Those with vacant eyes waited only for the door to open, and at the precise time, the apartment lit up the entire building and opened the entrance gate.
As the men in suits moved away, allowing the iron gate to open, people began entering one by one, paying their fee, and as soon as they passed through the gate, they dashed up the hill.
Next to me, I watched cars also entering one by one after paying, and I instinctively searched my pockets.
Unsurprisingly, there was no money.
It was clear that the thief who stole my bracelet had also relieved me of my cash.
“Hmm? Sir? Your entrance fee….”
“I don’t have any.”
“Uh, hmm.”
When it was my turn and I confidently declared I had no money, the man looked around awkwardly.
Right beside me, a disheveled woman was being dragged off by two men.
“Hey, just take it from me later! How much is the entrance fee? I’ll pay it back after I earn it! Come on, let me in! I’ll really pay you back today, I promise! Huh?”
“Get out of here now! You dirty beggar!”
“Just wait here for a moment! I’ll pay! There are some guys inside who stole my money! If I beat them up, I can pay it back!”
“Hey, drag this one out too!”
As the man glanced at me again and exchanged glances with another, they both shook their heads.
It seemed that dragging me away like that was impossible.
“Sir, I’m sorry, but without an entrance fee….”
“There’s a guy inside who stole my money. Catch him and make sure he pays it back.”
“Hmm….”
After another glance at each other, the men began pushing me, but I stood firm, instead pushing them back and stepping forward. Startled, they let go and said:
“What kind of strength…Sir, are you a superhuman? Maybe someone with Enhanced Body Power?”
“I’m not a superhuman.”
“Huh? We are superhumans, yet you’re stronger? That doesn’t make sense for a normal human, does it?”
“Maybe you guys are just weak. Are you eating properly?”
“Hey…what…just wait a moment, sir. Just come in for now.”
The men, bewildered, ushered me inside and led me to a vacant area on the side.
“Sir, if you’re a superhuman, perhaps you’d like to participate in the arena? Participants don’t pay an entrance fee, and you can earn money while having fun.”
“Hey, what are you doing?”
“Anyway, we can’t chase this guy out. To avoid any trouble, let him in. If he came for the arena, no one upstairs will complain, right?”
“Hmm, you’re probably right. Whatever happens in the arena, it’s none of our business.”
“Whatever happens, as long as I can get inside, I don’t care.”
“Okay, it’s decided—this gentleman is an arena participant. Follow me; after you fight and earn some cash, you’re free to do as you please.”
“Hmm.”
The men grabbed my arm and led me into a building next to the apartment entrance.
Inside were various clothes, cold weapons, and a few intimidating-looking superhumans who seemed to specialize in Enhanced Body Power, sitting around and radiating an ominous aura.
“What’s up?”
“Ah, yes, we have someone who wants to participate in today’s arena.”
“I see, go ahead and get dressed…what? What’s with this person? Why so tall?”
“Then…well, I’ll take my leave.”
“Sir, since we don’t have clothes that fit you, either stay as you are or go shirtless. Firearms are prohibited since you might hurt the audience, and bows are off-limits too. If you have any weapons, place them down and use one of the weapons provided here.”
“Hmm, where do I go from here?”
“Hey, don’t get too cocky with your physique. Just take the weapon we offer.”
I shrugged, and the man groaned.
“You’re here risking your life for money, right? Take this as an opportunity to slightly increase your chances of survival.”
“I’m fine as is.”
“Ugh…do as you wish, but if you feel like you’re about to lose, don’t hesitate to surrender. Cleaning up the bodies is such a hassle.”
The man pointed to a corner, and as I headed in that direction, a path that looked like a walking trail at the back of the apartment appeared.
Walking along a path that smelled of blood, I eventually arrived at an open space in front of the apartment. There, a large tent stood, and beneath it gathered those who appeared to have already signed up for the arena.
“Catch just one… just one will do…”
“Hoo, hoo, hoo… please let it be a weak monster… please…”
Both men and women, shaking with anxiety, clutched their weapons in fear. Observing the crowd, I noticed both superhumans and ordinary individuals who seemed to only rely on their physical strength.
I carelessly took a seat on a bench under the tent, and soon after, the intimidating man overseeing the weapons entered.
“We’re about to start. Who’s going first?”
“Me! Me!”
“It’s me!”
“Alright, you. Since you were the first, go ahead.”
“Ugh…! Please, please…!”
“What! What! This is discrimination! Gender discrimination!”
People eagerly volunteered, and with an exasperated sigh, the imposing man pointed at one.
Following this, he led the chosen young man out, and an amplified voice over the loudspeakers boomed from outside the tent:
“Ladies and gentlemen! Thank you for visiting Nine-Dragon Castle today! We will now begin today’s event—the Monster Arena!”
“Yaaaaah! We’ve been waiting! Let’s get started!”
“Wowwwww!”
Curious from the loud noise, I turned away from the trembling individuals inside the tent and peeked out the exit where the noise was coming from.
Outside the tent, between the apartment buildings forming a U-shape around the space, stood a large iron cage, surrounded by what appeared to be spectator seating filled with people. Additionally, people were sticking their heads out of the apartment windows and waving around. Inside, the sound of bestial groans filled the air, and the scene looked quite chaotic.
“Ladies and gentlemen! And now, to introduce our first contender! What’s your name, sir? Yes! He’s Kim Eui-hwan! Let’s give him some supporting applause, please~!”
“What? This scrawny looking guy?”
“Isn’t he an ordinary person? He’s going to die right away!”
“Shit! They intentionally sent out the weakest one again!”
Once the first man stepped onto the stage with a sword, the audience heckled as an event host seemed to bring out a button-like device. When he pressed it, a roulette-like wheel appeared on the large screen behind the stage.
The roulette featured ten types of monsters listed along with illustrations. Two of the monsters were the weakest category, classified as “murder-grade,” which even regular people could potentially handle. Four monsters were murder-grade that would be impossible to beat without superhuman abilities. Three fell in the range of murder-grade to destroyer-grade, and the final one was destroyer-grade.
“Well then, without further ado, shall we begin? Kim Eui-hwan, stop the roulette!”
“Please…please…please…!”
The host started the roulette and handed over the button to the participant. The man prayed fervently as he pressed it, and the spinning wheel slowly came to a halt. Stopping at the very top, the needle pointed to a monster called “Blade Cat,” one of the weakest in the murder-grade.
“Ah! Incredible! The weakest monster came up! The prize money is 1,000,000 won! I wonder if this will be possible!”
“Uuuuuuuh! This is boring!”
“Uuuuuuuh!”
“Aaaaah! F! That guy got the easiest one!”
“Shit! I should have gone first!”
The spectators booed, and the people waiting in the tent also threw down their weapons in frustration upon hearing the news.
“Now let’s start the betting!”
A massive screen appeared, displaying “Human” and “Monster.” With the beeping sounds, the betting percentage began rising.
Human: 90%, Monster: 10% — Betting closed.
The host then pushed Kim Eui-hwan from behind.
“90%! Alright, Mr. Kim Eui-hwan, it’s no problem, right? Go ahead and grab that 1,000,000 won!”
“Ah, let’s go!”
The man walked eagerly to the central iron cage, and on the opposite side, men in suits brought out an iron cage containing the monster. Within the small cage, the monster had been heavily sedated and was lying peacefully asleep.
After the man entered the cage with the sedated monster, the suits injected something into the beast and quickly exited. Tension on Kim Eui-hwan’s face was clear as he gripped his sword tightly.
“Are you familiar with the rules? The match begins when the monster steps out of the cage; attacking beforehand is considered a foul.”
A moment later, the Blade Cat woke up and stretched like an ordinary cat inside its cage. Upon noticing the human, the monster licked its lips, raising its razor-sharp claws and tail.
“Aaaaaaaaah! Dieeee!”
“Kyaaoowww!”
As Kim Eui-hwan swung his sword, the Blade Cat swiftly leapt around the cage, dodging the blade. The cat landed the first blow by slicing through his arm. Startled and panicked, Kim Eui-hwan swung his sword wildly.
Spotting an opening, the Blade Cat leapt toward Kim Eui-hwan’s neck, slicing through his carotid artery. Clutching his neck with wide, horrified eyes, the man fell to the ground, lifeless.
“Unbelievable! Kim Eui-hwan is defeated by a Blade Cat! Why didn’t he surrender?”
“Uuuuuuh! Shit! Was the first fight rigged?”
“You bastard! Die, die, die!”
“Ah! Kim Eui-hwan isn’t moving! The Blade Cat is eating his neck! The results are in! Congratulations to those who bet on the 10%!”
“Die, die, die!”
“What? F! Why would someone like that come to the arena? He should be doing manual labor!”
Thus, the first man was killed amidst the audience chanting and jeers. The grim-looking man who returned to the tent cursed in frustration.
“Next round!”
“Me! Me! Me!”
“Me! Me! Oh please, me! Oppa! Oppaaaa! Huh? Please let me go! I’ll do anything! Swear!”
The grim man clicked his tongue and pointed at a woman, who happily jumped up and cheered.
“Yaaaay! Oppa! I love you! Please wait just a short while! I’ll get that 1,000,000 won and win big at the casino!”
“I don’t care, just go grab the cat.”
The woman, fearing her chance might vanish, rushed out holding her sword in excitement.
“Ooh! Our second contender! Another beautiful lady has stepped into the arena! What’s your name, ma’am?”
“I’m Kim Minji! I’ll grab that cat right away!”
“Great! Kim Minji! Go and claim that 1,000,000 won! Let the betting begin!”
The betting started again; the bet was heavily skewed toward the human side, and Kim Minji easily defeated the Blade Cat, exiting the cage.
“Congratulations! You’ve defeated what some might call untameable—The Blade Cat!”
“Ahahaha!”
“Kim Minji is beautiful!”
“By the way, what do you plan to do with this 1,000,000 won?”
“I’ll go conquer the casino!”
“Fantastic! We hope you win big at the casino!”
“Hey miss! If you lose everything, come to Room 301, Building 102—I’ll take care of you!”
“Is this person really taking care of her?”
“Hahaha!”
The audience chuckled as the suits dragged out the monster’s body and the human remains from the cage. I now understood the way this arena operated: simply defeat the roulette-chosen monster and receive money. If you die, the next person will have to continue handling the remaining fights.
As for me, I only needed to defeat one monster and return.
“Next round….”
“It’s me!”
“Next is me… Ah, no, you go first….”
Realizing there was no need to sit and wait, I raised my hand, causing everyone in the tent to glance at me and move out of the way.
“And now, the next contender enters! Hmm… What? Is this person even human?”
“Wow, what is that? How tall is this person?”
“Kyaaa! He’s so handsome!”
“Uh… What’s your name, sir?”
Stepping out of the tent onto the stage, I stood towering over the host, whose head barely reached my chest.
The host paused speaking into the microphone and looked up at me, asking for my name. Without missing a beat, I conjured up an appropriate name on the spot.
“Let’s go with Park Deun-deun.”
