Chapter 57

Chapter 57

Boom-!

In an instant, a yellow light flashed at the center of the arena. The loud thunderclap drowned out all other noises. Participants, whether they were hesitant to move or just starting to fight, turned their heads towards the sound and light.

Suhyuk and Schneider had clashed. Likely, the winner of this duel would determine the victor of the entire tournament. While most people initially predicted Schneider would win, at this moment, certainty was nowhere to be found.

‘Please let it be Schneider.’

‘I’ve gone all-in on you. If I’m wrong again, I’m doomed!’

‘Is the underdog about to win?’

In the spectator stands, those who had bet points on the outcome clasped their hands in anticipation.

‘Doesn’t matter who wins, just let them both be wrecked.’

‘If their stamina drops, I might get a chance too.’

‘If I aim for the leftovers...’

The participants, watching the duel with bated breath, hoped for a window of opportunity in the aftermath. While everyone was eager to know the result, there was one place already celebrating the outcome.

– Nice underdog victory!!!!!

– This is it!!!!!!!!!!

– Clothes off, pants off!!! Everything off!!

– Damn, should’ve trusted him >.<

– Lol there’s someone who didn’t believe? Lol smh~

It was Suhyuk’s chat room.

– He actually won, lol

– It was easier than expected

– Right? Thought it’d be intense

– The provocation probably played a huge role

– Honestly, he did get pushed back a bit at first

Ahead of the screens in the spectators’ area, Suhyuk’s stream displayed the outcome.

Crackle-.

Yellow electricity coursed through Schneider’s body. With a large hole in his torso, he sat on the ground, blood dripping from his mouth.

『You’ve gained 39 territories.』

『You’ve gained a total of 82 territories.』

The message confirming the acquisition of territories sounded. It was a definitive end, clearer than any other confirmation, that Schneider had been defeated.

Yet, he hadn’t closed his eyes.

– Oh...

– He died standing up?

– Like nothing happened...

– Guess he really hated losing

Schneider refused to close his eyes, still glaring at Suhyuk. Suhyuk clicked his tongue as he observed.

‘His mental fortitude is commendable.’

It was his sheer willpower that had made him who he was. Even in death, he maintained his gaze on Suhyuk. Suhyuk inspected the hole in Schneider’s body.

The power of the spear he had just created should have ended him instantly. Yet, despite such injuries, Schneider had reached this far.

The physical endurance to remain standing despite those wounds, coupled with the indomitable spirit to aim his spear at Suhyuk until the end.

He was more than just a rookie on the third floor; he was already an exceptional player.

‘We’ll meet again soon enough.’

Whether in this arena or another.

‘At the Thunder Cave.’

The chance to clash with him again still awaited. And perhaps next time, the same provocations wouldn’t work.

This match was one Schneider fought alone, but in the Thunder Cave, he would have his team with him.

Crackle, snap-.

Time passed, and gradually Suhyuk and Schneider’s figures became visible to those around them. Seeing this unexpected outcome, the participants stared at Suhyuk in shock.

“Suhyuk... actually won?”

Their opponent was none other than Omar Schneider. A player known for nearly conquering the Thunder Cave, considered impregnable. A veteran who had been on the third floor for ten years.

Schneider was different from other players who were stuck because they couldn’t overcome the barrier to the next floor.

Despite being qualified to move higher, he remained here, growing stronger as he pursued his goal in the Thunder Cave. This made him a standout anomaly wreaking havoc on the ecosystem.

And yet, here was this result.

Gulp-.

Participants close by saw the 82 territories Suhyuk had claimed. Whoever held those territories was undoubtedly going to win the tournament. Moreover, now there was only one disruptor left in the ecosystem instead of two.

‘Can I win?’

‘He’s injured. And those injuries came from his own skill.’

‘Lightning consumes a lot of stamina. The recent fight might have significantly depleted his stamina.’

『Viewers: 12,880』

Approaching 13,000 viewers, Suhyuk’s stream was now in the league of so-called ‘mid-sized companies.’

『You’ve gained 6 territories.』

『You’ve gained a total of 153 territories.』

He began to move, chasing after players with many territories. Simultaneously, Suhyuk checked the remaining time.

’20 minutes left.’

Huff-, huff-.

His breathing grew rough. Breathing had started to become difficult quite some time ago, but it was only now starting to show.

“That guy, he looks out of breath!”

“No wonder he’s been taking short breaks after killing each one!”

“He’s exhausted, he’s just like the rest of us!”

The weaknesses of Lightning were well-known by now. Up until now, Suhyuk had appeared so vigorous that everyone had forgotten, but once a weakness was exposed, it was only a matter of time before they exploited it.

“Don’t give him time to rest!”

“If we don’t catch him now, we might never catch him! Keep pressing him!”

Now, participants were approaching him first. Suhyuk stopped and addressed his viewers.

“Quick to notice, aren’t they?”

One of the reasons Suhyuk always wore a mask was to hide things like his labored breathing. If they had noticed his condition a bit earlier and hadn’t given him any time to rest...

‘Then, I’d really be in trouble.’

– R...right!

– (Nodding anyway)

– We got fooled too, lol

The viewers had been just as deceived.

With his breathing and expressions concealed by the mask, Suhyuk had moved first, hunting down participants to give the impression he wasn’t tired.

– Who would have thought?

That the wolf among the sheep was actually battered and exhausted inside.

“Get him-!”

The participants kept coming. If they let him rest, it was over. To seize even the tiniest chance, they had to strike while he was tired.

With about one minute left, the final opponent approached.

『Participant ‘Don Zhao’ has entered the territory.』

“Suhyuk-!”

Schneider’s comrade, Don Zhao, charged at Suhyuk with a spear. Was it because they were long-time comrades? Or had he specifically been trained?

His spear resembled Schneider’s closely.

However, “... Still far from it.”

It was only an imitation at best.

Crackle-.

Yellow electricity flowed from the tips of Suhyuk’s left fingers. Timing it perfectly, he swung his sword at Don Zhao’s spear tip.

Thud-!

The spear was sent flying high. Don Zhao’s eyes went wide.

‘A magic sword?’

A red aura emanated from Suhyuk’s sword. In that brief moment, Suhyuk had activated his magic sword.

And in the next instant,

Crackle-!

Releasing the condensed electricity at his fingertip, he shocked Zhao’s hand.

“Argh!”

His grip loosened. Despite Zhao’s will, his electrocuted hand had no strength left.

Clang-.

Naturally, he dropped the tightly held spear. The moment he let go of his weapon, Don Zhao’s neck was severed.

Slash-.

『You’ve gained 17 territories.』

『You’ve gained a total of 283 territories.』

And with him, no more participants dared to charge at Suhyuk.

“Hua-.”

『00:00:05』

Suhyuk checked the time and raised his head. His hair was soaked with sweat. He felt tired but also refreshed, making him smile.

“Tough.”

『The winner, with 283 territories, is Suhyuk.』

『The trial has concluded.』