"Plead for mercy? Since when has mercy been an option?" Zuol-Ki thought as his gaze switched between the sneer on Jeok-Myung's face and the options floating in front of him.
Deciding to try something new, he selected ▶ [Plead for mercy]
A ripple of surprise crossed Jeok-Myung's face, and for a moment, his grip loosened. This was the opening Zuol-Ki had been waiting for. His right hand slipped into his pocket, brushing against something cold and metallic. He felt a sudden surge of relief; at least he had something to defend himself with.
"Well, shit...," Zuol-Ki muttered, "Didn't think I'd see the day where I'd be begging this fucker for mercy."
"Mercy, Jeok-Myung?" Zuol-Ki whimpered, feigning fear as best he could. "I made a mistake. I shouldn't have challenged you." His words echoed around the training hall, mingling with the eerie silence.
Jeok-Myung's grip loosened slightly as he looked down at Zuol-Ki, his expression a mixture of disgust and disbelief. "You... begging me for mercy?" he laughed, his voice echoing around the hall. "This is truly a sight to behold."
Sweat trickled down Zuol-Ki's face as he took slow, measured breaths, desperately trying to calm his racing heart. It was now or never. He needed to catch Jeok-Myung off guard.
With a desperate yelp, Zuol-Ki drove his knee up towards Jeok-Myung's groin. As expected, Jeok-Myung instinctively pulled away, providing Zuol-Ki with the split second he needed.
The cold, metallic object in his pocket was a small, intricately carved dagger that he had won in a bet some years ago. He hadn't expected it to save his life one day.
In one swift motion, he pulled out the dagger and aimed for Jeok-Myung's exposed neck, but before he could connect, the world around him froze once again.
"[Please select an option:]"
▶ [Slash Jeok-Myung's neck]
▶ [Stab Jeok-Myung's heart]
▶ [Threaten Jeok-Myung into submission]
"Damn it, system!" Zuol-Ki cursed, the tips of his fingers already burning with anticipation. The countdown had begun, and he had 15 seconds to make his choice.
Zuol-Ki's eyes darted between the options before him. Each one of them had their merits, but they also carried significant risks. There was no time to deliberate, the countdown was rapidly decreasing.
"Fuck it," Zuol-Ki muttered under his breath, as he selected the first option:
▶ [Slash Jeok-Myung's neck].
As soon as he made his choice, the world snapped back into motion. With a burst of adrenaline coursing through his veins, Zuol-Ki swung the dagger towards Jeok-Myung's exposed neck.
Caught off guard, Jeok-Myung barely had time to react as the blade came whizzing towards his neck. He moved just enough for the blade to miss its intended target, but not enough to escape unscathed. The blade left a deep cut on Jeok-Myung's neck, causing him to stumble back, clutching his throat and gasping for air.
Zuol-Ki rolled away, quickly getting to his feet. He felt a rush of triumph as he looked at Jeok-Myung, gasping and struggling. He had managed to turn the tables on his rival.
Before he could relish in his victory, another set of options appeared before him.
"[Please select an option:]"
▶ [Finish Jeok-Myung off]
▶ [Escape while you have the chance]
▶ [Take Jeok-Myung hostage]
"Fucking hell, system," Zuol-Ki muttered under his breath. It never ended, did it? Once again, the world around him had frozen, and the countdown had begun.
The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
Zuol-Ki frowned, staring at the "+6" hovering above Jeok-Myung's head. He vaguely remembered seeing it earlier, but in the heat of the battle, he'd nearly forgotten about it. Was it some sort of point system? But more importantly, what did those points do?
"Fuck, can't you give me any sort of tutorial, system?" he muttered to himself, glancing at the hovering options. His eyes were drawn to the first one. It made the most sense— he was convinced that the "+6" must be some sort of life token. And if Jeok-Myung really was a traitor, it was best to eliminate him now.
"Alright, you fucker," he said, locking eyes with Jeok-Myung's shocked expression
▶ [Finish Jeok-Myung off]
As time resumed. With a swift motion, he plunged the blade into Jeok-Myung's heart. The man gasped, eyes widening as he crumpled onto the ground.
Zuol-Ki stepped back, panting heavily as he watched Jeok-Myung's body hit the floor.
"BING"
[Processing Coins...]
[6 Coins Has Been Acquired]
But instead of the usual triumphant message from the system, a shrill alarm followed the message blaring, echoing throughout the room.
"[WARNING: Unintended Consequence. Please prepare for immediate retaliation.]"
Zuol-Ki could only stare in disbelief. "What the fuck does that mean?"
Before he could comprehend the warning, the door to the training hall was kicked open. A group of armored guards rushed in, their faces grim. Leading them was Elder Han, his gaze cold and unyielding.
"Well, shit," Zuol-Ki muttered. He had a feeling things were about to get even messier.
Zuol-Ki's gaze shifted between the grinning Elder Han and the silently assessing Second Strategist. Elder Han, a formidable figure from the rival sect, sharing a cordial visit with his Strategist? It was as absurd as it was alarming.
"Enjoying the... company, Strategist?" Zuol-Ki's question hung heavy in the air, laced with the bitterness of betrayal.
The Strategist returned his acerbic inquiry with a complacent smile that reeked of cunning. "Merely indulging in a chat over tea with an interesting acquaintance, Zuol-Ki," he replied casually.
The words sent a jolt through Zuol-Ki. An 'interesting acquaintance'? He couldn't help but question the Strategist's audacity. But what was their objective?
Before he could ponder further, the now-familiar screen materialized in front of him.
"[Please select an option:]"
▶ [Ambush the Strategist]
▶ [Question Elder Han about his unexpected visit]
▶ [Declare, "I know what you are looking for, Elder Han."]
His mind raced. Was it the elusive flower from his first run? The one that had briefly granted him godlike strength? Without hesitation, he picked the third option, his heart thundering in anticipation.
"Well, isn't this fucking interesting," he muttered under his breath. It was time to detonate the bomb he had been unwittingly sitting on.
▶ [Declare, "I know what you are looking for, Elder Han."]
"Looking for something, Elder Han?" Zuol-Ki directed his question, a hint of challenge lacing his voice.
The jovial atmosphere in the room instantly grew tense. Elder Han's laughter died down as he fixed his gaze on Zuol-Ki. The Second Strategist too, looked on, his sly smile giving away nothing.
"Oh? And what might that be?" Elder Han replied, his voice an odd mixture of amusement and caution.
Zuol-Ki felt his heart hammer in his chest, he was in uncharted territory, and every word could mean life or death.
"[Please select an option:]"
▶ [Confront Elder Han about the Phoenix Flower]
▶ [Feign ignorance and laugh it off]
▶ [Attack Elder Han]
Zuol-Ki didn't hesitate, picking the first option
▶ [Confront Elder Han about the Phoenix Flower]
As he chose his words carefully, "The Phoenix Flower perhaps?" A deafening silence filled the room as he saw the smile fade from Elder Han's face.
The words seemed to echo in the large hall, bouncing off the walls and ceiling, cutting through the tense silence like a sword through paper.
For a moment, nothing. No movement, no sounds, just the hammering of Zuol-Ki's own heart. Then, the Second Strategist broke the silence with a burst of laughter, slapping his hand on the armrest of his chair.
"Phoenix Flower?!" he cackled, "Zuol-Ki, where are you getting these wild fantasies? Phoenix Flowers, Elder Han searching for something. What's next? Dragons in the back garden?"
Zuol-Ki bit his lip. The Strategist was playing it off, but Elder Han's eyes... there was something there. A fleeting glimpse of surprise, quickly replaced by the same aloof smile.
"Elder Han is a guest," the Second Strategist continued, looking pointedly at Zuol-Ki, "We must treat him with respect, not accuse him of some fanciful treasure hunt."
"[Please select an option:]"
▶ [Insist on your suspicion]
▶ [Apologize and drop the subject]
▶ [Insinuate that the Second Strategist is involved]
Zuol-Ki hesitated, his eyes flicking between Elder Han and the Second Strategist. Finally, he reached out to his next decision
▶ [Insinuate that the Second Strategist is involved]
"Just saying, Sir," Zuol-Ki said with an innocent shrug, "It's funny how the Phoenix Flower only blooms in one location, a location which coincidentally happens to be our next mission target. Strange coincidence, isn't it?" He held the Strategist's gaze, a challenging glint in his eyes. "And you were the one who assigned this mission. Even stranger, right?"
Once again, the room plunged into a pregnant silence. Zuol-Ki could feel his heart pounding in his chest as he waited for their response.