"Hey!"
A voice rang out, drawing the attention of everyone present. Those wearing the white uniforms and black coats stained with dust and dried blood turned around.I pushed myself up, looking at the guy who had spoken. My entire body was covered in injuries and exhaustion—far worse than the others.Considering they were at least two mana levels above me, that was understandable.
"There's an order from the Security Chief. Regroup and return to the initial base."Promet gave the instruction, and everyone followed without complaint.
All fifty of us turned back with him, myself included.The terrorist attack had already taken around 10,000 lives, and everyone's mental state was so drained that no one had the energy to protest.
Passing through a basement level, we entered a long hallway. On each side were locked rooms guarded by personnel.To prevent terrorists from blending into civilians, those in power had ordered everyone to be separated into small groups and housed in different rooms to reduce casualties.
Still, no matter how advanced the infrastructure was, Gate was only an academy. Housing more than 200,000 people was an enormous challenge—especially when the entire city had gathered here.
"Scout team, report."
The silence was broken by Promet's voice. A man in black military attire responded halfheartedly and began questioning the reconnaissance situation.Knowing my role here was finished, I slipped away to find a spot to rest.
This was the third day of this damned week, and although things were getting worse, they were still somewhat predictable.
On the first day, most noble representatives showed up at the opening ceremony out of courtesy. Many of them already knew what would happen the next day and left early.On the second day, while I was participating in the survival event, the terrorist attack began.
In the original novel, over 30,000 people died on the first day due to five bombings across three zones: the city hall, the hotel district, and the tournament observation area.But I managed to prevent all five by deploying people in advance and monitoring everything from a distance.I also had first-years planted among the crowds, and royal soldiers had been positioned from the start.
I knew from the beginning that Janeus, the princess, would never listen to me. She believed it was a trap—either to spread her forces thin or to lure them into an ambush I'd prepared.But I still brokered a deal with her, though it cost me quite a bit.
Even so, nearly ten thousand still died. The number of missing or injured could be even higher.
"How's everything going?" I asked Marcus, who had just stepped onto the rooftop of a hotel to meet me.Marcus, part of the observation team, answered, "The situation at the barrier is worse than I expected. The terrorists are grouping into small units guarding different parts of the city. They keep relaying info between each other. We can't even touch the barrier, let alone analyze it.""...What about the instructors?""They're… all in critical condition. There's not much hope. The soldiers and teachers who can still fight have chosen to stay here and hold out until reinforcements arrive.""I see." I sighed. Being dragged into all this for the past few days had drained all my strength.
Because of the severe shortage of soldiers, we were assigned to different squads to guard various locations—basically becoming unwilling soldiers while the truly strong people chose to protect this shelter.
"I'm going to get some sleep, okay?" I said to Marcus, who was staring at the once-bustling city with tired, hollow eyes."...Don't ask me. I'm going to find something to eat." He yawned, looking more like a zombie than a living person.
I headed back to my room—or rather, our room—where more than ten people were sprawled out, passed out from exhaustion.It was a fairly clean and expensive-looking room, fitting for a major hotel.
Picking up a blanket from the floor, dusty and white, I shook it off and used it to cover myself.I fell asleep quickly. A peaceful sleep. I didn't dream much—or didn't remember much. I sank into unconsciousness.
…
A nameless figure walked under the night sky, heading straight toward a hotel.Taking out a pocket knife, he sliced off one of his own fingers, exposing bone, and used the blood as ink.He began drawing skillfully on the stone wall nearby, the scene grotesquely painful.But before he could finish, a throwing knife shot straight into his head.
I stepped forward, approaching him, and threw a smoke orb to blind his senses.Immediately, I lunged with a dagger aimed at his throat.
The slash only grazed him—it didn't pierce deep—but I didn't care. It was just a distraction.My left hand pressed against his arm.
He spun instantly, his bloody finger pointing toward me as he fired blood-ink arrows.None hit me. I had used my wide cloak to mislead him about my position.
Locking eyes with him, I twisted the dagger to aim for his eye, but he opened his mouth—Clink!He spat out a tooth, launching it to deflect my blade.
He spat another tooth, blood spraying, and the blood instantly darkened.
Boom!The tooth exploded, sending me flying a short distance.Seizing the opening, he raised a finger and shot a stream of inky-black blood—poisonous, no doubt.
I twisted midair, letting my hardened cloak absorb the blood arrows.Hidden behind the cloak, I pulled out another dagger and hurled it toward the maniac. The blade sliced through the air like a stone shot from a sling——and smacked into the head of a student who was trying to take aim at me.
Using the opening, I charged in and engaged the madman at close range.
As a Mana Core Level 3, I couldn't use magic here—everyone was at least two levels higher than me.But that didn't matter. I only needed one thing: surprise.
I kicked him straight in the groin.He screamed—clearly not used to this kind of dirty fighting.
As someone who'd lived in the underworld, I knew more tricks than anyone in this entire tournament.
With that thought, I pulled out a black thread and another dagger from my pouch, preparing to fight.