Chapter 193

With a powerful explosion, the last user of Team 20 was thrown out of the training ground.

Is the rank 1 really the rank 1?

A true master?

Overwhelming destructive power?

Such things couldn’t even be confirmed in the first place.

Because Dark didn’t move.

Not even once.

Including him, Kilimanjaro didn’t even lift a finger. The remaining two members of Team 1 overwhelmed the four members of Team 20.

“……”

Everyone held their breath.

“Team 1 wins!”

They belatedly came to their senses at the judge’s words.

“Hoo.”

Some users exhaled deeply.

It must have been because they were so nervous.

“With just two people.”

“Heo.”

“It’s too overwhelming.”

The broadcasting station director, who was filming the scene, was also the same.

“Scary, scary.”

“The real rank 1 is different.”

“Dark didn’t even move.”

“Even without moving, his presence is on another level.”

“I guess so.”

They had no choice but to admit it.

He’s really amazing.

His presence was on a different level.

“But we don’t know yet.”

“Know what?”

“Who will win.”

“Is that so?”

“Of course.”

There must be a skilled user who can threaten Dark.

Who will that be?

The director captured a few users who seemed to have potential on the screen. Muhyuk was also included among them.

Asura Han and Rudolph formed a team and played a 4-on-4 team match.

Thanks to Asura Han and Rudolph each doing the work of 1.5 people, they easily passed the second preliminary round.

“Ha, it’s tough.”

“It was more fun than I thought.”

“Fun, my ass. I only suffered because I chose the wrong two people.”

Asura Han smirked.

“Weak.”

“What, weak? Who, me?”

“Who else would it be but you?”

“Ha, forget it. I don’t even have the strength to argue.”

Rudolph shut his mouth, turned his head, and looked at Muhyuk.

“Tch.”

When is he going to ask for help?

Soon, he cleared his mind and took a rest.

Meanwhile, the second preliminary round was coming to an end.

“This is the last one.”

Finally, the last 4-on-4 match.

“Team 27 wins.”

With this, the winners and losers were exactly divided in half.

“The 64 winners will advance to the third preliminary round. The third preliminary round will be the final procedure to determine the winner of this tournament through a tournament.”

“Tournament.”

“Finally, the end.”

“The third preliminary round will begin tomorrow at 2 PM.”

The users nodded.

They were definitely tired.

It was quite late, too.

“You can rest in the rooms we have prepared for you today.”

The judge led the users.

They were assigned rooms in order, and each person used one room. It was quite spacious and comfortable, so there was nothing lacking for rest.

Of course, they would all log out.

“Then rest well.”

“Okay.”

As soon as the judge passed by, Muhyuk disconnected.

“Hooa, I’m tired.”

He took a shower and lay down on the bed.

His brow furrowed for a moment.

“Ah……”

It was because one side of the mattress was sagging.

Damn it.

He couldn’t change the bed right now.

He was also tired.

Let’s just sleep today.

He moved to the side where the mattress wasn’t sagging and curled up like a shrimp. He put a pillow between his knees, crossed his arms, and tried to sleep.

Had five minutes passed?

“Snore……”

The sound of snoring filled the house.

The next day.

When Muhyuk woke up, he immediately supported his waist with one hand.

“Ugh……”

His waist was much stiffer than usual.

His eyes turned to the bed.

He bent over and pressed the mattress with his hand.

“Haa, I need to change it.”

He muttered and checked the time.

9 AM.

The tournament would start at 2 PM, so there was plenty of time.

Should I buy it now?

He couldn’t be sure when the tournament would end, so it was ambiguous to postpone it. If he was unlucky, he might have to sleep on the sagging mattress again today.

He didn’t want that.

He decided to move despite his annoyance.

Internet delivery was difficult for same-day delivery, so pass.

I should go to the department store.

He took a shower, put on neat clothes, and left the house. As he walked, he ran the app and checked the Illusion stock.

4.9 million won per share.

Muhyuk currently held 170 shares of Illusion stock.

Converted to cash, it was about 800 million won.

A huge amount of money.

I’m raising 800 million won with my own strength.

I couldn’t have dreamed of it before.

In addition, he had 50 million won in his living expenses account as spare funds.

A satisfying feeling naturally rose.

Yeah, since I’m buying it anyway, I should get a good one.

He got into the car parked in the parking lot and started the engine. He headed to the Daehan Department Store, which was not far away.

He parked and went up to the 7th floor, where home appliances and furniture were sold. He leisurely walked around and checked the prices.

A sofa is 2 million won.

He would have gasped in the past.

Why is it so expensive?

He was quite used to it these days.

His spending had also increased.

He lightly passed by and entered a store selling beds.

“Welcome.”

“Ah, yes.”

“Are you looking for anything in particular?”

“Hmm, something soft and comfortable?”

“If it’s too soft, it’s not good.”

“Ah, is that so?”

“Of course. If people with bad backs use a bed that is too soft, it puts more strain on their backs. So, those people need a bed with moderate cushioning.”

“Ah, I also have a bad back.”

“Then would you like to lie down on this bed?”

“Should I?”

He took off his shoes and lay down on the bed recommended by the employee.

It wasn’t soft. But it was strangely cozy and comfortable.

Hoo?

He closed his eyes for a moment.

His back definitely felt comfortable.

But he was a little disappointed.

He checked the price.

It was 2.6 million won.

“It’s a little disappointing.”

“Then how about this one?”

The price went up even more.

3.5 million won.

But this one didn’t really appeal to him either.

“Would you like to lie down here too?”

It was the most expensive bed in this store.

6.5 million won.

The moment he lay down on it, Muhyuk exclaimed. His lips were also curved into a Bandal shape. It was that comfortable.

Wouldn’t this be how it feels to lie on a cloud?

His whole body seemed to relax.

“I’ll take this one.”

“R, really?”

The employee looked a little surprised, as if he didn’t expect him to buy it so quickly.

“Ah, then this way.”

“But is same-day delivery possible?”

“Just a moment. I’ll check.”

The employee went to the computer.

“Fortunately, we have one of each size in stock.”

“Then……?”

“Same-day delivery is possible.”

“That’s a relief.”

At that moment, his parents suddenly came to mind.

They also have bad backs.

Their beds probably aren’t very good either.

It’s been over 10 years since they changed them.

“You said you have three?”

“Yes.”

Still, aren’t they family?

Yeah, and my sister’s too.

“Then I’ll order one king, one queen, and one double size.”

“T, three?”

“Yes.”

“Okay! First, please tell me the delivery address.”

“Yes, Seoul…….”

Two to his parents’ house.

One to where he’s living now.

“That’s all. Ah, and just a moment, customer.”

“Yes, what is it?”

After waiting for a while, the employee said with a smile.

“The king size is 7 million won, the queen size is 6.7 million won, and the double size is 6.5 million won. The total is 20.2 million won, but I’ll give you the maximum discount I can, so you only need to pay 19 million won.”

“That’s quite a discount?”

Of course, it was still a considerable amount of money.

But, well.

Money is meant to be spent.

He intended to spend it when he needed to.

“Here you go.”

“How many months would you like to pay in installments?”

“In full.”

“Ah, okay.”

“What time will it be delivered?”

“Please tell me what time is convenient for you.”

“Um, send the king and double sizes to the address here, but please process this as quickly as possible. And the king size around 7 PM.”

“Okay.”

The employee handed over the card and receipt.

A large sum of money was gone in an instant, but he felt proud.

They’ll be surprised, right?

Imagining that, he headed to the gym.

Around the time he finished exercising.

A female trainer approached him.

“Looks like you’re done.”

“Ah, yes.”

“I see that your gym membership expires in two days.”

“Really?”

“You didn’t know.”

“Yes, I’ve been out of it lately.”

“I thought so.”

She smiled softly.

Of course, his eyes kept going to her body rather than her smile.

“Ahem.”

“Are you going to renew it?”

“I have to.”

Muhyuk took out his card from his wallet.

“Please renew it for one year.”

“Oh my, one year?”

“Yes.”

“Then I’ll see you for a long, long time.”

Is this a seduction or not?

Muhyuk shook his head.

It’s probably just common customer service.

“I guess so.”

“I’m happy.”

“Haha, me too.”

“Then I’ll see you again tomorrow.”

“Yes.”

Muhyuk said goodbye to her and left the gym. On the way, he ate a simple meal at a restaurant and logged into Illusion at home.

The moment he left the room, Sungminwoo approached him as if he had been waiting.

“What? Why are you here?”

“Why are you so late?”

“I’m not late.”

“It’s already past 1 o’clock.”

“Doesn’t it start at 2 o’clock?”

“Oh, it does?”

“Then I’m not late.”

“W, well, you’re not, but.”

Sungminwoo had a somewhat wronged expression.

“Why? What time did you come?”

“Me? As soon as I woke up.”

“What time is that?”

“Oh, 9 o’clock?”

“You crazy bastard.”

Muhyuk chuckled.

“How long have you been waiting?”

“O, long?”

“Why didn’t you just go out and come back?”

“I don’t have anything to do anyway…….”

“Sigh, well, it’s starting soon, so let’s just go.”

They headed to the hall together.

The users who would participate in the third preliminary round, the final tournament, were visible.

There was a judge in the center.

“20 minutes left.”

His voice spread.

“Let’s start by checking the number of people.”

He scanned the users.

“One person is still missing. Let’s wait a little longer.”

As soon as he finished speaking, that one user appeared. Everyone looked at the user, and the person forced a smile, as if the attention was quite burdensome.

“Now that everyone is here, I’ll explain briefly. The alphabet and number you received at the beginning will still be on your wrist.”

Muhyuk checked his wrist.

Group B, number 98.

“The matches will be held in the order of the numbers on your wrists.”

At those words, Muhyuk looked at Sungminwoo.

“What number did you say you were?”

“I’m Group F, number 61.”

Muhyuk thought it was fortunate.

They’re quite far apart.

“There are a total of 64 people, so if you win once, you’ll be in the round of 32. If you win twice, you’ll be in the round of 16. If you win a total of six times, you’ll be the winner.”

Six matches.

It didn’t seem like it would take that long.

“Now there are 10 minutes left. Please follow me.”

They walked along the corridor following the judge. They opened a huge door. Light and cheers erupted.

“Wow!”

“We’ve been waiting!”

A huge number of users had taken their seats to watch the game. Broadcasting station officials were also there.

Everyone looked a little surprised at the unexpected scene. Soon, it was replaced with excitement, and their hearts began to beat.

Thump, thump.

It had finally begun.

The final battle to determine the strongest.