The entire stadium was plunged into silence. Everyone there was at a loss for words because of the unexpected result.
"…"
"…"
Those watching had been surprised twice today.
The first surprise was Chun Yuseong's ability to utterly crush players of the same rank. The second was the appearance of a monster they couldn't defeat even with all their might.
A truly overpowering power.
That man was still standing alone on the arena floor.
How many minutes had passed?
It was someone's words that broke the silence.
To be precise, it was a quietly uttered curse.
"Fuck…!"
Someone couldn't control the urge to swear due to the abnormality of the situation.
That curse loosened the flow of conversation.
"Look, see that? My eyes almost popped out. What kind of magic skills did he use?"
"There's no way to reach that level by just learning. He smashed through the magic stone set up for protection and even broke through the outer wall!"
"Is he even human? Isn't it more plausible that a boss monster from a higher floor came down?"
"I still can't believe this. Shit. Is this a dream or reality?"
In that chaotic atmosphere,
Jin-hyuk approached two people standing next to the stage.
"Hasn't it been a while?"
Jin-hyuk smiled brightly.
"…Right. This is the first time we've met since the museum."
"Ah…"
Min Jung-woo and Lee Yuri flinched.
Memories of being utterly trampled at the museum came rushing back.
"Actually, the first one was just blood, but we can't stay stuck in the past forever, right?"
"Hmm. I don't want that either. To be honest, I don't think I'd ever survive if I met you as an enemy."
"S-same here."
The two nodded at the same time.
"Then, to build a better relationship in the future, let me ask one thing. If possible, I'd like Miss Lee Yuri, who is a summoner, to work hard for my sake."
"What? You're asking me?"
"Yes. It's fine if you don't want to."
"Then…"
"Of course."
Jin-hyuk's eyes widened.
"If you're thinking of throwing our relationship into the toilet and flushing it down, then you'll say no."
"…!"
Lee Yuri's eyes trembled.
It's fine to say no—you have a choice. But if you refuse, you never know what might happen.
"If I can… no, I will definitely listen to you."
"Thank you."
Jin-hyuk gave Yuri instructions on what he needed.
It was a task required to attack the boss. At the same time, it was something Lee Yuri could prepare more easily than others.
"When do you need it?"
"The day after tomorrow. Once it's ready, send everything to this address."
"Y-you want all of this done in two days?"
"Why? Is that impossible?"
"No, no. I can do it."
Lee Yuri was on the verge of tears as she took the note Jin-hyuk handed her.
"Then, please."
And just as Jin-hyuk was about to leave—
'This…?'
Jin-hyuk turned his head as something entered his senses.
Above!
Thud!
A large-bodied man jumped down from the audience stands.
It was Jong Do-hyun, whom he had met in front of the office.
"This is surprising. The guy I thought was a cheerleader has this much power."
"If you're here for a fight, you've come to the wrong person. My body's too loose right now—I won't be able to control my strength."
Jin-hyuk sighed.
He activated the Eyes of Truth and checked the other party's status window.
Name: Jong Do-hyun
Gender: Male
Age: 33
Level: 21
Strength: 40
Agility: 17
Stamina: 18
Magic: 8
Stat Points: 0
Coins: 8,535
Occupation: Giant Wrestler
Unique Ability: Giant's Power
Skills:
Lv.5 Giant's Grasp
Lv.5 Giant's Shield
Lv.5 Slow Pain
Lv.5 Deep Breathing
Lv.4 Despite the Weak
[Copy Conditions: The current subject approached you with a conspiracy in mind. If you can understand his intentions, you can copy 'Giant's Grasp' among the target's skills.]
…A conspiracy?
So this wasn't just him picking a fight?
No—more importantly, how could the system know what was happening inside another player's mind?
Jin-hyuk frowned at the unusual copy conditions, but there was no time to dwell on it.
Unraveling the Tower of Trials and its secrets could wait.
There was no time to worry about questions without immediate answers.
"Whoa. Don't look at me like that. I'm not here to fight."
Jong Do-hyun raised his palms toward Jin-hyuk, as if signaling he had no hostile intent.
"Then why bother someone?"
"I think we'll see each other more often in the future… so I wanted to wish you good luck."
Jong Do-hyun spoke oddly while extending a hand for a handshake, but Jin-hyuk didn't take it.
Wishing him luck?
'My ass.'
Someone who habitually looked down on others could never act like a gentleman. As the system indicated, he clearly had ulterior motives.
Jin-hyuk's thoughts raced.
Although inferior to Chun Yuseong, Jong Do-hyun was still high-level.
Then why hadn't he fought?
And why did the Guild Master of the Black Cloud Guild personally show up?
'There must be a reason.'
Behind Jong Do-hyun's calm expression lay anger and an inferiority complex.
He wasn't here to make friends.
Instead—
He wanted to show off.
The handshake, his unique ability, Giant's Power, being spared from fighting, and a guild master desperate for growth—
The pieces fit.
And then—
A flash of insight struck Jin-hyuk like lightning.
'Right. There are reporters here.'
A guild master afraid of a rookie stealing the spotlight had sent Jong Do-hyun as a response.
A strong physical fighter humiliating a rising newcomer would lower Jin-hyuk's image while raising their own.
That made sense.
'That is—unless the opponent is me.'
Tring! Tring!
A chime rang.
Status windows appeared in succession.
[The copy condition has been met.]
[You have acquired the skill 'Giant's Grasp' (B).]
[Giant's Grasp]
Acquisition Difficulty: B
Description: Allows you to wield the power of a giant. Grip strength increases dramatically, enabling force up to ten times your body weight.
As expected.
'He was plotting something.'
And that made it interesting.
Jin-hyuk smiled broadly and activated a unique ability he had acquired underground.
[Unique Ability 'Anubis' Judgment' is activated!]
Woong!
The air swirled.
Three questions had to be asked. All three had to be answered.
"Does this handshake represent the entire Black Cloud Guild?"
Jin-hyuk asked his first question.
"Of course. Deok-pyo hyung is interested in you too. You're not in a guild yet, right? If you join us, we'll give you special treatment."
Special treatment…
He was good at spewing nonsense he didn't mean.
But the answer had already been given.
"I really need that. If I sign up, do I get a huge down payment? Like how sports stars get paid in advance?"
"Puahaha! Of course. Just name the amount—we'll give it to you."
The second condition was met.
Anubis' Judgment was truly broken.
Most people wouldn't even notice it activating.
"I'll think about it."
And with that—
Their hands met.
'Got you.'
A mischievous smile spread across Jong Do-hyun's face.
'I'll crush you during the press conference.'
Reporters rushed over with cameras and phones raised.
"All eyes are on us."
"Who are you?"
"Judging by the tattoo, Black Cloud Guild?"
"They're recruiting already! This is a scoop!"
"A meeting between a major guild and a potential ranker!"
'Perfect timing.'
[Jong Do-hyun activates Lv.5 'Giant's Grasp'!]
His forearms bulged.
Power surged.
But—
"…Uh?"
Jin-hyuk's expression twisted slightly.
Their clasped hands trembled.
Balanced.
Impossible.
'Is his strength equal to mine?'
Then—
"Last question."
Jin-hyuk spoke calmly.
"Did you think brute strength alone would give you the upper hand?"
"Of course not! A bastard like you—kuak!"
The moment he answered—
His power vanished.
Crack!
Pain exploded through his hand.
"Let go! Let go!"
"Why? Does it hurt?"
Jin-hyuk smiled.
"Trusting size alone is the mark of a fool."
"Enough—enough!"
Jong Do-hyun collapsed to one knee.
Puak!
He swung desperately.
The punch hit Jin-hyuk's stomach.
"…."
Nothing happened.
Kwang!
A counterstrike smashed into Jong Do-hyun's abdomen.
"Kuaaak!"
Blood spilled.
And Jin-hyuk wasn't done—
But then—
Psss…!
An unfamiliar magic intervened.
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