The Arena Beatdown
The arena on one side of the massive academy building was far larger than the one we'd used yesterday for sparring. It made sense—this space was designed not just for one-on-one duels, but for large-scale battles.
Ahead, in front of the arena, members of the Fund Investment Club were already warming up.
"Let's get this started. It'll be over quick anyway."
I'd done some light stretches outside and now rolled my shoulders as I stepped in. One of their members smirked and taunted me instead.
"What's this? Didn't even bring your unique armament? Leave it at home? Or couldn't afford one?"
As if.
"No need to use a cattle knife on chickens."
"What?"
"Seniors like you? I can handle you just fine without it."
"...We'll see how long you keep that attitude up."
Realizing he had nothing to gain from bantering with me, he turned and walked back to his group. At least he had some sense.
"Boss, you good?"
Jinwoo asked worriedly as I handed him my jacket.
"No reason to fear goblins in human skin."
"Right?"
"Yeah. So just watch. See what happens next."
While we were doing final stretches before entering the arena, the doors swung open and a man I'd never seen before walked in. Dark circles under his eyes, black horn-rimmed glasses. The necklace and ID around his neck marked him as an instructor.
"...Of all the days, a challenge on my shift. What a pain."
He scratched his head and stood at the arena's control panel.
"Hmm... You're the freshman who applied for the challenge?"
He looked at me, adjusted his glasses, frowned oddly, then glanced at the Fund Investment Club members.
"...You're really a first-year. You guys are seriously dueling him?"
"He insulted the Fund Investment Club. How could we let that slide?"
"He challenged us first, so it's not our fault."
The instructor listened, then turned back to scrutinize me before approaching.
"You... why go this far? And you're a freshman who hasn't even been here a week, issuing a challenge no less."
"Just want to make academy life a bit easier."
"...What does that even mean?"
Fund Investment Club. Picking them wasn't some whim or impulse. To enjoy a smooth academy life going forward, I needed to crush them early.
First reason: Recruiting Inomiya Haru. She ultimately loses her club war, gets blamed, and kicked out of the International Trade Club she built herself. Cut off from any above-ground activities. Sure, she had backing, but elevating it to silver tier? All her own skill. I couldn't let trash like these guys ruin that.
Second: Preserve the International Trade Club as is. It's the best shop in the academy for rare goods. Hand that over to the Fund Investment Club? Quality drops, and forget about premium items.
Third: No big reason. I just didn't like these backstabbing creeps.
"Whatever your beef with them... handle the aftermath yourself, freshman. The rest of the Fund Investment Club holds grudges."
Unlike what the instructor said, no need to worry about loose ends. I don't leave any.
"Thanks for the advice."
As I turned to go—
"Scaring a freshman like that? Pathetic."
A familiar voice came from behind.
"Eugene! Got you here!"
"Ordering an instructor around? Cocky bastard."
Kim Sea-a, panting hard. And Ji Suhyun, eyes narrowed in amusement as she eyed me.
"Huh. Senior?"
The male instructor's face stiffened at the sight of Ji Suhyun.
"No wonder I didn't see you in the office. You're on arena duty today?"
"Just matched schedules. But what's a senior like you doing here?"
"Heard a first-year's taking on four second-years. Came to watch. But what were you thinking, approving this duel?"
Hands in her pockets, Ji Suhyun stepped up to him. Despite her shorter height, he looked smaller. She slung an arm around his neck.
"No rule violation, so freshman vs. upperclassmen group duel gets approved? That's what you say as an instructor?"
"But he's that late-admit guy, right? Figured he had some plan, so I approved the lesson."
"...Can't argue with that. Fine. But if shit hits the fan, it's on you."
"Huh? Me?"
"Who else, punk? You're supervising."
She clenched her pocketed fist and pretended to swing. He flinched and yelped.
"O-okay! Doesn't look like it'll get that bad anyway. But... you got some connection to him? Your vibe's different."
"Oh? He's our class vice rep."
"...Pardon?"
"First-year starting a club? As homeroom teacher, gotta give a little support. Oh, Han Yujin!"
Suddenly calling my name, she pointed at my neck area.
"Gonna use that?"
Obvious what she meant. My unique armament.
"No way."
I just waved it off.
"Fists are plenty."
She nodded, grinned.
"This'll be fun."
Satisfied with my answer, she pulled her arm from the guy's neck, clapped to get attention, and scanned around.
"Alright, everyone in the arena? Me and this guy'll supervise, so no dying. Okay?"
With Ji Suhyun wrapping it up, both sides entered the arena. They glared at me, eyes burning with rage.
"Cute."
To me, fresh off warring with real mafia, that was just a kid's tantrum.
I cracked my neck and knuckles, stepped up to the white line in the center.
Wrrrrrm—!
A brief vibration enveloped the area, blue light flashing. The air felt heavier, senses off-kilter, then normalized. The protective field for students had activated.
We faced off. Ji Suhyun's voice boomed from the arena speakers.
"You're done, freshman—?!"
The first one charged. I reached for his face, slammed him down hard.
Thud!
He cratered into the floor, body going limp. Out cold.
"One."
Straightening, I scanned the rest. The remaining three stared, baffled.
I shrugged, right in their formation's heart, them frozen.
"Surrender's still an option."
"You crazy bas—."
Second guy rushed. Second-year smarts? He guarded with arms up, ducked low to burrow in.
Good try, but...
"Your body's wide open."
Guarding his face blinded him. I grabbed his incoming arm, kneed his solar plexus.
Crunch!
"Two."
They flinched at my count.
"Getting scared already? No fun."
The last two backed off.
"Dude, two down in seconds..."
"Snap out of it, idiot! They're just caught off guard!"
Seeing their buddies crushed firsthand? They glared, way tenser now.
"Oh?"
Won't go down easy anymore, huh. How to smash them next—
"Rush him!"
They circled, lunged together. Didn't expect them to come first.
"Fun."
"...Huh?"
Grabbed the first puncher's wrist, yanked him in.
"W-wait—."
Palmed his jaw upward. Knees buckled, but I didn't let go—slammed him like a flail.
"Three."
Not even three minutes in, three down. Their faces? Stiff as boards. Obvious to anyone.
It's over. About 40 seconds... right on schedule.
But what now? I wasn't planning to end it here.
"Seriously? Came for the 'challenge' and it's already done?"
"Rushed over soon as I heard, and it's over?"
Voices from outside drew their eyes.
"...Who the hell are they?"
New spectators appeared; their eyes panicked.
"Aaaah! Bet on Fund Investment Club, and this is the mess?!"
"Reverse sweep kings still betting here. Upsets forever! Freshman gooo!"
"All my money's on you!"
Students gasped or freaked at the scene. They panicked harder.
"What the hell did you do...?"
"Those people outside? Basketball club, literature club, tea ceremony club... crowds from every rank. Some even brought picket signs for freshman recruitment."
Why'd they flock here?
"Yeah. I called them."
All to stage this exact spectacle.
"A freshman's 'challenge' is unprecedented big news. Me vs. a whole club? Why fight fair when I might get jumped later? Needed insurance."
I spread my arms toward the onlookers.
"This many eyes? Even Fund Investment Club won't cheap out from shame."
They grimaced at my grin.
"Why... why go this far against us?!"
"—Because you poked me."
"...What?"
"That International Trade Club? Mine. And you're scheming to take it from behind."
"How the hell do you...?"
"Does it matter? What matters is how long you seniors last. So..."
I turned to the crowd outside.
"You watching out there? Fund Investment Club president. Don't wanna get ruined? Get in here, you punk."
The real highlight starts now.