WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS

Translator: ZERO_SUGAR

Editor: smol_anon

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

◈ Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint ◈

Chapter 44: Episode 10 - Future War (2)

The moment the flag wrapped around my hand, I felt a surge of powerful energy coursing through my body. Originally, it was meant for the third-round Yu Junghyeok... but it didn’t matter.

That guy’s strong enough even without this, right?

[The incarnation Kim Dokja has seized the White Flag.]

[If the ownership of the white flag does not change within the next 5 minutes, Chungmuro Station will come under his control.]

[If someone takes the flag, the ownership changes, and the 5-minute timer will reset.]

A timer appeared in the air.

[5:00]

Pildu’s face turned pale as he pointed at me.

“Take the flag! We just need to grab it within 5 minutes!”

The Coalition members, snapping back to their senses, rushed toward me. Oh, so that’s how they wanted to play it? Hyeonseong looked over at me.

“Dokja-ssi!”

“Hyeonseong-ssi, catch!”

The ‘Shield of Hercules’ flew from my hand and landed snugly in Hyeonseong’s grip.

“This... What is this?”

“I got you a new one. Toss out the old one.”

A big grin spread across Hyeonseong’s face.

[The character Lee Hyeonseong has activated the special skill Area Defense!]

A translucent barrier formed around us, centered on the Shield of Hercules. As expected, an A-grade item came with a useful support skill.

“Whoa, what is this?!”

People bumped into the barrier and groaned. They tried to bang on it with their outdated weapons, but there was no way E-grade or F-grade gear could break it. The Coalition members had only one hope left.

“Pildu-ssi!”

“Everyone, move!”

It seemed Pildu’s [Armed Zone] level had increased significantly. A small-scale Armed Zone was already forming around his feet. He was trying to localize the area to shorten the cooldown—pretty smart. I guess I’d have to handle him properly this time to set things straight.

“Gong Pildu, I didn’t tell you to get up yet.”

“Urgh?”

Pildu’s head slammed against the ground as he once again collapsed.

[You have been given the authority to command as per your contract!]

“Keep your head on the ground until I say you can get up.”

At Pildu’s scream, the flustered Coalition members shouted.

“P-Pildu-ssi?!”

“Lift him up! Quickly!”

They scrambled to get Pildu on his feet, but with his massive build, it wasn’t easy.

“And... turn off those turrets. They’re getting annoying.”

[The character Gong Pildu has deactivated the skill Armed Zone Lv.6.]

“You... you bastard...!”

“Close that foul mouth of yours. Consider it a 30-minute vow of silence.”

[You have been given the authority to command as per your contract!]

“Mmph! Mmph!”

The moment their once-reliable Gong Pildu was neutralized, the Coalition members were left completely demoralized. Of course, my own group—Hyeonseong, Sangah, Huiwon—was just as surprised. I gave a lighthearted grin.

“Alright, now that everyone’s up to speed, shall we have a little talk...?”

I saw some people take a step back. A quick count showed there were 29 people remaining. Twenty were from the Coalition, and the other nine were from our group and some neutral parties. It wasn’t a big number, but that made things easier. Too many people from the start would be difficult to manage.

I looked at them and said,

“Right now, you have two options.”

It was time to draw the line.

“One, you can leave Chungmuro and go to another station. Two, you can stay here with me.”

“Why are you suddenly saying this...?”

“Just answer. Are you staying, or are you going elsewhere? It would be best to decide before the Main Scenario begins. Otherwise, all of your lives will be at risk.”

Eyes darted nervously around. Some people looked at me, some glanced at Gong Pildu, and others stared down the tunnel leading to the other stations. From their gazes, it was easy to tell what they were thinking.

“I won’t stop anyone who wants to leave. But if you choose to stay, you will have to follow my rules.”

“Rules...?”

“There will be no more of this ‘Landlord Coalition’ nonsense. I won’t allow small groups to act like tyrants anymore.”

Some of the neutral parties, sensing a shift, began to drift toward my side. They had been harassed by the Coalition, so siding with me probably seemed like the better option. Some of the Coalition members shouted out.

“So you’re just gonna play king, huh?”

“I won’t deny it. But I won’t be collecting taxes or survival fees like some people.”

“Will joining your group guarantee our safety?”

That question came from one of the former Coalition members. Understandable, considering how they had treated their tenants.

“Safety from external threats, yes, but I won’t interfere with internal issues. Disputes between individuals are your own to resolve.”

“T-then...”

“You have one minute. Make your decisions by then.”

I didn’t really need to wait a full minute. Most of them had already made up their minds. Some of the Coalition members, particularly the younger ones, approached me and bowed their heads.

“We’re in your care from now on. We’ve done wrong, but please forgive us.”

“Pleased to have you. Though, you should be asking others for forgiveness, not me.”

[Some members of the group are showing trust toward you.]

On the other hand, a few others seemed determined to leave. They tried to hoist Pildu up, struggling with his bulk. I addressed them directly.

“Oh, leave Gong Pildu here. He belongs to me now.”

“What do you mean by that...?!”

“If you’ve made your decision, then hurry up and leave.”

At my cold declaration, five of the Coalition members scowled and backed off.

“Kang! You’re really not coming with us? There’s no point sticking with that guy!”

“Let’s go already! Are you really going to live under that bastard’s thumb? You know what he’s like!”

But no more defectors emerged.

The five men cursed as they kept glancing back, eventually walking down the tunnel toward Myeongdong. They were probably planning to settle down somewhere and become new ‘landlords,’ but unfortunately, their plans were bound to fail. In the fourth scenario, such ‘wanderers’ were prime prey for predators.

After the 5 minutes were up, a system message appeared.

[The sub-scenario has ended.]

[You have received 1,000 coins as a reward.]

[You are now the rightful Representative of Chungmuro Station through the White Flag.]

[Current group members: 24]

[Your fame is still insufficient to earn the title of King.]

The title of King...

Well, it wasn’t easy to earn that with a white flag. To truly walk the ‘King’s Path,’ I’d have to change the flag’s color. Of course, the white flag had its own ‘authority.’

[Through the effect of the White Flag, you have gained control over the Chungmuro group.]

[You can impose punishments on group members who oppose you.]

[Currently, 5 members have left the group.]

I considered demonstrating the effects of ‘punishment’ on the men who were leaving, but decided against it. Ruling through fear might be effective, but that kind of tyranny didn’t suit me.

“Well then, I’ll be counting on all of you.”

I made eye contact with each person as I spoke. Hyeonseong looked at me with trust, while Sangah and Huiwon sighed in relief. The rest glanced around, still uncertain.

They were a ragtag bunch for now, but this was a good start.

A little while later, Bihyeong reappeared in the air.

[Oh ho, looks like a representative has been chosen. Now let’s get on to the main event!]

[The fourth main scenario has been activated!]

+

<Main Scenario #4 - Capture the Flag>

Category: Main

Difficulty: C

Clear conditions: (Too much content to display. Window minimized.)

Time limit: 12 days

Reward: 2,000 coins

Penalty for failure: ???

+

I tapped on the window to check the clear condition.

A long message appeared in front of me.

+

[Clear Conditions]

Each station possesses a flag that can be used to claim a flagpole.

* Only the station’s representative can carry the flag.

You must protect your flagpole from other groups. If another group’s flag is planted in your station’s flagpole, your station will be taken over, and the treatment of your group will be decided by the group that claims the stand.

You can plant your flag in other stations’ flagpoles. Only the representative has the authority to do this, and if the representative is killed during a confrontation, the rights will transfer to whoever picks up the flag first. If another group captures your flag, the treatment of your group will be decided by the group that takes it.

You must seize the flagpole of the target station within the specified period. Failure to do so will result in the death of all group members.

Your group’s target station is [Changsin Station].

+

Huiwon thought for a moment before speaking.

“So, we have to protect our flag and flagpole, and plant our flag at other stations. Did I understand that right?”

“That’s how I see it too. Our target station is Changsin Station.”

Hyeonseong added. I followed up.

“That seems correct. You all have good comprehension.”

Huiwon shot me a glance, as if to say, ‘You knew that already, didn’t you?’ Now that she knew I had knowledge of the future, she’d probably find my behavior irritating. I gave her a grin. Sangah hugged herself and muttered quietly.

“Do we... have to fight people again?”

After thinking for a moment, Hyeonseong responded.

“If we just occupy the ‘flagpole,’ we can decide how to treat the station’s members. Maybe there’s a way to avoid casualties.”

“Oh, right! Just because we lose a station doesn’t mean we die, right? If we can absorb the members...”

“Yes, it’s possible we could clear it without anyone dying.”

Hyeonseong’s smile didn’t comfort me. Sometimes, it felt like Sangah and Hyeonseong were trying to understand the world with some heavenly logic.

There’s no scenario where no one dies.

The fourth scenario would see more casualties than any we’d faced so far. As if sensing my thoughts, Huiwon spoke up, frowning.

“Which line is Changsin Station on? We should figure that out first.”

Hyeonseong checked the map.

“It’s on Line 6. We could go through the tunnel to Yaksu and transfer there...”

“Then we’ll have to split up. Some of us will stay here and defend, while others scout ahead.”

Watching the group exchange ideas without me having to say anything, I felt a strange sense of satisfaction.

[The safety barrier around Chungmuro Station has been lifted due to the scenario’s activation.]

[You are now free to move between stations.]

As the others continued their discussions, I approached Gong Pildu.

“Pildu, you can speak now.”

Even after the command was lifted, he only ground his teeth, glaring at me without saying a word.

“I understand you have a grudge against me, but you need to adapt. Your days as a landlord are over.”

“...”

“I know why you were so obsessed with ‘land,’ but enough is enough. If you want to survive, you’ll need to change. You still have a role to play.”

Pildu’s eyes wavered. I continued.

“You’ll be responsible for defending this place.”

Pildu was useful not just in the third scenario but also in the fourth. As long as he guarded Chungmuro, it would be safe—unless a lunatic like Junghyeok showed up.

“Why should I listen to you...”

“I won’t force you this time. And if you do as I ask, there will be rewards.”

“...”

“Think it over. You have family out there, right?”

Pildu’s eyes widened at my last remark.

“You, how do you know...!”

At that moment, a noise echoed from the tunnel. Headlights flashed from the tracks leading to Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station, or ‘Dongyeoksa Station.’

The sound of a bike engine, mixed with acrid exhaust fumes.

Something was approaching Chungmuro.

Footnotes:

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