Chapter 154

A week slipped by, and then a second one followed.

Honestly, because day and night cycled according to the rules of this particular realm, it was impossible to gauge the actual passage of time back on Earth.

Granted, no one was really keeping track anyway.

Our daily schedule remained straightforward.

Marching, consuming meals, practicing, and resting.

And on the occasions when a beast crossed our path…?

Whoosh!

Stormy would effortlessly accumulate stacks before they continued forward.

The creatures themselves weren’t fragile by any means.

It was merely that the cooperative force of Baek Jinwoo and Rachel proved overwhelmingly potent.

Deep down, apprehension lingered, yet we did our best to suppress it.

Psychological focus!

“Wow, today’s food is incredible as well. Truly top-tier!”

Rachel ripped into an entire leg of cooked wild boar, repeatedly flashing an approving thumb.

“It’s delicious.”

Baek Jinwoo offered a nod, looking thoroughly content.

• Much obliged, my master.

Drill Sarge displayed an expression of deep satisfaction.

Treating the journey like a gastronomic excursion helped.

It rendered the situation more bearable.

To a small degree.

Yubaek City.

The main square was alive with vibrant activity after a long period of quiet.

The atmosphere had grown dull due to Baek Jinwoo being gone for so long, yet energy surged back when the one hundred trainees selected personally by Yu Jia assembled together.

Quiet whispers echoed through the gathering.

High-level contenders had shown up.

They ranged from prominent domestic rankers whose faces were instantly familiar to anonymous unranked individuals.

Every single candidate had successfully cleared the evaluation by the Mindreader Eagle, ensuring that their motives, at a bare minimum, were pure.

“Hey, check out that person over there.”

“Which one?”

“The individual wearing spectacles over there. Isn’t he ranked eleventh domestically? He’s incredibly well-known.”

“Ah, Jeong Siwoo?”

“Exactly, Jeong Siwoo! People call him the Data Machine.”

“Whoa! Luna came as well!”

“Who is Luna?”

“You seriously haven’t heard of her? It’s BJ Luna! Her popularity has skyrocketed recently! I believe her YouTube channel just cleared 1.4 million followers.”

Local citizens had gathered on the sidelines to observe the trainees.

It truly made for a spectacular view.

Public figures of various backgrounds had congregated simply to vie for an opportunity to enter SKY……

And.

Stationed directly before the gathered trainees was Hong Ari.

The leading evaluator.

This duty was initially designated for Drill Sarge, but since he was away, the responsibility fell to the deputy leader, Hong Ari.

Arranged in a neat row behind her stood nine members of the organization.

Incredible.

Those individuals represent our nation’s elite squad……

The very champions who claimed victory in the global tournament.

Gulp.

The trainees collectively swallowed their anxiety, their tension reaching a peak.

These were role models they looked up to, and encountering them face-to-face… the sheer aura they projected was staggeringly powerful.

Their physical conditioning is ridiculous.

Every single one looks incredibly robust.

Rumor has it that the regimen inside SKY is far more grueling than what Olympic athletes endure.

Attentive gazes followed each motion of the evaluation team.

However,

A vital figure was nowhere to be seen.

The head of the organization, the top-ranked player globally!

Where could Baek Jinwoo be?

Is he not present?

A hint of dejection showed on the faces of certain candidates.

A handful had anticipated his arrival out of sheer admiration.

Even so,

He likely has important matters to attend to.

The majority quickly dismissed the thought.

The eve of the selection process.

Yu Jia assembled the core team to emphasize her directives.

“Even if Jinwoo remains absent, we cannot afford to remain idle. There is no obligation to adhere to a specific quota. Observe them over the next four weeks, and choose only those candidates whom you feel completely justified in bringing on board.”

Part of the issue was the absence of Drill Sarge.

Lacking insight into the hidden capabilities of these hopefuls, onboarding too many individuals without caution might spark complications later.

Consequently, they reached a mutual agreement: accept only an elite minority who displayed unmistakable brilliance right from the start.

A single recruit would suffice, as would a pair.

Once Baek Jinwoo made his return, they wanted to present only individuals whose selection could be thoroughly and proudly defended.

“Starting right now, I am handing over full command of the evaluation and hiring process to Ari.”

The entire roster had given their assent to this decision.

Holding the twenty-eighth position worldwide and ranking second in the nation,

Hong Ari was unmistakably the runner-up authority figure in South Korea.

Regarding the assessment of operational mastery, her perception would outmatch anyone else’s.

“I understand,”

Ari responded, giving a subtle nod.

The sudden burden of accountability placed upon her was substantial, yet she possessed prior experience leading the Arirang organization.

Managing this scenario without the presence of Baek Jinwoo was entirely within her capabilities.

“Team, let us proceed exactly as we planned.”

“Our initial week is going to focus entirely on endurance and body conditioning.”

Ari’s words cut through the air, sharp and resonant.

“Regardless of your intellect, the sharpness of your decision-making, or the precision of your mechanics…… the absolute core trait prized by SKY is physical endurance.”

Her declaration held profound gravity.

The vital nature of physical durability required no explanation.

Throughout extended engagements, relentless supervision of summons, and chaotic variables, sheer physical capacity served as the foundation for ultimate survival.

Granted, there existed an even more compelling reason behind this emphasis.

Specifically, Baek Jinwoo himself placed physical stamina above any other attribute!

The applicants had undoubtedly discovered this detail during their preparations, making any further elaboration redundant.

“During these first seven days,”

A slight smirk traced the edge of Ari’s lips.

“We intend to drain every remaining ounce of energy from your bodies. Should any of you wish to throw in the towel, you are welcome to walk away at any moment.”

The opening challenge commenced.

A test of running.

Both the veterans of the group and the fresh trainees set off along the expansive perimeter of the practice field.

Early on, the entire group was filled with intense motivation.

Their running postures stayed synchronized as they regulated their respiration and kept an even pace.

Yet as the minutes rolled past, signs of fatigue began to manifest on the trainees’ countenances.

“Pant, pant.”

“Huff, puff!”

Respiration turned erratic and heavy.

It felt as though massive weights had been bound to their lower limbs, turning each stride into pure torment.

This is pure madness.

Just how far do they expect us to go?

My chest feels like it’s about to burst.

The velocity did not slacken.

The pack maintained its structure, and the second a candidate lagged even marginally behind, senior members descended upon them like predatory birds.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

“Giving up already? If you want to yield, just do it! It’s much simpler that way!”

“A single phrase is all it takes! I quit!”

“Surrender now, and a refreshing drink of chilled water will be handed right to you!”

Ki Jaehyeok and Kang Jiho.

Appearing entirely unbothered and sweat-free, they closely trailed those falling behind, taunting them.

Their objective was to shatter the mental fortitude of the applicants.

A full sixty minutes had slipped by.

The trainee bringing up the absolute tail end of the line found her lower body giving out.

“Gasp, wheeze!”

The entire crowd fought for oxygen, their chests ablaze.

Their internal monologue pleaded with them.

Just stop.

Self-doubts along the lines of What makes you think you belong on the national squad? flooded their consciousness.

Nevertheless, not a solitary runner came to a halt.

Deep down, they were utterly amazed.

They had only ever heard rumors regarding the extraordinary stamina of SKY members, but this……

How could such a thing be humanly possible?

The official members who had been keeping pace with them since the opening lap.

Each person was pulling a pair of massive vehicle tires behind them.

Secured tightly around their midsections.

From Ari to Hwang Jiwoo—even the female members who appeared slender and fragile participated without exception.

Every single regular member was hauling tires.

And despite that, they continue to outpace us?

They aren’t even perspiring; it looks as though they are merely taking a casual walk.

In stark contrast to the wheezing candidates, the elite members showed no signs of heavy breathing.

“……!”

Han Yuna, positioned near the head of the formation, observed them with an astonished gaze.

BJ Luna.

At twenty-four years old,

She was an online broadcaster who had established her fame based on genuine capability rather than mere appearance.

……There must have been a period when they were in this exact position.

No doubt they too once possessed fragile endurance.

Only through continuous, day-to-day discipline had they ascended to such heights.

The realization dawned on her now.

Exactly how South Korea managed to claim the championship title in the global tournament.

And the reason a multitude of top-tier global rankers had rapidly surfaced from South Korea.

Hidden from public view, there lay a foundation of brutal, agonizing practice.

Regardless of the cost.

Her gaze sharpened with fierce determination.

I must hold out, no matter what happens.

She intended to survive this test and secure her place.

“Pant, puff!”

The grueling marathon pressed onward.

Russia.

If one were to name the most prominent organization in Moscow, Iron Bear stood without any competition.

Iron Bear.

An association representing metallic power and unyielding determination, commanded by Alexandro Beskoff, a member of the elite Five Emperors.

His moniker within Battle of Summoners was MoscowMan.

The headquarters he constructed in Moscow was an absolute architectural marvel.

Its outer facade comprised dark metal and sleek panes, looking as if it had sprouted directly from sub-zero soil!

A massive sculpture of a bear guarded the threshold, while the indoor design mirrored the grandeur of a Russian tsar’s royal estate.

Polished stone flooring blended seamlessly with gold-plated decorations, broadcasting the astronomical wealth invested in its creation.

Occupying the highest level was a commanding, lavish workspace.

The personal territory of Beskoff.

“Hmm.”

Currently, he found himself engaged in a quiet, underlying conflict with Rachel.

Rachel insisted that conquering the Tower of Trials was essential, whereas Beskoff preferred to keep things exactly as they were.

His viewpoint was that by leveraging the combined strength, intelligence, and influence of the Five Emperors to govern this realm, stability and satisfaction could be maintained for all.

Naturally, he had never voiced this perspective openly.

At this moment, Beskoff remained motionless, focused intently on his mobile device.

[Sugoi: Rachel?]

[Sugoi: Why is Rachel not responding?]

[Sugoi: Has anyone attempted to reach out to her individually? She isn’t answering her private line either?]

This was the shared messaging channel for the Five Emperors!

Rachel had been ignoring messages there for two full months.

That specific silence began sixty days prior.

And subsequent checks from thirty days ago yielded the same result.

Absolutely no updates regarding Rachel had emerged since that period.

To be thorough, he had gone so far as to contact Xenos and Baekcheon directly.

• I am genuinely clueless.

• Haha, perhaps she had a breakdown after her defeat against JinuGod? Come on, Rachel is perfectly capable of handling her own affairs, isn’t she?

Neither contact provided any useful information.

“Interesting.”

Something felt deeply suspicious.

He was unable to rid himself of the intuition that a problem had arisen.

Rachel used to hold the number one spot in the global rankings, and though she projected a rather formidable exterior—

In truth, her nature was remarkably easygoing.

She enjoyed company, and she was the primary organizer who united their faction and acted as its core anchor.

Furthermore, her disposition was generally quite animated.

Yet an individual like her had vanished from communications for two entire months?

An incident must have occurred. There was no doubt about it.

Beskoff felt entirely certain.

Unfortunately, no data had materialized despite his investigations.

Not a single trace of activity had been logged, and even high-ranking administrators within England asserted total ignorance.

“Glushakov.”

Beskoff summoned his chief lieutenant, who held the twenty-fourth spot globally, Denis Glushakov.

“Did you require something, commander?”

“There is a matter I require you to investigate.”

“Command me.”

“Travel to England. Uncover the precise details of what has befallen Rachel.”

“Understood, sir!”

Offering a respectful inclination of his head, Glushakov departed the room.

Beskoff gradually shut his eyelids.

A hidden plot is unfolding.

When it came down to it,

Rachel had consistently been an annoyance to him.

She was an individual entirely unfamiliar with the concept of compromise.

For three consecutive seasons, she had completely dominated the tournament crown.

Had that extraordinary figure known as JinuGod not entered the picture…… she likely would have claimed a fourth.

Honestly, he believed that given their shared alliance within the Five Emperors, out of basic camaraderie…… she might have permitted the leadership position to cycle among them occasionally.

Instead, she showed zero regard for others.

Equitable allocation of assets!

Uniform prospects for every member of the faction!

Those were the core values Beskoff advocated for.

What if an actual calamity had overtaken her?

A sudden realization sparked behind his vision.

Beskoff unclosed his eyes, a distinct sparkle reflecting in his expression.

Simply contemplating the possibility brought a slight grin to his face, though he quickly suppressed the reaction.

He strove to keep his emotions hidden.

Patience.

Allowing anticipation to swell would only result in a harsher letdown if his theory proved false.

He needed to proceed carefully.

Deliberately and calmly.