Deathmatch: "Wow, What a Body"
Deathmatch. "Wow, what a body." Flowers are alluring. Nothing can compare to the splendor of that moment when they bloom brilliantly, even if only briefly.
That's why they shine so fiercely—they're destined to fade someday. That's also why I like floral patterns. They preserve that vibrant moment forever, without wilting.
Raopf must feel the same way as me. Why else would she embed flowers so densely into her body? Thorns bristled on her tentacles, her sharp tongue, and even her eyes, but now flowers bloomed there. It had to be that.
We have something in common now.
I'll use that for pillow talk later.
"Don't cover your eyes."
The ceiling had closed, blocking the moon, but I was still covering Tosami's eyes.
"It's too steamy for the kids to see."
When I turned away from the thick, sticky fragrance wafting through the air, Raopf struck a seductive pose no human could manage, smiling enchantingly. The flowers blooming like her smile were just icing on the cake.
It wasn't suitable for little Tosami to witness.
"I'm twenty. Not a kid."
"Twenty? You're basically a baby."
"I'm not a baby. Let go."
"You'll cry blood."
Park Seongho and Yoon Eunbyeol from Group C were staggering, blood tears streaming from their eyes, unable to stand properly. It was the result of Raopf trying—and failing—to ignore their captivated gazes drawn by her scent.
"I don't need it."
Tosami wriggled her hand free, opened her eyes, then placed my hand back over them.
"What're you doing?"
"I can't control it even if I try not to look. Need time to get used to the smell."
"So if you just get used to the scent, you can ignore Raopf?"
"Yeah."
"Then why don't the Group C kids know that?"
"Inexperience. They can't cover their own eyes. This scent forces hypnosis. You're the abnormal one."
That was a pretty long explanation for Tosami. It basically meant they couldn't block it out casually.
I checked on Group B—they were all fine, eyes squeezed shut, backs turned to Raopf as they crouched. Nahee's hypnosis had a stronger effect on civilians.
As expected from senior.
A true master at turning straight folks gay in an instant.
"Knew you'd be fine. Participants."
"Can't hear you. Could you come closer?"
"That'd be a problem."
Raopf laughed pleasantly.
"It's nice not having to worry about the network and changing the script on my whim. Shall I briefly explain the changes?"
"The show will continue. No more ending the broadcast?"
Our escape plan crumbled.
We'd planned to send the civilians out first and hold out until the broadcast ended, but that wasn't happening now.
Tosami eyed my calm reaction suspiciously.
"You're weirdly chill. Why?"
Listen, Tosami.
The truth is...
I've never once followed the rules.
This off-script chaos feels more familiar.
"...Tough break. Want a pat-pat?"
"Later. Explanation's not over."
"And unlike before, we won't announce penalties in advance. That way, participants get more urgent, and it's more fun to watch, right?"
Penalties escalate the less you trigger them, but not knowing where they are... that was a variable.
"Tosami, got some genius way to fix this?"
"Dunno. We'll brute-force it."
Bad brains mean your body suffers. Good body means no need for brains.
We were clearly the latter.
The problem was Group C being the former.
Crazy bastard.
Fearful of penalties, they nailed every question.
Normally, penalties come from getting questions right en masse, with harsher punishments for wrongs. It amps up the spectacle.
"We need to miss some around here."
The more Group C aced it, the more we whiffed.
As a result, our score plummeted like a pump-and-dump stock after the insiders cashed out.
Group D: 20 points.
On top of that, for penalties, I watched videos and listened to music that weakened my mental strength, while Tosami had all her fingernails and toenails ripped out.
"I'm fine. Ratmen have dull senses. This is routine."
"......"
At least we didn't lose eyes or fingers. Group B, who escaped this round, had lost those body parts.
Some intentional risk-spreading, but Park Seongho's deliberate sabotage of Group B was huge.
"Group C shows their true colors! Watching agents who played cool turn pathetic—doesn't it look great?"
Scores evened out; Group B nearly got eliminated first instead of C. If Yoon Eunbyeol hadn't quickly thrown some wrongs, C would've been out.
That's why we infiltrated Group C's waiting room during the post-round break.
Yoon Eunbyeol, cheek swollen like she'd been hit, surrendered immediately. Park Seongho got jumped by me and Nahee without a chance.
"Didn't you say you'd never compromise?"
"Bluff. Just a pathetic mutt."
Park Seongho ignored our words.
"The anomaly twisted. Someone has to report it. Hypnotized civilians can't relay it properly."
"So you trolled?"
"Between two of the same, an agent's life is worth more. You ruined our surefire exit."
Nahee shot back at his nonsense.
"Better to find a way out in the deathmatch. Agents surviving over civilians has higher odds."
"I don't bet my life on dumb gambles."
"Then what about us left behind if you escape?"
"Can't be helped with civilians. Group D came to sacrifice anyway, right? Efficient to let 'em. Staff, bide for later chances."
"......"
Okay. Park Seongho analysis complete.
Starting with the nails~
Women get a pass, but guys? No mercy.
"Hold on, junior."
Nahee stopped me.
"Make Group C take a penalty in the deathmatch. Price: get Park Seongho wasted."
"Will he take it nicely?"
"Of course not. But can't you scythe him combat-ineffective?"
Done deal. Sit here, Seongho. I'll slice you clean.
"Wait! If it's force needed, I can help. I'm a 9th-grade agent too! No exit, so I'll cooperate!"
"Yeah, nah. Don't trust your type. Backstabbers."
"Better cut him quick, junior."
To Park Seongho spewing more crap, I gave him his favorite line.
"I don't bet my life on dumb gambles."
One heart, one brain, and not even cute—Unlucky Tosami.
Acquired.
*
The original escape method's busted, but luckily no civilians left.
-We'll find another way out.
Staff team scouts for other exits while we play along with the quiz show. If it goes south, we smash with force.
"Everyone armed up?"
Raopf looked like she'd anticipated our moves. Otherwise, no way she'd be so smug.
"Smart play. We revive endlessly, but can't handle agent power. No civilians now—you're showing real skill?"
"Something's off."
Tosami sensed unease. Me too.
"Shall I show the renewed set?"
Spotlights fired into the dark space, revealing a hidden back area.
Narrow grid cells held one person each. Two hundred total.
"Who're they?"
"Bonus points! Show's longer, need more score, right? Don't worry—lost points refill with them."
"Not getting it."
"Group D has 120 total including bonuses! Of course, points drop means they die."
"Or bring something valuable instead, pay fair value. Our quiz show's motto is fairness—we'll price it right."
Too fixated on fairness...
Raopf needs some biased, unfair education.
"One moment. Before the show proper starts, readjusting setup."
Staff arrived. Jang Namgyu, mimicking a grotesque.
"Bro. Team lead's finding escape routes. Prioritizing civilians first—can you hold?"
"Obviously."
Questions poured in. To buy staff time, we dragged it out, solving eventually.
One thousand quizzes cleared. Way past original broadcast end.
"How many left?"
"Five hundred to wish tickets."
Raopf answered with a loathsome grin.
"Big trouble. No more I know."
"......You too?"