Chapter 49
Chapter 49
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 49
Chapter Title: Rookie King Tournament (1)
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‘Drum Maniac’ Kim Jeong-pyo. He had awakened by chance while doing delivery gigs in Hongdae. Without even checking his own abilities, he named himself ‘Drum Maniac’ after the band life he’d once been part of, and today, like always, he was regretting it while staring at his palms.
“Should’ve gone with Super Saiyan.”
“You lunatic. It’s about to start, so get ready.”
His mentor was a D-Rank Hunter from the Amazing Guild—short-tempered and oblivious about everything, but surprisingly caring once you got to know him. Kim Jeong-pyo nodded at his mentor’s words, dusted off his seat, and stood up. Beside him, his partner flashed a thumbs-up and whispered, “Fighting!” Kim Jeong-pyo nodded back and stepped forward.
The mentor rummaged through the pads and said,
“That’s your opponent? The Ada Bomber kid.”
Ada Bomber Jeong Su-hyeon was already a celebrity among the mentors, even though he didn’t have any special connection with them. Kim Jeong-pyo chuckled at the explanation and shook his head.
“Ah, that asshole’s ability is total shit. What was it? Blocks with his left hand and reflects with his right arm or something?”
“Says here he absorbs damage with his left hand and releases it from his right arm.”
“That fucker was using his powers barehanded last time I saw. That’s nothing big. My ability’s energy blasts. Energy blasts. Just gotta pepper him a few times, and he’ll be rolling on the ground yelling surrender!”
Kim Jeong-pyo was brimming with confidence. Winning the whole thing wasn’t his goal anyway. Just making it to the main tournament would earn him solid offers from various guilds. Plus, his ability was a long-range attack with high potential for growth and versatility. He was certain he could reach the main draw on raw power alone, finals be damned.
“You keep that up, you’re gonna get wrecked. Word is, that kid’s been grinding non-stop.”
The mentor frowned at Kim Jeong-pyo’s complacency and warned him. Jeong-pyo just shook his head. The weakness was obvious anyway. Target the right arm while he’s absorbing with the left, and blast away—Jeong Su-hyeon would drop to his knees naturally.
“I’m good, seriously. Ah, I’ll go smash his dick in and come back. You trust me, right, hyung?”
The mentor said nothing, just sighed deeply and waved him off like he was shooing a fly. Kim Jeong-pyo grinned wide and patted his mentor’s arm.
“Come on, why the long face? Between us? Huh? Gimme a fighting!”
“Get going, punk.”
The mentor shoved Kim Jeong-pyo’s back like it was a hassle and sent him off. Jeong-pyo headed toward the brightly lit arena entrance. The glow of that door felt like it was hinting at his bright future.
The arena was quiet, empty of spectators, with only a single B-Rank Hunter referee standing there. Preliminaries were private; main tournament from the round of 16 got TV coverage. By then, this sand-filled pit would be pristine, and the empty stands would roar with chants of his name.
Kim Jeong-pyo steadied his excited breath and looked straight ahead. Far across, from the opposite arena door, Jeong Su-hyeon was walking in. Kim Jeong-pyo bounced in place, loosening up carelessly as he waited. Something emerged from the shadows. A massive shield appeared in the arena instead of Jeong Su-hyeon.
“What the?”
Kim Jeong-pyo froze in shock, forgetting to stretch. It wasn’t a shield moving on its own. Jeong Su-hyeon’s ankle peeking from the edge and his eyes brimming with murderous intent made it clear he was holding it.
In his right hand was a long spear. Since it was a match, not a blade but a hefty, blunt one with a weighted sack at the tip. Jeong Su-hyeon took a step forward, raised the shield, and pointed the spear at Kim Jeong-pyo. Jeong-pyo yelled at the sight.
“You cowardly fuck!”
The referee glanced at Kim Jeong-pyo as he was about to signal the start. Jeong Su-hyeon peered over the shield with puzzled eyes. Kim Jeong-pyo shouted.
“You cheating bastard! You wanna use weapons too?”
“Cowardly fuck?”
Jeong Su-hyeon, shield raised, finally spoke. He had plenty to say about cowardice himself. Kim Jeong-pyo nodded vigorously as Jeong Su-hyeon opened his mouth and yelled.
“This a foul or what?”
Jeong Su-hyeon shot back in disbelief.
“The fucker shooting beams from his hands thinks me holding a stick is a foul?”
“No, that’s……”
“Scared? Then forfeit, asshole.”
“You fucking……”
Kim Jeong-pyo flushed red at Jeong Su-hyeon’s taunt. The referee mediated the trash talk.
“Weapons were registered two weeks ago, so no foul.”
Only then did Kim Jeong-pyo shut his mouth, though still huffing. He raised both hands, glaring at Jeong Su-hyeon, ready to beam his face the second it started. The referee shouted.
“Alright then! ‘Drum Maniac’ Kim Jeong-pyo versus ‘Ada Bomber’ Jeong Su-hyeon! Rookie King Tournament preliminary match—begin!”
The referee fired a blank into the air. With the gunshot, Kim Jeong-pyo yelled.
“Die, you shitty drum!”
Two yellow energy blasts shot toward Jeong Su-hyeon with his shout. Jeong Su-hyeon bent his knees, thrust the shield forward, and lowered his stance.
Thung!
The blasts hit the shield with a heavy thud, pushing Jeong Su-hyeon back slightly. His arm twitched, and his right arm glowed faintly. Kim Jeong-pyo gritted his teeth and began gathering energy in both hands again.
Meanwhile, Jeong Su-hyeon started advancing step by step. Jeong-pyo backpedaled to keep distance. Yellow orbs formed in his hands again. He thrust them forward once more.
Pang!
Two more yellow blasts flew with a whoosh. They slammed into the shield, making Jeong Su-hyeon’s shoulder shake. His advance halted for a moment. Kim Jeong-pyo tried to step back further.
But after a few more steps, even he had to stop.
“Any further and it’s ring-out.”
The referee’s voice rang out. Kim Jeong-pyo spat a curse.
“Fuck!”
Jeong Su-hyeon was closing in. The shield was battered all over but still intact. He moved like a tank leisurely plowing through a field. The heavy footfalls pressed down on Kim Jeong-pyo. Jeong-pyo pivoted to reposition, trying to flank the shield for an attack.
But no matter how he circled, Jeong Su-hyeon calmly turned to keep the shield facing him. The lion emblem on the shield was seriously pissing him off.
“Fuck!”
Another blast flew. One corner of the shield crumpled with a grotesque crunch. The part that once held the lion’s right mane charred black and shattered. Kim Jeong-pyo smirked triumphantly, prepping the next shot. Just a few more hits, and that annoying shield would be scrap.
But his glee lasted only a moment. As he gathered energy and tried to shift position, Jeong Su-hyeon leaped forward with all his might, closing the gap. The lion emblem suddenly loomed large, as if swallowing him whole.
Jeong Su-hyeon, who’d been moving slowly, exploded in speed, and Kim Jeong-pyo couldn’t keep up.
“Huh? What?”
He saw the right arm glowing bright. Instinctively, Kim Jeong-pyo gritted his teeth and raised his arm—he knew he couldn’t dodge. The light converged on the spear, and even the tip blazed white.
The lion emblem flickered faintly. The shield pushed back, revealing Jeong Su-hyeon’s gritted teeth. The gleaming spear thrust toward Kim Jeong-pyo.
“Uwaaaack!”
His hastily raised arm twisted, and Kim Jeong-pyo’s body flew through the air. Bright lights flooded his vision. The brilliant glow that had seemed like his future faded to dull gray. He was flying.
The referee watched Kim Jeong-pyo impassively. Jeong Su-hyeon tossed the shield aside and rubbed his arm.
“Aaaack!”
As Kim Jeong-pyo hit the ground rolling, the referee called out.
“Match over! Jeong Su-hyeon wins!”
Jeong Su-hyeon exhaled deeply and spat on the ground. Kim Jeong-pyo groaned on the floor. He saw two women approaching Jeong Su-hyeon. Turning his head, he spotted his mentor emerging from the shadows. The mentor looked down at him and said,
“Told you. Attitude like that gets you wrecked. All those hard workers look like jokes to you?”
“No, that fucker pulled a cowardly shield and weapon……”
He still had breath left to argue. The mentor pulled a cigarette from his pocket and stuck it in his mouth. The B-Rank referee said to him,
“Mentor, no smoking here.”
“Ah, sorry.”
He pocketed the cigarette again, chuckled, shook his head, and headed back into the dark tunnel. Kim Jeong-pyo struggled to his feet. The referee said,
“Head to the infirmary.”
“Yes. Thank you.”
He nodded and staggered off. The infirmary’s hazy lights came into view. He tried to rub his arm, but the trembling limb wouldn’t obey.
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On the way out of the arena, Kim Yu-jeong said with a smile,
“Good work.”
“Nah, it’s thanks to you, sunbae. That Heavenly Demon Cave training really paid off.”
“All your own skill.”
“Su-hyeon oppa, that was cool.”
Ichie chimed in with praise too. Jeong Su-hyeon felt like they were tag-teaming compliments. He asked,
“When’s your match, Ichie?”
“In an hour, next arena over.”
“Got it? I’ll cheer for you.”
“You do your best too.”
Ichie nodded enthusiastically. Jeong Su-hyeon nodded back and glanced at the bracket again.
“Thought more people would join, but fewer than expected.”
The 64-player bracket felt sparse compared to enrollment numbers. Kim Yu-jeong explained,
“Awakeners whose abilities don’t suit 1v1s skip it. Like a healer who has to touch someone—way too disadvantaged in fights like this. They get sent on special training instead.”
“Special training?”
“Guild tours, support types meeting support seniors, that sort of thing.”
“I see.”
I looked at the bracket again. Ichie’s next opponent was someone I didn’t know well.