Chapter 1104: Woo Hyo-Yeol (11) (Illustration)

‘It’s a good thing I caused that commotion yesterday.’

Based on the report I heard, I could tell they were nervous.

Woo Hyo-Yeol was looking around and hadn't been able to reach the path he was assigned, so I assumed that he wasn't used to the big stage. I was sure everyone had their own reason for being nervous, but my display of showmanship yesterday was what definitely made them feel nervous.

My performance had to have been

that

shocking to them.

Unlike their mock battle, which was nothing more than child’s play, my mock battle yesterday was a good example of what people could do under a competent leader.

Some of the party members were eliminated, but our party dominated the match. I wonder what went through their heads when they saw me raise the enemy’s flag just a few hours after the match began.

Some of them probably couldn’t hide their nervousness.

‘They haven't shown anything yet.’

This was a mock battle, but it was also a test for them.

Unfortunately, they had yet to show their potential.

‘They don’t even look like a team.’

Of course, they had been training together and devising plans together, so they were doing the bare minimum as a party.

After realizing that he wasn’t really smart, Woo Hyo-Yeol passed the leader role to someone more fitting. His party members looked like they respected their new leader, but…

“I’m sure some of them will act impulsively,” I said.

— You think so?

“Yes, because the first mock battle was between Sora noona and Woo Hyo-Yeol,” I answered.

—

Hm…

“As I mentioned before, our first goal is getting the flag. Woo Hyo-Yeol comes second,” I reminded them.

— Do you know which path he’s going to take?

“The path has already been decided. His goal is me, not the flag,” I answered.

I heard the sound of weapons clashing in the distance.

— We’re closing in on them now. We’re surrounding the enemy’s Squad 1. It’s the same as yesterday.

“They’ll probably head there. Hirose hyung, have you seen Woo Hyo-Yeol?” I asked.

— I’m looking for him right now.

“I’m canceling the operation, so retreat,” I ordered.

—But we’re almost…

“The operation has been canceled,” I repeated.

— Got it.

“Xello noona,” I said.

— Yeah?

“I want you to go in. Hirose hyung, I want you to keep watching the target from afar. You have to maintain your distance so the target doesn’t see you. You can do it from afar, right?” I asked.

— I can. The target changed locations again. I think they're moving to Point 11. They’re faster than I thought.

“Pull the target back out,” I ordered.

— Got it.

“You don’t have to fight him,” I added.

[The God of Sunset♥ says that you’re amazing.]

‘Of course, your hyung is amazing.’

[The Gatekeeper of Heaven♥ is asking if you’re a genius. Of course, they’re aware that you’re a genius, but they’re crying out in admiration, saying how you can be

this

smart.]

‘Yeah, I know I’m amazing.’

— The target is getting farther away from the enemy’s Squad 1.

“Let’s continue with the operation,” I ordered.

— Okay.

‘One hand isn’t enough to cover the sky.’

I wasn’t watching the battlefield using my Telescope or a Goddess’ Mirror, but the communication artifact in my hand was enough for me to see the battlefield as a whole.

Woo Hyo-Yeol was struggling in the middle of the battlefield, and I was sure that he was having a hard time making a decision. His initial goal was to get to me as fast as possible.

I was sure he planned to come straight for me or the flag.

And that was when he saw my party members…

Basically, this was a well-planned trap.

He probably thought that he could reach me, but that wasn’t the case at all. This was designed so that his target was a few steps away, but he would miss them.

Jin Cheong often did something like this whenever we played that mock game. Whenever my allies pushed forward, he would keep putting down the bait, which would make his target take it despite knowing that it was bait.

“How does this work?”

I asked.

“You want to know?”

Jin Cheong asked.

“Not really. You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to,”

I replied.

“

Haha! You idiot. I’ll teach you. There isn't anything else like this out there. Anyway, this is the formula. If you can guess your target’s Agility stats, it’s easy to figure out the value of their movement speed. No matter which chess piece you use, their speed is set.

"There can be variables once you start moving the pieces, but not getting caught is part of the formula,”

he explained.

“If the map isn't infinite, aren’t you bound to get caught? Your troops are slower than Hyun-Sung’s,”

I said.

“I’ll show you what I can do while your pieces are making useless moves,”

Jin Cheong said.

Commander Jin was right, while Woo Hyo-Yeol was making useless moves…

“The target has taken the bait. Everyone, please move to the assigned point. You’ll have exactly five minutes to carry out this operation,” I ordered.

— Okay.

“Seung-Yoon hyung, is five minutes okay?” I asked.

Woo Hyo-Yeol would certainly capture Han Seung-Yoon by then.

“Hirose hyung,” I said.

— The target has taken the bait.

“Start.”

Woo Hyo-Yeol charged at Han Seung-Yoon’s party. In response, the allied troops moved in the opposite direction. It was a huge risk that required us to abandon one part of the frontline, but it was worth it because it meant that we could completely lose Woo Hyo-Yeol.

Unlike the other pieces, this piece was set up so that it would get caught.

It was a piece that we could sacrifice.

Of course, Woo Hyo-Yeol didn’t reject the bait. If the bait were someone else, I was sure Woo Hyo-Yeol wouldn’t really care, but the bait was Han Seung-Yoon.

There wasn’t anything in the plan that bothered me. Actually, there was one and it was the fact that I kept hearing Han Seung-Yoon’s voice after Woo Hyo-Yeol finally caught him.

— I wasn’t abandoned, you idiot. My goal has always been to keep you here.

‘Ah, take out your artifact. Please.’

— You jerk! You’ll have to beat me to pass.

‘Beat you?’

— I-I won’t give up.

Pant…pant…

I’ll keep you here for five minutes even if it means risking my life.

‘...’

— Just a mock battle? You think I’m doing this for a mere mock battle? I’m paying Ki-Young back for his trust. A jerk like you… won't understand it. There’s actually someone… out there who believes… in a useless person like me…

‘This guy talks too much.’

—

Argh!

I’ll never let go. Never! Ki-Young! I’ll take care of this guy! Your trust! I’ll pay you back no matter what!

He was dodging Woo Hyo-Yeol’s fatal attacks by a hair's breadth.

Since he was still talking, it was clear that he was in the game. He probably had wounds all over, but he was protecting his neck and heart using his shield. He was even holding Woo Hyo-Yeol back by grabbing the hem of the latter's pants.

I even heard the others talking.

— L-Leave this place to me, Hirose.

— Xello, are you being serious?

— Yeah. This will be more efficient. I’m sure Ki-Young knows. He just hasn’t said anything because he feels bad about using us as pawns.

‘Hold on. Why is everyone trying to sacrifice themselves? That’s not part of the plan. Just follow the plan, and it will be over. I designed it so that everything will work out on its own if we just follow the plan.’

— I’ll take care of this place by myself.

— Then I’ll leave it to you, Xello.

“Xello noona! Don’t do it! Don’t!” I shouted.

— Ki-Young, I’m not stupid.

‘You are, damn it! The troops behind us will take care of that. Why are you trying to handle it? Why are you trying to take a loss? We’ll win even if you don’t die.’

—

Ahhhhhhh!

Come at me!!! I’m right here!

— Let’s go. Do not let Xello’s sacrifice be in vain.

‘Damn it.’

'It’s over.'

—

Hyaaaaaaaaah!!!

'This is really bad.'

— Come at me! Fight me!!! You bastards!!! Ki-Young! Are you listening? Are you listening to me?

“What are you doing, Ralph hyung? Get out of there!” I shouted.

— Hey, kid!

Haha

. I’ve been wanting to do this for a while. Thanks.

“No, Ralph hyung!” I exclaimed.

— It doesn't seem much… but I've always wanted to pay you back. With the way I’m feeling right now, I think I can actually risk my life for you. This may be a mock battle, but this is how I feel about you, kid.

— So what if I die in vain here and don’t get any offers from the familias? Being loyal to you is more important than that. Repaying you for trusting in me is more important than anything else.

‘No, you bastards! Stop sacrificing yourselves! All of you can live!’

These idiots couldn't understand the bigger picture.

They were putting a dent in the gear that was moving perfectly as planned.

Xello had to make the wheels turn while Ralph had to make the engine to complete this car, but these sacrifice-obsessed jerks couldn't understand their roles at all. They had only one thought in mind—sacrificing themselves.

𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

—

Pant… pant…

it’s not over yet, Woo Hyo-Yeol. You jerk. I-I-I can… do this… all day.

It had been three minutes since Han Seung-Yeon's operation started. I had no expectations of him holding out for five minutes, but he was determined to last that long despite the beatings.

— Of course, it hurts. I’m scared! Damn it! I know that I won’t die… but there are holes in my arms and legs. How could I not be scared? B-But this is necessary! This is all for the sake of the person who has trust in me. There are times when I need to act like this. C-Come at me, Woo Hyo-Yeol, you jerk!!!

‘It’s all because of that bastard. I think Han Seung-Yoon gave the idea to the other members.’

I no longer had control over the battlefield, but I knew we had the upper hand.

Han Seung-Yoon was blocking Woo Hyo-Yeol, and the enemy troops were steadily decreasing thanks to the sacrifice-obsessed party members of mine. If it wasn’t for their meaningless sacrifice, I would smile until the end. If all my troops were still alive until we fought Woo Hyo-Yeol, then we would achieve an ideal victory.

‘Shit. It’s over.’

Ralph, who was going to be a reliable meat shield along with Han Seung-Yoon, was crumbling down while taking care of the enemy troops. There was no need for him to do that, as the allied spells were going to reach them anyway.

Xello, who was supposed to keep Woo Hyo-Yeol at bay by shooting arrows from a distance, was eliminated along with the additional troops.

Those enemy troops were the reserve troops anyway. They weren’t a threat to me, and they couldn't fight alongside Woo Hyo-Yeol. To make things worse, Hirose, our third ace, looked like he was about to sacrifice himself as well.

— Ki-Young.

“Hirose hyung! Just stop it, please! Stop!” I begged.

— …

‘We’re going to lose.’

“Seriously, don’t do it! Hirose hyung!” I shouted.

— I knew you were going to say that. But you know…

There was no way to stop Woo Hyo-Yeol, who was returning with the flag. I knew from the start that it was going to be difficult to face him, but it seemed that I would have to face him without my useful pawns.

‘This is really bad.’

Meanwhile…

[The Goddess of Flower and Fertility♥ has donated 10,000 coins.]

[The Goddess of Flower and Fertility♥ is moved to tears by the camaraderie you and your comrades have shown.]

[The Gatekeeper of Heaven♥ is crying while watching you. Although it’s just a mock battle, they collapse because of the dedication and friendship you and your comrades have shown.]

There was a commotion.

[The Wolf Crying Under the Crescent Moon is laughing, saying that this is ridiculous.]

I never imagined that I’d agree with that jerk.

[The God of Sunset♥ is nodding and saying that he would make the same choice if he were in their shoes.]

[The Slender Tentacle Queen♥ says that she doesn’t mind if tentacles don’t show up this time. She just hopes that your future will be filled with victory.]

I started questioning if they were doing all this to drive me crazy.

‘We already lost. It’s over, damn it.’

And that was when I received an unexpected message...

[The Goddess of Flower and Fertility♥ wants to help you.]

“

Huh?”

[The Goddess of Flower and Fertility♥ wants to give you strength.]

“…”

[The God of Sunset♥ is worried.]

[The Goddess of Flower and Fertility♥ has donated 100,000 coins.]

[The God of Sunset♥ has donated 150,000 coins.]

[The Goddess of Flower and Fertility♥ wants to be your GENIUS. She wants to give strength and hope to you and your comrades.]

[The God of Sunset♥ also says that he can give you hope and strength. He says the Weapon of Sunset is ready…]

[The Goddess of Flower and Fertility♥ wants to make you the Saint of Flower and Fertility.]

[The Goddess of Flower and Fertility♥ wants to give you power.]

[The God of Sunset♥ is certain that you will never betray him. That you—]

[The Goddess of Flower and Fertility♥ wants to be your GENIUS.]

[GENIUS…]

“…”

[Would you like to change your GENIUS?]

“Y-Yes…” I stuttered.

[The God of Sunset♥ says !#$%BA!@!#%$&*@@!!@#$]

A giant beam of light engulfed me.

Hikari's Thoughts

wooden spoon: It’s an illustration of the Regressor Instruction Manual during Christmas!