The incident goes back a few hours.
Two hundred and two participants had gathered in the auditorium for the second evaluation.
Along with the three guild masters there was even Hangyeol, today’s MC, sitting on stage.
No need to wait for the first ranking announcent—total lucky Roy!
But the problem was,
‘I can’t see!’
My legs are too short.
Because we’d lined up by grade, the F4 were completely hidden behind everyone else’s backs.
Hop, hop!
“There’s soone here!”
No matter how high I jumped, I couldn’t catch a glimpse of Hangyeol, not even his hair—only sound told what was happening.
I’d never resented my leg length so much in my life.
‘Screw it. He’s not going anywhere. I’ll see him when he appears.’
Giving up, I focused on Hangyeol’s voice.
He was introducing the second evaluation.
“Second evaluation will be a pair match.”
There would be 101 pairs. Two people per team, and one hundred would be eliminated this round—half the participants.
A murmur ran through the hall, but I alone remained calm. I’d known it would co to this. We couldn’t keep two hundred people forever. More contestants ant longer filming and more unpredictable variables.
‘I don’t think they even planned to hold the second prelim like this from the start.’
Cut half the field early for impact, then build excitent for tougher competition ahead.
Undisturbed by the chatter, Hangyeol continued.
“As with the grade evaluation, this space is virtually rendered, but note there is no safe zone—injuries are possible, so be very careful.”
He read from cue cards even before starting.
“Due to ti constraints, three teams will compete simultaneously.”
If either mber is caught by a blood fiend, they’re out. Exceed the ti limit, and they’re out.
“Even if you succeed in rescuing, the lower fifty percent by ti ranking will be eliminated.”
Damn these broadcasting jerks. Slave to dopamine, they’d made the difficulty hellish.
✧
Next ca team assignnts.
“Participants who wish to choose their partner will draw randomly. Please co forward one by one to draw a ball.”
Inside the container were balls numbered one to fifty-one and blanks. Drawing a number gave you the right to pick your partner; drawing a blank ant you’d be assigned against your will. Lower numbers picked first.
“For smooth progress, I’ll step aside briefly.”
Huh? Where to? Again!
I’d finally hoped to see Hangyeol’s face, only to lose him from view once more. It felt like the universe was bent on keeping us apart. I stood on tiptoe and waved my arms, but it was useless. Unlocking my skill felt impossibly hard.
While I despaired, the draws began ahead of . As the line shortened, my view cleared.
‘This damned Wilderness....’
My fist trembled.
Participants were divided into choosers and the chosen. The choosers stood on the right—I saw Taeeon among them.
‘Yeonwoo must’ve drawn a blank.’
Even if only one of the two drew a number, that was fortunate. As an F, my chance of being chosen by another was zero.
‘If I draw blank, I’ll probably be the last man standing.’
Yeonwoo’s higher grade ant he’d likely be picked early, so I needed a blank unless the draw was among the very first numbers.
When my turn ca, only three balls remained. The odds that the first numbers were gone were high.
‘So blank. Please be blank.’
I’m Lucky Roy, after all. Even in this world’s luck ta, I could—
“Yes! Blank!”
Seeing the blank, I couldn’t help blurting it out. Then I noticed eyes on and hurried back to my spot. I didn’t see what number Gwakhyeol, the last to draw, had.
“Please check your number. Participant number one, please co forward to choose your partner.”
Until then, my full attention was on Taeeon. He and Yeonwoo were whispering to each other.
‘What number did you pick?’
Taeeon held up four fingers, showing he’d drawn number 4.
Not only a number, but one of the earliest—a marvel. I smiled broadly and gave a thumbs-up at his resourcefulness.
“Gwakhyeol, F participant, please choose your partner.”
“Yes. I choose Lee Roi, F participant, ahem, ahem! Loyalty!”
The mont they called my na, a path opened before as if by the parting of the Red Sea.
“Lee Roi, F participant, please co forward.”
“...?”
I looked around for Hangyeol, bewildered, and then asked the air.
“Yes, please co forward.”
“Why...?”
I stepped out, still in disbelief—forcing myself to deny reality.
I watched Gwakhyeol with trembling eyes.
“Haha! No need to thank . Once a leader, always a leader, right? Ahem, ahem! Loyalty!”
That bastard... repaying kindness with hostility.
Then Hangyeol’s voice rang out.
“Gwakhyeol, F participant, may I ask why you chose Lee Roi, F participant?”
“He’s younger, but his leadership is outstanding, and I’ve seen his skills firsthand.”
“What skills would those be?”
“His face. I’m sure even blood fiends can’t resist a handso face, ahem, ahem!”
“Thank you. Please wait at the back.”
Gwakhyeol coughed out blood and the interview ended abruptly. The staff, stunned before, were now used to his hemoptysis—and I stared silently.
A mont later, Taeeon, clutching ball number 4, stepped forward to choose.
“Kim Taeeon, A participant. Please call out the na of the partner you wish to work with.”
“I will... work with Park Yeonwoo, B participant.”
Damn... what about ? What about !!!
Watching them step up together, shaking hands in camaraderie, I bit my lip. I glared at Gwakhyeol, who dabbed at his blood with a handkerchief.
“Damn...!”
There was so much I wanted to say:
If you drew number one, you could’ve picked anyone who got an A—not !
Are you stupid?
Or did the coughing up blood scramble your brain?
Didn’t you know F plus F spells disaster?
And that “handso face” line???
This isn’t a joke!
But there were too many eyes on . Clenching my fists, I swallowed my anger. The deed was done. Now I had to manage the fallout, not feed resentnt.
✧
Partner selection over, we had eting ti.
Participants used this to plan how to tackle the second mission. All we got was a rough floor plan of the ruined mansion and a simple map. Pairs scattered around the auditorium, huddled over strategies. Gwakhyeol and I bent over the map together. My throat tightened each ti I saw Taeeon or Yeonwoo, but I reminded myself I was a professional.
“There are five blood fiends, right? I saw one roaming the courtyard. Where might the guild masters be trapped?”
“Hmm. I think perhaps here, or maybe here.”
Gwakhyeol pointed to several spots on the map.
“How do you know? Did you see sothing, hyung?”
His skill was precognition. It sounded dubious, but during the Wilderness Trials he’d foreseen riding a bear up a cliff.
‘Right. He’s not an idiot—he wouldn’t have picked without reason.’
I nearly felt hopeful—until he said,
“No, I just guessed.”
“...”
“When the caras caught us, I thought I looked cool, don’t you think?”
Ugh, damn it.
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