Ch.205Chapter 8. A Toast to Your Patriotism (6)

In this world or the original world, victory is exhilarating.

For that victory, some step forward fair and square, while others try to win by cleverly exploiting the rules.

Whether others see it as cheating or not, those who make winning their sole purpose don’t care about fairness.

After all, winning is all that matters.

There are those who believe that as long as they win, it’s all good—regardless of what others say during the process, whether they bribe referees, take drugs in ways that don’t violate regulations, or compete in environments favorable to them.

But when you overcome such obstacles and win purely with “skill,” there’s no victory more thrilling.

Even if your opponent uses unfair methods or some kind of program or cheat, you still win?

That is true skill, and that is justice.

I confirmed Ray Huang’s cheating.

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

Why?

Because such cheating could be revealed after the match ended.

And that match should naturally have ended with “Yoon Yi-seon’s victory.”

The match shouldn’t have been interrupted by an outsider like Hayabusa—it should have ended with Yoon Yi-seon defeating the cheating Ray Huang with overwhelming power.

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

Her intrusion robbed Yoon Yi-seon of her rightful victory and instantly turned the final match into a meaningless fight.

If Yoon Yi-seon had won, her individual skills would have been upgraded, the nation’s prestige would have risen, and she might have gained the confidence to reach even greater heights.

Frankly speaking, she might have even grown to S-rank through this battle.

That’s what Hayabusa has now stolen.

[First, step back. It could be dangerous if the aftermath reaches you.]

“Ah… yes…!”

Yoon Yi-seon tried to say something but immediately leaped backward.

She looked at me with disbelief, seemingly surprised that I had positioned myself as if to protect her.

‘I hope she doesn’t misunderstand.’

I came out because Hayabusa appeared.

I definitely didn’t jump in because I thought Yoon Yi-seon was in danger.

‘It would be troublesome if she thinks the Goblin appeared because she was weak.’

If she misunderstands that way, I’ll have to hold Hayabusa responsible for causing this misunderstanding.

Even if I clear up the misunderstanding later, for now, I can only indirectly convey it by speaking to Hayabusa.

[You stole that woman’s victory. I will judge your crime.]

“Hmph…. You who stole the Rider title…!”

Hayabusa lowered her stance.

Her angular helmet, skin-tight latex suit, and the metal pieces attached like external armor were clearly made of steel.

The only unique point was that her helmet seemed to be designed with a peregrine falcon motif.

There was no significant difference from other Riders.

In fact, without anything special about that design, it was no different from a tacky battle suit.

‘Maybe if she had worn an asymmetrical cape on her shoulder or something.’

She called herself the Great Hurricane in English, but well.

I couldn’t see anything that expressed the identity of “Hayabusa.”

“You’re going to show me defeat? Ha! Let me tell you clearly right now! You’re the one who will lose! A true Rider never loses!”

Hayabusa stretched her hand forward, and a mysterious blade suddenly protruded from it.

Whirr.

Hayabusa held an incredibly long Japanese sword.

Its distinctive feature was that only the handle was made of steel, while the blade extending from inside the handle was formed from Hayabusa’s magical power.

As she stretched it forward in her grip, depending on the angle of the photo, it wouldn’t look out of place as the so-called “Hero Sword Technique, First Form.”

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

[Go ahead, real Rider. I don’t care about who’s the original or who’s real anyway.]

“What…did you say…?”

Hayabusa froze at my words.

Others listening to our conversation probably also stiffened their expressions.

[I’m just more displeased that you barged in and ended a fight that could have been won. If being a Rider means randomly interrupting others’ duels, then I’ll discard such a Rider identity.]

“A-are you disrespecting Riders?!”

[You’re talking nonsense. Your vision is narrow. Do you think I came out just because of you?]

I pointed at Ray Huang, whom Hayabusa was stepping on.

[I only came to execute a villain.]

“A villain because he used drugs? That’s—”

[No.]

Slowly.

Ray Huang’s body began to stir.

At the same time, the scattered powder of the Yeobongseon began gathering toward Ray Huang.

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

“……!”

To win, one can do anything.

Even if it means using drugs.

Even if it means becoming a demon.

“I’ll…kill…you…!!”

Ray Huang, who had been pinned under Hayabusa, raised his head.

“I will wiiiiiin!!”

[How unfortunate.]

If Yoon Yi-seon had been allowed to continue fighting, he probably wouldn’t have become a demon.

If he had fought with all his might against someone similar to or slightly stronger than himself and lost, he wouldn’t have felt resentful.

Even if he had used drugs and lost, he would have accepted defeat, acknowledging the pure difference in class.

[A Chinese person tried to win using mana powder, but the person he was fighting one-on-one with all his might wasn’t the one who defeated him—it was an outside interference.]

But Hayabusa forcibly intervened?

[Perfect for self-justification.]

He lost because an S-rank forcibly intervened.

If so, he needs to become stronger than an S-rank.

Drugs can only get him to A-rank, so what’s the way to become stronger from here?

Not drugs.

Only becoming a demon.

“Uaaaaaaah!!!”

Around Ray Huang’s body, a massive purple mist began to writhe.

The mist gradually grew larger, starting to take shape.

“I am, I am the strongest being…!”

He transformed into the form he had chosen as his “self” when summoning a spirit.

The form of Yeobongseon.

* * *

“Chancellor! We must take action immediately!”

“Hoho, what action?”

Academy Chancellor Kim Seok-dae laughed heartily with a relaxed expression.

“Before I take action, there are already two S-rank ability users next to the demon, and the audience seats are overflowing with S-ranks. Just watch.”

“But!”

“No buts. It’s a shame that the confrontation between the Goblin and Hayabusa is off the table, but aren’t you curious about what the Goblin will do when faced with a demon?”

Kim Seok-dae headed from the referee’s seat to the VIP audience section with a face full of composure.

“Chancellor.”

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

“…First, I’ll reinforce the wall so that the aftermath doesn’t affect the audience.”

“A good decision.”

The Chancellor tapped the air toward the transparent ice wall created by Snow White.

The reason he only tapped the air without directly touching it was probably fear that the magical power might affect the back of his hand.

“Lady Nadeshiko. What measures would Japan take in this situation?”

“Well, we should certainly take initial measures since a problem has occurred, but…”

Nadeshiko crossed her legs and smiled brightly with composure.

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

“…You’re not worried at all.”

“Of course not. It’s the Goblin after all. Look at this now.”

Nadeshiko gazed ecstatically at the black suit with white patterns and the green light clusters gleaming here and there beyond the transparent ice wall, licking her lips.

“Isn’t this a golden opportunity to see the Goblin’s new form? Last time he was spewing fire everywhere, but what ability will it be this time? Green means plants? Using earth? Or maybe wind?”

“…It’s probably wind. When he appeared in Jindo last time, he showed signs of using wind.”

“Oh my. Jindo—you mean when he fought alongside Snow White? Hehe, I miss those days. I’ve also fought alongside the Goblin before.”

“Really? Is that true?”

“Of course, Chancellor. Unofficially speaking, I’ve even fought back-to-back with the Goblin against villains. Hehehe.”

Snow White frowned at Nadeshiko’s words.

It clearly sounded like she was emphasizing to Snow White that “I also have a connection with the Goblin,” so the Chancellor turned his gaze toward the stage, fearing he might get caught in the middle.

“Ahem. Still, seeing someone become a demon doesn’t feel good. Snow White. Nadeshiko. I have one request for both of you. If the Goblin tries to kill the demon…”

“He won’t kill it.”

Nadeshiko continued smiling brightly, even taking out a fan and tapping it lightly in her hand with leisure.

“The Goblin won’t kill the demon. Want to make a bet? I—”

“I bet he won’t kill it.”

“……Hmm.”

When Snow White beat her to it, Nadeshiko narrowed her eyes and twisted the corner of her mouth.

“Then I’ll also bet he won’t kill it.”

“…Ha, haha.”

The Chancellor shuddered slightly from the cold sweat running down his spine and pointed at the purple giant that was gradually reaching 5 meters in height.

“Well, it’s best if no one dies. Hoho, however….”

Beep.

The Chancellor stroked his Taegeuk Watch with his hand and looked ahead with expectant eyes.

“If the Goblin kills the demon, you must step in immediately. Without fail.”

“Without fail?”

“Yes. Now, killing a demon isn’t just simply killing a demon, is it? If he kills a demon, it’s no different from killing a human.”

“Chancellor, do you want the Goblin to kill the demon?”

“Hmm….”

The Chancellor shrugged lightly.

“If he kills the demon, we can arrest him immediately, can’t we? A villain who killed a person.”

GROOOOOOAAAR!!

“Heuk?!”

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

“H-haa…. They said it was Yeobongseon, and indeed it’s a roar worthy of someone who devoured three fathers… No, in Ray Huang’s case, should I say someone who devoured three countries…? Hmm….”

“…….”

Snow White and Nadeshiko silently gazed into the arena.

Worried.

Worried that the Goblin might kill the demon.

If he does kill the demon, then—

“”I will….””

“”…….””

The two women spoke simultaneously, then looked at each other and clicked their tongues.

* * *

“…I-I didn’t turn him into a demon! He did it on his own!”

[Saying that won’t change what’s already happened.]

As for the being becoming a demon.

[I kill demons.]

I’ll execute it.

However.

[I also want to experiment a little.]

Kill the demon, but save the human.

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

Learning and stealing abilities from each other doesn’t just apply to others.

[I’ll kill the inner demon.]

If the demon is like a cancer cell.

‘If I remove the root of the demon. Perhaps.’

Maybe I can kill just the cancer cells.

[Hayabusa. Let me tell you. You’re disqualified both as a Rider and as a hero.]

By removing the demon, I’ll completely crush Hayabusa.

[I’ll take care of you along with the demon you created.]

Well.

For a demon.

Perhaps it’s possible if I cut out the place where the demon’s seed is contained.