Chapter 50: The Handicaps

“Survival?”

“Are we doing some kind of survival game?”

“That’s right.”

Hunter Kim Jiyeon spoke calmly.

“I believe this is the best way to select future Hunter talent. I also hope that you will experience and feel the same epiphany I had on this island ten years ago.”

“But…”

“What is this…!”

A commotion erupted, far louder than before. While the Hunter aspirants had expected some kind of combat test, they probably hadn’t anticipated a battle royale.

“Yes, I admit that not informing you beforehand was a mistake on our part.”

Kim Jiyeon continued.

“Therefore, those who wish to withdraw can do so now. Travel expenses will be provided, and those who used public transportation will be provided with transportation back to the city.”

As Hunter Kim Jiyeon raised her voice, the participants gradually quieted down.

“However, the winner of this camp will receive three years of tuition support and priority medical treatment from ‘Nick’s Brothers’ for any injuries sustained in future Gates.”

“…”

“…”

The participants contemplated the substantial reward.

They exchanged glances, but in the end, no one raised their hand.

“Thank you.”

Kim Jiyeon smiled, satisfied.

“Then I’ll explain the details. Please look at the screen.”

The image of the island was still displayed on the screen.

“Students and instructors will be randomly placed in pairs across the island. Your objective is to subdue your opponents and collect their bracelets.”

Kim Jiyeon held up a bracelet. It was the same thick bracelet that had been given to the instructors upon entering the auditorium.

‘I’m the target…’

Ruah touched the bracelet on her wrist.

“I-Isn’t that too dangerous?”

A participant raised their hand and asked.

“If the competition gets too heated, the battles could become intense.”

“Yes, to prevent accidents, our guild members will be monitoring everyone through cameras installed throughout the island. If a student’s life is in danger, or if there’s a risk of permanent injury, we will intervene without hesitation.”

“But…!”

“The ‘Nick’s Brothers’ Guild will do its utmost to prevent any unfortunate incidents.”

Kim Jiyeon’s words were firm. If a high-ranking Hunter like her said so, further objections would be pointless.

“You are free to form alliances, infiltrate, or act as you see fit. However, there is one rule: the safe zone on the island will gradually shrink.”

A large circle appeared on the screen, encompassing the entire island, and then gradually constricted towards the center.

“This is a measure to ensure the competition concludes within the time limit, so please keep it in mind.”

‘That’s how it was in the game too.’

Ruah nodded, recalling her memories. Poison gas, which dealt damage over time, would spread outside the safe zone, forcing players inwards.

“There are 50 students participating in this camp, one from each of the 50 academies. Including the instructors, there are 100 people in total. Only one team will win: the team that holds onto their bracelets until the very end. Do you understand?”

“…Yes!”

The participants’ eyes sharpened as they began to strategize.

Ruah adjusted the bracelet on her wrist to fit snugly.

The rules were quite simple. Take the other teams’ bracelets and protect your own.

“Now, I’ll give you some time for final preparations. Participants, please check your weapons and your physical condition. And instructors, please move to the left side of the auditorium.”

“?”

“Why?”

Despite their questions, the sound of scraping chairs filled the auditorium. Ruah also stood up.

“Where are you going?”

“I’ll be back soon. There’s a penalty draw.”

“…?”

Juju tilted her head, but Ruah simply waved and joined the instructors. There was no need to explain. Juju would find out in five minutes anyway.

“Now, attention please!”

A guild member, in charge of guiding the instructors, clapped his hands. One of his legs was a prosthetic.

“Teachers, you’ll also be participating with the students! Lucky you!”

“…Yes.”

The instructors replied, though with some suspicion. While it would be worrying to send the students alone, their chances of winning might increase with experienced instructors participating alongside them.

“However, as professionals, you have the potential to interfere with the students’ performance. Therefore, you will receive two penalties.”

“Penalties?”

“The first is a skill usage limit! If you, the instructors, intervene in the battles between students, it wouldn’t be a fair competition. Therefore, you can only use your skills three times during the two-night, three-day camp. Any further use will result in immediate disqualification.”

“…!”

The instructors frowned, but they seemed to understand for the most part. The original purpose of the camp was to assess the students’ abilities.

“And the second penalty is a body part restriction! Just like our guild members, you, the instructors, must also give up the use of one body part.”

“B-But…”

“Haha, of course, we won’t actually cut anything off. We’ll just seal it with tape. Now, please line up one by one.”

“Hey, isn’t this too much?”

“So we’re just supposed to protect the bracelets?”

The instructors became noisy. Some protested, but the guild member just smiled apologetically.

‘The instructors are just bracelet-wearing totems.’

The fact that they couldn’t even use their skills said it all.

But Ruah’s situation was a little different.

With her knowledge and experience of this battle royale game, she could advise Juju. That alone gave Ruah and Juju a significant advantage.

“Then let’s begin the draw!”

The guild member presented a box filled with folded pieces of paper. The instructor at the front reluctantly drew a slip.

“…It says ‘right leg’.”

“Alright!”

Two guild members waiting nearby helped the instructor up and strapped a wooden splint to his right leg before wrapping it tightly with tape.

“Kyaaa! What are you doing! Let go of me!”

“We apologize. Please bear with us for a moment.”

Soon, the instructor’s right leg was completely immobilized in a straight position. The guild member then attached a ‘Nick’s Brothers’ logo sticker to the splint.

“If this comes off, you’ll be disqualified. Be careful.”

“I… I shouldn’t have come to this… camp…!”

The other instructors also suffered their respective fates. Some had their left leg sealed, some their eyes, some their ears.

“Wow, that’s really harsh. Don’t you think?”

“?”

The person in front of Ruah turned and whispered to her. It was Shin Hwayeon, whom she had met earlier.

“Which body part do you hope to get, Teacher? I really hope it’s not my eyes or legs. It seems like it would be really difficult without my eyes, and if my legs are sealed, I won’t be able to walk and will be eliminated quickly. So…”

“Ah, yes.”

Ruah half-heartedly listened, but Hwayeon, seemingly tireless, continued chattering until it was her turn.

‘I wish someone would shut her up…’

“Next!”

Finally, it was Shin Hwayeon’s turn.

“Please be gentle. Okay? If you damage my skin while taping my arms or legs…”

Hwayeon said so while drawing a slip. Ruah, curious, peeked at it.

“…Oh?”

It seemed like a god had answered Ruah’s prayer.

“Unfortunately, instructor Shin Hwayeon won’t be able to speak for the next two nights and three days!”

“What? Wait a minute! There was such a thing? But I—”

Hwayeon started chattering twice as fast as before, but fortunately, one of the guild members activated a skill.

—Crackle!

He placed his hand on Hwayeon’s neck and activated the skill. With a small spark, the effect took place.

“Ah, mmmph.”

Hwayeon tried to speak, moving her lips, but only incoherent mumbles came out. Ruah was finally freed from the burden of listening to her chatter.

‘Finally, some peace and quiet.’

Ruah inwardly smiled and stepped forward.

“You’re Teacher Han Ruah from Felix Academy! Here you go!”

“Y-Yes.”

Ruah reached into the box with a trembling hand.

‘Anything but my mouth.’

She couldn’t afford to be unable to advise Juju. Ruah carefully shuffled the slips and pulled one out.

The body part written on it was—

<Both arms>.

“Oh dear! You’ve been assigned a difficult one! Teacher Han Ruah won’t be able to use her arms for the next two nights and three days!”

“W-What does that mean…?”

“This way.”

Two guild members, tearing off strips of tape, called Ruah over. She hesitantly approached, and they instructed her in a low voice.

“Attention stance, please.”

“Y-Yes.”

As the frightened Ruah pressed her arms against her sides as instructed, the guild members proceeded to wrap her arms and torso together with tape. Her upper body was completely immobilized, like a bandit tied up with ropes.

“Good luck.”

“…”

She could only wiggle her fingers; her arms were completely useless. The thought of spending two nights and three days like this made her feel faint.

“What is this…”

“Mmmph, mmmph.”

Hwayeon, her mouth sealed, chuckled as if amused.

“I guess I’m better off than you, Teacher.”

“…Ugh.”

At Ruah’s pointed look, Hwayeon nodded sadly.