18. Colosseum.

+++

 

 

 

 

 

 

“…It’s too overwhelming.”

 

 

It’s called a challenge, but it’s practically a scene of abuse.

 

 

There have only been two challenges so far, but that was enough to know.

It’s almost impossible to beat that executive and the Head Maid.

 

 

“That’s what I’ve been telling you! We need to get out of here ASAP!”

“…What’s the combat prowess of that executive and the maid?”

“Why do you even ask when you’re not going to believe me anyway?”

“….”

 

 

Is she sulking?

She’s being quite curt.

 

 

The Chairman sensed something was wrong and tried to cheer her up, but Hera’s mood didn’t improve.

 

 

No, her heart had already left. If he continues to be indecisive like this even after tonight, she intends to end their relationship and leave Korea.

 

 

 

‘Haa…she’s really pissed. But how can I believe her when she says their combat prowess is over a hundred million?’

 

 

The Chairman can accept around 5 million combat prowess. Even that’s a bit much, and anything more is unimaginable for him right now.

 

 

He decided to leave Hera alone for a while and turned his head.

 

 

“What do you think of Agnes Branch Manager-nim? I heard there are many talented people in Europe.”

“…Well, if I or my daughter step up, we could win, but…it would be difficult otherwise.”

 

Agnes said calmly.

The Chairman admired her for maintaining a poker face even after seeing something so incredible, but the reality was different.

She was just desensitized because she had tasted such immense power that something like this didn’t even register.

 

 

In fact, even Deputy Guild Master Im Seo-hyun, who is an executive and practically runs the guild, doesn’t have very high combat prowess itself ㅡ at least within the Harem Palace. Rather, some of the Head Maids with exceptional talent are stronger than her.

 

 

So, even an extremely ordinary(?) Head Maid who fought Gu Ye-na is really nothing at all.

 

 

“Hmm…then…ah, never mind. It’s nothing.”

 

The Chairman stopped himself from saying something.

That’s one of the most annoying ways to talk.

Agnes frowned.

 

 

“What is it? I’d appreciate it if you could finish what you were saying.”

“It’s a very rude thing to say.”

“?”

“Well…I was just thinking, since Branch Manager-nim said you could win easily, maybe you could try competing as a test.”

“….”

The rudeness is real.

To say that to the branch manager who oversees adventurers across Europe, not just some random adventurer.

It’s understandable that he swallowed it halfway.

 

 

But in the end, he said it out loud.

Agnes looked at him with a dumbfounded expression.

 

 

“Are you telling me to go out to that barbaric place?”

“No, no. I was just saying, what if? Don’t look at me like that.”

“….”

 

 

Agnes openly expressed her displeasure.

Her daily life has been filled with annoyance lately, and on top of that, the Chairman, instead of helping her, has no idea about her situation and is saying such ridiculous things.

 

 

‘What if that guy hurts the women there…’

 

She secretly shuddered.

 

 

“More than that, shouldn’t Chairman-nim go back? I don’t think you’re free enough to be here like this.”

“Well, that’s true, but…isn’t that the same for Branch Manager-nim?”

“I have important business here.”

“For a month?”

“It’s confidential, so I can’t say more than that.”

“Hehe…a secret that even I, the head of the organization, can’t know…”

 

He was dumbfounded, but he didn’t pry.

Agnes is one of the top key figures, so it’s best not to provoke her. Although it seems like he already has.

 

 

“I’m definitely busy. A B-rank dungeon has appeared in Japan, so they’ll soon be appearing worldwide. C-rank and B-rank. But that’s why we need to confirm the strong ones like Yu-eun-ssi.”

“Hmph. Is that so?”

“Branch Manager-nim came all the way to Korea for that reason, didn’t you?”

“Is that what you think?”

“Um…yes.”

 

The Chairman bitterly ended the conversation.

It seems like he’s earned the dislike of both women.

 

‘Did I do something that wrong today?’

 

 

 

 

+++

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now, the waiting room is filled only with tension and fear.

There’s a tiny bit of hope left, but it’s literally faint.

 

 

“E-Even the maids…are that strong??”

 

 

Gu Ye-na showed a high level of performance in the preliminaries.

Fast speed and powerful attack power.

There were even a few matches where she didn’t allow a single attack.

 

But she was brutally crushed by a mere maid, and her life, which she had put up as collateral, was taken away.

 

That’s why they’re so nervous.

If even the Head Maid is this strong, then the only one worth fighting is the Second Maid, but the prize money for the Second Maid is $1 million. That’s about 1.2 billion won.

That’s not a small amount, but the problem is the people who bought the challenge tickets.

 

They didn’t care about the maids in the first place and bought the tickets aiming for the executive level or higher, so they bought the tickets at a pretty high price, and even if they beat the Second Maid, they’ll still lose money.

 

What’s even funnier is that even that $1 million isn’t guaranteed now.

If the Head Maid is this strong, then the Second Maid, who is only one step below, is likely to be no pushover either.

 

 

 

 

“…Should I have just taken the prize money for making it to the Round of 32 without challenging anyone…this is just an execution!!”

 

When someone in the waiting room shouted that, a few people nodded.

This is really unpleasant. Weren’t they just using them to flex their power?

 

“Maybe they sent out someone strong from the executive level as a maid?”

“!!”

“That’s a possibility! How would we know if the woman who came out is an executive or a maid, or if she’s an executive disguised as a maid!”

“N-Now that you mention it!”

“Everyone knows that Im Seo-hyun is the Deputy Guild Master! But why is she coming out as an executive? She’s the Deputy Guild Master!!”

 

The doubts grew more and more.

And it turned into anger.

 

 

“W-We’ve been tricked!! These sons of bitches! They’re scamming us!!”

“We need to file a formal complaint right away.”

 

The adventurers got up from their seats.

It felt like anger was engulfing their bodies.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Don’t make a fuss. You trash.”

 

 

 

 

At that moment, a man who had been sitting with his arms crossed and his eyes closed in one corner uttered provocative words.

 

 

“A scam, being tricked…you’re really good at sugarcoating your own weakness.”

“What?!”

 

A long-haired pretty boy.

His arrogant expression suits him well, giving off a ‘noble’ vibe.

Judging by the rapier at his waist, his job is a swordsman.

 

 

He stood up slightly.

 

 

“In the end, it’s a problem that can be solved if you’re strong. They tricked you by disguising an executive as a maid? Then shouldn’t you just be strong enough to beat that executive?”

 

Sureung.

 

 

He drew his sword.

The thin silver blade flashed.

 

 

“Those words only come out because you’re weak.”

“…You…wanna die?”

“Wanna die? Hmph. I wish I could. But it’s impossible. I’m on a different level than you trash.”

“You son of a bㅡ,”

 

 

 

 

 

[Alright! We’re about to start the third challenge of the day, and I’m curious to see which adventurer will challenge which opponent this time. Please come out to the stage, third participant!]

 

 

He sheathed his rapier.

 

 

“Got a problem? Shut up even if you do. Losers who give up because they’re tired of scams and other useless things don’t even have the right to speak.”

 

With those words, he opened the door and stepped onto the stage.

 

“You son of a bitch, I’ll get you for this!!”

 

He ignored the angry shouts of the adventurers behind him.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[The third challenger has arrived! His name is Reinhardt! He’s an adventurer from Germany who’s been active in the Manhattan Dungeon and is slowly preparing to move to the Tokyo Dungeon. Who will he challenge? Will it be the Second Maid again?]

 

Cheok.

 

He raised his hand and pointed.

 

 

“Guild Master-level Yu So-ra, I challenge you.”

[…??]

 

 

Seo-hyun gasped in surprise.

 

 

The previous two adventurers were beaten to a pulp, so what is this guy trusting in to choose the Guild Master-level, who is even higher up?

 

 

[Did you perhaps misspeak? The Guild Master-level is incomparably stronger than me.]

“I heard you clearly. I’m challenging Guild Master-level Yu So-ra.”

[….]

 

 

Seo-hyun briefly turned around and looked at the VIP seats.

There, Yu-eun and his three wives had dumbfounded expressions.

 

 

 

Not even going as far as Yu So-ra, even Isonia is a monster with over 5 million combat prowess.

Yu I-na and Yu So-ra, who are wives by tradition(?), have already exceeded 10 million.

 

Moreover, since their critical hit rate far exceeds 100% and their critical hit multiplier is enormous, their actual combat power is dozens of times higher.

 

 

 

To choose that without fear.

 

 

Seo-hyun looked forward again.

 

 

[I’ll give you another chance. Whoㅡ,]

“How many times do I have to say it? Don’t do useless things.”

[….]

 

 

Seo-hyun almost lost it for a moment.

But she endured it thinking of Yu-eun’s face.

 

 

[Hoo…alright. Challenger Reinhardt has challenged Guild Master-level Yu So-ra, Deputy Guild Master. Don’t regret it. But you will.]

“Hmph.”

 

At her words, Yu So-ra, who had been sitting, scratched her head, got up, and jumped onto the stage.

 

 

“Wow…she’s so pretty!”

 

Reinhardt, who challenged the Guild Master-level without being daunted by the previous brutal challenges. And Yu So-ra, who came down to the stage to accept his challenge.

 

 

The audience cheered for the two of them.

Of course, there were far more cheers for Yu So-ra.

 

 

“H-Her chest is so kind.”

“I’m so jealous, shit….”

 

So-ra swept her purple-dyed hair back.

 

 

“Wow…I didn’t think I’d end up fighting.”

“And you probably didn’t think you’d lose to me either. What, don’t be too ashamed. Just fighting me is enough to bring glory to your family.”

“Oh my. You’re good with words. Then right awㅡ.”

[Ah, I’m sorry. I forgot the procedure for a moment. Challenger Reinhardt.]

“…What is it?”

[Before the challenge, I’ll check the collateral. The Guild Master-level’s prize money is $20 million. The collateral must have a value of $2 million.]

“Hmph. In that case, I’ll work for your guild.”

[We don’t need it.]

“…You have no eye for talent. I amㅡ.”

[Whether you’re this or that, we don’t need men. Present a valid collateral.]

“…Men aren’t just about looks. Okay. It’s a blow to my pride, but I could consider spending a hot night togetherㅡ.”

[Shut up if you’re not 30cm.]

“….”

[Judging by the looks of it, you’re a premature ejaculator and barely 5cm at best, should I kill you? Hurry up and present the collateral. Don’t say useless things.]

“….”

 

 

The sound of Seo-hyun’s words spreading through the microphone caused snickers to erupt here and there.

The man’s face turned red with anger.

 

 

“How dare you…!”

“Haa~aam…How dare you my ass, hurry up and do it? Should I go in?”

 

When So-ra yawned with a clearly annoyed expression, Reinhardt’s face turned even redder.

 

 

“Grind…I don’t…have money.”

“Are you fucking kidding me?”

 

Reinhardt bit his lip and thought, then looked at So-ra and said.

 

 

“Since I’m going to win anyway, how about lending me the money? I’m not originally interested in the prize money. If you lend me $2 million, I’ll give you the $10 million prize money.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Or I could go on a date with you for a day. If you want more than that, thenㅡ.”

[That’s enough. Get out of here. Or take on a challenge that suits your abilities.]

 

 

Seo-hyun cut off Reinhardt’s words and gestured, and a few maids flew onto the stage.

 

 

“Challenger Reinhardt, designate a new opponent or leave the stage.”

“What? How dare a mere maid tell me what to do!”

“A mere maid? Haa…where did this guy come from?”

“I know, right? He thinks he’s something special. We’re being polite, so he thinks he can look down on us.”

 

Just as the maids were about to forcibly escort him,

 

 

 

“Okay. I’ll lend it to you. $2 million.”

 

 

[…So-ra-nim?]

 

 

Seo-hyun asked with a dumbfounded expression,

And Reinhardt drew his sword with a “I knew it” expression.

 

 

“Hmph. I won’t express my gratitㅡ,”

“Hey. What are you smiling about?”

 

So-ra chuckled and sneered at his arrogance.

 

 

“I wondered, but you’re as dumb as I thought.”

“So-ra-nim, really…?”

“Yes. I’ll put up the collateral.”

“…Understood.”

 

The maids stepped back, and Seo-hyun tilted her head, but eventually announced that the challenge had been made.

 

 

“Did you perhaps fall for me? Well, I guess it’s possibleㅡ.”

“Hey, 5cm.”

“…I’m not 5cm.”

“Don’t you know why I lent it to you?”

 

 

She smiled evilly and took out a short staff from her chest.

Her class is Royal Physician. In other words, a healer.

 

 

But even so, she’s a super monster with over 16 million attack power!

 

 

Hwik.

Kwagwang!

 

 

When she swung her staff, her aura exploded around her, creating a huge roar and shockwave.

 

 

 

 

 

 

“I lent it to you because you’re annoying and I’m going to kill you. You idiot.”