The final ten were selected.

As expected, a benefit was given to those who remained in the last ten.

“Participants in the final ten will be granted team leader privileges.”

Since they could choose their own teammates, it looked like the second survival would also proceed as a team competition.

Of course, that wasn’t all.

Through an on-site vote, an additional benefit was awarded to the first-place winner, Roi.

“A special advantage will be given to contestant Roi, who ranked first.”

Hangyeol looked on with a meaningful smile.

“It’s a Team Member Invitation Ticket.”

A Team Member Invitation Ticket?

The contestants murmured, and Hangyeol continued his explanation.

“With this ticket, contestant Roi can invite an external awakener as a teammate to join the Star Hero Survival.”

When he added that there was no grade restriction, the set instantly erupted in chaos.

“No grade restriction? So even S-rank is allowed?”

“If he brings someone rated higher than him, it’s game over.”

“Ah, come on, that can’t be right.”

“Whatever it is, I’m jealous.”

Watching with interest, Hangyeol took the floor again.

“But—”

Of course.

Roi had expected there would be conditions. In Korean, you always listen to the end.

It was suspicious from the start that they would let him recruit without any grade limit.

“External teammates can only participate for the single day that the survival takes place.”

To summarize: you could recruit someone from outside, but you couldn’t practice together in advance.

“Is that understood?”

“Yes.”

Roi answered without hesitation. The lack of a grade cap was clearly attractive, since it meant he could bring in a high-rank awakener. But having to coordinate on the spot could be a double-edged sword.

‘My choice of invitee could decide victory or defeat.’

He decided to ponder that more later; for now, it was more important to choose teammates from among the existing contestants.

“The method of selecting team members is the same as before.”

Inside the container were capsules numbered one through ten. The team leaders would draw one capsule each, then take turns choosing teammates in numerical order.

“Contestant Roi, please draw your capsule first.”

Me again?

The reward for winning the mini-game was pretty sweet. After the benefit, he even got first pick.

Suppressing a rising smile, Roi stepped up to the container.

‘Lucky Roi, the luckiest of all.’

Taking a deep breath, he slipped his hand in without hesitation. The number he drew was—

[1]

Of course it was number one. Nice!

Clenching his fist, Roi felt a surge of triumph. Shortly afterward, the other nine contestants drew in turn.

“All right. The draw is complete. Contestant Roi, who drew number one, will have the first chance to select teammates.”

A microphone was handed to Roi. Standing opposite eighty-nine contestants, he calmly scanned the room one by one.

“Because contestant Roi earned the first-place benefit, you may select eight teammates excluding yourself.”

“Yes.”

Since he absolutely intended to take these two, Roi called their names without hesitation.

“First, I choose Kim Taeeon A and Park Yeonwoo B.”

At Roi’s call, the two dashed forward as if they’d been waiting. Taeeon smiled as he took his place beside Roi, while Yeonwoo charged at him, wrapping him in a fierce hug and mussing his hair.

“Well done, my little firecracker!”

“Ow...!”

“Come here.”

When Roi winced and pushed him away, Taeeon quickly grabbed Yeonwoo’s arm and pried him off.

The roll call continued.

“Seo Hyunwoo A, Anna A, Gye Bokji B... that makes eight.”

Before the first team pick was even finished, the set buzzed. Roi had practically swept up all the A- and B-ranked contestants.

“He really is ruthless.”

“That team’s already unbeatable.”

The waiting team leaders clicked their tongues behind him. Even Hangyeol let out a dry laugh. No one had expected Roi to be so blatant.

“Isn’t that a bit much?”

Hangyeol asked half in jest, and Roi shrugged.

“Life is real combat. I think Team Roi deserves no less.”

His answer betrayed an unshakable will to survive at all costs.

“Right now, I’m already looking forward to the results. So, have you decided who you’ll choose for the last spot?”

“Yes. I—”

When Roi spoke the next name, the set was struck with horror once more. Even his smiling teammates froze.

“Are you out of your mind?”

Turning to whisper from behind, Yeonwoo tugged at his shirt, but Roi did not waver. Team leader’s prerogative. He had a plan.

✧

With team selection complete, the second survival mission was finally announced.

[Queen Hunt]

As the title filled the screen, the contestants murmured.

“This survival is the Queen Hunt.”

The rules were simple. Each team had one “Queen,” and only the Queen could hold the treasure. Teams had to protect their own Queen while finding and stealing the opposing team’s treasure. The first team to do so won. It promised to be a strategic mission, not just a brawl.

“Again, only half of the ten teams—five teams—will advance to the semifinals.”

When audience questions were invited, a contestant raised a hand.

“Can the Queen participate in combat?”

“Of course. No restrictions.”

“Is there a losers’ revival round?” 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

“There is none. Only the five teams that survive to the end will proceed to the semifinals.”

The firm answer tightened the contestants’ expressions. Team Roi’s members looked unusually calm. Roi folded his arms and observed his teammates’ reactions.

‘Hmm. Not reckless at all.’

He was pleased by their faces—though in truth, they already looked half-defeated. Roi listened with satisfaction as Hangyeol wrapped up his remarks.

“But, for safe filming, the attack range will be limited.”

While defeating an opponent was allowed, excessive force or inflicting mortal injury would result in immediate elimination, regardless of the outcome. Thus, flashy skills and brute strength wouldn’t be everything; maintaining a tactical advantage would be decisive.

✧

A little later, the contestants gathered by team. Team Roi sat in the seats assigned by production, and the mood remained gloomy.

‘Is everyone just shy?’

More than half of them must have shared living quarters before; why were they so quiet...?

Roi rolled his eyes in thought. Yeonwoo, normally chatty when he saw Roi, stayed silent, and Taeeon stared at the floor, clearly unwilling to lighten the mood. The others refused to meet his gaze—maybe they resented being led by an F-rank rookie.

‘I thought it might be easy for once.’

Roi, who harbored inferiority over an F-rank, felt a sudden surge of frustration. A leader with no authority! If he didn’t seize control early, survival would be impossible. He resolved to lead a little more forcefully, when suddenly Seo Hyunwoo A spoke up.

“I have a question.”

“U-uh?”

At the voice of the masked man revealing only his eyes, an icy chill fell. Roi stammered and ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ internally cringed.

“Krhm. Go ahead.”

Roi cleared his throat and answered solemnly, unwilling to lose face.

“Why did you choose those two as your first-place benefit?”

“Oh?”

Yeonwoo muttered in admiration—he’d never heard Hyunwoo speak so much.

“You want to know why I picked them?”

“Yes.”

“Well...”

Of course, he’d chosen them because they would strengthen his team. The rookie from Pluton seemed a bit dull for all his reputation. Just as Roi’s expression soured, he noticed the fierce looks from his teammates. He could almost feel the burning stares—one misstep and he’d be torn apart.

‘Is this really the time for me to answer...?’

Sure enough, another teammate backed Hyunwoo up.

“That’s right. Other teams have ten members, but ours has only nine. That leaves gaps in offense and defense.”

“So I brought someone.”

“Do you really think that person can be a genuine asset, Iroi?”

He’d chosen them, of course. He just hadn’t expected such strong pushback.

“There was no grade limit, so why specifically them—”

“So you’re blaming me for squandering that opportunity?”

“Yes.”

“...”

The team felt like it was creaking toward sinking. Still, he appreciated the frankness. Better to speak up than sulk silently. Roi mulled over how to justify his choice.

‘Honestly, I only picked that guy because I couldn’t think of anyone else...’

Telling the truth would spark a mutiny. After a moment’s thought, Roi parted his lips.

“Do any of you know the Tao?”

At the sudden mention of esoteric doctrine, silence fell. Roi sensed the chill but pressed on brazenly.

“I trust him.”

The Tao is a shamanistic practice born of mixed philosophies—an enlightenment of sorts. Normally the mere thought of it would make his teeth chatter, but something about that guy inspired confidence. His gut said the man must be high-ranked. Probably A-rank.

“Do you know his ability?”

Leaning in and whispering, Roi watched as his teammates bent forward, eager to hear more.

“He can see the future.”

The person Roi used his first-place benefit on was none other than Gwak Hyeol F. A supposedly F-rank contestant forced to withdraw just before filming for health reasons.