[The 'Lowest Grade Rare Weapon Selection Ticket' will be awarded as a reward for ranking 1st in the relevant area!]
[The 'Special Reward Selection Box' will be awarded as a reward for ranking 1st in all areas!]
Ryu Min, upon seeing the message, opened his inventory.
He found two items he had never seen before: a weapon selection box and a reward selection box.
Among the two, Ryu Min chose the weapon selection option.
*Use.*
A translucent window appeared.
[You can choose one of the following rare weapons.]
[Please touch the desired reward.]
1. Frosty Longsword
2. Stiletto
3. Javelin
Sword, dagger, spear. Although there are originally more weapon types available, these are the only choices at the start.
'I'm so grateful for this. It's a rare item.'
The item grades are divided as follows: Normal, Rare, Epic, Unique, Legendary, God, etc. Although this was just the second rarity, it was still a valuable reward considering how difficult it was to obtain through normal means.
'If you're a beginner, you might choose a sword or a javelin...'
Without hesitation, Ryu Min moved his hand.
[You selected 'Stiletto'.]
As the reward arrived in his inventory, an information window automatically popped up.
[Stiletto]
- Category : Weapon
- Rank : Rare
- Attack Power : 15
- Effect : Agility +1
- Durability : 150/150
- Usage Restrictions : Beginner level and above
- Description : This is the best dagger a beginner can use.
After reviewing the information, Ryu Min discarded the goblin dagger he had been holding. It was useless, with an attack power of 3 and no additional attributes.
'There's no need to keep it since I can't sell it, even if I collect them.'
Even if he put it in his inventory, it would just take up space.
Next, Ryu Min's gaze shifted to the special reward selection box, which could only be obtained by achieving first place in every area.
Of course, that box offered rewards far superior to the lowest tier rare weapon selection he had just received.
*I'll hold off on using it for now.*
He closed the inventory window without selecting anything else. Instead, he opened the status window to check his agility before looking elsewhere.
His interest was momentarily diverted.
'I wonder how Yong-min is doing?'
Amid the chaos filled with screams from both humans and goblins, Ryu Min tilted his head.
The round participants were restricted in their movements as they couldn't leave the safety of the pillars.
*There he is.*
In the distance, he spotted Hwang Yong-min's massive frame.
He felt a sense of relief watching Yong-min fight desperately behind others.
*I guess he'll survive this time too.*
Ryu Min had faith that not only would he survive the first round, but also the fifth round. Still, he had a lingering worry that something might go wrong.
*He shouldn't die so soon. I'll make use of him while I can, then dispose of him when he's no longer needed.*
While Ryu Min had no lingering resentment, the truth was that he didn't want Yong-min to live.
*Is it still not over?*
If he completed the quest early, he wouldn't be sent back first.
He had to wait until half of the achievers had been filled.
*I mentioned it's surprisingly fair for a game, didn't I?*
Returning early because of a quick finish would leave the other participants in a perilous situation. Most would still be waking up.
*There's nothing more dangerous than being targeted while in a soul transfer state.*
What if the main body on Earth perished while the soul was in another world?
Of course, the soul would perish alongside its physical form.
At that point, no matter how powerful the player was, it would be of no use. They'd be utterly defenseless.
*It's like having your life threatened in a virtual reality game.*
Perhaps not wanting to risk such a scenario, the system only allowed the participants to return as a group after the round concluded.
That was why Ryu Min was idly waiting at that moment.
*I'm getting bored just waiting around.*
If he came in first, this would become an issue.
"Help me! Aaaah!"
"Stop it! Stop it!"
Even amidst the desperate cries of the people, Ryu Min felt a sense of boredom.
He had seen this numerous times over the years.
The weak were eliminated, and only the strong remained.
*There's no escape. The only chance for survival lies in enduring this deadly competition.*
This was a reality that Ryu Min, as a mere human, could not alter.
With a sigh, he began to memorize a slogan to pass the time.
*Progress window.*
[All areas]
*Participants : 1,801,029,290
*Achievers : 3/900,514,645
[Related area ESKS45-5]
*Participants : 10,286
*Achievers : 1/5,143
Reviewing the quest progress window, he noted there were three people who had completed the challenges across all areas.
This meant there were currently three individuals who had passed, including himself.
*I'm first, so the others must be second and third.*
On the other hand, only one person had achieved completion in this specific area.
That person was only him.
*It looks like the second and third places came from different areas.*
Regardless, being below the top three in either the overall district or the particular area was meaningless.
No additional rewards were granted for those who placed lower.
*Gold is awarded as a completion bonus, but that's something everyone receives...*
The number of the area that was once ranked 1 began to rise to 2.
Looking around, he spotted a figure trapped in a translucent pillar in the distance.
It appeared this person had just slain 100 goblins and completed the quest.
*People will start to succeed shortly.*
As expected, quest achievers began appearing sporadically.
*The third position in that area has been filled.*
The slow pace gradually picked up, and the number of goblins began to dwindle accordingly.
*Well, what does the ranking matter? What truly matters is making it into the top half of the category by any means necessary.*
As he turned to look, Ryu Min noticed a large man stuck against a pillar.
It was Hwang Yong-min.
*That guy made it through too.*
He seemed to be struggling, gasping for air while stuck in the pillar.
In contrast, fierce battles raged around them.
"Kiyaaaaak!"
"Eww!"
All sorts of screams echoed together, but the chaos present earlier had subsided.
People had begun to gain their own strategies.
*They may have adapted to this environment where survival depends on killing.*
Perhaps because of this adaptation, the number of goblins had noticeably decreased over time.
Although the goblins enjoyed numerical advantage, humans typically had superior individual attributes.
Moreover, defeating goblins granted players an essential boost.
*The disparity between human and goblin numbers is closing, signaling it's time for the angels to step in.*
When the number of quest achievers surpassed 400 and the goblin count dropped from 50,000 to 10,000, an observing angel intervened.
With a devilish grin upon their face.
[The number of humans and goblins has become somewhat balanced. Shall we increase the goblin count?]
Fluttering their wings seemed to signal a change as the corpses blanketing the meadow vanished without a trace.
As expected, this caused confusion among participants.
"What, what is happening?"
"The goblin corpses are gone?"
"It's not just the goblins! Other people's bodies have vanished too!"
While moments of confusion lingered, another soon took its place.
As goblins appeared in droves all around, they wore gleeful yet sinister expressions.
[Kyohohoho, I've replenished 50,000 of them. You won't catch them all! Hehehe!]
"..."
While Ryu Min wasn't sure of the sentiments expressed by others, it was clear many were cursing the angel in that moment.
"Kill him!"
"Eww!"
Participants were once again compelled to brandish their weapons for their lives.
It was far too soon for anyone young to perish amidst such chaos.
-Achievers: 1,021/5,143
-Achievers: 2,129/5,143
-Achievers: 3,533/5,143
As the number of successful quest completers increased, the goblin numbers decreased drastically.
Each time the angel removed the corpses, more goblins flooded in.
Had around five hours passed in this manner?
Ryu Min, who had been sitting on the floor monitoring the progress window, finally stood, sensing it was time.
*The achievers will fill up soon.*
It was time to resolve the rewards and return home.
There was, however, one thing he absolutely needed to do before that.
*Achievers: 5,143/5,143
At the moment when the total number of quest achievers peaked.
"Huh?"
"What?"
The goblins swarming the meadows vanished as if it were all a dream.
[Half of the participants have passed.]
The angel lamented.
[Regrettably, the remainder shall face annihilation. Such is the rule of this game.]
"What? Annihilation?"
"Hey, wait! Angel! Can I catch just one more? Please...!"
That was when.
Those who had failed to complete the quest scattered like dust.
About 3,000 people.
The remaining 2,000 were slain by goblins.
*Ssss...*
People couldn't even scream as death approached unexpectedly.
Those watching from the pillars swallowed hard at the sight of such unfathomable cruelty.
Had he not achieved the quest earlier, he too might have been destroyed.
*If you don't make it to the top half, you're doomed.*
The number that had once been 10,000 dwindled to 5,000.
Unfortunately, there was no means for Ryu Min to save them.
For as the angel stated, that was the core rule of this damned game.
[Why do you all look so glum? Shouldn't you be thankful you survived?]
The angel tilted their head with a shrug.
[I suppose that's a good thing. You survived. Congratulations! You may return home now.]
People's expressions relaxed at the mention of "going home."
They sighed in relief and regained their smiles.
But the angel grinned, a sinister twist at the corners of their lips.
It was still too early for anyone to celebrate.
[Congratulations on making it through the first round. Be prepared to try harder in the second round. Hehe.]
"..."
They had just completed round 1.
By the 1st of next month, they would surely be called for round 2, without exception.
At best, Ryu Min had only gained a month of time.
The expressions of the crowd turned ashen as they grasped that reality.
[Now, shall we settle the accounts before heading home?]
As the angel spread their wings, a message window appeared before Ryu Min's eyes.
Round 1 Results Summary
[All areas]
-1st place. Black Scythe (Lv5 No Job) 00:10:21
-2nd place. Shitheads (Lv5 No Job) 00:16:15
-3rd place. Cheonma (Lv5 No Job) 00:17:07
[Related Area ESKS45-5]
-1st place. Black Scythe (Lv5 No Job) 00:10:21
-2nd place. Life is a Documentary (Lv5 No Job) 00:23:55
-3rd place. Black Flame Dragon on the Right Hand (Lv5 No Job) 00:24:43
[Currently, 'Black Scythe' ranks 1st across all areas and 1st in this specific area.] [Ranking Reward - Lowest Grade Rare Weapon Selection Ticket (Paid), Special Reward Selection Box (Paid)]
[Clear Reward - 1,000 Gold (Unpaid)]
[The clear reward will be distributed shortly.]
[You have received 1,000 Gold as a completion reward! Congratulations!]
[You can purchase items at the shop with the gold you've earned.]
[The shop function will unlock when you reach level 10.]
Not only Ryu Min but everyone else stood stunned.
All were engrossed in observing the aggregated results.
*Others would have received 1,000 gold at most.*
Ryu Min, having placed first, received a ranking reward, while everyone else received only gold.
*Now, everyone knows I'm number one, right?*
As expected, people began glancing at Ryu Min.
Gazes were filled with envy, along with a tinge of jealousy.
However, most looked at him with awe, recognizing his impressive skill.
Especially considering the substantial time gap between his completion and that of second place.
The astonishment wasn't limited to humans.
[I can't believe someone managed to clinch first place across the entire district I oversee...]
The angel's eyes were fixed on Ryu Min.
[Black Scythe? Answer me.]
"Yes."
[How can you possess such strength? Did you obtain some special rune or something...?]
The angel paused, abruptly cutting off their thought.
*What a silly question...*
It was a given that a player's status window remained confidential.
Yet, Ryu Min was well aware of this through his repeated lives.
The angel appeared slightly taken aback.
So he decided to toy with them a bit.
"Angel."
[What is it, Human?]
"Don't you think the reward for ranking 1 is a bit underwhelming?"
[What did you just say?]
"I expected better compensation."
It was audacious to barter with an angel.
The onlookers gasped in surprise at his bold declaration.