Chapter 185

After expressing my intention to participate in the Arena, I spent the next three days quietly living as an inmate while checking my physical condition.

‘…….’

Honestly, my feelings were quite complicated, as I never thought I’d experience something like this in my lifetime.

However, as my abilities had been proven, no one on the same floor dared to mess with me. I peacefully reached the day the Arena opened without any major issues.

“Start it now!”

“I’m going to die of boredom waiting!”

A circular arena that felt like an ancient colosseum blended with modern elements.

From the upper levels of that noisy, clamorous place, a girl with twin tails and wearing a goblin mask revealed herself.

‘What the?’

Frankly, I was quite taken aback too. I had thought she would be the Leader of Yangcheolkoong at this time, but I didn’t know her exact age.

‘Was she this young in Part 1?’

Even if she was older than she looked, the difference probably wasn’t that great compared to me.

At most, she might be around Cheong Soha’s age?

Seeing her like that, a small possibility occurred to me.

Perhaps her complete prime hadn’t arrived yet.

However, seeing her immediately dominate the crowd by unleashing an unfathomable Spiritual Power, I became convinced that was a futile thought.

“…You’re noisy.”

Though it was just a quietly murmured statement, the arena was already filled with silence.

Everyone instinctively felt she was a being they shouldn’t oppose.

‘Appraisal.’

Ding!

【Haekaram】

▶Level 71

▶Stats

【Stamina : B+】

【Spiritual Power : A】

【Art Formula : S-】

【Mental Power : S-】

▶Traits (9/10)

【Ultimate Vessel (S)】

【Iron Plume (S-)】

【Longevity (A+)】

【Commander (A)】

【Blue Lighthouse (A)】

【Combat Instinct (A-)】

【Growth Acceleration (B)】

【Spiritual Power Amplification (B)】

【Sensory Expansion (C+)】

‘…There’s no answer, is there?’

This wasn’t the time to debate about her prime or not. She was already monstrously strong. Probably a level with few rivals worldwide.

She wasn’t someone I could do anything about. Regardless of winning or losing, it was highly likely she wouldn’t even register as an opponent.

‘And if you add the power of the Great Barrier there…’

Truly impregnable.

At least within this Yangcheolkoong, no one would dare defy her.

Exuding that aura of an absolute being, Haekaram waved her hand dismissively and announced the start of the Arena.

“Kill or spare, I don’t care. Just have fun on your own.”

Though her detailed face was hidden by the mask, she also seemed to be quite enjoying this fight itself.

Perhaps because she was young, she felt somewhat different from the future Haekaram I knew.

‘It feels strange.’

Haekaram was also one of the characters I quite liked.

Seeing this different side of her… despite the situation, I somehow felt a fresh sense of emotion.

“Do Jeonghwi from Second Floor, Room 2! Gong Hansu from Room 9!”

One of Yangcheolkoong’s guards took on the role of announcer, calling out the participants. They entered the combat ring placed in the center and began their duel.

It felt much more unrestrained and brutal, but the format was similar to watching professional fighting on TV.

Haekaram on the upper level was enjoying it with her subordinates.

She even held a fancy wine glass, looking like she was seriously indulging in pleasure.

Well, for her, who would spend half her life in this prison due to her clan’s mission, this time might be her only rest and entertainment.

Watching the several matches that followed, I roughly grasped the feel of the duels here.

‘Nothing difficult about it.’

Rather, it was a very convenient format for me, as there was no need to hold back against opponents.

‘The ones bothering me are still over there, I guess.’

The inmates from the Third Floor, who exuded an aura of strength even at a glance.

Among them, three had particularly outstanding auras.

They were probably the 1st-Rank level inmates Choi Mancheol had warned me about.

‘I expected it, but all three participated.’

To face Haekaram directly, I needed to defeat them all and stand at the very top.

Steeling my resolve, I slowly stepped forward as my first duel finally arrived.

There were several reasons why battle arenas were opened in Yangcheolkoong in this manner.

First, as publicly known, to vent the inmates’ violent tendencies.

Second, to closely observe and memorize the abilities of dangerous individuals through duels in the Arena.

And finally, to periodically absorb the Spiritual Power of the inmates through this process and use it as a power source for the Barrier.

‘…Today’s no different.’

Haekaram, watching the inmates’ duels from the upper level of the Arena, adjusted the mask on her face with a somewhat bored expression.

She remembered that quite interesting results often occurred at first, but at some point, it had become fixed, with only predictable and boring victories continuing.

“Does it not please you?”

“Those three are of a somewhat high grade. Unless some variable occurs, there won’t be any particular change.”

The three inmates called Crusher, Blood Fist, and Demon-Touched.

Since they arrived, the matches in this Arena had lost their excitement.

While showing off by tilting her wine glass in front of everyone was largely to avoid being looked down upon, it was truly regrettable as she had been quite enjoying the matches themselves.

‘If there’s anyone else worth expecting…’

It would probably be the young inmate from the Second Floor who entered recently.

That was none other than Han Kangyoon. An active Academy cadet being imprisoned in Yangcheolkoong was unprecedented, so Haekaram remembered it clearly.

‘Mass murder of Exorcists… He didn’t seem the type.’

That was the impression from his inherent nature and the aura he exuded.

In Haekaram’s estimation, Han Kangyoon didn’t possess such immense power.

At best, comparable to a 2nd-Rank Exorcist. Perhaps even below that.

However, since he succeeded in performing an enhancement Cursed Technique within this Great Barrier, his ability to handle Art Formulas was probably quite outstanding.

“Isn’t that alone remarkable? He hasn’t even reached his twenties yet.”

“That’s not wrong.”

But, with just that, he wouldn’t be able to survive among the established powers of this Yangcheolkoong.

No matter what anyone said, Yangcheolkoong was a hellscape where only criminals with a certain level of danger were gathered.

Moreover, Han Kangyoon’s first opponent was Riccardo.

A criminal who, as a foreign mercenary, accepted illegal requests and killed numerous high-ranking officials in Korea.

Not quite 1st-Rank level, but among those below, he was a formidable enemy who could be considered at the peak.

“You seem quite interested in him.”

“Aren’t you? A prodigy unanimously sent to Yangcheolkoong at this age.”

While it was a somewhat fishy case, even in Haekaram’s view, Han Kangyoon’s criminal record was valid, so she couldn’t refuse.

‘Let’s see what tricks he shows.’

However, contrary to Haekaram’s expectations, the result of the following match was extremely simple.

Han Kangyoon dodged Riccardo’s preemptive attack, closed in for close combat, and knocked him out in an instant.

“…How anticlimactic. Did he let his guard down somewhat?”

Of course, given Han Kangyoon’s age, anyone would naturally think that.

But in Haekaram’s opinion, Riccardo hadn’t particularly let his guard down.

‘His initial strike was perfect, and he didn’t neglect his defensive posture.’

But the moment he crossed moves with Han Kangyoon, all of that was unraveled so effortlessly.

This wasn’t Riccardo’s mistake. Rather, it should be seen as inevitable.

“His skill is incredible.”

“Huh?”

“He fights well.”

Honestly, she was a little surprised. Considering his age, he shouldn’t have been able to accumulate that much real combat experience against people.

Haekaram began observing Han Kangyoon’s movements with a more serious gaze than before.

‘As expected, I don’t sense any particularly great power.’

But something was off. Haekaram’s extremely sharp senses were telling her so.

And that feeling reached its peak when Han Kangyoon’s second duel unfolded.

“…He’s not 2nd-Rank level?”

“Did you sense something?”

The words of her retainer, Haewoonhyeong, were close to the answer yet far. The clue Haekaram grasped was closer to the opposite.

“He’s fighting opponents of this level consecutively, yet there’s no fluctuation in his Spiritual Power waves.”

Although the conclusion itself was somewhat plain, Haekaram was not one to fail to read the high-level battle of wits contained within.

And even while engaging in such combat, Han Kangyoon’s Spiritual Power was eerily calm.

That was an extremely abnormal thing.

‘……’

When Haekaram first saw Han Kangyoon, she assessed he had skills around the 2nd-Rank level.

But seeing him now, there was quite a large gap.

That meant Han Kangyoon’s control was so complete it surpassed Haekaram’s Spiritual Sense.

“…Interesting.”

Frankly, this Yangcheolkoong was an extremely boring place for Haekaram.

Having already reached a high state, there was rarely any threat, and no particularly interesting incidents occurred.

Although there were inmates in special zones even she couldn’t ignore, private contact with them was restricted, so she rarely saw them anyway.

And now, for the first time in a long while, an entertaining distraction she liked had appeared.

“He’s securing victory very smoothly. At this rate, he’ll likely face those three as well.”

“He’ll win.”

“…Are you that certain?”

“Well, I just can’t picture him losing.”

It was true. She had run simulations in her head several times since earlier, but she couldn’t envision Han Kangyoon losing to those three people.

For Haekaram, who had reached a lofty state, this kind of premonition was already akin to valid reasoning.

Seeing Haekaram’s attitude, already filled with conviction, Haewoonhyeong quietly offered a remark.

“I’ll bet on Han Kangyoon losing.”

“…Another paperwork bet? Do you like work that much?”

“I told you. I won’t stop until I win at least once.”

Ever since losing their first bet long ago, Haewoonhyeong had continued making bets like this, opposing Haekaram’s will.

Smirking at his stubborn attitude, Haekaram nodded.

“I told you too. The day I lose won’t come.”

“That remains to be seen.”

Between the two of them, Han Kangyoon finally stepped into the arena for his third duel.

His opponent was Cha Solbi, called the Demon-Touched.

A former 1st-Rank Exorcist, a genuine powerhouse who was an Executor from the Exorcism Headquarters.