Chapter 420: Human World[R-18] (58)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 420: Human World[R-18] (58)
The duel between Ryu Ja-ho and me had captured the world’s attention.
Things had gotten much bigger than I’d expected.
What started as a simple personal confrontation had twisted into something strange over time. The media and online communities in various countries began framing it as a national showdown: Korea vs. China.
The online forums of both nations exploded daily, and it didn't stop at mere arguments. It escalated to the point where A-Class ability users from both sides engaged in preliminary skirmishes, and the situation snowballed into an international event.
As a result, two more people joined as representatives for the Korean side.
One of them was Im Hwa-yeon.
While Im Hye-rin and I were in the UK, she seemed to have had some sort of awakening. Her skills had improved remarkably, and the media had recently started taking notice of her.
The one who benefited most from the Yin-Yang Arts was Im Hwa-yeon, after all.
Her aether capacity, which used to be pathetically small, had grown exponentially the more we had sex. Perhaps because of that, she was now able to use her abilities to her heart's content.
The second person was Choi Do-yoon, an A-Class ability user from the Sun Guild who could manipulate gravity.
“It’s a pleasure. I’m Choi Do-yoon, an A-Class ability user.”
He bowed his head first with a polite expression. His speech was clean and disciplined, but his gaze was quite blatant.
“Right.”
I just gave a short reply and nodded. There was no reason to add any unnecessary pleasantries. The Halcyon Guild and the Sun Guild were famously like oil and water. Besides, I’d had several run-ins with the Sun Guild, so I had no intention of getting friendly with them.
The moment we arrived at the duel venue and showed ourselves, a massive wave of boos erupted from all sides as if they had been waiting.
“Booooo!”
“Go home, you pervert!”
The ear-splitting noise came from the Chinese spectators gathered at the scene. Some held mocking signs, and one guy had even written a strange phrase, ‘He’ll lose when he runs out of cum,’ and was laughing.
What a warm welcome.
As I took a step forward with a slight smile, camera shutters flashed in succession, and the broadcast drones hovering in the sky all zoomed in on my face.
“The booing is insane.”
Im Hwa-yeon, standing next to me, whispered in an annoyed tone. The sharp, ear-piercing murmur of Chinese made her brow furrow instinctively.
“The more I hear Chinese, the noisier it sounds…”
Im Hye-rin shrugged and replied.
“Well, it’s a natural reaction. This is Chinese soil, and that Ryu Ja-ho guy is treated like a national treasure here. It’s a matter of national pride for them.”
“Just how great is he that they’re making such a fuss…”
“Who knows. We’ll find out for ourselves soon enough.”
Im Hwa-yeon looked at me without a word.
“Hey, you know it’ll be a huge embarrassment if you lose, right?”
“Of course. I don’t have the slightest intention of losing.”
One step, then another. We headed toward the center of the dueling ground. The massive stadium was designed as a perfect circle, and tens of thousands of spectators surrounding it screamed, their emotions oscillating between excitement and hatred.
Even amidst the chaos, I could feel it. A strange pressure that proved this was no ordinary space.
This doesn’t seem like a simple barrier or defensive wall.
An invisible wall enveloped the surroundings. The air was thick and distorted. It felt like something was suppressing the space itself.
Im Hye-rin, who was beside me, looked at the stadium and explained simply.
“It’s the Heaven Jade Ring, an S-Class artifact the Chinese are so proud of.”
“Heaven Jade Ring? What’s that, Mom?”
“It’s an artifact that seals space itself. The name literally means ‘to seal the heavens.’ With that, the damage won’t even reach the spectator seats, even if S-Class users fight.”
“Looks like the Chinese are taking this pretty seriously, to use something like that.”
“Of course they are. China has always had a complex about being the strongest. Besides… see that? Even their President is here.”
Just then, a stage was set up in the center of the arena, and an announcer appeared. Surprisingly, he wasn't Asian but a middle-aged Caucasian man with blond hair. With a bright smile, like the host of a game show, he threw his arms up toward the crowd.
“Wow, Raymond Crowley is here.”
“Who’s that?”
At my question, Im Hye-rin smirked and explained.
“You don’t know? He’s an ability user from the American Association. He has the ability ‘Judgment Arbitrator.’ He’s also called a Mediator. He never misses an official match or a massive duel as a referee.”
At that moment, the announcer’s clear voice spread throughout the stadium.
“Now! Before this big match that the world is watching! To prepare for any unforeseen incidents, the Chinese government has specially invited a guest for today!”
Instantly, spotlights flooded the center of the arena, and drones hovered in the air, broadcasting the scene live.
“Directly from the Vatican! One who heals in the name of God! Everyone’s idol!”
As the announcer’s voice echoed, a woman in a nun’s habit landed gracefully from the air as if she were an angel. Silvery-white hair flowed out from under her black veil, shimmering faintly as it scattered in the wind.
“It’s Sister Lucia Valencia!”
“Ooh…!”
I found myself staring at her, completely captivated. Then, Im Hwa-yeon jabbed me hard in the ribs with her elbow.
“Mom, this bastard’s eyes are wandering again.”
“…Just leave him be. He’ll never change.”
Im Hye-rin replied with a sigh, as if she had given up.
At that moment, the announcer approached Lucia.
“It’s been a while, Lady Lucia. Thank you so much for taking time out of your precious schedule. Would you please say a word to everyone here?”
A microphone was held out to her. Lucia glanced down at it silently. Then, she slowly reached a hand into her cleavage and pulled something out.
What she revealed… was a silver lighter and a cigarette.
Flick.
She slowly put the cigarette to her lips. Then, with a deadpan expression, she uttered a single sentence.
“…A lot of trash has gathered here.”
A chilling voice. The words, unbelievable coming from a nun, plunged the stadium into silence once more.
But that silence soon turned into cheers.
“Sis! My dick hurts!”
“Sister! Marry me!”
The stands were overcome with excitement, and the drone cameras in the sky broadcasted her expressionless face and the rising smoke in real-time.
“She’s a sexy woman.”
At my words, Im Hye-rin whispered quietly.
“Seo-yun, don’t you dare approach Lucia.”
Im Hwa-yeon, beside her, added in a small voice.
“That’s right. Lucia Valencia… she’s pretty famous for having a terrible personality. On top of that, her power is in the upper echelons of S-Class. Even though healing is her main job, she’s strong enough to physically crush people.”
Im Hye-rin nodded and continued.
“If you hit on her like you usually do, you might get seriously beaten. Her physical strength is scary, but what’s more dangerous is her fan club, which doubles as her personal guard. They call themselves the ‘Pilgrims of the Holy Blood,’ and there are a few S-Class ability users among them.”
Despite their warnings, I glanced again at where Lucia Valencia stood. She was quietly smoking her cigarette, maintaining a certain distance from everyone else.
“…I like her even more.”
“Haaah…”
Im Hye-rin pressed a hand to her forehead and shook her head.
“Seriously, your taste in women is a problem. Not a single one of them is normal.”
As she sighed, the announcer’s voice, accompanied by grand music, boomed through the stadium.
“Now, the time has finally come! The official duel that the world is watching, with the pride of both nations on the line, is about to begin!”
The crowd roared, and the broadcast drones hovering in the air began to pan across the arena.
And then, the Chinese ability users, who had remained hidden until now, finally made their entrance.
Leading the way was a powerfully built man in a red martial arts uniform. Flames were already blazing around him, leaving scorch marks on the ground with every step he took.
“First! The Blazing Fist Fighter, Fire Dragon Jang Hao!”
The Chinese spectators went wild at the announcer’s introduction.
“Second! The Snow Empress, Snow Flower Li Mei!”
This time, a woman in a pure white uniform appeared. As she emerged, the surrounding air instantly grew cold, and white vapor rose from her mouth with every breath.
“And last! The World’s Best Swordsman! Cheonma Ryu Ja-ho!”
Kuuuuuuung!
In an instant, a pressure that shook the entire stadium. A man in a black uniform walked out slowly, each of his footsteps echoing like thunder.
A massive sword floated behind Ryu Ja-ho’s back. The dark energy emanating from it writhed like a living snake.
Hmm, I guess he wasn’t given the title Cheonma for nothing.
Ryu Ja-ho slowly approached.
“Jin Seo-yun.”
He enunciated my name clearly, then looked me up and down with narrowed eyes.
“A pleasure. I am Cheonma, Ryu Ja-ho.”
His tone was born of pure confidence. In that moment, an atmosphere descended as if the outcome of the fight was already decided. The very air grew heavy, and even the noise from the crowd briefly subsided.
“I’ll give you credit for not running away like a coward.”
The corner of his mouth lifted slightly. It was a smile that was hard to distinguish between a sneer and pure confidence.
I shrugged lightly.
“But are you really that confident?”
“……?”
“If you get your ass kicked in front of the whole world like this, you won’t be able to show your face in public ever again.”
“Hahaha, you’re an amusing one.”
Ryu Ja-ho’s laughter died down as dust kicked up around his feet and the air currents began to slowly twist.
“I look forward to seeing how long you can last against me.”
Having said his piece, he walked to the opposite side.
“Now! Let’s begin the first match!”
The announcer’s voice filled the stadium.
“The first match has been decided by a prior drawing! From China, the A-Class ability user, the Blazing Fist Fighter, Jang Hao! And his opponent, the representative from Korea—!”
The announcer paused, and the stadium fell into a breathless silence.
“From the Sun Guild, the Magician of Gravity, Choi Do-yoon!”
Waaaaaaah!!!
Cheers erupted from the crowd. Choi Do-yoon, dressed in a combat suit, stepped forward silently. As he slowly raised his hand, the very air around him grew heavy and began to distort.
On the other side, Jang Hao, in his red uniform, clenched his fists. Crimson flames erupted from the back of his hands, slithering up his arms like living snakes and enveloping him.
“Fire and gravity.”
I crossed my arms and watched them.
“The matchup isn’t bad,” Im Hwa-yeon muttered, and Im Hye-rin nodded beside her.
“But… that Jang Hao guy is also A-Class. He could lose if he’s not careful.”
Just then, Raymond Crowley walked between the two fighters and raised his hand.
“Both contestants, are you ready!”
“I’m ready!” Choi Do-yoon answered forcefully. The tiles beneath his feet sank.
“Ready,” Jang Hao replied curtly, stomping his foot. The air around him instantly expanded, spreading a wave of heat.
“Then… begin!”
Raymond quickly backed away.
KWAAAAANG!!!
Jang Hao’s flame-wreathed fist shot forward with a roar. He was like a living inferno as he charged through the air.
But Choi Do-yoon remained motionless, smiling as he lowered his palm.
THUD!!
Jang Hao’s body was instantly crushed, slamming into the ground as it caved in beneath him.