CHAPTER 67

First Fixed Match

"Liberitas... If Shin Garyeong and Shin Gijun are both here, does that mean the captain came out in person?"

At Kim Chilsang's words, the expressions of the two siblings standing in front of Jung Suhee twisted immediately.

As if the four were about to clash any moment, Seowoon stepped forward and spoke.

"If you want to fight, take it somewhere out of sight. This is private property."

Kim Chilsang looked at Seowoon, amused by the line he had drawn.

"So, you're saying you're not affiliated with them?"

"Right. And I'm saying I'm not going to be affiliated with you either."

"We'll see. Who knows how things might turn out?"

"Some things are so obvious, you don't even need to see them."

"Just five minutes. Let's talk. It's nothing bad—just not with the resistance around."

As he said that, Kim Chilsang shifted his gaze to the three others.

Immediately, the three of them lunged at him, and Kim Chilsang drew a sword from subspace and charged to meet them.

– Clang! Boom!

Just as Kim Chilsang's sword was about to collide with Shin Garyeong's spear, Seowoon appeared in the middle and stopped both weapons with his bare hands.

The pressure released from his body forced them both back in an instant.

He also absorbed the spells fired by Shin Gijun and Jung Suhee with just his body, landing on the ground with a look of irritation.

– Flick flick.

Brushing off the embers from his shoulder, Seowoon spoke with a harsh expression.

"I told you—take your fight somewhere else."

Kim Chilsang narrowed his eyes as he looked at Seowoon, who had just stopped his blade barehanded.

His palm ached, and a cold smile twisted across his lips as killing intent surged from his body.

Shin Garyeong and Shin Gijun instinctively stepped back at the intense aura.

"Jin Seowoon… You laid hands on someone from the Department of National Security. Got guts. We'll delay the talk."

Seeing Kim Chilsang lower his sword into a ready stance, Seowoon lost his patience.

"Damn. They show up uninvited, mouth off however they want, and think I'll just listen?"

Seowoon tightened the wrap around his hand—Hamit—and Jung Suhee came up beside him.

"I'll join you."

"Don't flatter yourself. I'm not stepping in for your fight. This is mine. Don't try to piggyback—move."

Jung Suhee's face twisted at his sharp rebuff.

Without even looking at her as she backed off, Seowoon faced Kim Chilsang and lowered his stance.

– Clang!

The sword Kim Chilsang thrust at Seowoon was easily deflected. He scowled and tightened his grip.

– Swish swish swish!

He swung even faster, creating an illusion of eight blades at once, targeting Seowoon's vital points.

The oppressive flurry of attacks forced Seowoon onto the defensive.

– Clang clang clang clang!

A furious flurry of strikes clashed with Seowoon's bare hands in an explosive exchange that had onlookers holding their breath.

Kichan silently withdrew a golden staff and began storing magic.

As waves of mana spread out, over a dozen figures emerged from the base of the mountain.

"So much for just a chat. You brought backup."

– Clang!

"Just in case."

With their weapons locked, the two began a raw internal energy struggle.

"I don't really enjoy childish strength contests like this."

At Kim Chilsang's jab, Seowoon smirked and released his energy through his hands.

Their internal forces clashed, trying to overpower one another. It didn't take long for their expressions to diverge.

Seowoon smiled, while Kim Chilsang's face went pale and contorted.

Standing inches from his opponent, Seowoon had never once imagined losing a battle of inner strength.

– Crack!

As sword and hand finally separated, bloodshot lines spread across Kim Chilsang's eyes, and blood trickled from his lips.

Even as he staggered back, he released waves of sword energy.

It was impressive, but Seowoon had no intention of backing off over mere sword aura.

– Boom!

As red mist rose from Seowoon's hand, his Blood Bone Claw tore through Kim Chilsang's attack.

Seeing Seowoon thrust a hand toward his face, Kim Chilsang gritted his teeth.

– Boom boom boom!

Suddenly, multiple spells rained down behind Kim Chilsang.

Naturally, Kichan hadn't forgotten to support from the rear.

As magic from both Kichan and the Central Intelligence Bureau's mages exploded around them, Seowoon's hand was slightly pushed back.

– Crackle!

With a burst of sound, the two were separated.

Seowoon dropped a bloodied piece of flesh onto the ground and stared at his opponent.

Kim Chilsang, pale-faced and missing part of an ear, glared back with clenched teeth.

"I'll let it go for today. But next time—"

"Who said I'd let you go?"

Cutting him off coldly, Seowoon stepped forward, and a dozen agents quickly formed a wall in front of Kim Chilsang.

"This is an isolated mountain. You came here on your own, but you won't leave on your own."

– Hyung…

Kichan called out with concern.

Seowoon knew—this was still reality.

But he didn't want to leave things unresolved.

They were Central Intelligence. Dangerous. They needed a clear warning.

– Don't worry. I'm not about to become a murderer.

As Seowoon dashed forward again, Kim Chilsang and his people vanished in fear.

– Boom!

Seowoon's punch slammed into the ground where they had been, leaving a crater.

"Area teleportation. Tch."

As sparks still danced along his staff, Kichan landed beside him.

"We lost them."

Instead of trying to restrain him, Kichan had attacked alongside him—something Seowoon briefly acknowledged.

Turning his cold gaze toward the dumbfounded group that included Jung Suhee, he spoke.

"Because of you, I made unnecessary enemies."

"Th-that's…"

"Save it. Just leave."

Shin Garyeong and Shin Gijun started to protest, but Jung Suhee raised her hand and stopped them.

"Doesn't seem like our day. Let's meet again—somewhere better."

Watching them leave, Seowoon sighed.

"Yeah. That was definitely a heat-of-the-moment mistake."

"Well… you just maimed a high-ranking intel officer. I'd say that qualifies as a major mistake."

"…"

Staring silently at the sky, Seowoon suddenly remembered something.

"By the way, what exactly is a guild?"

"I'm not sure either. I heard it's when several fixed quads merge together. Like an upgraded quad. There are new rules around it, but… information on fixed players is really scarce online."

"Great. More complications."

"Want to skip training and blow off some steam?"

Kichan grinned, recalling Seowoon's recent surge of bloodlust and aggression.

– Vroooom! Vrooooom!

Their destination was a bike shop.

"Welcome!"

A young worker, hands covered in grease, winced sympathetically as he examined their badly battered Haabusa bikes.

"They're pretty beat up."

"Yeah. We're buying two new ones. Please take these as trade-ins."

As Kichan spoke, a middle-aged man—likely the shop owner—hurried over.

"Looking for any particular models?"

Following him into the store, the two of them didn't take long.

Soon after, Seowoon and Kichan rolled out of the shop on entirely new bikes.

Though the models were the same, Seowoon, riding a bike with a sleek black fairing, and Kichan, on one with a clean white body, tore across the open road with engines roaring.

– Let's go straight to the electronics store.– I'll follow behind.

They spent the entire day hopping between electronics and furniture stores, shopping to fill up their empty house.

After receiving the delivery of their ordered furniture and appliances over several days, Seowoon picked up his phone.

– Yeah, hyung.

"You should start training again. Gotta prepare for the next game."

– Got it. I'll see you in Wonju.

"Alright."

After wrapping up their days of decompressing, the two returned to their training site and resumed their routine.

* * *

"Deputy Director! Other countries are now officially backing guild formation at a national level. You're aware of this, aren't you? At this rate, Korea will fall behind in gathering ability users. Japan and China are already—"

– Slam!

"Hey! Jung Suhwa! Who do you think you're lecturing?! The higher-ups already said it's fine! Stop stirring things up and just do your job! Did you forget? Your job is to prevent public disorder caused by ability users—not to overstep your bounds. The folks above know more about the country's future than you do. Just focus on your assigned tasks."

Jung Suhwa's expression tightened as she stepped out of the office.

It was frustrating. Despite investigating the strange movements of private organizations backed by the Department of National Security, and the newly updated guild system, and submitting multiple reports and proposals on how foreign powers were responding—there had been no reply from above.

She didn't believe she was wrong in thinking that if Korea failed to organize promising ability users into government-supported guilds, it could jeopardize national security.

And yet, those at the top remained immovable.

"All done under the name of patriotism, but it's just unforgivable sin without guilt."

The words of her long-lost brother surfaced painfully in her mind.

Over two months had passed since Seowoon and Kichan shut themselves away in the mountains of Wonju for training.

"So ideally, we'd participate in quad games when we can."

"Yeah, but we've only been matched for duo or solo games the whole time."

"Should we just go for the next one, even if it's a duo?"

"Maybe… but it's our first fixed game. We're too short on information. Best case would be joining a quad and learning from teammates."

"No helping it. Matching's getting slower anyway. Let's just get in whatever game we can…"

Kichan's words were cut short by a familiar notification.

[Ding! A new game has been matched. Difficulty: Upper-Mid. Game Version: 20 Quad. Would you like to join?](O) (X)

The two looked at each other in surprise.

"20 Quads…?"

"That's 2,000 players total, right?"

"Should… we join?"

At Kichan's hesitant voice, Seowoon nodded with resolve.

"There'll be 18 teammates besides us. Should be perfect for gathering intel."

Just as they tapped the O button, their vision brightened, and the world shifted.

– Thank you for joining Cloyd Survival.

– 2,000 users connected. Cloyd Survival begins now.

– Language sync… 30%… 90%… 100% complete.

– Game begins. Difficulty: Upper-Mid. Survive to be ranked in the TOP 1,200. Attacks between players are currently disabled in this waiting room.

– The designated map is: 'The Forgotten Immortal's Ascension Grounds.' Rewards will be given starting from rank 200.

– This game will last 1,000 days. Daily play maps will be restricted.

The boundary field restricting map access will strengthen daily—please avoid injury by remaining within it.

– This version is 20-Quad. You may apply to form a quad by looking at a player of your choice.

– The game continues until only one final quad remains. Players who are eliminated or survive until the end will return to the original world.

– Players who fail to rank in the TOP 1,200 will no longer be able to access Cloyd Survival. There are currently 2,000 total participants.

– Please now find your teammates for this game. You have 180 minutes. If you do not form a quad, you will proceed solo.

It was clear from the start that this fixed game was very different from any game they'd played before.

Even the waiting room map felt different.

"Ascension Grounds of an Immortal?"

The map name felt strange. The bamboo forest replacing the usual trees and the oddly placed statues confirmed the unfamiliarity.

"Hyung… is this…?"

"Yeah. Looks like it."

It was easy to tell—the map wasn't from a fantasy setting, but from a martial arts world.

And the time allowed to form a quad had been increased to three hours.

– 22nd run! 3rd fixed match! Looking for quad!

– 35th run! 2nd fixed match! Recruiting quad!

Voices echoed all around as players with faint markers above their shoulders recognized each other and began forming groups.

– Rudean Guild, gather here!

– Muyoung Society, over here!

As they were absorbing the situation, someone approached Seowoon from the side.

Feeling a hand extend toward his shoulder, Seowoon reflexively spun and dropped into a stance, only to find he had sliced through air.

The man who had attempted the surprise touch was now smiling wickedly.

Seowoon's eyes widened the moment he recognized the man.

[T/L: Read extra chapters on my ko-fi page "Pokemon1920" : https://ko-fi.com/pokemon1920 ]