I Can Do It
In the ancient Chinese military treatise known as The Art of War, one of the Thirty-Six Stratagems is called Jin Huo Da Jie—to plunder while the fire rages. Simply put, it means rushing into the flames to loot. It refers to striking when the enemy is in crisis. And the guerrilla warfare we had been waging was the most effective move possible, allowing us to hit the confused enemy hard and retreat with maximum efficiency.
“This… feels a little cowardly, doesn’t it…?”
“It’s just your imagination.”
Most of the others were awkwardly floating above the water using magic for both attack and defense. When we froze the surface solid and charged across it in a group to unleash a relentless assault, there was simply no way for them to protect their flags. Even Namgung Cheonho, who usually made very rational judgments, muttered with an embarrassed tone. That alone proved just how excellent this strategy truly was.
One by one, the coordinates that failed to defend their flags began to disappear. And by the time the team battle was reaching its final stages, we had finally arrived at the most ideal state we could have hoped for.
[Flag Lv.30]
[The flag’s level has reached its maximum.]
[Stealing additional flags will no longer increase your stats.]
“Wow.”
An unbelievable achievement we had pulled off in the end. The lake that had worn down the strength of everyone except the merfolk had unexpectedly handed us a gift. Only three coordinates remained: the coordinate of Critias where the merfolk belonged, the coordinate of the Holy Kingdom, and the coordinate of Earth where I belonged.
“Huff… is it over now?”
“Not yet… there are still some left……”
The players who had been running for nearly five days without proper rest or food were all exhausted in both body and mind. They looked at the remaining enemies with weary expressions. Many players from each side had already been eliminated, and the field had shrunk as much as possible, making the conflict feel more like small-scale skirmishes.
But even though we had worked hard to maintain an advantageous position the entire time, among the three remaining coordinates, ours was still the most disadvantaged.
“Looks like they’ve raised their flag levels to the max too, right?”
It was only natural for the merfolk, a race that lived in water. What was surprising were the Holy Kingdom’s knights. At first, they had been fighting underwater thanks to the Saintess’s buffs that allowed them to breathe. Now they were openly walking on the water’s surface, sheathing their swords.
So that’s why the treasures obtained in the individual rounds were so important.
I remembered Helper Rabbit repeatedly warning the Earth players that if they managed to secure five treasures, they should return immediately without getting greedy. The utility of treasures in the team battle was far greater than we had imagined, and once the flags hit max level, their value skyrocketed.
“Ahjussi, what do we do now?”
Han Gamin, her body sparkling with light as the flag’s owner, quietly muttered while looking at me. It wasn’t an even number, but an odd one. With only three coordinates left, our movements had to be even more cautious.
Even if we take out one more now, we won’t get any stronger anyway.
If stealing flags still offered additional growth, I would have charged in even if it meant getting eliminated. But now that growth had stopped, simply being the first to fight would be a loss. However, as the long stalemate continued, it wasn’t just us who grew tired.
A large number of constellations are growing bored with the current situation.
A small number of constellations desire an interesting event.
As always, the constellations craved new stimulation. They were voyeurs who enjoyed watching the players grow and clash. And around this time, one particular constellation always appeared.
‘The One Who Knows Nothing But War and Battle’ proposes a representative battle.
At the constellation’s question—which always appeared whenever anything related to combat occurred—the remaining players’ gazes naturally crossed. Landon the Red Knight, Cheongrin of the merfolk camp, and me.
A small number of constellations agree with the proposal.
A small number of constellations oppose the proposal.
Messages showing the constellations’ divided opinions appeared. But what was unexpected was this.
‘The One Who Knows Nothing But War and Battle’ says he isn’t interested in your opinions.
The event host had sent us a message as well.
‘The One Who Knows Nothing But War and Battle’ asks for a specific player’s opinion.
An event mission has arrived.
Ding.
Representative Battle
📍 Theme: ?
📍 Difficulty: ?
📍 Description: One representative is chosen from each coordinate to engage in battle.
📍 Mission: Become the final survivor.
📍 Reward: Victory in the team battle
📍 Failure Penalty: None
※ You may decline if you do not wish to participate.
At the words “representative battle,” everyone’s eyes slowly turned toward me. The person who had acquired the most treasures through his performance in the individual rounds, and the strongest person here regardless of items. I stared at the message for a moment before carefully nodding.
Considering the number of people still remaining, we were already at a disadvantage compared to the other coordinates. So I had no particular reason to refuse this suggestion.
“I accept.”
You have accepted the representative battle.
Voting from the other coordinates is in progress. Please wait a moment.
When I accepted the representative battle, the people behind me looked at me with expressions mixed with worry and anticipation.
The problem is…
Whether those two coordinates would accept it. In truth, they had no reason to accept a representative battle in this situation. Both coordinates had far more personnel than Earth’s players and possessed better overall combat balance. Moreover, the lake was a sufficiently stable environment for the merfolk. Fighting a messy brawl against us would probably be more advantageous than a representative battle.
But.
“I accept.”
“I will also accept the representative battle.”
The representative battle has been established.
From now on, if a representative is eliminated, their coordinate will be considered defeated and their flag will be retrieved.
Following Cheongrin, even Landon of the Holy Kingdom agreed to the representative battle without much hesitation. The three of us in this three-way standoff cautiously approached one another. One crossed the water, another walked upon it, and the last slowly stepped across ice that froze instantly beneath his feet.
“Red Knight, do you remember me?”
Once the three of us stood together in one place, Cheongrin looked at Landon and asked.
“I remember.”
Landon’s tone was indifferent. He tilted his head slightly, as if surprised that Cheongrin had suddenly spoken to him.
“About what happened between our merfolk and your Holy Kingdom?”
“Are you referring to the first day we ascended to the third floor?”
Cheongrin nodded. As their conversation continued, I began to feel uneasy. Thinking about it, the mere fact that these two were having a conversation felt incredibly dissonant.
The Holy Kingdom and the merfolk of Critias, who had nearly caused a bloodbath on the first day. Moreover, it was strange that Cheongrin—the one among the merfolk who hated humans the most—had initiated the conversation, and that Landon was answering his questions so dutifully.
And that was when the problem arose.
“Cheongrin of Critias hereby requests an alliance with the Red Knight of the Holy Kingdom.”
It was a situation no one had expected. Not us, not the Holy Kingdom’s knights, and not even the merfolk watching from afar.
“……Are you serious?”
Landon asked back, as if he couldn’t understand Cheongrin’s words.
“Didn’t the merfolk hate us? I cannot trust a sudden offer of alliance.”
“It is an order from His Majesty the King.”
At Cheongrin’s words, I turned to look at Geumrin. His face was stiff, impossible to read. But realizing I had many questions, the boy opened his mouth toward me.
“I desperately wanted to take the hand of the strong, but… that would be the mark of a far too weak leader, wouldn’t it?”
Did this kid always have such resolve?
“Kim Siin… I believe I learned a great deal from you, and I am grateful. However, I also realized while watching you that if we cannot cut you down here, we will never be able to stand at the top.”
“Weren’t we… allies? Isn’t this betrayal?”
“You shot lightning into the lake. We’re even.”
I nodded at his words. There was no room for argument.
Cheongrin looked at Landon. After hearing the proposal, Landon naturally turned his head to look at the Saintess. The representative of the Holy Kingdom. Their queen. A moment later, the Saintess nodded, and Landon approached Cheongrin and extended his hand.
“The Saintess has commanded it. I agree to a temporary alliance with you.”
The two representatives looked at me. And at that moment, the Saintess—who had been watching from afar—seemed bothered by something and shouted toward us.
“If you find our alliance unfair, you may refuse the representative battle.”
One could see her as a good woman whose conscience was pricked even in this situation. But the true meaning behind her words was not mere concession—it subtly implied that I would find it difficult to handle them alone.
“Hey, Saintess.”
“……?”
At my low, subdued voice, she looked straight into my eyes.
“If I decide to charge at you, can those knights over there stop me?”
She furrowed her brows in apparent confusion at my words. Not a bad retort. But Landon, having witnessed his Saintess and knights being completely disregarded, carefully opened his mouth to counter.
“Isn’t it the same for your coordinate? If we all rush in, do you really believe you can protect that young girl?”
At his murderous tone, Han Gamin’s face turned deathly pale. But I answered Landon firmly.
Landon, who had maintained a blank expression, showed a flicker of bewilderment.
I had never once assumed defeat. That was my conviction since the tutorial, and my unyielding will that had never been broken even once through the first and second floors.
‘The One Who Knows Nothing But War and Battle’ is watching you.
I turned around and looked at the players from Earth’s coordinate. Their faces were tense. But within those expressions, there seemed to be nothing but infinite trust in me.
“I’ll be back.”
With my sword drawn, I began walking toward the decisive battle.