After the match was over, I walked toward the rest room with slightly tired steps. My body might not be that exhausted, but my heart was still pounding hard. How could it not be? Throughout the match, I kept seeing the vision of Seok-jin's giant hammer almost hitting me multiple times.
As I entered the rest room, I spotted an empty sofa and immediately dropped myself onto it, taking a deep breath. I closed my eyes for a moment, trying to calm down. But the stadium's noise still echoed all the way to the rest room, reminding me of the purpose of this tournament.
This was just the beginning. There were still many opponents out there waiting for their turn.
After a while, an announcement echoed from the loudspeakers throughout the arena.
"The next match, a Rank S Hunter from overseas! Fight with all you've got!"
My eyes opened, my curiosity piqued by the announcement. A Rank S Hunter from overseas, huh?
Without thinking twice, I got up from the sofa and walked out of the rest room, heading toward the audience stands. When I got there, I found an empty seat in the top row and sat down, looking at the arena now preparing for the next match.
The audience around me started whispering with excitement, and I overheard some names spoken with admiration. Turns out, these Hunters about to fight weren't just any ordinary Hunters; they were big names representing their respective countries.
"From England, Marcus Thatcher, the 'Glacial Knight'!"
A tall, imposing man in silver armor that emitted a blue glow emerged from the entrance. His silver-blonde hair and cold expression suited his nickname, making him look like a figure from legend. He walked calmly to the center of the arena, holding a long sword that gleamed like ice.
The audience cheered in awe at Marcus. People around me began speculating about his abilities some said he could freeze anything he touched, while others believed he could control the battlefield just with his presence.
On the other side of the arena, the entrance opened again.
"From Brazil, Lucas Amaral, the 'Crimson Beast'!"
Lucas appeared with confident strides, wearing a deep red light armor. His long black hair was tied back, and the muscles visible through his armor hinted at his immense strength. His gaze was sharp, and he held a long spear that looked extremely heavy. Marcus's cold stare didn't faze him one bit; instead, he smiled, as if eagerly anticipating the challenge.
The fight began with a signal from the referee. Without further delay, Marcus raised his sword, and the air around him instantly grew cold. White mist appeared with his every movement, and the arena floor began to be covered with a thin layer of ice. He stepped forward carefully, preparing an attack.
Lucas didn't stand still. With a single stomp, he launched himself toward Marcus at surprising speed, his long spear raised high, ready to strike. Each of Lucas's movements was full of power and speed, showcasing his skill in close-quarters combat. I could feel the tension in the air.
In a flash, Lucas's spear struck where Marcus was standing. But the Hunter from England had already stepped aside, leaving trails of ice with every step. Marcus quickly spun his body, swinging his sword in a sharp arc with perfect precision. The edge of his sword glistened, and before Lucas realized it, shards of ice shot from the attack, hitting the side of his body.
Lucas staggered back, but his face showed no fear. Instead, he merely chuckled.
"Not bad," he murmured, gripping his spear tighter.
Without hesitation, he stomped his foot again, filling the arena with a rumbling sound. The ground beneath him cracked, and with a swift motion, he launched another assault.
Marcus moved calmly, dodging blow after blow, as if he could read Lucas's movements easily. Each time Lucas's spear nearly hit, Marcus would sidestep just enough, narrowly avoiding the attack. The spectators around me held their breath each time Lucas attacked, amazed by Marcus's precise moves.
However, Lucas wasn't backing down. With seemingly limitless courage, he kept pressing Marcus with a brutal series of attacks. When Marcus tried to evade, Lucas struck the ground with his spear, creating an explosion and kicking up dust that clouded Marcus's vision. With limited sight, Marcus briefly lost his balance, and Lucas seized the opening to close in.
"This is your chance, Marcus!" shouted a spectator enthusiastically.
But Marcus was prepared. When Lucas tried to thrust his spear, Marcus bent backward, then delivered a spinning kick straight to Lucas's chest, forcing him back. As Lucas stumbled, Marcus swung his sword to the ground, creating a circle of ice that expanded around them.
Suddenly, Lucas found himself trapped within the ice circle. Marcus wasted no time, and with a swift move, he raised his sword high. A powerful cold energy gathered around the blade, leaving the audience in awe.
This was it! His finishing move!
Just as Marcus swung his sword, Lucas mustered all his strength to shatter the ice beneath him, creating an explosion of red energy that pushed him out of the ice circle. He jumped to the side, returning to a defensive stance, his breathing heavy but his fighting spirit still blazing.
Marcus looked at him, eyes glinting.
"You're impressive, Lucas. Not many can escape my attack so easily."
Lucas chuckled softly. "I won't go down that easily, buddy."
They stared at each other, ready for the next round. This fight seemed like it would continue fiercely, with both fighters employing every strategy, two powers from different parts of the world facing off without hesitation. The crowd roared.
I sat in my seat with mixed feelings. Amazed, tense, and slightly worried, thinking that, maybe, one of them could end up as my opponent in the next round.
Well, here's hoping my luck holds out…
I slouched a little in my seat, watching the arena intently. Down there, the fight was still raging as if neither of those Hunters knew the meaning of exhaustion. Marcus and Lucas traded blows, each showcasing their impressive skills.
"This is insane… their power," I muttered softly, unable to hold back my admiration.
But that small comment must have been heard by a nearby spectator, who immediately turned to me with eyes full of excitement.
"Right? This fight is incredible! Ah, I bet an S-Rank Hunter like you must be used to seeing things like this."
I froze, trying to swallow the sudden dryness in my throat. A young woman sitting next to me,probably a huge fan who came just for this event, looked at me with sparkling eyes.
"What guild are you with, if you don't mind me asking?" she asked, squinting as if trying to guess my identity.
"Ah, uh…" I tried to dodge with a nervous laugh. "Oh, I'm just here by chance, really. I'm no one special."
She didn't seem to believe me.
"Oh, don't be so modest. It's only natural for an S-Rank Hunter to come and watch a match like this, especially one this intense," she said, leaning closer. "I bet you've got a few tricks up your sleeve that could help those guys from overseas!"
I laughed while waving my hand, trying to convince her.
"No, no, I have nothing to do with them, seriously. I'm just… a curious spectator."
But my words only made her look at me with even more admiration.
"The rare sight of an S-Rank Hunter who's humble," she murmured in awe, almost as if talking to herself. "Usually, they love showing off and strutting around."
I took a deep breath, trying my hardest not to stand out. Why do people always misunderstand? I just wanted to sit quietly, watch the fight, then go home without any drama.
Meanwhile, the battle in the arena reached its climax. Lucas suddenly raised his spear high, then drove its tip into the ground with incredible force. The earth shook violently, and cracks spread from that point as if the entire arena was about to collapse. In an instant, red energy surged from beneath his feet, blazing like an enraged fire.
Seeing the impending danger, Marcus quickly leapt back, raising his sword high. The air around him grew colder, and ice began to thicken around his body, forming a shimmering protective layer under the arena lights.
The spectators roared in admiration at the spectacle. Every move they made seemed to shake the arena, and I couldn't help but think: thank God I don't have to go up against them. If I were down there, just standing still would probably be enough to get me knocked out…
As the fight reached its peak, a loud voice boomed from the speakers.
"Attention, Hunters! Please gather in the waiting room for the next round!"
The announcement jolted me. Oh, right. It's the local Hunters' turn next, including me.
The woman sitting next to me suddenly smiled broadly.
"Ah, so it's your turn next, is it? Good luck, Hunter!"
I could only smile awkwardly, trying to appear calm.
"Ah, thanks… I hope the fight won't be as intense as this one."
Before standing up to leave, I glanced at the arena one more time. Marcus and Lucas were still fighting fiercely, and I could see the exhaustion starting to show on both their faces. They'd truly given it their all in this battle, and I could only hope the next match wouldn't be this tough.
I started walking toward the waiting room, trying to ignore the admiring stares of a few spectators along the way. I didn't know why people always misunderstood, but the important thing was that I just needed to survive this tournament without anyone finding out I'm just…
When I arrived in the waiting room, it was already filled with Hunters from all over Korea. Some of them were familiar faces from the news or posters, chatting enthusiastically with each other, perhaps planning strategies or just sharing stories.
In the corner of the room, I spotted a large man with red hair and a serious expression that contrasted with his bulky frame. He looked my way and gave me a brief nod, as if we knew each other. I nodded back, even though I didn't know him.
"Hunter!" A call from a girl in her teens made me turn around. She looked like part of the event staff, approaching me with a slightly anxious face. "Are you ready for your round?"
I nodded with a small smile, hoping my expression looked confident enough.
"Of course, just waiting for my turn," I replied, doing my best to sound like a real, calm S-Rank Hunter.
She nodded with a look of relief. "That's great. We're all looking forward to your performance. Maybe you could be an inspiration for the young Hunters here."
I gulped. Inspiration? If only they knew my only talent is… luck.
After thanking her, I walked to a quieter corner of the room, trying to calm myself down. My eyes fell on a monitor that still displayed the fight between Marcus and Lucas. I could feel the tension in the air, the atmosphere of rivalry that seemed to fill the entire arena.
A few moments later, the screen changed, displaying the names of the Hunters set to fight in the next round. My name was on the list, alongside other big names. My heart started pounding faster as I looked at it.
One of the Hunters nearby, a man with gleaming black armor, saw my name and gave a slight smirk.
"A new S-Rank Hunter, huh? You better prepare yourself. This tournament is pretty rough," he said, with a hint of mockery in his tone.
I nodded, forcing a smile, trying to ignore his disdainful look. Ah, here we go again. They think I'm actually a strong Hunter… when in reality, I don't even know any proper moves.
I took a deep breath, looking back at the screen, trying to reassure myself. Come on, I just need to get through this without anyone finding out.
But deep down, there was a lingering worry. Luck might have been on my side so far, but who knows when it'll run out?