Chapter 26
Chapter 26
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 26
Chapter Title: Ryangryang's Upset Victory
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“But how did you know to place that bet?”
“Of course I knew.”
“No, the odds are way too high. At six-to-one, this isn’t just some reverse bet.”
“Six times my stake means thirty billion won. Even better. Ryangryang’s going to win.”
“This guy’s making his debut today, and his opponent’s the reigning champion who’s undefeated for three straight years.”
Even I hadn’t expected today to be Ryangryang’s debut match.
All I knew was that after debuting in this underground arena, Ryangryang went undefeated for two years.
‘Lucky break. If his debut had been even a little later, I wouldn’t have been able to bet.’
Thinking about it again, it really was a stroke of genius.
“Just watch and see.”
Right then, a voice boomed over the mic inside the arena.
［Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for waiting! It’s time for Match 1: Jang Hyukwon versus Kim Taejin!］
A small cheer erupted from the stands at the announcer’s call. With everyone wearing masks, the scene felt downright eerie.
Moments later, two figures appeared in the arena.
Each held a spear and a sword, respectively.
［And they’re underway!］
The fight between the two kicked off just like that.
They reinforced their bodies with mana and dove into a fierce close-quarters brawl.
Unlike official magic sports tournaments, this underground arena had zero safety systems to protect lives.
That made for perilous, edge-of-your-seat combat that kept you breathless.
How much time passed like that?
“Gaaah!”
In the end, one man took a fatal wound and curled up on the ground. The long gash across him made even onlookers wince.
It was a gruesome sight you wouldn’t want to watch with eyes open, but the crowd cheered and reveled in it all the more.
True to its illegal nature, the organizers showed no sign of stopping the match despite the horror.
“U-Uncle! I surrender!”
The wounded man finally cried out his surrender. Victory and defeat were decided in an instant.
Those who’d won money celebrated, while the losers raged at the victor in the arena.
“Die, you bastard!”
“What’re you waiting for? Kill him!”
The winner looked down at his fallen foe. He seemed to hesitate at the crowd’s demands for blood, but ultimately shook his head and exited the arena.
［Match 1 ends with Jang Hyukwon’s victory! Match 2 starts in twenty minutes!］
At the same time.
The demon Baek Kang was resting in his hideout.
The door opened, and one of his underlings entered.
“Sir Baek Kang, Kim Jinwoo met with Han Seyeon and joined the underground arena event.”
“...Kim Jinwoo’s at the underground arena?”
Baek Kang’s face registered shock at the sudden report.
Kim Jinwoo.
The man who’d killed his close friend Jang Hanol.
Shockingly little was known about him—no one knew where he lived or what he did day-to-day.
The only scrap of intel was one thing.
That Kim Jinwoo had made some kind of deal with Han Seyeon.
That’s why Baek Kang had ordered his men to surveil Han Seyeon.
It was the sole lead he had on Kim Jinwoo.
But he hadn’t held out much hope.
He didn’t think someone like Kim Jinwoo had the chops to maintain any ongoing dealings with a heavyweight like Han Seyeon.
Yet here, just three days later.
Constant surveillance on Han Seyeon had finally tracked down Kim Jinwoo’s whereabouts.
“The underground arena...”
He knew it as an event run by Haryeong, an S-rank demon.
But Haryeong didn’t forgive anyone who interfered with her business or damaged her reputation.
Crashing the event to kill the guy would surely get him slaughtered by her.
“How late does the underground arena event run?”
“Our intel says until 10:30 p.m.”
“...Plenty of time, then.”
Baek Kang’s blood boiled.
He had no idea why Kim Jinwoo was at the underground arena, but this was his chance to find and kill the bastard.
No need to rush.
If he couldn’t take him out during the event, he’d wait until it ended.
“Get the car ready. Now.”
Baek Kang threw on his clothes in a hurry and headed out.
Time flew by. Match 2 wrapped up, leaving only the bout between Yang Hongju and Ryangryang—the one where I’d bet 5.3 billion won.
I stared blankly at the arena, waiting, when chatter broke out nearby.
“Heh heh. Someone bet five billion on Yang Hongju’s opponent.”
“Yeah, I heard. Everyone piled on Yang Hongju after that.”
“I bet too once I saw it, but so many followed suit that even if he wins, the payout won’t be much.”
“Well, can’t be helped. Free money’s free money.”
“True. But Yang Hongju won’t lose, right?”
“No way.”
I glanced up at the betting board.
A whopping 28 billion won on Yang Hongju. Just 5.3 billion on Ryangryang.
To steer the bets my way, I’d dropped five billion on Ryangryang right at the start. The crowd swarmed in like lemmings, dumping their money on Yang Hongju.
But the winner was set. Ryangryang takes it today.
［It’s time for Match 3: Yang Hongju versus Ryangryang!］
Yang Hongju and Ryangryang entered the arena at the announcer’s shout.
At a glance, their physiques were polar opposites.
Yang Hongju was a wall of muscle—intimidatingly strong on sight. Ryangryang looked gaunt and frail.
‘Ryangryang was insanely skinny back then.’
Truth be told, I hadn’t come to the underground arena just to make money.
Two years from now, Ryangryang would rise as a key figure in Jaun—the villain group that dominates the main story’s heaviest arc and becomes Lee Seojun’s greatest nemesis.
I wanted to witness this future “Villain Ryangryang” in combat with my own eyes.
But not fully grown yet, he looked downright weak.
—This one’s over before it starts.
—Kukuku. Who the hell bet five billion on that twig?
The crowd took one look at Ryangryang’s frame and pegged Yang Hongju for the win.
But this fight ends with Ryangryang victorious. The original story described him as undefeated throughout his underground arena run.
［Fight!］
Yang Hongju charged at Ryangryang, mana surging through his body, at the announcer’s call.
A bull-like rush. I couldn’t help admiring it inwardly.
Yang Hongju never even got mentioned in the original story.
Just a line about Ryangryang toppling the arena’s champion to make his name. But his skill made it clear why he’d held the title for three years.
As I marveled at Yang Hongju’s movement, his shoulder slammed into Ryangryang.
“Guhk!”
Ryangryang doubled over, screaming in agony.
“That’s it!”
Cheers exploded from the crowd.
Yang Hongju didn’t let up, scooping Ryangryang up and slamming him into the ground without mercy.
“Kaaah!”
Ryangryang shrieked in pain.
Watching, I felt a twinge of unease.
‘...Can he really win this?’
Yang Hongju was stronger than I’d imagined.
To the point where Ryangryang’s canon win felt unbelievable.
That level of power had to be A-rank at minimum.
No clue why someone that strong wasn’t a pro wizard but fighting in an arena instead.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Yang Hongju pinned Ryangryang and rained down fists.
The size difference was huge; Ryangryang could only take the beating while trapped.
About ten seconds in, Ryangryang finally went limp and collapsed, unconscious.
No surprise—getting pummeled like that with such a scrawny build.
“Waaaaah!”
Yang Hongju roared in triumph toward the crowd, victory assured.
They roared back, hyped for his win.
Made sense. Facing a debut rookie with nothing special about him, he’d naturally assume victory.
Even I was left dazed, wondering if Yang Hongju had actually won.
But then—
Stab!
“Hngh!”
A small hole pierced Yang Hongju’s chest, blood spurting from his mouth.
The noisy arena fell deathly silent in an instant.
—What the hell? What happened?
—Wasn’t that guy knocked out?
Ryangryang staggered to his feet, battered body trembling.
Despite the cumulative damage, sheer willpower alone lifted him up.
He extended a hand, conjuring magic once more. Thorny spikes crackling with intense electricity formed in his grasp.
Identical to Ryangryang’s magic as described in the original.
“Coward...”
Yang Hongju belatedly tried to brace for combat, but it was too late. With his chest holed, he couldn’t do a thing. His strength drained, knees buckling to the floor.
Ryangryang’s follow-up assault rained down.
Yang Hongju couldn’t block, his body shredded.
“Grraaahk!”
Holes began puncturing Yang Hongju’s flesh one by one. He blacked out fast, but Ryangryang showed no sign of stopping.
At this rate, Yang Hongju was done for.
That’s when five white-masked figures burst into the arena.
Arena staff tasked with preventing major incidents. They swiftly subdued Ryangryang, ending Match 3.
“...Yang Hongju lost?”
Haryeong couldn’t believe her eyes, even after seeing it.
Sure, a big bet had come in on Ryangryang out of nowhere, but she’d never dreamed Yang Hongju would actually lose.
No, before that—who the hell was the rabbit-masked guy who’d predicted Yang Hongju’s defeat and bet 5.3 billion on Ryangryang?
‘Did he know Ryangryang beforehand?’
It happened sometimes. VIPs who got insider info on debuting rookies and bet big.
‘...No.’
Ryangryang had won, sure, but to her eyes, he was nothing compared to Yang Hongju.
Even if he knew Ryangryang’s info, the kid’s power was way below Yang Hongju’s.
Ryangryang’s victory boiled down to Yang Hongju getting careless—not any greatness on his part.
‘A fluke, then?’
But it felt too suspicious for pure chance.
He’d bet big right at the start, like he was certain Ryangryang would win and luring others in.
Yang Hongju’s opponents usually drew small bets, but today—the day he lost—a massive sum poured in against him.
And yet, calling it no fluke? Yang Hongju’s defeat fit that rabbit-masked guy’s plan too perfectly.
‘Something’s off.’
Haryeong glanced down at the rabbit-masked man by the window.
He ought to be thrilled at his huge windfall, but he showed zero joy—like he’d foreseen it all.
Calm as could be, he slipped out of the arena.
That sealed it for her.
He’d known Ryangryang would win.
But predicting Yang Hongju’s overconfidence? Was that even possible?
“Director Jeong.”
“Yes, ma’am?”
A white-masked man entered as the door opened.
“The guy who cashed in big on today’s bets. Dig up whatever you can on him.”
“What the hell are you?”
Inside a car outside the underground arena.
Han Seyeon gripped the wheel, asking me like she was done with my crap.
“Ah, thanks for all the help today. Want a tip? We made way more than expected.”
“...Never mind that. How did you know Ryangryang would win?”
“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”
“What is it?”
“Gut feeling.”
“...Ugh. You never tell me anything.”
She grumbled and started driving at my answer.
I chuckled and checked my account balance.
[3,010,200,000 won]
After fees and all deductions, thirty billion won sat pretty in my account.
Kim Jinwoo’s account was made via the point shop, untraceable.
No one would ever learn I’d dipped into illegal gambling.
I’d figured two or three times my money at best today.
Never dreamed it’d be sixfold.
‘Jackpot.’
And money wasn’t even the only gain today.
There were extras.
I activated my perk.
[Unique trait, ‘Outsider’s Benefit,’ activated.]
[Reviewing previous messages.]
[‘Legendary Gambler’ achievement unlocked.]
[Reward: 3,000 points acquired.]
[Character ‘Han Seyeon’ feels intense curiosity toward you.]
[‘Han Seyeon’’s interest level in you increases.]
[‘Han Seyeon’’s interest level in you: Lv. 1]
[Reward: 2,000 points acquired.]
Achievements and interest netted me a sweet 5,000 points.
I’d nearly wiped my points buying ‘Murderous Intent Detection’ lately, so this cushion felt divine.
“Heh heh.”
I let out a quiet laugh, mood soaring.
That’s when it hit.
Thump.
An icy chill I’d never felt before wrapped my entire body.
‘What’s this?’
What was this dread?
Then instinct told me the source.
Killing intent.
Definite killing intent.
The trait ‘Murderous Intent Detection’ had picked up someone’s malice aimed at me.
Killing intent? Who the hell?
By the original plot, no one should be gunning for Han Seyeon yet.