The man standing on the elevated platform was a tall and very handsome man with a near perfect build and red hair.
He radiated an aura of power and might which was enough to leave Min-ho very uneasy.
But what took the cake with what disturbed Min-ho the most, was the number above his Z-Eye.
Upon seeing it, Min-ho, mouth agape, struggling to believe what he saw him.
2,123.
'How... how did he get over 2,000 views?' Min-ho thought, as his pounding heart filled his ears.
This Z-Streamer had just accomplished a feat never before heard of in the First Layer of the Z-Tower.
No Z-Streamer, no matter how popular had ever achieved such views without surviving to the Second Layer, much less talk of just entering the Z-Tower.
The highest achieved views in the first Layer were around 1,000 plus views. But that was due to a culmination of several factors.
Those factors were known as the Trinity Golden-fingers.
The first Golden-finger was that a Z-Streamer needed an interesting personality that stood out.
Either by being incredibly charismatic, being a hidden psychopath that killed for the fun of it, or by performing feats seemingly impossible.
The second Golden-finger was that a Z-Streamer had to be of a high rank or given a very unique and powerful Affinity.
And the third and last Golden-finger was that a Z-Streamer had to be exceptionally beautiful and partake in what is known as Nightshade Streaming with another equally beautiful Z-Streamer.
With just one of these factors accounted for, a Z-Streamer could accumulate over a hundred views in a small amount of time.
But in rare cases when all three factors were present in a Z-Streamer, only then would he or she be able to achieve something akin to a thousand views and more.
Such a feat had been accomplished six years ago by a Z-Streamer from India, and his record was 1,256 views over his time in the First Layer. NOT UPON ARRIVAL!
And to make matters worse, his views were growing.
The more Min-ho thought about it, the more worried he became.
'What could he have possibly done to achieve such views?' Min-ho wondered, fearing the answer to his question rested on a pile of corpses somewhere nearby.
As this thought came to mind, Min-ho began searching for exits. Or at the very least, a place to run and hide until the Fog was gone.
Surveying his surroundings while keeping one eye on the Z-Streamer, Min-ho's attention was drawn to him when he noticed the man running his gaze across the entire hall, looking at everyone with his piercing blue eyes.
Once his gaze reached the corner Min-ho stood, Min-ho couldn't help but falter his gaze and look to the floor.
An innate animal instinct to not look into the eyes of a predator.
"Well, let's get down to business," the red-haired Z-Streamer said, his voice just as powerful and authoritative.
"For those of you just arriving, my name is Oh Gun-hee, and I am a First Tier E-Rank."
Upon hearing this, murmurs filled the air, as uneasiness and astonishment began to settle into everyone.
Min-ho's heart pulsated, beating louder and louder.
'How... how could that be possible?' Min-ho wondered, refusing to believe what he had heard.
There was no possible way, no one had ever been given the rank of First Tier, not without earning it. Everyone who had ever entered the Z-Tower was always given the rank of Third Tier.
With some truly lucky Z-Streamers getting the rank of Second Tier.
Though it didn't seem like much, the gap between each Tier was as vast as crossing an ocean.
Which was why a Z-Streamer given the rank of First Tier E was nothing to joke about.
Though Min-ho wanted to say this man was lying, he found that the views above his Z-Eye was more than enough to weigh on his words.
Yet Min-ho did not want to believe it.
Or rather... he did not want to accept that this Z-Streamer had the power to put every single person in the Tower under his thumb, without so much as a whimper of insubordination.
"Like hell!"
"You're a fucking liar!"
"No one has ever had the rank of First Tier without grinding first!"
"What are you trying to pull?!"
A steady clamor grew.
It would seem Min-ho was not the only one who shared this sentiment. Nobody here wanted to be ruled over by anyone.
Each person here came to achieve a goal so important, they were willing to risk their lives for it. No one here would let go of their autonomy so easily.
As everyone continued to voice their disbelief, Oh Gun-hee said nothing, only stared at the lot of them without moving an inch.
Min-ho watched him carefully, his gut twisting in dread. He could feel that something bad was about to happen.
From the crowd, a duo with over 200 views above their Z-Eyes stepped onto the elevated platform, making their way toward the red-haired Z-Streamer. None of them wavered in their decision to challenge him.
"Guess what, the both of us are Second Tier Z-Streamers," Min-ho's eyes widened upon hearing this. 'So why don't you go ahead and—'
BOOM!
A blast of wind tore through one of the Z-Streamer's chest, sending a geyser of blood and entrails into the air like shrapnel.