Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

[December 31, 2021]

How noisy. Choi Ha-eun winced at the loud shouts and cheers all around him. They were all celebrating this new year.

He was with his classmates, not that he wanted to go in the first place but they all seem to want to invite him over. So, Choi Ha-eun couldn't really reject the invitation. As it was an impolite thing to do.

But now, he regrets it. He should've just stayed with his brother during the new years. At least he got to relax back in the penthouse and watched the fireworks from afar. Ah, looking back on it. He wants to go back and sleep on his bed. 

They wouldn't notice if I sneakily backed away, right? 

As Choi Ha-eun tried to, one of his classmates suddenly grabbed a hold of his collar jacket and pulled him closer to their group. 

“Aish, Choi Ha-eun-ssi don't be so down.” 

“That look of yours doesn't suit your handsome face, cheer up! It's the new year, new me!!” 

“More like, new year, still me. You're still gonna spend money, Ahn Soo-jin.”

“Hey, everyone! Wanna grab a beer after this?” one of them suggests. 

“And a ka-ra-oke~!!” another added and they all cheered in agreement. 

Choi Ha-eun stayed silent, his face blank and impassive as he observed the looks of his classmate's faces. They were all so joyful at this moment, the smile painted on their lips, and the crinkles in their eyes as they all laughed and shouted excitedly for this new year. 

It was infectious. It wasn't bad to spend new years with them. Choi Ha-eun lets out a small smile. His classmate, Ahn Soo-jin noticed this and smiled as well. 

“Oh? It seems the Ice King can smile after all.” 

Choi Ha-eun pulled a face, “... What the hell is up with that nickname?”

“It suits you!” 

“With that handsome, impassive face of yours, white hair and that glaring, cold look in your red eyes, who wouldn't call you the Ice King?!”

“His glasses make him more like a cold librarian.”

“But doesn't he look more like a vampire? So, shouldn't it be more like the Vampire King?” 

“Who cares about that, the Ice King sounds way cooler..!” another interjected.

“Say it with me everyone! Ice king rules!” 

“Ice King rules!” 

“Shut up.” Choi Ha-eun hissed. 

All of them laughed at the embarrassed look taken over Choi Ha-eun's face.

“It's finally time! Everyone, please count down with us when there's 5 seconds left!”

“Ooh, it's starting!” 

The Bosingak was full of crowded people. From young to adult figures, there were even reporters around him. Choi Ha-eun stuck close to his classmates, with the people here all crowding up, he might've gotten stranded into this sea of human beings. 

“Five!”

“Four!” 

Choi Ha-eun let out a breath as he looked down to his bare hands. He wasn't wearing any gloves since he forgot to buy one this week. The tips of fingers were red and stiff. He almost couldn't feel or move anything.

He sighs, placing both of his hands to his pockets in an attempt to warm them up nicely. Oh, well, I could just ask Hyung to buy me a pair. He wouldn't mind, right?

“Three..!”

Choi Ha-eun looked around the heads of people. His classmates all focused on counting down with the announcer. 

Unconsciously, he turned back to look at the front when he noticed a  person. A sense of familiarity washes over him when looking at that person's back. 

For Choi Ha-eun, who doesn't much have interactions with a lot of strangers because of his frail constitution and his elder brother overprotectiveness. This was the first he ever met that person. 

Who…?

“Two—” 

It was in that single moment. His eyes captured the sight of the most beautiful pair of blue eyes he had ever seen in his life. They were so blue like the ocean seas. The sunny blue skies when it's summer and bright or the colour of blue clear water of the cold refreshing drink. 

They were so pretty to look at. Choi Ha-eun concluded in a daze. 

“—One!” 

“The new year is here!!” 

The people and his classmates' cheers and shouts snapped him out from his thoughts. Just in this moment, he'll make sure to savour it. 

Suddenly, Choi Ha-eun felt his vision darkened for a second, his feet staggered, the hair on his skin rose at the unpleasant chill going down through his spine. 

He felt his heart beaten quickly, his ears ringing loud, louder than the noises around him, his breaths laboured and weak.

What the hell is going on with me...?

Ahn Soo-jin, who was beside him, noticed his weakened state, concerned—helped him to stand up properly.

"Choi Ha-eun-ssi? Do you want to sit down for a moment?" 

Before he could give a response. An unsettling giggle rang clearly inside of his mind. 

It wasn't just him who heard it as well. 

《 Humans are funny. 》

A beautiful, feminine voice suddenly spoke out.

The smiles disappeared from people’s faces as a voice came into their heads out of nowhere.

《 Celebrating the New Year without knowing the predicament they are in. 》

“Did you say something...?” 

“What? No, I thought you did.” 

“Are we hearing the same voice just now?” 

《 Kyohohoho. They look just like monkeys locked in a cage when they panic. I guess it’s good. Humans are animals of adaptation, right? 》

Their gazes soon travelled above. Where the bright light shows up.

They looked up, necks craned in curiosity and in awe at the beauty of the woman clothed in a gold and white dress, a pair of white feathery wings fluttered behind her back and the moonlit rays shone down upon her figure.

She looked like an angel.

No, she is an angel.

Yet, for Choi Ha-eun. He squints his eyes closed at the over lit brightness from the angel. Damn, woman, can't you at least tone down the light mode a little...? At this point, his eye sight might worsen.

“Is that a New Year's event from a broadcasting station?”

“If you tell me it's real, I'll believe it!”

“So pretty...!” 

“Smashed.” 

Choi Ha-eun almost choked on his saliva. He can't believe he just heard that from his own classmate's mouth. 

“... Dude, what the fuck is wrong with you? That's an angel we're talking about.”

“If this is what an angel looks like then I'm ready to die.” 

“If you can go to heaven, that is. I thought you're an atheist?” 

“In the face of a beautiful angel I'm ready to convert my religion.” 

《 Pfft. 》

She covers her mouth with her hand in a mocking manner. A sneer painted in her lips.

《 Trashy humans. You all seem to have fallen in love with my appearance. I see everyone here is looking at me like an idiot. 》

“…….”

Dayum. Choi Ha-eun whistled softly, impressed. Were you silent or silenced? Ooooooohhh.

《 It’s better not to have such foolish thoughts. Because I have no intention of hanging out with vermins like you. 》

Honestly, slay ghurlie. 

The wide grin on the angel’s face was beautiful and captivating to look at, but people couldn’t just smile when you're being insulted and cursed at for, right? Anyone should've been rightfully offended when they haven't done anything wrong. 

But strangely not to Choi Ha-eun. 

Partially, Choi Ha-eun could agree with the angel's words about how humans are vermin, the scum of the earth and trash to all planes in existence. 

Partially, that is. He isn't necessarily going to blame the whole population of human beings when most are innocent and ignorant. 

Heck, some bad guys out there can be redeemable as well. 

For Choi Ha-eun, it was strangely satisfying to hear from the angel's mouth. 

《 Seeing all your reactions, I guess my voice is being heard properly. 》

It was then. 

A man stepped up from the crowd. His face furious for being insulted. 

“Hey! What's your deal?! Are you cosplaying as an angel or something?” The crowd's hushed murmurs halted, their wide eyes stared at the angry man who pointed his finger at the angel above them. “And what was that about vermin?! The hell are you on about, you flying roll of toilet paper!”

Choi Ha-eun grimaced. Oof, that's a low creative insult but props to you for the effort.

《 . . . . . . 》 

A strange and tense silence hovered in the atmosphere. The smile of the angel's lips was still ever present, her head tilted to the side slightly. 

A single red eye shone eerily under the veil as her lips began to part, coldly remarking—

《 How irritating 》

It was at that one second, the brave canon fodder's head soon exploded like fireworks. 

But it wasn't exactly the pretty sight that Choi Ha-eun was looking forward to exactly. He quickly covered his mouth to stop the incoming bile rising in his throat, he felt nauseous to look at it. 

Shit, I feel like I'm about to faint… 

He stumbled on his feet, if it weren't for his classmate’s helping hand, he would've dropped dead to the ground. The panic screams from everyone around didn't help him much. 

How annoying this was. He gritted his teeth, biting down on his lip enough to draw blood just to regain a bit of consciousness. 

“Choi Ha-eun-ssi…? Choi Ha-eun-ssi…!” 

“Hah…” 

Choi Ha-eun looked up, the concerned faces of his classmates around him while clearly they were in a midst of panicking and fearfully staying silent so as to not anger the angel. 

They were also paying close attention to the angel's words. But Choi Ha-eun couldn't keep up and barely managed to understand the gist of her explanation. 

Being in a survival game means you have to complete the given quest and survive for 20 rounds. Only 15 to 29 years old could participate. The other ages that weren't mentioned were spared and Choi Ha-eun almost sighed in relief when he realised that his hyung was exactly 29 years old this year. 

Damn it. 

《 Now, since I finished the rough explanation, it's time to start the game. 》

Eventually, with the devilish angel’s laughter above him, Choi Ha-eun’s vision went dark.

──────── ˗ˋ ୨୧ ˊ˗ ────────

Choi Ha-eun found himself staring into the vast, empty white space. 

There were no other signs of life nearby and it was only him, alone. 

So… is this heaven? Because if this is one. This sucks more than he could ever imagine to have heaven look like this. I mean, look at this place. It's all white and bland. 

Feels like I'm in one of those experimentation labs. 

After a while, the reality struck him as the voice of the angel resounded clearly.

《 Kyohohoho, everyone is probably wondering where they are, right? 》

Not me, I was thinking I finally died. Choi Ha-eun rolled his eyes.

《 You are now in a private space where you cannot see each other. Before you can transfer your soul, you need to construct a body. If you think of a game that humans enjoy, it involves creating an avatar. 》

An avatar? Choi Ha-eun looked around him. There was nothing to note when this place was empty. How was he supposed to create one exactly?

Soon, he saw a figure appearing in the distance and when he step closer to look, he realised it was him, Choi Ha-eun, who looked exactly like him, appeared in this white space. 

His short, tousled white hair, red eyes staring back at him. He tested it by flexing his hands and adjusting the silver-rimmed glasses he wore. The avatar moved along with itself like a mirror. 

This is kinda cool.

《 From now on, you can adjust your face or body as you wish. You can also choose a nickname to use in other dimensions. It’s the same as the process of creating a character in the game, so there shouldn’t be any difficulties. 》

Since teenagers and young adults who are already familiar with the game have been captured, there will be no problems with the process.

《 There is only one chance, so everyone must decide carefully. Then, shall we start by deciding on a nickname? 》

After a while, a mechanical sound that was completely different from the angel’s voice was heard.

『 Please tell us the nickname you want to register in the system within 30 seconds. 』

Wait? 30 seconds?! Choi Ha-eun quickly felt pressured. That's too damn short to come up with a nickname!!

“Not even a minute?”

『 If you do not decide within the time limit, your real name will be automatically registered. 』

“Ugh, fine!”

If this wasn't a serious life threatening situation. Choi Ha-eun could've easily picked those cringey ass nicknames from his classmates, ‘Ice King’, ‘Vampire King’ and some stuff he didn't know about. 

He wasn't that popular enough to begin with. He just looks out of place and uncommon to look at when he has white hair. 

“.....”

Okay, what the hell? Why is he actually considering those options?! It makes him want to kill himself when hearing it.  

『 15 seconds left 』 

Shit. This is too much pressure in deciding a nickname, okay?! 

He'll just decide on the edgiest nickname he could've thought of. And what better edgy, cringe nickname would it be other than adding the word Black in theirs? 

It's embarrassing but it'd be kinda funny to hear from other people's mouths.

“... I chose Black Spade.”

The system responds to the nickname given without hesitation.

『 Would you like to register your avatar’s nickname as ‘Black Spade’? 』

“Yes.” 

Wait, since this is the same exact setting of a game. Does that mean there's a chance that there could be also a duplicate or the same exact nickname from any players? 

『 The nickname ‘Black’ has already been registered. This is a duplicate nickname. Failed to register. 』

Well, somebody took that name as theirs already. 

『 Please choose a different nickname. 』

Okay, first off, who made the first move on having the edgy nickname, because he needs to see it with his own eyes if they deserved it to have that kind of nickname. They need to have the most edgiest avatar design since they decided to have that kind of nickname.

Second, cut him some slack because not everyone can come up with a nickname in under 30 seconds unless that person has been waiting for this to happen and just coincidentally have already prepared for these kinds of scenarios, alright?! 

“... Ace of Spades, then?” curse him for not being creative enough. Where was Google when you needed him for ideas?

『 Would you like to register your avatar’s nickname as ‘Ace of Spades’? 』

“Yeah.” Choi Ha-eun couldn't really come up with a better nickname, so what else is there to think?

『 This is a non-duplicate nickname. Registered complete. 』

Thank god. He sighed in relief. 

『 Please set your body type and appearance within 3 minutes. 』

Damn, I almost forgot about that. Choi Ha-eun looked at the avatar, who was standing blankly in front of him. 

『 If you envision a strong image in your mind, it will be reflected. 』

『 When you are finished with the idea, please say ‘concept complete.’ 』

『 If you do not decide within the time limit, your true appearance will be automatically reflected. 』

Let's see. Having a changed appearance isn't a bad thing. This could at least make your face and identity in the real world some privacy and a secret to keep.

Choi Ha-eun had a feeling that he shouldn't stick to revealing his face to everyone yet. 

For now, an alter-ego should be in place. But what kind of personality and impression does he need to convey as ‘Ace of Spades’? Cold and edgy? No, probably someone who had their nickname with Black sounds edgy enough. 

Choi Ha-eun hummed in contemplation. Staring at his own white hair.

Should I change it? But he got used to the colour of white so Choi Ha-eun didn't bother on fully changing it but instead adding and changing up a bit. His lips curled upward in a gentle manner, growing his short hair into a waist-length, white hair with streaks of black tied up in a high ponytail.

Unlike his supposedly cold resting-bitch face, according to his classmates' words, he created his avatar to have a laidback and carefree impression. Now, he is a lot more approachable. His physique changed from being as average lean as usual to a slightly muscular body and a lean, slender frame. 

As for his eyes. Choi Ha-eun stared blankly at the pair of red eyes that stared right back at him. He suddenly remembered the color blue from that stranger's eyes. 

Yeah, He couldn't help himself but let out a small laugh, the avatar's eyes soon changed from red to— Blue suits him more. 

“Hmm, I wonder if I could fix my nearsightedness in this.…” Choi Ha-eun pushed his glasses a bit, staring at the avatar with a thoughtful look.

Since you're technically designing an avatar of what you want it to be. Is it included in discarding symptoms you have in real life? He already changed his figure into a more physically fit yet close to his original body and he hadn't tested out yet. 

“Only one way to find out…” Discarding the glasses on his avatar's face, he changed his original downturned eyes to cat-like eyes and imagined his avatar would see everything around him clearly. He wasn't sure how it would work out in the end but at least he tried to.

Satisfied at the look of his avatar. It was a lot different from his real appearance. 

“Concept complete.”

『 Customization has been completed. 』

『 Avatar is being created. 』

. .

. . . 

. . . .

『 Creation complete. 』

『 Immediately transferring the soul to Round 1. Good luck. 』

In an instant, a bright light struck Choi Ha-eun’s eyes. Damn it! What's with the bright ass light mode?! 

He groaned, rubbing his eyes closed. Maybe this deserves a warning. Is there any way I could rate this shitty experience? A -10/10 if you ask him.

“Woah…!”

“Wh-where is this? A meadow?” 

“It's okay to not know where it is…” 

“I feel at peace.” 

When Choi Ha-eun reflexively opened his eyes, a new world unfolded before him. It was a vast grassland, the high mountains in the far distance and the breeze playfully tickling his cheeks. 

Wow, it's like I'm in another world. Choi Ha-eun was in awe at the scenery before him. It was so peaceful to look at. It really makes you want to stay in the countryside and build a farm with your loved ones. 

Players have begun to appear one after the other on the wide grassland. Their faces bare all kinds of reactions. Amazement, embarrassment, awe and satisfaction. There were a variety of expressions but Choi Ha-eun wasn't interested in that as he tried to test his current avatar's physical form.

He flexed his hands, twisting his wrist while on the other he rolled his shoulders slowly, getting a feel of this body. 

It feels kinda awkward to be in a different body, should I start warming up? He thought. 

As he was about to, Choi Ha-eun suddenly realised something. A sense of pure bridled joy and excitement was apparent on his face. 

“Holy shit…!” 

This caused other players nearby to look at him strangely but Choi Ha-eun didn't pay attention to any of it. 

I can fucking clearly see everything!! 

Yes, Choi Ha-eun was clearly too slow to realise that his nearsightedness wasn't now obstructing him to see this beautiful and gorgeous view to look at. 

Hello, world. Oh, hello beautiful clear blue sky, how I miss you to look at. Damn, even I could see the details of that mountain over there! Hello, other players who are looking at me as if I'm a weirdo. But who cares?! I can die peacefully without any regrets! 

《 Seeing your faces, you must be happy about your newly created avatars. 》

Choi Ha-eun couldn't help himself but blurt out his inside thoughts.

“Yes, thank you very much, Angel-nim!”

Without it, he'll probably won't have a chance to see something so clearly without glasses on.

He feels content with this thought. Oh, and Angel-nim is really pretty to look at now that Choi Ha-eun tooks a closer and clearer look at their angel guide. Oh, and look at that gorgeous dress. 

“....”

《 . . . . . 》

Noticing the strange silence hovered in the air. He looked around and saw everyone looked at him as if he was a crazy bastard.

He blinked, confused, “... What?” Can't we all just be grateful for one moment because we get to have this kind of opportunity? 

Chapter Text

“Yes, thank you very much, Angel-nim!” someone exclaimed within the crowd. 

A certain black-haired male heard the sound of a familiar voice, he looked around, his eyes searching for the source. A flicker of recognition appeared in his gaze when he finally found the origin of the sound.

So he finally appears in this regression, huh? 

Ryu Min or either known as Black Scythe, stared at the male with the nickname ‘Ace of Spades’ above the player's head with a small smile on his lips. 

The male had a slightly muscular yet slender frame, making him look more inviting. His expression brightened, pulling into a warm smile as his waist-length hair strands now a blend of snowy white and jet black, pulled back into a high ponytail. His eyes sparkled with joy and appreciation, their distinctive cat-like shape enhancing their brightness as they glimmered with contentment.

It was a familiar appearance to Ryu Min's eyes.

Despite the player's inconsistent presence in his multiple regressions, one thing Ru Min could never forget was the distinct and exceptional appearance of Ace of Spades's avatar, which stood out from the rest.

Ryu Min observes.

As Ace of Spades scanned his surroundings with a look of confusion, the reactions from the other players were quite understandable and typical. In fact, Ryu Min would have similarly reacted if it weren't for the fact that he had grown accustomed to the quirks and eccentric behavior he had experienced in the previous regressions.

From a distance, Ace of Spades appeared unflappable and accessible, presenting himself as an affable and laidback character. However, Ryu Min was well aware that this persona was deliberately crafted by the player. In truth, Ace was a sly fox, capable of cunning plans and schemes.

Just like how Ryu Min created Black Scythe in order to gain a memorable and strong impression on other players. Ace of Spades was astutely perceptive, capable of quickly grasping underlying meanings and picking up on subtle details in his environment faster than most people.

In this 100th regression, Ryu Min, now taken the nickname once again as Black Scythe, was determined to keep Ace of Spades closely by his side, ensuring the latter never left his sight. Black Scythe intended to maintain a constant presence, aiming to ensure a permanent bond with the cunning fox Ace.

Black Scythe recognized that the best way to ensure Ace of Spades remained by his side was to give the audience a captivating performance.

In this situation, Black Scythe was more than willing to reveal aspects of himself exclusively to his dearest card, Ace of Spades.

· · ──────── ·𖥸· ──────── · ·

Choi Ha-eun bit the inside of his cheek, feeling the stares fixated on his figure. Okay, that was a bad move in his part, he'll admit. But can you blame him? It's an unconscious habit of his to thank someone! Even though he knows he didn't have to, he just can't help it, okay?! It's a damn habit he developed over the years. 

Ugh, someone kill me please. He thought, wanting to dug himself 6ft deep underground. 

Fortunately, the Angel guide seem to smoothly passed his behavior as nothing but a pathetic lifeform to be interested in and proceed to explain about this game they're playing, which was true considering he doesn't have any good qualities to show other people. 

What use was Choi Ha-eun when all he does is slowly breath and bleed like a dying patient in his deathbed. That's how weak he is. Well, not entirely weak but his daily life has the record of visiting the hospital. 

It was rare for him to go outside often and his classmates took that opportunity for him to invite over to celebrate the new years together just for the sake of creating memorable memories. 

Ah, speaking of his classmates.

Choi Ha-eun surveyed his gaze around the area. It doesn't seem like he could see any familair faces. Maybe they're also like him? Creating a different appearance than using their real face? 

Wherever they are, he hopes he'll see them back in one piece. 

… Huh? 

Choi Ha-eun unconsciously covers his mouth. His face reflected a look of bewilderment as a wave of confusion washed over his features, causing his eyes to widen and his eyebrows to furrow. Why is he thinking like that? In one piece?

Surely… surely, they'll be alive and this quest they're doing right now isn't that much dangerous, right? 

It's just round 1, what could possibly make them die in this world unless the Angel decided it to be a battle royale but that's a bit of a stretch to do that in the first round of the quest.

Hah… I'm overthinking again. 

And even though he tries to stir his thoughts into a different topic, he can't help but felt a sense of dread in his stomach. 

Somehow, Choi Ha-eun had developed an instinctual feeling over the years and this feeling right now isn't something he shouldn't ignored at. 

Or it could be that I'm feeling homesick all of a sudden, he jokingly thought.

《 Now that the rune imprint is over. It's time to really get the show started 》 

With the snap of her fingers, that seem to snapped out of Choi Ha-eun’s thoughts.

Realizing he didn't paid any attention to the Angel's explanations, he felt kind of guilty and a bit disarray but then decided he'll probably forget it anyway so he'll just stay at the sidelines to see what's it all about. 

The sudden appearance of a quest window popped up infront of him surprised him a bit but quickly paid attention to the words. 

╔══════════════════╗

◀ 𝗥𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗗 𝟭 ▶

< Quest >

└Kill 100 goblins per person

[ All areas ]

└Participants: 1,801,029,290

└Achievers: 0/900,514,645

[ Applicable area ESKS45-5 ]

└Participants: 10,286

└Achievers: 0/5,143

╚══════════════════╝

“Kill 100 goblins?”

Goblins? Just as he was about to ask the contents of the quest. Said monster was spawned in miles away from the crowd of players. Who all excitedly looked at the appearance of the monster, its hand carrying a jagged dagger of some sort as it stand by in the distance waiting for the Angel's command. 

The goblin here seem not enough for the 10,000 players here in this grassland. Choi Ha-eun noted. Is she going to summon more? How many would that be? Exactly 10,000?

If so… 

Choi Ha-eun looked at the pop up quest. It's achievers were the amount of 5,000 players. 

《 You shouldn't get excited yet. Not all of the goblins . . . 》

Spreading her arms as she smiled contemptuously, golden rays of light appeared more and more and it soon revealed a pack, no, an army of goblins spreading wildly in the distance, their monstrous appearance and numbers soon overwhelmed the amount of players occupying this region.

《 . . . Have been summoned yet. 》

This crazy bitch…! 

If Choi Ha-eun had to estimate the numbers of goblins on the other side, it should be around──

《 10,000 humans v.s 50,000 goblins. Fight to the death. 》 

He shudders. 50,000 goblins… the hell?! Is this Angel trying to massacre a lot of players in the first round already?! 

Not to mention, this points a disadvantage for the players here. They don't have any weapons and there's nothing in their hands to eliminate those goblins. 

Unless… 

Choi Ha-eun looks up at the Angel above their heads, her smile wide and sadistic as she commanded the group of goblins to attack the panicked crowd.

As if they understood the angel’s words, the goblins who had only been glaring took action.

“Kiyaaaak!”

“Whoa!! It's charging towards us..!!” 

“Don't come any closer!!” 

The people in the front row of the group wavered at the sight of the goblins charging toward them at an aggressive pace.

He realized that she had deliberately placed them in this dangerous situation. It was clear that she was intentionally making them face challenges and hardship, pushing them to adapt to the survival and bloodshed that came with it.

Is this some kind of sick entertainment for them to watch? 

(Cruel aren't they?) 

Choi Ha-eun clenched his jaw tightly, his teeth grinding together in frustration. His fists clenched even harder, knuckles turning white from the intense pressure.

(Shouldn't this be the perfect opportunity to.…) 

He'll die. If he won't take an action first, he'll really die here instead of his own illness. 

[̵̞̭̺̒͑̔̏ ̷̪̋̅Ǎ̴̛̩̻̬̫̒r̵̾͜é̸͖̜̐̈́̋ ̶̨͋̀̾y̷̳̖̘̅͌̏ͅo̵̹̊̂̐̿ư̸͙͍͚̇̕ ̷̻̝̃̃͌̚ď̷̮̘͔͒̉̆e̴̗͕̓ŝ̴͍̰̒͑́p̷̰̤̹̾̒̍͝ȅ̸̡̞́́̎r̶̗̮̃a̶̹̘͖̝͛̊̓t̵̤̤͉̝̊͑e̸̩̍̂͜ ̵̟̳̄͌t̵̥͖͔͗ȯ̸̹͈͚͑́͜ ̸̰̞͙͊̎͐͠l̷̨͖̩̓̑̋͘ȉ̶̞̹͝v̷̞̗̜̓̄̔e̴͍͇͛͑͠?̴͈͖̬̾͛͌ ̴̜̤͖̙̊͠Ĩ̵̢̭̩̰́̀ ̵͔̩̲̽ț̴̈́h̴͙̰͊̒̄̇o̸̢̩̾͘ͅu̵̢̮̚g̶͚͘͝h̶̦̹̼͗̍t̶̬͇͒͂ ̵͈̥̀̕y̵̎̋̄̽ͅo̶̱͎̐͜ͅũ̸̧̢̦̟'̴̢̣͓̥̾̓́̚v̴̡̼̑͗̂ẻ̴͍̑ ̴̨̝̮̐̚ä̸͇͉̭́͗͌l̶͔͆͆r̵͓̀͊͜e̴̖͓̗̓͐̈́a̸̡̝̲̻͌͂̿͝ḏ̴̻̫̕͜͝y̷̦͍͚̽͂ ̴̠͖̻̄a̷̩̣̣̥̕c̸̟̄͝c̶̦̘͍̬̓ȅ̸̼p̷̧̧̱̱̐t̷̨͓̎̎ë̵̛͔̼̌̕d̷̼̫̋̄ ̵̻̣̮̼̌̿ÿ̵̧̨̻̉͒͝ǫ̶̟͇̿́̒͑ȕ̸̫̭̥͊́r̴̛͍͑͝ ̵̢̙̹̞̒͂̍ḟ̸̳̠ȁ̵̮̱̞̌͘t̴̢̳̊͆ẹ̴̣͕̓͛,̶͚̀̃ ̵̼̻̼̹͗̕◼̷̯̭̾̈́̈́◼̷͇͚͠?̷̮͒́́ ̴̛͉͆͑̾]̴̼̘͂

Choi Ha-eun's eyesight temporarily dimmed for a moment, prompting him to shake his head in an attempt to shake off the dizziness he felt. 

“Huh? What's with that guy? He's heading towards the monsters…!” 

“H-hey, wait a second..!” 

Choi Ha-eun swiftly turned his head in the direction of the commotion, catching sight of a player with a short, dark haircut and piercing red eyes. He calmly stepped forward, sauntering past the crowd with a casual and confident demeanor. 

Who…?

Choi Ha-eun looked up at the player's nickname, uttering the name under his breath, “Black Scythe...”

The other players were about to warn him of the impending danger but stopped abruptly, their words dying on their lips.

Contrary to what they may have thought, the player Black Scythe had swiftly kicked an approaching goblin squarely in the face, shattering its hooked nose. The goblin's momentary frown of surprise and pain betrayed its shock at the unexpected kick.

That… Choi Ha-eun stared at the player in shock.

However, Black Scythe was far from finished. He seized the goblin with both hands and twisted its head forcefully, causing a sickening crack to echo through the air. Unceremoniously, he let go, leaving the lifeless body of the goblin behind him.

Thud! 

Black Scythe rose to his feet, snatching up a fallen dagger as he skillfully twirled it in his hands. With lightning-fast precision, he plunged the dagger into the neck and back of a nearby goblin, before swiftly transitioning to the next target. Without a moment's pause, Black Scythe's body moved with incredible speed, each target falling before they had a chance to react.

Puff-puff-puff!

There was a sound of air being knocked out of the two goblins’ chests. In an instant, four goblins were already dead. The flowing, streamlined movements were reminiscent of a skilled killer.

“S-so cool!” 

“Did everyone just see that? Who is that guy??” 

“Is he special forces or something…?” 

Black Scythe. Choi Ha-eun doesn't know his real identity, all of them do. An obvious barrier that stays in place, separating the lines between the reality and the illusion it brings to them.

As the scene unfolded, Choi Ha-eun couldn't help but be captivated by the mesmerizing sight. Despite the blood that stained Black Scythe's body, he still oozed a captivating coolness and dashing handsomeness.

The bloodstains left an indelible mark, evoking a powerful and artistic image. They resembled a canvas where a messy artist had painted their masterpiece, or a piece of paper smeared with the hurried, ardent strokes of a writer as they frantically wrote and plotted their gripping narrative.

Realizing he had been lost in the spectacle, Choi Ha-eun snapped back to reality. Feeling a hint of embarrassment, he delivered a couple of firm slaps to his own cheeks, trying to shake off his daze.

Ha-eun let out a frustrated groan, muttering to himself. "Damnit, handsome and pretty people are really my weakness," he grumbled, unable to tear his eyes away from the captivating figure of Black Scythe.

Chapter Text

There is only one thing. They will be able to think of right now. 

An animal's prey instinct. No matter how humans distinctively differ themselves to such creatures. In the end, all of us ended up in the same category of judging the right of our existence.

Like animals, it is to survive. 

Concentrate, Choi Ha-eun...! Giving one final slap on the cheek elicits a few looks of concern from the surrounding players, but Choi Ha-eun disregards it and redirects his focus to his thoughts.

This was not the right time to look at someone when his life had yet to be determined on whether he deserves to die or not at the hands of these goblins.

A scale of justice that judges his existence. Whether he dies or lives until the next day. What follows are in fact his further actions to that following scale.

And for to make a choice in this course of events, killing these goblins, these monsters is a necessary task to complete, a quest to achieve. 

But it was not an easy feat to kill something. 

Save for cockroaches, those are nasty little shits. Choi Ha-eun shudders in disgust as he tries to not recall any of that C-creature.

To the goblins, humans were their prey as they, the predator in this cycle of life, aimed to end their existence and bathe in their blood, enjoying the fear in their eyes, scurrying for new prey in the territory they owned and marked. 

To Choi Ha-eun, it would be the first time to kill a living being by his own hands. 

Choi Ha-eun had no intention of becoming a bloodthirsty, unhinged individual who relishes in killing and finds thrill in violence. 

In fact, the sight of blood had a visceral impact on him, causing him to feel nauseous and prompting him to curl up in discomfort as he struggled to suppress his urge to vomit.

He found the very sight of blood deeply repulsive, so much so that his own brother would gleefully tease him for being too squeamish and sensitive to it.

Despite expecting to feel repulsed by the bloodshed surrounding him, Choi Ha-eun inexplicably felt no signs of disgust. 

It was a perplexing sensation, as the gory sights and smells of blood normally would have made him feel queasy.

Yet, at that moment, he found himself curiously unbothered.

Did I become a psychopath or something?

Anyways. 

(How distracting…) 

Everything was a mess. Players dying and running away from the goblins. Everyone was too scared and confused about this situation, but it wasn't that bad──for him, at least.

It seems everyone had understood the Black Scythe's intention to kill these goblins just for the sake of completing this quest. 

But easier said than done. Neither everyone was equipped with weapons to defend against monsters, except Black Scythe who was the first one to do it.

Regardless, all they had to do was to survive.

Whether it’d be running away, killing, or sacrificing others just to live in this mess of a round.

That was their option. No, it was the best choice to do in this kind of an environment. Just for the sake of survival. 

No reset button to save their ass from dying once and it doesn't seem like the psychotic angel guardian is going to give them a healing potion. 

Despite looking small and looking like the height of elementary students. Choi Ha-eun took notice how the goblins were fast in feet, agile in their step.

But their handling in the daggers looks wild and ferocious, it didn't feel as swift and elegant to look at just like Black Scythe in handling the weapon. 

Choi Ha-eun would've stood here all day in daze and contemplated if it weren't for the fact someone pushed him forward. 

“S-sorry! I want to live!!” 

Unsteadily, Choi Ha-eun lost his balance and stumbled momentarily before quickly regaining his footing.

Instinctively, his gaze fixated on the approaching horde of goblins, their bloodshot red eyes fixated on him like a slab of meat to chop. The goblins were armed with menacing, jagged daggers, preparing to attack.

Well, damn.

As they approached his figure. Hurried like a hungry predator. Their figures quickly corner him alone from the pack of humans who ran without looking back to see whether Choi Ha-eun is still alive from this goblins massacre. 

(Humans really…)

Choi Ha-eun shifted his gaze back to the main player of this event. Black Scythe. Observing his movements from this distance was a bit troublesome. But it'll do. 

The first goblin jumps on him, smiling wide with a toothy grin as it brings the dagger down to his head. 

Choi Ha-eun stares at it, his heart beating rapidly. Was it the adrenaline kicking in? Or the fear that he fought over to control his emotions?

Will he die today? Or live for tomorrow's sake? 

The scale of balance soon tips to the side, a hand reaches out to it, tipping to that side more forcefully. 

[̶̨̥̞̂̀̇͂̕ ̴̪̥̻̜̈́͜‘̵̟̣͚͂̈́́̀̂L̸̡̰̳̳̘̼̆͋̌͆͝ę̸̨̛̳̪ť̴̮̯̅̃̉’̴̬͕͔͒́̈́͠͝s̴͇̺̾͐ ̵̝̖̒̀͋́ͅg̴̡͇̝̯͝i̸̧̟͔̪̜̋̿̈́v̴̞̩͙̠́̃̒̃͗e̷͕͐͌͊̓ͅ ̶̮̘̰̹̈́͝t̴̡̯̗̻̪̠͗͂̕ḩ̸͎̤̞̟͆̊͒̾̉͠e̴͎̣̒̓͌̑̾ḿ̷̞̲̊̐͗̓̅ ̷̠͙̀͑͜͜a̵̧͔̩̭̙̒̓̂̀̿̓ņ̸̡̪̼͚́͗͝ ̴̮̯͈͕̀̊̉͊â̷̼̳͎̬͈̻m̷̥̥̰͙̱̜̍͋͝a̴̤̹͇͉̿̀́̊̆͒z̸̫̫̦͍͚͙̒̊i̸̝͔̗̓̕n̶͇̥̰̗̔̒͜ğ̶̡̧̞̪̥̖͛̋̊̓ ̷̡͕͎͖̏̐̾̊p̶̛̱̙͒̿͑ȩ̵͕̦̖̑̉̄̈́r̴̩͐f̸̭͍͕̣̩͋̋͂͜o̴̖̫̦̥̗̍̐̈ṟ̴̛̓͋̃̃͒m̶̛̞̔̚ã̷̞̜̟̆̒͋̕n̷̫͂̅̕c̸̱̮̭͓̄͑͘ë̴̫̼̯,̶̥̦͓͎͑̃͘ ̵̡̨̢̙͂̆̃́ŝ̷̬̆ḣ̶͚̫͈̩̩͂̎à̶̬̓̇͋͝l̶͇̫̳̇͌̍̏͘ľ̴̳̹̝̜̯̐͐́̈́ ̶͈̹͉̟̾̐͒w̸̰̏͒̈́̉̾̒e̵̠̲͚̭͒ ̴̭̟͉̤͚̺̈͂̀͋̉■̴̫̆̈́͠■̵̧̒̎̈́̂͂?̴̮̠̏́͜’̸̨̛̫̩͎̟̄̃̂̈́ ̷̫̭̀̎]̴̹͎̄̌̀̄͘͘

─SHIIK! THUD!

· · ──────── ·𖥸· ──────── · ·

If you'd ask Ahn Soo-jin he didn't think this would happen on New Year's day. 

He was with his classmates, celebrating the event and then all it took was an angel to appear and make them join in this quest. Because if they don't, they'll die in the end.

They're humans. Of course, such mortal beings have short lifespans. But for an angel, being directly a servant to God was like something strange and ominous to hear and see. 

The chills he felt, the fear that gripped in his throat as his heart started to beat faster when he saw the poor man's life being easily killed from the angel’s wrath. 

Such divine beings didn't bat an eye to the sight of blood, humans screaming in despair and fear in their hearts. The instinct of a prey running from a predator, an existence that is much higher than their human self. 

Ahn Soo-jin wanted to run away, he wanted this to be a dream in the first place. 

But reality was far more cruel to them. 

Playing this stupid, survival death game. Surviving, killing these monsters that supposedly existed in those fantasy genres. 

Ahn Soo-jin feels like killing himself. He feels ready to give up and give in to this pandemonium. Now he doesn't recognize who his classmates are, his enemies, his allies, the players who desperately wanted to live and use others as a meat shield to live.

The screams, the bloodshed, the tears pouring down to his cheeks. He grips the stray dagger, recklessly killing the goblins who tried to approach him. He kills it twice, thrice. 

Again, again, again, again, again, again, again, again, again, again, again, again, again, again, again, again, again, and again, again, again, again, again, again, again, again, again, again, again, again, again, again, again, again, again, again, again, again, again, again, again.

His handle of the dagger slips and he stumbles down to the ground, away from the sudden attack of the goblin behind him. 

Ahn Soo-jin felt a pain in his ankle. A sprain, his mind fully supplied. He hissed, bearing the pain but the sound of footsteps approaching him made him quickly look up and he pales, his eyes widened at the monster that is prowling towards him. 

The goblin oddly took its time to slowly approach him. Its lips pulled into a wide grin as it licked the dagger in its hands. 

He can't take it. 

He doesn't want to die. 

He doesn't want to be killed by these goblins, the angel──these cruel, bastardised monsters. 

He wants to live. 

With these thoughts, he was desperate. Desperate enough but too weak to do anything. 

─SHIIK!!

A breeze playfully passed by his cheek.

 A singular leaf slowly falling down to the ground. 

There, Ahn Soo-jin witnessed a scene that feels like déjà vu. He feels this scene is so familiar and he realises — those movements and those swift actions…!

A strand of pure white and black fluttered with the wind. 

Like a massive, powerful whirlwind that sucks in everything in its path, churning and twisting everything in its vicinity.

─KEUUK!

A body soon drops limply to the dirt. It was the goblin who almost tried to kill Ahn Soo-jin. 

─THUD! THUD!! THUD!!!

Following after that was a series of bodies falling down like dominoes. 

An evidence of that figure's work. 

All the players nearby who witnessed Ace of Spades killing spree were all bewildered and in awe at this.

He looked like the type of person who's used to this disaster, a person who's like a seasoned killer and despite his cheery and unusual behaviour earlier──this strange player they're seeing right now… somehow reminded them of Black Scythe's impression. 

It was like an immense, relentless force of nature, tearing through anything in its way, leaving a trail of chaos and destruction in its wake.

Ace of Spades. 

For a nickname that is associated with an omen of death. He seems… serene and at ease. Like a person who's already settled in this place as their home.

For Ahn Soo-jin, it felt like he was watching the birth of a hero rising. 

Like a legend to be put on in history. 

Who is he really? 

His eyes glinted as he observed the eccentric player in front of him. 

His dirty and calloused hands clenched into a fist. A feeling. Something that Ahn Soo-jin hasn't quite realised yet. But somehow, instinctively, he sensed that this player can change things. 

The hand on the scale soon slowly dissipates back to the abyss.The entity hidden in the shadows laughs. The scales soon tilt back into its balance weight as if nothing had happened. 

Fairness. Justice. 

[̸͙̹̪͇̼̠̦̼͎͋͆̉̾̌͑̈́̂̽̇̓ ̷̯̌͐̄̓͗̓̍̀̓̓͘͝‘̶̦̥̖̰͕̻̣̥̰͕̲̜̀̿͗́͑̿̍̕͝T̵̛̗̱̜͔̅͐̓̏̆̈͌̒̎̌͘͜͝h̵͕͎̦͚̣̝̮̦̓̒̾̋̈̀͗͋̈́̇͒̚͜͜ę̶̑̈̏́̓̄̿͜ ̴̢̮͙̪͇̗͔̜̼̺̘̬̠͓̍̑͆͐̄l̷͙͔̺̭̓̏̿̋̽̏̔̽̌̃̄̒̉͝ą̷̧̰̻̦̦̹̞̳͈͌̈̀͗̈̑ẉ̸̧̲̘͙̈́̈́̓͂͗́͐̓̋̂͠s̶̙͓͚̓ ̷̡̛̛͍̝͔̼͔̭̩̟̰̺̒̍̾̑́͘͜͠m̵̢̢̢̢̢̢̝̘̼̺̤͙͇̓́̅͊̓͗̐̂̓̍͊̆͘ű̷͍̲̮̟͈͐̽̇̏͝s̵̡͕̠̲̹͙̝͓̈́̌͌̊̉́͜ţ̸̛͔̘̼͎̞̼͇̳̜̭͍̣́̎̎̐̐͋͗̈́͗̕̕͝ ̵̯͓̗̮̊r̸̛͔̼̈́̅̌͒̋̀͌̐̑̀͒̆̕ę̴̢̧̫̪͚̩̱͔̣̩̒̚m̶͇͙̠̮̹̳͙̪̈͂̃͆̽̚ȃ̸̘͙̺̰̣̠͈͇̘̺͍͚̀͂̓̇i̷͔̗͗̕n̵̨̫͑͂̔͂̓ề̸̢͈̖̏͛̈́̿͋͊̾̀̐͝d̷̺̭͌̍̉͂̌̂̾̈́̿ ̷̬̯̞̖̥̘̠͚̉î̷̢̳̝͓̜̣̤̣͝n̸̡̢̛͖̮͔͍̘̰͔͓͒̃̈́͊̓̏́̂͜ ̷̨̛̭̖͖͕͎͚̙̤̖̩͔̯͕ǫ̸̛̘̙͙͓͂́́̊̑̌͠r̴̡̛̰̤̺̼͙̲̲̘̄͌ͅḑ̵̬͔͇̬̥̜̜̪̈́̆̑̋̌̏̃͗͌͘͠ę̴͔̰̜͍̭̣̹̬̤͐͐͗̄̽̿͐̅͝ŗ̶͇̻͓̪͕̼͍͓̩̲͖͊͛̔́͑͊̑̂̌͐̕͠ͅͅ’̴͎̞̜͓̠̳̟͆̓̿̇̕ ̸̨̙̩̹͓͗̉̒͜ͅ]̸̨̮̮͚̙̘̭̀͂͋́̋̃̒͝

· · ──────── ·𖥸· ──────── · ·

╔═════════════════╗

 You have levelled up! 

╚═════════════════╝

╔═════════════════╗

QUEST PROGRESS 

[Defeat Goblins] [51/100] 

ACTIVITIES LEFT TO

COMPLETE QUEST

[Defeat Goblins] [49/100] 

╚═════════════════╝

“Ah…” 

Shit. Are they mad? Choi Ha-eun wryly scratched his cheek as he thought. He just happened to see a person not able to move on the ground earlier and besides, he could really use some extra goblins to kill.

Stealing is bad. But his life was on the line here if you're not considering that the angel guide-nim can blow your fucking head like fireworks.

See that? It doesn't even come close to the 80’s and──!

Choi Ha-eun immediately rolled over to the side to avoid a dagger where he was previously standing. 

Before he could even return the favor by stabbing the little disgusting shit. There was already someone planting a dagger deep into the goblin's chest. 

─KYIAKK!

“Ace of Spades.” 

Choi Ha-eun blinks away the thought. Tilting his head to look at the person in clarity who called out to his nickname. 

Huh? 

“Ahn Soo-jin..?” 

His classmate, their class president, nodded at him in a polite greeting way that Choi Ha-eun almost frozed up because what the fuck. That was way too weird for his cherry and unserious class president of theirs to be so formal to a damn stranger──oh, but he's not a stranger.

But technically, in the eyes of others, who stood here was “Ace of Spades” not “Choi Ha-eun”.

Am I about to have some kind of identical crisis in the future? 

“My apologies, Ace of Spades, for stealing your kills. I wanted to at least return the favor of you saving my life.”

Bro. He sweat drops.

“It's fine. I stole yours in the first place.” And before Ahn Soo-jin could retort back to him, (their class president was famous for being good at stubborn and debatable, Ha-eun doesn't want that. AT. ALL.) “Let’s call it even for now, 'kay? I'm in a hurry to catch up and I don't want to know what happens if we fail in completing this quest.” 

Choi Ha-eun opted to smiled at him

It was a polite, harmless smile──soft, with no sharpness in his features, the kind you’d offer in passing to a stranger. But something about it made Ahn Soo-jin freeze.

It wasn’t the smile itself──it was the feeling behind it. Like a needle grazing his skin, subtle yet deeply unsettling. There was no malice, no overt hostility, but in that moment, Ahn Soo-jin felt as though he were laid bare, every secret and flaw exposed under an invisible light.

The smile lingered, unwavering, as though it were a silent acknowledgment of Ahn Soo-jin’s existence. No words were spoken, but the air between them felt thick, charged with something unspoken.

Ahn Soo-jin’s heartbeat quickened. His grip on the dagger tightened as a primal, instinctual fear took over. He felt like prey frozen in the gaze of a predator──not out of immediate danger, but because the predator had no need to rush.

“Yes, that…”

“Ookay, then!” Choi Ha-eun easily twirls the bloodied dagger in his hand and he turns around to leave, not before he settles with a little wave of his hand at his class president. “See ‘ya later! Hope you're still alive after this!”

Wow, that was fucking awkward, Ha-eun. You really fucked that up, huh? Choi ha-eun thought. 

As Choi Ha-eun moved forward to continuing on doing his quest on killing more goblins. 

Left behind, Ahn Soo-jin let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. His heart still pounded in his chest, it'd now felt more cold and oppressive, even in this bloody environment. 

That gaze…

Ahn Soo-jin clicked his tongue in annoyance.

… I almost got caught.

[Rune of Whispered Will] 

A rune that allows to take control of the target he desired. As long as he makes eye-contact with the target in five seconds. Then it's safe to say that they are in his control now, like puppets. 

It seems useless when the target is sharp enough to pick it up so quickly.

What is he? Some kind of an animal? 

Ahn Soo-jin stares at Ace of Spades. What he did earlier didn't seem eye-catching. But how come that guy was easily snapped out of his control? He pretended to be so polite and upright earlier that he wanted at least to give the impression of how reliable he is.. 

Yet, that bastard only took one look at him and somehow knows that's really not who he is. 

Ace of Spades. Despite his eccentric and unorthodox actions earlier, he was almost alike with that damn player, Black Scythe. 

Ahn Soo-jin turns his head to look at the said player. Who was already done with his quest. Separating Black Scythe and the other players who weren't done with their quest yet. There was a translucent pillar of light that appeared around Black Scythe.

Tch.

He turns around and quickly runs towards the remaining herd of goblins. Not spotting a sight of a white-haired figure among the players. It seems Ace of Spades was already finished in completing the quest. 

Ahn Soo-jin gritted his teeth, wielding the dagger and slashing the goblins in quick succession. Their bodies go limp, each with a slash on the back of their neck and their chest. 

He panted in exhaustion.

I really hate those kinds of players… 

╔═════════════════╗

 You have levelled up! 

╚═════════════════╝

╔═════════════════╗

QUEST PROGRESS 

[Defeat Goblins] [100/100] 

╚═════════════════╝

╔═════════════════╗

 You have completed

the [ROUND 1] quest!  

╚═════════════════╝

Choi Ha-eun sighs in relief as he sits down, legs sprawled out carelessly on the dirt. “Agh, finally some rest.”

His outfit──once sharp and clean──the fabric was stained with dried blood and dust from a long, grueling fight. A thin gash on his cheek hadn’t fully closed, a smear of crimson tracing his jawline, adding a roguish charm to his otherwise perfect features as he absently twirling the cheap dagger in his hand.

His shirt clung to his chest, damp with sweat and dirt, hinting at lean muscles beneath, and one sleeve had been ripped off entirely, exposing his bare arm. 

“I was in a clutch. But I'm glad I made it on time…” he murmured, wiping off the sweat and dried blood on his face. 

Should I really start exercising back in the real world? Pondering himself, Ha-eun almost forgot to check his status window when a message appeared before Choi Ha-eun’s eyes. 

╔═════════════════╗

Congratulations! You have completed

the quest as second place in the area!

╚═════════════════╝

╔═════════════════╗

Your nickname will be listed

in the rankings

╚═════════════════╝

╔═════════════════╗

The ‘lowest level rare weapon selection’

will be given as a reward for ranking

second in the area!

╚═════════════════╝

Oh? I'm second? 

Choi Ha-eun didn't think being a madman in farming those goblins would help him in getting rewards. He thought he was in some last place because he lost count of his killings. 

Oh well. A reward is a reward.

There's no point in getting surprised. After all, it seems this is really based off of those games. Though, Choi Ha-eun has never played games before. He somehow more or less likely got the gist of it. 

Choi Ha-eun stilled, then as if recalling something he opened his inventory. There were two items that he hadn’t seen before. It was the so-called weapon selection and a Random Rune Fragment. 

Right, the angel guide did say something about this rune and explained to them earlier, before the disaster strikes. Choi Ha-eun sweat drops. At that time, I was barely listening to her explanation and dozed off. 

Hmm, it's like a 50/50 chance if I get to have a cool rune or some crappy shit and I can't get to level up it. Choi Ha-eun hummed, rubbing his chin in contemplation. Should I or should I not? 

Unbeknownst to him, the first player who was able to easily complete the quest, Black Scythe, observes at Choi Ha-eun. Seeing the player ‘Ace of Spades’ leisurely sitting down on the dirt with no worries.

The blood curdling screams outside the pillar they're in can be heard as many players keep on dying and goblins are being hunted to complete the quest. 

‘It’s still not the time yet.’ Ryu Min soon strayed his gaze away from Ace of Spades. 

╔═════════════════╗

『  Random Rune Fragment 』

-Category: Consumables

-Grade: Unique

-Effect: Randomly acquire runes.

-Restrictions on use: Level 1 or lower

-Description: An event item created to

be provided to players. You can’t use

it when you level up, so don’t save

and use it. 

╚═════════════════╝

Choi Ha-eun idly fiddles with the small fragment in his fingers. It was the color of deep red, like blood. 

“... Use.” The rune in his palm shattered into a million pieces. Soon, a message pops up in front of him.

╔═════════════════╗

You have used a

random rune fragment.

╚═════════════════╝

╔═════════════════╗

Congratulations! The

‘Akashic Archive Rune’ has arrived!

╚═════════════════╝

He blinked. Huh… ?

╔═════════════════╗

The obtained rune will be

automatically engraved into

the player’s body!

╚═════════════════╝

Akashic Archive? Isn't that basically saying I have a rune that is similar to the Akashic Record? Choi Ha-eun scratched his cheek. It’s not… that bad, right? He'll check on the information later. For now, he needs to select a weapon. 

╔═════════════════╗

You may select one of

the rare weapons listed

╚═════════════════╝

╔═════════════════╗

🎁 Reward

Please touch the reward you want:

└ 1. Menacing long sword

└ 2. Stiletto

└ 3. Javelin

╚═════════════════╝

Since I'm second place, there's already a first placer. He looked around and saw Black Scythe at the far front. It was only the two of them now who were able to complete the quest early. 

Not that he's jealous or anything, but are there more rewards when you're first place. Not in this areas but just in all regions?

Choi Ha-eun did recall how the angel guide was talking about how the other human participants are played in different areas, guided by their own different angels.

Choi Ha-eun looks back at the message. He moved his hand without a second thought.

╔═════════════════╗

You selected ‘Menacing Long sword’

╚═════════════════╝

As the reward came into the inventory, an information window automatically appeared.

╔═════════════════╗

[Menacing Long sword]

-Type: Weapon

-Grade: Rare

-Attack: 20

-Effect: Strength +1

-Durability: 150/150

-Restrictions: Beginner rank or above

-Description: The best weapon among

long swords beginners could use.

╚═════════════════╝

I'm not a swordmaster and I'm not even sure if my rune is an offensive one, it could be on the defensive side. But it doesn't hurt to choose and have a weapon instead.

Choi Ha-eun pats the dulled dagger, as if comforting it. ‘Sayonara, dagger-kun, your usefulness has now expired.’ In the end, Choi Ha-eun chucks it away but the dagger ricochets off the translucent pillar and lands at his feet.

“Riiiight, the barrier…” he sweat drops. He completely forgot about that. 

As time passes by, seconds turn to minutes and then to hours, the number of goblins decreased noticeably. Although they may be superior in numbers, humans are superior in terms of individual specifications, so it is a natural result. 

‘The numbers of humans and goblins are becoming similar. It’s almost time for an angel to step forward.’

When the number of quest completers exceeded 400 and the number of goblins from 50,000 decreased to 10,000.

The angel who was only watching intervened with an evil smile.

《 The numbers of humans and goblins have become somewhat similar? Then, shall we try recruiting goblins again 》

─FLAP!

As if it was a signal, the angel to spread its wings and the corpses in the meadow suddenly began to disappeared altogether. But that's not all──a large amount of goblins began to suddenly appeared here and there. 

All the players had dark faces. 

She lets out a giggle, clasping her hands together as she gave them a wide smile, her eyes bent in ecstacy.

《 I gave you a refill of 50,000! II'm sure you'll have more than enough to kill now! 》

If Choi Ha-eun guessed it right, he was sure that those palyers where cursing the angel in their head. 

“Kill!”

“Aaaah!”

People once again had to wield weapons in a desperate attempt to survive.

└Achievers: 1,021/5,143

… … …

└Achievers: 2,129/5,143

… … …

└Achievers: 3,533/5,143

As the number of quest completers increased, the number of goblins decreased exponentially. Each time, the angel removed the corpse and added goblins.

Choi Ha-eun wasn't sure how long has he stayed here in this dimension, but it's probably more than 4 hrs. has passed now.

‘In just a little while, the number of achievers will be full.’ It was time to settle the compensation and return home. Black Scythe, who was sitting on the floor watching the progress window, stood up as if the time had come.

Choi Ha-eun, who was idly drawing on the dirt using the dulled dagger, perked up in attention when he noticed how the first placer, Black Scythe, stand up. Seeing that he was just standing there and looking the surroundings, he proceeds to stay out of it and just keeps on doodling on the ground.

Man, the soil here is soft and not too hard. Really could use this to farm my garden.

└Achievers: 5,143/5,143

Finally, the number of quest achievers reached its peak.

“Huh?”

“What?”

All the goblins that filled the grassland disappeared. As if it was a dream.

《 Half of the number of people passed. 》

The angel said as if she was sorry.

《 Unfortunately, the rest will have to disappear. That’s the rule of this game. 》

“What? Extinction?”

“Now, wait a minute! Angel! I just need to catch one more? Please…!”

It was then. Those who failed to complete the quest were scattered like ashes. Approximately 3,000 people and the remaining 2,000 were killed by goblins.

─PSSSSssh

People couldn’t even scream as death came out of nowhere.

The achievers who were watching from the pillar swallowed their dry saliva at the spectacle that was not a spectacle. If lthey hadn’t completed the quest earlier, they might have been destroyed like that.

‘If you don’t make it to the top half, you’ll disappear without any reason.’

The number of people who had been 10,000 had already decreased to 5,000.

Unfortunately, there is no way for anyone to save them. Because, as the angel said, it was the core rule of this damn game.

《 What's up with those gloomy looks? Shouldn't you be happy that you're still alive? 》

The angel who was tilting her head soon shrugged her shoulders.

《 Regardless, it's fine. You guys survived. You can return now. 》

But the angel soon twitched the corners of her mouth and smiled, her next words full of mockery and arrogance. 

《 Congratulations on passing the 1st round. I hope you work harder in the next two rounds.》

《 Now, why don't we settle the numbers before we leave? 》

╔═════════════════╗

★ 1st Round Results ★

〈 ENTIRE REGION 〉 

└1st place. Black Scythe

[LV5 N/A] 00:10:21

└2nd place. Stupid Idiots

[LV5 N/A] 00:16:15

└3rd place. Heavenly Demon

[LV5 N/A] 00:17:07

────────────

〈 CURRENT REGION: ESKS45-5 〉 

└1st place. Black Scythe

[LV5 N/A] 00:10:21

└2nd place. Ace of Spades

[LV5 N/A] 00:17:08

└3rd place. Life is a Documentary

[LV5 N/A] 00:23:55

╚═════════════════╝

Choi Ha-eun whistled in awe. In 10 minutes? If he didn't know any better, he would've thought that Black Scythe played this kind of game before.

The adaptability, and the strength he displayed earlier. It was like he has these kind of knowledge of what would happen and what the result would be and──

Then suddenly…

─SWOOOo

…something falls into place.

He could almost hear the fluttering of pages in his mind, as though an invisible book was opened──revealing truths he had been blind to before. 

Choi Ha-eun stills, the air around him shifted, and for the first time, he felt it: a gaze lingered on him for a brief moment. But it wasn't amongst the players. No. It's definitely not. It was a gaze that he felt that something, someone was watching over him. 

“....”

Okay, but what the fuck just happened?

Choi Ha-eun slowly stood up from the ground, rubbing his temples to clear those thoughts. 

He doesn't notice how Black Scythe had disappeared from his spot nor their Angel guide in question.

I should pay attention now, he thought. A message soon popped up right in front of him. 

╔═════════════════╗

You have received

1,000 gold as a clear reward!

Congratulations!

You can purchase items at the

store with the gold you acquire.

The shop function will

be unlocked at level 10.

╚═════════════════╝

Ah, so there's also a shop function, huh? But only to level 10…. Choi Ha-eun hummed. Wait, what exactly level am I?

He wasn't able to finished his thought before a sudden bright light struck his eyes. Motherfuc──

『 ■■■■■ ? 』

『 ... 』

『̶̢̳̺͚̝̣͒͝͝ ̴̡̱͑̃̃͂ḫ̸͛͒̕͠ͅe̵͕̗̮̓̾̇̈́̈́'̸̤̭̲̃̑̏͝ṣ̷̳̍̌ ̴͈̲̞͖̞̈́̆̓ͅṅ̷̥̹͉ổ̸̧̡̰̪̼͋͆t̴̖͆ ̷̻̥͖̞̬̆ḧ̵̨̛̝̖͎̞̙́̒͑̏̚ě̷̠͎̞̓̽r̵̞̭̹̰͉̿̀̕͝ë̵̛̜͍́̌,̵̟̼̺̣̣͛̇̆ ̴̨̼̳̩͛̈́͘c̷̱̲̔̍h̶͚̯̮͖̝̗́̉̅a̴̮͙͊͊̆ŏ̷͈͇̗̩͕͆̽s̶̘͚̗̩̹͉͊͐ ̴͖̠̭̾͌͐̚͘ͅ』̶̻̺̇̈͗̔

╔══════════════════╗

◀ 𝗥𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗗 𝟭 𝗘𝗡𝗗 ▶

[ All Regions ]

└Survivors: 900,514,645

[ Applicable area ESKS45-5 ]

└Achievers: 5,143/5,143

────────────

The soul will soon be transferred to the

body in the existing dimension.

February 1st, 2022, ROUND 2 is starting 

We'll see you in the next round. 

Congratulations on surviving.

╚══════════════════╝