T-that was...

Wei clamped a trembling hand over his mouth. The metallic tang of blood rose from the drenched corpses around him, making his head spin.

I have to run...

For now, he was still hidden among the bodies, but he knew that wouldn’t last long. Even so, his legs were shaking so hard that he couldn’t even crawl away.

The battle was fiercer than anything he had ever witnessed. Even Sun Ming, the Public Security Bureau’s most formidable warrior, couldn’t stand against that man.

If only Sun Ming hadn’t lost his right arm at the start, would the outcome have been different? ... No.

There was no hope, even in useless what-ifs. Wei wasn’t naïve enough to cling to blind optimism. Besides, his sharp eyes couldn’t ignore the undeniable proof of defeat unfolding before him.

To think that there’s someone stronger than Sun Ming is insane...

Unlike Sun Ming, who gathered what little strength he had left with bloodshot eyes, Eun-Ho’s gaze was calm, unwavering. He was a man who burned with the intensity of a blazing flame, yet carried himself like a monk walking across still water.

Once the fight’s over, he’ll come for me. Will he kill me? Of course he will.

The thought made Wei tremble all over again.

[The God’s Move from the Bureau of Corporate Relations sympathizes with the suffering of your poor soul.]

[The Gambler from the Bureau of Investigation hopes you’ll rise to his feet one last time.]

The messages echoed in his head, reminding him of the day he had first taken the Public Security Bureau’s hand. No, this was an even deeper helplessness. He had always done what they ordered: setting the board, placing the stones, and playing the game.

But I hate it all. I’m done!

Clack!

From a half-transparent container, he pulled out an equally translucent Go stone, and reached forward.

Swish—

He placed one more black stone in the center of the black territory. At once, a notification appeared before his eyes.

[Do you wish to end the Grand Match?]

A Grand Match? A match without an opponent is no match at all. This is the end, he thought bitterly.

[A number of observers refuse to accept your defeat.]

[They insist the game isn’t over yet!]

[A donation of 1,000 Welfare Points has been made!]

Wei let out a shaking laugh, shouting, “Are you all idiots? It’s a dead board!”

Every Chinese fighter was either dead, dying, or about to die. It was a complete sweep. If it were a board, there’d be no moves left.

Tap!

With a strangely peaceful smile, Wei placed his final stone.

[Go Player, Wei, has been defeated by resignation!]

[The Grand Match has ended.]

The Go board and its stones vanished like a mirage.

“Hah...”

He began to crawl, taking advantage of the chaos that still raged beyond.

If I can just make it to the stairs... Please...

His elbows and knees scraped painfully against the rough ground. Something sharp dug into his palm, but he didn’t dare stop. Swallowing his tears, he finally reached the wooden staircase.

Creak...

Footsteps sounded above. The old steps groaned under someone’s weight.

What do I do? Did they find me?

Thud!

Startled, Wei stumbled backward and fell.

He let out a strangled sob, trembling uncontrollably. “H-hic!”

It’s all over.

Even if it was just a passerby, they had likely heard that.

What do I do? What do I do? I’m scared!

He squeezed his eyes shut and begged. “P-please... Please don’t kill me...!”

Then, a small hand, delicate and pale like a fern’s frond, reached out toward him

Rustle.

“... Huh?!”

Wei’s eyes widened. A little girl had suddenly appeared out of thin air.

[You have entered the Hide and Seek domain of the Subject Kim Yul.]

“W-who are you?!” Wei shouted, startled.

“Me? I’m Kim Yul! I’m five!” she said brightly.

“H-hic!” Wei hiccupped from surprise.

The girl tilted her head, her round eyes fixed on him with innocent curiosity. “Are you crying?”

“W-who’s crying? I’m not crying!” he snapped back, flustered. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

Wei shook his head, thinking what a strange kid she was.

“Really?” she said, blinking her big eyes. Then, after a small pause, she peeked forward again, leaning close. “Hmm... Then why are you crying?”

“I said I’m not crying!” Wei shouted again.

“Really?”

What a bizarre kid.

***

A tiger left its pelt when it died, a man left his name, and a swordsman left his blade. As for the guard that had collapsed, he left behind far too many items and system messages.

Wow, look at all these!

Eun-Ho looked down at the guard’s body. Then, slowly, he closed the man’s bloodshot eyes with one hand.

At that moment, hurried footsteps echoed toward him.

“Eun-Ho!”

“Young Man! Are you all right?!”

His companions, having finished their own desperate fights, came running. Not only did they seem battered, they were also torn and exhausted. Even a few steps had them gasping for breath.

“What about Wei? Have you found him?” Eun-Ho asked.

“No... We searched everywhere but maybe he ran away,” another answered, voice low.

Either way, the Go match targeting their fortress had ended. At least there was one piece of good news. Even if other nations had joined the fray, this round was over.

- To: Lee Eun-Ho

- From: Yeon Bo-Ra

- Message: Oppa! The match is over! I’ll try to hold the others off for now. They look like Americans, but it’s too—

“Is it finished?” Eun-Ho asked quietly.

“Yes. T-there’s no one else attacking for now.”

“Good. Then everyone, come over here.”

“Okay!”

Fwoom!

A complex magic circle flared into radiant blue light, etched with countless sigils, letters, and lines. In an instant, the entire top floor of the central tower was engulfed in brilliance.

[Congratulations!]

[The ROK district has claimed a new fortress!]

[Please check your contribution score!]

The cheerful system voice rang out, announcing the change in ownership.

Flutter—!

The flag atop the central tower was swapped out, flapping high in the wind.

[Siege: ROK]

[Defenders: CN]

[Result: ROK’s Victory!]

A blue window appeared before everyone’s eyes.

“It’s over...” someone murmured.

“Is everyone all right?” Eun-Ho asked.

“Haah... I never thought we’d actually have to fight like this.”

“Neither did I.” The security guard sighed. “I didn’t expect them to charge like madmen either.”

Everyone was drained, their relief painted in sweat and exhaustion. The security guard even stumbled, legs trembling now that the tension had broken.

However, the moment of peace didn’t last.

“Uwoooooo—!”

The roar came from outside, echoing through the shattered windows.

“T-there’s a crowd coming!”

“It’s the Chinese!”

The Chinese opponents' eyes were bloodshot with fury. It was exactly the backlash Eun-Ho and the others had anticipated, having stolen their fortress before their very eyes.

“Ji-Eun!” Eun-Ho called.

“I’m on it!” she replied.

They had prepared for this.

Tap! Tap!

Ji-Eun sprinted out through a blasted section of the wall, lighting the fuse she’d secretly set at the tower’s base.

Whoosh—!

The spark raced along the fuse, burning fast and bright.

Boom!

Then, the explosions shook the air. It was a perfect chain reaction.

Kraaaboom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

A chain of explosions ripped through the base of the central tower, one after another, circling it in a ring of fire.

“W–what the hell! When did they plant bombs?!”

“Kyaaaa!”

Those charging forward froze mid-run, eyes wide. Seeing them falter, Ji-Eun stopped her hand and smirked slightly. The brilliant flashes and roaring detonations had done their job. No one in their right mind would rush through a field that could blow at any second. The bluff had worked perfectly.

“It’s working, Young Man!”

“They’ve stopped, Hyungnim!” another confirmed.

They’ve stopped, yes. But that’s not the end, Eun-Ho thought.

“Is that it, then? Damn it, you sure this is okay?” Swear-Master asked.

“Of course not.”

“The siege has only just begun,” Eun-Ho said quietly.

The direction of attack and defense had flipped completely.

***

Boom!

[The city gate has been destroyed!]

[You have failed to earn the Training Points.]

After holding on for so long, the main gate finally gave way with a thunderous crash. Screams rose, indistinguishable from one another, blending with the clouds of dust pouring through the breach.

“Bo-Ra! There’s a ladder on the south wall! What do we do?!”

“We’re out of grenades! Can anyone use their ability to throw more stones or rubble?”

“B-Bo-Ra! Help me here! They’re breaking through!”

The wall defense unit was on the verge of mental collapse and their leader, Yeon Bo-Ra, was already losing her mind.

“Bo-Ra!”

“Ms. Bo-Ra!”

“Captain Bo-Ra!”

“Ugh!”

Her name kept echoing from every direction, so she wanted to cry. She had never imagined leading this many people would be this hard.

“Bo-Ra, stop! You’re overdoing it!” someone yelled.

“I’m fine,” she said.

“Fine?! You’re bleeding! Look at your nose!”

“I’ll drink a Stamina Potion later,” she muttered, wiping the blood away.

No matter how much some people tried to pull her back, Bo-Ra couldn’t stop.

Oppa trusted me with this. I have to see it through!

Gritting her teeth, she shouted, “Five people from the east wall, move to support the south! I’ll handle the west one myself!”

However, the gate defenders had it even worse.

Bang!

“Kyaaa! G-guns! They’re shooting!”

“C–captain! Aaaagh!”

“M–my leg... It’s crushed!”

The screams came too fast to understand. Even from atop the wall, Bo-Ra’s mind was spinning. If she was barely holding on, Park Gong-Chan, the gate captain below, had likely been past his breaking point. Yet, the national athlete team didn’t falter.

“They won’t have much ammo left! Long-range, take out anyone with a gun first! Get the wounded over here and patch them up!”

“Keugh...”

“Everyone else, hold the front! We can still make it!”

“Yes, sir!”

“Don’t let a single ant crawl through!”

They were practically holding the shattered gate with their bare hands, like trying to plug a cracked jar with just their palms. Every second was a tug-of-war against collapse.

“There! One’s getting through!” Gong-Chan shouted.

Now and then, one or two enemies slipped in, like water leaking through clenched fingers.

“Shoot!”

Thwack! Splatter!

Park Gong-Chan hurled a chunk of stone, smashing the intruder to the ground.

“Explosives!” someone screamed.

However, this time, they couldn’t stop it.

Fwoosh—!

Zzzzap—!

A massive metal gauntlet gleamed on the man’s arm. Sparks burst from its joints, followed by a surge of roaring flame.

“I-it’s the Rocket Punch!” someone shouted.

“Mold!” Bo-Ra cried.

They realized what the American combatant was. He could launch his gauntlet like a shell. The instant he moved, they raised a mud barrier to stop him, hoping he’d smash harmlessly against it.

“What an interesting trick,” the man said coolly. He slowed midair, lifted his burning gauntlet, and pressed his flaming palm against the wall. “Detonate!”

Booom!

“Watch ou—kyaaaah!”

The explosion shook the fortress walls so hard that even those on top staggered. The crude mud barrier hadn’t stood a chance.

Crack... Crumble... Thud!

CRASH—!

“Holy shit...”

With it, people’s morale crumbled too. Hopes shattered along with the stone.

“Should we just give up?”

“We’ll all die at this rate!”

“I can’t go on anymore! Even the Healers are about to collapse!”

“M-maybe we should just give up the fortress and beg for our lives?”

Just like that, everything fell apart.

Give up?

Yeon Bo-Ra bit down hard on her lip.

If Oppa was here... No, if I was even half as strong as him, this wouldn’t be happening.

Frustration welled up, blurring her vision with tears.

Whoosh—!

Then, suddenly, a cold gust swept through the chaos.

Thud!

The American combatant fell from midair, slamming head first into the ground.

“Bo-Ra! Are you okay?”

It was Lee Eun-Ho. He was back.

“M-my gauntlet! Who the hell did this?! Aaaaargh!” screamed the American in pure, unadulterated fury.

“Oppa!” Bo-Ra cried, her voice breaking.

The injustice she’d felt was gone, but her tears weren’t. They spilled freely now, unstoppable.

“What’s going on? Why are you crying?” Eun-Ho asked gently.

“Hic... I thought you wouldn’t make it back...”

Thunk.

His large hand ruffled her hair, messing her bangs.

“You think I wouldn’t come after seeing your message?” he said.

“M-my message?” she blinked.

He sighed and recited it aloud, as if quoting from memory.

“Oppa! The match is over! I’ll try to hold the others off for now. They look like Americans, but it’s too—”

“When a message cuts off right after ‘they look like Americans but it’s too...’, how am I supposed to stay calm?”

“Oh... I meant there were just too many of them.”

“There’s a fifty-character limit. Next time, make it short,” he said dryly.

“... Got it.”

Eun-Ho didn’t say anything more, but the warmth in his eyes spoke volumes, as if he was saying, “You did well.”

That look alone was enough to wash away the tension she had been carrying since the fight began. Just then, reality came crashing back.

“Wait. What about the Chinese fortress? If both you and Unnie are here, won’t that put the fortress in danger?” she asked.

“It’s fine,” Eun-Ho replied. “I called some friends.”

“Friends? What friends?” she asked, bewildered.

However, he didn’t answer her question.

“More importantly, Bo-Ra. Raise a wall,” he said instead.

Bo-Ra lowered her head, guilt washing over her.

“It’s useless,” she murmured. “That blast skill or whatever it is, one hit and it’s gone.”

However, Eun-Ho only gestured for her to hurry. “I’m not trying to stop them. Just build it.”

“Huh? Then why?”

“I need a boundary line.”

Beyond the fortress walls stretched an empty wasteland with neither grass nor trees, just plain dust. It was a barren plain closer to a desert than a field. She couldn’t understand why he’d ask for a boundary out there.

“Summon,” he said.

Fwaaaash!

Just then, a round, shimmering object appeared in his palm. Instead of snowflakes, the sphere was filled with swirling sand, like a snow globe of a desert.

“T-that’s! Is that the thing from the Initiation Ceremony?!” she gasped.

“Yeah. It’s that one.”

It was the very same relic she’d begged to see that day and hadn’t laid eyes on since.

If it’s that item!

Her wide eyes met his eyes that were steady, certain and full of resolve.

“Then we can turn this around,” she said, her voice brimming with renewed strength.

Wiping the last traces of tears, Bo-Ra smiled brightly.

“Let’s finish this quickly. I’m tired,” Eun-Ho said.

“... Okay! Let’s do it!” she answered.