Chapter 20: South Korea’s Top Survival Program

Chapter 20

Baek Jun had a reason for saying things had gotten complicated. “It’s been a while since I’ve had to reveal myself when taking a player.”

The Colosseum had established itself as the undisputed top survival program in South Korea, largely because it kept the identities of its participants secret until the live broadcast began. Therefore, maintaining secrecy when scouting players was absolutely essential.

This meant that Baek Jun revealing himself in front of Kim Jinsung was far from ideal. “Could it be the Colosseum?” People like Lee Dong-shik, who immediately realized this upon seeing Baek Jun, were the reason why.

Baek Jun felt a headache coming on. He had tried to stay in the car to avoid this… In fact, he had been sitting in the driver’s seat, silently hoping that the two would manage to escape on their own.

But the moment Kim Jinsung got hurt, Baek Jun couldn’t just stand by and watch.

“I wanted to wear a mask, but that wasn’t feasible either.”

Against multiple opponents, not wearing a mask was much more effective, as evident now.

“Stay away from Kim Jinsung.”

At Baek Jun’s command, everyone, including Lee Dong-shik, seemed unsure of what to do. The mere mention of ‘Baek Jun’ was enough to deter them from attacking.

Had he worn a mask, he might have been able to handle everyone alone, but ensuring Kim Jinsung’s safety would have been doubtful.

At that moment, Lee Dong-shik was conflicted about what to do.

“Damn, why did it have to be Baek Jun?! This isn’t about winning or losing!”

More than being one of the top 20 hunters in South Korea, it was his position as the representative of the Colosseum that posed a problem.

The Colosseum wasn’t just any TV program; it was the largest survival program in South Korea, requiring its staff to be skilled enough to manage the players 24/7.

A company filled with top mid-level hunters at the very least, and Dream Gold, a mid-level clan, facing off against it? Dream Gold would be annihilated in less than a minute.

“But I can’t just let him go!”

While reason screamed to back off, his emotions urged him to capture Kim Jinsung. The thought of how Yang Joong-geun would react if he let Kim Jinsung slip away was unbearable.

So, Lee Dong-shik couldn’t easily let go.

“Ahem! Kim Jinsung is officially part of our Fight Club. Therefore, even if you are Baek Jun…”

“Fight Club belongs to Dream Gold?”

“Yes, that’s right!”

Baek Jun’s gaze fell from the flinching Lee Dong-shik to Oh Daejoon, who lay dead with his eyes open.

After a moment of contemplation, Baek Jun suddenly moved. “Wait…!” Lee Dong-shik tried to react, but Baek Jun had already achieved his goal.

Returning to his original stance, Lee Dong-shik saw Baek Jun’s right hand and realized too late. At that moment, his neck was cleanly sliced in two.

The clan members behind him were shocked. Dream Gold, one of the most successful clans, had its second-in-command, Lee Dong-shik, killed in a single strike without even a chance to react.

Baek Jun, having shocked everyone, muttered,

“Yang Joong-geun alone will do. Lee Dong-shik won’t even be missed.”

He then looked down at Kim Jinsung.

“Get up.”

At his command, Kim Jinsung, despite the pain in his thigh, quickly stood up.

Baek Jun turned and walked towards the limousine, with Kim Jinsung closely following him. After both boarded the car, Baek Jun started the engine and slowly left the parking lot. No one dared to block the car’s path until it had completely exited the underground parking lot.

Baek Jun drove peacefully to a secret accommodation prepared by the Colosseum, with Kim Jinsung sitting in the passenger seat, handcuffed at both wrists and ankles, his head bowed.

The interior of the limousine was silent. In fact, neither had spoken a word since getting into the car. Even upon seeing Kim Jinsung’s thigh injury, Baek Jun said nothing.

Was it because he thought the injury was minor, or did he view Kim Jinsung as expendable, like Representative Jo? Only Baek Jun knew the reason for his silence.

“May I ask you something?” Kim Jinsung broke the long silence. Despite his question, Baek Jun gave no response.

“How strong was Lee Dong-shik, if you were to compare him to a hunter?” Kim Jinsung asked.

Information about Lee Dong-shik automatically came to Baek Jun’s mind. Lee Dong-shik. Dream Gold Clan’s Vice-Master. Hunter rank C+.

A C+ rank was considered above mid-level in South Korea, not commonly found. However, Baek Jun’s response was different.

“Trash.”

It wasn’t just a derogatory answer because he disliked Lee Dong-shik; Baek Jun’s standards were simply higher. He was known for not considering anyone below A rank as a hunter.

Of course, Kim Jinsung, unaware of Baek Jun’s standards, thanked him.

“Thank you.”

He bowed his head and fell back into his thoughts.

‘I was almost killed by someone considered trash.’ Kim Jinsung remembered not being able to dodge Lee Dong-shik’s thigh attack despite trying. If he could be so easily killed by “trash,” how would he survive in the Colosseum, filled with even more monstrous players?

‘Phew… I can do this. I can make it. I’ve survived this far…!”

Kim Jinsung was trying to control his mind and stay as positive as possible. Baek Jun glanced at him and thought to himself, ‘He’s had a good experience before the preliminaries.’

One of the most common reasons for early deaths in the Colosseum’s preliminary rounds was complacency. The arrogance of being the strongest in one’s original environment often led to immediate death in the Colosseum.

But Baek Jun saw something different in Kim Jinsung. The way he asked questions to gauge himself and the burning determination in his eyes suggested he was not like the others.

***

“Hello? This is South Korea’s first, largest, and best survival program! I’m Jung Hyung-moon, the main MC of the Colosseum.”

Here in a clean and modest set, the well-groomed announcer, Jung Hyung-moon, was speaking in front of numerous cameras with a smile.

“If you’re a fan of the Colosseum, you’ve probably been eagerly awaiting today’s broadcast. Today marks the start of Season 12!”

Jung Hyung-moon exclaimed, holding up one finger on his right hand and two on his left.

“It’s the first day of the grand journey of Colosseum Season 12! Wow, let’s give a round of applause, applause!”

Jung Hyung-moon encouraged applause from the staff, then pointed to the set.

“As you can see, today is not the day we start the preliminary rounds, unfortunately. Haha, our fans probably realized by now that we don’t do it on the first day! So, what are we doing today?”

Jung Hyung-moon’s voice grew stronger as he continued.

“As always, today we will have an interview with the founder of the Colosseum and a representative hunter of Korea, Mr. Baek Jun. Please welcome him with a warm round of applause! Here is the representative of the Colosseum, Mr. Baek Jun!”

Baek Jun entered to the applause of the staff.

“Hello, I’m Baek Jun. Nice to meet you.”

“It’s been a while since we’ve seen you. How many months has it been? Two months?”

“Can we stop asking that question? The preparation period has been the same for all twelve seasons, hasn’t it?”

“Haha! Now you’re even making jokes, Mr. Representative? You’re practically a celebrity now~!”

“Haha…”

“Please, take a seat.”

The two sat down on the prepared sofa and began the interview in a relaxed manner.

“As you just mentioned, after two months of preparation, today is finally the day the new season starts. How did you spend your time off?”

“As always, I was busy. I put a lot of effort into selecting new players.”

“Ah, right! One of the reasons for the Colosseum’s popularity is the action of unique and fresh players, isn’t it?”

“Yes. But this time, I’m particularly pleased with the players.”

“Oh~!”

“I think they might be the best we’ve had in all seasons.”

Jung Hyung-moon’s eyes widened in surprise.

“All seasons? Wow~ I think this is the first time I’ve heard such confident remarks from you. You’re usually very cautious with your statements, aren’t you?”

“Yes. But this time, I feel confident enough to express it.”

“Oh~ Now I’m really looking forward to it! You know I can’t sleep when I hear such statements!”

“Haha, I know.”

Jung Hyung-moon, one of the top MCs in Korea, was a huge fan of the Colosseum before becoming an MC. It was well-known that he had rushed to the headquarters to volunteer as soon as he heard the Colosseum was recruiting announcers.

“We’ve confirmed that there’s a good lineup of players. How about other aspects? Like the set and such?”

“This season, the set has been completely changed.”

“Changed? How so?”

“We’ve actually bought an island in the ‘New Continent.'”

“What?!” Jung Hyung-moon exclaimed involuntarily and then quickly covered his mouth.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I was so surprised that I just…”

“No need to apologize. It’s quite shocking. Who in their right mind would shoot an entertainment program on the ‘New Continent’?”

“That’s exactly what I’m saying! Have you completely lost your mind, Mr. Representative?!”

“Hahaha….”

Baek Jun laughed at Jung Hyung-moon’s exclamation, which was a mix of jest and seriousness. Afterward, Jung Hyung-moon was still in shock.

“The New Continent, you say. Wow….”

He couldn’t continue the conversation for a while, clearly taken aback. And for good reason, what is the New Continent? It’s known as the ‘Land of Despair,’ where the strongest and most gigantic monsters on Earth are found.

Hearing that they would be filming a survival program there, it’s no wonder Jung Hyung-moon reacted as he did.

“You’re not planning to eliminate all the players by killing them off this season, are you?”

“Hahaha! No, of course not. We’ve obviously chosen one of the relatively safer islands in the New Continent.”

“Hmm~ I’m still not reassured. I can imagine the faces of the players watching this program right now.”

“Well, there’s nothing we can do about it. Once the season has started, it’s impossible to quit midway.”

Baek Jun’s voice was particularly firm when he gave that last answer.

At that moment, there was indeed someone whose face had turned pale…

“The New Continent…?”

It was Kim Jinsung, who was standing and watching the TV.