Chapter 27
Chapter 27
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 27
Chapter Title: Fist Emperor (2)
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“Congratulations on your victory.”
Kang Hyun-soo smiled at the Fist Emperor and offered his congratulations.
The Fist Emperor looked at him with a what’s-this-about expression.
“Your skills were truly impressive. So, I was wondering…”
“No plans to join a guild or party.”
The Fist Emperor was the Fist Emperor, as expected.
He got rejected before even making the offer.
“Um…”
“Well, I’m off.”
As Kang Hyun-soo tried to continue, the Fist Emperor spun around and slipped out of the martial arena.
‘Not even a tooth can sink in.’
This was an iron wall among iron walls.
“You thinking of adding that kid to our party?”
“His skills are top-notch. I figured it’d be good to bring him in if possible.”
He’d entered the 201~300 level tournament, so his estimated level was probably late 200s.
Perfect for hunting together.
“Well, he shot me down flat.”
Song Hana frowned slightly at Kang Hyun-soo’s words.
“He might have skills, but his personality sucks. Cutting people off mid-sentence like that. At least hear them out before refusing.”
Kang Hyun-soo gave an awkward smile at Song Hana’s grumbling.
‘This is actually the normal reaction.’
Kang Hyun-soo, who knew the Fist Emperor’s past actions from before his regression, had approached on a whim despite expecting rejection.
The Fist Emperor’s prickly personality had been famous even before the regression, so he didn’t take it to heart.
‘He’s prickly, but not a villain.’
The Fist Emperor’s nature was closer to that of a good Samaritan.
He’d step up against injustice, even at personal cost, and couldn’t stand seeing the strong bully the weak.
‘People even tried to take advantage of him, thinking he was a pushover.’
But the Fist Emperor wasn’t a pushover, even if he was a good soul.
He thoroughly punished those who tried to deceive or exploit him.
“Let’s grab dinner.”
Song Hana nodded at Kang Hyun-soo’s suggestion.
* * *
The next morning.
Kang Hyun-soo headed to the martial arena alone.
To collect his payout from betting on the Fist Emperor’s victory.
‘Not many people around.’
Probably because the Fist Emperor had won yesterday.
‘A ton of tickets must’ve turned to scraps.’
But Kang Hyun-soo’s ticket was different.
It was about to turn into a pile of gold, not scraps.
“I’m here to collect my payout.”
“May I see your ticket?”
Kang Hyun-soo handed his ticket to the arena staff.
“Congratulations! You hit the jackpot! I’m so jealous!”
The staffer announced Kang Hyun-soo’s big win loudly for all to hear.
Naturally, stares flew in from every direction.
‘What the hell is this guy doing?’
Kang Hyun-soo’s face twisted fiercely.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
“Oh, sorry. I was just jealous. My ticket from yesterday turned to trash. Never dreamed a Rabbitkin would beat a Bearkin and take the championship.”
“Rabbitkin can win too. Isn’t it more about the fighter’s skill than whether they’re Rabbitkin or Bearkin?”
“Hahaha, you must be from another world, sir, but Rabbitkin aren’t a warrior race. They just perk up their ears, always ready to run. If the Bearkin warrior hadn’t let his guard down…”
The staffer kept badmouthing the Rabbitkin.
“Cut the nonsense and give me my payout.”
At Kang Hyun-soo’s words, the staffer shut up and handed over a pouch full of gold coins.
“Payout of 630,000 gold after the arena’s 20% fee.”
A whopping nearly 170,000 gold had vanished in fees.
‘The fees are disgustingly high.’
At least the fee included taxes.
‘Since the arena’s run by the Muran Kingdom.’
One of the kingdom’s main revenue sources was ticket sales for arena admission and bets.
‘Time for some shopping?’
Kang Hyun-soo pocketed the pouch and turned.
‘Huh?’
As he turned, a familiar face caught his eye.
‘The Fist Emperor?’
The Fist Emperor was watching him from afar.
Step, step.
The Fist Emperor approached and spoke.
“Made a killing, huh.”
Kang Hyun-soo gave a faint smile in response.
“All thanks to you.”
It was all because of the Fist Emperor that he’d scored big.
“Why bet on me? You know me?”
“Of course. You’ve got to research the fighters before betting, right? You went undefeated in the 0~50, 51~100, and 101~200 level tournaments before. So I figured you’d sweep the 201~300 one too.”
“Past wins don’t guarantee future success.”
“Fair point. But isn’t looking at the past the best way to predict the future?”
“Well, yeah.”
“Plus, I was certain your skills were the real deal. Unlike Muran locals, I don’t have prejudices against Rabbitkin.”
“Do what you want.”
The Fist Emperor gave a curt reply and walked past with a blank face.
‘He’s embarrassed.’
Kang Hyun-soo chuckled inwardly.
His face was expressionless.
But every time Kang Hyun-soo spoke, the Fist Emperor’s perked-up rabbit ears atop his head twitched nonstop.
And that wasn’t all.
With every word from Kang Hyun-soo, those long ears visibly flushed red.
‘Can’t blame him.’
He acted all mature.
But only 34 years old.
Beastkin held their coming-of-age at 30.
Pretty young.
Like a fresh-out-of-college early-20s newbie in human terms.
On top of that, despite four straight undefeated tournament wins, he got dismissed by other Beastkin just for being Rabbitkin.
Kang Hyun-soo recognizing and praising his skills had to feel good.
‘Oh?’
Then Kang Hyun-soo spotted the Fist Emperor receiving a gold pouch from the staff.
‘Bet on his own match?’
The odds were 100% yes.
Yesterday’s arena match had been only the 201~300 level final.
‘Modest haul.’
The Fist Emperor’s pouch was tiny compared to Kang Hyun-soo’s.
He’d bet small, so the payout was small too.
‘My bet probably tanked his odds.’
A twinge of guilt hit him.
Without Kang Hyun-soo’s huge bet, that pouch would be nearly three times bigger.
‘Gonna buy him a meal.’
Nothing beat treating to a hearty meal in a situation like this.
‘Build some rapport over food.’
The Fist Emperor would become a top-tier ranker later.
He’d also play a huge role stopping the Demon King’s army.
Even if recruitment failed, friendship couldn’t hurt.
‘Perfect excuse too.’
Thanks for the cash—let me buy you dinner.
What better reason?
Step, step.
Kang Hyun-soo approached.
“What?”
“Thanks to you, I made bank. Want me to treat you to a nice meal?”
“Pass. Why would I let you buy me food?”
The Fist Emperor flatly refused with a blank face.
But.
‘His ears twitched.’
They definitely perked at “meal.”
“I’m grateful, that’s why. Come on. You can tell me how you pulled off four straight undefeated wins on the way.”
Kang Hyun-soo grabbed his arm, figuring persistence would work.
“What’s to be grateful for? You just bet smart.”
“Still. Come on, start with your first tournament.”
“Ahem, if you really wanna know, fine. That was two years ago…”
As Kang Hyun-soo tugged, the Fist Emperor pretended reluctance but followed.
And started spinning his tale of that first undefeated run.
‘He’s been dying to brag.’
His “no choice” expression didn’t hide the fluent storytelling.
He detailed opponents’ races and main skills from that first tournament, then exactly how he’d beaten each one.
‘Too chatty? Before regression, he was famous for being taciturn.’
Did he quiet down as he grew?
Or did his chattiness leave him isolated, forcing him to clam up?
‘Not bad.’
Kang Hyun-soo gave fitting replies as they headed to a restaurant, treating him to a fancy meal as promised.
‘Way different from pre-regression image.’
Pre-regression Fist Emperor was a lone wolf, famously silent.
But now?
A bit prickly, but no walls up against others.
And talkative.
‘His true feelings show in his ears.’
Young and pure as day.
‘Why’d this Fist Emperor turn into that lone wolf?’
The reason was obvious.
‘Prejudice and contempt for being Rabbitkin.’
Even after five straight undefeated wins, he got “Not bad for a Rabbitkin.”
If he’d been Tigerkin or Elephantkin?
He’d have been scouted by major guilds or the Muran army right after that first win.
Tiger and Elephant Beastkin represented carnivore and herbivore elites.
Even as Wolfkin or Cowkin, two straight wins would’ve drawn massive attention.
But the Fist Emperor?
‘Only got real notice after eight straight.’
He’d achieved plenty before.
Just dismissed by bias for ages.
No proper recognition.
Maybe that’s why he was ranting like a motormouth now—first real acknowledgment.
‘Might actually work.’
Pre-regression, Kang Hyun-soo thought recruitment impossible.
But this soft, eager side?
‘Could reel him in.’
He craved recognition from others.
Fulfill that, and he might join the party.
‘Teaming up would help him too.’
Pre-regression, the Fist Emperor died fighting alone on the front lines.
‘Lone wolf’s limit.’
Incredible skill, peerless even.
But stubborn lone-wolf attitude made too many enemies.
Jealousy from many.
‘With a faction, he wouldn’t have burned out so pointlessly.’
He was popular with mid-to-low level players.
But plenty of high-level players and big guilds hated him.
‘Let’s give it a shot.’
Kang Hyun-soo resolved to build steady friendship and recruit him.
‘Jackpot if it works.’
Failure cost nothing.
Just friendship with the Fist Emperor was a win.
‘Not in my old plans.’
Song Hana, presumed Slaughter Emperor, was already in.
Add the Fist Emperor?
Kang Hyun-soo would have two Emperors in his party.
Slaughter Emperor and Fist Emperor.
Their join would hugely boost his personal revenge.
And stopping the Demon King’s army.