Chapter 32
[Remaining Teleport Rocks: 43]
[Time Remaining: 49:35:51]
The pressure from having only two days left and forty-three tickets remaining was enough to drive the impatient aspiring passengers insane.
***
Explosive noises echoed throughout the forest.
“Die!”
“Hand over the Teleport Rocks!”
“Get that brat! We need him alive!”
Shin Jun and his team obtained four Teleport Rocks. They were moving fast but had barely enough time to get ten at their current pace. Once they found another sacrificial altar to defeat their fifth Fallen Knight, twelve people ambushed them. The British from District 3 and the Ghanaians from District 5 had joined forces to steal Teleport Rocks from other teams.
“I will be in the first line! Clutch Bag, defend the second line!” Jun shouted as he brought forward his manhole cover, activating his skill, Immovable.
A grimacing man swung down his sword as he activated a skill, shouting, “Die!”
Jun angled the manhole cover to lessen the impact and pulled out his Old Iron Sword to stab the man’s flank.
“Kurgh!”
Stabbing a human felt disgusting—it felt as if a part of his soul was permanently damaged.
Stop being so sentimental! Only the strong survive in this world! Jun shouted inwardly to harden his waning resolve.
He quickly analyzed the battle situation. Ho-Geun swung his sledgehammer and destroyed the enemy tank’s shield. Seung-Jun was fighting against the enemy swordsman, who was covered in blood as if he had been hacked away.
Seong-Tae protected Min-Jae, who shot arrows from the rear to provide overall cover. Hwa-Yeon, Ye-Ji, Do-Hyun, Ha Rin, and Hee-Gyeong fought with their backs against each other. They weren’t overpowering their opponents, but weren’t being overpowered either.
“These bastards are strong!”
“How is their skill activation delay so short?!”
The attackers were flustered. They had attacked Jun’s team, underestimating them because there were children in the team, but the flow of battle was going in the opposite direction of what they expected. It was only natural since Jun’s team had learned about stats, how to use skills using their mana patterns, and how to establish rules for their D Weapons, from Card.
Just as knowledge was power on Earth, this place was no different. While their opponents thought about activating their skills, Jun and the others had already activated their skills via the mana patterns they trained to use. That short gap was decisive in a battle where lives were on the line.
Not only that, but those who were swept along by the power of their stats and skills could never defeat those who could effectively use their body due to having a full understanding of their already high stats.
“R-retreat!”
“We can’t afford to lose any more people!”
Ho-Geun and Seung-Jun were about to chase the retreating enemies.
“Where the hell do you bastards think you’re going?!”
“Who said we’re letting you go?”
Jun shouted, “Sledgehammer! Sword! Don’t pursue!”
Not only could it be a trap, but other teams might be approaching after hearing the noise of battle. After all, Jun’s team couldn’t hide their location as long as they were holding Teleport Rocks.
Seung-Jun fumed angrily as he stopped chasing the retreating enemies and shouted, “We should have killed them!”
“Have you forgotten? Our objective is Teleport Rocks, not murder,” Jun answered.
“That doesn’t mean we should just let them go!”
“What do you mean, just?” Jun looked down as if to show Seung-Jun the three corpses and one heavily injured person. “We took four of their twelve-man party. That’s a third of their forces. They can’t attack us anymore.”
Just then, Rin shouted, “Jun oppa! Over there!”
Her nose was transformed into that of her Yorkshire Terrier, Chocho. Jun looked where she pointed and felt gazes from across the thicket. People had gathered around the pillar of light like moths to a flame, waiting for the result of their battle.
They’re waiting for us to be weakened and step in to take the spoils. We’ll have to fight more battles, and they’ll get even more intense as time goes on.
Their opponents this time retreated, but others might attack with no regard for their lives as the time limit and the number of Teleport Rocks lessened. On top of that, even if Jun and the others managed to win, they couldn’t defend against every hyena waiting for an opportunity.
If it comes to that, there will be casualties on our end, too.
Jun looked at a few of his team members one by one. First, Han Ye-Ji was a great pair with Namgung Min-Jae because of her extraordinary detection ability, but her basic combat prowess fell behind. Choi Hee-Gyeong replaced her damaged whip with vines, but its practicality was considerably lower.
The same went for Nam Do-Hyun, left with only one throwing knife. His reach was short due to an unavoidable difference in stature, so close combat was out of the question. Ha Rin’s battle sense and stats weren’t bad, but she tended to avoid battle due to her personality. It was likely also why she established a detection ability for her D Weapon. She was practical for the team, but wasn’t currently needed since the pillars of light from the Teleport Rocks could be seen from afar.
Lastly, Yoo Hwa-Yeon tried to supplement her lacking skills and stats with grit, but unfortunately, she was one of the people in the most danger during battle.
Sending these five to the Mirror World first might be the best option. I can defend against the Fallen Knight, we need Ho-Geun ahjussi to break its armor, Seung-Jun can keep the Fallen Knight in check, and Min-Jae hyung can destroy its os. Seong-Tae hyung can be a reliable sub-tank.
Jun ideally wanted all ten of them to go to the Mirror World together, but realistically, sending five first was the best option. Since Jun had tightly wrapped the Teleport Rocks together, the pillars of light only looked like one. However, it was much thicker than the other pillars of light. It was much easier to see from afar, meaning people would be more drawn to it.
However, using the Teleport Rocks would eliminate that problem. The problem of reduced mobility would also be resolved with fewer people.
The rest is a battle against time. I also need to get everyone’s approval.
Jun had not gotten these Teleport Rocks alone—it had been a team effort. He wondered whether the team would approve of letting five of them use it first.
While Jun was in thought, Ho-Geun asked, “Jun, what should we do with this guy?”
“Hurgh, kurgh!”
Ho-Geun pointed at their attacker, who was just barely alive. Jun momentarily closed his eyes. His expression became much calmer once he reopened them.
“I will take care of him,” he answered.
Jun had four Teleport Rocks in his pocket, but used five for his calculations. It was clear what he needed to do to get the fifth.
They tried to kill us. I have to keep as many of my teammates alive as possible. I am... the leader.
Jun had come to a resolution after the District 8 massacre. It was related to what Card, who revealed himself as Cheon Seong-Hwi to him, had said.
”There is no such thing as the best option in the Mirror World. There are only the worst and less-worse options. If some succeed, others must fail. You might have been fine averting your eyes from that principle on Earth, but that’s impossible here.”
If the best option is impossible, go with the less worse one, Jun thought as he gripped his sword, staring at the sacrificial altar.
[You hunted an individual with Murderer Karma.]
[213 Karma obtained.]
***
“I’m for it,” Ho-Geun was the first to agree once Jun explained his plan.
“Me too. We’ve already gotten used to fighting the Fallen Knights. We only need a select few,” Seong-Tae also agreed.
Seung-Jun simply shrugged.
Min-Jae thought momentarily and nodded as he said, “It’s the most realistic choice for the whole team’s survival.”
“B-but—”
“No way!”
The five who were told to go to the Mirror World first opposed, Hwa-Yeon being the most vocal.
“Jun oppa! You said the ten of us would go to the Mirror World together!”
“The situation has changed. This is for the best,” Jun replied.
“I don’t care what’s for the best! I’m not going. I’m staying here. I’m going to fight, too!”
“Yoo Hwa-Yeon! Stop acting like a child!” Seong-Tae shouted with a frown. His eyes reflected hesitation, but he continued as if he had resolved himself. “I didn’t want to say this, but... You’re a nuisance! Just go to the Mirror World already! There’s nothing you can do for—”
“Na Seong-Tae!” Ho-Geun shouted to interrupt him.
“U-urgh!” Hwa-Yeon gritted her teeth.
She already knew how useless she was to the team. She was only alive because she was lucky to have met a good team.
Even so... I don’t want to be left alive like this again! I-I’m going to have a fresh start!
Hwa-Yeon thought about her past and future selves. She was tired of surviving based on someone’s choice. She had gone through enough of that on Earth. A life out of one’s control was the same as death. Hence, Hwa-Yeon decided to have a fresh start in a world where no one knew her.
She calmed down and took a moment to organize her thoughts. She asked Jun, “That means you’ll send me, Ye-Ji, Rin, Do-Hyun, and Hee-Gyeong ajumma to the Mirror World, right?”
“Yes.”
“Was the list made based on lack of combat prowess?”
Jun hesitated for a moment and answered, “Yes.”
“Then are you sure that the Mirror World is safe?” Hwa-Yeon asked. The others stared at her, but she paid no mind to them and continued, “Why are you sending people based on lacking combat prowess when you don’t know what’s waiting for us in the Mirror World? It might be worse over there.”
“That’s enough of your nonsense,” Seong-Tae said irritably.
“No, wait. She has a point,” Ho-Geun agreed. “None of us knows anything about the Mirror World. We’re just assuming things are better there because of how terrible it is here, but... we have to consider the worst-case scenario.”
Ho-Geun looked at Jun, who had also not considered that.
What if they’re attacked as soon as they reach the Mirror World? Could those five survive? If it’s a lawless zone, I have to redo my calculations. Come to think of it, Cheon Seong-Hwi said something similar.
“I don’t believe the Mirror World will be different from Earth. It’s all the same, no matter where you are.”
Jun wondered if Seong-Hwi was speaking literally. He knew many things from his mysterious tarot card readings.
As Jun was deep in thought, Hwa-Yeon suggested, “Why don’t at least one person switch places with me?”
“Hah! For fuck’s sake!” Seong-Tae shouted.
“What? I think Hwa-Yeon noona has a point,” Seung-Jun agreed with a smile.
Seong-Tae glared at him, but Seung-Jun only shrugged in response.
“In that case, I will stay. You should go to the Mirror World, unnie,” said Rin.
Hwa-Yeon had saved her when she was almost captured by Carlos last time.
Hwa-Yeon unnie is a good person. She’s willing to lay down her life for others. I’ll do the same for her this time! Rin thought.
Hwa-Yeon placed her hand over Rin’s head as Rin expressed determination. She asked, “How old are you, Rin?”
“Me? I’m fifteen—”
“I’m twenty-six. I’ve lived eleven more years than you. I should be the one to stay.”
Ye-Ji interjected, “What does age matter here? I’ll stay. At least I can be of some help.”
Hwa-Yeon smiled and shook her head. She pointed out Do-Hyun, Rin, and Ye-Ji. “A primary schooler, a middle schooler, and a high schooler. You’re all students. Don’t you know kids your age can’t stay in PC rooms past 10 PM? Let the adults play the games past midnight.”
“Then I’ll stay, Hwa-Yeon. You can go to the Mirror World,” Hee-Gyeong said this time.
Hwa-Yeon shook her head again and said, “You have to take care of the kids, Hee-Gyeong ajumma. I’m far from the gentle type, so I’m not good at that stuff.” She looked at Jun and asked firmly, “Who will you switch with me?”
Jun thought momentarily and said, “You should go, Min-Jae hyung.”
Someone strong and prepared for any unexpected situation should stay with the Mirror World team. We need Ho-Geun ahjussi to break the armor. Seung-Jun is too impulsive. I doubt Seong-Tae hyung can comfort the kids.
Min-Jae had good sense, and Jun could trust his judgement. Additionally, he was the second-strongest person on their team, second only to Ho-Geun. He was the perfect choice. Min-Jae seemed dissatisfied by Jun’s choice, but had no choice but to agree because he knew what Jun was thinking.
Min-Jae hesitated momentarily and answered, “Okay.”
The five to head to the Mirror World first were decided.
***
“To the Mirror World.”
“To the Mirror World.”
“To the...”
The five of them chanted to activate the Teleport Rocks. The Teleport Rocks glowed white and floated upward. It then expanded and created a familiar shape.
“Huh?”
It became a white rectangular pillar, the same shape as the metal pillars that caused the Lost phenomenon. The light from the white pillars grew brighter.
[59 seconds until teleportation to the Mirror World.]
“Go on ahead. We’ll be right behind you,” Ho-Geun said, waving as if telling the five not to worry.
The expressions of the ones heading to the Mirror World were a mix of worry, apology, and relief.
“I’m counting on you, Min-Jae hyung.”
“Okay. Don’t take too long.”
Jun and Min-Jae stared at each other, eyes filled with trust.
Seong-Tae said teasingly to Hwa-Yeon, “Sheesh. Why do you want to die so badly?”
Hwa-Yeon walked toward the children who waved at her and remarked, “I stayed because I want to live.”
“For God’s sake, you—” Seong-Tae was about to say something, but noticed Min-Jae gesturing at him to come. Seong-Tae approached him and asked, “What is it?”
“I have something to tell you. Lend me your ear,” Min-Jae said.
“Whispering between men? It’s a little disgusting,” Seong-Tae complained, but brought his ear closer to Min-Jae anyway.
Min-Jae whispered something to Seong-Tae.
Seong-Tae’s eyes widened. He asked, “What? Wait... Have you told Jun?”
“There’s a high chance that I’m mistaken, so I don’t want to give him any more burdens when I’m sure he already has enough on his mind. That’s why I’m telling just you, just in case.”
Seong-Tae stared at Min-Jae and nodded. “Leave it to me.”
“Okay.”
[4 seconds until teleportation to the Mirror World.]
[3 seconds until...]
[2 seconds until...]
[1 second until...]
[Teleporting to the Mirror World.]
Min-Jae, Hee-Gyeong, Ye-Ji, Rin, and Do-Hyun vanished from the Dark Forest with a flash of light. Five people remained.
“They’re gone.”
“Let us move too,” Jun said.
The white pillars of light that exposed their location were gone. It was also much easier to move with just five people.
Five left. Just five more, Jun thought.
[Remaining Teleport Rocks: 38]
[Time Remaining: 47:45:30]