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After a fierce round of rock-paper-scissors to select team members, a meeting was held to form alliances between teams.

“I think Hwang Bo-seung’s team would be a good choice. We need a solid frontliner to join so our team can shine.”

“I agree. Our ratio is a bit… if the front line breaks, it feels like we’ll collapse immediately.”

Team 1 had a majority of Awakened Ones from the Super Ability and Magic Categories. It almost seemed like Cha Seo-rin, the team leader who is from the Magic Category, intentionally picked them this way.

That said, it wasn’t like there were no Physical Category Awakened Ones at all. The team was focused on firepower, led by a few tanks.

“If you think about it, isn’t Ragna’s Team 4 better? Hwang Bo-seung’s team feels more technique-focused than pure strength. It’s more of a damage-tank hybrid than a pure tank.”

“Have you ever been on the same team as Ragna? I have. He’s just a crazy guy.”

“…?”

Some Awakened Ones who had been with Ragna during the preliminaries nodded in agreement.

“That guy has no strategy, tactics, meetings, or teamwork. The moment a fight breaks out, he flips his eyes, grabs his axe, and charges. That’s why he was the first Awakened One to be defeated by Hero Jeong Ha-yul.”

“But he also lasted the longest. I was on the same team as Ragna, and I think forming an alliance with him is a good idea. Sure, flipping his eyes and charging into battle is a bit of a flaw… but as you’ve seen, he fights well. He’s like a berserker obsessed with fighting.”

“I understand your opinions. I’ll take them into consideration.”

The teams being considered for alliances were Hwang Bo-seung’s Team 3 and Ragna’s Team 4. Elf Girl Shin Hyeon-joo’s Team 2 was out of the question.

Team 2 felt the same way. There was some talk about Team 1, but the atmosphere was hesitant.

“Let’s choose between Team 3 and Team 4. Team 1 seems to overlap with our positions.”

“Wouldn’t it be better to form an alliance with Cha Seo-rin’s team and focus on firepower? We could sweep away monsters in an instant.”

“…Did you hear what they said earlier? We’re supposed to save a city in crisis. It’s confirmed that we’ll be fighting in an urban area, not an open plain, and there was no mention of it being an abandoned city. There might be civilians, whether played by heroes or mannequins. Focusing on firepower is dangerous.”

“I also think it’s better to choose between Team 3 and Team 4. Let’s do that.”

The team members wanted to choose between the reliable-looking Team 3 led by Hwang Bo-seung and Team 4 led by Ragna.

Shin Hyeon-joo didn’t think those opinions were wrong, so it naturally came down to choosing between Team 3 and Team 4.

Hwang Bo-seung discussed with his team which team between Team 1 and Team 2 would have stronger firepower and decided on Team 1, which had a majority of Magic Category members.

As for Ragna Gunnarsson…

“Shouldn’t we have some kind of meeting too?”

“What do you think is the most important thing in a fight?”

“Whatever it is, why are you suddenly using informal speech…?”

“Smashing heads. Strategy? Tactics? What’s the point of that when heads are flying?”

“…What the hell is this crazy guy?”

“Crazy guy?”

The Awakened One who called him a crazy guy shriveled under Ragna’s cold gaze.

“No, it’s just that your way of thinking is so far from common sense…”

“Crazy guy, huh? I like the sound of that. Call me that from now on.”

“…You really are a crazy guy!”

It was a “whatever happens, happens” kind of attitude. It seemed like he didn’t care who ended up on his team.

He was solely focused on smashing the heads of monsters and villains.

It was barbaric.

*Ding—*

A simple notification sound rang out, and Geum Yu-na, standing in front of the judges’ seats, picked up the microphone.

“We’ll end the meeting here. Team leaders, please come forward.”

It seemed like there would be another fierce battle to form alliances, but it turned out to be simpler than expected.

Each team leader simultaneously extended a finger to choose the team they wanted.

Team 1’s Cha Seo-rin chose Team 3’s Hwang Bo-seung.

Team 2’s Shin Hyeon-joo chose Team 4’s Ragna.

Team 3’s Hwang Bo-seung chose Team 1’s Cha Seo-rin.

Team 4’s Ragna chose himself.

“…What kind of love stick is this?”

Jeong Gyeoul, who had been expecting some kind of game to pop up, felt her energy drain. There was no fierce competition to break someone’s finger to claim the team you wanted.

“What does Team 4 mean? Do you want to go solo?”

“Anyone, doesn’t matter.”

Even Park Seol-hwa’s question couldn’t break Ragna’s character.

An S-Class Hero’s question, and he responded with informal speech.

Truly barbaric.

Cha Seo-rin and Hwang Bo-seung pointed at each other, and there were no objections from the remaining two. Naturally, Shin Hyeon-joo and Ragna formed an alliance.

***

“Sigh… we’re back here again.”

“Was that uninhabited island from before here?”

“Yeah, PD Choi is really something for thinking of using this place again.”

The uninhabited island under British jurisdiction, which had been the setting for the previous “Survive on an Uninhabited Island,” was borrowed again by PD Choi.

Just like last time, they flew from Incheon Airport to England and then took a boat to the island.

This time, twelve escort ships from the British side followed them.

They would guard the island throughout the filming.

During the pre-scouting, even the mages from the Clock Tower came along.

The previous incident had been quite shocking for England, and it felt like they were trying to redeem themselves.

Exaggerating a bit, it was as if half of England’s military power had mobilized just for this program.

“I kinda destroyed a bit of this place, is that okay?”

“…I’m not sure if you can call that ‘a bit.’”

In a spot that should have been covered in forest, there was nothing but dirt and sand.

The backside of a mountain peak, sliced off like a cake.

Craters everywhere, as if the place had been bombed.

All of it was the aftermath of Jeong Gyeoul’s battle with the giant moth.

Those who knew the details of the incident felt a renewed sense of awe upon arriving at the location from the story.

Other Awakened Ones simply looked at it in wonder.

“Look at that mountain. It looks like half of it was sliced off.”

“What’s up with this island? Was there a war here or something?”

“This is clearly man-made. Whoever did this went too far. Destroying such beautiful nature like this…”

Jeong Gyeoul flinched at the conversations of the Awakened Ones following behind.

‘That was all the moth’s doing, not mine.’

With her characteristic shamelessness, she regained her composure.

As they continued further into the island, they saw the area set up for filming.

“Please get ready! Recording starts in 10 minutes!”

Here?

Question marks seemed to float above everyone’s heads.

The mission was supposed to be saving a city in crisis, but filming in an actual city was impossible, so they thought there would be some kind of prepared set.

But there was nothing here.

“What are we supposed to do here?”

“We’ll find out when recording starts.”

“They said it was a city, but are we supposed to run around in the forest?”

Everyone was confused. They couldn’t even guess what was going to happen.

“…Maybe we should’ve allied with Team 2 or Team 4. If the mission is in a place like this, it might’ve been better to have all Physical Category members.”

“True, being in a forest limits the abilities we can use.”

One of Hwang Bo-seung’s team members spoke up, sounding worried. Unless they planned to burn down the entire island, they couldn’t use fire-related magic here.

Naturally, the position of Magic Category Awakened Ones was weakened.

However, neither Team 1’s leader Cha Seo-rin nor Team 3’s leader Hwang Bo-seung seemed particularly concerned.

“Those who can only handle fire magic, just sit back and watch for now. The production team isn’t stupid enough to create such an imbalance. There will be a time to use your powers. Think of it as conserving your strength.”

The team leaders reassured their members, melting away their anxiety.

Meanwhile, 10 minutes passed, and recording began.

“You all look worried. But there’s no need. After recovering from the long flight and preparing thoroughly, we’ll move on to the main event. For now, just relax here.”

At Geum Yu-na’s words, the remaining tension seemed to dissipate.

*Clap clap—*

At the signal, food started being set up.

Of course, alcohol was included.

“Since the program is moving so quickly, we haven’t had time to bond. Think of today as a company dinner and enjoy yourselves.”

“Woo-hoo!”

Regardless of team affiliations, everyone mingled, sharing drinks and food.

Even the team leaders, who had been tense, let their guard down.

‘I thought they’d relax us and then ambush us at night, but they’re giving us alcohol? Nothing to worry about.’

‘There don’t seem to be any prepared monsters… even the heroes are drinking… nothing to worry about.’

The team leaders also started joining in the fun.

“About 50 meters from here, there are barracks. Each team can rest there. If you’re sleepy, you can sleep there. We’ll depart in two days.”

“Yes!”

Touched by the unexpected consideration from the production team, the participants partied harder, ate more, and drank more to meet their expectations.

And that night.

Except for a few people who stayed up late, everyone was asleep.

*Weeeeee—*

A siren blared across the entire island.

“What the hell?”

“What’s going on! You said we could relax!”

 

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