Chapter 186

Cha Solbi had been imprisoned in this Yangcheolkoong for barely a year, convicted of murdering her fellow Executors from the same division.

Though her tenure was shorter than that of Blood Fist or the Crusher, who had each served over three and four years respectively, she had still managed to rise to a position equal to theirs in just one year.

The three acknowledged powerhouses of this prison.

As one of them, Cha Solbi cast an intrigued gaze at Han Kangyoon before her.

“Up close, you’re quite my type.”

“…….”

She tried to gauge his reaction with a frivolous remark, but received none in return. As expected, he seemed quite accustomed to combat for his age.

‘Which combat style is his main one?’

There had been two fights prior, but those fools hadn’t managed to draw out Han Kangyoon’s full strength.

Because of that, Cha Solbi had to enter this duel without any information on Han Kangyoon.

‘Whatever.’

Even in that situation, Cha Solbi gave a slight smile and took the first step forward. It was because she held absolute confidence in her own abilities.

“If you won’t come, I’ll go first.”

Cha Solbi was a former member of the Executor division. Naturally, she was well-versed in combat against human opponents.

Among her skills, what Cha Solbi specialized in was precisely distance control and reading her opponent.

Thus, those who had faced her unanimously spoke of feeling a wall, saying Cha Solbi’s techniques were not human. That she was truly a Demon-Touched.

Anyone would feel that way upon meeting an opponent who rendered all their attacks useless without even laying a hand on them.

Cha Solbi was, without a doubt, an existence that made that possible.

‘How shall I handle him?’

In any case, Han Kangyoon was clearly at a lower level than herself.

Then, she could either use her advantage in firepower to crush him, or slowly tighten his windpipe until he couldn’t move a muscle.

Among those, what Cha Solbi chose was a protracted battle that fully utilized her specialty of distance control.

‘Information is still lacking, and there’s no need to be careless.’

It was a decision made solely with a certain victory in mind.

Thus, Cha Solbi didn’t entertain even a speck of thought that she might lose this duel.

The moment she felt something was off was a mere three minutes after the duel began.

“…What’s with you? Don’t you plan on doing anything?”

Cha Solbi repeatedly measured the distance and engaged in one-sided hit-and-run tactics, but the results she gained in the process were almost negligible.

It was partly because Han Kangyoon didn’t make any rash moves, but more than anything, it was because every single attempt was perfectly blocked.

‘This feels more like… I’m the one being read.’

Her mind denied it, but the actual situation unfolding was exactly that.

Han Kangyoon never allowed himself to be drawn into the distance Cha Solbi had set.

Rather, it was as if he could see its form; he only maintained an exact safe distance.

Because of that, Cha Solbi felt stifled in battle for the first time in a long while.

‘No choice. I have to press more aggressively.’

It was a natural judgment.

It was also the best course of action derived from countless experiences.

However, the more it continued, the more Cha Solbi felt a sensation of sinking into a swamp she couldn’t escape.

‘The timing keeps getting thrown off.’

In the short, rapid exchanges that repeated, the one ultimately taking damage was only Cha Solbi.

It wasn’t that she had revealed such gaps or allowed dangerous attacks, but whenever she came to her senses, she found her strength was gradually being depleted alone.

After feeling that sentiment several times, Cha Solbi soon realized it was entirely her own method.

‘I’m being pushed… in my own domain?’

It was unbelievable.

Yet, she couldn’t not believe it.

Because even at this very moment, Cha Solbi couldn’t land a proper, effective hit on Han Kangyoon.

The more it repeated, the more Cha Solbi gradually felt a wall.

Neither the Secret Arts she learned in the Executor division nor the combat methods she honed herself worked.

Now, she couldn’t think of any way to defeat Han Kangyoon before her eyes.

In the end, Cha Solbi had no choice but to admit defeat with a completely hardened expression.

“…I forfeit.”

It was the moment the power structure among the Yangcheolkoong inmates, maintained for quite some time, was overturned.

Honestly, Cha Solbi’s skill was beyond doubt.

‘Her distance control is razor-sharp, and she’s adept at walking a tightrope.’

Perhaps because she was originally from the Headquarters’ Executors, when exchanging blows, many of their unique techniques and movements surfaced.

‘But…’

Let me be clear, this type doesn’t have good compatibility with me. Because the combat method I most enjoy using was of the same kind.

‘It’s familiar to the point of being tedious.’

It was through such battles that I rose to 7th place in the PVP world rankings.

In other words, it meant there was no talent who could surpass me in that style.

‘Cha Solbi is clearly outstanding…’

Honestly, I’ve met countless individuals with skill at her level.

Roughly translating to the rankings back then, barely breaking into the top 70,000?

Those who held higher rankings than that practically all possessed senses and skills beyond Cha Solbi’s.

“Is there any need to continue?”

In the end, Cha Solbi admitted defeat with a face full of humiliation, and the duel ended in my victory.

Unless it were a life-or-death struggle where all available strength could be used, at least in this place, she had no more moves left.

Murmur, murmur.

[The Demon-Touched of the Third Floor has been broken.]

[What, so that bastard is 1st-Rank level?]

[Then what on earth does the hierarchy become?]

Those who had been attached to Cha Solbi until now subtly weighed her value and cast meaningful glances at me.

It was their own survival strategy to somehow stay alive in this prison.

“The winner is Blood Fist!”

Wahhh!

After my duel ended, in the following decisive match, the Crusher Gregory and Blood Fist faced off.

The winner decided after a fierce close battle was Blood Fist.

However, perhaps because it was such an even match, his condition was visibly poor to anyone.

“…I forfeit.”

In the end, he looked at me with a somewhat dissatisfied expression and declared his withdrawal from the duel.

Whatever the case, I too was a powerhouse who had rightfully defeated Cha Solbi and risen.

Thus, rather than engaging in an uncertain gamble, he chose the direction of securely preserving his current reputation.

‘Lucky me.’

At first, I thought I might have to defeat all three of them, but thanks to the bracket luck, I was able to seize victory quite easily.

Considering I was also fairly tired from the fight with Cha Solbi, his choice to forfeit should be considered fortunate.

“The winner is, Han Kangyoon of Second Floor, Room 7!”

Wahhh!

Boo─!

Pouring cheers and slightly more boos.

As if displeased that an outsider like me had instantly risen to the top, most inmates cast murderous glances my way.

But it was nothing significant.

After all, this too was merely a process; my goal was not something trivial like winning a duel and obtaining a high rank.

Finally, after all matches in the Arena concluded, I, as the ultimate winner, was given a separate opportunity to meet Haekaram and request a reward.

Under the guards’ surveillance, upon reaching the front of her office, I took a deep breath and carefully knocked on the door.

Knock.

Knock knock.

“May I enter?”

There was no answer. However, the guard captain next to me jerked his chin, urging me on.

After a moment of hesitation, I opened the office door and stepped inside.

Click.

Creeeak.

“…You’ve come.”

The one who greeted me first was a man in his early thirties wearing stylish glasses.

“I am Haewoonhyeong, a Retainer of Haekaram-nim, the master of this Yangcheolkoong.”

“Pleased to meet you.”

“You ambushed several fellow Exorcists, but contrary to rumors, you’re quite polite.”

A sharp remark that seemed both sarcastic and probing.

Ignoring it, I scanned my surroundings and posed a question to Haewoonhyeong.

“Does Karam-nim have separate business?”

“Who knows. Perhaps she didn’t wish to spend time on the mere task of meeting you.”

However, seeing Haewoonhyeong’s reaction, I became certain.

The fact that Haekaram was, right now, testing me for some reason.

“Rules are rules, so if you have a wish as the price of victory, you may tell me now. Of course, I cannot grant anything beyond my authority.”

Perhaps it wasn’t specifically limited to me; this itself might be a test given to the Arena’s winner.

At that, I chuckled softly and voiced the reward for victory I had decided on earlier.

“Then I’ll say it. I wish to see Karam-nim’s true face without the mask.”

“What kind of…”

“I wasn’t speaking to you.”

My gaze pointed not at Haewoonhyeong but behind him, toward the office desk that was conspicuously empty.

Immediately after, something astonishing happened.

Whoosh.

Rustle.

With the sensation of a somewhat irregular Spiritual Power wavelength, Haekaram’s figure appeared on the office chair where there had clearly been nothing.

“Impressive. You’re the first inmate to see through this.”

“…….”

Naturally. I too wouldn’t have noticed if I didn’t roughly know about the existence and abilities of the Great Barrier.

Haekaram, tilting her head and staring at me, soon stroked her own mask and continued.

“So, why my bare face?”

“No particular reason. Is it not allowed?”

“Normally I would have refused… but strangely, I’m not in such a bad mood today.”

After speaking, Haekaram waved her hand several times toward where Haewoonhyeong was.

Haewoonhyeong, understanding the meaning, exclaimed as if in disbelief.

“Are you serious?”

“It’s fine, so step out.”

Eventually, Haewoonhyeong left his spot, and Haekaram, with a somewhat flushed expression, slowly began to remove her mask.

Tik.

Sluuurp.

Above the descending mask, her crystal-clear eyes were revealed.

Soon, her appearance after completely removing the mask was that of an Eastern beauty with black hair and green eyes.

Though a somewhat youthful air remained, it was undoubtedly the same Haekaram I knew.

“Satisfied?”

“Thank you. Honestly, I thought you would refuse.”

“To demand something like this as a reward… you have peculiar tastes.”

Haekaram smiled wryly as if puzzled, but of course, I hadn’t done this simply to see her face.

The reason was the goblin mask held in Haekaram’s hand.

It was to obtain a kind of confirmation regarding it.

‘As expected…’

My prediction was exactly right.

Others might not know, but I, possessing all the information, could detect that subtle flow.

‘A great harvest.’

With this, the first piece was in place.

A plan to escape the Yangcheolkoong, called impregnable, beyond the Great Barrier dominating this area.

It was the moment I grasped a single clue toward that.