Chapter 189

Around the time the highlight was about to start, each broadcasting station divided the full version of the preliminary round into several files and uploaded them to their websites.

[The video is up!]

[Video?]

[Yes, the preliminary round video. It’s the full version. It’s on each broadcasting station’s website!]

As there was a lot of interest, the news spread quickly.

Illusion website chat room.

Many people shared information.

[Wow, that’s amazing. The full version is even better!]

[Really?]

[100 percent real, really!]

[Heol, I have to watch it too.]

Not only users who enjoyed Illusion, but even people who didn’t, opened their wallets to watch the preliminary round.

There were quite a few divided videos, and the videos were completely different for each broadcasting station, so it cost tens of thousands of won to watch them all, but it wasn’t a big burden for office workers.

The video time was considerable, and there were many groups, so it would take a considerable amount of time to watch them all, so they could spend their days without boredom.

That alone was enough for them.

“Ah, it’s expensive!”

Of course, it was definitely a burden for students.

“Hey, you’re going to watch it too, right?”

“Of course!”

“Then let’s pool our money.”

“Shall we?”

The method was simple.

“Oh, me too!”

“Let me join too!”

Close friends gathered money, downloaded it, and watched it together.

“Where should we start?”

“Oh, how about here?”

“MVB?”

“Who’s here?”

“I don’t know?”

“Why don’t we just watch Dark first?”

“You idiot, Dark is a championship contender.”

“That’s right.”

“Then it’ll be flashy, right?”

“Maybe?”

“If we watch the flashy stuff first, won’t it be boring to watch the other stuff? We should watch the stuff that seems a bit boring at first, and then watch the flashy stuff so we can keep watching.”

“Wow, you’re kind of smart? Study with that brain, you idiot.”

“Studying isn’t my thing.”

“Okay, anyway, let’s watch the MVB broadcasting station video first!”

“Call!”

In that video, they saw Baek-lang’s massacre.

“Heol.”

“This person will win.”

“Maybe…….”

“It’s very flashy, isn’t it?”

“Ah, I chose the wrong one. This is totally cool!”

And they watched the battle between Baek-lang and Muhyuk.

“…….”

They confirmed Muhyuk’s victory.

“Awesome.”

“I, I should edit this a little and upload it to my SNS.”

“Me too!”

As soon as they uploaded it to SNS, the reactions came.

[Wow, that’s amazing?]

[This is a battle!]

[Baek-lang is cool, but it’s a shame he was eliminated.]

[Muhyuk, please win!]

[New championship contender!]

[He’s not a common Necromancer. Even if he’s called a Gangster Necromancer, the character’s combat ability is actually lacking. Then he’s likely to die in vain to the opponent, but this user is very different. I look forward to it.]

Muhyuk’s name began to be mentioned as a championship contender.

Meanwhile.

Baek-lang, who was eliminated in the preliminary round, came out of Illusion and went to find his master.

“Why did you come so early? Wasn’t there a competition?”

“I lost, Master.”

The old man with the snow-white beard looked surprised.

“You?”

“Yes.”

“Heo, so soon?”

“I was eliminated in the preliminary round.”

“But why are you smiling?”

“I’m so happy.”

“Ho.”

Baek-lang’s eyes burned hotly.

“The method was different, but he had his own strength. Although it was virtual and a mistake caused by my arrogance, my heart beat for the first time in a long time.”

“That’s a good sign.”

“So I want to ask you for one thing.”

“Hehe, you want to increase the intensity of your training.”

“Yes.”

“It could be dangerous.”

“I can handle it.”

The old man was lost in thought for a moment.

“If that’s your will.”

He nodded as if he couldn’t help it.

“I allow it.”

“Thank you, Master.”

“When are you thinking of starting?”

“I’ll start right away.”

“Good, let’s go.”

Baek-lang followed his master.

To undergo training to become stronger.

Muhyuk, who arrived home, immediately logged into Illusion.

The current time is 7:25.

If he waits just 35 minutes, the first main round will begin.

Sungminwoo?

He looked around to find him, but Yerin caught his eye.

“You’re here.”

“Ah, yes. I came a little late.”

As soon as he saw her, all other distractions disappeared.

“Did you have a delicious dinner?”

“Of course. How about you, Yerin?”

“Me too. But it feels strange to keep calling me Yerin. How old are you?”

“Age?”

“Yes, I’m 24 years old.”

“Ah, I’m thirty.”

“Then you’re an oppa. Can I call you oppa?”

It was a sound that would make his heart drop.

“Uh, that’s…….”

“Can’t I?”

“Y, you can.”

“Then oppa, speak comfortably too.”

“Ahem, should I……?”

“Yes, that’s comfortable and good, right?”

Muhyuk nodded, looking at her bright smile.

Somehow it feels like that.

He felt a little itchy for no reason.

And it felt a little uncomfortable.

“Eucha.”

Sungminwoo logged in just in time.

Muhyuk’s expression relaxed as if he had found a lifeline.

“You came?”

“Yeah, I’m not late, am I?”

“Not yet.”

“Yerin was here too. Did you have a delicious dinner?”

“Yes.”

“Ah, but what group are you in?”

“I’m in Group A.”

“You were in Group A? Muhyuk is in Group B.”

The two began to talk. But the two of them continued to use honorifics, which kept getting stuck in his ears.

That’s strange.

He wasn’t advising Sungminwoo to speak informally. The voices of other users tilting their heads were heard.

“They’re here.”

When he turned his head, he saw the host there.

Everyone shut their mouths.

“I believe everyone is here, and before explaining the first main round, I will divide you into groups. Groups A and B are Group 1. Groups C and D are Group 2, and Groups E and F are Group 3. Two alphabet groups form one group, so please remember exactly which group you belong to.”

The users counted their fingers.

“I’m in Group F, so I’m in Group 3?”

“I’m in Group 1.”

“Oh, me too, Group 1.”

Yerin smiled at Muhyuk.

“For reference, there are 192 people in the group.”

The number of users who passed the preliminary round in one alphabet group was exactly 96. If two alphabet groups become one group, the number becomes 192.

That’s quite a lot.

Even after completing the preliminary round, which allowed 4 out of 500 people to pass, there were still many.

“I believe you have all thought about your respective groups in your hearts. Now I will explain the first main round. The strangers belonging to each group use one training ground. First, sit around the training ground. Then, according to the instructions of the judge, anyone who wants to can go up to the training ground. However, it is on a first-come, first-served basis, and those who go up to the training ground must win three consecutive victories from three challengers. If you win all three, you pass, and if you lose even once, you fail. If a challenger defeats a stranger who has gone up to the training ground, it is recognized as one victory, and then you must win two more times to pass. All strangers must choose only one of two things: to go up to the training ground or to challenge. The opportunity is also only once.”

Even after the host finished speaking, no one opened their mouths. They were busy thinking about the first main round in their heads.

Sungminwoo whispered softly.

“It’s quite complicated, isn’t it?”

“It’s not complicated.”

“Huh?”

“You just have to go up and win three in a row.”

“Ah, is that so?”

“Yeah.”

At that time, the host continued to speak again.

“I didn’t mention the most important part. The number of people who can pass the first main round is only 32 in one group.”

There was a brief silence at that word.

“32 people in one group?”

“That’s quite a few, isn’t it?”

“Hmm, for sure the mediocre guys will all be filtered out.”

“Well, it doesn’t matter.”

“That’s right. I’m confident.”

“Me too.”

While most users were focused on the number 32, Muhyuk began to calculate something else based on that number.

Since there are 4 groups.

After going through the first main round, the number of survivors will be exactly 128.

What can you do with 128 people?

Tournament.

The number that falls perfectly there is 128. From 128 to 64. To 32. 16, 8, 4, and 2.

Finally, 1 person.

The moment when the probability that the second main round will be a tournament becomes extremely high.

“Do you have any questions?”

The users raised their hands.

“Speak.”

“If you challenge and lose, are you immediately eliminated?”

“Yes, the opportunity is only once.”

“You said there will be 32 passers, right?”

“That’s right.”

“If all users have used their opportunity once and the number of passers is insufficient, what happens?”

“The same test will be repeated, excluding the passers.”

“Then…….”

A few more questions were asked.

“I think I’ve answered enough. Do you have any more questions?”

“How many main rounds are there?”

“I can’t answer that.”

“…….”

“Anything else?”

No one raised their hands.

“I understand that there are none. Then follow me.”

Following the host, exactly 4 training grounds appeared.

“Group 1 should go to training ground 1, and Group 2 should go to training ground 2. Group 3 should of course go to training ground 3, right?”

The users, divided into a total of 4 groups, moved busily.

“See you after the main round.”

“Okay.”

“Yerin, fighting!”

“StrongFist, too. Oppa, let’s go now.”

“Uh, okay.”

At that moment, Sungminwoo’s steps stopped.

“Wait, wait a minute!”

“Why?”

“You, you two!”

“Huh?”

“Since when have you been speaking informally?”

“Ah, before you came.”

“Heol…….”

“Hey, we’re going to be late. I’m going.”

“Uh-oh…….”

Muhyuk and Yerin moved to number 1, and Sungminwoo, who belatedly came to his senses, headed to number 3.

In the center of the training ground was a middle-aged NPC, who was probably the judge.

“If everyone has come, please take a seat.”

A heavy feeling was felt in the polite tone.

Besides, NPC.

The users, who were still lacking in skill compared to them, followed the judge’s words.

As they took their seats, Yerin was located on the right. Someone was sitting on the left as well, but he didn’t even look at them because he wasn’t interested. Then, a clearing of the throat continued to come from the side.

“Ahem, ahem.”

Eventually, he turned his head.

“Ah?”

There was the Puppeteer Adeon there.

“Well, can I sit here?”

“As you please.”

“I was busy. So I didn’t bother you on purpose.”

Yerin poked her head out.

“Do you know him, oppa?”

“No, I met him in the preliminary round, but you don’t have to worry about him.”

Adeon smiled awkwardly.

“Yes, you don’t have to worry about me.”

“How can you say that? Since this is a connection, let’s all get along.”

“You have a pretty heart.”

“Hehe.”

“The beautiful lady over there is…….”

Muhyuk leaned his face towards Adeon. So that Yerin couldn’t hear. But Adeon opened his mouth at an appropriate distance where he could hear clearly.

“Let’s be quiet.”

“O, okay.”

“Yes? Do you have anything to ask?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

Adeon shook his head, unable to hide his disappointed expression.

“Is that so?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Taking advantage of the silence, he focused on the judge’s words.

“The explanation is over. Then from now on…….”

It would be a full-fledged start.

“We will now begin the first main round of Group 1! Who will come up to the training ground first?”

Several users got up.

“You were the fastest. Please come up.”

“Yes!”

“Please reveal your name.”

“It’s Kagel!”

He was a user with a long sword and shield.

“Then, challenging the stranger Kagel…….”

Before he could finish speaking, one user went up to the training ground.

“I’ll challenge!”

“Ahem, good. Your name?”

“OnePunch!”

“I understand. The method of the match is simple. If you are pushed out of the training ground, you lose. If you fall into combat disability, you lose. If you declare surrender, you lose. The wounds you receive here will be immediately healed when you go down from the training ground, and if you receive a serious wound that could kill you, you will be automatically pushed out of the training ground, so please keep that in mind. Stranger Kagel and stranger OnePunch, let the battle between the two of you begin!”

The judge went down from the training ground.

Kagel and OnePunch.

The two faced each other and took out their respective weapons.

“Hehe, let’s go easy!”

OnePunch swung his greatsword.

The wind pressure spread out.

Kagel easily blocked it with his shield and narrowed the distance.

“Oh!”

OnePunch slammed his greatsword into the ground.

Kwaaaang!

With an explosion, the ground around where Kagel was located cracked. Sharp things that rose from there attacked Kagel.

Surprised by the sight of his HP dropping, Kagel used Charge to quickly escape the attack range.

As if he had sensed that fact, OnePunch ran at a fast speed.

“I’ve been waiting for this!”

OnePunch’s greatsword fell from top to bottom, aiming for Kagel’s head.

Kagel’s eyes shone.

Acceleration Slash!

Kagel’s sword flashed and struck down the falling greatsword in succession. Then the greatsword was deflected to the side, and OnePunch also lost his balance.

Kagel, who had taken advantage of the gap, unleashed skills in succession. Most of the users watching the match gasped.

“Heoeop……!”

“Well, so-so.”

Some were calm.

“Hwaaam, it’s boring.”

A very small number yawned.

That meant they were confident in their skills to that extent.

Muhyuk captured the few users who were bored in his eyes.