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Episode 172. The Four Kings (1)
Manager A, Manager F.
For a single faction to have two top administrators was quite unusual, even across the entire league.
That means that even among those beings, they are keeping an eye on Kang Shi-on.
A was more polite than the previous K.
“Hello, Player. Manager A. Nice to meet you.”
“It’s F~.”
F was a short woman, and A was a long-haired man wearing a suit.
Manan Police Station, rooftop of the palace.
All the key figures of the power, including Kang Shi-on, were gathered there.
A looked around and then turned his gaze back to Kang Shi-on.
“I apologize for coming here suddenly due to a problem that arose before the third round. I ask for your understanding.”
“It’s because of you! Because you won’t clear the rounds quickly! We have no choice but to step forward! Phew!”
A bowed his head and offered an apology, but F kept screaming.
“It’s just that the Seoul area is slow in progressing through Round 3, so we’re trying to speed up the pace. So, everyone. That is, Man-gyeong, Gangnam, Metro, and Gangbuk, you should proceed with the sub-rounds we’ve prepared.”
“Kill them all! Kill them all! Puhahahahaha!”
Kang Shi-on asked.
“Sub-round?”
If it were K, he would have acted cool, but A was different.
He explained politely.
“The league’s progress speed is calculated by the average deviation, and we guide it to maintain an appropriate line. That is also the role of our administrators. Currently, the power of each force in the Seoul region is almost equal, so we fully understand that it is difficult to progress the rounds. However, the Seoul branch is currently 1.1 rounds behind the average, so from our perspective, we need to move forward quickly. Please be generous and understand.”
A bowed his head and finished his explanation.
F, who was nearby, screamed.
“That’s why-!!! Blood is flying!!! Fight each other!!! Don’t dawdle! You lowly race of bastards-!!!”
Kang Shi-on laughed inwardly as he listened to A's words. Because everything was going according to his plan.
“A great wave crashed into Man-gyeong, and you, the first king and hero, overcame the ordeal as if you were living up to everyone’s expectations. However, in the process of overcoming the ordeal, the forces were unable to advance, and this resulted in stagnation. The ogres you created were the most unbalanced. Man-gyeong should have been destroyed originally. However, due to the health of the ogre force, other countries were unable to conquer Man-gyeong, and there was no movement of resources. Of course, this was also a great achievement of Lord Kang Shi-on.”
Ha Yoon-ha's shoulders shook slightly at A's explanation.
If it weren't for the ogre force that Kang Shion had created, Man-gyeong would have been swallowed up by another country.
In the end, it was thanks to his strength that Man-gyeong was able to survive while Kang Shi-on was away.
In reality, there was no other reason than that they were afraid of the Ogre forces of Gangnam-do and Man-gyeong, who had a practical alliance.
A continued the explanation.
“Our management also acknowledged the power of the Man-gyeong Hero. That’s why we decided to hold a special round this time. We named it Round 2.5.”
At that moment, a notification window appeared in the air with a splendid impact.
Phew- Phew! Phew!
It's been a really long time since I've seen a notification window.
Zion hadn't seen the administrators' notification window for a while after the war and during the Shining Expedition.
Once again little fairies walked out of thin air.
They were the fairies we often saw in Round 1.
“We will now take you to a place where we will introduce the four forces participating in Round 2.5. Please cooperate.”
The little fairies created a portal in the air.
Nothing could be seen in the pitch-black portal.
Kang Shi-on got up from his throne and walked over there.
The people around him looked at him in surprise.
But no one stood in his way.
As Kang Si-on walked out, A pointed to Ha Yoon-ha and said.
“Emperor of the Mankyung, Ha Yoon-ha. You are included. This 2.5 round includes all sub-leaders in the system who have been granted power by the supreme leader. Please come forward.”
At A's words, Ha Yoon-ha looked around.
Choi Hyun-ji was by his side.
“Are you okay?”
“It’s okay. But you can’t not do it, right?”
Ha Yoon-ha walked away from Choi Hyun-ji and next to Kang Si-on.
“Then I will invite the two leaders. Please enter the portal.”
“Walk quickly! You lowly!!! race!!! I have to go first.”
F was the first to throw himself into the portal, followed by Kang Si-on and Ha Yoon-ha.
A stayed until the end, bowed his head to the people who were left behind, and followed them there.
There were four kings there.
* * *
I followed A, who was walking ahead.
The feet and the air met, creating a constant wave.
Wherever you stretch your feet, there is a path made.
The place where my feet reached was a dark, round terrain.
Centered around the circular terrain, there were human figures in the east, west, south, and north.
Although his entire body was covered in a black silhouette, his eyes were filled with white.
I felt like I knew it even without A explaining it to me.
These were the leaders of the three countries participating in this 2.5 round.
A stood next to me and said.
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“Based on the center of Seoul, Gangnam, Dongwang (East King). Metro, Seowang (West King). Mangyeong, Namwang (South King). Gangbuk, Bukwang (North King). All four are gathered.”
King of the West.
According to Ha Yoon-ha's report, it is the force with the most overwhelming power among the forces centered in Seoul.
He also said that he himself had inherited the Republic of Korea and that he was actually selecting the president through voting.
He had sharp eyes like a tiger and a huge body like a bear.
The King of the Metro has been staring at me ever since I came here.
At that time, the King of the West said.
“I heard that the hero of Man-gyeong had returned, but it is truly amazing to actually meet him like this. For the past five years, the hunters have been searching for you all over the country, but in the end, they have not found you. Where on earth have you been? Nam-wang.”
The West King's voice was calm and majestic.
He was a man of spirit.
He was a man with the appearance of a leader who rules over everything.
Even just hearing his voice, I could tell that he was no pushover.
“Hey~~~~!”
At that moment, the king on my right raised his voice.
She was short and her hair reached down to her waist.
“Don’t tell me that Kang Shi-on is here and focus on me. You rotten little brat. That smart-alecked mouth. I’ll tear you apart someday.”
“I don’t really want to pay attention to a chieftain who is on the verge of ruin.”
“Joe, Chief?! Hey!”
“Besides, your forces are an organization that is not recognized by the Republic of Korea. I certainly tried to persuade you in the beginning and gave you both a chance, but you both refused. Now, all that is left for you two is punishment according to the Constitution. You should stop this worthless and meaningless rebellion. If you don’t surrender, I will one day turn your territory into a sea of fire.”
“Please X.”
In response to the West King's threat, the East King raised his middle finger.
The war of nerves between the West and East Kings continued.
I looked at the North King.
Although he was small compared to the King of the West, his eyes were sharp.
At that time, A walked forward and calmed each king.
“Calm down. In order to proceed with Round 2.5, each faction must first share the information they have. This Round 2.5 is a task that requires all of the factions’ capabilities, and the winning faction will receive the best reward for clearing Round 3, while the losing faction will receive a penalty. First, let’s start with the faction introductions.”
A walked into the center of the four kings and created a status window.
“First of all, it’s Man-gyeong.”
[Man-gyeong][Leader Kang Si-on]
[Economy: 1st]
[Military: 3rd]
[Food: 2nd]
[Territory: 4th]
“As you can see from the numbers, Man-Gyeong is a fairly balanced force. It is considered to have the greatest potential among the four forces. Its leader is Kang-Sion. It is currently ranked 2nd in the overall force rankings. Let’s move on to the next one.”
A passed on to the next force.
The moment the symbolism of the next force was revealed, not only Kang Si-on but also Ha Yoon-ha frowned.
[Seoul Metro][Leader Seo Ji-ho]
[Economy: 3rd]
[Military: 1st]
[Food: 1st]
[Territory: 1st]
Seoul Metro, the largest of the four powers centered around Seoul.
It was an underground force that spread throughout Seoul, and was currently active mainly in the western part of Seoul, where Captain Jeong Hyeon-su had gone out to suppress it.
“It can be said with certainty that they are currently the core force in clearing the third round. They have the largest territory and population, and their main force is hunters who use firearms. Their leader is the 23rd President of the Republic of Korea, Seo Ji-ho, and diplomatic relations with Man-gyeong are currently cut off.”
A was explaining other countries with Man-gyeong as the center.
Even if you only look at the numbers, it was definitely a formidable power.
If Man-Gyeong had not taken over the economic sphere, they would have undoubtedly gained an overwhelming advantage.
“Let’s go next.”
[Gangnam][Leader Kang Da-hye]
[Economy: 2nd]
[Military: 4th]
[Food: 3rd]
[Territory: 2nd]
“Gangnam was originally the number one power in the region based on its wealth and resources before the Great War. However, after losing the Great War, it is now barely maintaining the foundation of its power. However, Gangnam has been able to survive until now because it has a great leader who is no less than Man-gyeong.”
Kang Shi-on listened to A's words and began to organize the information he had.
Gangnam was a force that was practically allied with Man-gyeong.
The advantage that Gangnam has is its countless resources.
In particular, the mountainous region that Gangnam secured while expanding its territory to the east is a place with a large deposit of various medicinal herbs, monster byproducts, and above all, red gemstones.
From Man-gyeong's perspective, it would be good to maintain relations with Gangnam, but the problem is that Gangnam's military power is ridiculously weak.
Gangnam currently employs a mercenary force from Man-gyeong, and the costs of this mercenary force are covered solely by red ores and resources.
The fact that Man-gyeong has maintained its top position in the economic sector is also due in part to Gangnam’s resources.
A introduced the North King last.
[Gangbuk][Leader Kim Guk-jong]
[Economy: 4th]
[Military: 2nd]
[Food: 4th]
[Territory: 3rd]
“Gangbuk started out as a small armed group controlled by Kim Guk-jong, the former leader of the Black Dragon faction, but he gradually conquered Gangbuk with his powerful group of warriors. However, his forces have now been conquered by the Metro forces, and he only maintains a state in name. However, the most fearsome beast is one that hides quietly.”
Gangbuk was the force with the least contact with Man-gyeong.
However, since it is currently under the control of the Western King, it is not a target of surveillance.
Anyway, I don't know how round 2.5 will proceed.
Round 2.5 was a future that Jin Jae-hee had never experienced.
The fact that each country's confidential information is being revealed so publicly means that these four factors will likely play a big role in the next round.
'It's true that overall, we are inferior to the West King, but we have economic power.'
As long as the Wanderers' Guild resides within Man-gyeong, money will start and end in Man-gyeong anyway.
According to Ha Yoon-ha's report, Man-gyeong's currency has eaten up the currencies of other forces, so Gangnam currently uses lighters as its main currency.
The Metro forces were no different, and they even fought several wars of conquest to take away economic power, but Jeong Hyeon-su said that he was able to block them.
Even though the Man-Gyeong-Gang-Nam alliance was pushed back in terms of numbers, there was still a sufficient breakthrough.
The question is the topic of round 2.5.
Depending on the topic, it becomes clear whether the core is 'economy' or 'military'.
The kings were now focused only on A.
A suffocating silence.
A looked around at the kings and then continued speaking.
“Now, I will announce the topic for round 2.5. This is the topic for round 2.5.”
As he finished speaking, a brilliant light appeared before the kings of each force.
I was looking at the light.
And what emerged from that light was…
It was an egg.
An egg as small as a chicken egg.
The egg was placed on my palm.
The king snickered and said to A.
“Huh? What is this? Fry it. Are you telling me to eat it? Hey-guyah! Thank you! Manager!”
A looked at the king once and then spoke to the kings again.
“Raise it. The life inside that egg.”
Raise it?
“If that creature dies in any way, it’s out. That’s the theme of Round 2.5.”
I looked at A while holding the egg.
At that moment, A was looking around at the kings and made eye contact with me.
He concluded his speech.
“We will have to mobilize all the power of the forces. All the power. I mean.”
(Continued in the next episode)