Around this time, James returned to the US team and told Damian about what had happened so far.

“Then the ident.i.ty of the Pistol Star's Beloved...”

“Yes, it is me. I'm sorry I hid it.”

“…….”

James didn't leave anything out as he told Damian why he came to the Zeus Guild and his purpose. He also confessed that the Star Piece that Damian had given him couldn't be returned because it was now his subordinate. As expected, Damian showed a surprised reaction.

“...I see.”

“Then he is the new talent?”

“He is still a kid.”

The other American players seemed surprised. It was surprising that James ate a Star Fruit, but the even more surprising thing was that he destroyed France alone. It was something that no one had done, except for Michael in last year's World Compet.i.tion.

'It is the synergy caused by the Star Piece finding its owner.'

It was very interesting for Damian. He gained a new knowledge about the Star Fruit, but they were currently in a compet.i.tion. He was the representative and captain of the United States. His words could make James an enemy of the United States. Damian whispered to Michael, who was next to him.

-Damian: What is your constellation saying?

-Michael: It is one of the strongest first-grade constellations. Now that he has a Star Piece, he is almost like  me.

-Damian: It is to that extent?

-Michael: That is what Antares is saying.

Damian let out a sigh. In fact, the Star Piece was permanently owned by James and it was unavoidable for himself. If he had the same power as Michael... If so, it was right to forgive the young man in front of him and use him as the sword of the United States and the Zeus Guild.

“It can't be helped. It's fine, James.” 

“Huh? Really?"

James blinked with amazement. He had deceived Damian to join Zeus. He thought he would be forced to leave. Still, his intended purpose had been achieved. If Damian kicked him out, then he intended to leave without any regrets. He thought it wouldn't matter with his current power. He could build a new guild and become famous. Of course, the best thing was to make money by getting famous in the Zeus Guild and filming advertis.e.m.e.nts. However...

“If you become stronger, then the United States will become stronger. I will forgive you. I look forward to you playing an active role in the future.”

Damian embraced him. James felt Damian's generosity was as vast as an ocean. In any case, it wasn't a bad situation for James.

“Thank you!” James' face brightened.

Damian smiled at James and asked, “So where is South Korea now?”

“Over there... Ah, they're coming.”

James pointed to the South Korean team that was running over.

* * *

Mido ran and glanced behind her at the constant explosions. She was worried about her grandfather, who once again sacrificed himself to save them. He was facing Michael's rival, known as one of the best players in the world. Mido wasn't sure if her grandfather could beat Torres.

“You don't have to worry.” Park Muyeol noticed Mido's heart and spoke while running, “Chuntaek is never one to fight a losing battle.”

“However, the other person is too...”

“You might not believe it, but Chuntaek was also strong.”

“…….”

Mido had nothing to say at Park Muyeol's words. It was right.

'Yes, I have to believe in him. Grandfather is strong. He will be sure to come back alive.'

Mido became certain and let go of her apprehension as she ran forward. Park Muyeol saw the determination in Mido's eyes and silently smiled.

“Chuntaek, come quickly. Mido is waiting.'

The Korean team was able to use a shortcut to get to the center of the island using Mido's map. However, they weren't the fastest. A trap was waiting there.

“Welcome.”

“......!”

“......!”

The faces of the players of the South Korean team paled.

“s.h.i.+t. It is the United States.”

“It is the end.”

“We still have to try. Park Jangsoo.”

“Kuhaha. Yes, Sir!”

Click.

Park Jangsoo aimed the bazooka he was carrying and fired at the US team. The bazooka's ammunition flew in a parabola and accurately fell in the center of the US team and blew up. No, it seemed to blow up. Just before it happened, sand wrapped around it like a ball. The bazooka ammunition was easily blocked. There was only a very small explosion.

“Che. Everyone, close your eyes!”

Immediately, Lim Changyong threw a flash bomb that contained the essence of magic engineering toward the United States' team. A white glow flashed in front of him. The South Korean team tried to flee during the gap. However, the American team was already surrounding them. A familiar man appeared in front of Mido. It was James Lee. No, she was more familiar with him under the name 'Lee Eunsung.'

“h.e.l.lo.”

“...h.e.l.lo.”

The two of them simply stared at each other.

“What bulls.h.i.+t is this h.e.l.lo. Is this a blind date?”

Lim Changyong's gun aimed at James like he thought this was an opportunity. However, Lim Changyong's gun wasn't fired. James had tremendous rapid-fire skills and shot before Lim Changyong could. He also pierced Lim Changyong's head.

“Dammit.”

Lim Changyong knelt down in vain and logged out. No one could move easily at such a tremendous speed. Park Muyeol saw the US team pa.s.sing through the light of the flash bomb. There was Michael, who he had made friends with while hunting. Michael walked toward Park Muyeol. Michael had already pulled out his two swords and used Scorpion Sword.

“It has been a while. In the end, we met here.”

“...Yes. I wanted to fight you.”

“Me too.”

Park Muyeol walked slowly while pointing the wooden sword at Michael. Michael spoke to Damian, “Don't touch this person.”

“Yes, I understand.”

At the same time, the two men disappeared and collided in the air. There was an explosion in the air and sand rained down from the sky. Then at this moment, the forest started to shake. An uninvited guest came and stretched out branches to surround the South Korean and US teams. Then the uninvited guest revealed his ident.i.ty with a smile on his face.

“Hahaha. Welcome to my kingdom, everyone.” 

It was the British Star Fruit ability user. It was David, the Crown Star's Beloved who had the ability to freely control trees. David sat on a wooden throne with crossed legs as he smiled arrogantly.

'There is only me, but it doesn't matter.'

There was no one left in the United Kingdom team except for David after they had a battle with China. However, David felt this was enough. He was really arrogant.

“...Was there a trap?”

Damian laughed like he hadn't thought about this, but he still seemed relaxed.

“This is a very advantageous place for me. Come out, wood dragon.”

The roots of the nearby trees became thicker and tangled together to form a giant wood dragon. As the name suggested, a wooden dragon appeared and wrapped around the towering throne. It looked like a guardian.

“Hahaha. You will all become the nutrients of this king.”

David laughed as he predicted Britain's dominance. He thought that it was a golden opportunity now that Michael was distracted. If he got rid of the US and South Korean teams, then Michael at the end, Britain would emerge as the new powerhouse of Arkstar. He didn't doubt it, at least, until the dragon in front of him was torn in half.

“W-What...?”

David's eyes widened when he saw the black evil spirit flying toward him and tearing apart the dragon. He controlled the sharpened roots from all directions to attack the enemy in front of him. However, it was only for a moment.

“...Activate, Elemental Bullets, Shadow Bullet, Rampage.”

A tremendous, quick fire attack came from James. The black bullets quickly destroyed the roots of the surrounding trees. It was James' solo performance.

“... Activate, Fire Bullets.”

Click.

James pointed his two pistols at David.

“Sleep...”

He pulled the triggers without any hesitation. David disappeared into the ashes without leaving a single trace behind. Michael saw this scene and smiled with satisfaction.

'...He is quite good.'

Park Muyeol wasn't satisfied when he saw Michael. “Focus, this guy.”

Park Muyeol's sword energy flew through Michael's sand. Michael managed to escape by stepping on the sand in the air and smiled apologetically. There was the Desert Calibur he made in advance in the sky. Michael grabbed it with a huge sandy hand.

“I'm sorry. I'll do it right.”

“Yes.”

Park Muyeol's wooden sword was also wrapped in a golden light. It was the temporary summoning of the Olive Club Star Relic that hadn't been found yet. Park Muyeol frowned at the Korean players behind him who already started fighting.

'I'm sorry, Chuntaek.  It seems that I can only protect Mido up to here.'

* * *

“Gasp. Gasp...”

Meanwhile, I was lying on the ground in an exhausted manner. The surroundings were full of traces of fierce fighting. Some places had huge puddles of water that spread like a flood while others were frozen hard.

[The first apostle, 'Prometheus,' is saying that you've had a hard time.]

“Yes, it was a great struggle.”

I stared up at the sky for a long time and smiled. Suddenly, I was reminded of when I was young. At that time, I would look up at the sky with my colleagues after a fierce fight.

“I'm hungry.”

I ate the cooked meat of the herbivorous dinosaurs that I made in advance and kept in my inventory. I was watching my health and magic power slowly recovering when a message appeared.

[The user 'Sky-Dragon' has been logged out.]

“Um.”

My eyes turned cold. This wasn't the end.

[The user 'Park Jangdaesoo' has been logged out.]

[The user 'Tsunami' has been logged out.]

[The user 'Kim Hyeonu' has been logged out.]

......

They were all IDs of Korean players. In turn, it was Lim Changyong, Park Jangsoo, Kim Haeil, and Kim Hyeonu. d.a.m.n. They were in danger while I wasn't present.

“Fenrir.”

I called Fenrir. Fenrir rose from the ground and I stood on his head. It was high so I could see more of the surroundings.

“There is a fight,” Fenrir told me.

“Yes. Go over there.”

It was located in the center of the island. It was obviously where the fight was taking place. Poisonous gas was encroaching at a high speed. The explosions were also coming from there so it was 100% the location.

“Hold on tightly. I'm going to jump.” I grabbed Fenrir's mane with my full strength. At the same time, Fenrir's body curled up and he jumped into the sky like a spring.

“Kuk.”

I almost let go of my hand. In the blink of an eye, we were able to arrive at the place where the fighting took place. Fenrir's body landed on the ground and caused an earthquake. The moment I arrived, I could see Mido disappearing through the rising dust. s.h.i.+t. I was too late.

There was also the fallen Park Muyeol.

Just then, I heard a sound around me. It was the United States team who appeared after all the dust had cleared. There was James, who I fought before. He made eye contact with me and started coughing.

I asked them, “...Did you do this?”

“Yes. Well, this is what happened. We are enemies. By the way, I haven't greeted you yet. It is nice to meet you, Dark Wolf.  No, Elder Choi Chuntaek.” Damian politely greeted me as the representative.

I silently looked at Park Muyeol.

Then I turned to Damian. “How long has it been since Muyeol died?”

“Oh, unfortunately he died around 10 seconds before you arrived. Michael's sword pierced his heart. So...”

I ignored Damian's words and walked over to Park Muyeol. Then I kicked Park Muyeol who was lying down. “Stand up. I know you're not dead.”

At this moment, something amazing happened.

“Um, didn't you notice? I was pretending to be dead. Tsk.”

The eyes of Damian and the other US players widened. Park Muyeol, who had his heart pierced, stood up in a relaxed manner. A golden aura wrapped around his body as he stood up. 

Three weeks down, approximately one month left to go until the end of the contest submission on the 15th November. We have a few fanart entries but are still lacking any fanfiction entries.