Chapter 022 …
EX-Rank Reincarnation Draw
At the moment when Wei A-Jun, an SS-rank superhuman, collapsed straight onto the floor—
“…This is insane.”
A black-haired woman watching from the stands muttered the words.
She was known as the Black Night Witch.
Countless people were seated around her. Their races and ages varied, but the expression in every single one of their eyes was the same—shock.
“…What the hell was that? That’s not even a monster.”
The Black Night Witch scowled deeply as she spoke.
“Is that even possible?”
“He didn’t even touch him.”
“Superhumans have already surpassed the level of ordinary humans. At least by modern standards.”
If someone could spew flames from their hands or rain down meteors from the sky, calling them “human” was already a stretch.
The people gathered here were no different.
A-rank superhumans.
By the rules of the Colosseum, everyone seated in the audience was at least A-rank. As for the upper floors, no one really knew what kind of monsters were up there.
In other words, this place was filled with people who could throw their weight around wherever they went.
“What kind of synchronization rate would it take to do that?”
“…You’re telling me he crushed Wei A-Jun like that?”
“They said he was strong, but isn’t this too much?”
“He didn’t even move.”
The reactions of these powerful figures were pure chaos.
Not a single person remained calm. It was inevitable.
“That Wei A-Jun…”
Wei A-Jun.
China’s SS-rank superhuman was infamous for being completely unhinged.
So notorious that he was called a rabid dog, his personality was well-known among superhumans, and his abusive remarks were already famous among the general public.
Idiots never know their place.
Weaklings shouldn’t be allowed to speak.
Are C-ranks even human? Just live without barking. That suits you better.
The foul-mouthed Wei A-Jun.
Or Rabid Dog Wei A-Jun.
Or simply Executioner Wei A-Jun.
The very man who single-handedly dragged China’s already poor superhuman reputation straight into the abyss.
And yet—
Whenever people talked about the most hated superhumans, Wei A-Jun always topped the list.
Despite that, most people still worshipped him.
There was only one reason.
“Still… he’s an SS-rank superhuman—”
No matter how arrogant, cruel, or foul-mouthed he was, he silenced all criticism with pure power.
That was Wei A-Jun.
Until Hail Irene appeared, he had been considered the strongest in the world.
True, his reputation cracked when he lost to her in ten minutes—but—
Even so, his place among the absolute elite had never been in doubt.
Arrogant, but backed by real ability.
That was the evaluation of Wei A-Jun.
“…He was completely shattered.”
“Just who—or what—is this so-called Martial God…?”
Wei A-Jun lost.
Not after ten minutes like against Irene.
Not even seconds.
It was over in an instant—so brief that counting time felt meaningless.
“…Ugh… guh…”
Wei A-Jun collapsed, eyes rolled back, foam spilling from his mouth. His condition announced his defeat loud and clear.
And that wasn’t all.
[■ The Divine Serpent has been defeated.]
The system announced his loss.
Divine Serpent—the title associated with Wei A-Jun’s previous life.
No one knew what it truly meant. Wei A-Jun himself had never explained it, and even the Association never bothered to investigate.
What mattered was that he was SS-rank.
A top-tier powerhouse had fallen in seconds.
And to a rookie called Martial God.
“What kind of rank even is this guy?”
“…If Wei A-Jun lost like that, then just how—”
“Does anyone know what country he’s from?”
“No idea. I heard he’s from Asia.”
As everyone murmured about Martial God’s identity—
“South Korea.”
A sharp voice cut in.
“Korea?”
“That’s the Black Night Witch…?”
It was her—speaking bluntly from her seat.
“He’s Korean.”
“Martial God is Korean? How would you know that—?”
“The timing lines up.”
“Hah.”
Someone scoffed, and the woman’s eyes instantly flared.
“What are you laughing at?”
Despite her hostile tone, the man kept smirking.
Seeing that, the Black Night Witch’s gaze turned icy.
“Hey, asshole. Can’t you hear me? I asked why you’re laughing.”
“Don’t call me ‘unnie’.”
The young man crossed his legs lazily.
“Calling him Korean is just a probability. It’s not confirmed, is it?”
The youth—an American A-rank superhuman known as the Silver Knight—grinned at her.
“Tch.”
The Black Night Witch smiled as if she’d realized something.
“So it annoys you that people say he’s not from the West?”
“…Annoys me?”
Silver Knight’s expression hardened.
“Don’t be greedy. Your side already has that nasty woman.”
“Hah.”
At the mention of Hail Irene, his face twisted sharply.
“How arrogant. Just because some tiny country produced one SS-rank, you think you’re on our level?”
“Who said we were?”
This time, the Black Night Witch sneered.
She seemed to be referring to Eugene.
She didn’t deny it—Korea’s standing had undeniably risen because of him. Just one person.
But—
Not on the same level as the U.S.
The world’s strongest gathered there, and the ratio of S-rank and A-rank superhumans was on an entirely different scale.
It wasn’t just population—America simply produced an abnormal number of superhumans.
That’s why they used names like heroes and knights so casually.
“Sure. Korea still can’t compare to America.”
“Then—”
“But you know,”
The Black Night Witch turned her gaze toward the center of the Colosseum.
Wei A-Jun’s unconscious body was dissolving into mist.
Apparently, that’s what happened upon defeat.
Watching him vanish, she shifted her eyes to the man standing across the arena.
A black mask.
Dark, ink-colored clothing.
An alien presence.
He had defeated Wei A-Jun effortlessly—yet showed no reaction.
As if it had been inevitable.
Confidence. Certainty.
The belief that he could never lose to someone like that.
“…If Martial God really is Korean, just like everyone expects—”
She glanced back at Silver Knight.
“Would you still be reacting like this then?”
“….”
Silver Knight fell silent.
“So tell me—if your terrifying woman fought Martial God… who do you think would win?”
Hail Irene had not appeared at the Colosseum.
No one objected. That was normal for her.
She had always done whatever she wanted.
Even so, Silver Knight couldn’t answer.
Irene… and Martial God.
The proud empress who seemed incapable of defeat.
America’s symbol—on an entirely different level from Wei A-Jun.
If those two fought—
—crunch.
Silver Knight ground his teeth at the unpredictable outcome.
The Black Night Witch smirked.
“…Even so, there’s still a chance Martial God isn’t Korean. And more importantly—”
Silver Knight pointed out what she had been deliberately avoiding.
“Even if he is Korean… do you really think he’s on your side?”
“….”
“The fact that he hides his identity and never appeared before the Association tells me he’s not exactly normal.”
“….”
Her eyes narrowed.
It was a sharp point.
Unregistered superhumans.
Terrorists—vermin currently plaguing Korea.
Given that, Martial God couldn’t be viewed positively either.
“Even if he’s stronger than SS-rank… what matters is which side he stands on. If things go wrong…”
Silver Knight tilted his head slightly.
“You might be harboring the most dangerous existence of all.”
The Black Night Witch couldn’t bring herself to respond.
* * *
[The Divine Serpent has been defeated.]
[Winner: Martial God.]
[Overwhelming difference detected.]
[The Master of the Colosseum highly evaluates you.]
[The Master of the Colosseum attempts to bestow a blessing.]
[Difference in rank detected. Blessing from the lesser soul is rejected.]
[The Master of the Colosseum is startled by the response.]
[Achievement Unlocked: “Curiosity of the Colosseum Master.”]
[The first duel has ended. Other participants, prepare for the next—]
Countless system messages flooded my vision.
I swallowed dryly.
“…Yikes.”
I didn’t even know how to react.
What the hell just happened?
I honestly didn’t understand it—even though I was the one who did it.
The first part, fine.
When I countered Wei A-Jun’s attack and shattered him—that made sense.
A ridiculous 3% chance triggered. A miracle, basically.
But just now?
What was that?
I didn’t counterattack.
I didn’t use a skill.
This was—
[■ The soul rebels against its master.]
[■ A soul-engraved contract activates.]
[■ The serpent tightens its own coils.]
With that, Wei A-Jun suddenly vomited blood and collapsed in agony.
…I didn’t do anything?
I literally stood still.
Didn’t even twitch a finger.
And he just… died on his own.
…What.
What do you even call something like this?
As I was still confused—
[■ Preparing the next duel. Moving to the waiting room.]
My vision shifted.
I was back in the waiting room.
But—
“….”
“….”
The atmosphere was ice-cold.
Every superhuman in the room was staring at me.
Well—half of them.
Some awkwardly avoided eye contact. Others stared in shock.
Ah. Crap.
I glanced toward the wall.
A screen showed the duel arena—me and Wei A-Jun.
They saw everything.
They must have watched him collapse on his own.
No wonder this was their reaction.
…They think I did it.
Even though he collapsed by himself, the system declared his defeat—
Which meant I won.
As I stood there awkwardly—
Step.
“Hm?”
Someone moved from the corner.
My eyes widened behind the mask.
…Eugene?
It was him.
He was moving toward me.
Is he coming over?
As everyone’s attention shifted—
Just as I thought another SS-rank confrontation was about to begin—
“Um, excuse me.”
“…!”
A voice came from nearby.
Not Eugene.
The room froze.
I turned my head.
And—
“Oh.”
A familiar face stood there.
“Can I ask you one thing?”
A cold-looking face, youthful features—probably my age.
No.
Exactly my age.
Because I already knew her.
She was Jin Yeonhee.
Korea’s S-rank superhuman.
The reincarnation of the lightning spirit, Thunder Wraith.
And—
“Are you Korean?”
She was my friend Jin Kyungbeom’s older sister.
