Day 5 of Dungeon Survival: Reprised.
Han Ha-rin and I rested thoroughly in the safe zone and didn't step outside until 10 a.m. Our condition was at its peak. Among the food supplies we'd obtained, there was quite a bit of preserved food, so we hid it in a spot only we knew and ate whenever we wanted.
'With the map and the decreasing number of participants in the dungeon, we even managed to get three food crates at once.'
Food was no longer an issue for us.
'Other teams are probably in the same situation.'
After searching around, they must have figured out some information about food supplies. There were even monsters that could be eaten. Food no longer held much significance in Dungeon Survival.
'Currently, there are 71 surviving participants. 27 teams.'
Even with active eliminations, this is the number we're left with. Among them, the team with the highest survival points is Kang Seok-soo's, while we're still dead last.
'Kang Seok-soo will find a base today.'
Considering Kang Seok-soo's personality, he always pursues efficiency and thoroughness. So, he'll likely set up a base somewhere in the dungeon and hold out there for the remaining two days.
Kang Seok-soo is anticipating the events of Day 6 and Day 7.
The events on Day 6 and Day 7 are a Battle Royale. All participants' locations will be revealed on the tablet map.
'The base Kang Seok-soo will find is probably near a safe zone.'
In case of emergencies, he can just retreat into the safe zone. To viewers and other participants, it might seem cowardly, but it's an extremely efficient strategy. Since he's already amassed a huge number of survival points, he can afford to hold out in the safe zone for over an hour if needed.
'That strategy can only be used on the final day. We have to eliminate Kang Seok-soo today or tomorrow.'
There's something else to worry about.
The treasure Kang Seok-soo possesses—'Revival.' Even if he's eliminated, he can immediately get another chance.
'Damn it. Of all times, he had to get his hands on it last night.'
Among the settings of Dungeon Survival, it's a treasure on par with the 'Real-Time Map' I obtained.
'If some random idiot had it, it'd be no better than trash… but if Kang Seok-soo has it, that's a different story.'
Let's say we manage to eliminate him once by catching him off guard. But then, Kang Seok-soo revives instead of being eliminated. And now, we'd have to fight him head-on when he's no longer careless.
'This is really tough.'
Things aren't going well. Before Kang Seok-soo got his hands on 'Revival,' I thought our chances of winning were over 70%, but now I'm doubtful if it's even 10%.
"Seong Eugene. What are you doing?"
Han Ha-rin's voice snapped me out of my thoughts.
"Ah. Sorry."
We were currently moving quietly to ambush other participants. Now wasn't the time to overthink.
Soon, we spotted two people resting by a stream. We hid in the trees and observed them.
'One of them is already eliminated. I confirmed it earlier through hacking.'
I gestured to Han Ha-rin. It was a signal hunters use. Since situations where voices mustn't be heard often arise in dungeons, all hunters must learn this. It's simply called 'Hunter Sign.'
'Back in first year, I suffered for a whole month memorizing this.'
There's a saying that hunters who don't know Hunter Sign won't be accepted into parties, so I memorized it desperately.
-Begin the attack.
After reading my sign, she nodded and used her Gravity Field.
"Huh?!"
"Tch!"
The two hunters panicked at the sudden attack. I kicked off a branch and leaped toward them. Blue lightning crackled along the blade in my hand.
"Enemies?!"
"Dammit…!"
They reached for the swords at their waists.
'Too late. You're already within my range. You should've reacted a second ago.'
I activated 'Instant'.
The world slowed down. I swung my blade toward their necks.
A lethal strike. But their Energy Protects took the damage in their stead. Knowing this, the two hunters ignored the pain and swung their swords at me.
'One more. Instant.'
I dodged their blades and instantly moved behind them. I slashed one's back and grabbed the other's head with my left hand.
'Lightning.'
Zap!
A powerful current surged through my left hand.
By the time the two hunters' Energy Protects turned red, I had already retreated.
"Ugh…"
"To lose this easily…"
Their faces were full of resentment as they were escorted away by association staff. And rightfully so—only five seconds had passed from the ambush to their elimination.
'Han Ha-rin slows them with Gravity Field, and I rush in to finish them. Even hunters who can use mana struggle to react properly.'
Only a handful of hunters have countered this method and fought back.
"We can't win by just picking off small fry. You know that, right?"
Han Ha-rin approached me as she spoke.
"Yeah. I know."
I couldn't explain my worries to Han Ha-rin. To tell her that Kang Seok-soo can revive, I'd inevitably have to explain my hacking ability.
"Still, we should at least make a plan…"
I trailed off.
One of the association staff filming us approached and held out a speaker toward us.
A man's voice came from the speaker.
-Ah. Ah. Mic test. Can everyone hear me?
Unlike the bewildered Han Ha-rin, I immediately understood.
'One of the participants must be using the treasure Megaphone."
Just because I can hack doesn't mean I know every detail about all participants. The only person I considered worth paying attention to was Kang Seok-soo.
I didn't know much about the other teams.
'I'll have to look into this guy later.'
-For those surprised, let me briefly explain—this is the ability of my treasure, the Megaphone. Once every three hours, I can speak to all participants for one minute.
'The Megaphone is a decent treasure.'
It all depends on how you use it. You can draw aggro with it, spread false information to manipulate people, and more. There are plenty of ways to utilize it.
-I am Seo Oh-jun, leader of the Three-Talons Team. A C-rank hunter aiming for victory.
I instinctively grasped Seo Oh-jun's ulterior motive.
'This bastard… He's trying to incite everyone.'
-But if things continue like this, Aqua Stone Team—the team Kang Seok-soo belongs to—will win Dungeon Survival: Reprised. I believe everyone already knows this even without me saying it.
Yesterday's event was 'Ask Us Anything'.
If you went to a designated location, you could contact the organizers and get information about Dungeon Survival. Each team could ask three questions.
Most hunters probably asked about the most likely winner.
-Currently, Aqua Stone Team has 7,955 survival points. The second-place team, 'Gari Brothers', has 5,120. The gap between first and second is nearly 3,000 points. Yes. If this continues, Aqua Stone's victory is guaranteed.
I smiled.
Things were unfolding even better than I'd thought.
-So, I propose this. Let's all gather and eliminate Aqua Stone together. After that, we can compete among ourselves to decide the winner.
In short—a temporary alliance.
Just like how Korea's top 10 guilds united when the SS-rank monster Red Dragon appeared. He's suggesting we band together to eliminate Kang Seok-soo.
'Honestly, the participants must've all thought about this at least once. Any proper hunter would know about Kang Seok-soo's team.'
But this is a broadcast program. That's a fact you must never forget.
Dozens of hunters banding together to eliminate one person? Viewers might criticize the alliance.
'Plus, there wasn't a proper means to gather hunters. Seo Oh-jun, who has the Megaphone, took the initiative.'
Even if other hunters get critisized, Seo Oh-jun won't be criticized as much.
-Those who wish to join us, please come to Area A-11 tomorrow at 9 a.m. I sincerely ask for your cooperation.
Every hunter will go to Area A-11. I can guarantee that.
Teams with high survival points will benefit from definitively eliminating Aqua Stone Team, and teams with low survival points will go for a chance to turn the tables.
'Most importantly, this is a broadcast program. You can't afford to miss such a big event.'
Most hunters joined Dungeon Survival to make a name for themselves. To showcase their strength, gain popularity, and ultimately join a renowned guild.
'Of course, I'll go too.'
-Ah! And one more thing! Gukcheon Hunter Team—don't you dare show up. I asked yesterday, and the hunter who eliminated the most participants was Seong Eugene from the Gukcheon Hunter Team. You guys are untrustworthy bastards. If you come, we'll attack you on sight.
"..."
The camera was filming my face.
I had to swallow back the curses rising in my throat.
-Let me repeat. Area A-11. We'll be waiting for many hunters to join us. Please come.
The association staff put away the speaker.
Han Ha-rin frowned and looked at me.
"What are you going to do? At this rate, we'll be completely excluded."
"…We have to go. If we don't go just because they told us not to, we'll have no way to win. This is an opportunity."
"Just asking—you're not thinking of allying with Kang Seok-soo, are you?"
That's also an option.
Since we're being ostracized by the alliance, we could side with Aqua Stone Team and fight the hunter alliance. The hunter alliance might target us next. The odds are slim, though.
'Kang Seok-soo's chances of beating the alliance are low. Even if he's the strongest here, he's up against dozens.'
I smirked bitterly and replied to her.
"That's also an option. Should we go meet him?"
I have the real-time map. If I want to meet Kang Seok-soo, I can do so anytime.
***
Han Ha-rin and I entered a safe zone in Area C.
All safe zones in the dungeon are identical—small cabins with the same layout.
Upon opening the front door, we stepped into the living room. Two men sitting on the sofa—Choi Sa-hyun and Kang Seok-soo—turned to look at us.
"To think we'd meet in a safe zone again. How peculiar."
"That's our line."
Peculiar? I came here specifically to see you.
Kang Seok-soo wouldn't use the same strategy as on the first day. He knows we've completely given up on survival points.
Han Ha-rin gave Kang Seok-soo a cold glance before heading straight to the bathroom.
I walked over to the sofa and sat cross-legged opposite Kang Seok-soo.
"...Do you have something to say?"
Kang Seok-soo's eyes were wary of me.
"Nope. I just wanted to see the face of a doomed bastard up close."
"You little—!"
Choi Sa-hyun tried to stand up, but Kang Seok-soo grabbed his shoulder to stop him.
"Your language is vulgar."
"Everyone talks like this these days, edgelord."
"I have no intention of bickering with you. State your business. You're here to propose an alliance, aren't you?"
"Hmm. Wanna ally?"
"No. For you to win with zero survival points, you'd have to defeat us. You'd obviously betray us at the critical moment."
"Suit yourself."
I stood up.
I knew Kang Seok-soo would refuse. Aside from the trust issues between us, his pride also played a part. Kang Seok-soo probably thinks, 'I can handle this.'
"By the way, where's Jeong-mi Noona?"
"...Jeong-mi Noona?"
I didn't miss the twitch in Kang Seok-soo's eyebrow. Not a normal reaction. So, Kang Seok-soo does have feelings for Yoo Jeong-mi.
'Yoo Jeong-mi also has feelings for him, but… it feels like he likes her more.'
Yoo Jeong-mi once mentioned that Kang Seok-soo broke up with her two years ago. They had a big fight because of his clumsiness in relationships and split up.
'He doesn't seem like the type to be good at romance. He probably acted carelessly, they fought, and broke up.'
After that, Yoo Jeong-mi, angry, dated another guy out of spite but didn't last long.
"We talked a bit when we met in the safe zone last time. Unlike you, we got along well. Heh."
"...."
"Well, whatever. See you."
I took a quick shower in the bathroom and went upstairs. There, I found Yoo Jeong-mi lying on a bed.
"I'm resting, so don't come in… Huh? Eugene?"
"Hey, Jeong-mi Noona."
I closed the door. Then, I pulled down my pants and took out my thing.
"W-What? Why are you taking your pants off all of a sudden?"
"Let's do it. We agreed to be fuck buddies that time."
"We never agreed! That was just a one-time thing!"
"Then let's make today a one-time thing too."
I approached her. Yoo Jeong-mi stared blankly at my crotch for a moment. She must've remembered the pleasure she felt on the first day.
"...Just once."
"Yeah. Got it."
I came inside her four times.
***
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