Colosseum — Part 2
“I’ve got my money on you!”
“Take him down!”
“Kill him! Finish him off!”
The familiar roar of the crowd.
A chant I’d heard tens of thousands of times.
It brought back old memories.
Back then, after assembling my arena party, I made a name for myself as a ‘Newbie Slicer.’
Of course, I couldn’t hold a candle to the big spenders with their pay-to-win gear.
“This is the underground arena. It’s the largest in the metropolitan area.”
The junk dealer spoke with a sense of pride.
“We usually call it the Colosseum.”
There was something suspicious in his tone.
I gave him a pointed look, openly displaying my skepticism.
“Are you affiliated with this place?”
“Haha, you caught me.”
“Thought so.”
There had been clues in the game as well.
The NPC description.
[Kim Chunbok, Junk Dealer.]
[Real name unknown.]
[Young pioneer of Shinhwa Market.]
[Sells magical items of dubious origin, occasionally offering high-grade magical items at absurdly low prices.]
Items of dubious origin, absurdly low prices.
I’d thought those were just details added for flavor, but maybe not.
It was strange when I thought about it.
Selling a Diamond for 100 million won? And on a regular basis?
As I glanced back at him, the junk dealer raised his hands in a gesture of reassurance.
“I would never pressure or threaten a Superhuman like yourself. I value my life, you know. I’m well aware of how you handled things in Sillim-dong, with the Cleaner Association, and with the Lion Knight. You think I’d be crazy enough to set a trap? My organization might survive it, but I’d be dead for sure. One hundred percent.”
“Hmm. Still, let me ask you one thing.”
“Yes, yes. Go ahead.”
“Was this your plan from the beginning?”
The junk dealer gave a sly grin.
“Well, yes. Nothing in this world is free. If it bothers you that much, you’re free to leave right now. I’ll still keep selling you Diamonds, so don’t worry.”
“I expected you to say you’d stop selling Diamonds. This is unexpected.”
“Even just having a connection with you is valuable to me. If I think of it that way, selling a few Diamonds a month is nothing.”
The junk dealer led me into the Colosseum.
Despite the name, this place was nothing like the original Colosseum.
For one, it was underground.
The corridors were cramped, and people emanated heat as they moved beneath the dim glow of mana lamps.
The humidity was so high that my vision blurred.
The air conditioning and purifiers were running, but they couldn’t keep up with the heat.
And below all that—
After descending dozens of steps, we arrived at the main area.
Rows of seating, tiered like a stadium, all centered around a focal point.
A cage was set up there.
Inside, two hulking figures faced each other down.
Both stripped down to nothing but their briefs, exposing their muscular bodies.
“Raaagh!”
“Ooooh!”
The two fighters clashed.
They engaged in a close-range slugfest.
Their oil-slicked bodies, coated to prevent gripping, glistened under the mana lights.
Thick, sticky blood began to trickle down their bodies.
Soon, a victor emerged, standing over the defeated opponent and letting out a triumphant roar.
“I won! Hell yeah!”
“Uooohhh!”
“Wooo!”
“You made me rich, man!”
“Take it all!”
“Kill him! Kill him! Kill him!”
The crowd’s cheers erupted loud enough to shake the entire arena.
Clank!
The cage door rose, and the announcer hurried onto the stage.
He held a few small multi-colored crystals in one hand and a contract in the other.
“The Butcher of Hell is defeated! Butcher, will you sign the contract, or will you make a sacrifice?”
“Goddamn it!”
The defeated fighter spat curses as he lay trampled under the victor’s foot.
The winner ground his foot into the loser’s back.
“Hey! Stop stalling! If you don’t decide, I’ll start breaking bones. I can shatter your mana circuits too, you know?”
“Damn it… Fine. I’ll do it!”
“You’ll sign the contract?”
“I’ll make the sacrifice! Sacrifice! Hell, I’d rather lose some mana than become a slave.”
The defeated fighter, still lying prone, accepted a crystal.
He coughed up blood as he channeled his mana into it.
With my goggles on, I could see it clearly.
Not only his mana, but parts of his mana circuits—deeply embedded, innate structures within his body—were being fragmented and infused into the crystal.
“Can you actually make Diamonds like that?”
“Of course. The key is voluntary dedication and sacrifice.”
“That counts as voluntary?”
“It’s his choice. If he doesn’t want to give up his mana, he can sign the contract. Or he could just pay the penalty fee.”
“Must be a steep penalty fee.”
“Oh, it’s steep, alright. It varies depending on the Superhuman, but for a Level 3 to create three or four Diamonds, they’d need to fork over at least ten billion won to recover. And Diamonds, as you know, are impossible to come by even if you have money.”
Before he even finished speaking, the defeated fighter began to wail.
“No! I can’t! Not my mana! I can’t give up my mana!”
This was the mana he’d built up over a lifetime.
In gaming terms, it was his stats, his experience.
For a Superhuman, their power was their greatest asset.
It was understandable that he’d react this way, now that it was being taken from him.
“This bastard…”
The victor frowned, kicking the loser and pressing the crystal against him.
“You little shit! Do it! Make me my Diamond!”
“I can’t! I won’t!”
“You’re really asking for it, huh?”
“Please, gentlemen. Let’s keep things civil.”
The announcer stepped in skillfully.
“As you well know, Spine Extractor, you can’t produce Diamonds through coercion or threats.”
“Damn it! Ugh, fine!”
“We’ll compensate you for the Diamond. Now, now, why don’t you head down and enjoy your rewards? Today’s winner is in for some excellent games and breathtaking beauties.”
“Heh. Alright. I’ll let it go for your sake, old man. Let’s go!”
The victor turned away with a laugh.
Then, superhuman guards climbed up to escort the defeated fighter out.
One of the staff members following him held a contract in their hand.
The junk dealer clicked his tongue.
“What an idiot. He should’ve just coughed up a little mana rather than ending up with his signature on that contract.”
“A non-superhuman wouldn’t understand. Mana is everything to a superhuman.”
“That’s true, but still…”
This wasn’t the only arena.
They explained that this arena was exclusive to Superhumans of the Warrior class.
Naturally, there were separate arenas for Reinforced types, Mages, and Priests.
And they fought with no equipment whatsoever.
“This here, though, this is the real deal.”
The Colosseum’s innermost chamber.
The place where team battles took place.
This part resembled the original Colosseum.
The ground was covered in dirt, with stone pillars placed at irregular intervals. There were hills and mounds that offered tactical advantages.
“This is the ranking match arena. Do you see that scoreboard over there?”
A giant, multi-colored electronic scoreboard.
Amidst the constant barrage of advertisements, the arena rankings were displayed.
From the first to the hundredth place in each class.
Individual rankings, as well as team rankings.
‘Janet’s not here.’
One of the top three Warriors.
In the game, she made her first appearance here at the Colosseum, but her name was nowhere to be seen.
Could it be because this was set a few years before the game’s starting point?
She was probably still in her late teens, so maybe she wasn’t registered yet.
Or perhaps she was somewhere else entirely.
The junk dealer looked at me and spoke.
“In this area, all equipment and consumables are allowed. Unlike the upper-level arena.”
“Even poisons, Berserker consumables, and healing potions?”
“Heh. Money is power, and connections are power. This is the unlimited arena. There are no restrictions here. It’s a place where you fight without regard to level or class. If you don’t think you can win, you can always surrender.”
If you surrendered, that was the end after paying an entrance fee.
It was a rule unique to the unlimited arena, something that didn’t apply upstairs.
But the real jackpots also happened here in the unlimited arena.
If you won, you could take your opponent’s Diamonds as well as their equipment.
“Sounds like each match would involve billions at least.”
“Only billions? Tens, even hundreds of billions change hands here. There was even a time when Level 7 Superhumans fought here.”
“Level 7? Why? Why wouldn’t they just hold a legal duel with a notary present?”
“A grudge match. They were both originally from here.”
“Who won?”
“Heh. They both died. One of them even tried to pull out an elixir, but he couldn’t drink it in time before he died. The Colosseum management made a killing that day. Even I got a little something out of it.”
Of course.
The ones who profit are always the organizers and sponsors.
I crossed my arms, gazing down at the arena.
“So, if I participate in a match and win, you get a cut as well?”
“Absolutely. A Level 3 Superhuman typically generates two or three Diamonds. At Level 4, it’s three or four. For Level 5, it’s seven or eight.”
“Right.”
“Half of that goes to you. A quarter goes to the organizers, and the remaining quarter goes to whoever introduced you.”
“The split seems off, doesn’t it?”
“You’re not just going to fight once and quit, are you? If you don’t make enough in your first match, you’ll get more in the next one.”
“And what if I win just once and lose the next?”
“Heh. That’s why you need a good eye for people. From what I’ve seen, you’re not someone who would stop after just one win. You could probably dominate the upper-level arena, if not the innermost depths.”
The junk dealer gulped nervously.
“I’ve watched the videos of you taking down the Poison Gang and the Naked Gang. Not to mention, you beat Park Daeyeop and the Lion Knight in one-on-one fights! There isn’t a single Superhuman in this arena who could stand a chance against you.”
“Hmm…”
“If this doesn’t appeal to you, you’re free to walk away. But think about it! This is easy money, Superhuman! Diamonds will practically fall into your lap! Look around—do you see those people? They’re all just fodder for you. You could earn those Diamonds and hit Level 5 in no time! Then, on to Level 6, and maybe even Level 7!”
I looked around at the Superhumans lounging nearby.
They were drinking and smoking, surrounded by beautiful men and women.
Honestly, they were unimpressive.
They flexed their muscles and flared their mana, but it was trivial.
Most of them were only Level 3 or 4.
All weaker than me.
To be frank, I couldn’t imagine losing to anyone under Level 4.
If anyone wanted to take me down, they’d need to be at least Level 5.
This was practically free money.
Or rather, free Diamonds.
After a moment of consideration, I made my decision.
“Alright. I’ll participate.”
“A wise choice! That’s the spirit! Wipe them all out!”
The junk dealer practically jumped for joy.
“How about a little warm-up? I’ll do a few matches in the upper-level arena today.”
In the worst-case scenario, I could just drink the Nectar I’d saved.
Even if I had to use up the Nectar, earning dozens of Diamonds in return would more than make up for it.
[Giant’s Strength], [Vajra Body], and [Undying].
Those three traits together would form the ultimate trinity build.
Adding in mobility with [Aerial Assault], evolving mana stability with [Mana Soul], countering status ailments with [Indomitable], and swapping in [Swordsmanship] or [Gunplay] as needed would make me unstoppable.
I’d have to leave two slots open for my sword technique and cultivation method, though.
‘It’s about time I got a new sword technique and cultivation method.’
The [Mountain Breaking Sword Art] and [Einherjar Cultivation Technique] were effective up to Levels 3 and 4.
Beyond that, I’d need advanced techniques and cultivation methods.
These two could still carry me to Level 5, but it wouldn’t hurt to upgrade sooner.
‘To push my growth to the limit, I need to work even harder.’
If I wanted a breakthrough, preparing Nectar was essential, but so was upgrading my sword technique and cultivation method.
“All set.”
The junk dealer, who’d stepped out briefly, returned with a wide grin.
“Already?”
“Of course. I had everything prepared in advance.”
“You were confident I’d agree, huh?”
“Haha. You’re a smart person, Superhuman. I could tell from the first time we met. By the way, when did you reach Level 4? I was stunned.”
“It hasn’t been long.”
“That’s great news for me. The odds are going to be incredible. You defeated a Level 4 Superhuman while you were Level 3, so what could stop you at Level 4?”
We returned to the upper-level arena.
In the waiting room, I changed clothes.
All I wore was a single pair of shorts and a robe.
Bikini-clad women approached, offering to oil my body, but I declined.
There was no need.
Half of the oil’s purpose was to protect from minor injuries, the other half for the visual effect of gleaming skin, but it was meaningless for me.
I was aiming for a one-second knockout.
[Giant’s Strength]
[Mighty Strength]
[Smash]
[Resilience]
[Fortitude]
[Valor]
Power surged within me.
As my frame expanded, so did my confidence.
“Blue Corner! The Super Rookie! Known as the Master of the Sword, who conquered the nights of Sillim-dong and defeated Level 4 Superhumans in succession! Making his debut in the arena! Entering now!”
“Woooo!”
“The Super Rookie?”
“What’s this about him beating Level 4 Superhumans back-to-back?”
“That’s him! The guy who took down the Lion Knight!”
“What? Really?”
The crowd’s cheers were deafening, so loud it felt like my bones were vibrating.
I walked forward, casually swinging my fists.
Eyes full of anticipation and suspicion rained down on me like a downpour.
Across from me, my opponent—a hulking figure who looked at least two meters tall—scowled as he glared in my direction.
“Red Corner! The Muscle Monster! With three consecutive victories in the upper-level arena, it’s the one and only Muscle Monster! Super Rookie versus Muscle Monster! Muscle Monster versus Super Rookie! Who will Lady Luck favor tonight?”
Thud. Thud.
The giant walked toward me.
With every step, he pressed down on the ground, channeling his mana to make each footfall echo loudly as he approached.
“Heh heh.”
The giant sneered.
“You’re the Super Rookie, huh? Word is, you’re pretty famous.”
“You know me?”
“Oh, I know you. You’re famous for taking down the Lion Knight. They say you used both sword and axe with amazing skill. But you know…”
The giant clenched his fist.
Crack, crack.
The sound of bones grinding was menacing.
“The arena’s different from the duels you have outside. Out there, you slap on restriction after restriction. Those aren’t fights, they’re children’s play. Heh, just don’t cry and spit out your mana.”
“Your mouth’s running a bit long.”
“What was that, you punk?”
The giant’s expression twisted.
“I was going to go easy on you out of pity, but forget it. You’re going to have to say goodbye to that muscle of yours, piece by piece. Just go ahead and admit you’re dead.”
“You’re the one who’s going to die.”
The moment we finished our exchange, it was time.
Clank!
The cage dropped down.
A narrow, four-meter-wide and high cage.
There was nowhere to run.
The only option was to stand and fight.
“Die!”
The giant charged forward.
Despite his taunting, his face was calm, his eyes cold.
He moved with precision and sharpness—like someone trained in boxing.
Thud!
A perfectly executed liver blow.
The giant’s fist dug into my abdomen.
A considerable impact.
But with [Giant’s Strength], [Resilience], and [Fortitude], I could withstand it.
I looked at the giant, my expression unchanging.
Acting as if I felt no pain whatsoever.
The giant’s eyes wavered.
“What the…”
“My turn, isn’t it?”
Bam!
Just one punch.
That was all it took.
To knock the giant out.
And it wasn’t just him.
The second, third, fourth, and fifth opponents all met the same fate.
Five consecutive wins.
The way people looked at me started to change.
And then, a challenge arrived.
The sender: King of Destruction.
At the beginning of the game, he was ranked number one and was the NPC who handed out the ranking quests.
As far as I knew, he was an SR-grade Warrior-type Superhuman.
–TL Notes–
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