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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: Debate
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"Why don't I kill them? Simple. There's nothing to gain from it."
"Nothing to gain?"
Ahn Sang-chul looked disappointed, as if that wasn't the answer he'd been expecting.
"Still, leaving them alive could cause trouble later..."
"Trouble?"
Ryu Min glanced at Hwang Yong-min's group.
Every one of them avoided his gaze.
The goal of instilling fear had certainly been achieved.
"Could pathetic guys like them ever cause trouble? I highly doubt it."
"Hmm..."
"Besides, there's no benefit to reducing the population, is there? It just means fewer spots for survivors."
"Ah...!"
In this game, only half the survivors could make it through each round.
As such, if the number of survivors decreased, so did the number of available spots.
'Black Scythe is right. There's no point in reducing the population. If the total number of people decreases, so do the available spots.'
A strange light gleamed in Ahn Sang-chul's eyes.
'To see through even such minor details. His understanding of the game is on another level.'
He was skilled, bold, and level-headed, and on top of that, he was sharp.
Though he didn't show it, Ahn Sang-chul was inwardly amazed.
"I understand your reasoning, Sir Black Scythe. In that case, we won't bother with trash like them either."
Hearing they would be spared, the bullies sighed in relief.
It felt as if they had just stepped down from the executioner's block.
"My work here is done, so I'll be going. I'm a busy man."
As Ryu Min turned to leave, Ahn Sang-chul hurriedly called out to him.
"Wait, Sir Black Scythe! If you could give me your account number, I can reward you in the real world..."
"Not necessary."
Ryu Min coolly refused and disappeared into the forest.
Ahn Sang-chul, not expecting the refusal, wore a dazed expression.
'He helped us and didn't ask for anything in return...'
His lack of greed made a strong, favorable impression on Ahn Sang-chul.
'I need to report this to the CEO as soon as I get back.'
He turned his head and saw the guys who had ambushed him groaning in pain.
He wanted to kill them, but as Black Scythe had said, there was no gain in it, so he held back.
He was also conscious of Seo Ah-rin standing next to him.
"Let's go, Ms. Ah-rin."
"Yes..."
Ahn Sang-chul spat once in the direction of Hwang Yong-min's group before leaving with Seo Ah-rin.
* * *
While some players were in the forest, hunting and leveling up.
A heated debate was underway in the clearing.
No, it was less a debate and more like a chaotic marketplace with vendors hawking their wares.
"Give me your votes! If you choose me as the district representative, I'm confident I'll do a great job!"
"No! I'm more confident I can do a better job than that anchovy-like guy! Vote for me."
"What? Anchovy? You son of a bitch..."
"What did you just call me? A son of a bitch? Maybe I should rip that anchovy head of yours right off."
"You two over there! Stop fighting! How can you fight when we should be working together?"
"That's right. Someone who gets worked up that easily isn't qualified to be a representative. I should be the representative instead. Please support me!"
"Forget all that, my father is a congressman! Wouldn't it be better for someone like me to be the representative?"
"Bullshit, your father's a congressman? Prove it, you bastard!"
Shouts and curses were exchanged all around.
Perhaps because they had customized their appearances, many people spoke without a filter.
Just then, a young man with a wholesome face clapped his hands to calm the crowd.
He was a young man with the nickname [Mint Youth].
"Everyone! We can't waste time like this. We need to decide on a representative quickly! We only have two hours left!"
Perhaps because his voice was loud and booming, all eyes turned to the young man.
"So how are we supposed to pick a representative?"
"You got a good idea or something?"
As the people listened intently, the young man smiled to himself.
'It's working. The [Rune of Persuasion] is taking effect!'
When he first pulled the Rune of Persuasion from a random rune fragment, the young man had been disappointed.
It was a completely useless rune that didn't work on monsters.
'It said that persuasion doesn't work if conversation isn't possible, right?'
But it was a different story with people.
No matter what he said, people would listen and agree with him.
That was the kind of rune the Rune of Persuasion was.
'It's not an absurdly overpowered rune, though.'
The description only said it increased the probability of persuasion succeeding.
His words didn't always work.
'Still, it's better than nothing. Thanks to the Rune of Persuasion, I passed the first round easily, didn't I?'
In the first round, he had used people as human shields to easily kill 100 goblins.
Without the Rune of Persuasion, he never would have passed so safely.
'The only drawback is that it doesn't work on opponents with a higher level...'
Fortunately, everyone who had passed was level 5.
This meant his persuasion would work on everyone except for those who went into the forest.
'If I play my cards right, I can become the district representative. Hehe.'
While he was laughing inwardly, the people pressed him.
"Mint Youth! Hurry up and tell us! Don't you have a good idea?"
"I do."
"What is it!"
"How about we decide on the candidates first? We can pick about five candidates and then vote from among them."
"Hmm. Not a bad idea."
"Yeah, we won't get anywhere if this stays a chaotic free-for-all with everyone just shouting to be picked."
People nodded in agreement with the young man's opinion.
But there were also dissenting opinions.
People on whom the persuasion hadn't worked.
"Who's going to decide on those candidates, and by what criteria?"
"That's right. If you're not a candidate, you don't even get a chance, right?"
"Why don't we just draw lots to be fair?"
Despite the objections from a few people, the young man didn't lose his smile.
'If one attempt at persuasion doesn't work, I just have to keep trying.'
As long as their levels were the same, the Rune of Persuasion was bound to work.
In the end, things would go his way.
And just as he expected.
"How are we supposed to make lots here with no paper or pens, and how would you control 5,000 people?"
"Umm..."
"Now that you mention it, that's true."
When the young man persuaded them again, the objectors grumbled and conceded.
'So easy to incite these pigs and dogs, isn't it? Hehehe.'
The young man smiled and continued.
"Then shall we narrow it down to five candidates? If you have someone to recommend, please raise your hand and speak one by one. But you can't nominate yourself. Otherwise, everyone would just try to become a candidate."
"Ah..."
"That makes sense."
"Tch, I was going to recommend myself..."
People nodded in agreement at his reasonable words, but that was all.
No one recommended a candidate.
Now that they had to nominate someone else, no one came to mind.
'I can't just hand over the representative position to anyone.'
'Then who should I recommend?'
'I don't want to see anyone but me become the representative...'
'Is there any point if it's not me?'
A long silence fell over the gathering of 5,000 people.
Since they were all strangers, there was no one suitable to nominate.
They didn't want to recommend others, either.
'Just as I expected, it's quiet. Then again, I wouldn't want to recommend someone else either. Hehe.'
Mint Youth was pleased that the situation was unfolding as he had predicted.
'At this rate, the candidates will inevitably be narrowed down to the most conspicuous people.'
With no suitable candidates, the chances of him—the one currently drawing the most attention—being mentioned were high.
As expected, after a short wait.
"I recommend Sir Mint Youth as a candidate!"
Thankfully, someone raised their hand and recommended him.
'Bingo! Hehe.'
Suppressing the laugh that threatened to escape, Mint Youth asked.
"You're recommending me... I never would have expected it. May I ask why?"
"I just think it would be best for a fair person with leadership to take the position."
"Uh...? You think I'm like that?"
"Yes. That's how I see it. You're controlling the situation well right now, aren't you?"
'Hehe, another sucker added to the list.'
The young man smiled, but it was merely a smile in response to the compliment.
No one knew that he was sneering inwardly.
"To think you hold me in such high regard... Thank you very much. It's a bit of a burden, but since you went to the trouble of recommending me, I'll accept the nomination. Is there anyone else you'd like to recommend as a candidate?"
"I recommend Black Scythe."
Even with the appearance of another candidate, the young man didn't lose his smile.
This, too, was within his expectations.
'The number one ranker from the last round couldn't possibly be left out of the nominations.'
It was a given that Black Scythe would be mentioned, as he had drawn so much attention early on and his ranking was overwhelming.
Besides, wasn't he the one who had caught the angel's eye?
'At the very least, the top three rankers from this district whose nicknames were revealed will be nominated.'
As expected, someone raised their hand and recommended the second and third rankers.
'Second place, [Life is a Documentary], and third place, [Black Flame Dragon in the Right Hand].'
Their recognition was lower than Black Scythe's, but they were still undeniably top-tier players.
It would have been stranger if they weren't mentioned.
"That makes four candidates. What about the last spot? Anyone else?"
When silence fell, Mint Youth smiled and quickly moved on.
The fewer candidates, the better.
"Alright. Then let's say the candidates have been narrowed down to four... Before we vote, shall we have each person come up and say a few words? You can make a pledge or state your resolve. I'll go first."
Clearing his throat with a *k-hem*, Mint Youth looked around at the crowd.
Thousands of eyes were fixed on him.
'Persuading the suckers here will be a piece of cake.'
If he could speak in front of the crowd, he was confident he could win even against Black Scythe.
"Ahem, I'm quite nervous speaking in front of so many people. But out of respect for the person who nominated me, I'll say a few words. If I become the district representative, I am confident I will not disappoint..."
"What a load of bullshit, you son of a bitch."
At the remark that threw cold water on his speech, Mint Youth turned his head toward the voice.
'Who is it?'
A man with a menacing look emerged from the crowd.
His nickname was Life is a Documentary.
'Isn't that guy the second-ranked player in this district?'
His swaggering walk, as if it were second nature, and the way he spat like a thug made one frown instinctively.
"Ah, for fuck's sake. This is so fucking unbearable I can't watch."
"What is it? You."
"Hey, Mint Youth. You think the world's your oyster?"
"What are you talking about, barging in like this?"
"People fall for a few of your words, so the world looks like a joke to you, huh? Right?"
Though he didn't show it, Mint Youth was quite startled inside.
The man's words implied he knew about his ability.
'W-what? How did he know? No, is it just a coincidence?'
While he was flustered, the man cracked his neck from side to side, showing his displeasure.
"Who the hell do you think you are, deciding on the district representative, you instigating bastard? You think everyone's gonna fall for that fucking silver tongue of yours? You goddamn son of a bitch?"
"Your words are excessive for a first meeting! They say words are a reflection of a person's face and character. Must you speak so crudely?"
He said it with a serious expression, but Mint Youth was laughing inside.
'He'll obviously apologize.'
The power of persuasion was that strong.
But it didn't seem to work on this man.
"This fucking bastard is trying to lecture me like some old fart? You wanna die?"
"Uh, uh..."
"What's with the 'uh, uh'? You nauseating bastard."
"A-aren't your words too harsh?"
"Too harsh? For a bastard like you, this is polite."
Mint Youth couldn't help but be flustered.
'My persuasion isn't working?'
He tried again, but the man just kept spewing curses.
He didn't seem to have any intention of apologizing.
'What's going on? Could it be?'
In that moment of confusion, Life is a Documentary spoke to the crowd.
"Hey, you sons of bitches! Forget the candidates and all that crap, just vote for me! If you don't, you'll all die. Got it?"
At that unreasonable declaration, Mint Youth let out a scoff.
"Wow, this guy has no brakes, huh? You think people will listen to you if you talk like that? Geez, how absurd."
Unless he had a Rune of Persuasion like him, there was no way such a coercive method would work.
But that thought was short-lived.
"You bastard, you're laughing?"
The scowling man instantly pulled out a dagger and stabbed Mint Youth in the stomach.
"Gah!"
"I told you, didn't I? Mess with me and you die."
*Stab- Stab-!*
The man who had repeatedly stabbed the fallen Mint Youth stood up, his face splattered with blood.
*Flinch-*
The crowd froze for a moment at the gruesome murder scene.
"If you don't vote for me, you'll all end up dead like this bastard."