Chapter 32
Chapter 32
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 32
Chapter Title: Golden Cat's Whisper
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As they returned to the waiting room, Sword Tiger looked at Yong-un with a worried expression.
"What happened?"
"You seem to know what it is."
At Yong-un's words, Sword Tiger lowered his head.
How could he not know?
Even after ten years, the phenomenon remained an indelible imprint etched into Sword Tiger's mind.
"Golden Cat... right?"
Ten years ago, Golden Cat had approached Sword Tiger as well.
The figure of Golden Cat hiding in the audience seats, sending him a message.
When Yong-un had stopped in his tracks, Sword Tiger had done everything he could to spot Golden Cat.
But finding Golden Cat among the sea of spectators was like searching for a needle in a haystack.
In the end, the same thing that had happened to Sword Tiger was now happening to Yong-un.
"That kid was Golden Cat?"
"The bright yellow eyes match?"
"Then it must be Golden Cat."
Yong-un instantly recalled the owner of the yellow eyes from Sword Tiger's memory.
Sword Tiger's expression darkened at the mention of facing Golden Cat.
"Are you alright?"
"What do you mean?"
"Just now, if you met Golden Cat... you've fallen under Golden Cat's suggestion. That's why I went through that danger..."
As Sword Tiger anxiously poured out his words, demonic energy began to seep from Yong-un's body like smoke.
"Is this what you're talking about?"
The demonic energy rose like a haze.
And slowly, it extracted a yellow aura from Yong-un's eyes.
It was Golden Cat's mana—its suggestion.
"Ah..."
The moment he saw it, Sword Tiger's mouth slowly fell open.
'Who was I worrying about?'
To dispel Golden Cat's suggestion so easily.
Sword Tiger let out a chuckle at the vivid sight of the bright yellow mana before his eyes.
With the laughter, the memory imprinted in Sword Tiger's mind—like that of Golden Cat and the Black Dragon—unfolded.
A jet-black lotus that blotted out the sun, dyeing the entire world.
And beneath it, Yong-un with jet-black eyes overlooking the world from above.
"Hahaha!"
The thrill from back then wrapped around Sword Tiger's entire body once more.
However, the separated yellow mana from Golden Cat suddenly merged back into Yong-un's body along with the black mana.
"Huh?"
What was wrong?
His laughter cut off, replaced by worry.
But unlike Sword Tiger's anxiety, Yong-un chuckled nonchalantly and patted his shoulder.
"Seeing you, I've decided not to dissipate it."
"Pardon?"
"I have to return it."
Sword Tiger's eyebrows twitched.
"As payment for touching what's mine."
Revenge.
Yong-un, the very incarnation of vengeance, retracted all the black demonic energy he had unleashed while speaking of it.
A sense of urgency began to grip the strategy of the powerful nation that had been a top contender for victory.
South Korea, a country not even included in their plans.
And because of Taiwan.
"Wow! This World Competition is historic!"
"Insane! For the first time in ages, the commentators' predictions are all wrong, one after another—it's a masterpiece match!"
"This World Competition! You can all look forward to it!"
The commentators' voices, translated into various languages and broadcast worldwide, drew thunderous cheers from the audience unlike any seen in previous World Competitions.
Who could have predicted it?
Russia, a top favorite, losing to South Korea. And another top favorite, Japan, falling to Taiwan.
Taiwan's national representative Hunters, who had protected their four Hunters against Japan's powerhouse, lifted their heads, gasping for breath.
Tears streaming down their faces as if they had conquered a great mountain, they pounded their chests.
And they unleashed a thunderous roar.
"Uryaaah!"
The Taiwanese Hunters shouted until their throats gave out, and the crowd responded with another wave of cheers.
"Xu Zhan! Xu Zhan! Xu Zhan!"
"Taiwan! Taiwan! Taiwan!"
Cameras from around the world, broadcasting live, fixed on one man among the four Taiwanese Hunters.
The Hunter named Xu Zhan, who had defeated four Japanese Hunters and proudly thrust both arms straight toward the sky.
"Just as Master said."
Sword Tiger, staring at the large screen, turned his gaze to Yong-un.
"Taiwan pulled it off."
Beating Japan, of all teams.
Sword Tiger looked at Yong-un with eyes wide in shock.
Who could have foreseen it?
Taiwan defeating Japan, a supposed lock for the win.
But.
Even as Sword Tiger thought Japan would win, he had kept an eye on Taiwan.
'Be wary of Taiwan.'
It was because Yong-un's words from his first step into the World Competition lingered in Sword Tiger's mind.
And amid this unbelievable outcome.
Yong-un rose from the audience seats and tossed out another comment.
"The country we'll meet in the finals will be Taiwan."
A statement so improbable it bordered on impossible.
"Pardon? Master? What do you mean?"
Sword Tiger hurried after Yong-un, who was heading out.
"Even if Taiwan advances to the semifinals, their opponent is China. And China still has six Hunters left—Taiwan will struggle against them."
"Seeing is believing. We'll know when we see the results."
Sword Tiger stared blankly at Yong-un's confident voice.
Yong-un walked silently toward the exit, paused briefly to glance at Xu Zhan on the large screen, then continued out.
The countries advancing to the semifinals were set.
The winners from Groups A, B, C, and D: the United States, South Korea, China, and Taiwan.
And right after their matches ended in the afternoon, the semifinals were scheduled for that very evening.
The Hunters who had survived the tournament had no time to recover from fatigue—they ate dinner and gathered back in the arena.
A murderous schedule.
Every Hunter who had experienced the World Competition would say the same.
Inadequate recovery after pouring everything into the competition.
Even superhuman Hunters representing their nations found it grueling.
But.
No matter how much they inwardly screamed about it, no one dared curse the decades-old format of the World Competition.
Because it was out of respect for those who had become true S-Rank through it.
"We know how tough it is for the Hunters. But endure it. Gates don't wait for us to feel better. Fight to protect your country, your family. Overcome it!"
"Woooaaah!"
The GHO commentator's words, as if voicing the Hunters' hearts, ignited massive cheers from the stands.
It had been ages since such a roar erupted.
And the commentators preparing their broadcast wore expressions no different from the crowd—not just cheers, but excitement.
"Before we start, this World Competition is just too thrilling. My heart's pounding."
"I've been commentating for over ten years, and this unpredictable excitement has reignited my passion."
"Exactly. Commentating while always expecting the U.S. to win was getting stale. But with South Korea, Taiwan, and these dark horses, I'm honored to be part of this."
"We might be witnessing history."
"I bet the audience feels the same. Cheer for whoever you want—it'll make it even more fun."
"Now, let's introduce the glorious Hunters for the semifinals!"
The large screen rotated.
Hunters from each country who hadn't been eliminated appeared one by one.
"The U.S. has all eight, China six, Taiwan four, and South Korea just two—South Korea faces the biggest disadvantage numerically."
On paper, South Korea seemed unlikely to win the semifinals.
But.
"But South Korea has him, doesn't it?"
"Yong-un!"
"Yong-un!"
"Woooaaah!"
The crowd's cheers mixed with the commentators' gazes, which held no worry—only anticipation.
The camera panned from the commentators to Yong-un, arms casually crossed, broadcast solo on screen.
Then even louder cheers exploded.
"Can South Korea overcome the full-strength U.S.? And go beyond to claim victory? Let's find out..."
"Semifinal first match: Group A and B winners, United States vs. South Korea!"
"Begin!"
The semifinals began.
And Yong-un's solo rampage.
It set not just the commentators and crowd ablaze, but media outlets worldwide.
"Where the hell did that monster come from?"
"Is some top S-Rank freak disguised and competing?"
"This is maddening."
The U.S. Hunters, undefeated for six straight years, fell helplessly to Yong-un.
Proving their might by surviving intact, their numbers now dwindled to just two.
Yet Yong-un sat with arms crossed, showing no fatigue.
His demeanor crushed the fighting spirit of Hunters from other nations.
"Next."
At Yong-un's call, the two remaining U.S. Hunters exchanged glances and scowled.
They raised hands toward Yong-un.
"We have a proposal for the South Korean Hunter."
The GHO referee looked to Yong-un at the sudden proposal.
A nod.
Silent approval granted, the referee extended a hand toward the Americans.
"South Korea approves. State your proposal."
"Your skill makes this boring for us. Don't you want a more exciting finish?"
Exciting.
As if they had gauged Yong-un's temperament in advance.
Not a bad approach—Yong-un snorted and nodded.
"What's the proposal?"
"This time, both of us will fight."
"...?!"
The American Hunter's fluent English translated and spread worldwide.
Murmurs followed.
"And let us use our pistols, banned from matches."
The follow-up words stunned not just the crowd, but everyone watching.
"Did the U.S. really just say that?"
"Man, Yong-un must be impressive. They're changing strategy 'cause they think they'll lose."
"No way they'll allow it! Guns against unarmed Yong-un? Ridiculous."
The World Competition wasn't meant to kill.
Weapons were thus non-lethal ones provided by GHO.
Guns, however, could harm spectators beyond the arena, so they were banned from the start.
Two fighters weren't enough—they wanted banned weapons too?
Netizens everywhere expected backlash against desperate America's absurdity.
But.
"Perfect timing—I was getting bored."
Who was Yong-un?
A man who upended norms unpredictably.
This time too, he shattered expectations no one thought possible.
"Approved."
"Insane..."
Even the GHO official was floored.
How could he allow this?
The referee hurriedly whispered to Yong-un.
"Guns are banned outright. Giving them to U.S. Hunters could get you killed. And if a spectator gets hurt? The responsibility..."
"I'll take it. Isn't that in the duel rules? Opponent proposes, I approve—anything goes. Or am I wrong?"
"Urgh..."
The referee backed away.
Guns were banned.
But the rules allowed proposals and approvals, as Yong-un said.
Anything proposed, approved by the opponent—proceed.
Banned guns weren't exempt.
"Haa..."
The referee shook his head and raised his hand.
"Proposal approved! Both U.S. Hunters, enter. And... we'll provide firearms."
Sword Tiger rushed onto the arena.
"Master!"
"Don't make a fuss."
"You've never even seen a gun before."
Worry filled Sword Tiger's face.
When he first learned Yong-un's identity, he'd had Garosu Guild investigate him.
Missing at 13, recent return.
And no military service.
"Guns are different from what you think. Even for a Hunter, guns are..."
"That's why I approved."
"Pardon?"
Sword Tiger's words cut off at Yong-un's voice.
He followed Yong-un's fixed gaze.
To the U.S. Hunters receiving two pistols.
"I'm one of this world's people now. I need to know all its weapons in advance."
"But..."
"Enough. Go down."
Yong-un, arms uncrossed, stepped toward the arena's center.
He brushed past Sword Tiger.
"...?!"
Sword Tiger froze, glimpsing Yong-un's face.
Because...
As he eyed the changed aura of the pistol-wielding Americans,
Yong-un was smiling.
'He's lost his mind. For real...'
Sword Tiger clamped his mouth, staring dazedly at Yong-un's back.