Chapter 64

064. Arena (2)

"Are you saying you're going to the arena...?"

At the moment when Lee Sungjin said this with a dubious expression, messages appeared.

"Administrator 'Glutton' is disappointed that his contractor is not accompanying you."

"Administrator 'Black Demon' is interested in your unusual behavior."

"Administrator 'Iron Blooded Overlord' is pleased with your judgment."

"Administrator 'White Crane Sword Immortal' is looking forward to your performance."

Most of the administrators who were observing had quite positive reactions.

However...

"The challengers in the arena are quite vicious. Since you chose the 'Strategy' at the branching point, they are likely to be specialized in battles among challengers."

Lee Sungjin, unlike the administrators, expressed his concern.

In other words, it means that you won't have a good time in the arena, so you should back off.

'Hmm...'

Listening to his worried voice, it seems he truly believes nothing good will come of this.

However, I had no intention of backing off so easily.

"If that's the case, it should be fine."

Even if they are specialized in battles among challengers, I don't think I will lose.

Just as I easily defeated the Chinese challengers earlier, the challengers from the strategy branching point are no different.

Hearing my calm response, Lee Sungjin stroked his chin and then nodded.

"Hmm... Well, if you say so, you must have your reasons."

His tone suggested that since he had seen something, he wouldn't worry any further.

"Then, I'll head to the arena now."

"Ah, I should also go to the auction house soon."

Lee Sungjin, who had a purpose for coming to the public area, said this and bid farewell.

"If there's a chance, I'll see you again later."

With those words, Lee Sungjin began to move away from the square.

Then...

"Administrator 'Glutton' says he will end his observation soon and come back later."

The Glutton, who had shown interest in me, seemed to be ending his observation to take care of his contractor.

'There might have been a chance to gain something more... It's a pity.'

I thought it was a pity, but the other administrators didn't seem to feel the same.

"Administrator 'Iron Blooded Overlord' smiles kindly, saying it's fine even if you don't come back."

"Administrator 'White Crane Sword Immortal' says he thinks the same."

Perhaps they didn't like the idea of the Glutton showing more favor towards me...

The reactions of the administrators, visible through the messages, were not very positive.

'Are they trying to monopolize me?'

Perhaps, if many administrators knew, it might not be a good influence on the Iron Blooded Overlord or the White Crane Sword Immortal.

'I'll have to investigate in detail when I return to the waiting room later.'

With that thought, I also began to move.

'It's been a while since I fought other challengers.'

Perhaps because I haven't fought other challengers from the same world since the 6th floor, I felt that I might gain quite a lot of rewards in the arena.

***

Arena (鬪技場).

One of the contents in the public area, the arena is a place where challengers can fight each other and bet rewards.

'Something seems very strange...'

It was completely different from what I had imagined.

"Ah, why is this guy so weak...! A guy with such a high ranking in the final standings can only do this much?"

"Damn, why are the Korean server guys so strong? Seriously, how can a 300th-ranked guy beat a 100th-ranked guy?"

"Ah, damn it! Again, again, he's been beaten! Damn! You damn guys, stop losing already!"

The atmosphere was like that of an illegal gambling den, making me flinch.

People of all races were gathered, sitting in their seats, staring at tablet-like screens, and cursing.

'This is the arena...?'

Moreover, there was no visible place where the battles were taking place.

Everyone was just sitting in chairs, tapping on their screens, and acting like mad.

There was no sight of challengers fighting each other directly.

However...

'It doesn't seem like I've come to a gambling den...'

"Welcome to the arena."

The system message clearly stated that this was the arena.

"Administrator 'Black Demon' is pleased, saying it reminds him of the old days."

"Administrator 'Iron Blooded Overlord' dislikes it, saying the arena is the same no matter where you go."

"Administrator 'White Crane Sword Immortal' is greatly excited by the arena's atmosphere."

Even the administrators recognized this place as the 'arena'.

'I have no idea what's going on.'

To understand the situation, I approached an empty seat and sat down.

Then...

"The arena system is activated."

"Please select 'Betting' or 'Duel' by manipulating the screen."

"If you need additional explanation, click the 'Help' button at the lower left corner."

Whoosh!

The black screen lit up instantly, and those messages appeared on the screen.

At the same time, I understood why so many challengers were enthusiastic.

'Betting and duels...'

After reading the 'Help' that appeared on the screen, I understood how the arena system worked.

"Help"

"1. The arena is divided into two systems: 'Betting' and 'Duel'."

"2. If you choose 'Betting' in the arena, you can bet points on other challengers' duels."

"2-1. If you bet, you can increase your points based on the winner or loser of the bet."

"2-2. However, you may also lose all the points you bet based on the winner or loser."

First, through 'Betting,' you can lose or increase points, which is why the challengers are so enthusiastic.

'Then, the people who were angry just now must have been betting.'

Since you can lose or gain points based on the outcome, it's inevitable that it becomes intense.

However, I didn't come to the arena to do such 'Betting'.

"3. If you choose 'Duel' in the arena, you can challenge other challengers and bet rewards."

"3-1. However, when you apply for a duel, your final ranking and name will be revealed to the opponent, and vice versa if the opponent accepts the duel."

"3-2. The duel is 1-on-1, and before the duel, you must set 'Skills', 'Items', 'Abilities', etc., as failure penalties for the duel to be valid."

"3-3. If the failure penalties of the duel opponent are not of the same level, you can cancel the duel, which is not mandatory."

"3-4. If the duel is valid, you can fight other challengers in the Colosseum. If you surrender during the duel, the duel ends, and you return to your original position."

The 'rewards' you can obtain from these duels are the core of the arena.

'This is also high risk, high return.'

Since you can bet anything as a failure penalty, the potential gains are significant.

"Hmm..."

Of course, it doesn't seem like you can gain a lot of rewards in one go, but as the saying goes, 'a little at a time can make a mountain.'

As I accumulated rewards, I could grow more.

Without hesitation, I chose 'Duel' and started looking for an opponent.

Then...

"Catherine Bennett"

"Server - USA"

"Final Ranking - 6th"

"Victory Reward - Skill 'Gale Sword (C+)'"

"Victory Count - 17 times"

"Defeat Count - 0 times"

I soon found a tempting opponent.

***

Catherine Bennett.

Once known as the 'Witch of Terror,' she is an A-rank Hunter with long, red hair and a gloomy expression.

"Now that my victory count is high... Why isn't anyone applying for a duel...?"

She sighed, staring at the unchanging screen.

Perhaps because she had won 17 times, no one was applying for a duel with her anymore.

Or rather, no one was applying at all...

Those who did apply set their duel rewards as failure penalties very low.

She immediately rejected them, not even considering them as challenges.

'If my duel record wasn't visible, maybe more people would challenge me...'

Her victory count is 17, and her defeat count is 0.

This means she has won all her duels and taken the rewards.

No one would ignore the skill gap after seeing this.

Moreover, revealing her 'final ranking' in the US server meant no one with similar rewards would challenge her.

Knowing that Catherine, the 'Witch of Terror,' is an A-rank Hunter in the US, everyone quickly looked for other challengers.

With her distinctive appearance often featured in the media, she was well-known even overseas...

Those who guessed who she was had no choice but to avoid fighting her.

"Administrator 'Master of Fire' sneers, saying it's boring."

"Indeed."

Catherine agreed with her contracted administrator, her eyes cold.

"They're all cowards who won't take risks in close matches..."

Originally, Catherine believed that one must take risks to fight.

As a Hunter, she grew stronger through close matches and became an A-rank Hunter.

She thought that those who couldn't take risks couldn't become strong.

'They're not even worth it.'

But here, only such cowards gathered.

She was annoyed that people who had never lost were avoiding challenges and getting rewards from other challengers.

However, Catherine's anger didn't last long.

'Should I leave the arena now...?'

She was getting tired of waiting, as there was no response at all.

When she tried to challenge others, there were few with higher final rankings, and they also refused duel matches.

Catherine was considering leaving when...

"A duel application has arrived."

"..."

A duel application she had been waiting for finally arrived.

Moreover...

"Han Sungyun"

"Server - Korea"

"Final Ranking - 3rd"

"Victory Reward - Skill 'Demon Hunter Sword (C-)'"

"Victory Count - 0 times"

"Defeat Count - 0 times"

"He just entered the arena, didn't he...?"

The opponent had no victories or defeats.

This meant he was just starting his first fight in the arena.

'Yet he chose me...'

Korea was one of the countries with a large fan base for Catherine Bennett.

Seeing her record, anyone would think of the 'Witch of Terror'...

This challenger seemed to apply for a duel without caring about that.

'Interesting.'

After losing all her strength and entering the tower, she hadn't seen such a bold challenger.

Even with a high final ranking, applying for a duel immediately meant he was well-prepared.

'Han Sungyun...'

Catherine tilted her head, never having heard the name before.

Even though Korea was a foreign country, she knew many names of A-rank Hunters...

Not recognizing who he was, she frowned.

'I'll have to find out who he is when I return later.'

Whoever he was, challenging her like this was enough to earn her favor.

Catherine accepted Han Sungyun's duel application...

"The duel has been established."

"Moving to the Colosseum."

In the blink of an eye, she found herself in the center of a massive Colosseum.

Moreover...

In the center, there was another challenger in a black robe.

Seeing this challenger, Catherine smiled and spoke.

"Your bravery in applying for a duel without ever using the arena is commendable..."

And...

"Challenger Han Sungyun vs. Challenger Catherine Bennett"

"The duel begins."

"You should have observed your opponent first. Consider it a good experience."

"Ability 'Birth of Fire' activated."

As she finished speaking, an explosion occurred in her hand, and flames shot forward.

Boom...!

'It's over.'

These flames were a 'power' with destructive force different from ordinary magic.

Catherine was confident that the message "Victory" would appear immediately.

"..."

Swish...!

Until she saw a blue sword energy cut through the flames.

"What...?"

Seeing the flames, which no one had ever blocked, easily blocked, Catherine was taken aback.

"Good experience."

Crack, crack...

The challenger, who had silently stood with a half-burned black robe, spoke...

"Your skills are indeed impressive..."

Only then did she realize who had taken control of the duel.

"I don't think it's beyond my ability to win, though."

The fight was now under the control of this Korean challenger, not Catherine.