Chapter 36
Chapter 36
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 36
Chapter Title: Ranking Competition Day
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The day of the ranking competition had finally arrived.
From early morning, a long line of spectators had formed in front of the Washington Dome, where the event was set to take place, creating a bustling crowd at the gates.
It had been so long since the last ranking competition.
Moreover, the anticipation that the unshakable rankings might change this time fueled the spectators' chatter, stretching along the endless queue.
The crowd buzzed with excitement and expectation.
However, unlike them, the GHO agents stationed nearby to maintain order and safety wore grim expressions.
"No cutting in line!"
"If you cut, you'll go to the back!"
They managed the line like typical GHO agents, but in truth, all their attention was focused on the in-ear pieces plugged into their ears.
"Hey!"
Crackle.
Just as they were chaotically controlling the crowd...
Hundreds of GHO agents simultaneously fell silent and tuned into their in-ears.
The long-awaited order had come.
The GHO agents exchanged glances with those nearby and nodded slightly.
"Looks like the Battle King has arrived."
"Let's proceed."
"If the Battle King's here, then..."
Their worries about a potential viscount-level demon evaporated at the mere mention of the Battle King.
Battle King.
It was a perfect demonstration of the weight that name carried.
The agents' darkened faces brightened, and following headquarters' command, they opened the dome's firmly shut entrances.
Then, they began letting the waiting spectators in, one by one.
"It looks like it's really starting now."
When Yong-un stepped out, the once-empty stands were already packed, filled with a noisy clamor.
Sword Tiger fiddled with his sword hilt and flashed an awkward smile at the sight.
"Nervous?"
"No, sir."
His bowed head suggested he was quite anxious.
Well, how could he not be? The battle against his long-time nemesis—the one who had instilled fear in him—was right around the corner.
Yet Sword Tiger was a warrior at heart.
Mixed into his anxious demeanor was a subtle fighting spirit and anticipation.
'Of course. A true warrior finds joy in battling the strong.'
Yong-un lightly patted Sword Tiger's shoulder, facing his fear head-on.
"You'll do great. You're mine, after all."
Sword Tiger slowly raised his head to meet Yong-un's gaze.
Replacing the awkward smile was a genuine one, accompanied by a firm nod.
"Yes, sir!"
From here on, it was out of Yong-un's hands.
It was Sword Tiger's time to face his fears and test his own mettle.
Watching Sword Tiger step out on his own, Yong-un nodded faintly.
He would do great.
This wasn't mere encouragement.
Sword Tiger would do great.
Yong-un had seen that potential firsthand in the hotel room where they met the Sword Dragon and Golden Cat.
Zing.
With even the slightest worry dispelled, Yong-un lowered the hand from Sword Tiger's shoulder.
At that moment, a faint presence brushed against Yong-un's senses.
Swoosh.
"Is something wrong?"
Sword Tiger asked, noticing Yong-un suddenly staring intently at a blank wall during their conversation.
Worry laced his voice.
Whenever Yong-un acted like this, something was happening.
But Sword Tiger was certain from Yong-un's expression afterward.
"It's that, isn't it."
Something had definitely occurred.
"What happens here..."
And one word from yesterday echoed in Sword Tiger's memory.
"Marquis-level weapon!"
The scheduled time for the ranking competition arrived.
The spectators, having waited so long, erupted in cheers at the appearance of the announcer—the GHO official hosting the event.
"Woooaaah!"
How could he not feel good entering amid such adulation?
The announcer smiled at the intense excitement mingling with the cheers, but his expression quickly darkened.
Yet before the crowd could notice, he flashed his smile again.
"Entering to cheers makes me feel like a participant. If I drag this out, those cheers might turn to boos, right?"
"Hahaha!"
"Haha!"
Laughter exploded from the stands.
"Congratulations on being part of history where the rankings might shift. Without further ado, let's get started."
As the announcer set down the mic, a large screen in the dome lit up with footage.
The faces of the S-Rank Hunters—monsters of the rankings—appeared in order.
Finally, the massive images of Sword Tiger and Yong-un, challengers to their positions, filled the screen.
"Woooaaah!"
The dome shook with deafening cheers as the announcer shouted into the mic.
"Now! We'll reveal the predetermined matchups!"
At his signal, the massive screen changed.
The first matchup revealed, the stands erupted in a mix of cheers and gasps of surprise.
It was a perfectly natural reaction.
Facing #4 right from the first challenge?
"I know you're all shocked. Yes, rankings competitions usually start from #10. But! This is all because of the challenger, Yong-un."
Just hearing Yong-un's name drew cheers from somewhere in the crowd.
It seemed he had die-hard fans here without realizing it.
But it was only a tiny fraction.
Most spectators wore puzzled looks, whispering among themselves.
As the atmosphere grew tense like a marketplace, the announcer quickly explained without pause.
"From #10 to #5—all of them! Yong-un will face them in duels!"
The stands fell silent in an instant.
Taking on six ranking monsters from #10 to #5?
The spectators knew this was worlds apart from the World Competition, so reactions to Yong-un's choice varied wildly.
"That's Yong-un for you!"
"Awesome! Yong-un! Yong-un!"
"Yong-un! Yong-un!"
Some thrilled at Yong-un's bold, over-the-top move.
Others frowned in disapproval.
"Does he think this is the World Competition?"
"Freshly S-Rank and already blind with arrogance?"
"Ranking S-Ranks! Crush him!"
"Booo! Boooo!"
It revealed exactly how the crowd viewed the ranking competition.
"Woooaaah!"
"Booo!"
Cheers and boos coexisted.
In the chaos, the announcer grabbed the mic again with an awkward smile.
'Knew it.'
As GHO official and announcer for a decade, he could read the crowd.
That's why he'd set down the mic earlier.
Yong-un's audacity was bound to draw boos.
"Booo!"
"Woooaaah!"
The World Competition and rankings were different beasts.
Yong-un's boldness had fueled popularity there, but here it smacked of insolence against the sacred rankings.
But...
'Thought it'd be mostly boos... this is impressive.'
The announcer was inwardly surprised by the crowd's volume.
Ten years on this stage, he'd seen it all—including cheers turning to boos.
From his spot, it sounded split down the middle.
Half boos, half cheers.
Usually, cheers vanished, leaving only boos.
This was new.
'Yong-un's name resonates that deeply with so many? Enough to believe he'll take on #10 to #5?'
Or were they just amused by the spectacle?
Listening quietly, the announcer shook his head.
'No. This is real support. They truly believe he can do it...'
"Whew."
A sigh of admiration escaped him.
'We'll see.'
With growing excitement that something big might happen today, he brought the mic to his lips and bellowed.
"I'm excited too! Let's all keep our eyes wide open for what unfolds today!"
"Woooaaah!"
"Booo!"
The crowd's fervor drowned him out.
To prevent issues from further delay, he shouted firmly.
"Now! The moment we've all awaited—the ranking competition begins! First up: Golden Cat vs. Sword Tiger! Enter the arena!"
The sudden start, and Sword Tiger and Golden Cat stepping out from opposite sides.
The chaotic uproar began to quiet as they appeared.
Nothing calmed a hyped crowd like the fighters entering.
Cheerers and booers alike focused on the match.
As if anticipating this, despite the abrupt start, Sword Tiger and Golden Cat strode confidently to the arena like veterans.
'Expected it, but not to this extent.'
On the way to the arena, the gazes felt different from the World Competition.
Hot stares and cold ones.
Biting his lip under both, Sword Tiger steeled himself.
'Ignore them.'
Thud! Thud!
As he shook off the thoughts, a strange noise cut through the crowd's din.
Sword Tiger's brow furrowed as he ascended the arena.
"You hear it too, huh?"
But he wasn't the only one.
Golden Cat, across the arena, pointed outside the dome and asked.
"Just us? Too faint for normals?"
"Shut up."
Shing.
Sword Tiger drew his sword toward Golden Cat, who chatted amiably as if past events were forgotten.
Offended by the firm response, Golden Cat clicked his tongue.
"Tch, harsh."
He looked apologetic to any onlooker, but Sword Tiger remained stoic, aiming his blade.
"Fine. Get ready to fall."
As Sword Tiger finished preparing, Golden Cat slowly drew up his yellow mana.
With the referee's whistle signaling the start, both stomped the arena floor hard.
Clang!
Thud! Thud!
Sword Tiger's mana surged along his blade as sword energy.
Simultaneously, the yellow mana floating around Golden Cat formed odd patterns, aimed at Sword Tiger.
Just as they crouched to charge...
BOOM!
A massive vibration hit their ears again.
They froze.
It sent chills down their spines, halting all actions.
Whish. Whish.
Sword Tiger and Golden Cat simultaneously turned to the dome's exterior.
"Felt that?"
"This feeling..."
The dome's curved enclosure.
And the only opening to the outside—the pierced ceiling.
Their gazes locked there.