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[Translator - Helga ]
[Proofreader - Starfall ]
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Chapter 104: Underground Arena (1)
The next day, the team split up and headed to their designated arenas.
Hanul Kwon was led to the underground arena by a staff member from Mystery City.
As expected of the city’s most crucial location, the path to the underground arena was shrouded in secrecy.
He had to take a hidden elevator tucked away in a remote corner of the city, descending deep underground.
“Whoa…”
Hanul couldn’t help but marvel when he arrived.
The underground arena was nearly twice the size of the colosseum built outside the city.
Led to the waiting room, Hanul found himself in deep thought.
He had to decide when he’d enter the competition.
“Win-streak system. You win if you get ten consecutive victories or if there are no challengers left.”
The arena’s rules were straightforward.
It wasn’t a tournament, but a win-streak format—keep fighting until you lose or win ten times in a row.
Of course, any serious injuries sustained during the matches were the fighter’s own responsibility.
“Simple, but troublesome.”
Even the strongest could fall after consecutive matches due to accumulated injuries.
On the other hand, a weaker fighter might seize victory by catching a stronger opponent when they’re worn down.
“Normally, I’d wait and see… but.”
Hanul chose to be the first contestant without hesitation.
There wasn’t a grand reason—he just wanted to finish quickly and watch his teammates’ matches.
Although Joo Hayun had warned him repeatedly about the dangers of the underground arena, Hanul was confident he wouldn’t lose.
<You have selected to be the first contestant.>
<The match will begin in 10 minutes. Please proceed to the arena.>
The announcement rang through the waiting room speakers.
Donning the mask given to him by Kwon Myung-woo, Hanul exited the room.
He walked through a long corridor and stepped into the arena.
The underground arena was built in the style of a colosseum, with rows upon rows of seats stacked around the central battlefield.
“Looks like a weakling.”
A gruff voice greeted him the moment he stepped in.
His opponent stood some distance away—a man easily three times his size.
“What’s with that mask?”
“You’re wearing one too.”
Hanul pointed at the man’s face, which was also covered by a mask.
“I’ve got my reasons.”
“So do I.”
“Tch, what a punk.”
But if anyone was being absurd, it was Hanul.
“Whatever. Let’s keep it clean and shake hands before we start.”
The man extended his hand. His forearm was easily three times thicker than Hanul’s.
Hanul grabbed it without hesitation.
That’s when it happened.
“Don’t take it the wrong way.”
The man clamped down on Hanul’s hand with a crushing grip.
“I don’t need tricks to kill you. I just didn’t want to waste time chasing you around.”
Then, his fist slammed into Hanul’s face.
* * *
“Hahaha.”
While Hanul was still in the waiting room, Kwon Myung-woo and Joo Hayun were sitting side by side in the spectator stands.
Like Hanul, they were also wearing masks.
It wasn’t just Hanul and his team who needed to stay hidden—Myung-woo also couldn’t afford to reveal his identity. He’d created a false persona long ago to operate in Mystery City.
That wasn’t unusual. Many visitors to the city used aliases to hide their activities.
“Hehehe.”
Myung-woo’s face beamed with joy.
“Having that much fun?”
Joo Hayun finally spoke, her tone sharp and irritated.
She had a good reason.
“Of course I’m enjoying it. This match is going to make me rich.”
Mystery City was all about entertainment—and no entertainment district is complete without gambling. The underground arena was no exception.
Myung-woo had just placed a massive bet on Hanul’s victory.
“Don’t tell me you brought him here just to make money?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. This is all part of his training.”
His tone grew serious.
“Hanul’s so talented, it’s a problem. How can someone who hasn’t even reached full mastery react to my punches?”
“He shouldn’t be able to.”
Myung-woo was a world-renowned powerhouse.
“His reflexes, dynamic vision, even his raw talent—it’s all natural. He never has to block. He just dodges or counters.”
Which meant…
“He barely uses defensive techniques. And to advance to the next level, he needs to refine those techniques.”
“So that’s why you brought him here?”
“Exactly. Skills won’t become second nature through repetition alone. He needs real combat.”
That’s why Myung-woo chose the underground arena.
Here, Hanul could experience multiple real fights in a short time.
“Plus, I get to make some pocket money.”
He grinned, earning a glare from Joo Hayun.
“Look who it is!”
Someone approached them—a middle-aged man with a well-groomed beard.
“I didn’t expect the Black Crow to show up!”
"Black Crow" was Myung-woo's alias in Mystery City.
The man offered a handshake. Myung-woo accepted it and replied, “Mark Goldpixie. Didn’t expect to see you here. What about your company?”
“I’m on vacation. No way I’d be stuck at a desk while the underground arena’s running.”
They laughed as they chatted.
“You brought someone this time too?”
“I did.”
“The last one you sponsored won, and you’re still not satisfied?”
The "Black Crow" had become something of a legend in Mystery City. Every fighter he sponsored had gone on to win the underground tournament.
All of them were part of his elite squad, the Hyukcheon Corps.
“I’m in too.”
“Ahaha, really? Did you bring someone decent this time?”
Mark's brow twitched at that.
“…Yes. I did. You’ll see.”
After shaking hands, Mark left.
As he walked away, Joo Hayun asked, “Was that… the same Mark Goldpixie I know?”
“Yes. Head of the Goldpixie family—one of the founders of Mystery City.”
Myung-woo sounded indifferent.
“He’s probably so jumpy because it’s been years since his family produced a champion in the arena.”
He clicked his tongue.
“If he loses again, he’ll really blow a fuse.”
At that moment, Hanul stepped onto the battlefield.
Myung-woo leaned back in his chair.
“Well then, let’s enjoy the show.”
Suddenly, the opponent offered a handshake. Hanul took it without suspicion.
The next instant, the man sucker-punched him.
“…Huh?”
Myung-woo’s eyes widened.
* * *
“Lousy bastard.”
Mark Goldpixie stormed to the VIP suite at the very top of the arena.
Unlike regular spectators, he had a private lounge.
“What’s got you so worked up?”
Maria Sanchez greeted him as he walked in.
“Don’t mind me. Just heard something irritating.”
He stomped over to the fridge, grabbed a bottle of whiskey, and drank straight from it.
After wiping his lips, he asked, “This fighter of yours… can I trust him?”
“Even you shouldn’t be doubting someone from the Sanchez family. That’s a little insulting.”
Her tone made Mark break into a cold sweat.
He’d gotten too worked up and forgotten—this woman was one of the most feared villains in the world.
“…Apologies. I just need to win this underground tournament, no matter what.”
“Don’t worry. He’s more than capable.”
She spoke with confidence.
“You’ve heard of Marcos Sanchez, haven’t you?”
“…You don’t mean the Destroyer?”
Maria nodded. Mark hiccupped in shock.
Marcos Sanchez—the Destroyer. A criminal from Pandemonium, infamous for razing an entire Russian city.
Back then, the best Russian hunters had gathered to stop him—and were completely obliterated.
“He can’t use his skills or abilities freely here, since we can’t reveal he’s a Sanchez, but… he’s not someone who’d lose in a place like this.”
Just then, Marcos stepped into the arena.
He exchanged a few words with Hanul and extended his hand.
Maria sighed.
“Ahh… I told him to stop toying with opponents before killing them.”
Hanul, clueless, shook his hand.
Then Marcos struck, slamming his fist into Hanul’s head.
“When this is over, I’m giving him a serious lecture—”
But before she could finish, Marcos was sent flying into the air.
“…What?”
* * *
Crack!
The moment Marcos threw his punch, a sharp pain shot through his wrist.
Stunned, he looked down.
His wrist… was broken.
“I was watching to see what you’d do. You’re just a cheap thug.”
In front of him stood Hanul—completely unharmed.
Even though Marcos hadn’t used his full strength, he’d still put power behind that punch.
Yet Hanul stood there like nothing had happened.
It made no sense.
Even without using his skills, Marcos had S-rank stats and the divine bloodline abilities of Guardian Aura and Superhuman Strength.
Guardian Aura was a defensive power that protected his body. Superhuman Strength amplified his strength and stamina.
Together, his punches were stronger than most explosives.
And yet…
Not only had the attack failed, his wrist was broken.
“And Guardian Aura, huh? What’s someone from the Sanchez family doing here?”
“How… how do you know that…?”
“How?” Hanul looked up.
<‘Diamond Aura’ protects you from ‘Guardian Aura’!>
That was the message that flashed before him when the punch landed.
Marcos’s fist had been shattered by Hanul’s Diamond Aura—a superior version of Guardian Aura.
It wasn’t just stronger—it outright destroyed it.
“You don’t need to know how.”
Hanul rolled his neck. A cracking sound echoed.
“This is really pissing me off.”
There was fury in his voice.
Getting hit out of nowhere would anger anyone—but this was different.
<’Superhuman Bloodline’ reacts with fury!>
Perhaps it was because he’d been struck by a lesser bloodline member. Hanul’s Superhuman Bloodline surged.
No—"surged" didn’t begin to cover it.
<True Superhuman Bloodline Synchronization Rate: 17% → 30%>
His blood boiled. Muscles trembled.
Rage bubbled from deep inside.
<‘Overlord Star’ and ‘Diamond Aura’ grow stronger!>
<Strength and Agility upgraded to S-Rank!>
<New divine abilities unlocked!>
Countless messages appeared, but Hanul didn’t see any of them.
All his senses locked onto the man in front of him.
“Y-you bastard…”
Marcos felt a sense of doom. His instincts screamed at him to run.
But before he could, Hanul seized his hand.
“L-let go of me!”
Marcos struggled, but his arm didn’t budge.
Hanul twisted his torso and drove a fist straight into Marcos’s gut.
<‘Diamond Aura’ destroys ‘Guardian Aura’!>
<‘Overlord Star’ amplifies strength!>
Without Guardian Aura, Marcos might as well have been bare-skinned.
The punch, empowered by Overlord Star and S-rank strength, did its work.
“Guh—!”
Marcos's body was launched skyward—high enough to nearly hit the ceiling.
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[Translator - Helga ]
[Proofreader - Starfall ]
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