Episode 118
118. Human top
When Ryumin came to the waiting area alone, Angel Ariel was embarrassed.
[Did you survive alone?]
“yes.”
I didn’t know that the traitor group would already be dead.
[I can’t believe I died without even reaching the top of humanity. These are really useless things.]
‘I was wondering if I could survive a little longer and show my superiors an interesting sight.’
Ariel, hiding her true words, shook her head.
[Well, what can I do? Even if I have to do it alone, I have to carry out the mission. black scythe. You know that this is your last chance, right?]
“I know.”
[If you fail to complete the traitor quest at the top of the human race, you will be mercilessly destroyed. We don’t show mercy just because we’re number one in the rankings.]
‘Know. ‘It’s completely driven by the system.’
[For reference, the number of people in the human upper class is 1,201. In other words, it is a fight whether you survive or whether 1,201 people survive.]
He also knows it without saying it.
Since the quests are at opposite ends, one of the two groups has no choice but to disappear.
[If you win, 1,201 people will disappear, but what can you do? You have to abandon the majority and survive on your own, right?]
“… … .”
[It would be fun to see the top ranking disappear, but I hope they survive as much as possible. Because it seems more fun to throw away the majority, giggle.]
After seeing the angel who spoke like that, Ryumin’s background changed.
* * *
I can see a mountain in the distance.
You can also see some lush green trees.
You can also see a neatly laid out road for carriages to travel.
But more than those things, what caught Ryu Min’s attention was the player.
A large number of players, numbering over a thousand, were buzzing.
‘As expected, the human top is the most popular.’
The reason people flock here is no different.
Because it is easier to deal with fellow humans than with other races.
Because familiar things seem more comfortable and easier than new things.
‘But the most difficult thing is the human top.’
At the top of the human race, strong monsters such as trolls, gargoyles, skeletons, and minotaurs appear.
‘There will be one per person, but it won’t be easy. ‘I’m not at the level yet to handle it on my own.’
If you are over level 50, these are monsters that are difficult for players who are still in their early to mid 30s to handle.
‘Still, there are so many of them that we’ll be able to catch them somehow. Moreover, there is also an archbishop.’
If there was a princess at the top of the elves, there was an archbishop at the top of the humans.
‘Although it has no combat ability, the Archbishop will protect the merchant hall and the players.’
The Archbishop’s wide-area buff will increase players’ combat power and survivability.
Unlike other tops, you can proceed with the help of an alien.
‘It means that the level of difficulty is that high, but it’s nice just to get help.’
Of course, Ryu Min doesn’t need anything like that.
My stats were cut by 20% twice, so I was only able to use 64% of my original strength, but I was confident.
‘Even if my strength is reduced, all the monsters that come out of here are my food.’
If you haven’t even been able to exercise after eating so far, you wonder if the guys coming out here will even shed a drop of sweat.
That is also the standard when the power is reduced to 64%.
‘It would have been easier if there were no stat debuffs.’
While thinking about that, Ryumin turned his head.
There was a sign of popularity approaching.
“Hey, are you sure it’s a black scythe?”
When Ryumin looked up, the other person was startled and covered his mouth with his hand.
“Oh my, it’s true! “It’s a black scythe!”
“Black scythe?”
“The black scythe came to the top of the human race?”
The murmur grew louder, and eventually people flocked in.
Snooping around feels like being a monkey in a zoo.
Ryumin made an openly displeased expression.
“Black Scythe! “Give me an autograph!”
“Please do it for me too!” “That Black Scythe, I’m a big fan!”
“Can I shake your hand just once?”
However, there will always be people who cannot understand the atmosphere.
Ryumin took out a sickle as if he had no choice.
“Don’t come any closer. Die.”
As I glared at it with murderous eyes, the approaching players flinched.
“go away.”
At those words, the players turned their gazes one by one and dispersed.
This is because I know that nothing good will come of going against the intentions of the black scythe.
“Black Scythe.”
Ryu Min turned his head in annoyance when he heard a voice speaking to him even though he told him to turn it off.
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But there was a familiar face there.
“Ahn Sang-cheol?”
“Ah, you are Black Scythe. I never thought you would have chosen the same top. nice to meet you.”
“okay.”
Ahn Sang-cheol spoke with a smile, but Ryu Min did not treat him very warmly.
This is because I still remembered the image of him stabbing me in the back of the head in the 7th round.
Even though it was an illusion.
Ryumin asked knowingly.
“Why are you alone?”
“Seoarin went to the dwarven top. She said it looked easier there… … .”
It wasn’t that it looked easy, he knew it was easy, but Ahn Sang-cheol kept quiet.
The thought was that the prophecy could still not be revealed.
‘In the fantasy, he said it without even thinking about it. ‘Is this because illusions are just illusions?’
Ryumin eased his worries a little.
I won’t betray you unless Ahn Sang-cheol goes crazy.
Ryumin’s prophecy will be needed until the final round.
‘If he betrays, it will be Ma Gyeong-rok’s doing. ‘I’m not the type to move on my own.’
However, for some reason, I was torn apart from Seo A-rin and chose to choose the human top.
Even though I know that the level of difficulty is the highest.
To find out the reason, we looked into Ahn Sang-cheol’s inner thoughts.
‘under. Was that the reason?’
The reason is to become stronger.
But the purpose of becoming stronger was not for one’s own sake.
‘I was trying to become stronger because I was concerned that I might become Ma Gyeong-rok’s enemy.’
There cannot be two kings under the heavens.
Ahn Sang-cheol, who wanted to make Ma Gyeong-rok king, thought that the black sickle might become an obstacle in the future.
In preparation for that time, he wanted to become stronger and remain by his master’s side.
‘I didn’t know you were keeping me in check?’
The thought of catching up with him was ridiculous, but he decided to watch.
To what extent does it grow?
At that time, another person who was close to Ryu Min approached.
“uh? Black Scythe?”
It was Yong-ho Cho, the king of mercenaries.
“You too were at the top of humanity.”
“yes. “I think a lot of people will flock here.”
There were more people around Jo Yong-ho than last time.
That number is approximately twenty.
‘Last time there were five, but now the number of mercenaries has increased.’
Mercenaries can receive bonus stats by signing a contract with the Mercenary King.
There is no reason for them not to follow Cho Yong-ho.
“Do you remember what I said before? “I will help you if you need help.”
“I remember.”
“Is there anything you need right now… … .”
“Not now. “Let’s put it off until later.”
“Haha, I understand.”
There wasn’t a single trace of caution in Jo Yong-ho’s smile.
‘This is where the personalities of Ahn Sang-cheol and Cho Yong-ho diverge.’
One is secretly wary of the black scythe, and the other recognizes it as a perfect ally.
Even though they both received help, their thoughts are so different.
“Then I have some work to do, so I’ll just leave. Nice to meet you.”
“okay.”
Jo Yong-ho entered the crowd of people with his group.
As he talks to this person, it seems like he’s looking for a player with a mercenary profession.
‘The human top has a lot of people, so it will be able to increase its power quickly.’
Then, as if the time had come, a message appeared in front of everyone.
[Escorting the human top]
└Escort the human top safely to its destination.
└If the escort is successful, everyone will receive experience rewards.
└One person who has made a high contribution to punishing the traitor will receive a sub-quest reward.
└If you kill every traitor, you will receive additional rewards.
[Current personnel status]
└Participants: 1,202
└Traitor: 1 person
The players who were looking at the personnel status each complained.
“Only one traitor?”
“I thought there were several more.”
“How do you find 1 person out of 1,202?”
Players lost motivation in missions that were like finding a needle in the desert.
“Still, since it’s good to find it, shall we attack each other?”
“That’s right!”
As usual, players attacked each other to hunt down traitors.
However, none of the players touched the black scythe.
Except for Ahn Sang-cheol, who I have a connection with.
“Black Scythe. Excuse me.”
“Are you really going to stab me?”
“Isn’t it okay since you won’t get hurt unless you’re a traitor? Or maybe?”
Ahn Sang-cheol was quick to notice.
Although Ryu Min deliberately showed it off.
“Hmm, I guess I’ll just pretend there are no side quests. “If you look at the difficulty level, it’s not out of this world.”
“That will make you feel more comfortable.”
It was Ahn Sang-cheol who gave up early after realizing that his opponent was a black scythe.
‘They don’t betray you like in the fantasy.’
Unless Ahn Sang-cheol is a fool, he can’t say that Black Scythe is a traitor.
They’ve been in trouble for a long time, and turning No. 1 on the rankings into an enemy won’t do them any good.
“I will keep your secret. Rest assured.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Ryu Min played it off, but Ahn Sang-cheol just smiled and didn’t say anything.
As if he knew everything.
At that time, the caravan carrying the Archbishop began to approach this way.
“Is that the carriage we are supposed to escort?”
“Whoa, see the carriage? “It looks like someone special got on it?”
The carriage was too luxurious to be considered an ordinary upper class.
It was quite large, with what appeared to be 50 carriages.
In particular, the carriage that the archbishop appeared to be riding in was large, luxurious, and different from other carriages.
‘Does the archbishop’s carriage really have to be marked like that?’
Monsters may not target the design of the carriage, but if it shows off like that, it can easily become a target for humans.
‘It’s good that I’m part of the traitorous group.’
The carriage stopped and a man who appeared to be in charge of the human top approached, clearing his throat.
“Hmm, hello. Warriors of this world, everyone. “My name is Carlos, and I am the guard captain of the Hormos Merchant Association.”
The way he greeted me politely gave him a strong impression, as if he were introducing himself as a guard captain.
“We are transporting goods at the request of the Holy Empire, and at the same time, we are serving as the escort for Archbishop Laber. However, the journey through the Ravteran Mountains to the Kingdom of Braham was difficult, so I had no choice but to ask for help from the temple.”
The guard captain gave a lengthy explanation, but it did not reach the players’ ears.
“archbishop?”
“As expected, there was a high-ranking person on board?”
“Do you think it’s a carriage?”
You just need to know who to escort and protect.
“Then, before we leave, there will be a word from the archbishop.”
Soon, the door of the most extravagant and luxurious-looking carriage opened.
An old man with white hair spoke with a solemn expression.
“Warriors of this world. Thank you for stepping in as an escort. The journey to your destination will be difficult, but don’t worry. “I hope there will be light on your path ahead and I will bless you.”
No player asked what a blessing was.
After a while, a message occurred to me.
[Archbishop Laber bestows the blessing ‘Holy Shield’.]
[A shield is created that blocks the enemy’s basic attack once.]
[Archbishop Laber gives the blessing ‘Holy Hand’.]
[All stats increase by 5.]
When the buff was applied, the players’ faces turned bright red.
“Oh, the NPC gives you a buff too?”
“Did you get the buff too? “I got caught too.”
“Me too!”
“Are you betting on everyone here?”
“That guy called the Archbishop is quite useful, right?”
Players who received the buff for the first time were delighted, but it was not something they were happy about.
A monster difficult enough for the Archbishop to apply a buff was scheduled to appear.
‘Trolls and gargoyles are not dangerous. What’s really dangerous are boss-level monsters.’
At exactly wave 25, a boss monster appears.
At this time, the players are exhausted and it will not be easy to catch the boss.
‘What if I step forward and exercise my overwhelming power in that situation?’
You will catch the archbishop’s attention and gain favor from him who values your skills.
‘And the goodwill will lead to items.’
It was none other than an opportunity to obtain the Rune of Future Poetry.
‘You have to kill it after you get it. Archbishop and other merchants.’
You must kill the aliens to prevent the merchant from reaching its destination.
Only then can Ryumin, a member of the traitorous group, survive.
Conversely, the general group of 1,201 people would fail the quest.
‘But it won’t be destroyed.’
There is a way.
There is a way for 1,201 people and Ryumin to not be exterminated.
