Chapter 108
Chapter 108
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 108
Chapter Title: Rendezvous of Red and Black
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Somehow it made perfect sense, but people generally loved cruelty.
Gladiator fights, bullfighting, cockfights, bullfights... As long as they weren't the ones shedding blood, folks couldn't get enough of the spectacle.
Even in mixed martial arts matches, people preferred a knockout over a decision victory. You could tell just from all the endless debates about the practicality of fighting styles.
It wasn't about whether you could win a match. It was about whether you could beat your opponent senseless and leave them broken.
"The same goes for duels between Hunters."
Of course, a duel between Hunters—people who could almost be called superhumans—was exciting in its own right.
But contests with strict rules to protect the fighters never fully satisfied the crowd.
The duel between me and Choi Yeoreum was different.
"That's why everyone's so thrilled."
I checked the time and stood up, heading to the conference room.
This meeting was to discuss the specifics of my duel with Choi Yeoreum.
She arrived shortly after I did. She glanced at me once, said nothing, and took her seat at the prepared spot in the room.
"Everyone's here. Let's get started."
There was a ton of work to prepare for the duel between me and Choi Yeoreum.
For example...
"The stage we're using now won't cut it for the duel."
Choi Yeoreum responded to my words.
"Yeah, that's true."
If we fought on that flimsy stage, it'd be gone in under five minutes. We needed a proper venue.
"Building a special stage is pointless. It'll just get destroyed anyway."
"I'm against gathering spectators separately too."
Wherever we fought, the surrounding area would be wrecked.
"How about the plains near Anseong Stream?"
It was the Association President's suggestion. The planning committee murmured among themselves for a moment.
"That sounds good. Plenty of space, and the only thing nearby is the foreign workers' residential area."
"Foreign workers' residential area?"
The Association President answered my question.
"Mostly Chinese folks. Foreign laborers working in Anseong's industrial complex."
"Those areas don't have much infrastructure anyway. Even if there's damage, it won't be a big deal."
Korea was currently running on a citizens-first policy.
Foreigners without Korean citizenship couldn't live outside designated zones, and those zones didn't provide basics like electricity or water.
"Plus, most of the buildings there are 3D-printed houses churned out by Geumyang Group."
If they got destroyed, only the foreigners would suffer real losses, with minimal other impact. Not the most pleasant thing to hear if you're a foreigner, sure.
But in a world where Korea was the international cop—and bully—what could they do? Even if lives were lost in a foreign zone, there'd be no diplomatic protests.
"What about broadcasting?"
"We'll use helicopters and observation drones."
Choi Yeoreum made a pitying face.
"You think those will hold up?"
"They're observation gear made from monster byproducts."
She still looked skeptical. And honestly, so was I.
"They still won't last long."
"They'll manage at least five hours, no problem."
See? That's the issue. Five hours wouldn't be enough.
"We'll need multiples ready."
They didn't seem to grasp my fighting style yet.
"The broadcast crew will need rotations too, so secure enough personnel."
Choi Yeoreum snorted at my words.
"How many hours do you plan to fight?"
Hours? I was expecting over a week. A drawn-out battle that would bore the audience to tears.
I didn't know about her temperament, but her skills were undeniable. And when I fought the skilled ones, I took my time.
"You have to stick to the conditions I mentioned."
Plenty of replaceable observation gear and a broadcast team set up for shifts. Essential for a smooth duel.
"...Fine. We'll do as you say. Hunter Choi Yeoreum, any additional requests?"
At the Association President's question, Choi Yeoreum rested her chin on her hand, smiled at me, and said,
"Hmm? How about preparing a coffin for this punk?"
A coffin, huh? I smiled back at her.
"I'll take a bottle of champagne for after I win."
We locked eyes for a moment. Then, still staring at me, she stood up.
"Handle the details yourselves. That's your expertise."
After she left, I stood with a grin too.
"Same here. You're the ones reaping the profits while Hunter Choi Yeoreum and I put on the show, right? I'm sure you'll prepare properly."
I gave a nod and left.
A few days later, preparations were finally complete. I didn't even need a report from the Association to know.
Flashy slogans alongside images of me and Choi Yeoreum cycled across Seoul's screens and giant billboards.
The internet was nothing but talk of our duel. TV was the same.
Everyone was buzzing with massive anticipation.
"And the imagery fits perfectly, right on cue."
Jeong No-hoon pointed his fork at the TV ad while munching pancakes.
"Choi Yeoreum's mana pattern is flames. And you, Chan-seok, use that pitch-black fire or whatever it is."
The themes meshed well. I hadn't planned it that far, but things were turning out fun.
"Still, public predictions favor Choi Yeoreum."
I nodded at Han Sang-ah's words. Obviously. Third place wasn't a joke. Aside from the absolute senior Hunter, no one ranked higher than her.
"Like, 8-to-2 odds?"
Han Sang-ah shook her head at my guess.
"7-to-3."
"That's pretty decent."
People's expectations for me were higher than I'd thought.
"You've pulled off so many 'impossibles' already. Lots of folks are hoping for another miracle."
I grabbed my spear for practice, thrust it at the steel plate in front of me, and replied,
"My goal's the crown anyway."
Rankings didn't matter. Beating Choi Yeoreum would put me officially at third, but...
"The world's full of crazies hiding their strength."
There had to be skilled folks staying out of the spotlight. Even in my old world, they weren't rare.
Besides...
"Even topping Hope's List won't let you solo the Great Eight."
I still hadn't forgotten Seong Hong, that low-rank officer of the Immortal Legion. Making the list wasn't the end.
It just proved you were among the strongest Hunters. Not that you could devour the Great Eight.
"Yeah, yeah, got it. Time's up—ready to head out?"
Jeong No-hoon checked the clock and said to me.
"Yeah, let's go."
I checked my condition one last time, stood, and packed my gear. As I left the building, a sea of people waited.
Beyond them, my ride was prepped. I walked slowly through the stares, cheers, and encouragement, then got in.
"Worrying won't help."
I muttered to myself as the car pulled away. I figured Anseong was a haul, but it went by quick.
Saying I wasn't nervous would be a lie. Right here, right now, I had to win.
And nerves make time fly. Next thing I knew, I faced Choi Yeoreum across vast plains.
She hovered slightly in the air, a fierce flame blazing in one hand.
"Kid, I trust you're ready to get beaten bloody."
"You too."
I gave a curt reply and raised my spear. Black flames raced along the shaft, soon engulfing it completely.
I'd fought Lee Se-eun and had a good match. How would Choi Yeoreum stack up?
"Wonder how many minutes it'll take you to regret that naming ceremony speech."
With her words, a massive horn blared across the plains, signaling the start.
"Or maybe not even minutes?"
She flicked her riding crop, and hundreds of red magic circles bloomed around her.
A literally dizzying sight. The monstrous mana surge made my body tingle.
"As expected."
I'd figured she wasn't the close-quarters brawler type.
She wouldn't let you approach—overwhelm from range with sheer output.
"Come at me. Where you stand now is your hell."
"We'll see about that, Lighter Girl."
Brutal and straightforward. Carpet bombing aimed at me began. Adaka or Nanami could do something similar.
But this was on another level.
House-sized fireballs hurtled toward me at supersonic speeds, twisting paths endlessly, like living things.
"This is..."
Was I fighting a person or playing a bullet hell shooter? The number of fireballs she unleashed was insane.
Like a galaxy woven of flames!
And the countless orbs forming that galaxy poured down on me relentlessly.
On top of that, Choi Yeoreum blazed like the sun itself, firing crimson beams in all directions. Like Superman's heat vision.
The difference? Superman used his eyes. She blasted scarlet rays from her entire body, every which way.
"Disco ball much?"
Like a mirror ball spraying red beams everywhere. Not aiming precisely.
"Cover the heavens and earth in flames, and you'll get hit eventually!"
Exactly that mindset. The foundation of every attack she was unleashing.
Even wasting mana like this, her reserves barely dipped.
The sheer volume packed in that body was off the charts, clear from this display. Like the goddess of the sun.
"Getting it now? You picked the wrong opponent. And realizations always come too late."
With a relaxed, leisurely voice, she lounged in midair, legs crossed, looking down at me.
"Sorry, but I haven't done a thing yet, Lighter."
Claim victory too soon, and you'd regret it.
Paradox Flame billowed up, cloaking my body in fierce blaze. I'd poured 80% of my available mana into it.
At this intensity, it could burn shapes themselves. But right now, my Paradox Flame burned just one thing.
Heat. Fireballs from her evaporated before exploding.
The red beams blasting everywhere? Same deal. Flames couldn't touch me.
"Three days and four nights won't cut it. Let's play for the long haul."
I raised my spear and charged at Choi Yeoreum.