Chapter 82: A Position Revealed

"An epic-tier artifact?"

Raven was taken aback.

"Are you sure, System? Are the gods really going all out to help the players defeat me and my group?"

"[Host, do you really think I’d lie about something like this?]"

Arina rolled her eyes in exasperation.

Raven fell silent. If the gods were really taking things that seriously, then their goal of making Leo the winner was even clearer.

"They’re really ruthless," he scoffed with a small chuckle.

They were willing to do anything to make Leo the champion of the fourth mission—even if it meant throwing their integrity out the window.

Even so, Raven wasn’t particularly frustrated. He had witnessed plenty of human controversies and the darkness in their hearts, so he was used to it.

"I understand. Thanks for the information."

"[You’re welcome, host! If you need help, please let me know! I’ll help you!]"

Her words tugged at the deepest part of Raven’s heart.

A smile appeared on his face as he said, "In that case, I’d like to take you up on that offer right now."

Arina: ( ˶°ㅁ°) !!

...

Varen stood atop a high hill, silently watching the vast forest spread out before him.

"Raven," he muttered, licking his lips. "You managed to evade my Astral Sight skill back then. Let’s see..."

He put on the glasses.

"Can you do it again or not!?"

Bringing his palms together, he shouted in a hoarse voice, "Astral Sight!"

Whoosh!

His senses spread across a range of three kilometers. The illusions that had once blocked his vision now felt like thin walls he could shatter at any moment.

"Not here..."

"Nothing here either!"

"The south side? But I’m not sure."

He directed his senses toward every corner of the area, searching even inside ant holes.

He was furious that Raven had tricked him back then. It was the first time he’d ever been humiliated like that.

But not anymore. He would find that man and kill him with his own hands.

"Expand it further!" he roared.

Whoosh!

Astral Sight suddenly expanded by another two kilometers. He could sense the presence of other groups.

Some were keeping their distance, some were searching for other groups to confront, and others remained still, as if they didn’t care whether another group came within a hundred meters.

Suddenly, his gaze fell on a small red dot. He zoomed in and was startled.

"Found you, Raven!"

A terrifying smile spread across his face.

...

Raven was studying a virtual map while munching on a piece of bread he had baked himself.

"If we keep moving according to this pattern, we’ll definitely make it out alive," he muttered.

Rose and Claire exchanged glances.

"What’s going on with him? Why does he keep talking to himself?"

Rose shook her head.

"How should I know?"

Claire pursed her lips and turned toward Raven.

"What are you actually doing? Why are you talking to yourself like that?" she asked, clearly dissatisfied.

Raven turned to her and smiled at her scowling face.

"I’m mapping our location," he replied, playfully touching her cheek.

"Mapping our location?"

She glanced in front of Raven, but there wasn’t a map in sight.

So how was he doing it?

Raven didn’t bother explaining. Instead, he stood up and stretched his stiff body.

"In short, we’ll be safe. There are no other groups within a kilometer," he assured them.

Rose and Claire exchanged glances and smiled. They had no idea how Raven could be so sure, but since he had said it, they chose to trust him.

"In that case, how about we go hunting?" Claire suggested as she stood up.

Raven didn’t object.

But suddenly...

[A group has been detected within 100 meters. Do you want to accept their challenge?]

[A group has been detected within 100 meters. Do you want to accept their challenge?]

[A group has been detected within 100 meters. Do you want to accept their challenge?]

[A group has been detected within 100 meters. Do you want to accept their challenge?]

[A group has been detected within 100 meters. Do you want to accept their challenge?]

All three of their expressions changed when they saw that.

Raven hurriedly opened his virtual map and discovered that at least ten groups were standing exactly one hundred meters from his position.

"R-Raven, what’s going on? Why are so many groups suddenly appearing?" Claire asked in a panic.

Rose looked pale, too, as she stared at Raven anxiously.

Raven remained calm. He looked up at the sky, then gazed toward the distant hill.

"So that’s how it is..."

A smile appeared on his face.

"Our position has been detected."

His answer startled Claire and Rose.

"B-But didn’t you say we’d be fine?" Claire asked nervously.

Raven patted her on the shoulder.

"It’s highly likely that someone has detected our presence."

"Someone?"

The expressions of Claire and Rose changed. Only one person came to mind—Varen.

"What should we do?" Rose asked seriously.

At least five to seven invitation messages had appeared, challenging them to enter the game zone.

"Relax, you two. Didn’t I tell you that I’d look out for you?"

Raven massaged his throbbing temples. But he couldn’t blame them. After all, living under the shadow of death was terrifying. He understood their concerns, especially Claire’s.

Claire and Rose took a deep breath together before slowly exhaling.

"Sorry, Raven," Claire said sadly.

Raven simply smiled and patted her on the head.

He turned toward the row of invitation notifications and accepted one.

"Since they’re bold enough to challenge us, how can we refuse?"

[Invitation accepted! Players will be teleported to the game zone!]

...

"Oh? You found them already? That fast?"

Victor, who was taking a bite out of an apple, was surprised by Varen’s words.

"That’s right."

Varen took off the glasses he was wearing and handed them back to Victor.

"I’ve already ordered the other groups to storm their location."

Victor took the glasses and slipped them into his pocket.

"How did you find them so quickly?"

He had assumed it would take Varen a day or two.

But that wasn’t the case. It had only been two hours since he’d given Varen the glasses, and he had already finished the job.

Varen smirked slightly.

"You’re underestimating me. Forget it—there’s no point explaining it to you."

Victor’s expression darkened at his arrogant response.

"By the way, I won’t interfere anymore. If Raven and his group die, then they weren’t worthy of fighting me. But if it turns out otherwise..."

Varen licked his upper lip.

"I wouldn’t mind joining the fight myself."

Victor stared at him intently before letting out a quiet chuckle.

"You’re completely crazy. But I like that..."