Chapter 103

[Translator - Helga ]

[Proofreader - Starfall ]

Chapter 103: Mystery (2)

The deal with Mark Goldpixie was complete.

Maria Sanchez exited the building with her bloodkin.

“Lady Maria.”

It was as they walked through the streets of Mystery City. One of the bloodkin spoke up.

“I believe you told the outsider a bit too much.”

“Hm? Ah, you mean when I mentioned that one of the championship prizes includes the Founder's relic?”

Maria Sanchez smiled as she responded.

“Don’t worry. Mark Goldpixie may be an idiot, but he’s not stupid enough to risk his life. He knows very well that if he lays a finger on that relic, we’ll be the ones ending him.”

The Sanchez Family.

No one is ignorant of their infamy—especially as the bearers of Superhuman Bloodline.

No matter how wealthy or powerful Mark Goldpixie is, he’s no match for the Sanchez family.

“Anyway, focus on the tournaments. You all know we have to win every match, right?”

“Isn’t it enough if we just win the underground arena? That’s where the Founder’s relic is, after all.”

“Since we’re here, might as well take all the prizes. Besides, the deal with Mark Goldpixie was to win every Colosseum event.”

At Maria’s words, the bloodkin all looked visibly annoyed.

“Now that it’s come to this, why don’t we make a bet? On who wins the fastest?”

“Forget that. Let’s say whoever racks up the highest kill count wins.”

“You idiot. That gives the edge to whoever ends up in the team battle.”

Despite the banter, not a single member of the Sanchez bloodline looked nervous.

Whether they won or lost wasn’t even a concern—it was a foregone conclusion.

The only question was how much more they could take from the experience.

“Um… Lady Maria?”

That’s when a voice spoke—small and hesitant. It came from a petite girl among them.

“What if… I mean, just in case… in the unlikely event… we don’t win every match—what happens then?”

“What the hell are you babbling about?!”

“You lost your damn mind or something?!”

A wave of curses erupted. The girl hugged her head with both arms.

“I-I’m sorry! I didn’t mean—!”

“Enough.”

Maria Sanchez finally spoke, and the verbal assault stopped.

She looked straight at the girl.

“Larisa. You want to die?”

Her face wore a smile. But her voice? Absolutely laced with malice. Larisa froze on the spot.

“The games haven’t even started yet, and you’re spouting this bad-luck nonsense? Want me to rip out your tongue?”

Larisa Sanchez shook her head rapidly.

“That was a dogshit question, but fine—I’ll humor you. What if we don’t win every match?”

Maria turned away from her as she answered.

“Our Sanchez family will never give up on that relic. One way or another—we will take it.”

* * *

Kwon Myung-woo brought the group back to their lodging first.

Surprisingly, the place he’d rented wasn’t a hotel. It was an entire estate located on the outskirts of Mystery City.

Complete with a massive pool and manicured gardens—it even dwarfed Kwon Hanul’s own home back in the Hyukcheon clan.

“Tch. I know we came in a rush, but this dump for a base?”

Even a mansion like this didn’t seem to meet Kwon Myung-woo’s standards.

After grumbling while checking out the estate, he gathered everyone in the living room.

“Now, about that tournament I mentioned earlier.”

He spoke while lounging on a massive sofa.

“It’s a death match, yes—but the killing part isn’t mandatory. If someone declares defeat, the match ends immediately.”

At that, Kwon Hudon raised his hand, hesitantly.

“W-What if you can’t declare defeat…?”

“Then you die,” Myung-woo answered casually. Hudon’s face turned pale.

“Why are you so scared? Just win. You get the experience and the prize.”

He chuckled.

“Mystery City’s loaded, so the prizes are top-tier. Ah, right. Here—take these.”

He opened a spatial pocket and pulled out a pile of masks.

“You’ll all need to hide your identities for this. These masks will help.”

“Hide our identities?” Kwon Hanul asked on everyone’s behalf.

Myung-woo nodded and explained.

“The Colosseum in Mystery is great for gaining experience. But really, it's just entertainment for spoiled rich folks. We can’t have the name of Hyukcheon being used in a place like that.”

The Hyukcheon name carried immense weight. Using it recklessly was unthinkable.

“Now, these aren’t relics, but they’re made from special materials. They won’t come off no matter how intense the fight gets—and they’re sturdy too.”

He handed each person a mask.

“Now I’ll assign you all to your respective Colosseums. First—Hudon.”

“Y-Yes!”

“You’re going to the East Arena. That’s where the team battles are.”

“T-Team battles…?”

“It’s a chaotic brawl with dozens of fighters in one space. One wrong move and you’ll get gutted by a stray blade.”

Hudon’s face stiffened—but then his eyes regained some spark.

“I’ll win! No matter what!”

“Oh, and don’t use your Blackscale Armor.”

“…What?”

Hudon’s face went blank.

“If you use it, people will figure out who you are right away.”

“B-But without it… I can’t fight at all…”

“Exactly. That’s why I’m telling you not to.”

“…What?”

“Your Blackscale Armor is excellent. But because you rely on it so much, your combat experience is lacking.”

Kwon Myung-woo wasn’t wrong. Hudon’s entire combat style revolved around charging in, armor on.

“After some brawling, you’ll gain a new perspective. Plus, it'll help toughen up that crumbly little mentality of yours.”

At the word crumbly, Hudon looked like he might cry.

“Next—Mei Hong.”

“Yes.”

“You’re heading to the West Arena. It’s a hunter-versus-monster setup.”

“Is there a reason you chose that for me?”

Given what had just happened with Hudon, it was clear that Myung-woo’s assignments weren’t random.

So Mei Hong asked.

“No particular reason.”

“…”

Her expression turned unreadable.

“I’m sending you there to blow off some steam.”

“…Why would I waste time on something so pointless?”

“You’ve got too much rage built up in your heart. One day, that anger might end up killing you. Rage doesn’t care who it hurts—friend or foe.”

“But still—”

“You want revenge against the Mei clan, don’t you? But the most important thing in battle is a calm mind. Your heart can burn with fury—but your head must stay cold.”

Mei Hong didn’t respond, but it was clear Myung-woo’s words had made an impression.

“Go. Confront the rage inside you. Learn how to control it. That’s your assignment from me.”

Next, Myung-woo turned to Gael Garcia.

“So you’re Gael Garcia?”

“Sir.”

“You’ve got no obvious weaknesses—physically or mentally. You’re well trained.”

That alone was remarkable—especially considering even Hanul had received some criticism.

“But even so, winning won’t be easy. The South Arena you’ll be entering is riddled with traps. It’s a dangerous place.”

“I don’t care where I go…” Gael replied flatly. “But I won’t follow your orders.”

Everyone’s eyes widened in shock.

As if to make sure there was no misunderstanding, Gael added, “You don’t have the authority to command me. “But I will follow orders from my commander.”

Gael turned to Kwon Hanul.

At that, Kwon Myung-woo burst into laughter.

“Hah! That’s right—you’re not one of mine, but his subordinate! Ahahaha!”

He laughed so hard, clutching his belly.

“Well? What are you waiting for, Hanul? Give the order!”

“Uh… Just do your best and win.”

Gael gave a silent nod.

“Alright, that’s three of you done… Only you left.”

Myung-woo’s eyes turned to Kwon Hanul.

“You’re going to the Underground Arena.”

At that, Joo Hayun flinched.

“Lord Kwon!”

“What are you so shocked about? That’s the only place suited to his current level.”

“But what if he gets hurt?!”

“Him?”

Myung-woo looked at her like she’d said something absurd.

“Considering what he’s survived so far, you could toss him into an SS-ranked dungeon unarmed and he’d walk out fine. What’re you worried about?”

“Lord Kwon!”

“I’m not deaf. Stop yelling.”

He frowned.

“You’re always too protective of him, Hayun. You’re not his parent. You’re not his lover either…”

“Please stop with the jokes.”

As the argument dragged on, Hanul finally asked, “What kind of place is the Underground Arena, exactly?”

He knew it was dangerous—but not how or why.

“It’s the largest arena in this city. You could say it’s where the elite members of Mystery City clash for prestige.”

Myung-woo explained.

“Each member enters a contestant. If their contestant wins, they become more famous.”

Hanul frowned slightly.

“So the competitors must be incredibly strong.”

“‘Incredibly strong’ doesn’t even cover it,” Joo Hayun added.

“The people who run this city are world-renowned tycoons. The contestants they sponsor are all monsters.”

“That’s not all. The sponsors will use any means necessary to ensure their fighter wins.”

“And you still want me to compete there?”

Hanul looked at Myung-woo. The man cleared his throat.

“You’ve got what it takes.”

Hanul hesitated, then looked between Myung-woo and Joo Hayun.

“I’ll do it.”

His voice was clear and decisive. Joo Hayun sighed.

“Don’t worry, Miss Hayun. How strong can they really be?”

“I believe in you… but still…”

She didn’t argue further. Advising without interfering was her policy.

“Yes! That’s the spirit! That’s how a man should be!”

Myung-woo clapped him on the back, beaming.

“Oh, and only use barrier techniques.”

“Huh?”

“You need to keep your Hyukcheon identity hidden. No powers. No skills. Barrier spells don’t stand out, so go ahead and use them.”

Hanul looked a bit uneasy, but it was manageable.

He’d come here to train those techniques and reach the “ascending type” form anyway.

“Oh, and no magic either.”

“…What?”

That last part crossed a line.

“The other fighters will be using magic and skills, though.”

“You won’t.”

Myung-woo’s tone was firm.

“You’ll fight using only your physical abilities.”

It was an absurd handicap.

Hanul wondered if this really was training… or sabotage.

“It’s a bit much… but alright. I’ll try.”

He accepted it without complaint.

To a Black Dragon bloodline member like Hanul, not being able to use mana was a massive disadvantage—especially since Black Dragon Bloodline powers required heavy mana consumption.

But Hanul wasn’t just born of the Black Dragon.

He also carried the Superhuman Bloodline—a lineage known for being the best in the world when it came to raw physical power.

[Translator - Helga ]

[Proofreader - Starfall ]