Chapter 47
Chapter 47
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ace
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: Deciding the Group Leader and Group Name (1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
When Musaeng-hwa asked about their location, the other players finally started murmuring in agreement.
"Now that you mention it..."
"We never even asked where we've been dragged off to."
"Have we already gotten used to being teleported around like it's just another part of our daily routine?"
As the murmurs died down, the TV Guy explained.
"This is a gymnasium built by a corporate foundation before Hanshin City was established. It sat unused and abandoned until it was donated en masse to the city in a sort of contribution format. In other words, its official name is the Hanshin City Municipal Gymnasium. Feel free to look it up on an online map later."
Some tried searching on their smartphones, but there was no internet connection, so they couldn't.
"The Apocalypse Game's administrative bureau took over this municipal gymnasium managed by Hanshin City Hall—through a 'donation,' shall we say—and renovated it for their use. Does that answer your question?"
"Heh heh. So all the players in other districts are doing their missions in gymnasiums too?"
"Some in military bases, some in the National Assembly building, others on uninhabited islands... Since it requires gathering hundreds at a time, they're using all sorts of locations."
"Mm. Thank you for the answer."
Musaeng-hwa nodded in satisfaction and pressed his palms together.
About 120 km away from the Hanshin City Municipal Gymnasium, in the heart of North Chungcheong Province.
The Total Administrator sat cross-legged in meditation.
Moments later, a helicopter landed on the nearby open field.
Out stepped the President of South Korea.
"Are you prepared?"
The Total Administrator asked.
"What's the reason for all this?"
"Ah, I'll explain that on the public broadcast. Sorry it took longer than expected for my [Mask Clones] to take over the broadcasting stations around the world."
The Total Administrator scratched at the surface of his mask like a person rubbing their cheek.
The President let out a sigh laced with resignation.
"Do as you please."
The President closed his eyes and spread his arms wide.
Shweeeek!
Another mask launched by the Total Administrator covered the President's face.
"Urk."
One of the Total Administrator's many skills, [Mask Dominator], began slowly hacking into the President.
"Impressive mental fortitude, Mr. President. Don't resist. I'll keep my promise."
The Total Administrator had decided to dominate the President to ensure the smooth progression of the Apocalypse Game, in exchange for not killing him.
"Now!!"
The President shouted while he still had his wits about him.
Tututututututang!!!
Dozens of snipers 500 meters away opened fire in unison.
It was timed for the moment the President fell to the Total Administrator—when he would let his guard down.
High-velocity rounds flew in, but the Total Administrator took no damage whatsoever.
"Oh ho, what a cheeky little stunt. Good thing I keep [Gravity Cloak] active at all times."
[Gravity Cloak] was a special technique of [Gravity Distortion].
[Gravity Distortion] was a supernatural skill that manipulated the direction and force of gravity.
Ever since his clone had been killed by Dokgo Hyun and Na Youngho's surprise attack, he'd been wrapping his entire body in [Gravity Cloak].
"Quite the adorable tantrum, Mr. President?"
"Kuh, heh heh heh."
The President laughed amid his fading consciousness.
"Do you know... why I chose this spot for our meeting?"
"Because it's perfect for sniping?"
"Heh heh, urk."
The President fully lost consciousness, becoming a new puppet Total Administrator.
"Phew, so that's what it feels like."
The one who had just been resisting as the President of South Korea grumbled.
The original Total Administrator gave a wry smile.
"Quit complaining and start spilling the presidential secrets already."
"Right. Heavy ground-to-ground missiles are inbound, and there are thermobaric fuel-air explosive mines buried underground."
"Hm. I can handle the missiles with [Portal Hand], but those thermobaric mines are trickier to dodge..."
Before he could finish, a flash and deafening roar erupted.
Flash!!
Kaboom!!!
Groooarrrrr!!!
Massive explosions rocked the narrow area repeatedly.
Whoooosh...!!
Black scorch marks, gray ash-laden afterwinds, and smoldering embers deeply embedded in the ground.
And two masks.
The Total Administrators wearing the masks appeared to be dead.
"Grk."
"Cough."
They linked the powers of [Flesh Reconstruction] and [Mask Dominator].
[Flesh Reconstruction] normally couldn't revive completely incinerated corpses, but these weren't 'corpses.'
Even with just a few scraps of bone and flesh clinging to the masks, the Total Administrators survived.
Their true power resided in the masks, which even thermobaric bombs couldn't shatter.
Schluuuurp...!
Bodies regenerated from the masks.
"Huff, huff."
"Damn. We're naked."
"[Flesh Reconstruction] rebuilds the body, but not clothes."
"Hold on. I'll snag some with [Portal Hand]."
Pop! Pop!
They targeted a tailor's shop in Seoul and stole some clothes.
Fumble fumble.
The two Total Administrators dressed themselves.
"Now that we've confirmed snipers, missiles, and mines don't work, they'll quiet down, right?"
Said the one who had been the Korean President.
But the other shook his head.
"Humans don't give up easily. Next, a superpower will launch nukes."
"Well, fine by me. Send 'em back with [Portal Hand]? Then hit the corpse field with [Spirit Domination] for easy 'materials' for Phase 3 prelims or the main tournament."
"Heh. Not bad for a guy who just got masked five minutes ago."
"Truth is, I've got a lot I don't know."
The ex-President Total Administrator stared at the other one.
"No matter how much it's the Transcendent's will, I still don't get why we're running this death game."
"Word it right. It's not a death game—it's the Apocalypse Game."
"That term doesn't roll off the tongue."
"Hm. Host influence, huh? Conservative in these matters?"
The ex-President bristled.
"What about you? What were you before the mask?"
The other laughed.
"Nothing."
"What?"
"Before the mask, I was nothing. I'm the original body."
"...!"
The ex-President flinched.
"Impressive. Shouldn't the original be in America or China or somewhere?"
"I came here myself because Korea has some intriguing things."
"Intriguing things? Players?"
"Mm. Koreans adapt to these death games unusually well. Love games, competitive spirit—maybe being a buffer state surrounded by superpowers helps."
"Heh. Fair enough."
Pride crept into the ex-President's voice as he replied.
The real Total Administrator smirked.
"Gonna monitor promising players up close, and above all, stop the 'Prophet's' antics."
"Prophet?"
The ex-President tilted his head in confusion.
The real one explained.
"That guy who relies solely on [Book of Prophecy] and causes trouble."
"Whoa, that sounds problematic. Could interfere with the bureau's game management."
"Yeah. A mere player cleverly exploiting the system. He sniffed out and cleared the 'Dual Citizen' hidden mission, cherry-picking rewards left and right. Rumor has it he's not in Germany anymore—somewhere on the Korean Peninsula now."
"Why not just kill him?"
"Can't. He's openly plotting foreign god descents and all sorts of infuriating stuff, but he stays just within the rules. Can't smite him directly."
"I see. Fitting for the original. I had no idea about any of that."
"Heh. Impressive as the Prophet is, he's still a player. We'll watch for now."
"More importantly, there's a big info gap between body and clone. Can't share more?"
"Security reasons forbid it. Chat's over. Go take over the government as President."
"Fine."
The ex-President Total Administrator departed.
The lone original body muttered.
"That's 43 countries secured. Should be able to broadcast worldwide within the hour."
Hanshin City Municipal Gymnasium.
The prelim survivors, barely over 400, awaited the next mission.
Rrrumble!
The TV Guy wheeled out a whiteboard on casters from the corner of the stage.
"Have you chatted with your group members? Time to pick your group name and leader!"
"Here are paper and pens!"
Bang!
Bam bang!
Ballpoint pens and scratch paper appeared before each group.
"Agree, grab collars, whatever—get it done! Write the group name and leader on the paper and submit directly to me for clear!"
Murmur murmur...!
The gymnasium quickly filled with players talking.
At that moment.
"It's decided."
Lee Hyun-jun declared in a clear voice.
He clutched a bloodstained paper.
"Ah...!"
"Th-that guy!"
The other nine in Lee Hyun-jun's group were all dead.
"No rules against any means, right? I killed the rest and made myself leader."
"Ooh, that works."
Lee Hyun-jun submitted the paper to the TV Guy.
-Group Name: Lee Hyun-jun's Group.
-Leader: Lee Hyun-jun.
The TV Guy smirked, then shouted to everyone.
"Warning: You can only kill your own group members! Mess with another group, and you fail!"
"Tch."
Lee Hyun-jun eyed the others regretfully, like missed prey.
"Th-that guy's...!"
"Brutal."
"He treats people like straight-up EXP fodder? There's a line."
Players cursed behind Lee Hyun-jun's back.
He saw other players as potential coins too openly.
He'd probably viewed his own group as 900 coins, not nine people.
"That guy's dangerous, right?"
Kang O-su asked Dokgo Hyun.
"Not really."
Dokgo Hyun replied.
Kang O-su asked again.
"Not dangerous?"
"Yeah."
"Can you beat him?"
"Alone? Tough. But if our group fights his, we'd win."
Kang O-su smirked at that.
"Alright, our group... Anyone wanna be leader?"
Choi Han-pung and Eun Jua glanced at each other.
But Dokgo Hyun raised his hand immediately.
"I'll do it."
"Cool. Any objections?"
Eun Jua asked Kang O-su.
"Uh, O-su?"
"Just call me by name. We're the same age, right?"
"Ah, this feels natural. I figured you'd take leader."
"Too annoying. And the strongest should lead, yeah?"
Kang O-su grinned at Dokgo Hyun.
Eun Jua cautiously asked Dokgo Hyun.
"Dokgo Hyun? You want to be leader?"
Choi Han-pung cleared his throat.
"Ahem. Don't wanna sound awkward, but, Dokgo Hyun?"
"Yes."
"You're not just young—you're a kid. Can you really lead? I know it sounds old-man-ish..."
"Not at all. Fair point. I am pretty young."
"Right?"
"Yes. But I'm ready to take responsibility. Check the mission hint again..."
Leaders gained great authority but bore heavy responsibility.
"Choi Han-pung."
"Yeah?"
"As leader, I'll give my all—even stake my life on it. I swear on the system."
"Swear on the system? What's that?"
"Oh, you don't know? Like this."