Chapter 203: #Troubling Hunter War (3)

At the Colosseum, where the Hunter War was held, the three-day preliminaries were abruptly shortened due to a mysterious event.

At its center stood a two-hundred-meter-wide arena. Enclosing it was a transparent barrier—a combination of elven magic and modern pure science—to protect the audience. The main games would be held there.

A black man with cool sunglasses stepped into the arena, yelling excitedly into his mic, "Out of the 104 countries that entered the Hunter War preliminaries, only 64 remain! Now, let the team representatives step into the arena! We'll draw the lots for the Round of 64 tomorrow!"

“

Waaaah!”

The million-strong crowd erupted into a roaring cheer as the first round of representatives stepped into the arena, each of them exuding an unusual aura. As expected, all of them were at least S-ranks veterans, who’d gone through countless hardships. There were some exceptional figures as well.

France’s representative, Zan Le Mang, a female Hunter with ash-colored hair, always carried a greatsword larger than herself. Japan's representative, Sasaki Roki, a Hunter in

hakama,

with a

katana

and a

kodachi

slung around his waist like a samurai.

There was also Greece's representative and the dark horse of this Hunter War, Ares Lehou. He was a towering, three-meter-tall man clad in dazzling golden armor that shielded his muscular frame.

“Is he the rumored Hunter?”

“Strange. He seems to only be an S-rank Hunter, don't you think?”

“Don't let your guard down. He’s a force to be reckoned with, just like SSS-rank Hunter Royce!”

“A-are you saying that he is on par with Royce?”

“That man who looks like a chopstick? Interesting. I want to have a go with him!”

A mysterious man had rained down a meteor shower upon the Hunter War, wiping out over ninety percent of the S-rank monsters in Africa. Thus, he became known as Armageddon. Though it wasn’t publicized, according to the rumors, he was none other than the representative of the Korea team—a young blond named Steve Choi.

“

Hmph!”

Steve Choi put on an air of arrogance, ignoring the wary gazes of the other Hunters.

It wasn’t me, goddammit!

He was screaming internally. As if having to substitute for the collapsed Director Gal Joong-Hyuk wasn’t enough, he had to bear all the death stares of the other Hunters! Especially from the Greece representative, Ares!

Ares bared his sharp teeth at Steve Choi, drooling like a cannibalistic bear. “You’re mine, Steve Choi.

Grrr!

”

Steve Choi could only force himself to ignore the threat, as now wasn’t the time.

Ding!

The Round of 64 appeared in the air in the middle of the Colosseum.

“As everyone knows, the Hunter War tradition dictates that the first list of matches would be opened by the defending champion. So I present to you, the pride of America’s Hunter Team, SS-rank Hunter Jack White!”

Along with the MC’s announcement, a beautiful elf, reminiscent of the Snow Queen, waved to the audience.

“

Kyaaa!

Ice Queen Jack White!”

“The pride of America! We must win this year too!”

Despite being only an SS-rank Hunter, Jack White’s popularity rivaled Royce’s, the world’s strongest SSS-rank Hunter. According to rumors, Jack White intentionally conceded in the duel between them, implying how powerful she was.

Accompanied by the cheering crowd, the American team’s name appeared in the empty bracket.

No. 1 United States of America

“Now, let us begin! Can we please have Italy’s representative, Hunter Michelle Mome, to step forward and make the draw?”

A decorated raffle bucket, filled with Mana Stones numbered 2 through 64, was placed in the middle of the arena. The representatives’ names were called out one by one, and they stepped up to pick a stone from the pool.

The other representatives lit up as they stared at the numbers drawn.

We mustn’t be in the same bracket as the American team!

We have to avoid the second slot no matter what!

Even though they were veterans confident in their own abilities, a tournament was still a tournament. They wanted to avoid an early matchup with the reigning champion at all costs.

All except for one man, Steve Choi.

Steve Choi glanced at his team—more accurately, at Yu Il-Shin, who wore a black helmet. Steve Choi gave him a thumbs-up, recalling what he was told earlier.

***

“Bong-Shik, I want a tough one. Make sure to draw the second slot.”

“N-number two? But then we’ll be facing the world’s strongest team in our first round...”

Yu Il-Shin stared at him in disbelief. “

Duh?

Don’t you want to get rid of the strongest team as soon as possible?”

No, not at all.

Also, Yu il-Shin was making it sound like he was a battle maniac! But the next moment, he felt Yu Il-Shin’s hand on his shoulder.

“Don’t worry, Bong-Shik. With your luck, we’ll get the second slot no problem.”

“A-am I that lucky?” That was new to him.

But Yu Il-Shin pointed to himself. “Yes, aren’t you honored to have met me and become one of my followers? This is proof that you’re the luckiest man alive.”

I consider it the worst misfortune of my life, though...

Of course, there was no way Steve Choi could say that out loud.

“Do your best not to disappoint me, Bong-Shik. You must pick a strong team that’ll satisfy me.”

Steve Choi gulped. “W-what if I don’t?”

Yu Il-Shin smirked. “Then you’ll wish you were dead.”

Steve Choi shuddered as he recalled Yu Il-Shin’s devilish smile. That maniac had enough skills and assholery to back his words! Just recently, he had even summoned meteorites from the atmosphere—an image that still haunted Steve Choi to this moment.

I have to get the second slot at all costs!

“

Ah!

Germany’s representative has picked the second slot! The first match to kick off the tournament will be between Team America and Team Germany!”

Ding!

The hologram in the air was updated.

No. 1 United States of America

No. 2 Germany

The Germany’s representative didn’t respond, but he looked like the sky had come crumbling down.

“Fuck, fuck, fuck! The second slot is taken!” Steve Choi screamed, clutching his head in anguish.

Meanwhile, the other representatives muttered among themselves.

“Wow, he’s agonizing over his missed chance to go against the Americans?”

“For a rookie, he sure is ambitious. Maybe he’s indeed Armageddon...”

“I’d want to avoid the Koreans as much as possible.”

Their opinions toward Steve Choi and the rest of the Korean team were inadvertently on the rise.

Please, please!

Steve Choi clasped his hands together in a prayer, looking at the empty slots that were slowly filling up as time went by. They had lost their chances against France, Japan, United Kingdom and some other countries who had SS-rank Hunters in their teams.

Steve Choi slowly turned around at the sudden chills coming from behind. He could feel Yu Il-Shin’s icy gaze piercing through his black helmet. Yu Il-Shin raised a thumb, and slid it across his throat.

Steve Choi felt wronged. How was it his fault?!

“Now, for Steve Choi, Team Korea’s representative. Please make your draw.”

By now, there were less than twenty slots in the pool.

God, Jesus, Buddha, Confucius. Please, help me. Please let the opponent be someone to that evil bastard’s liking.

Steve Choi shut his eyes tight as he picked up a numbered stone.

The MC’s face lit up as he read the number. “Oh! Number 34! Team Korea has been selected for the long-awaited first match in Group 2! They’ll be going against Greece, the dark horse of this Hunter War!”

Ding!

No. 33 Greece

No. 34 Republic of Korea

The hologram was updated once again.

H-huh? How did that happen?

Steve Choi broke out in a cold sweat as he turned to look at Yu Il-Shin. After taking a read at their opponent, Yu Il-Shin gave him a thumbs-up.

Even though they weren’t as good as Team America, they were among the best dark horses in the history of Hunter War.

Steve Choi let out a sigh of relief. “

Haha,

I survived.”

“Haha, I’ve lived.”

Thud! Thud!

A heavy noise rang as a figure loomed over Steve Choi.

Huh? What just...

He looked up to see the grizzly Ares, Greece’s representative, staring down at him.

“

Kahaha!

I’m so lucky to have you as my first opponent! Steve Choi, you’re mine! Our Hunter Association president is hellbent on recruiting you, but you’re no match for me! Let’s see who’s the best rookie in this Hunter War!”

Is he a human or a gorilla...?

Ares looked much more terrifying up close. His forearms were thicker than Steve Choi’s waist, and his fists dwarfed the latter’s head. The man could probably break a bone with a single touch. Not to mention that seemingly S-rank armor had enough Mana to deflect any cannon blasts.

What a weird guy.

Steve Choi wasn’t afraid in the slightest. After all, he knew a certain fellow who was a thousand times more terrifying.

“How absurd.”

If it’s inevitable, I might as well enjoy the moment.

Ares’ expression contorted like an angry beast. “Did you just call me, the incarnation of Hercules,

absurd?

”

Steve Choi retorted arrogantly, “Yeah. You are only confident in your build and armor. Tomorrow, I’ll show you despair.”

Yes, the despair in the name of Yu Il-Shin!

“You!”

Provoked, Ares swung his cannon-like fist at Steve Choi, but the latter disappeared from his spot. Steve Choi had used his teleport skill in advance.

“W-where did he go!”

Ares looked around frantically for his prey, and eventually spotted Steve Choi with his teammates.

Steve Choi didn’t look back and signaled to Ares. “Now, now, calm down, Gorilla. Our match is tomorrow at the main tournament.”

Of course, by

our,

Steve Choi meant the fight between Ares and Yu Il-Shin.

“Asshole! Do you want to die?!”

“Hold it together, Ares!”

“You’ll be disqualified if you make a mess now!”

Ares’ teammates hastened to stop the man before he could lunge at Steve Choi and go on a rampage.

“You! I’ll definitely kill you tomorrow! You must show up tomorrow, Steve Choi!”

Steve Choi felt slightly regretful in hindsight. He spoke cautiously to Yu Il-Shin, “A-are you sure it’s alright? I won’t be fighting with him...”

Yu Il-Shin grinned, patting Steve Choi on the shoulder. “Don’t worry, Bong-Shik. You don’t have to participate in the game tomorrow. The Greece team is mine. All of them use divine power, so it’s going to be interesting.

Keke.

”

Each team comprised five Hunters, with matches following a winner-takes-all format until the entire team was defeated. Given their large roster, Steve Choi was unlikely to make the lineup. Not that it mattered, Yu Il-Shin would handle all the fighting anyway.

“

Hehe

. Okay, I trust you.”

“Yes, just believe in me, Bong-Shik.”

At such times, no one was as reliable as Yu Il-Shin.

After all the draws had been completed, the MC called out. “Now everyone! The Hunter War’s Round of 64 will begin tomorrow! Stay tuned for the main event!”

The next day, the first match of Group 1, Team America VS Team Germany, Team America came out on top as expected. After that, came the first match of Group 2.

Greece VS Republic of Korea

Steve Choi trembled as he set foot in the arena.

“Yu Il-Shin, you son of a bitch! This isn’t what you said yesterday! Where the hell did you go?!”

Before him stood a golden-armored giant, gripping an axe as massive as his own hand—Ares. His bloodshot eyes locked onto Steve Choi with the ferocity of a mad dog.

“

Grrr!

I’ll kill you, Steve Choi!”