The arena’s interior was truly impressive. Round, wide stone slabs paved the floor, and the spectator seating was well-constructed. There was even something resembling a podium, though I doubted its purpose since it would likely be destroyed once the match began. The stone slabs already bore a large crack on one side, a souvenir from Kakuto’s earlier jump.
Drones buzzed into the sky, and hunters equipped with cameras scaled the outer walls of the arena. Among them were one hunter from Korea and two from Japan, all A-rank and possessing flight skills.
[The two hunters, please stand in the center of the arena. Spectators, please take your seats.]
The announcement echoed. I made my way to the spectator seats, settling into the special section reserved for us. As a precaution, Yoohyun and Sung Hyunjae flanked me on either side, while Noah and Moon Hyuna sat beside Myungwoo.
“We should have beer and chicken,” Moon Hyuna lamented. I found her remarkably relaxed, considering a child was about to fight, but I was confident in Yerim’s abilities. Even if a dangerous situation arose, there were plenty of people capable of intervening swiftly. The Amaterasu Guild undoubtedly had an A-rank healer on standby as well.
[On the left, from the Japanese Amaterasu Guild, S-rank Hunter Iwahata Kakuto!]
Despite the venue being in Japan and the announcer Japanese, I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of annoyance that they introduced the Japanese fighter first.
[On the right, from the Korean Haeyeon Guild, S-rank Hunter Park Yerim!]
Yerim acknowledged the audience with a greeting, then flashed a smile and waved at the camera. She was wearing Yoohyun’s coat, an S-rank item with stat boosts focused on magic power, increased mana recovery, and defensive capabilities. Yoohyun had initially intended to give me the coat, mentioning that she would primarily use the Thunderbird’s Vestige [a powerful artifact or piece of equipment].
However, it would be inefficient for me to use a stat-boosting item. The magic power and mana enhancements were superior to the Vestige, so I declined, suggesting she switch outfits depending on the situation.
‘I told her she could use any equipment belonging to the guild.’
That’s why I lent it to Yerim today. Furthermore, she wore S-rank equipment owned by Yoohyun, providing resistance to poison and curses. We were uncertain of her opponent’s skills, and recovery items, aside from equipment, were prohibited during the match.
[The two hunters, please greet each other.]
The two faced each other and bowed. Kakuto was clad in a uniform-like outfit, a change from the hotel. Since I hadn’t seen it at the airport, it must be a dungeon item [an item obtained from a dungeon, often with special properties].
I had conducted some research, but information on his skills was scarce. He was fast, wielded a sword, and excelled in close combat – that was the extent of my knowledge.
‘Yerim is also keeping some things hidden, though.’
She also possesses water manipulation abilities, but her primary focus is still publicly known to be ice. Her performance on the cruise hadn’t been widely publicized, thanks to Sung Hyunjae’s discretion. She was also concealing other skills.
Gugugung.
At that moment, one of the arena doors swung open. A wheeled stage slowly rolled into the arena, accompanied by music.
“Growl!”
“Keuheong!”
…Lion masks. People wearing elaborate lion masks reminiscent of those in Chinese movies appeared en masse. What was with the sudden lion dance?
With the Amaterasu Guild flag leading the way, four lions in gold, red, and black hues leaped and bounded. The performers inside seemed to be mid-level hunters, dynamically circling the arena and showcasing acrobatic feats. It was quite a spectacle.
‘Lion King, you went to the trouble of asking to borrow Piece [likely a valuable item or resource] just to show him off here?’
I was dumbfounded, truly. Following them, a giant gong, about the height of a person, was erected on the stage that had fully entered. People in traditional Japanese clothing performed a slow, dance-like routine around the stage, and Shishio stood next to the gong, also in traditional attire.
‘What’s with the beard?’
The beard that was definitely absent this morning was now thick and bushy. It connected with his hair, making him resemble a lion’s mane, but it was undeniably fake. Judging by his appearance and deliberate entrance, he must have always wanted a beard but couldn’t grow one.
…I should send him some hair loss treatment when it’s developed. It’ll probably adhere to his chin, too.
[The number one guild in Japan, Amaterasu’s Guild Leader Shishio─! Has arrived!]
The announcer shouted with exaggerated enthusiasm. Fireworks exploded with a bang. Hey, isn’t our kid the main attraction here? Lion King raised the gong mallet and shouted as if he had swallowed a train’s boiler.
“From now on, we will begin the 1st Japan VS Korea S-Rank Hunter Individual Match!”
Let’s make the 2nd one Ice Prince VS Lion King. No, that’s not right. Haeyeon Guild Leader VS Amaterasu Guild Leader. This is why TV broadcasts are dangerous; the transmission power is too strong.
As soon as he announced that striking the gong would signal the start, I quickly cast Teacher’s Skill on Yoohyun. The people and lions near the stage exited the arena first, and Shishio swung the gong mallet.
뎅─!
[The match has begun!]
The gong resonated, and the announcer shouted. The two, standing a short distance apart, remained still. Yerim held a spear with Magus’s Shawl tied to it. Kakuto also drew a long sword.
Neither of them appeared to have used any skills yet. Yerim was physically weaker, so I was concerned about the close proximity. But she has teleportation skills, I reminded myself, the moment.
Tat!
Kakuto launched himself off the ground. As I had heard, he dashed towards Yerim with incredible speed, but before his sword could strike, Park Yerim vanished. Teleportation. Caught off guard, Kakuto, like the S-rank hunter he was, didn’t panic and unleashed his skill.
The sword traced a large semicircle, and sharp sword strikes erupted in all directions, up, down, left, and right. Hundreds of magic power projectiles spread like a machine gun, making evasion difficult.
Kwagwagwang! Kugung!
The arena was ravaged, and the sound of splintering trees echoed. An ice shield instantly materialized beneath Yerim’s feet as she ascended, but it shattered upon impact with the sword strikes. Kakuto leaped through the scattering ice fragments.
“You can’t escape!”
The guy unleashed another barrage of sword strikes, and simultaneously, a white mist began to envelop Yerim. The mist, designed to entangle and slow down the enemy, rushed towards him, but Kakuto’s speed remained unaffected. The mist dissipated harmlessly upon contact with his body. Cold resistance, huh. Well, he wouldn’t have come unprepared.
‘Why isn’t she using Shadowless Footwork [a speed-enhancing skill]?’
With that, she could reduce Kakuto’s speed regardless of resistance skills. She also has buffs. But for some reason, she showed no signs of using them. Does she not need buffs?
“You can only play petty tricks!”
…Can’t someone sew that bastard’s mouth shut? The guy relentlessly pursued Yerim, who was teleporting sporadically. Due to the rule prohibiting her from leaving the arena, it was difficult to completely evade him, even with teleportation skills.
Kung, Kakuto stomped the ground with all his might, leaving his footprints imprinted on the solid floor once more.
The shawl fluttered as Yerim narrowly dodged the sword slicing through the air. Whoosh, the passing sword cleverly curved and lunged at Yerim again. Simultaneously, Kakuto slammed one foot down hard on the floor.
Kwagwang, the stone floor shattered and soared upwards. In quick succession, he raised the stone floor as if constructing walls in the air with a bang, bang.
Unlike spatial teleportation that transcends space itself, instant movement was a skill that moved at an invisible speed. In other words, it had to stop or break through if blocked by a wall. With obstacles all around, the speed decreases and the path becomes easier to predict.
Instead of dodging the sword with instant movement,
Clang!
Yerim blocked it with her spear. Unable to withstand Kakuto’s strength, Yerim was pushed back. Her beautiful eyebrows furrowed slightly. At the same time, dozens of ice spears appeared in the sky. Swoosh, the spearheads filled with blue chill poured down like rain. The arena floor froze, cracked, and eventually shattered, with fragments flying up like exploding bombs. In the meantime, Kakuto’s skills loudly struck all around, attempting to block the ice spears.
“Hyung [older brother/term of endearment for a male acquaintance].”
The already half-destroyed arena began to collapse completely. Yoohyun picked me up and leaped up using Blue Willow Leaf [a skill for enhanced agility/movement]. Golden chains drew long lines, blocking the fragments flying towards us. Noah spread his wings, and Myungwoo and Moon Hyuna also moved away. The Amaterasu Guild members filling the audience seats were also evacuating.
[The arena is collapsing! HaeYeon Guild Leader is using the Blue Willow Leaf skill! It’s the VVIP section!]
Camera, why are you showing this side unnecessarily? Mind your own business.
Thump, the thick pillars supporting the arena collapsed one after another, and dust rose. In the chaotic arena, the two stopped, keeping their distance. Yerim casually rested the spear shaft on her shoulder.
“Are you done with your sword dance?”
“That was just a warm-up.”
Kakuto grinned.
“I’ll show you my true power!”
…Can someone please shut that guy’s mouth?
“The beach isn’t just a favorable place for you, Park Yerim! All this abundant moisture is on my side!”
Kakuto shouted confidently. Does that guy also have water-related skills? No wonder he so easily agreed to change the arena to the beach.
Yerim narrowed her eyes and stared at Kakuto. It was truly ridiculous to hear. No matter how great his skills were, if it was water-related…
“Oh, my!”
Yerim suddenly exclaimed in surprise, shaking one hand as if to brush something off. Relying on Yoohyun’s eyesight, I saw that the back of her hand was slightly red.
“The air has gotten hot,” Yoohyun said quietly. It was definitely getting warmer. The arena area even looked slightly distorted, as if heat haze was rising. Was it a skill that boiled the moisture?
[The temperature of the arena is gradually rising! This is information just received from the Amaterasu Guild. Iwahata Kakuto Hunter’s skill, Volcanic Heat! It’s a scorching S-class skill that makes the surrounding air boil!]
Yerim clicked her tongue. But the cold mist evaporated instantly.
“…Does Yerim have any fire resistance items?”
“She has one piece of equipment with some attached as a bonus, though it’s not high-grade.”
It was fortunate, but why wasn’t she using Shadowless Day yet? Even if ice was weak against heat, adding attribute buffs should be enough to withstand an S-class skill.
“No matter how high-level a hunter is, it becomes difficult to operate in high heat. If they are below intermediate level, the moisture in their body boils instantly and they die!”
Kakuto pointed his sword at Yerim, looking as if he had already won.
“A limited space called the arena on the beach! These are the conditions that make my victory inevitable!”
That guy, who would have burst into flames instantly if he were facing Yoohyun, was all talk. But heating the entire air in a certain space was definitely a favorable skill in this kind of arena. Even an S-class hunter would have a hard time with such intense activity that raises body temperature in the boiling air without resistance skills. First of all, it consumes a lot of stamina.
Moreover, Yerim was relatively weak in stamina for an S-class hunter. Even now, beads of sweat were already forming on her forehead.
“The more you move, the harder it will be for you. Why don’t you just surrender!”
Kakuto spoke leisurely, treating her like prey he had already caught. Wiping the sweat from her forehead, Yerim smiled.
“Hey, I’m just finished warming up.”
“What?”
“It’s just beginning.”
With those words, rumble, the ground shook. The earth trembled as if an earthquake had occurred, and a look of bewilderment spread across Kakuto’s face. The other Japanese people also looked surprised.
[I, is it an earthquake? Suddenly the ground started shaking!]
Huh? An earthquake. Really? Now?
“It’s not an earthquake, that’s…”
Before Yoohyun could finish speaking, the ground began to crack. And then.
Thwaaaang!
Seawater surged up. And not just one or two streams. Thick streams of water pierced through the arena floor and soared up one after another like ascending dragons. With that, the air cooled.
Swoosh, the streams of water poured down like rain. With such a tremendous amount, even an S-class skill couldn’t withstand it. Kakuto stared blankly, his eyes wide, as the heat subsided in an instant. It was funny to see him soaked and looking like a drowned rat.
“A limited space called the arena on the beach.”
Yerim smiled brightly.
“No, no. If it’s the beach, no matter where you run, these are the conditions that make my victory inevitable.”
The seawater constantly poured in, and the wet ground cracked and collapsed even more. Yerim, floating in the air, looked down at Kakuto.
“Hey, I’ll expand the arena penalty to the beach. Try running away.”
“Th, th…”
“If I can’t catch you within an hour, I’ll lose. How about it? Wow, Park Yerim is really giving you a big break. So generous.”
Kakuto’s face flushed red with humiliation.
Rumble, crash. The arena floor completely collapsed, and water filled in. An evacuation order needs to be issued.