Chapter 325. The Struggle for a Consort (3)

Two women emerged from the alleyway.

A woman with long golden hair hanging down to her waist, whose beauty was pure and placid, and beside her was a quite young girl with the appearance of a playful scamp.

“Nice to meet you. My name is Iris Reinhardt.”

The blonde beauty introduced herself first.

Reinhardt…

Now that I think about it.

She indeed resembled the other Reinhardts I had met in the Empire.

The princes were all gathered in their stunning handsomeness, and it seems the princesses were equally spectacular.

Jinhyuk couldn’t help but gulp down his dry saliva.

“I’m Mayu. Call me that. Dad made me promise to come back with brother. Don’t hesitate, come with me. My dad is incredibly strong and wealthy!”

The girl with tanned skin and bobbed hair smiled innocently.

So, this girl must be the youngest daughter of the Martial Alliance Leader.

Although I expected this seeing the roster, it’s impressive that the highest echelons from the central layers are all gathered here.

“My lord. It seems unwise to show them our backs… both are formidable opponents.”

“How do you want to handle this? If you wish, I could buy us some time.”

Wolyeong and Cheonyuseong asked for Jinhyuk’s opinion.

While Iris and Mayu possessed fundamental strengths and had unsealed their limits due to their factions’ support, it would be challenging for Wolyeong and Cheonyuseong to do more than hold them back.

However.

“No need for that.”

Jinhyuk casually shook his head.

No matter how strong Iris and Mayu’s backing was, it was meaningless.

The wealthiest player in this tournament was already determined.

Anyway, the time is slowly approaching…

Just when he thought that.

Boom!

With a great roar.

“What are these guys doing here! Just when I finally shook off that damned foolish saintess. Why are there so many competitors!”

An angry Elis unleashed dozens of lances made of blood.

[Elis has activated her unique ability ‘Blood Lord’!]

“That person is…”

“Wow! What’s this, a powerful rival has appeared!”

Iris and Mayu drew their weapons as well.

Soon after, a desperate struggle for the Eternal Rose unfolded.

＊＊＊

Amidst the chaos caused by Elis’s intrusion.

Jinhyuk smoothly escaped the alley.

They were too busy striking each other to spare attention for anything else.

With their location-tracking items, they could capture Jinhyuk at any time, but there was always the risk of being eliminated if they let their guards down amongst rivals.

And as everyone was sure that the premise would not change.

Finally, Jinhyuk’s preparations were complete.

“Hmm?”

“Huh?”

A group of women from the Empire felt a strange sense of discomfort as they walked together huddled up.

The once hard ground felt soft, then suddenly…

Swsh!

They were swiftly swallowed by the ground.

The traps created by elemental spirits began to activate in earnest.

“Aahhh!”

“What, what’s this?”

Five women fell victim to a mud pit crafted by gnomes.

Completely drenched in mud, their dresses and clothes were ruined.

Elsewhere, a salamander was intently spewing flames.

Fwoosh!

The scorching heat melted their carefully applied makeup, and their meticulously styled hair started to crisp and burn.

“Ahhh!”

“What do we do!”

“My… my hair! It took 3 hours to do this. It’s ruined. All ruined!”

Hell broke out everywhere.

However, the climax of the disaster had not yet begun.

Rumble!

Boom!

Thunder sounded in the distance.

Despite clear skies over the entire martial world, dark clouds piled up only over Luoyang.

[Due to the effect of the Dragon Pearl, a ‘Thunderstorm’ has been activated.]

“I am a noble dragon… supreme and holy… you could say divine. Haha. I have often been honored as the most glorious amongst the Four Guardians. That honorable creature is me.”

The Azure Dragon, or rather, Malangheukdury cranes mumbled self-derisively.

“Mosquito!”

“Ah, understood. I’m working hard to bring rain, aren’t I? At least I do well whatever you ask of me.”

“Mosquito, mosquito.”

Under the watchful eye and sharp gaze of the sweet potato, Malangheukdury poured down a torrential rain.

-Raple: Wow, the participants all look like drowned rats.

-FairDragonFriend: ㄹㅇ. There’s no devil like it. The bet on the third daughter of the Count’s household I backed is hopeless. Her dress turned black.

-jus: Me too. Lost all my coins. I spent 3 months collecting themㅠㅠ

-JangJio: Should’ve bet on blue-chip Elis coins instead of chasing high returns. It’s like reliable, hearty beef soup though the payout’s lower.

-jxh: Agree. Honestly, one stab with Elis’s blood lance and everyone would be quiet.

Viewers poured out reactions of dismay.

No one imagined the contestants would be eliminated this swiftly.

Guests at the banquet were astounded.

“Uh…”

“Our dear daughter…”

Nobles from the empire blankly stared at the screen.

“We raised her like a fragile flower… to think she would be eliminated like this.”

“Haha. Our child didn’t even get to meet young master Kang.”

The heads and elders of the martial clans also tasted bitterness.

“Puhahaha! What a spectacle. Honestly, we thought we would be more embarrassed, but a true gem indeed remains a gem. At this rate, it will be a total elimination.”

Martial Alliance Leader Ma Taebong laughed heartily.

Although his daughter also participated, Ma Taebong seemed to enjoy the way things were unfolding.

Lastly, the Dark Demon Lord quietly opened his mouth, watching Jinhyuk’s performance from afar.

“Dark Emperor.”

“Yes, Your Eminence.”

“That boy… treat him well. Even if he complains a little or does as he pleases, don’t bother him.”

“Of course. That would be wise. Honestly, making him an enemy would be more bothersome than dealing with the Devil of Samaja or the Commandant of Simma.”

“He’s even more terrifying than the Blood Demon I fought ten years ago. Instinctively, he seems to know exactly how to make people suffer the most.”

“…I see the same.”

The two quietly watched the screen.

＊＊＊

How much time has passed since the struggle for the consort began?

One by one, those who had been fighting so hard for the Eternal Rose disappeared.

Finally, only eight remained.

On the Empire’s side were Princess Iris and the second daughter of Count Melmorn.

From the martial side were Ma Yu, the youngest daughter of the Martial Alliance Leader, Hwasan’s Baek Seolrin, and So Cheong-ah, the sister of So Yumyeong.

Lastly, for the players and inhabitants of other layers, naturally, were Elis, Theresa, and Andria.

“It really is terrible. To think they won’t give up despite this. How much more must I torment them before they give up? Hmm. Should I try to feed them Mapo tofu instead of stewed tofu this time?”

Jinhyuk seriously mused.

Most were defeated by terrible traps and raised the white flag while crying.

However, those remaining were burning with the will to continue, no matter if the sky fell.

“At this point, can’t you just act a little defeated and give the rose to someone? Everyone’s really gathered here because they’re interested in you. It seems necessary to choose one person.”

Cheonyuseong casually interjected while observing.

Of course, Jinhyuk brushed off the comment.

“They’re not here for me but for the power of the rose and the interests of their factions. Plus, this is a sort of event quest. If that’s taken too seriously, what then?”

“Fine. I should have kept quiet. Not clueless, but completely devoid of emotion, I see.”

“Hmm. To hear those words from you makes me extraordinarily upset.”

Jinhyuk and Cheonyuseong went back and forth.

“My lord. It’s fortunate that only eight remain. With just over a minute left, it practically ends with your victory, doesn’t it?”

“Right. They’ll be kept busy holding each other back, unable to come here.”

Jinhyuk nodded.

However, everyone was overlooking one detail.

Among the items exhibited in this event was a relic that could turn the tide in just one minute.

[A relic with ‘Absolute Judgment’ effects has been used in this area!]

The environment suddenly shifted dramatically.

Kukukukukuku!

Powerful magical forces whirled around the area where the three were.

“This is…!”

“My lord!”

Cheonyuseong and Wolyeong immediately tried to withdraw.

But the red pillars engulfing the area did not allow those inside to leave.

“Hehehehe! You thought you had won?”

“Hehe! There’s still a minute left!”

That’s when the sinister laughter was heard.

Theresa with her long golden hair and Andria, who had fully transformed into a beast, appeared.

Moreover.

Thump.

From left, right, and behind, familiar faces appeared.

“Did you take me too lightly with just two guards?”

“The Empire will not back down so easily.”

“Just give up quietly.”

Realizing that none could win alone, the remaining eight banded together.

First, to ensure that Jinhyuk could not escape.

Next, to let each one’s capacity determine who would secure the Eternal Rose.

Their plan worked perfectly.

The accumulated coins activated the most potent abilities.

[The eight contestants request the Absolute Judgment ‘Domain of Binding’.]

An ominous power fluctuated.

“Absolute… Judgment. Dammit. Isn’t that dangerous?”

Cheonyuseong instinctively shivered.

“Don’t worry. The condition for triggering Absolute Judgment is painstakingly tricky. They’ve just wasted their coins and relics.”

“Are you sure?”

“Have you been fooled all your life? Those conditions are impossible for them to solve.”

Jinhyuk smiled confidently.

And as if proving his words.

Ding!

A blue-hued interface appeared.

[To trigger the event condition, high knowledge about the target is required.]

[Describe ‘Kang Jinhyuk’s favorite food in the Tower of Trials, how it is prepared, and how often he has eaten it in the past three months.]

[The more detailed your description, the greater the ability’s effect.]

“See? How can they answer that? Even a deranged person…”

But Jinhyuk’s words were interrupted.

“Nanananana!”

Elis waved her hands frantically as if she knew the answer like a child.

Could it be…?

“Tengkong worms used to catch Rainbow Shrimps, slowly grilled over a low flame for 1 hour, 15 minutes, and 13 seconds, then seasoned with 13.5 grams of Ashumtra salt from the 5th floor, sprinkled seven times. He’s eaten it 26 times in the last three months. The most recent time was exactly 62 hours, 15 minutes, and 33 seconds ago.”

The burst of words.

Elis puffed out her chest proudly.

“You said it was impossible to answer, didn’t you?”

“Come on, in all humanity, that’s an abnormal thing to know! That’s stalker-level knowledge.”

Appalled, Jinhyuk almost protested.

Yet now, it wasn’t about how Elis memorized it; it was about whether she was right.

[The Domain of Binding (Highest Grade) is activated!]

Crash!

“Ugh!”

Bound, he couldn’t move an inch.

Only 10 seconds remained.

Boom!

Thump!

All eight charged at once.

“I will…!”

“Don’t be ridiculous!”

“Aaagh!”

They bickered and reached out from different directions.

And among them, the winner was…

“Got it…!”

Elis’s fingertips touched the Eternal Rose on Jinhyuk’s right chest.

She firmly grasped the rose.

[The event has concluded.]

[Limited Time: 0h:0m:0s]

“I did it! I won! I won!”

Elis burst into cheers.

At the same time.

[There are no winners from the challengers’ side.]

[The winner is the seeker ‘Kang Jinhyuk’ player!]

“…What?”

The smile vanished from Elis’s face.