31. Proposal
The angel said:
[As you can see, the quest is to protect the relic.]
"Protect the relic?"
[Everyone please look at the center of the village.]
People's attention focused on one place.
In the center of the village was a giant crystal in the shape of a 5m tall diamond.
It was an out-of-place object that didn't match the atmosphere of the ruined village.
[Monsters will appear every 30 minutes to target that relic. You must cooperate to protect the relic during a total of five waves.]
In other words, block five monster waves over 3 hours.
"Is this a cooperative mission this time?"
"It's like some kind of defense game."
As people were muttering, the angel said:
[Due to the nature of the round, many monsters will appear. But there's no need to be scared. Monsters weakened to 1/3 of normal will appear. Of course, experience and gold will be reduced accordingly.]
"Monsters weakened to 1/3?"
"Isn't that too easy?"
[If you safely protect the relic for 3 hours, you'll receive additional rewards and the round will end. And you'll enter the achiever spots in order of how many monsters you killed.]
"In order of how many monsters we killed?"
"So we need to both protect the relic and kill lots of monsters."
[If you fail to protect the relic? You'll receive a tremendous penalty. And the round will end as is, with survival determined by monster kill count.]
"So we get additional rewards for protecting the relic, and penalties if it breaks..."
"Either way, we need to kill lots of monsters to rank high."
People nodded as if they understood.
It was a cooperative mission, but also an individual mission where you pass based on personal performance.
'So I just need to kill lots of monsters?'
Fighting spirit blazed in Jo Jung-sik's eyes.
The look in other people's eyes wasn't much different.
Especially since there were only 1,225 achiever spots this round.
With 4,900 people vying for such a narrow threshold, competitiveness was inevitable.
[And you selected an area representative last round, right? Was it Life is a Documentary?]
The angel's gaze turned to Jo Jung-sik.
[You can use the area representative's authority from this round. Command Authority, that is. Kihihi.]
At that laughter, Jo Jung-sik bit his lower lip.
'Laughing so annoyingly, that angel bastard.'
Having been wronged by the angel, he couldn't help but feel resentment.
'Should I sew its mouth shut?'
Though he said it jokingly, soon after.
Jo Jung-sik found himself in a situation where he really wanted to shut the angel's mouth.
[You must be curious. What happens if the area representative dies.]
Another bombshell statement came from the angel's mouth.
[If the representative dies from monster attacks or natural causes, the position becomes vacant. But if killed by another player? The killer immediately becomes the new area representative and can use the authority. The 10 uses of Command Authority, that is.]
"If we kill the area representative..."
"We can become the new representative?"
People's gazes naturally focused on one place.
Despite the piercing gazes, Jo Jung-sik glared at the angel with a disdainful expression.
'Damn, damn, damn, damn angel bastard!!!'
He wanted to pour out a mouthful of curses and tear off the angel's wings, but...
'You damn angel bastard! You didn't say there was such a rule!'
He could only glare while complaining inwardly.
He was in the thoroughly weak position.
Even the great Jung-sik faction boss can control his anger before the strong.
[Now then, monsters will come in 10 minutes. Cooperate well and survive for 3 hours! Though I'm not sure if you'll cooperate. Kihihi!]
The angel disappeared with light, leaving only mockery.
After confirming the angel was completely gone, Jo Jung-sik shouted:
"Damn it! Damn it all!"
Cursing at the air changed nothing.
All that changed were people's gazes looking at him like prey.
Shing-
Some people even started approaching stealthily while taking out weapons from their inventories.
"What are you doing? Don't tell me you're trying to kill me with that?"
"Th-that's right! If we just kill you, we can become area representative!"
"You'd commit murder for just that reason?"
"You're the one who committed murder first!"
"That's right! We can't acknowledge a gangster bastard like you as area representative!"
"I'd rather kill you and become representative myself!"
"Trash like you should die!"
Jo Jung-sik could only sigh exasperatedly at people's jeers.
"Ha, damn. You're really treating me like dog food."
Jo Jung-sik took out his dagger and pointed it at the approaching people.
"Come on then. I'll take the head of whoever comes first."
"Acting tough when you can only use Command Authority 10 times!"
"You're nothing special!"
Sneers appeared on people's faces.
The calculation that he wouldn't use it recklessly since Command Authority only had 10 uses was evident.
But even a cornered mouse will bite a cat.
"10 times? That's right. It's a damn useless ability. I admit it. But I'll promise you one thing."
A cold smile appeared on Jo Jung-sik's face.
"Whoever comes first, I'll definitely screw them over. Whether I use Command Authority or whatever, I'll definitely kill that bastard."
People hesitated at Jo Jung-sik's venomous declaration.
As befitting the boss of a gang that ruled Seoul, his whole body was filled with killing intent.
"Th-there's nothing to be afraid of, everyone! That guy is around the same level as us despite his appearance!"
"That's right! He hasn't even changed class yet!"
"Let's quickly kill him and replace the area representative!"
"If we push with numbers, there's no problem!"
Some people loudly encouraged, but no one stepped forward readily.
The thought that they might die if they went first stopped their feet.
'Damn fools. As if a gun with 10 bullets isn't scary.'
Jo Jung-sik also expected people wouldn't readily rush in.
He was used to such threats, having engaged in power struggles with other organizations daily.
"Come on! Come at me, you sons of bitches!"
Despite Jo Jung-sik's provocation, people's feet didn't move easily.
'Kuku, of course they can't come. No one wants to die first.'
Even if a strong opponent came, he could easily subdue them with one Command Authority.
Unless it was someone free from Command Authority's influence like Black Scythe.
'Damn, I should have gone into the forest and killed monsters like Black Scythe.'
If he had raised his level and changed class, he would have received the sub-quest reward and been free from Command Authority.
'I became a target for people by becoming area representative for nothing. Tsk!'
If he had known it was this kind of position, he wouldn't have pressured people to vote for him.
Jo Jung-sik's gaze turned to Black Scythe standing blankly to one side.
'Enviable bastard.'
He envied Black Scythe, the only one who changed class in this area.
Whether knowing that gaze or not, Ryumin was lost in thought.
He was thinking about Round 3.
'The Round 3 quest is nothing special. Just block five monster waves and that's it.'
Protect the relic while blocking monsters.
It was a simple quest, but there was one point to note.
The monsters get stronger with each wave.
'That's not a problem. We can get more experience and gold.'
For Ryumin who needed to gather a lot of gold this round, it was better if they got stronger.
The problem was the timing of the hidden sub-quest activation.
'I need to use Jo Jung-sik to reveal the sub-quest.'
More precisely, he needed Jo Jung-sik's Command Authority.
He could easily obtain Command Authority by killing Jo Jung-sik and becoming area representative, but...
'I absolutely can't become representative this round. There's a huge hidden penalty.'
He needed to use Command Authority without becoming representative.
For that, Jo Jung-sik's cooperation was necessary.
Ryumin looked around.
People's gazes were all focused on Jo Jung-sik.
Most were wary gazes, but some were sending murderous looks.
'As expected, he seems to be in a difficult situation.'
Smiling slightly, Ryumin moved.
It was time for him to step up according to plan.
Thud thud-
As Ryumin moved holding his huge scythe, Jo Jung-sik panicked.
"Wh-what? Why are you coming? Don't come!"
Indeed, Ryumin was the only one who changed class in this area.
He's not affected by Command Authority.
Moreover, his level 16 is incomparably stronger than Jo Jung-sik's level 6.
Of course he couldn't help but be nervous.
"No need to be scared. I just came to talk."
"Wh-who said I was scared?"
Though he denied it, cold sweat beaded on Jo Jung-sik's forehead.
Already marked as a public enemy, he couldn't help but be wary of the area's strongest approaching.
'Is this bastard going to suddenly attack while pretending to reassure me?'
It was natural to be suspicious of his intentions.
Just looking around, there were many people aiming for his neck.
But contrary to Jo Jung-sik's worry, Ryumin lowered his scythe as if he had no intention to attack.
He also kept his distance to ease Jo Jung-sik's wariness.
"Wh-what do you want to talk about? I'll tell you in advance, if you're planning to threaten me to meekly give up my neck, you should stop..."
"I came to make a proposal."
"Proposal?"
Jo Jung-sik, who was surprised for a moment, looked with half-closed eyes.
'His proposal is obvious. It's to come under him, isn't it?'
He could easily predict the next words through years of accumulated gangster life.
The words of the strong were obvious.
Jo Jung-sik asked with a let's-hear-it attitude:
"What kind of proposal?"
"You seem to be in a difficult situation right now, right?"
"Who says I'm in difficulty?"
"I'll protect you."
"What?"
Jo Jung-sik's eyes widened at the unexpected proposal.
"I'll stay by your side to prevent other players from targeting you. I'm saying I'll take responsibility and escort you one-on-one."
"..."
Jo Jung-sik, who couldn't continue speaking, fell into deep thought.
'Black Scythe will protect me?'
If he with the highest level and job skills escorted him?
'I can stably kill monsters.'
He could comfortably kill monsters and raise his record without worrying about gazes around.
It was an escort by none other than the 1st place ranker across all areas.
Sure enough.
Looking around, people were agitated.
"Black Scythe is going to protect Life is a Documentary...?"
"That means we have to deal with Black Scythe too?"
"Ha, that's impossible..."
Non-class changed Jo Jung-sik was easy prey, but Black Scythe was by no means an easy opponent.
Even if many rushed in, their necks could be cut off with one swing of that huge scythe.
Some lost their fighting spirit just from the name and stepped back.
That sight was surprising to Jo Jung-sik too.
'Black Scythe's name value was this much...'
No wonder he quietly took 2nd place in the voting.
'Thinking back then, it hurts my pride, but...'
Seeing people recoiling, it was tempting.
But proposals always come with a price.
"You must want something in return for escorting me?"
Jo Jung-sik asked, and Ryumin nodded and answered:
"It's nothing much. You'll unconditionally follow my instructions. That's the only condition I'm setting."
"What?"
An absurd look appeared on Jo Jung-sik's face.
To unconditionally follow his instructions.
'This is just telling me to become a subordinate with different words, isn't it?'
Jo Jung-sik fixed his expression and asked seriously:
"Why are you making this proposal to me?"
"I can't tell you."
"What kind of instructions do you mean specifically?"
"I can't tell you that either. You just need to unconditionally follow my orders."
"..."
To follow without knowing what the instructions would be.
It was natural for dissatisfaction to appear on Jo Jung-sik's face.
After all, he had pride as a leader who commanded subordinates.
"You son of a..."
Jo Jung-sik was about to raise his middle finger and curse as usual, but changed his mind at the last moment.
'Wait, if I refuse his proposal? I don't know how this guy will react.'
Would he immediately swing his scythe and cut off his neck?
That fear made him lower his finger.
"Decide. The others are waiting for your answer too."
"..."
After contemplating for a while, Jo Jung-sik's mouth finally opened.
"I..."