Chapter 110: I Am Baek Tae-yang.
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 110: I Am Baek Tae-yang.
Inside the Gladire artificial Gate.
I tucked myself into a corner and replayed what had just happened in my mind.
Why did I do that?
Even considering how rude the other person had been, my reaction was far too sensitive.
I could have just played along and let it slide, so why did I go out of my way to stir up trouble?
I even had the signature look—white hair, a tan, and a massive weapon case. These features were so distinct that it was only natural for people to try and strike up a conversation, even if they weren't trying to recognize me.
I’m not usually like this.
Wait.
Who am I right now?
Am I Lee Tae-ok, or am I Baek Tae-yang?
My pupils trembled uncontrollably, and a heavy pressure surged through my body. I had a gut feeling that if I couldn't provide a clear answer now, I’d keep running into situations like this.
The problem was that it wasn't as easy to give a definitive answer as it used to be.
Lately, the identity of Lee Tae-ok was fading, while my life as Baek Tae-yang was becoming more vivid.
It wasn't that I had all of Baek Tae-yang’s memories perfectly intact, but it wasn't as if I remembered everything from Earth either. It was confusing, like a fusion dish where two different cuisines were mixed together to create a mediocre, ambiguous flavor.
I am...
Just as I was trying to force an answer out of myself—
"Baek Tae-yang, there you are. I’ve been looking everywhere for you."
Kim Min-su spoke to me.
"What is it?"
"What do you mean 'what is it'? It’s not like I want to hang around you, okay? But, well... it looks like everyone else already has a team... Good grief... Who forms teams for an individual match? Not that I’m scared or anything, you hear? It’s just... you know, it’s better for people who know each other to stick together... that’s all."
Why was he suddenly acting like a disgusting tsundere?
He even added a hint of "loser energy" to it, creating a flavor profile I’d never tasted before. I guess you could call it a "pathetic tsundere" vibe.
Disgusting or not, looking around, I saw that Min-su was right; people who knew each other were huddling together.
The tournament instructions clearly stated that the matches would be one-on-one, but perhaps it was the anxiety of being inside a Gate. Despite the repeated announcements that it was safe, everyone was doing their best to eliminate any variables.
"But listen, I did some digging, okay? It seems like because there are so many people this time, the preliminaries are going to be handled differently."
"Differently?"
"Yeah, yeah. They’re doing some kind of selection process before the actual preliminaries start."
"And who did you hear that from?"
"Huh? Me? I just... you know, overheard it... since I got here earlier than you..."
He started off boasting loudly, but his voice quickly trailed off.
No doubt Noble had approached him and subtly leaked the information. Otherwise, there was no way Min-su could have found this out on his own.
What kind of selection process?
A screening to pick the Hunters who would actually compete in the preliminaries.
To be honest, plenty of methods came to mind. They could just shove everyone together and tell them to defeat a certain number of people, or tell them to capture a flag. There were countless ways to filter a large crowd.
"Whatever it is!!! You and I are going to meet in the finals anyway, so don't worry too much. If things get hairy, you’ve got me, right? I even brought my Brush Sword just in case..."
Min-su kept blabbing, likely because he was nervous about the situation. I tried to give him a decent response for the sake of being classmates, but since there was no end to his rambling, I gave up.
We’re drawing too much attention.
I pushed my stray thoughts aside and turned my gaze to scan the surroundings, only to realize something. The combination of a white-haired tanned guy and a loud-mouthed scholar was attracting way too much notice.
My appearance was already easy to pinpoint, but with Min-su added to the mix, anyone could tell we were Baek Tae-yang and Kim Min-su.
"To think a cadet is participating in a Hunter tournament..."
"He’s impressive, sure, but still..."
"Did you see that provocation earlier? Honestly, I think he crossed the line."
"In the end, Baek Tae-yang acted like he was all that... but seeing him hang out with Kim Min-su, I guess birds of a feather really do flock together."
"He suddenly looks so much lamer."
I could accept everything except those last two sentences.
After all, this was exactly what Jang Du-cheol intended when he threw us into Gladire.
"But when are they going to give us the instructions? Are they just going to leave us standing here?"
Just as the surrounding Hunters were starting to grumble, an announcement rang out as if it had been waiting for that exact moment.
Ahem! Ahem! Can you hear me? We are truly sorry for the long wait! A special circumstance arose, and handling it took a bit of time! As previously announced, everything happening inside the Gate will be broadcast in real-time. This is for the sake of fairness... and to prepare for any emergencies!
Since it was an artificial Gate, were there no restrictions on using communication equipment?
Looking up at the sky, I saw drones for filming floating about.
"I feel a bit like a monkey in a zoo."
"Tell me about it."
Even a broken clock is right twice a day. For once, Min-su made a valid point.
The drones, the announcement echoing through the air, and the people watching from the spectator seats outside the Gate... It was called a Hunter tournament, but from a distance, it was no different from a zoo.
Now then, let’s get straight to the point. Originally, we were going to start the preliminaries immediately, but the number of participants has become quite large... Therefore, we would like to conduct a simple selection process. Naturally! Without question! What is the basic requirement every Hunter must possess? A reliable partner? Trust? Friendship? Character? Personality? Wealth? Power? None of that matters! The most essential thing is martial power! Therefore! First! We will reduce the current number of participants by half!
Going by the clichés, I see.
It was following a very traditional selection process.
I took this opportunity to observe the surrounding Hunters as quickly as possible. Those who didn't look surprised probably had prior information like Kim Min-su, which meant there was a high probability they were part of Noble. Even if they weren't, I could still categorize them as people to watch out for.
One... two... three... What, there are so many of them.
It was impossible to check every single Hunter, but even a quick scan of the immediate area revealed a massive number. There were dozens just in my vicinity, so looking at the whole group, there had to be at least a thousand.
That was dozens of times more than the number I’d seen at the Noble party. This meant the Hunters who had attended the party were only a tiny fraction. It was a much larger organization than I had thought.
No wonder Jang Du-cheol had such a disgusted look on his face when he said he didn't understand why they were so obsessed with taking sides.
Just because someone didn't look flustered didn't guarantee they were part of Noble, but it was an undeniable fact that the probability was high.
Now, you must be wondering? How will we reduce the numbers? The method is, of course! Quite naturally! Combat! Please do not worry about your lives! Immediately before an injury becomes life-threatening!!! You will be instantly ejected from the Gate via forced teleportation to receive treatment! So, please fight with a light heart! Starting... right now.
?
Most of the Hunters were bewildered, unable to adapt to the sudden situation.
And taking advantage of this moment were the few who had known the information beforehand.
Boom!
"What! What’s going on all of a sudden!"
"Didn't you hear the announcement? They said to cut the numbers in half. I don't know how many people are here... but anyway, isn't hitting the guy closest to you the fastest way?"
The Hunters who knew this was for real moved swiftly. They struck the backs of those who were still dazed and drove fists into the ribs of the people they had been chatting with just moments ago.
Rat-tat-tat-tat-tat!
"Gwahahaha! They said you won't die anyway, so just take a few hits and get out! This is what I wanted from the start! This is what Gladire is all about, isn't it?"
"But doesn't the voice on the announcement sound a bit different from before?"
"Who cares? What matters is that we make it to the preliminaries, right?"
"True enough."
Hunters who had coordinated beforehand stood back-to-back, unleashing their skills to their hearts' content. The Hunters who had believed it would be an individual match from start to finish were suffering defenseless damage.
The difference between knowing the selection process and not knowing it was the difference between passing and failing.
It’s unfair from the very start.
Even I would have been incredibly vulnerable to a surprise attack if Kim Min-su hadn't told me this information.
"Baek Tae-yang! Do you really think you can ignore all the veteran Hunters and get good results? It’s only through respect for your seniors that, uh, good things happen!"
"When did we even meet for you to be so aggressive..."
Rumble!
An unnamed Hunter, looking as if he had a personal grudge against me, swung a greatsword with fire in his eyes.
I lightly blocked the attack with my weapon case and checked Kim Min-su’s position.
"Everyone, stay away from me! I am truly the type who has. No. Mercy."
Min-su was swinging his Brush Sword around with an infuriatingly "all-knowing" expression. He wasn't actually trying to hurt anyone; he was wielding the sword purely for intimidation.
The surrounding Hunters must have realized that, yet strangely, none of them approached him aggressively.
It’s as if... they’re protecting him...
Protecting him?
"Where are you looking, Baek Tae-yang! To think you’d get cocky just because you blocked one of my strikes! Hiyah! Kangtae Destruction Sword!"
<Kaivan Series Model Baek Tae-yang, threatening skill detected. Deploying shield.>
Clang! Screeeech!
The sound of metal violently clashing against metal erupted repeatedly.
"Baek Tae-yang! Your back is wide open!"
Another Hunter shouted, boldly announcing his position as he attempted a surprise attack.
Me, who had been strangely targeted by concentrated attacks from the start, and Kim Min-su, whom no one would touch.
It was a situation where the answer came easily if you just thought about it simply.
They’ve already made their move.
It seemed Noble had no intention of letting me even reach the preliminaries.
Of course, that was only what they thought.
Even if you come at me like that, the result will be the same.
I am Baek Tae-yang.