Global Awakening: Only I Can Respawn

Even though he had died countless times before, none of the deaths were as horrific as the one he suffered just now. The feeling of the worms ripping his flesh, gnawing on his bones, and plucking his eye out. All of it had shaken him to the core.

Ignoring everyone around him, YuWon rubbed his arms frantically, as if he could still feel the worms crawling all over his skin.

For the first time in a long while, YuWon felt genuine fear. The incident had taken a mental toll on him like he had never felt before.

[The Gravewalker's Compass had identified the one responsible for the awakener's death.]

A moment later, something flashed before YuWon's eyes and Minho's face appeared before his eyes. The fear in YuWon's eyes got replaced with rage. He clenched his fist, ready to kill the bastard then and there, but he didn't.

If I kill him now, everyone will think I did so for no reason. I can't let that bastard have that peace.

But that didn't mean he couldn't provoke the bastard. While an evil plan was taking its roots in YuWon's head, Gina, Yeji, and Yuna rushed over to him.

"Husband, are you okay?" Gina asked, cupping his face.

Yeji kneeled beside him, placing her arm on his shoulder while Yuna stood a couple of steps away.

YuWon didn't reply and wiped the sweat from his forehead. As he got up, he could feel the eyes on him, waiting for an explanation, but he shrugged it off. He wasn't in the mood to talk.

"It's nothing. I was just... tired," he mumbled.

He lied because it wasn't like he could tell them the real reason. A moment later, the arguing break out. While they were at it, YuWon picked up a small stone and threw it in the sand.

It didn't take more than a second for the worms to appear. They swarmed the stone, trying to devour it. Now everyone knew what would happen if they fell into the trap.

Now no one wanted to start the trial. But YuWon smiled and turned towards Minho.

"As the leader, Minho should go first," he said, and everyone turned toward him. "He's the leader, isn't he? It only makes sense. A leader should lead the followers to victory."

"What are you—?" Minho raised his voice but was interrupted.

"Yeah, Minho, you're the leader. You should go first."

"YuWon is right! The soldiers and Minho get the biggest share of resources. It's only fair they go first."

Before Minho could object, everyone chimed in their thoughts. Since they had found a scapegoat, they'd force him to go first.

Minho's face paled instantly. The first thought in his mind was if YuWon knew he was planning on killing him.

"Fuck this shit!"

Minho yelled and drew his gun. The soldiers quickly followed, pointing their guns at everyone. The bullets might not work on the monsters, but they were still effective for humans.

Suddenly, the voices that had been urging Minho to step up went quiet. No one wanted to get caught in the middle. Enjoying everyone's reaction, Minho pointed the handgun towards YuWon.

"You got a loud mouth, don't you?" he snarled. "Now, you will go first!"

Gina lost it and was about to lunge at Minho, but YuWon held her back. Yeji was also ready to lash out, but YuWon shook his head again.

"Not now," he mumbled.

However, a third voice erupted, protesting on YuWon's behalf.

"Minho, stop this! You can't force YuWon to go!" Yuna yelled, walking up to him.

"...this is what you want, huh?" Minho gritted his teeth. "Where was your voice when everyone told me to go ahead?"

"It's not like that—" Yuna mumbled, walking towards Minho.

Smack!

Minho backhanded Yuna without a shred of hesitation.

"Shut up, bitch!" Minho yelled. "Ever since that guy showed up, it's been nothing but YuWon this, YuWon that. I'm sick of it!"

The people were shocked, and their faces showed it. But Minho still had more to say.

"You want to know our plan?" he sneered, his gun still aimed at YuWon. "We were going to kill all of you. Slowly, we'd overwork you, make you weak, and then send you outside where you'll die."

He continued, "I was going to use your blood to get stronger, while Yuna here was supposed to feed on the corpses. But no, she just had to stick to monster corpses instead, like some kind of saint."

YuWon raised an eyebrow. Now it made sense why the two of them were often talking in hushed tones. YuWon also realized that Minho had never intended to make him an ally. He just wanted to kill them for their blood.

How lucky am I?

If Minho had got his hands on YuWon's blood, he might as well have gained the respawn ability. YuWon didn't even want to imagine the shit Minho would have pulled then.

But then Minho walked up, shoving his gun into YuWon's face.

"Get going, before I shoot you," he instructed.

But instead of being scared, YuWon shook his head and agreed.

"Fine, I'll go. But on one condition."

"What condition?" Minho asked.

"Yuna comes with me."

Minho looked at YuWon, his eyes narrowing as he wondered what YuWon was up to. But since Minho wanted to get rid of Yuna either way, it didn't matter to him if YuWon took her down with him.

"Do whatever you want," Minho barked.

Without a word, YuWon extended his hand toward Yuna, who looked confused. She hesitated for a moment before taking his hand.

As she did, her eyes widened before they both smiled. Only the two of them knew why she was smiling. To the rest, it might seem like they were flirting instead.

That's what it looked like to Minho, who snapped his fingers angrily. Immediately, the soldiers stepped up, slowly forcing the two near the edge.