Chapter 730: Week 9–10 Midterms (9)

Soon, we collected the items rolling around on the ground.

Kang Huichan himself was penniless, but the guys who had come with him had been carrying one or two each.

[Map(D)]

[Crystal(D)]

[Exit(1 Person)]

▷Objective 3: Seize competitors’ items (6/10)

The [Exit] I had been looking for so hard had finally appeared.

We needed one more to regroup with the others, and now that our ranks had risen, it was not all that urgent anymore, though.

The [Map] can rank up, can’t it?

The map we currently had was C+ rank.

We had already combined an E map into it, stolen one D map from Back Guy, and now another D map had just dropped.

With this much, it seemed plenty possible.

Since there was no point delaying, I gathered the cards together.

[Map(C+→B)]

▷Displays your current location and the ranks of nearby fixed zones.

▷Displays the location of nearby allies.

▷Displays the location of nearby sanctuaries and altars.

▷(New!) Displays the location of nearby field bosses. (Up to 3)

A hologram soon unfolded before my eyes, and a certain radius centered on us became clearly displayed.

The first things that caught my eye were large crown icons.

They indicated field bosses, and there was one even in the D zone we were currently in.

It was too far away to go hunt, and in the complete opposite direction too, so with regrouping as our priority right now, we had to give up on it.

When I checked the B-rank zone, I likewise saw one crown there.

It was probably a powerhouse on par with the sloth, which meant it had now become the ruler of that area.

Also, in the middle of the B zone, an orange dot was blinking.

“Huichan made it all the way there.”

“Perfect home run.”

I had charged [Wind Force] as much as I could and slammed him with it, so I had expected that much, but he had flown farther than I thought.

Since I had put [Tracking] on him, his location was displayed in real time.

But at that moment, the orange dot disappeared, and the quest updated.

▷Objective 2: Defeat competitors (6/20)

▷Objective 2: Defeat competitors (7/20)

“Looks like he got taken down.”

“Apparently.”

The kids in that neighborhood were pretty rough, after all.

Even when we moved around carefully, there had been dangerous moments here and there.

Since Kang Huichan’s ability was far below ours, his chances of survival were also far lower.

Lastly, three red dots had been added to one corner in the northwest.

“They’re on their way.”

“It’s Go’s group.”

It meant the distance between us and the trio of Go, Han, and Hong had narrowed enough to show up on the map.

There was still quite a bit left, though.

“Let’s go meet them.”

“Yeah.”

Soon, Seo Ye-in and I headed toward the regrouping point.

Along the way, we defeated monsters that caught our eye and faced off against other participants too.

Unlike Sagong Uk’s group and Cha Hyeonju’s group, no one attacked us out of nowhere, and we did not go out of our way to pick fights either. We simply hurried on our way.

Then, when I checked the map, the five red dots had somehow gathered so close they were almost touching.

Sure enough, familiar silhouettes were approaching from the far end of my vision.

Go Hyeonwoo, who was leading them, smiled broadly and greeted me.

“Brother Kim.”

After that, Hong Yeonhwa’s whole face filled with joy, and she came running toward me in a fluster.

On the way, she stumbled and nearly fell, then kept running in that same flustered rush until she reached me.

“...! ...!”

Hong Yeonhwa opened and closed her mouth while catching her breath.

It seemed she had a lot to say, but was too happy to know where to begin.

When I smiled and held out my arms, she quickly came into them.

“...! ...!”

“Feels like it’s been a really long time, doesn’t it? It’s only been a little over a week.”

“Yeah...!”

Hong Yeonhwa nodded with her face buried in my arms.

She stuck to me tightly and showed no sign of letting go.

Meanwhile, Han Somi was also catching up with Seo Ye-in.

“You missed me, didn’t you!”

“No.”

“But I missed you! Hehe.”

“Go away...”

Seo Ye-in edged away with an expression that said she was dying of annoyance.

But she did not get far before Han Somi grabbed her.

“What did you do? In Hyeseong? After the request? With Kim Ho? Tell me! Everything!”

“Help...”

I could practically see Seo Ye-in’s energy draining away in real time.

It was a scene that reminded me of the Demonic Cult’s energy-draining art.

Go Hyeonwoo must have had a similar thought, because he watched them with a bitter smile, then approached me and showed me the items.

Several crystals and a bundle of cards.

“Our abilities were lacking, so this is all we could prepare.”

“This isn’t ‘all.’ This is a lot.”

From the moment the midterms began, they had been battered from every direction by other participants’ checks.

The fact that they had not been rendered unable to fight was already a pretty good result.

And even while going through such a rough time, they had not forgotten my request and had collected hidden pieces.

Several of them, even.

From my perspective, it was more than I had expected.

Go Hyeonwoo smiled.

“I am grateful you say so.”

“No, I’m the grateful one.”

Thanks to them, the midterms had become much easier.

As a warm mood flowed between us, I checked the items.

Most of the crystals were D-rank, with one or two C-ranks mixed in, and combat cards like [Ejection] and [Protection] had almost all been used up.

They must not have had any choice if they wanted to protect the hidden pieces.

And it had been more than worth it.

[Shackles(C+)]

▷Lowers the target’s rank by one stage.

▷Duration:1 minute

It was not a very efficient card in PvP, since the duration was short and there was a risk of it being blocked by [Protection].

It would be very different in PvE, especially when hunting a field boss.

[Boost(1 Person)]

▷The user’s experience acquisition becomes 1.5x.

▷Effect is removed upon retiring.

[Duplication]

▷Duplicates the designated item card.

Since [Boost] directly connected to the core rule, [Rank Up], it was one of the most valuable cards in this midterm.

The same went for [Duplication], which could increase it to two cards.

It’s about time to use it.

As long as the user did not retire, meaning they were not rendered unable to fight, the effect would continue, so using it earlier meant more profit.

I had also told Go Hyeonwoo, “If you really can’t protect it, just use it.”

Apparently, he had somehow managed to stubbornly hold onto it.

He looked at me and said,

“I was somewhat curious. About why you hoped we would gather them if possible.”

“It’s better to burn them all at once.”

When I answered while showing [Payback], exclamation marks seemed to pop up over everyone’s heads.

“Indeed. If we use them together, we can gain at least one more card.”

“And in the early stages, giving up a little efficiency is fine.”

The amount of experience required to raise ranks was low in itself, so you could get to D or C easily enough by offering crystals roughly.

Then, in most fixed zones, you would not lack specs.

FLASH—!

Soon, [Duplication] was engulfed in bright light, and [Boost] increased to two cards.

Holding them, I looked around at the party.

“I will now accept volunteers. Raise your hand if you want to dedicate yourself to carrying the party.”

“...”

For a while, everyone’s gazes seemed to move back and forth, then Go Hyeonwoo and Han Somi each said a word.

“I am content with supporting from the side.”

“This one feels the same!”

“When it comes to leading the party, I believe Brother Kim is the most suitable.”

“I support Brother Kim!”

But I slowly shook my head.

“Firepower is more important right now. I’m mainly debuff-based, and it’s not like my debuffs won’t land just because my rank is a little lower.”

“Mm, that is also true.”

Since three out of five had removed themselves, the candidates were as good as decided.

Seo Ye-in and Hong Yeonhwa glanced at each other, then raised their hands at the same time.

“Carry.”

“I’ll give it a try...!”

Then they each took one [Boost] from me and used it immediately.

FLASH—!

They were probably receiving a notification along the lines of, [Experience acquired becomes 1.5x.]

—or so I thought.

FLASH—!

With an intense light, a notification appeared in one corner of my vision as well.

[‘Payback(B+)’ activates.]

[You acquire a random card.]

The next moment, the [Boost] I had just handed out was sitting on my palm.

Out of all the many cards that existed, the exact same one had come out.

I looked between Seo Ye-in and Hong Yeonhwa and said,

“If you use this twice, it stacks, you know. From 1.5x to 2.25x.”

“...!”

“Raise your hand if you think you can carry better.”

At that, the two raised their hands at the same time again.

“Super power carry.”

“I can do it well...!”

In most cases, Hong Yeonhwa would yield to Seo Ye-in, but right now, she showed no sign of backing down even an inch.

So I brought my fist microphone over to her.

“You seem especially determined today. What is the reason?”

“Thaaat...”

Hong Yeonhwa rolled her eyes around.

After taking a moment to choose her words, she clenched her fist.

“Since the midterms started... we’ve only been getting pushed around. By Cha Hyeonju and Sagong Uk...”

“So you’ll get stronger and pay them back?”

“Yeah...!”

“Good.”

Seo Ye-in and mirror-image Seo Ye-in’s ambitions seemed similar.

“They bullied us when we were weak.”

—A very cowardly act.

“We’ll scold them.”

—Instill manners.

Soon, everyone’s eyes focused on me.

As if asking whom I would choose.

I answered calmly.

“It’s difficult to decide superiority, so let’s settle it with rock-paper-scissors.”

“...”

Hong Yeonhwa rapidly deflated.

She was not especially lucky on normal days, so how could she ever be a match for Lucky Charm in rock-paper-scissors?

She seemed to think I was handing Seo Ye-in the win.

In reality, it was the opposite.

“Rock, paper—”

“—scissors.”

“...!?”

Hong Yeonhwa’s eyes went round at her unexpected victory.

She looked back at me as if asking what had happened, so I gave her a brief explanation.

“She’s under a penalty.”

“Ah...!”

Seo Ye-in had used the “Finichip,” so she was in unlucky-sloth mode for a while.

There was no way Seo Ye-in did not know this, but she seemed to have accepted it and lost on purpose.

Inwardly, she was probably a little too lazy to do it too.

FLASH—!

Soon, Hong Yeonhwa used [Boost] for the second time.

I started walking at the front and said,

“Now, let’s go clean everyone out.”

*****

For a while, we spent time charging empty crystals and offering them at altars.

As a result,

▷Owned Crystals

(None)

[Rank]

▷Kim Ho:D+→C

▷Seo Ye-in:D→B

▷Go Hyeonwoo:C→C+

▷Hong Yeonhwa:C+→B+

▷Han Somi:C→C+

Now we could enter and leave the C zone easily, and we could even start eyeing the B zone bit by bit.

On top of that, we had also replenished item cards whenever we had time.

[Map(B→B+)]

[Plunder]*5 (+4)

[Protection]*3 (+2)

[Concealment(B)]*2 (+1)

[Payback(B+)]

[Exit(1 Person)]*2 (+1)

[Campsite(5 People)]

[Campsite(1 Person)]*4

[Shackles(C+)]

As a result, the sun had already set, and darkness settled over our surroundings.

There were monsters that acted at night and hidden pieces that could only be obtained at night, but today, we had other business first.

When I opened the map, I saw an orange dot blinking.

It had not been visible for a while, then reappeared, which meant Kang Huichan, who had been rendered unable to fight, had re-entered.

He had been near a starting point, but now he had entered the C zone.

And seeing as he was only moving back and forth there—

“Cha Hyeonju must be there.”

“Shall we go?”

Go Hyeonwoo was the one who spoke first, unusually.

When I looked around at the party members, every single one of them had a meaningful gleam in their eyes.

At that, I grinned and answered,

“Of course we should.”

Tonight, we sleep at Hyeonju’s place.