Chapter 223: Episode 223

It had taken them a mere four minutes to run through the entire temple. It made sense, since they had ignored the capture zones and stuck to the corridors. They had now identified all the shortcuts and hidden passages. Dying in Area F had been exactly what they wanted. Dying at the 7:20 mark meant that with a five-minute revival timer, they would be back in action with roughly two minutes and twenty seconds left on the clock.

[Rogue Taehyun Yoo has been resurrected.]

[Shield Bearer Seungpil Seo has been resurrected.]

[Mission Time: 2:19]

As the two revived, the Resistance members waiting in Area D scrambled to their feet. Seonghwi had already given them a rough idea of the plan. It all began now. With only two minutes left, there was no time to waste.

“Where’s the flag?” Taehyun asked.

“I did as you asked. Here.”

“Thanks. Let’s move out immediately.”

Taking the flag from Seonghwi, Taehyun led the way. The entire team followed him toward Area B.

—

The temple’s interior was surprisingly small. A quick sprint could cover the distance between areas in under a minute, and even faster using the hidden shortcuts. This allowed for rapid infiltration of enemy zones, which was precisely why Kanghyuk had stationed two members to defend each area.

—”All Resistance members have appeared in Area B!”

“There are only two minutes left anyway,” Kanghyuk ordered. “Use the shortcut and go to Area D!”

—”Understood.”

The Resistance had finally started to fight back. Factoring in the capture time, they would have to move frantically. But no matter what they did, it was all in vain.

’Do they not realize that if they all go to Area B, Area D will be left wide open? They have no chance. This is just a futile struggle.’

Kanghyuk let out a condescending laugh.

[You have lost control of Flag Area B.]

[Mission Time: 1:29]

The Resistance recaptured Area B, their third zone, secured through a breathless effort. But it wouldn’t last. Kanghyuk waited for the report from his members in Area D.

—”K-Kanghyuk!”

“Yes. Have you secured the area?”

—”W-well, the flag is gone!”

“What?!”

The flag was supposed to be planted in the capture zone. It made no sense for it to be missing. Kanghyuk hastily checked the status board.

[Flag Area A: Occupied (Blood Lion)]

[Flag Area B: Occupied (Resistance)]

[Flag Area C: Unoccupied]

[Flag Area D: Unoccupied]

[Flag Area E: Occupied (Blood Lion)]

[Flag Area F: Occupied (Blood Lion)]

“H-how did this happen?!”

Areas C and D, which should have been marked as held by the Resistance, were now showing as unoccupied.

—”We can’t find the flag anywhere! The capture zone marker on the floor is gone, too!”

“…What on earth.”

If the marker itself had vanished, retaking the zone was impossible. Kanghyuk rubbed his forehead and stared at the flag at his own feet. Suddenly, a thought struck him. Were the flags fixed in place?

’No way…!’

Just in case, Kanghyuk tried to pull out the flag.

[You have acquired the Area A flag.]

[The capture zone will automatically disappear.]

[Flag Area A: Unoccupied]

His hands trembled. The moment the flag was pulled from the ground, the capture zone marker vanished. To re-establish it, he would have to go through the thirty-second capture process all over again. A cold sweat broke out on his brow.

’Then the flag from Area D is in their hands right now?!’

The reason Taehyun and Seungpil had run past the zones, the reason they died with seven minutes left, the reason they abandoned Area D and all rushed to Area B—it all clicked into place. The Resistance wasn’t trying to retake zones. They were stealing the flags themselves.

[Flag Area B: Unoccupied]

As if on cue, the area they had just recaptured changed to unoccupied. Now there were three unoccupied areas, and all three flags were in the hands of the Resistance. Kanghyuk checked the remaining time and barked out an order.

“Everyone, converge on Area E! Now!”

—”The Resistance has already invaded Area E!”

“Damn it, use the shortcuts!”

—”Gahk! That bastard Taehyun Yoo pulled the flag and ran! He’s escaping alone!”

His worst fear had come to pass. Taehyun, now a Rogue, had already scouted all the shortcuts with Seungpil. There was no better route for his escape.

[Flag Area A: Occupied (Blood Lion)]

[Flag Area B: Unoccupied]

[Flag Area C: Unoccupied]

[Flag Area D: Unoccupied]

[Flag Area E: Unoccupied]

[Flag Area F: Occupied (Blood Lion)]

Ultimately, four areas were now unoccupied. All four flags were in Taehyun’s possession. They had to kill him and get them back, but there was no time. He had even abandoned his own comrades in Area E to flee. Catching a Rogue who had escaped alone through a maze of shortcuts was nearly impossible. Kanghyuk and the member beside him raced toward the former Area E.

“They have two scouts! We have the advantage in close combat! Push them!”

“You’re not getting past here, you bastards!”

“Damn it! We have to chase Taehyun! We don’t have time for this!”

The Blood Lion members were bogged down in a fight with the Resistance. They tried to break for the shortcut to pursue Taehyun, but it was useless. The Resistance members clung to them tenaciously, running interference.

[Mission Time: 0:41]

Only forty seconds remained. Kanghyuk ducked into the shortcut, but Taehyun was nowhere in sight.

[Mission Time: 0:36]

’No.’

[Mission Time: 0:34]

’No!’

[Mission Time: 0:32]

’NO!’

The mission was about to end. He knew the shortcuts, but the flag-carrying Rogue was gone. Unable to accept his defeat, Kanghyuk roared.

“I don’t accept this! I DON’T ACCEPT THIS DEFEAT—!”

—

Meanwhile, Taehyun, hidden in a narrow crevice rather than a shortcut, had planted all four flags.

“I DON’T ACCEPT THIS DEFEAT—!”

Kanghyuk’s belated scream echoed through the temple, but it sounded like nothing more than the cry of a sore loser.

[You have captured Flag Area B.]

[You have captured Flag Area C.]

[You have captured Flag Area D.]

[You have captured Flag Area E.]

[Mission Time: 0:02]

He had captured all four areas with exactly two seconds to spare. Taehyun looked at the glowing capture markers on the floor, satisfied.

[Flag Area A: Occupied (Blood Lion)]

[Flag Area B: Occupied (Resistance)]

[Flag Area C: Occupied (Resistance)]

[Flag Area D: Occupied (Resistance)]

[Flag Area E: Occupied (Resistance)]

[Flag Area F: Occupied (Blood Lion)]

Two for the Blood Lions. Four for the Resistance. In the end, the Resistance was victorious. The winner of the final Faction War was the lower-ranked team. By seizing all of the Blood Lion’s points, they would instantly claim the number one spot.

[Mission time has ended.]

[Blood Lion Faction Flags: Two]

[Resistance Faction Flags: Four]

[The winner of the 5th Faction War is the Resistance Faction.]

He was transported back to the Colosseum arena. The other members who had participated in the mission also returned to their seats. The faction members who had been watching on the main screen were confused.

“What? Did we lose?!”

“What happened at the end? The feed is only now showing the part where those two died.”

“Are we destined to stay in the lower ranks and just get wiped out? Ugh.”

They hadn’t seen the final result. Seonghwi gestured toward the seats across the arena. The Blood Lion members had also returned. Kanghyuk and the rest of his faction were slumped over, their faces were masks of despair.

“D-did we win?!”

“We survived! We survived! We can go home!”

“I knew Taehyun could do it! It’s a miracle!”

Cheers erupted throughout the arena. Taehyun covered his ringing ears and headed for the exit. Songyi, who had been waiting, ran up and threw her arms around him.

“Taehyun, I missed you!”

“Hey. You’ve been well, Songyi?”

“Yes! Are you okay now?”

“I guess I am. You don’t need to worry.”

He had been unconscious for two weeks; her concern was natural. Taehyun stroked her hair and glanced to the side.

“I’m fine. You don’t have to worry,” he said to Narae.

“I-I haven’t said anything yet!”

“You were going to.”

“…Well, as long as you’re okay, that’s all that matters!” Narae huffed, turning on her heel and walking away. She would probably contact him through the faction community later. It didn’t bother him. What did bother him was the woman now approaching.

“What is it?”

“…Congratulations,” said Naeul, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Now that you’ve defeated the Blood Lions, you’ll be number one. Unlike us, who are now confirmed for elimination.”

Naeul, whose Black Alliance faction had once been defeated by the Resistance, was offering her congratulations. Her faction was slated for annihilation. Despite winning their last battle, they had failed to make it into the top three, so her bitterness was understandable.

“What do you want? Consolation?”

“No. I’m just curious.”

“About what?”

“About what you, a survivor of the Faction War, will do next. And how much longer you’ll live. I just suddenly became curious.”

The Resistance, having secured a top-three spot, would continue to live on the continent. The same went for Taehyun. Naeul, looking half-crazed, sneered and waited for an answer. But Taehyun simply ignored her and walked out of the arena.

“What? Are you saying a loser like me isn’t even worth your time?”

“I can’t accept it! Me, dying? It’s impossible!”

“Someone, please tell me it’s not true! Tell me it’s just a dream!”

And so, amidst the screams of the defeated, the Faction War came to an end.

—

[Final Faction War Rankings]

[1. Resistance (60 points)]

[2. Tarantula (57 points)]

[3. Secret (56 points)]

The final Faction War was over. Only three factions survived. The rest were wiped from the ranking board, annihilated.

’A close call.’

It had been a near thing, but he had successfully turned the mission around. Taehyun looked at the contract in his hand, pleased.

“I’ve drawn up and sent the contract with your condition,” Seonghwi’s message read. “You just need to sign it. That should settle things, right, rookie?”

Thankfully, Seonghwi had kept his promise. It was likely a ploy to make Taehyun rely on the Resistance for the future conquest of the Demon Realm. For Taehyun, however, it was a welcome development.

[The contract process has been completed.]

[The contract has been activated.]

[Morpina, the God of Contracts, is observing Player Taehyun Yoo and Player Seonghwi Hyun.]

’I’ll trust and rely on you. That’s the best way to work you to the bone for a long time.’

He had no intention of betraying them right away. From now on, a three-way war between the surviving factions would unfold. And with the Holy Kingdom, Duke Peyton, Count Dinen, Leon van Noah, and other nations still in play, there were enemies in abundance. In such a climate, the ability to command the entire Resistance faction would be an invaluable asset.

Taehyun stood up and headed to the final room.

“Welcome, Master Taehyun.”

“We have been waiting, my lord.”

“Welcome, Master.”

“We were so worried, Master.”

The figures of his core forces came into view. Every single one of Balak’s key members was gathered. Though he was one Keeper short, he was satisfied.

“Hee-hek hek! I’ve been waiting for this moment-imnidayo!”

“Master Taehyun will soon make the entire continent tremble in fear.”

“You will surely ascend as the true Demon King.”

“I will work even harder to assist you… Oof!”

The four Supporters also drew near. Taehyun approached the crystal core with them. It had been a long time. He had remained at A-rank, fending off raid parties, but now it was time to ascend to the next level. Taehyun took the magic stones from his inventory and touched them to the core.

’Rumble—!’

Just like before, the entire dungeon shook. The crystal rapidly absorbed the stones, emitting a blinding light.

[The rank of A-rank Dungeon Balak has increased.]

[A tremendous surge in magic power!]

[All of Balak is quaking.]

[Great Success!]

[S-rank Dungeon Balak has undergone a tremendous evolution.]

’Finally, an S-rank dungeon.’

And so, Balak welcomed Taehyun as an S-rank dungeon.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep