Chapter 21
Kwadudududuk—!!!
A violent gale erupted. A fist thrown without restraint created a calamity in a single instant.
Kwagagagak—!!!!
The ground was pulverized, and a blade-like tempest exploded outward, smashing straight into the walls.
The coliseum’s thick stone walls burst apart.
The problem was—
‘…This…’
The body of Wiajun, which had been standing in front of my fist, was torn apart completely.
“…Huh?”
“Th-that…!”
Wiajun’s body exploded in an instant. It was crushed so thoroughly that not even its original shape remained.
‘What the hell was that just now?’
What just happened? My eyes, hidden behind the mask, trembled.
[■ Synchronization rate has increased to 7%. A skill has been unlocked.]
[■ Heaven-Shattering Martial Art – Implantation (Second Form)]
[■ Rupture Reversal (破裂返導) has been unlocked.]
[■ Incoming attack detected.]
[■ Automatic activation chance 3% — Success. Rupture Reversal has been activated.]
[■ A disparity in rank exists. Power is amplified.]
‘Rupture Reversal?’
That must’ve been the skill that just activated. My eyes moved as I checked its description.
[■ Rupture Reversal (破裂返導)]
[■ Executes a counterattack at the perfect moment.]
[■ Has a fixed chance to activate automatically.]
[■ Activation conditions are determined by synchronization rate.]
[■ Current activation chance: 3%]
‘A counter skill?’
A skill that triggers a counterattack. But—
‘…Automatic counterattack?’
It was a passive ability that countered on its own. A mere 3% chance.
So that absurd probability had actually triggered.
And this was the power it unleashed?
It was overwhelming. Even accounting for how much stronger I’d become, this was insane.
‘…Is this for real?’
No matter how you looked at it, an SS-rank dying in a single blow was ridiculous.
While everyone stood frozen in silence at the absurd situation—
“Ah, fuck.”
A coarse curse rang out, and something in front of me began to writhe.
Pssss—!!!
Mist-like particles scattered through the air rushed together, slowly condensing into a form.
“Ha ha. This is fun.”
Incredibly, it was Wiajun.
‘What?’
He revived after being torn apart? What kind of nonsense body was that?
His fully restored body twisted as he cracked his neck from side to side.
“Whew. That’s absurd. When I watched the footage, I thought you were just decent.”
Wiajun’s lips curled upward.
“But you’re more than that. What are you, exactly?”
Ssssss—!
A presence surged.
[■ Hero’s Super-Perception activated.]
[■ Killing intent detected.]
It felt the same as before. Just as I thought Wiajun was about to attack again—
[■ Warning!]
A system notice appeared.
[■ Unauthorized combat within the Coliseum is prohibited.]
[■ If further combat occurs, both participants will be declared defeated.]
[■ Exercise caution.]
[■ If further combat occurs, both participants will be declared defeated.]
Two warnings.
Seeing them, Wiajun narrowed his eyes.
“Tch.”
He turned his back. I thought he’d say something more, but it didn’t seem like he would.
“Just when things were getting interesting.”
He glanced back regretfully as he walked away. Watching him, I tried to calm myself.
‘Did I almost get screwed?’
If that skill hadn’t triggered…
‘If it hadn’t?’
The thought stopped me.
‘Could I not have won?’
Even with that absurd 3,000% bonus, would I still lose?
“….”
After a moment’s thought, I shook my head.
This wasn’t the time to be thinking about that. Why was I even considering it now?
As I tried to regain my focus—
“…Wiajun was attacked.”
“It was a single blow. How could that even—”
“Just who is that Martial God—”
People were talking about me. My ears tingled.
‘Hmm.’
I didn’t know how to react, so I just fidgeted with my fingers.
[■ All required participants have entered the Coliseum.]
[■ The Coliseum match will now begin.]
Notices flooded in. The match was starting.
At the same time, something dropped into my field of view.
‘A box?’
A box floated in midair. What was this?
[■ The match brackets will now be drawn.]
[■ Please place your hand inside the box to draw your position.]
So I just had to put my hand in.
I did.
Ding—!
[■ You have drawn position #1.]
‘Fuck.’
Of course it was number one. My luck really was garbage.
I scowled. If I weren’t wearing a mask, it’d all be obvious.
Since drawing was automatic once you put your hand in, it didn’t take long for everyone to finish.
Then—
[■ The brackets have been finalized.]
A massive holographic screen appeared.
‘…Huh?’
My body twitched the moment I saw it.
It couldn’t be helped.
The name at the very top was the problem.
[■ Match #1]
[■ Martial God vs. Serpent of God]
“….”
My opponent was the Serpent of God.
Wiajun.
“Hahahaha—!”
Loud laughter erupted. Wiajun was staring straight at me.
“Ah, this is fate, isn’t it? Perfect timing. Don’t you think?”
I didn’t answer. His face looked downright thrilled.
Why was he that happy?
Was he seriously insane?
‘SS-ranks really are all unhinged.’
Irene was one thing, but this guy was crazy in a completely different way.
[■ Matchups confirmed.]
[■ Transporting to the arena.]
With the notice, my surroundings changed. I was transported to a vast, open space.
And that wasn’t all.
‘People…?’
Spectator seats encircled the arena, filled with people.
Some of them even looked familiar.
No way.
‘They’re espers?’
Other espers—different from those participating in the Coliseum.
A murmur spread through the crowd.
“Every match is S-rank?”
“All of them are S-rank espers?”
“What kind of gate is this…? Is this even allowed?”
As I listened, I realized something.
They all had something in common.
‘A-rank espers.’
Among the familiar faces, I found the pattern.
Which meant—
‘Only A-rank espers can sit there.’
That must’ve been the requirement.
Then—
“So noisy.”
An unpleasant voice cut in. Wiajun stood in front of me.
“Why gather so many insects? Feels like we’re on display.”
His expression was full of irritation.
“Being entertainment for trash like that… tch.”
He seemed genuinely offended that A-rank espers were watching him.
He dug a finger into his ear, flicked out the wax, then looked at me.
“You feel the same way, right?”
“….”
Was he expecting agreement?
Not happening.
I stayed silent, and Wiajun chuckled.
“What a boring guy. Whatever.”
He clenched his fist.
“More important than talking is doing something fun.”
[■ The first Coliseum match is ready.]
[■ Commencing the first match.]
[■ May the gods bless the warriors.]
Dragged in and forced to fight for real?
The tension rose.
Ding.
[■ Quest generated.]
‘…What?’
A system window appeared.
[■ Defeat your opponent.]
[■ Reward: Access pass to the Martial God Archive & Martial God Mental Image (II).]
‘Are you fucking kidding me?!’
This was insane. Beat Wiajun?
As I stood there stunned—
“This won’t be like before, Martial God.”
Wiajun’s eyes gleamed viciously.
His flicking tongue and stretched grin made my skin crawl.
‘Damn it… what do I do?’
I rolled my eyes in thought.
[■ Hero’s Super-Perception activated.]
[■ Killing intent detected.]
I could already read his intent through the skill.
He was serious.
Only then did I swallow hard and assess the situation.
‘…A fight against an SS-rank.’
Could I win?
Even against Lin Xiao, an S-rank, the outcome was uncertain. And now this?
Nothing about this looked good.
‘And that quest…’
What the hell was it thinking?
[■ Defeat your opponent.]
[■ Reward: Access pass to the Martial God Archive & Martial God Mental Image (II).]
‘….’
If I beat Wiajun, I could access the Martial God Mental Image—the same place that granted Killing Intent Detection.
‘Does that even make sense?’
No matter how much my stats were boosted inside the gate, the opponent was still an SS-rank.
Someone completely beyond me.
‘So…’
If I wanted to win, I needed something.
“…Hmm.”
Wiajun frowned at me. This was different from before.
‘He’s not charging in.’
Probably because of what just happened earlier.
I didn’t know how he revived, but it made him wary of me.
‘Good.’
Maybe I could use that.
As my mind raced—
“I don’t know.”
Wiajun spoke.
“I don’t really like thinking.”
A chill ran down my spine.
“So let’s just fight.”
That’s when he smiled.
‘God damn it.’
I’d reached the worst possible conclusion.
Just as I widened my eyes—
BOOM—!!
With a thunderous blast, Wiajun crossed the distance instantly.
“…!”
Fluid, devastating movement.
His hand shot straight for my neck—too fast to block.
Even with my body boosted by 5,000%.
‘This…’
I lose.
That thought crossed my mind—
Ding—!
[■ The paper challenges its owner.]
[■ The contract engraved upon the soul has been activated.]
[■ The serpent tightens around itself.]
“Ghk!?”
Wiajun froze mid-motion, his hand stopping just short of my throat.
“G-gaaah!!”
He screamed.
I had no idea what was happening.
Then—
[■ The serpent tightens around itself.]
The same notice appeared again.
“…Guh…”
Wiajun’s eyes rolled back, and he collapsed.
‘…Huh?’
What?
[■ Quest complete.]
[■ You have won the duel.]
[■ Reward: Access pass to the Martial God Archive & Martial God Mental Image (II).]
“….”
Ignoring the notifications, I thought:
‘…What the hell was that?’
No answer came.
