TUG-of-WAR II

"Nya-llo! Looks like you found a mini-game-nya!" He snickers, "Green portals are mini-games. See that number on the top? That's how many people are needed to participate and start the game."

There were at least 30 of us in the area. The big question is whether the mini-game is safe to participate in. Meu seemed to dislike the hesitation everyone had, "You all will be fine! Inside, you can understand each other. Sheesh. Language barrier, am I right? Just go in and take a look-nya! No risks, no gain! If you avoid doing any of the mini-games, hidden dungeons, and sub-scenarios, you might not be able to make it pass the first Scenario."

The whole place is tense at the possibility of dying. A group of 5 men step out towards the front. A very tall man with glasses, a battered suit, and a metal pole in hand looked to be the leader of the group. The other four behind him looked like thugs ready to do his bidding. Mafia? I thought. He motions for his men to enter the portal and disappears inside. I wasn't sure if I wanted to take the risk of entering the portal, knowing that those guys were inside and Jung-woo was with me. I feel a tug on my sleeve.

"Noona, we should take this opportunity to level up quickly. I'll be fine, as long as I'm with you." He smiles. Bless this boy's heart. His trust in me is so pure and strong that I cave in.

"Whatever happens, I will do my best to protect you. No one is allowed to touch a single hair on you." I ruffle his head, "Let's go before other people take the remaining spots." Holding hands, we ran towards the portal. There were 3 spots left. We jump. Just before we completely disappear, I can see the smirk in Meu's face. I cursed out loud.

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YOU HAVE ENTERED The PORTAL. MINI-GAME COMMENCING: TUG OF WAR

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Upon entering, we find ourselves standing on a platform over water. We look like we were in the middle of the sea. Besides Jung-woo and I, there were three other - another female and 2 young men. We all had red red bandanas on our heads.

"H-hi. I'm Dee." She fiddles with her blonde hair as she introduces herself.

"I'm Mark, and this is Steve." The other two males chime in.

"I'm Marianne. This is Jung-woo." I introduced ourselves. It was kinda nice that everyone could understand each other now due to the language barrier outside. Of course, that doesn't apply to me since I have [A Very OP Translator] as a passive skill.

After introductions, I noticed that there were only five of us. What about the other 5 people that came in first?

"Nya-nya-nya! Welcome to the mini-game!" Meu pops up, "Our game for this is a classic game! Tug-of-war! Your opponents are on the other side!" The crazy cat points it's cane to a direction. The 5 guys that had entered the portal first were across our platform wearing a blue bandanas on their heads.

"This is a bad match-up." The Dee frets. I size up the other two males on our team, but they, too, seemed nervous.

"The rules are simple-nya! You'll have a rope, and either side holds an end. Each team will send out their team members one by one. The team who can successfully pull their opponents into the water the most wins-nya!" He grins evilly. That lying, conniving cat, "FYI, there are no repeats!"

"Noona! Are we gonna be fine?!" He asks me. I frown and only pat his head.

"I promised that I'll protect you. No matter what."

"Hehehe. Nya, I will even make the game more interesting!" Meu claps three times, and a number pops up over our heads. On the other side, their number reads 15, while ours reads 1.

I paled at the realization of what the numbers meant.

"Nya-haha! What you're seeing is the group's lowest level! Now you have five minutes to strategize... not that it really matters! Nya-haha!" An hour class appears above us: four minutes and fifty-eight seconds.

"Who's level is that?!" One of the guys on our team glares at us.

"I-I'm level 12." Dee stutters and points at Jung-woo and I, "I think the boy is level 1." This little bitch.

The Mark's eyes landed on Jung-woo. I stepped in between to shield the boy from his sight.

"Is it that kid?! Is he level 1?!" He exasperates.

"He's going to make us lose." Steve in our direction. I glare back.

"Noona!" Jung-woo pulls on my sleeve, but I keep him behind me.

"No." I look at the three in front of me, "I'm level 1. The boy's level is higher than mine."

Everyone was surprised, but quickly went back to glaring at me. There were two minutes and forty-seven seconds on the clock. During the little time left, we found that Jung-woo, Mark and Steve were at level 15, Dee was 12 and me at level 1.

On the other side the lowest level in their group was level 12.

"Shit. We can only assume the rest are either in the same level as us or even higher." Mark grumbles.

"Let's just see who they send in and we each will step up. At this rate, it would be a miracle if we could win." Steve sratches his head.

"Noona! I don't believe that you're weak! You're the strongest person I know besides that mean Oppa." He whispers to me, frowning. I lean down to hold his hand in mine.

"It's okay Jung-woo. As long as you believe and cheer for me, there is not way I'd lose." I even lift my arm up and flex.

TING! TING! TING!

"Times up everyone! I hope you all are ready nya!" Meu snaps and a long, large rope with a red flag in the middle is set between the two platforms.

"Now, for those who fail, you'll be penalized to swim in the ocean for 1 hour nya! After that you'll be teleported after the time is up nya!" He crackles.

"What!"

"This crazy bastard!"

"Shit. I don't know how to swim."

The atmosphere became intense. Both sides were now heated up and refuse to lose.

"Marianne. I know we can't expect much from you, but I hope you at least try your hardest." Steve cracks his knuckles.

I look at the other side and see that out of all the guys, there was one dude who looked at biggest and strongest. An idea came to mind.

"I'll take on the strongest one." I offer, "By eliminating the strongest person with the weakest person, the chances of us winning should be high." Everyone looks at each other and nods.

"Okay Marianne. If that big guy comes out, you will go against him." Mark says.

"Okay."

I know my level is low, but I don't think I'm weak. I look at my profile status.

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Name: Marianne Primrose LVL: [ 1]

Height: 168cm

Age: 24

Occupation: DEVOTEE - NOVICE

[Hidden: FALLEN ANGEL (Angel/Demon)]

STR: 19 +[100]

SPE: 19+ [100]

STA: 18+ [100]

DEF: 15 + [100] [+50]

INT: 18 + [100]

LUCK: 20+ [101]

MANA: 16+ [100]

Unallocated Stat Pts: 11

Coins: 500,000

SKILLS: [UNFORTUNATE'S BLESSING LV.3] [HEALING ON AN ANGEL LV.3] [DEMON'S POSSESSION LV.2] [MORNING PRAYER LV.1]

PASSIVE SKILLS: [AUTO-HEALING LV.2]

EQUIPMENT: [ COUPLE'S STORAGE RING (F)] [COUPLE'S MATCHING ARMOR OUTFIT (F), DEF +50]

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Defense is my strongest stat now. I mean, that's good, but we are in a battle of strength. Guess I can't rely on just luck now. In the middle of my thoughts, Meu floats in between the two platforms.

"Who wants to go first?!"