Chapter 711: The Final Bet (2)
[The final game is a relay race!]
A message window popped up. Huh, simple. At a glance, our team had the advantage. With Yerim’s teleportation plus Mister Noah and Peace’s ability to fly, it would be weird for us to lose. So flight would probably be banned. Or maybe all skills would be banned outright.
[You must move using only your body and your skills. Teleportation and spatial movement skills and items are not allowed.]
‘Huh? Just that? What about flying?’
[The team whose final runner places their baton in the designated spot first wins! You may freely decide the running order. However, the final runner is the team leader.]
“Hold on!”
Wait, the final runner is the leader, so I have to run too? And if it has to be with my own body, that means no bikes, no cars, not even a kickboard!
“No matter how much of a lead we build, I’m going to get overtaken in an instant!”
It would be weirder not to complain, so I shouted my lungs out. I was F–rank in stats, and they were S–rank! On top of that…
“If every other skill is allowed, they can interfere with me too!”
It meant they could just chain my body up tight and jog past at their leisure. How was that remotely fair.
[Opponent interference allowed when: you are holding the baton, the opponent is holding the baton]
[Baton may be stolen, but cannot be destroyed or stored in inventory]
[You may not leave your assigned section.]
[★ Please choose ☆
If Han Yujin’s team forfeits flight, Han Yujin’s stats will rise to S (participant average).]
A bonus option just for me popped up. Either keep flight, or raise my stats. I looked back at my teammates.
“What do you think?”
“I’m confident in running too!”
Yerim shot her hand up. The enthusiasm was nice, but she was weak in close combat. With teleportation banned and flight cut off, she could be in danger. …No, it wasn’t like there was no workaround.
“I’m closer to a flying species, but I still run on four legs. Wouldn’t I be fast on the ground too?”
“I’ve never been able to fly anyway~.”
I looked down at Peace, sitting politely by my feet. He twitched his ears and tilted his head in an adorably curious way.
– Kyang!
Peace also had a dash skill, so even without flying he could easily outrun an S–class hunter. And Yuhyun was fine – his skill wasn’t actually flight to begin with.
“I think it’s better to raise your stats, hyung. Even if we get a huge lead, it won’t matter if you get caught at the end.”
“That’s true.”
Besides, if my stats were S–class… I glanced at Seong Hyunjae. If it was the participant average, it would still be lower than his. But it felt like I might at least stand a chance. And before winning or losing, backing down here just felt… wasteful.
“That’s quite the fervent gaze. Keep that up and you’ll try to devour me.”
“I’m still deciding whether to roast, boil, or deep–fry you.”
Once I decided to raise my stats, the system window flared and expanded. A huge screen floated up, and inside it broad forests, grasslands, a sandy desert, and so on appeared.
[1st Zone – Grassland
2nd Zone – Desert
3rd Zone – Forest
4th Zone – Swamp
5th Zone – City]
The final destination was also an urban area connected to Zone 5.
[The team leader can monitor their teammates and talk to issue commands.]
[The team leader may change a 5㎡ area of the environment once, in any way they wish. Han Yujin’s team receives 2 additional uses as a fishing bonus.]
Five square meters was about one and a half pyeong – barely the size of a small room – but depending on how we used it, it could be handy.
[Each team, please decide your running order~.]
With that message, a barrier rose up between our team and Seong Hyunjae’s team. Sound was completely cut off as well.
“The swamp is best for me, right?”
Yerim spoke up. Picking the zone that suited each person’s abilities made sense, but…
“We have to think about the other team too. There’s a good chance they’ll expect you to take the swamp.”
“The desert doesn’t suit me or noona. If I go full dragon form, I’ll just sink deeper because of the weight.”
“It’ll be hot too, so I’m probably the best pick. I can use Blue Willow Leaves, so even if it’s sinking sand it won’t matter.”
Noah and Yuhyun spoke one after another. If we followed the basics, the desert would go to Yuhyun, the swamp to Yerim, the forest with all the little obstacles to Peace who could shrink his body, and the city with its roads to Noah. But still.
I looked again at the zones on the screen. It felt like a waste not to use what they’d given us.
“How about we try it like this?”
After a round of discussion, we decided on our order. A moment later, a message window popped up announcing the start of the game. My teammates vanished, and I was moved to a wide room in the final zone. Seong Hyunjae appeared beside me as well. Two large monitors, both capable of split–screen, lit up on the walls.
“I’ll be in your care.”
In many ways. Seong Hyunjae gave a small nod in reply.
[5 minutes before start]
With the message, the monitor showed the grassland zone. Then two team members appeared at the starting line.
– Hrrng.
Peace, and…
“What should I even call him. He’s a Monster Mount, but he’s also an opposing team member… Mister Peace?”
It was Samir. Since the grassland had no obstacles, pure speed would decide it, so if they picked Samir for this zone, did he run well? Peace grew into his full adult size. Something like metallic scales coiled around Samir’s legs and arms. Focusing his reinforcement on select parts of his body – that would definitely make him faster.
“Peace, can you hear Dad’s voice?”
– Kyarr!
“You just sprint straight ahead with everything you’ve got.”
Peace flicked his tail as if answering. In front of the two of them, a blue and a red baton appeared. Peace took the blue baton in his mouth. Samir stuck his at his waist.
[10, 9, 8–]
The countdown began. The Flame Horned Lion’s entire body tensed as he lowered himself, ready to shoot forward at any second. Samir also took a runner’s stance.
[Start!]
Bang! Claws sliced through the blades of grass. Peace shot forward through the scattering leaves. He looked like a big feline predator, but he was actually a subspecies of unicorn known for its speed. Samir also began running at incredible speed, but the distance between them started to widen in an instant. Peace’s gold–streaked mane whipped like flame. Just as his dash skill was about to kick in―
Whip–!
A metal cord shot out from Samir’s fingertips. Peace dodged quickly, but the cord pursued him tenaciously, like it was alive.
– Grrr!
Peace raised flames, as if trying to burn away the cord snaking for his neck. But the cord didn’t budge. Using the pull of the line, Samir whooshed up, almost flying over Peace.
“That’s dirty, Mister Samir!”
Another hunter could have cut the cord or unwrapped it, but that wasn’t easy for Peace. Around his legs, maybe, but around his neck was trickier.
“That cord, is it Mister Samir’s skill? We’re supposed to only use our bodies and skills to move, right?”
“I can’t comment on another hunter’s skills, but as you can see.”
Samir landed on Peace’s back. The metallic scales that had only covered his limbs spread into a thin layer across his whole body. At the same time, flames roared up violently. The grassland began to burn. But Samir didn’t get thrown off.
‘Does he have fire resistance too? Those metal scales are tougher than I thought.’
Dungeons and monsters were both influenced by their environment, and Samir’s home turf was full of deserts. Maybe Yuhyun’s flames, but unless Peace used something on the level of a breath attack, his fire probably wouldn’t do much.
“Peace, roll!”
Peace dropped and rolled across the field – no, the burning field. Samir sprang off his back, pushed away. Peace sprang back up and bared his teeth at him with a sharp kyaak.
“No, shake him off and keep running!”
Peace was a powerful monster, but there was nothing good about letting him fight an S–class hunter one–on–one. In a simple physical clash, he’d have plenty of chance to win, but unlike Peace, who only had gear for a Monster Mount, hunters had all sorts of items. No need to take that risk.
– Grrr…
At my words, Peace gave a warning growl, then turned his body and began to run again. But again, Samir sent his cord flying.
Pop!
Ready this time, Peace dodged the attack with ease. The end of the cord gouged into the ground with a crunch, slowing Peace a little. Samir used that opening to close the gap, but he still couldn’t fully catch up.
“Hang in there, our Peace! You got this!”
You’re doing great, you’re doing great! I clapped, then glared over at Seong Hyunjae just sitting there.
“We’re on the same team and you’re way too quiet, don’t you think? Here.”
“This is…”
I shoved a tambourine into Seong Hyunjae’s hand. I picked up a pair of maracas myself. Both were covered in glittery ribbons and loud decorations. That way the kids paid more attention. Noisy, shiny things always got a reaction from young beasts. Byeol had loved them too.
“What are you doing, shake it already. Do your job as team leader.”
“I already gave more than enough instructions during strategy.”
“Cheering is our job too! Let’s go! Peace! You’re more than halfway, just a little more! You’re amazing, our Peace!”
The cord tangled around Peace’s hind leg. Peace twisted his upper body and bit down on the cord, yanking it. He freed himself deftly, but in that gap Samir surged ahead. With his ears pinned back in irritation, Peace shot past Samir in an instant. Seong Hyunjae gave the tambourine a tentative shake.
“Clap too! Clap, clap–clap–clap! Our Peace!”
Before we knew it, they had passed two–thirds of the broad grassland. The screen split, showing the end of the grassland and the beginning of the desert. Two people appeared there.
“Huh? Hyunah?”
In the desert? And next to Hyunah was…
“Yerim?”
Moon Hyunah’s eyes widened. Yerim adjusted her shoes and grinned.
“I’ll be in your care, unni. Wow, you really sink in.”
When Yerim took a step forward, the sand came up to her ankle bone. If the outskirts were like that, further in would be even deeper. It was the worst environment for running. In front of the two of them, a window appeared showing their distance from the first runners. The distance rapidly shrank.
“Ah, Peace is ahead! Peace, go!”
Yerim waved both arms enthusiastically as she cheered. The gap between Peace and Samir widened more and more, until Samir came to a complete stop. Just as I wondered what he was doing, the metal cord turned into a bow.
“Hold on! That’s cheating!”
“The rules only said you can’t leave your section and that you win if the baton is placed at the final spot.”
…There was nothing about the runner having to run all the way. Still, in a relay race, aren’t you supposed to pass it hand to hand?!
Samir tied the baton to the bowstring. Then he drew back and let it fly. The arrow cut through the air and caught up to Peace in the blink of an eye. Peace couldn’t even throw his, this was so cheap! Moon Hyunah leapt up toward the incoming arrow and baton. Tap! She snatched the baton cleanly, the corners of her lips lifting.
“Ah~ unni!”
“I’m going ahead~.”
Moon Hyunah landed lightly on the sand. Just as it looked like she would sink, she began to run on midair, right above the sand.
“Hyunah?! What is that?!”
“Wind!”
For a moment, a tightly compressed gust of wind supported Hyunah’s feet and bounced her forward. She had used wind before, but there was no way she had that kind of control before, right? It wasn’t just once or twice – she was running on it continuously!
“It’s still hard to maintain in completely empty air. For short bursts maybe, but you need some kind of ground, sand or whatever, for the rebound force to keep it up easily.”
“Did you practice all that in the meantime?”
“Settlement reward.”
I instinctively turned to look at Seong Hyunjae.
“Your faith in the Sesung Guild Leader is greater than I thought.”
“As if. He just made a pretty convincing pitch.”
Just how had he sweet–talked Hyunah? Right then, Peace also reached Yerim. In running at least, our Peace had won! Yerim quickly took the baton and shouted.
“Peace, you did great! Mister!”
“Okay, here we go!”
Environment change. I used one of our three charges.
“Water puddle. Maximum area, 5㎡.”
A pool of water appeared in front of Yerim. It was really small. But.
“Depth, 10 kilometers.”
There was only a limit on the surface area, not the depth. Swamps had plenty of water too, but it was basically stagnant. Yerim pulled the water upward. A tall wave rose. Her small body leaped lightly onto it.
Crack–crackle–
The water beneath her feet began to freeze. A smooth, oval slab of ice formed – a surfboard.
“Heading out!”
“Park Yerim, let’s go!”
I shook the maracas like crazy. The endlessly rising water came crashing down onto the desert. Brilliant blue waves rolled across the burning sand. A silver ice board skimmed over the terrifyingly fast current.
The waves quickly began to catch up to Moon Hyunah up ahead. The sound of water smacking the sand, splish–splash, echoed out.
“That’s cool.”
Moon Hyunah laughed. Admiring it, she summoned a spear into her hand. Seeing that, Yerim refused to back down.
“Unni, I’m on the water here!”
Crack, snap–! Jets of water leaping from the waves froze into ice spears. Spear met spear with a boom. Shards of ice scattered like jewels as wind and water currents tangled together.
Boom! Wind whipped around the tip of Moon Hyunah’s spear, cleaving the wave. Water rushed up under Yerim’s board just before it could crash onto the sand, supporting it. At the same time, a lump of water shaped like a fist flew toward Moon Hyunah. She dodged nimbly, but couldn’t avoid the wave surging up behind her and got drenched.
“That’s refreshing!”
Shaa–! Moon Hyunah burst out again and ran over the water together with the wind. Yerim also kept charging forward, one with the waves. The two of them clashed and clashed again as they passed the midpoint of the desert. The third zone was the forest. In a small window at the bottom of the monitor, a dense forest of thick trees came into view.
–TL Notes–
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