137 – Martial Realm Nymph #7
My opponent was said to be the Scarlet Swordsman Liu Hua.
He was the A Rank number one from China.
Thud-.
Soon, Seo Ye-rim sank onto the sofa and explained.
“It seems they want to pair you with a promising candidate right from the start to embarrass you and elevate China’s prestige. It might actually happen. The drawing was probably rigged on purpose.”
The A Rank number one, a hopeful from China, defeats the famous Korean Haildo-.
It was indeed a story that would boost the shoulders of the Chinese people.
“So, I don’t have to catch that Tang So-hae? If I hurry, I might still catch up. They would have enticed you with stories of making you win the martial arts tournament—something like that?”
Was she saying it would be advantageous to chase after Tang So-hae and join hands now?
No, winning cowardly by holding Tang So-hae’s hand would be more embarrassing than suffering a terrible defeat in front of everyone.
And one never knows until they actually compete.
“If I win, that’s all that matters.”
“You say that so easily. It’s better not to underestimate A Rankers.”
Seo Ye-rim’s words were indeed correct.
A Rank Awakened are considerable powerhouses.
Depending on specific situations and conditions, A Rank Awakened can exhibit firepower similar to that of S Rank Awakened.
But what if I win against such opponents?
The surprise and impact would double!
I began to feel an itch in my back at the thought of all the articles flooding the internet with my name, Haildo.
It was as if an Ahn Ahn was stuck to my back!
—Zzzi…
Swish-.
As I lifted the Ahn Ahn that had been clinging to my back onto my palm, Seo Ye-rim spoke.
“By the way, Liu Hua’s strikes are quite brutal. It’s been known that opponents never come out unscathed when a duel with him ends. What if Kkungkkungi or Ahn Ahn gets hurt?”
“I’ll have to think about that.”
Then a sudden thought crossed my mind.
Upon hearing that, Seo Ye-rim gasped.
“Are you crazy?”
#
In the VIP room located in Shanghai.
Men with beards sat at each table under chandeliers and lights resembling a Renaissance party hall.
In front of them was a large screen displaying fireworks announcing the start of the martial arts tournament and a lively host gesturing.
“Then, let the second World Martial Arts Tournament begin!”
The viewership ratings had already surpassed 50 percent.
It meant half of China was watching the same scene on screen.
The ratings were likely to increase even more.
The scent of great success was already wafting in the air, and the head of the Volcano Sect, Againu, stroked his beard and smiled with satisfaction.
“A very excellent match-up. The first match features our Volcano Sect’s top disciple, the Scarlet Swordsman. Haildo, this man is truly unfortunate. Our Liu Hua is number one in martial arts with a sword!”
Liu Hua was the strongest A Rank when wielding a sword.
That was a fact no one could deny.
‘But if he drops the sword, it would be a serious issue….’
The head of the Volcano Sect, Againu, felt a slight worry.
However, he believed Liu Hua wouldn’t drop his sword while facing the mere B Rank Haildo.
At that moment, the head of the Zhuge Clan, Zhuge Thompson, spoke.
“There was no bad luck in the match-up. To be honest, that statement is wrong. We manipulated things to turn out this way! It was a very clever scheme. This is military strategy!”
“Shh, manipulation? Be careful with your words. There are plenty of guests from around the world here besides us!”
In this banquet hall were not only the elders of the Martial Realm Alliance but also numerous invited VIPs from around the world.
Including Yagami, who dominated the Japanese Awakened Association, along with the Vice President of America and heads of Megacorps along with their aides.
There was a big reason for inviting so many people.
“In a place where powerful figures from around the world gather, our Chinese prodigy will crush the Korean Awakened! This will undoubtedly elevate the status of our Martial Realm Alliance!”
China had fallen significantly behind in the 21st-century Fifth Industrial Age.
But if a Chinese Awakened thoroughly defeats the promising candidate from Korea, a powerhouse of the Fifth Industrial Age, in front of the entire world?
Their diminished status would rise significantly, and the Chinese Awakened Union, the Martial Realm Alliance, would undoubtedly receive massive promotion.
“If we can effectively promote Chinese martial arts to the world through this event, Awakened from all over the world will come to learn from us and will likely have children in China!”
“Then even more rifts will open in China, and eventually, we can talk about the world’s hegemony again! Such brilliant ideas are ones no one could have conceived!”
The elders of the Martial Realm Alliance were busy praising one another.
The atmosphere was indeed fantastic.
What broke this was a sharp question from a man.
“So, when does the first match begin? How long are you going to keep people waiting?”
Swish-.
Everyone’s gaze fell on the man rudely placing his feet on the table.
He wore a wide-brimmed hat like a cowboy, had a thick cigar in his mouth, and was equipped with two large revolvers at his waist.
“I don’t like being bored. Get things moving quickly.”
The rude attitude of the man irritated the elders of the Martial Realm Alliance.
“Do the humans from America, with their short history, not know the aesthetics of waiting?”
“Such a little brat.”
However, they could not raise a big protest because, despite being called “elders,” they were merely ordinary people who practiced martial arts and philosophy in the mountains or caves.
They were not Awakened from the Fifth Industrial Age.
They could only be the teachers of Awakened.
In contrast, that man was indeed a superhuman.
S Rank 8th.
“Ranger” – Bron Bright.
A fixer notorious for being rude and impolite.
Yet, due to his undeniable skills, no one dared to cross him.
“Haildo, let’s see how impressive you really are.”
Bron was slightly provoked.
It was because his sister, Cash, babbled about “Haildo” to him every single day. He had heard enough stories about squirrels and honey ants to the point that he felt like his ears were about to become calloused.
“I heard there’s a rumor that the winner of this martial arts tournament can marry that Xiao Xiao? Haildo, are you trying to charm my sister Cash while turning your eyes to another woman? You scoundrel!”
Just then.
“Uh—That guy….”
Bron was so surprised that he dropped his feet off the table.
An unexpected man had arrived at this mundane banquet hall.
The faces of the elders lit up instantly upon seeing his face.
“Lord Achilles! Please take a seat!”
“Thank you for your hard work coming from so far!”
He was a tall, handsome man with striking blond hair.
His name was Achilles Legion.
An S Rank ranked player from Greece, shining as the mighty S Rank number five, renowned as the noble “Hero – Achilles.”
“Thank you for inviting me to such a wonderful place.”
As the gentleman-like Achilles politely greeted those around him, Bron stood up and placed his hand on the revolver at his waist.
“Achilles. An unexpected person has arrived at an unexpected venue! You rarely show your face at official events; why have you come here? Didn’t you say you were participating in the ‘Argonauts’?”
Click-.
Bron’s speed was such that he could fire all rounds from both revolvers within 0.1 seconds.
Bron couldn’t draw his g*n, though, because a certain presence had gripped his hand.
“Hello—Bron. I am ‘S. Ninja.’”
The being was a ninja decked out in a futuristic cybernetic suit.
An Awakened from Japan and the 11th ranked player, “S. Ninja.”
Known as the fastest S Rank, Ninja’s interference prevented Bron from ultimately drawing his g*n.
“There are many who wish to face the strongest man in the world, Achilles. Bron is not the only one. However, given the nature of the place, please have understanding.”
Bron felt a surge of excitement at the mechanical tone of the voice.
He felt that perhaps he could fire bullets at the “S. Ninja.”
“A cybernetic ninja said to be the fastest S Rank, huh? I can’t deny that. How about we settle which is faster, your ninja or my b*llet, once and for all?”
“Anytime.”
However, their battle could not take place because the strongest S Rank, Achilles, spoke.
“I am not the strongest. The strongest S Rank is not me but someone else. If you wish to face the strongest, you should take the opportunity to battle him.”
“Tch-. That again?”
“I have great interest in battles and martial arts. If I do well, I might get a step closer to the strength and nobility that man possesses.”
As Achilles sat down and focused on the screen, the elders of the Martial Realm Alliance were extremely pleased.
“Our Chinese martial arts are the best in the world! Lord Achilles, you will not regret it!”
“Do you have any interest in learning Tai Chi? Right now, we would even consider free lessons!”
“That man you mentioned might truly be our Chinese immortal!”
The VIP banquet hall grew quite noisy.
Their eyes finally turned toward the competitors entering the arena.
Achilles, too, surprisingly focused intently on the screen.
#
Wowwwww-.
The cheers of the crowd were deafening, and at the same time, my heart pounded as if several thunderclaps had crashed.
China was indeed a populous country.
For the martial arts tournament, they had built the largest arena in the world in Shanghai, and the venue was packed to the brim without an inch of space left.
“It feels overwhelming.”
This was my first time standing in front of so many people.
Just standing there felt like several huge elephants were sitting on top of me.
At the same time—.
On the other hand, I was also trembling.
“How far can I go?”
I had long stagnated at D Rank.
Although I had begun to grow again, like a dam breaking open, I had no clear opportunity to gauge how I would stack up against the high standard of the world that had drifted far away from me.
I would give my all here—.
That was my goal.
Suddenly, someone appeared in front of me.
The person wore a red mask and had a sword at their waist, with hair that was exceedingly long like a woman’s styled in a ponytail.
Wowww-.
People began to cheer endlessly at his appearance.
The red-faced Liu Hua.
As he stood before me, he tilted his head.
“Aren’t you going to use your squirrel?”
“No. I want to face you just with my own strength, just this once. It’s a good opportunity.”
I wanted to fight without the help of Kkungkkungi, Ahn Ahn, Bang Bang, or Kalilnoi—just with my own power.
That was my desire.
And since I had heard from Seo Ye-rim that Liu Hua’s strikes were brutal, I didn’t want to injure Kkungkkungi, Ahn Ahn, Bang Bang, or Kalilnoi.
Seo Ye-rim was horrified, saying, “Haildo, are you kidding? You want to fight without your squirrel?” But the Scarlet Swordsman Liu Hua instead chuckled lightly.
“Squirrel is your weapon. No one would blame you for using them. Taming and utilizing them is also a rightful talent. I ask again. Will you not call your squirrel?”
“Yeah.”
“You’re quite the arrogant one. Defeating you in your imperfect state won’t excite me. Then, fine! I shall also lay down my weapons. But don’t think that means I’m getting weaker!”
Swish-.
Clang-!
Liu Hua removed the sword from his waist and threw it a distance away.
Boom-!!!
The ground where his sword fell was deeply dented.
Just how heavy was the sword he had been wearing at his waist?
Liu Hua now clenched his fists and took his stance.
“Haildo. I will show you the martial arts of China, which boasts a history of four thousand years. Do you know what the strongest Chinese martial art is? You wouldn’t even be able to imagine it with your narrow imagination coming from a narrow peninsula!”
It was an unusual stance.
The strongest martial art—.
As I felt a bit tense at that name, Inoi, who had been holding a paper cup full of popcorn in the distant VIP audience, shouted.
“Ahh, that stance is the stance of Pankration…! I, Inoi, can tell…! It’s the martial art that ancient heroes engaged in…!”
Pankration?
At that unfamiliar yet familiar name, the red-masked swordsman Liu Hua laughed heartily.
“That’s right! The greatest and best Chinese martial art is indeed Pankration! This is a historical fact written in the greatest martial arts book that China boasts, Exodus! What do you think? You wouldn’t have imagined it?”
I actually couldn’t have imagined it.
“No, but Exodus and Pankration aren’t from China.”
I was slightly taken aback.
The Exodus is a record of the Israelite people, and Pankration is an ancient martial art from Greece?
However, Liu Hua shivered and shouted at me as if I had offended his parents.
“You, that’s an insult to the 4,000-year history of China…! Tahaiaaaat…!”
Boom-!
Liu Hua charged at me.
And I simply couldn’t help but be astonished by his movements!
“This, this is—.”
