Chapter 364: Democratic Party of the 101 (Part 2) |
The second round began.
Despite concerns, this round was simple.
‘Do we just need to vote everyone through?’
It’s such an easy mission that it feels suspicious.
‘But why is the time limit three hours?’
It’s more than enough time to discuss who will be the representative.
I have no desire to talk among people who are debating.
‘I don’t have anything else to do either… huh?’
As I looked around, I spotted a group heading into the forest.
‘Why are they going in there? Are they people who, like me, aren’t interested in voting?’
Even if that’s the case, why would they go into the forest?
There’s no reason for them to need to relieve themselves in this strange world where we haven’t even drunk anything.
Curious, I decided to follow them.
Not wanting to be discovered, I kept a cautious distance.
But I encountered an unexpected presence.
“Ki-ki-kick!”
“A… monster?”
It was similar to the goblins from the first round, but this one wore more colorful clothes and stared at me with red eyes.
‘What should I do? Do I have to fight alone?’
I looked around, but there was no one else.
[Current accumulated protection 0/10]
To make matters worse, I didn’t have a protection shield.
The drawback of the runes became apparent.
‘Without a player, runes are useless.’
Worthless.
That word came to mind as the hobgoblin lunged at me.
It wielded a long blade that resembled a hunting kukri.
‘Ah…’
I had never faced a monster alone, so I was confused at that moment.
“Over here, idiot!”
A man shouted and, at the same time, dashed in and stabbed the hobgoblin with a dagger in a surprising move.
“Kiiiiii…!”
Though it was threatening, it seemed to have the same resistance as the goblins from the first round, as it died from a single strike. The man pulled out the dagger.
“Whew, that was close. Are you okay?”
“Yes, thank you.”
Grateful for the rescue, Min Juri sincerely bowed her head.
Meanwhile, she didn’t notice where the man was looking.
“Entering the forest is dangerous. As you can see, there are monsters.”
Min Juri, who was observing the kind man, naturally looked upward.
Nickname [Park Chan-sung].
This man had saved her.
“Come this way. I’ll introduce you to the others.”
Still dazed, Min Juri followed the man and soon found herself among his group.
Four people in total.
It was the group that had entered the forest earlier.
“You can see the nicknames, right? Min Juri. No need for further explanations. Besides, introductions in this world don’t mean much, right? It’s not like we can meet outside of here.”
“Yes, that’s true.”
Nodding, Min Juri carefully observed the nicknames and appearances of the people.
The four men, including Park Chan-sung, had common appearances.
That’s why Min Juri felt at ease.
If they had more fierce-looking faces, she probably wouldn’t have relaxed so much.
“What were you doing in the forest, Min Juri?”
“I was just curious. And you guys?”
“The same. We prefer exploring the surroundings rather than participating in a pointless debate for three hours.”
“Do you know each other?”
“Yes. We’re neighborhood friends.”
The fact that all four friends ended up participating in a deadly game at the same time is truly unlucky.
‘Still, being with them, I feel safer even if monsters appear.’
The safety of being in a group is comforting, but most importantly, the effect of the runes can be leveraged.
[Currently accumulated protection 4/10]
Like now, with four shields accumulated.
‘Of course, it’s only one per person, so it can’t be replenished, but…’
Min Juri realized.
The difference between having a shield and not having one is vast.
It’s like the difference between bungee jumping with a harness on and without it.
The peace of mind is remarkably different.
That’s why she made a proposal.
“Hey, if you’re going hunting, could I join you?”
Asking to join the hunt.
As if they had been waiting for that, Park Chan-sung smiled widely.
“I agree. How about the rest of you?”
“Oh, I’m fine with it too.”
“Me too.”
And so, a group of five was formed.
“Kieek!”
“Kiit!”
Unlike before, the hobgoblins were fleeing.
Min Juri quickly chased after them to avoid losing sight of them.
Slash!
Using the kukri that the hobgoblins wielded, she made a deep cut in their backs.
The other players didn’t lag behind and began stabbing the fallen hobgoblin.
Thud! Thud!
[Hobgoblin defeated!]
[Experience +3%]
[Gold +15]
The experience and gold were awarded to Min Juri, who had contributed the most.
Min Juri had taken the lead in the battle against the goblins.
“Min Juri, how are you so brave?”
“Do you have a rune related to tanking? You charge in without fear.”
“Ha, ha… actually, I’ve always been a bit reckless.”
She said it jokingly, but they seemed to believe it.
Like anyone else, she was also afraid.
Who in their right mind would charge at three hobgoblins unarmed?
However, the source of her confidence lay in the runes.
‘With the Rune of Protection, I can charge in safely.’
With the certainty that she wouldn’t die, Min Juri could move boldly and confidently.
As a result, she managed to defeat the hobgoblins without a scratch, establishing herself as the best in the group.
Of course, it wasn’t an achievement solely due to her.
“Thanks for the buff, Shin Gyeong-cheol.”
“Oh, no problem.”
“I still can’t believe it. A rune that can cast buffs.”
Shortly after Min Juri joined the group, a man with the nickname [Shin Gyeong-cheol] revealed something.
He had the [Rune of Glory].
‘He said it increases the luck stat of those nearby.’
In fact, being near him increased the luck stat by 5 points.
In short, he was a walking buff.
‘I’m not exactly sure what effects luck has, but…’
Perhaps due to the placebo effect, she really did feel luckier.
There were even occasions when a monster died from a single blow.
‘In this strange world, survival is the most important thing, so I should prioritize agility.’
Initially, Min Juri had been investing in the strength stat.
With the Rune of Protection, she thought it was better to enhance her lacking strength.
However, recent experience made her change her mind.
Facing monsters alone made it clear that the Rune of Protection wasn’t much help.
‘I need to protect myself. Therefore, I should focus on agility and leave strength as a secondary stat.’
It made no sense to invest in intelligence or luck since she wasn’t sure of their exact effects.
There was no need to take unnecessary risks.
And so, they continued hunting for quite some time.
[You’ve leveled up!]
[You’ve reached level 10.]
[You can now use the shop.]
[You have met the conditions for a class change.]
[You’ve received a hidden side quest!]
‘Huh? A side quest?’
Surprised, Min Juri focused on the message that appeared.
Change your class before the voting time ends.
Obtain the necessary item and choose a profession.
If successful ▶ Receive a 50% discount coupon on the item of the day.
‘Change my class? Before the voting time ends?’
She had just discovered that she could change classes at level 10.
She also hadn’t known about hidden side quests.
“Min Juri, what’s wrong?”
“Ah, nothing. I was just checking my status.”
“I see. We’ve hunted quite a bit; how about we take a break?”
“Ah, sure.”
Her excuse didn’t raise suspicion, and the group decided to rest.
Even so, they all leaned against trees, alert for any possible appearance of monsters.
‘It’s better not to mention that I’m level 10. It might spark unnecessary jealousy.’
However, nothing would change.
She had no idea how to obtain the necessary item for the class change.
At that moment, Park Chan-sung approached her.
“Min Juri, are you tired?”
“Ha, ha, no.”
“I saw you fight really well earlier. Were you a special forces soldier or something in your real life?”
“No, no. I’m just a regular student.”
“Student? In high school?”
“I’m an adult now. I graduated.”
“Oh… that’s nice. Would you like to go out with me after this round?”
“What?”
“What’s your real name?”
What is he trying to do?
That was the only question on her mind.
His sudden advance left her stunned.
“Why are you asking?”
“Don’t you want to see me outside of here?”
“…”
“You can’t answer. Does that mean you don’t dislike the idea?”
“Why are you asking that?”
“Oh? Since you’re not outright rejecting it, does that mean you don’t dislike it? Ha, ha.”
Park Chan-sung laughed, though Min Juri was visibly uncomfortable.
“Ah, I startled you with the question. Ha, ha. I’m being honest because I like you. You’re my type. Your face, your body…”
“This is making me uncomfortable.”
“I know. That’s why I’m suggesting we meet alone outside of here. After all, the world is on the verge of collapse, shouldn’t we enjoy what we can?”
“…”
He was a repulsive man.
From the beginning, he had been kind for a reason.
He was hiding his true intentions, and now, near the end of the round, he was revealing them.
“No.”
She firmly refused.
Park Chan-sung’s expression changed at her rejection.
“If you don’t want to, just say so. No need to be so serious.”
His tone changed. Now he seemed to be the one most offended.
“Park Chan-sung, stop it.”
“What needs to stop? Have you seen how this girl is treating me? She’s being a damn brat.”
The sudden 180-degree change in attitude left Min Juri speechless, more shocked than angry. The raw sight of human nature stunned her.
“I saved your life at the beginning and have been nice to you all this time, and what? You don’t want to see me? Thinking of all the effort I put in pisses me off.”
He believed that spending three hours hunting together entitled him to gain the affections of someone he barely knew.
But what he really wanted wasn’t her heart.
“Grab her!”
“What, what are you doing?”
At Park Chan-sung’s command, his friends grabbed her by both arms.
It seemed that his unsatisfied desire was pushing him to act. Park Chan-sung began unbuckling his pants.
“I didn’t want it to come to this, but you’re leaving me no choice. Better to do it here where there’s no evidence, right?”
“Let go of me!”
Min Juri struggled fiercely.
She thought that since she had invested in strength, she could break free, but she was wrong. It seemed the others had also increased their strength stats.
“Hold her tight. I’ll go first, then it’s your turn.”
“Understood, Park Chan-sung.”
“Do it quickly. We don’t have much time.”
The three laughed maliciously, but then something unexpected happened.
Whack!
“Ugh!”
Shin Gyeong-cheol, unable to bear it any longer, struck Park Chan-sung on the head with a stick.
“Ahh, Shin Gyeong-cheol! Have you lost your mind?”
“You guys are the crazy ones! What the hell are you doing? Are you sane?”
“Ah, you idiot! I’m giving you the chance to lose your virginity. Just keep watch and then it’ll be your turn.”
Shling.
Min Juri’s kukri pressed against Park Chan-sung’s neck.
She had broken free from their grip thanks to the hit.
“Got any last words before you die?”
“L-lo, please, don’t kill me.”
“I’ll let you go once. Get lost.”
Min Juri said that and let them go.
She wasn’t afraid of facing them, confident that with her level and stats, she would win in a fair fight. Plus, she had the Rune of Protection.
Park Chan-sung raised his hands in surrender and retreated, quickly shifting his target to Shin Gyeong-cheol, the traitor.
“Damn traitor!”
Stab!
“Aaah!”
“Betraying me after I brought you along?”
Stab! Stab!
The knife repeatedly stabbed into Shin Gyeong-cheol’s abdomen.
Horrified, Min Juri didn’t hesitate to jump in again.
Slash!
“Ahh! My arm!”
She mercilessly cut his arm and brandished her knife to keep the others at bay.
“Don’t come any closer! If you do, I’ll cut you!”
Min Juri protected Shin Gyeong-cheol, keeping an eye on his condition.
Blood was flowing from his abdomen; he was clearly in bad shape.
‘What do I do? He’s going to die at this rate.’
She couldn’t do much other than keep the others at a distance.
However, Min Juri didn’t know that this was the requirement to obtain the class change item.
[You’ve saved a player with a buff in a critical situation.]
[You’ve acquired the item “Buffer’s Grace”.]
After the second round, Min Juri became a buffer.
‘Did that man survive?’
Only now did she realize that as long as you don’t die in the other world, you can return in good physical condition.
‘Was his name Jo Yong-ho?’
If it hadn’t been for him, she might have suffered something terrible.
Her savior wasn’t Park Chan-sung, but him.
‘I hope he doesn’t face retaliation from his friends in real life…’
She was worried, but she didn’t know where he lived or who he was, so she couldn’t look for him.
Those thoughts faded when, by chance, she saw her first love, Ryu Min, in a convenience store.
Later, she was shocked to discover that his username was Black Scythe, the number one in the ranking of the entire zone.
“My username is Black Scythe.”
“What? No way. You’re the number one ranked?”
“You might not believe it, but it’s true.”
When Ryu Min showed his scythe, surprise was evident on Min Juri’s face.
“Really? Wow, that’s incredible! My friend is the number one ranked!”
She was truly impressed, and since the fifth round, when the zones were unified, they began to act together.
They hunted together, faced difficulties and hardships together, and as a result, they made it to the final round.
They even reached the Hall of Wishes, which only those who reached the end of the round could access.
‘My wish will be… yes, I’ve decided.’