Chapter 19 (2/2)
”I thought 100 points was the maximum for the first mission?” (Seol)
”That's only for the base points. If you perform certain actions that weren't included within the mission goals, you're eligible to receive bonus points if those actions fall under certain categories. These bonus points can be as much as double the amount of base points.” (Han)
Seol nodded his head in acceptance.
'Is that why both Yun Seo-Rah and Hyun Sahng-Min have high scores?' (Seol)
Just by receiving the points from the first mission, he had become the top scorer.
”For the second mission, the basic score is 150. 300 bonus points for the fastest clear in history. Another extra 300 points for destroying every trap and mechanism found. Total of 750 points.” (Han)
”For the third mission, the base points on offer are 150. 300 bonus points for finding as many coins as you have during the treasure hunt. 300 extra points for killing the Gaeg-gwi alone. 150 extra points for reviving Miss Yi Surl-Ah. 100 extra points for the act of giving out some of your coins to others, seen as an act of mercy. Total of 1050 points. When calculated together, 2150 points.” (Han)
Han spoke non-stop up to here, but he wasn't finished yet.
”And finally, possessing the Mark of Survival - which adds a 10 times multiplier. So, your total Survival points tally is 21500.” (Han)
Han folded the paper away and stared at Seol with an envious expression.
”….You must be very happy. Your points tally is the highest in history. You might even be able to use the VIP store as well.” (Han)
”The VIP store?” (Seol)
”There is such a thing. You'll see once you get there…. Oh, I almost forgot.” (Han)
Han suddenly displayed an extremely friendly att.i.tude and leaned in closer to whisper something to Seol's ear. Seol began frowning somewhat after hearing the Guide out.
”I do have it in my possession. But, why….” (Seol)
”I was only reminding you, since you seem to have forgotten all about it. After all, you were lucky enough to draw them in the first place. Fufufu.” (Han)
Seol was about to ask something, but then, the blonde maid began pus.h.i.+ng him from behind.
”H, hey! Wait a minute!” (Seol)
”My role ends here.” (Han)
The last thing Seol got to see as he was being pushed into the warp gate was….
”I wish you best of luck in the Neutral Zone.” (Han)
….Han politely bowing his head, his hand placed on his chest.
As soon as Seol entered the warp gate, he arrived inside a small room. Seven people who entered before him were waiting there.
The blonde maid was still pus.h.i.+ng Seol forward while panting quite heavily. Once they were in, she let out a big sigh of relief, and walked past everyone. She opened the exit door and pointed towards the pa.s.sage beyond it, before walking first in light, airy steps.
The pa.s.sageway was made up of marble. It was long and dark like a tunnel. The group simply followed the maid while remaining completely clueless as to where they were headed off to. But, when they spotted light from a distance, a certain sense of excitement began filling them up.
The maid arrived at the exit of the pa.s.sage first and her steps came to a halt. She then softly opened her mouth.
- Korea, Area 1, cleared.
An unexpectedly clean and beautiful voice came out of her mouth.
'She could actually speak?' (Seol)
As Seol stood there stewing in mental shock, several other clean and nice voices rang out from somewhere and entered his ears.
- Europe, Area 2, cleared.
- Germany, Area 3, cleared.
- North America, Area 4, cleared.
- Asia, Area 5, cleared.
- Africa, Area 6, failed.
- China, Area 7, cleared.
- South America, Area 8, failed.
- Oceania, Area 9, failed.
”That's a bit weird, isn't it?” (Hyun Sahng-Min)
Hyun Sahng-Min muttered almost inaudibly.
”What is?” (Seol)
”Six of those areas are the six continents, right? So how come Korea, Germany, and China get a separate area designation? Hey man, what do you think?” (Hyun Sahng-Min)
Seol shook his head.
”Ah, she's moving again. Are we supposed to enter first?” (Hyun Sahng-Min)
Hyun Sahng-Min's guess proved to be correct. Beyond the exit of the pa.s.sage was a large and empty area, shaped like a high-end theatre. While walking on the red carpet, Seol took a look around him.
Towards the darkened front, he could sort of see a stage. Although the lights were off, there were some strange things on the walls that glistened and managed to illuminate the darkness a little bit. The ceiling was so high, he couldn't even see it properly.
The maid leading in front took the group towards a row of chairs located just before the stage. The number of chairs was exactly eight. After confirming that everyone had taken a seat, the blonde maid climbed up to the stage and disappeared behind the curtains.
That was the signal; Seol could hear many more footsteps coming from behind him.
”I guess they are from the Area 2. Was it Europe?” (Hyun Sahng-Min)
Hyun Sahng-Min spoke as he turned his head around to look. Over thirty people were following a maid to their seats.
The place this maid led them to was a location a bit behind Seol's group. There was a total of 32 chairs. The unfamiliar maid also disappeared behind the curtains as soon as she was done leading them to their seats.
'So, that many people survived the European Tutorial.' (Seol)
As Seol wordlessly checked them out, one of them also began looking at Seol. It was a woman sitting in the middle of the front row. No, perhaps it would be more correct to call her a girl, instead.
She possessed curly light brown hair and a pair of eyes bright enough to softly s.h.i.+mmer within this darkness. The rest of her face revealed with the aid of a white hairband holding her hair back was very memorable as well.
Seol ended up inadvertently focusing on her neck that reminded him of a beautiful orchid flower, until he saw her waving her hand slightly in greeting. So, he inadvertently ended up greeting back with a slight nod as well.
Meanwhile, people continued to stream inside. Soon enough, Seol got to learn that the number of survivors differed greatly from area to area. Perhaps Hyun Sahng-Min thought of the same thing as he was constantly muttering to himself.
”We have eight people. Europe, 32. Germany, 10. North America, 11. Asia, 17….” (Hyun Sahng-Min)
The queue of people steadily entering this large area briefly broke up. A short while afterwards, five men, all wearing the same type of black suits, appeared from the pa.s.sage. And there were three people following behind them as well - all women, and for some reason, their heads lowered.
”Huh. A group of five decked out in identical suits…. Oh, there are three more. So, a total of eight people from China, I guess?” (Hyun Sahng-Min)
That was the end of the queue and no one else entered afterwards, no matter how long they waited.
”Does that mean there are no survivors from South America and Oceania?” (Seol)
”Don't forget Africa, too. When transitioning from Area 5 to Area 7, there was a short gap there.” (Hyun Sahng-Min)
Hyun Sahng-Min added his opinion while agreeing to Seol's guesses.
'So, that means….' (Seol)
The surroundings became quiet. Sitting inside this lengthy silence, Seol inexplicably began recalling Han's words from earlier on.
”You possess the notes from the Guide with you, yes? How about reading them and see what's written on them? Ah, I suggest that you read them while you're alone, if possible.”
Seol got that 'note' while drawing medical supplies. There were three of them, even. But, why did the Guide go out of his way to mention them? They weren't even the so-called SPECIALs, either.
Unable to calm his curiosity, Seol pulled his bag closer to open it. However, just as he was about to reach in….
The curtains hiding the stage were silently pulled to the side.
PAHT!!!
Suddenly, blinding lights bathed the stage.
Not just Seol, but every survivor from the six continents dazedly stared at the brightly-lit stage.
< 19.=”” rewards=”” befitting=”” one's=”” achievements=”” (2)=””> Fin.