MTLNOVEL Chapter 140
Before the 8th round, I rewatched Aleon’s 7th round video five times. Initially, I watched it with an excited heart, putting myself in the viewers’ shoes. However, from the second viewing onward, I focused solely on analyzing my rival. Eventually, I had to stop, fearing that my morale might drop. Aleon’s ice was that terrifying.
At the end of the second quarter, in the 8th round, we would face the second ranking evaluation. Our guild was fully prepared. Each member played a significant role, had grown accustomed to combat, and trusted each other deeply. Although it wasn’t my intention, my death in the 7th round seemed to have spurred the guild members to grow rapidly in a short period. I am incredibly fortunate. How did I deserve to have such people come to me, not through my effort alone but with the help of many?
I am here, prepared as if this were the final battle.
[The 8th round raid battle is about to begin.]
The raid battle is a pure war. Facing hundreds and thousands of monsters, we showcase our honed individual combat skills and the guild’s power to the viewers. My plan is to meet Aleon here, on a narrow bridge where neither of us can retreat. From the hint given in the previous zombie battle, Aleon probably realizes that now, the final round before the second-quarter evaluation, is the time for us to clash.
8th Round: Raid Battle
The last round of the second quarter, where the second generation joins in. Even if progress has been sluggish until now, this round could turn the entire ranking upside down. Show your true power.
After reading the rules of the 8th round, I summarized it in one sentence: “Guild’s Monster Killing Capability Practical Test.”
In short, each guild is assigned a large iron space of the same size. Our Agasa guild was assigned to one of these spaces. Six of us gathered in the vast, open field. Here, the monster raid will unfold.
It’s a relatively straightforward and clear game where each guild defends against incoming waves of monsters in their own space and earns scores. A selection window appeared before me, the guild leader.
8th Round: Raid Battle
Select the background of the space.
– Lakeside
– Cliff area
– Desert
– Volcanic Zone
– Field
– Sky Island
– Industrial City
– Other (Please specify)
*Once selected, the terrain cannot be changed.
In simple terms, the guild leader chooses the terrain and type of monsters that are most advantageous for their guild, maximizing the score. It’s like an open-themed writing contest.
After briefly reviewing the terrains, the guild members’ opinions were quite similar.
“Wouldn’t the Volcanic Zone be the best?”
The intersection of my and Akata’s fire and Gio’s earth abilities made this location relatively straightforward. I immediately pressed ‘Select’.
Configure the monsters.
*There are fixed characteristics for monsters (e.g., speed, attack style, etc.).
You can customize by choosing options like ‘biped/quadruped’ or ‘flying/ground’. When we finished, our monsters looked like a mix between a rabbit and a hamster. I made them a bit cute for Lilith, hoping she would like it.
(However, the cute monsters I carefully designed were soon killed in various brutal ways, causing Lilith to look distressed. Sorry…)
A broadcast announced that all guilds had completed their space configurations, and a loud starting sound reverberated. The uneven terrain and several prominent volcanoes appeared semi-transparent as if they were 3D modeled.
In the blink of an eye, the ground beneath my combat boots turned into rough sedimentary rock. The surroundings darkened, with streams of bright red lava flowing here and there.
At that moment, a volcano erupted with a majestic mushroom cloud. Lilith flinched instinctively. Instead of lava, monsters poured out of the volcanoes, charging fiercely towards the players.
“It’s starting. Are you ready?”
My voice set the guild members in combat mode. Monsters surged from all directions like waves.
Swish-!
Centered around Lilith’s warm aura, five petals spread out as our five unique abilities or bullets shot out from the center. If we were actually under a volcano, our abilities wouldn’t matter—we’d all be dead.
So, viewers need to understand that the lava isn’t as hot as it would be in reality, and the volcanic ash won’t damage our lungs and eyes, thanks to game mechanics.
“Kanel! Support the right flank!”
“Got it. Gio, cover the rear.”
“Guys, the monsters are getting into my buff range! Spread out!”
Even without me saying a word, everyone instinctively supported each other and covered their backs. They even started giving me orders, telling me where to go. If we failed to handle the waves within the given time, we would lose points.
The waves of monsters increased as time went on, but we were confident in our ability to withstand them. I saw a slight smile finally appear on Unahar’s face as he launched a bazooka round, and I knew we were ready for the next step.
‘If even Unahar, our most timid and dispirited member, is enjoying this battle, then it’s time to move to the next phase.’
Surely the great GMs wouldn’t have designed only this much for the last round of the second quarter?
Here comes the first special rule: ‘Invasion of Other Guilds.’
– Upon meeting certain conditions, you can invade other guilds’ territories. By disrupting their raids and engaging in guild matches, you can earn additional scores and improve your ranking.
– Even if you successfully invade another guild’s territory, you will be eliminated from the round if you lose your own guild territory.
To reach out to other territories, you must be confident that the remaining members can successfully defend your guild’s territory even after some members leave for the invasion.
And the second special rule: ‘Title System.’
To prevent characters and viewers from getting bored by just endlessly killing monsters, another achievement system was needed to liven things up. Thus, the Title System was introduced.
Similar to past events where unique titles were awarded, like ‘First Unlocker of Unique Ability’ or ‘First Monster Slayer,’ which Aleon and I each claimed along with special experience rewards.
In this raid battle, titles will be awarded to players who set overwhelming records while defeating monsters.
– Sword of Vigor (Pure Combat/Basic Weapon)
– Dawn shall open to you.
– Bow of Radiance (Ranged/Soul)
– Light shall follow you.
– Magic of Destiny (Pure Nature)
– The will of the sky shall be yours.
– Fist of Blood (Switch)
– The world shall be yours by your blood.
Such game-like titles will be broadcast, but the phrasing is not what matters; it’s the effects of the titles that are important. This is known as fever time. While the title is active, stats temporarily skyrocket.
‘During this fever time, we can break down the walls between territories and attempt to invade other guilds.’
While diligently slaying monsters, I plotted the strategy in my mind. ‘The competition for titles will be especially fierce for the third title, Pure Nature. Gio and I are both Pure Nature… and so is Aleon.’
‘Hmm.’
In my mind’s eye, I could see the layout and the dramatic sequence of events unfolding. A story quickly took shape.
The monster waves grew fiercer. The momentum of the mobs was escalating, becoming less like waves and more like a towering tsunami.
“Rudel! What’s the plan after this?” Akata turned to me, shouting over the din as he caught his breath.
While showing the monsters a taste of fiery wrath, I shouted back, “First, Gio wins the title ‘Magic of Destiny’! Second, Gio uses the title’s fever time to break the boundary! Third, Gio and I leave our territory to invade!”
“What??” Unahar and Lilith exclaimed in unison, startled. Meanwhile, Kanel, who remained relatively calm, immediately asked the next question.
“Which guild will you invade?”
“Aleon’s Guild!”
“…Of course.” Kanel muttered, and Unahar yelled, “What do you mean, ‘of course’!” Lilith, not backing down, expressed her worry loudly.
“But if you and Gio leave, we’ll be short on firepower! We won’t be able to handle all the monsters!”
She was right. If Gio and I left, it would be like cutting off more than half of our guild’s combat strength. I clenched my teeth, fully aware of our guild’s combat balance.
“That’s why I’m still thinking! Either Gio goes alone, or someone else goes with Gio instead of me!”
The conversation was temporarily halted as we faced the next wave of monsters. I racked my brain for Plan B, a backup plan.
Before I could reach any conclusion, a voice interrupted. It was the voice of a blond man who had been as deep in thought as I was.
“No. You need to face Aleon yourself. You and Aleon must confront each other for the best outcome you envision. Isn’t that right?”
He seemed to read my mind perfectly, pinpointing my exact thoughts.