Chapter 66
Chapter 66
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 66
Chapter Title: Colosseum Allergy Hell
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Shwaaaaa!
With a burst of brilliant light, 99 players materialized.
They immediately scanned their surroundings warily, ramping up their auras the moment they appeared.
Each one proved their elite status with impeccable vigilance and razor-sharp presence.
On top of that, the system had boosted their power by a full 30%, leaving them buzzing with exhilaration.
Even these top-tier players keeping their guards up against potential threats might have seemed ridiculous, but given who they were up against, none of them minded a bit.
It wasn't long before they confirmed they were alone in the area and finally relaxed.
"Phew, no Choi Shin-hyeok."
"Figured as much, but he could've been right next to us."
"Haa, Demon King subjugation, huh? What, are we the heroes off to slay the Demon King now?"
"Choi Shin-hyeok's Demon King material, sure. But are we hero level?"
"You aren't. I am."
"Bullshit. We all saw you get wrecked on stream the other day."
"Get out of my stream!!!"
With laughs laced with self-mockery about their predicament, they quickly pulled up the rule book.
It was usually something they skipped.
Everyone here had received far more detailed and comprehensive guides from their guilds or nations than what the rule book offered.
But with all that intel useless now, they needed to check this bare-bones manual for the game's specifics.
"Hm, straightforward enough."
"Point is, smash structures, activate vaults to weaken them and buff ourselves."
"Once we've hit a certain number of structures or vaults, go for the castle."
"Picking the right ones matters. Too soon or too late, and we're screwed."
The players skimmed the rule book and freely shared ideas on clearing the game.
True to their status as the world's top prodigies, they quickly settled on a plan.
"Let's split into two groups: assault team for the castle, outer team for the outskirts."
"Agreed."
"Alright, then break off by your strengths."
Most nodded at Ellis's suggestion, and the players swiftly divided into their preferred groups.
Combat specialists joined the assault team targeting the Demon King's castle, while trackers and scouts formed the outer team.
"Then I'll go assault too..."
"Ellis Veronia. You're better suited for outer."
"...Hong Deung-pyeong. What the hell? Next you'll say I'm better with a bow than a sword."
"Sharp tongue, as expected from a berserker bloodhound. You play all sweet in front of that damn small-country punk, though."
"Shin-hyeok's hot and talented. You? Face wrecked, personality wrecked, bank account wrecked. Triple threat."
"...Anyway, you need to go outer. They're short on offensive power, so we need a destructive outlier like you."
"Can't argue there."
"...So you won't?"
Naturally, Ellis—with her overwhelming attack and destructive might—aimed for assault, but Hong Deung-pyeong barged in to block her.
True to his infamous mad-dog rep in player circles (looks aside), she verbally shredded him, leaving him flustered as he shot back.
Though he was asking her preference, Ellis knew her own wants weren't the issue.
"...You two already coordinated this?"
"No idea what you mean."
"Pre-planned to shove me into outer and play dumb. Scared? That I'll steal contribution if I'm on assault?"
"..."
The system said rankings were by survival order, but pros knew better.
All survivors tying for rank? No way.
Contribution.
They'd measure the last survivors' game impact for final rankings.
That's why Hong Deung-pyeong and the assault team wanted powerhouse Ellis sidelined to outer.
"Want a vote? Democracy."
"Says the guy from a zero-democracy hellhole. Planning 120% turnout?"
"...We've never rigged a single—"
"Yeah, yeah. Anyway, vote or not, your brainwashed sheep won't vote for me."
"..."
Hong knew how pathetic and petty he sounded, so he just flushed under her barbs, no real comeback.
Ellis glanced around.
Players avoiding her eyes.
Even fellow Americans no exception.
She gave a wry smile.
'Even in the same country or guild, factions form. Guess I was too much my own way.'
Ellis was exceptional.
One of the Emperors, talent acknowledged by world #1 player, the Demon Emperor.
But brilliance breeds envy and jealousy.
Even from fellow Americans.
Even from American Heroes guildmates.
It hadn't started that way.
They'd tried pulling her into their circle; her refusal sparked it.
Then the undermining: in games, training, whenever.
All piling up to this. With a sigh, she nodded.
"Fine, outer it is."
"Smart choice. Take care out there."
"Yeah, go die in the castle."
"..."
No kind words for Hong, of course.
Her sweet smile made the venomous parting shot even sharper. Hong opened his mouth, then turned and left.
Where he'd stood, Ellis now led the fifty-odd outer players into action.
'No need to kill the core or Demon King myself for contribution. Smashing structures and activating vaults out here works too. Better even—'that' monster's probably at the castle, so outskirts are safer for racking up points.'
Crush the assault team that ditched her.
That was all that filled Ellis's mind.
Of course, crushing the castle? Leave it to the Demon King. She directed outer players to scout structures and vaults.
Shwaa!
A burst of light flooded the area.
Having repeated this several times already, Ellis clenched her fist, feeling her strengthened body.
'Two hours, three relic vaults activated. Some casualties, but minor compared to gains. Time to shift to structure destruction.'
Leading outer players across the map for over two hours, Ellis had successfully activated three relic vaults.
Each granted about 5% buffs, so now all players had roughly 15% overall.
Enough to tackle Demon King forces guarding structures, stronger than vaults. Ellis moved out.
"Ryo, nearest structure?"
"One east. Let's go."
"Good. Smash a few more, then we head to the castle. Three vaults, three structures—six total. They can't block us then."
"...Honestly, I don't wanna go."
"Me neither. But if we lose, it won't be without a fight. We break before we bend."
Mizuki Ryo of Japan.
Using her shikigami to pinpoint structures, she understood Ryo's reluctance for the castle but wouldn't let it slide.
Arriving at the target structure, Ellis froze.
"Hey."
"...Why the hell are you here?"
"Extrovert."
"No, what—why isn't the Demon King at his castle?!"
"You hit the 'core' of it."
"Grrr, everyone attack! He's alone! Loaded with penalties! We can take him! No castle forces either!"
Shin-hyeok was here instead of his lair—that was the reason.
Trembling at his cheeky grin and lame AI joke, Ellis switched to offense.
Her logic was sound.
Demon King traded physical penalties for summoning forces.
Castle was his home turf with troops.
Out here was prime for taking him down.
"Colosseum."
"...!"
Ruuuuumble!
—Or so she'd thought, until Shin-hyeok leaned against empty air with a smile and triggered Skill: Colosseum.
The space around them collapsed, swallowing them into a massive arena.
With the Colosseum's manifestation came a despair-inducing message for Ellis and the players.
[Colosseum Oppression generated.]
[All stats reduced by 20%.]
"Insane! Debuff like that?!"
"Our two hours of hell for nothing!"
"Scariest part? These debuffs come with buffs for the owner. Meaning Choi Shin-hyeok's at least +20%."
"What does that mean?"
"We're fucked?"
"Ah!"
The sudden 20% stat drop hit like wet cotton—bodies heavy as players babbled.
Meanwhile, Shin-hyeok stood at the Colosseum's center, spears, holy sword, and greatbow stabbed into the ground behind him, smiling.
"Welcome to my Colosseum."
"...!!!"
His hair-slicked-back, sky-dominating line froze every player.
"Do you know what month it is?"
"...?"
"February, right?"
"Almost March."
"Why suddenly—"
His unexpected question drew puzzled replies.
Shin-hyeok nodded emphatically.
"From February to March. There's a name for this season."
"What, what?"
Players stared blankly as he continued casually.
"Korea, land of four seasons. The first to open them. Its name is..."
"Is...?"
Building tension, he whipped items from inventory, scattering them.
Players reacted a beat slow to the 'gift'.
"Shit! Pollen bombs!"
Ellis's shout snapped them awake like a cold shower.
Too late.
Spring had arrived after winter's chill.
"BOMB!"
Kabooooom!
The warm spring breeze enveloped the players.
"Kyahaaaa!"
Anyway, it was warm.