Episode 205

Whether in this world or the original, victory was thrilling.

For that victory, some step[ed forward fairly and squarely, while others cunningly used the rules to claim victory.

Whether others considered it cheating or not, for those whose sole purpose was winning, fairness was not of concern.

After all, winning was all that mattered.

Regardless of what others said during the process, bribing referees, taking drugs in a way that does not violate regulations, or playing in a favorable environment, there were those who believed that winning by any means was the ultimate goal.

However, overcoming such obstacles and winning purely on ‘skill’ alone offered an unparalleled thrill of victory.

Even if the opponent used dishonest methods or something like a program or cheat to win, wasn’t it still a victory?

That was the true skill, and that was true justice.

I have confirmed Ray Hwang’s dishonesty.

But knowing it was dishonest, I didn’t report or respond to it.

Why?

Because such dishonesty could be revealed after the game was over.

And naturally, that game had to end with ‘Yoon Iseon’s victory’.

It wasn’t supposed to be interrupted by the interference of an outsider like Hayabusa, but to end with Yoon Iseon defeating Ray Hwang with overwhelming force and winning.

Hayabusa’s intrusion wasn’t just a simple interruption.

Her intrusion stole Yoon Iseon’s rightful victory and turned the final match into a meaningless fight in an instant.

If Yoon Iseon had won, it would have been a personal skill upgrade for her, the nation’s prestige would have increased, and she could have gained confidence to reach a higher realm.

Frankly, there was a possibility that she could have grown into an S-class through this battle.

Now, Hayabusa had stolen that.

[First, step back. It’s dangerous if you’re caught in the aftermath.]

“Ah… Yes…!”

Yoon Iseon was about to say something but then immediately backed away.

Her face, unable to believe what she was seeing, seemed amazed, as if I had positioned myself as her protector.

‘I hope there’s no misunderstanding.’

I came out because of Hayabusa.

It wasn’t because I thought Yoon Iseon was in danger that I intervened.

‘It would be problematic if she thought the Goblin appeared because she was weak.’

Should such a misunderstanding occur, I couldn’t help but hold Hayabusa responsible for causing it.

Even if the misunderstanding was cleared up later, for now, I had no choice but to convey this indirectly through Hayabusa.

[You’ve stolen that woman’s victory. I will judge that crime.]

“Hmph… The one who arbitrarily stole the rider…!”

Hayabusa lowered her stance.

Her angular helmet and the latex suit that clung to her body, along with the parts that resembled external armor, were clearly made of steel at first glance.

The unique feature, if any, was that her helmet seemed to be designed with a falcon motif.

There was no significant difference from other riders.

Even that design had nothing special about it, making it no different from tacky battle attire.

‘Unless she came out wearing a cape asymmetrically on her shoulder.’

She herself used the English name ‘Great Hurricane’, but well.

It’s unclear where the ‘Hayabusa’ identity was supposed to be felt.

“You’re going to teach me defeat? Ha! Let me make it clear here and now! The loser is you! The real rider does not lose!”

Hayabusa extended her hand forward, and a mysterious sword popped out from her hand.

Whizz.

Hayabusa held a tremendously long katana in her hand.

The characteristic was that only the handle part was made of steel, and the blade that extended from inside the handle was made of Hayabusa’s magical power.

Holding it out in front, depending on the angle of the photo, it could pass for the so-called Hero Sword Technique First Form without any awkwardness.

“Let’s see who the ‘real’ one is, right here!”

[Go ahead. The real rider. I don’t care who’s the original or the real one in the first place.]

“What… did you say…?”

At my words, Hayabusa’s movement froze.

Likely, the expressions of others listening to my words also hardened.

[It’s more displeasing for me that a fight that could have been won was arbitrarily interrupted and ended. If being a rider means arbitrarily intruding into someone else’s duel and causing interference, then I’d rather discard such a rider.]

“Are you, are you disrespecting the rider!!”

[You’re spouting nonsense. Narrow-minded. Do you think I came out here just because of you?]

I pointed to Ray Hwang, whom Hayabusa was stepping on below.

[I came here to execute a villain.]

“Using drugs makes him a villain? That’s-”

[No.]

Slowly.

Ray Hwang’s body began to seethe.

At the same time, the fragments of Lu Bu scattered on the floor began to gather towards Ray Hwang.

[I came to execute someone who became a demon due to their obsession with victory.]

“……!”

To win, one would do anything.

Even if it meant using drugs.

Even if it meant becoming a demon.

“I’ll… kill… you…!!”

Ray Hwang, who was stepped on by Hayabusa, raised his head.

“I, I will winnnnnn!!”

[That’s unfortunate.]

If Yoon Iseon had been left to fight as was, perhaps he wouldn’t have become a demon.

If he had fought with all his might against a being similar to him, maybe slightly stronger, and lost, he wouldn’t have felt that it was unjust.

Even if he lost due to using drugs, he would have accepted defeat by acknowledging the pure difference in class.

[The Chinese used mana powder trying to win, but it wasn’t someone I was fighting against with all my might 1:1, but rather was interfered with from the outside.]

But what if Hayabusa forcibly intervened?

[Perfect for self-justification.]

Lost because an S-class intervened forcibly.

Then, one must become stronger than the S-class.

Drugs only got you to A-class, so what’s the way to get stronger from here?

Not drugs.

Only by becoming a demon.

“Uaaaaaaah!!!”

Centered around Ray Hwang’s body, a giant purple mist began to wriggle.

The mist gradually grew in size and started to take on a form.

“I am, I am the strongest being…!”

He transformed into the form of the being he summoned as his ‘self’ - the form of Lu Bu.

“Principal! Immediate action is required!”

“Haha, what for?”

Kim Seok-dae, the principal of the Academy, laughed leisurely.

“Before I take any action, there are already two S-class ability users next to the demon, and the stands are overflowing with S-classes. Let’s just watch.”

“But!”

“Buts and ifs. It’s regrettable that the duel between the Goblin and Hayabusa is off, but aren’t you looking forward to seeing what the Goblin will do in front of the demon?”

Kim Seok-dae, with a face full of leisure, moved from the judges’ seat to the VIP spectator seats.

“Principal.”

“Yes, Snow White. What do you think should be done now, in your opinion?”

“First, I’ll reinforce the wall to ensure the aftermath doesn’t affect the spectators in the stands.”

“A wise decision.”

The principal tapped the air towards the transparent ice wall created by Snow White.

He tapped the air instead of directly touching it, probably fearing that her magic might affect his hand.

“Nadeshiko. What measures are taken in Japan in such situations?”

“Well, first off, since there’s a problem, we naturally have to take initial actions…”

Nadeshiko smiled broadly and crossed her legs leisurely.

“With Hayabusa in there, and the Goblin too, there’s really no need to worry. The demon will be subdued.”

“You seem utterly unworried.”

“Of course. It’s the Goblin we’re talking about. Look at this.”

Nadeshiko, looking through the transparent ice wall, gazed blissfully at the figure in a black suit with white painted patterns and the occasional sparkling green lights, licking her lips.

“Isn’t this the perfect opportunity to observe the Goblin’s new form? Last time it was spewing fire, but what ability could it have this time? Green means grass? Using the ground? Or maybe wind?”

“Probably wind. The last time it appeared in Jindo, it demonstrated the ability to use wind.”

“Oh. You mean when Snow White fought alongside it? Haha, I miss those times. I’ve fought alongside the Goblin before, too.”

“Really?”

“Of course, Principal. It’s unofficial, but I’ve stood back to back with the Goblin, fighting villains. Hahaha.”

Snow White frowned at Nadeshiko’s words.

It seemed like Nadeshiko was emphasizing her connection with the Goblin to Snow White, so the principal turned his gaze to the stage to avoid getting caught in the middle.

“Cough. Still, it’s unsettling to see someone becoming a demon. Snow White. Nadeshiko. I have a request for both of you. If the Goblin tries to kill the demon…”

“He won’t kill it?”

Nadeshiko, still smiling broadly, pulled out a fan and lightly tapped it in her hand, exuding ease.

“The Goblin won’t kill the demon. Shall we make a bet? I say-”

“I bet he won’t kill it.”

“……Hmm.”

When Snow White took the lead, Nadeshiko narrowed her eyes and twisted her lips.

“Then, I also bet he won’t kill it.”

“Ha, haha.”

The principal shivered slightly from the cold sweat running down his spine and pointed to the 5-meter-tall purple giant.

“Well, it’s better if no one dies. Haha, but…”

Beep.

The principal stroked his Taeguk Watch, looking forward with anticipation.

“If the Goblin kills the demon, then you must intervene immediately. No exceptions.”

“No exceptions?”

“Exactly. Now, killing a demon isn’t just about killing a demon anymore. If he kills the demon, it’s no different from killing a human.”

“Do you wish for the Goblin to kill the demon, Principal?”

“Hmm….”

The principal shrugged his shoulders lightly.

“If he kills the demon, we can arrest him right away, can’t we? A villain who’s killed people.”

KOOOOOOOOOO!!

“Huh?!”

Startled by the sudden roar, the principal collapsed into his seat.

“Ha, haaa… They say it’s Lu Bu, indeed a roar fitting of someone who could replace three fathers… No, in Ray Hwang’s case, should I say someone who could replace three countries…? Hmm….”

“…….”

Snow White and Nadeshiko silently looked towards the arena.

Perhaps they were worried that the Goblin might kill the demon. If, by chance, he did kill the demon, then-

“I will….”

“…….”

Both women spoke at the same time, then simultaneously looked at each other and clicked their tongues.

“…It wasn’t me who made him a demon! He did it on his own!”

[No matter what you say, the situation has already unfolded.]

The rest was about becoming a demon.

[Demons are to be killed.]

Merely executed.

However,

[I also have something I want to experiment with.]

Kill the demon, but save the human.

[If you know the principle, you can do it. That’s what ability users are.]

Learning and stealing abilities from each other wasn’t exclusive to other people.

[Kill the inner demon.]

If the demon was like cancer,

‘If the root of the demon is removed. Maybe.’

It might be possible to kill only the cancer cells.

[Hayabusa. Let me tell you. You are disqualified as both a rider and a hero.]

By removing the demon, completely defeat Hayabusa.

[Along with the demon you created, I’ll deal with you as well.]

Well,

A demon.

If you cut off the place containing the seed of a demon, maybe it’s possible.