Chapter 286 (1/2)

Beeeeep—!

[The user ‘Damian’ has been logged out.]

[Please hurry and send out the next player.]

Then right now—

Damian was the first player to go out. He logged out two Chinese players before being violently logged out. He showed a variety of plays worthy of his position of the captain of the US team. However, it was the first time the person nicknamed the ‘Brain of America’ had come out in the very beginning. Damian was always the strategist for his teammates behind the scenes.

“...It is my turn.”

Michael looked around at the other American players. They all exchanged looks and nodded. In fact, this was a matter of calculation. Damian had anticipated this situation from the beginning and told them, ‘China doesn’t have many people apart from Zhen Sulong, so log out the enemies as quickly as possible. If you step out, then Zhen Sulong will be forced to come out.’

Damian said so and stood up as the first player without any regrets. The words he said before entering the portal came to mind again.

‘I got a call from a contact at the Intelligence Bureau. Union’s event from the breaking news is fake. Those lights are lights from Star Fruits. I will go out first and be eliminated. Then I will go to the waiting room and gather the Star Fruits with people who can connect. Leave it to me. You just focus on the competition.’

Finally, Damian went into the portal. Michael took a deep breath as he reflected on Damian’s words. Perhaps after today, the world would be buzzing once again.

‘Star Fruits...’

He thought he should be more vigilant. The light of multiple Star Fruits soared into the sky at the same time. It was only a matter of time until a large number of players with Star Fruit abilities were produced. Some of them would be talented like James. By the way, Damian also took James because his presence was necessary to collect the Star Fruits.

Thus today’s trump card was only Michael.

‘Well, it doesn’t matter.’

Michael moved through the portal. There was a loud sound and his body disappeared. He opened his eyes and the surrounding landscapes were reversed.

“Sigh.”

He was strangely tense. Was it because it was the finals?

[The Chinese player will be replaced.]

At this moment, the player on the China side was suddenly replaced. Michael’s heart sank the moment he saw the new player. Cold air flowed between the two players.

Step, step.

Zhen Sulong held out a hand over his fist politely. It was a cupped fist salute. Michael had studied the Chinese practices and showed the same gesture. Indeed, Zhen Sulong deserved to be the powerhouse who had defeated Choi Chuntaek. His outward appearance and air seemed like lightning. He was like the pinnacle of a powerful warrior pursuing a distant strength.

“It is a pleasure.”

“I should be saying that.”

Michael carefully pulled out the two swords on his back while Zhen Sulong formed fists and extended them. The countdown message lingered between the two of them.

***

At the Vulcan lava field, near the south lava lake...

“What? You are going to see those crazy women? Are you really crazy?” Park Muyeol’s voice that was filled with surprise and astonishment rang out through the lava lake. Fortunately, there was no one around to hear it.

“I’m not crazy so talk a bit more quietly. I’m going to die from the noise.”

“No, that isn’t the problem. You mean you’re going back to that place called Hesperides or something with the golden apples?”

“Yes. What about it?”

“No, those three sisters tried to kill me. In particular, the one called Arethusa...”

“Shut up. I have an idea. You just have to follow me. In any case, I’m very worried.”

I shook my head as I walked with my hands behind my back. Park Muyeol and I continued to walk past the lava lake. It was normal to fight like this when I was with this guy all the time. He was dull and boring when he was young. Neither Park Muyeol or I could guess that we could talk so much when we got older.

“Okay, let’s speed up. We have to go quickly. There is no time.”

“No, what is so urgent...?”

“Punghee~”

Magic power swirled next to me and the divine creature of the wind, Punghee, showed herself. “Puuuung~”

“Huhu. You are growing bigger every day. Haven’t you become bigger again?”

Punghee was now as big as a tiger and rubbed her white face against me. She had already reached level 200 and Chunza grew just as much as her. All that was left was for me to grow stronger, and to do that, the cloud elemental was necessary.

I told Muyeol, “Get on.”

“Get on here?”

“Yes. You will just slow me down.”

“Groan.”

Park Muyeol climbed onto Punghee’s back with a disgusted expression. The appearance of Park Muyeol on the white weasel was worth seeing. Punghee just smiled and said, “Puuung~”

“Hey. Raise two fingers.”

“Like this?”

Park Muyeol’s eyes widened as he raised his fingers to form a V shape. Next to him, I manipulated the air and took a screenshot.

Click!

It was a so-called commemorative photo.

”What are you doing right now?”

“What about it? I’m taking a commemorative photo.”

“No, that isn’t it. Why are you suddenly taking this photo?”

“Why did I take it? It is just so funny that I had to take a photo.”

“What? Come here for a second. This jerk. The taste of this stick...!”

“Punghee, let’s go.”

“Puuuung~♡”