Chapter 62
Chapter 62
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 62
Chapter Title: Team Death Match (1)
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Dokgo Hyun briefly recalled the tutorial days, while Lee Hyunjun flew into a rage.
"What the hell are you daydreaming about? You ignoring me?"
Lee Hyunjun growled through gritted teeth.
Every eye in the gymnasium locked onto Dokgo Hyun.
But Dokgo Hyun ignored him and turned to the TV Girl.
"Give us the next mission."
It was blatant dismissal of Lee Hyunjun.
The TV Girl shook with amusement, letting out a little chuckle.
"Everyone, calm down. If you've got grievances, this mission should let you settle them."
Her words sent shivers of unease through the crowd.
"Settle our grievances?"
"No way!"
The TV Girl let out a sly "Hee hee."
"That's right. It's a team death match—kill or be killed by the group you're paired with."
"Ahh."
"So it's a team-vs-team fight after all."
"Damn it. We've already lost so many people."
Groans rippled through the teams.
Then the stage list appeared.
"Gasp."
"Picking the stage on stage means fighting in front of everyone?"
"That's bad enough, but the underground pool is a hard no."
"So underground parking lot's the safe bet?"
Players scrambled to think it through.
The TV Girl added some clarification.
"Only these four stages are available, so some teams may get bumped back by the draw. Wait below the stage."
"Um."
Kang Serim of the submachine gun group cautiously raised her hand.
"If we pick the stage on stage, we fight in front of everyone, right?"
"Correct. Pick another if you don't like it, but..."
The TV Girl trailed off meaningfully before adding,
"Due to time constraints, if all other stages are full, the supervisor can forcibly assign you to an empty one."
"......"
"Also, no cleaning or repairs happen mid-mission. Teams drawn late may fight on damaged stages, so keep that in mind."
Kang Serim sat back down, lost in thought.
"Drawing starts now."
The TV Girl announced.
Now the purpose of the box she'd brought was clear.
"Better to get picked first no matter what."
"Mm, Lord......"
"Even if late, hope we draw a weak team."
Amid the players' mutterings, the TV Girl carefully rummaged in the box of balls.
"Drawing two balls at a time. First matchup."
Swoosh.
Out came Group 41 and Group 26.
"Group 41 leader Dokgo Hyun! Group 26 leader Han Seongcheon! Both of you, up on stage."
Dokgo Hyun of Group 41 headed straight up.
Han Seongcheon of Group 26 prayed briefly with his team before ascending.
"You two have five minutes to agree on stage, participants, time limit, artifact usage—everything. You've seen the stage list?"
"Yes."
"Begin!"
They'd negotiate in plain view.
Only after they agreed would she draw the next pair.
'Better start with greetings.'
Dokgo Hyun bowed politely to Han Seongcheon first.
"Hello. Group 41 leader Dokgo Hyun."
"Mm. Han Seongcheon of Group 26. No handshake."
No name tags meant no power reveal from a shake.
Still, avoiding contact was smart, so Dokgo Hyun got it. Han Seongcheon offered something like well-wishes.
"Figured a four-man team would be weak, but damn, you're something else. Congrats on topping the gym rankings."
"Thank you."
"Our group had it rough in the dungeon too. Lost one player."
Unlike others, Group 26 had only one death—nine survivors.
"Oh, Lord."
"Grant us hope."
Group 26 players muttered prayers below the stage.
"What say you? We're both tired—pick 'A. West Restroom' and settle it quick?"
Han Seongcheon proposed a short battle.
'Overwhelm with numbers in the tightest space.'
Dokgo Hyun nearly agreed.
He itched to test his new [Time Stop].
It only worked indoors, so a cramped spot was ideal.
But he shook his head.
'No, I'm getting ahead of myself. Stage choice matters. Picking for skill tests could backfire big time.'
"Hmm. Mind if we discuss the other stages first?"
"Fine. Restroom's on hold then."
He said "hold," but his sour expression said rejection.
"However."
Dokgo Hyun cut in.
"Your team's still praying. Tell me what those prayers mean—especially if they're tied to your skills—and I'll agree to your stage."
"Heh. Simple enough."
"However."
Dokgo Hyun interrupted again.
"Answer under a [Vow] sworn on the system—no lies."
"[Vow] on the system......?"
Han Seongcheon blinked in confusion.
"Cult leader. Cult leader."
A Group 26 player called from below.
"A [Vow] can't be broken. Don't do it."
They explained briefly, and Han Seongcheon's face hardened.
Dokgo Hyun smiled.
"Well? Accept the condi—"
"No!!! Noooooo!!!"
The shout shook the gym and pierced ears.
"P-Prayers are prayers!! Why assume otherwise?! Huh?!"
"Hm......?"
"A-And! Y-You little punk!! Teasing your elders!! Huh?!"
Han Seongcheon's true colors showed.
Onlookers below gaped at his outburst. He muttered to himself.
"Haha! Got it. No more questions."
Dokgo Hyun backed off laughing. Han Seongcheon glanced around, voice dropping.
"Whew. Your pick this time."
"Rock-paper-scissors then."
"Rock-paper-scissors?"
"Yeah. Haggling over agreement's wasting time. One round decides the stage."
"How about mission time or numbers?"
"Rock-paper-scissors too?"
"Confident, eh? Winner takes all then—one shot for everything."
"Sounds good."
They clenched fists.
'I've won.'
Han Seongcheon thought before it started.
'[Lord's Advice] activate!'
A system message appeared only in his eyes—from the 'Lord' he served.
Han Seongcheon committed.
"Rock!"
"Paper!"
"Scissors!!"
Flash!
Han Seongcheon threw rock.
Dokgo Hyun threw paper.
"Yes!"
"What?!"
Han Seongcheon panicked.
[Lord's Advice] never missed before.
Temarun was a weak lesser outer god without titles, but still a true outer god.
Its high-dimensional guidance was near-prophecy to humans.
To beat it meant fooling an outer god's sight or manipulating time.
Dokgo Hyun smirked.
"I win?"
Time manipulator confirmed.
'Just watched his hand closely.'
His [Mana Circulation Method] had advanced; focusing it in his eyes triggered [Hyper Vision] naturally.
[Hyper Vision] was a combo special from enhancing basics.
Hands faster than eyes? Not for Dokgo Hyun.
"My conditions then. Stage B: Underground Parking Lot. One participant per team: leaders only. Time limit: 10 minutes. Artifacts free to carry."
The TV Girl nodded.
"Good luck, you two."
Three days earlier.
During the height of the tutorial.
Back then, Han Seongcheon was the leader of a burgeoning cult.
His 'Revival Sanctuary' boasted over 400 followers.
The tutorial site was his remodeled commercial building turned cult HQ.
'The gates of heaven are narrow! To enter, you must experience revival! Faith alone isn't enough! Experience revival! Oh Lord! Grant us the experience!!'
Han Seongcheon preached as usual.
Suddenly his left hand burned, and the tutorial began.
Dozens died in seconds.
He feigned calm, but was terrified most of all.
His top lieutenants raged.
'Cult leader! What the hell is this?!'
'You said you'd send us to heaven, you bastard! What is this shit?!'
Cornered, mask slipping.
But the next mission granted him a skill.
C-Grade Divine Manifestation skill: [Lord's Grace].
Complex, but powerful.
Separate from mana, it used [Prayer Power], building in him as more worshipped him as leader.
[Prayer Power] fueled specials like:
[Holy Warrior Summon]
[Subordinate Boost]
[Sacred Hammer]
[Lord's Advice]
And more.
Han Seongcheon spared the faithful, using skills.
Doubted ones? Slaughtered.
Faith surged. He cleared missions easily.
Best new special: [Lord's Advice].
'-Outer God, Temarun advises: Gather as many followers as possible!'
'-Outer God, Temarun advises: Collect hints!'
'-Outer God, Temarun advises: Don't hide—fight!'
What Temarun was? No clue.
But it guided via system messages.
Thus, Han Seongcheon survived normal tutorial with flocks of followers.
'Hahaha! A skill this great is just C-Grade? Grading's busted! Kra ha ha!'
[Lord's Grace] was C-Grade because useless without [Prayer Power], and side effects hidden in description.
Han Seongcheon never knew.