something a little too late.
The man with the scythe now held the gun, too.
The players who had been pointing fingers quietly lowered their hands.
*Gulp.*
Suddenly, everyone fell silent as a tomb.
Ryu Min's smirk deepened.
"What's wrong? Why aren't you shouting like before?"
"..."
"Did the fear you never had suddenly appear now that I'm the zone representative?"
"..."
"Aha, you're afraid of my authority. You must be non-classers, then?"
"Wh-What are you talking about...!"
As if he'd hit a nerve, the players stammered.
Some scurried away to hide among the crowd like rats.
They were afraid of Ryu Min's authority.
'They were probably planning to incite others to kill me once I became the representative. Not a chance.'
For the non-classers, Ryu Min becoming the zone representative was a despairing turn of events.
It meant their chances of seizing the position had become infinitesimally small.
That's why they had tried to find fault and drag him down.
Hoping someone else would kill Black Scythe for them.
It was then.
"Huh? L-Look at that!"
People pointed their fingers at Black Scythe.
To be precise, above his head.
"Black Scythe's nickname color changed!"
Being above his head, Ryu Min couldn't see his own nickname, but he knew.
'It must have changed from fluorescent to red.'
Normally, killing someone didn't change it, but this round was different.
Committing murder turned one's nickname red like this.
'It's probably a light red for now. I've only killed one person.'
The more one killed, the darker the color became.
What was the point of introducing such a system this round?
'To distinguish between murderers and non-murderers, I suppose. Killing a murderer probably eases the conscience.'
Killing a murderer would likely induce less guilt than killing a good-natured non-murderer.
Because they were murderers, after all.
Human scum who had killed their own kind.
'But whoever kills a murderer also becomes a murderer.'
Committing murder would invariably turn one's nickname red.
They would become the same kind of murderer.
They might fancy themselves judges of justice, but in the eyes of others, they were just another killer.
'In any case, the change in nickname color will encourage mutual slaughter.'
But everyone seemed hesitant to kill each other, as if something was holding them back.
Times like these called for a little instigation.
"What is everyone doing? You don't have time to hesitate, you know."
"Y-You stay quiet! You murderer!"
"You'd think I was the only one who wanted to kill the zone representative. What about all the people who swarmed Jo Joong-sik last round? Were you all running to give him a kiss?"
"Th-That's...!"
"Kill or be killed. Have you survived this long without understanding that simple principle? Living in a competitive society where you have to step on others to get ahead, you should know that much, shouldn't you?"
"B-But...!"
"Stop being hypocrites and face reality. Is there anyone here who wouldn't pick up a knife if they were told their head would roll if they didn't kill someone right now?"
Amid the silence, Ryu Min continued.
"Of course, a truly good person wouldn't kill. But honestly, would that be because they're sparing others? Or because they lack the courage to kill?"
"..."
"This isn't the time to stand around blankly. If it bothers you that much, why don't you hold a debate like you did for the last vote?"
With those words, Ryu Min turned away.
As if to say, kill or be killed, do as you please.
'A fight will break out eventually, even without a lengthy explanation. But.'
By then, it would be too late.
'If I don't say something like this, they'll just waste time for nothing.'
If that happened, they might not meet the required number of achievers.
The rule of this round was that anyone who didn't kill would be eliminated without exception.
'Inciting murder like this is the way to ensure more people survive.'
Ryu Min moved to an empty corner, crossed his arms, and watched the situation unfold.
His argument seemed to have had an effect, as murmurs of unease began to spread.
"We can't just stand here like this. As Black Scythe said, shouldn't we do something?"
"So what do you suggest we do? Have a little chat?"
"Why do you have to be so sarcastic? I'm just saying we should discuss what to do."
"What is there to discuss? Let's just grab someone and fight. Or we could have a proper tournament."
"What's 'proper' about a fight to the death? And a tournament? Are you here on vacation?"
"What did you say?"
The murmuring grew louder as the conversation heated up.
While a debate unfolded on one side, Seo Ah-rin looked at Ahn Sang-chul.
"Wh-What should we do, bodyguard? Do we really have to kill someone like Black Scythe said?"
"Of course, we have to. Otherwise, we'll be the ones to die. Why should the life of a complete stranger matter?"
"..."
For a moment, Seo Ah-rin felt like Ahn Sang-chul was a stranger.
Those weren't words she expected from a bodyguard, someone meant to protect others.
"I completely agree with Black Scythe's argument. Miss Ah-rin, you should brace yourself as well. Murder is not a pleasant experience."
"You say that as if you've killed someone before."
"...Of course not. It's just a guess."
Seo Ah-rin didn't miss it.
The way Ahn Sang-chul had flinched for a split second.
"Then who should we kill?"
"Let's observe the mood for a bit and decide later. The others are already debating that very topic."
Following Ahn Sang-chul's gaze, she saw people talking animatedly.
"Let's stop this and decide who to kill!"
"And who are we going to kill?"
"The murderers. Let's focus on killing those whose nicknames have turned red!"
"And why do you get to decide that?"
"Life is precious! We shouldn't kill anyone, not even a murderer."
"That's right! If you kill someone, you just become a murderer yourself!"
Dissenting opinions erupted from all over.
A few players glanced nervously at Black Scythe.
"Are you suggesting we kill Black Scythe?"
"Kill Black Scythe? You're completely insane."
"How are we supposed to kill a level 30?"
"We probably couldn't kill him even if we all attacked at once."
"Be quiet! What if Black Scythe hears you...?"
'I can hear everything, you idiots.'
Watching them, Ryu Min clicked his tongue inwardly.
His sharp glare made a few of them quickly turn their heads away.
'Don't worry. I have no intention of killing you yet.'
He planned to stay out of it until the situation turned.
Jumping in now for a senseless massacre would only be a detriment.
'If I just wait, the insects will come crawling to me on their own. I'll wait for that moment.'
As Ryu Min waited patiently, the debate intensified.
"Then what are you suggesting! For me to live, someone has to die!"
"Instead of arguing back and forth, let's just agree to kill the criminals!"
"And how are you going to identify the criminals? What, are you going to ask anyone with a criminal record to raise their hand? I'm sure they'll be lining up to confess."
"Fuck, instead of being a sarcastic asshole, why don't you offer an opinion, you bitch?"
"What? Did you just call me a bitch, you crazy bastard? You think I'm a pushover because I'm a woman? Motherfucker, you want to be the first one I kill?"
"What a psycho. When did I ever mention you being a woman, fuckface?"
The debate quickly devolved into a gender war.
"Hey, you two! Stop talking and just fight already."
"Who the hell are you to egg them on?"
"That's the kind of bastard who's worse. The son of a bitch instigating from the sidelines!"
"What? You sons of bitches, for real! I'll kill you all!"
"Kill me if you've got the guts, you fucking idiot!"
"You damn bastards!"
The place became a chaotic mess of shouts and curses.
The atmosphere for a debate had long since vanished.
However.
Despite all the talk of killing, no one actually made a move.
They were afraid.
Afraid of the consequences of being branded a murderer.
[Time remaining until the end of the round: 02:50:13]
'It's almost been ten minutes since Hwang Yong-min died. I should get ready.'
Ryu Min, who had been looking at the progress window, unfolded his arms.
People still weren't fighting as he had intended, but...
'There's nothing to worry about. Soon enough, they'll be killing without a second thought.'
Ryu Min knew.
That Hwang Yong-min, whom he had killed at the beginning, would become the catalyst.
"Everyone, stop shouting and give some realistic opinions... Hey! Are you even listening to me? Where are you all staring?"
The player who had been shouting followed the crowd's gaze and turned his head.
And like everyone else, he couldn't help but let his jaw drop.
Because Hwang Yong-min, who they thought was dead, had revived, perfectly intact.