Chapter 122:

Chapter 122:

Chapter 122

Through the installed speakers, a resounding voice echoed and spread in all directions. Soon, someone's figure was reflected on the large electronic display board. The emcee was wearing a ludicrous, unidentified puppet costume.

With the appearance of the emcee, the crowd began to stir.

"What the hell is this, a zodiac race?"

"This place looks too much like an amusement park for a horse race."

"Is this some kind of joke?"

As if trying to dispel the suspicions of those people, the emcee cheerfully continued speaking.

[Well then, before we start the zodiac race, let me give a brief explanation for those who don't already know!]

With the lively voice, the screen on the electronic display board changed. There, like an animation for children, small animal characters were gathered.

[Do you all know about the Twelve Zodiac Legends?]

At those words, people looked at the screen as if asking, "What are you talking about?" The emcee continued with the explanation.

[A long time ago, the Jade Emperor summoned twelve animals for a running race.]

Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.

The scene of the twelve animals lining up at the starting line was shown.

[As a result, the order in which the animals finished the race determined their positions. And their years came around in that order!]

The screen showed the first-place rat with a joyful face. Then, the screen turned black, and the emcee appeared.

[You all know the story of the twelve zodiac animals, right? But what if the race were to unfold again? Who would win?]

[This event aims to recreate the ancient Twelve Zodiac Race! Please check your missions, everyone!]

As soon as the words ended, a notification window appeared in front of them.

[The second Great Demon Realm is starting.]

[Participate in the Twelve Zodiac Race and achieve a high score.]

[Time limit: 5 hours]

The second Great Demon Realm is a running race, with greater rewards for a faster finishing order.

In the process, it would be expected to have conflict among the people, but since there were eyes watching from all directions, it wasn't as dangerous as the first Great Demon Realm.

[For this Great Demon Realm, we will have the assistance of the Twelve Zodiac Gods, and it will be broadcasted live! It will be sent nationwide via live broadcast!]

Numerous camera drones and monitor drones were floating around the hunters. Their images were reflected on electronic display boards installed in various locations.

The second Great Demon Realm was a kind of event for the Twelve Zodiac Gods to make themselves known. As hunters and manshins showcased their skills through the broadcast, the stature of the gods also rose.

People listening to the explanation commented bluntly, "In the end, the manshins will monopolize this too."

"Isn't this really hopeless?"

Lower-ranked Awakened individuals were grumbling.

As if hearing those words, the emcee added to the explanation.

[For those of you who think you can't win because you're not strong, don't give up! If you look at yourselves, you'll each be wearing your own nameplate!]

As the emcee said, people were suddenly wearing nameplates. On Seo Gangrim's nameplate, a cute white rat was drawn.

[Special rewards will be given to those who rank from 1st to 12th, and additional rewards will be given to those of the same zodiac sign as the 1st place winner!]

[If the Twelve Zodiac sign of the 1st place winner is the Rat, then all participants with the Rat zodiac sign will receive rewards!]

In other words, it was both an individual competition and a team competition. Even if one was weak, one could get good rewards by assisting someone with the same zodiac sign. People's eyes lit up at that statement.

He said only that and quickly left the spot. It seemed suspicious, no matter how one looked at it. If it were Kang Dohyeon, he might know about this situation, but currently, there was no way to contact him.

"Now the race is about to start! Participants, please get ready!"

Listening to the announcement, he looked at the electronic display board; there were barely three minutes left. As he headed toward the starting line, people were already lining up.

He whispered quietly to Yu Harang, "If it's urgent, we'll run."

"If you're in a hurry, I can pick you up and run."

"I can run on my feet now!"

He could feel sharp glances from the surroundings. In many ways, he seemed to have a lot of bad luck, so he would likely become a target in this Great Demon Realm as well.

Suddenly, everyone was standing in front of the starting line. Cameras captured hundreds of people lined up in a row.

The air was tainted with excitement and tension as the numbers on the electronic display board began to decrease. The countdown went from 3 to 2, 2 to 1, and finally, 1 to 0.

[-The race started!]

With a thunderous roar, people surged forward, leaving their positions as if it was a horse race. The ground echoed with the sound of footsteps, and a cloud of dust rose. Excitement filled the air as the enthusiastic voice of the emcee rang out.

[The Twelve Zodiac Race has begun! Right from the start, an intense competition is unfolding! And the leading participant is―!]

Seo Gangrim's figure appeared on the monitor floating in mid-air.

[―Player Seo Gangrim and Player Yu Harang!]

He was running with Yu Harang nestled under his arm, giving it his all. Glancing back, he saw fierce battles breaking out among the participants. It seemed that eliminations would occur rapidly right from the beginning.

[A fierce battle is happening between the top and middle ranks! Will they eliminate some competitors first?]

Hundreds of people were entangled, struggling and fighting against each other. As the emcee suggested, some might be aiming to defeat their rivals...

In the early stages of the race, it was expected that many participants would be eliminated with the course narrowing drastically after a short distance. Although several hundred people could stand side by side at the starting line, the course's width would reduce to less than a third in no time. With such limited space, conflict was inevitable.

To avoid the fight, one had to either quickly break through or, conversely, stay at the very back.

Seo Gangrim chose the former. There was no need to fall behind when he could potentially take the lead.

[Due to the scuffle, the path is blocked! Taking advantage of that, the leader is gradually pulling ahead... huh?]

-Shaaaak!

Before the announcer's commentary could finish, a gigantic tree appeared on the monitor screen. Branches extended over the people who were fighting.

And there was a person running alone on top.

[Player Shin Sooah! Soaring through the air!]

Shin Sooah was chasing Seo Gangrim with movements reminiscent of a flying tiger. The excited emcee shouted,

[As the path got blocked, a new route has been created through the air! Player Shin Sooah is quickly threatening the lead!]

In terms of agility alone, Shin Sooah had slightly higher stats than Seo Gangrim. Truly, her movements were like those of a tiger.

Before he knew it, she had come close to him. When their eyes met, Shin Sooah flashed a bright smile. Seemed like she has no intention of going easy on him. Seo Gangrim couldn't afford to let her take the lead like this.

Meanwhile, it seemed like the rear was getting organized.

[From the middle ranks, there's a fierce pursuit towards the leading group! They are quickly accelerating after the first!]

Some hunters, leaving the fallen behind, were chasing at a rapid speed. Among them, a few had opted for flight. In this race, those who have the ability to accelerate and fly are the ones who are likely to stand out

Even if their stats were lower than Seo Gnagrim's, their rankings could change based on their abilities. Unbeknownst to him and Shin Sooah, quite a few people, excluding us, had also come close to the lead.

[Wouldn't it be boring if it continues like this? The leading group is entering Course 1!]

Suddenly, the color of the floor changed. Large colorful tiles of various hues appeared.

The moment Seo Gangrim stepped on one tile, his body stiffened.

[The 'Fate Card' is activated!]