Chapter 13: Before viewing

Ep 4. Evaluation Match.

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All of Class 8 was focused on the TV.

「They call them the Three Emperors and the Elite Twelve—this generation’s rising stars in the 22nd Evaluation Match.」
「Compared to last year’s simple Top 6 format, it’s a bountiful harvest.」

The male and female hosts casually bounced commentary off one another on screen.
They spoke like ordinary broadcasters, but both were top-tier villains with triple-digit ranks.

Of course, when high-ranking villains were watching, no mere Hundred-Class villain could afford to be smug.
The two hosts kept a respectful and cautious tone throughout the broadcast.

「The concept of a ‘Top Bracket’ is familiar to longtime viewers of the Evaluation Match. But what does the ‘Emperor’ part of the Three Emperors mean exactly?」
「Ah~ It’s a term that spread within Telon, so it might be unfamiliar to our villain viewers on the outside.」

“Top Bracket” was a title of praise given to a handful of exceptional individuals in a generation.
Roughly, it corresponded to those ranked in the 3000s.

「Did you watch the 15th Evaluation Match, Odin?」
「The 15th… that would be 7 years ago. Oh, wasn’t that the one where the Double-Rank ‘Dark Lord’ participated back when he was a rookie?」
「Exactly! That’s why they called it the ‘1 Emperor, Top 4’ era. And of course, the Emperor referred to Dark Lord himself.」
「So what you’re saying is… this time, there are three such contenders?」

Yuryeon, who once incinerated an entire faction of insubordinate janitors.
Crown, who leads an alliance of over a hundred.
And Kizel, known as the “Sword Demon” from the villain side.

These were the Three Emperors.

[The only one you need to be wary of is Yuryeon. In my eyes, even the title of ‘Emperor’ doesn’t do her justice.]

A few days ago, I happened to see Durek sparring with Yuryeon.
It must’ve left an impression—Yu Hyesun hadn’t stopped harping on about how dangerous she was ever since.

「And that’s why there are three betting pools this season.」
「One for the winner, one for the Top 4, and one for the Top 20.」

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Speculators generally divided the Evaluation Match contestants into four tiers.

The Three Emperors vying for victory.
The Elite Twelve just beneath them, competing for dominance.
The upper group aiming to secure one of the five remaining seats in the Nova Unit.

And then everyone else—the middle and lower tiers.

I was officially ranked somewhere between the upper and middle tiers.
That’s because I hadn’t racked up any notable results since defeating Ariel, who was ranked in the 6000s.

“You’re aiming for the Nova Unit too, right, Iran?”

One of the kids asked me as we all watched the broadcast.

“You said five months ago you were in the mid-5000s, right? Where are you now?”
“Still around there. It’s only been five months.”

The moment I said that, the five elite members of Class 8 flinched.

“Ah~ well, I’m rooting for you anyway, Iran! You’re Class 8’s pride!”

The others quickly chimed in.

“Even after the Evaluation Match, we’ll keep cheering for you from Telon!”
“If you’re ever back in this city, drop by our group!”
“Go show those Hero bastards what you’re made of!”

Today would be the last time I saw these faces.
Once the Evaluation Match ended, we’d be handed over to the Hero City immediately.

“Good luck!”

It was a strange feeling.
-Bittersweet, maybe?

We’d been through a lot, but we’d also spent six months together.
By now, I could recall every one of their names, personalities, and quirks just by looking at their faces.

These weak and lazy kids… how would they survive the harsh world ahead?

Probably… they wouldn’t.

By the time I returned to Telon, they might all be gone.

“…Thanks.”

At my words, the kids rushed over and clung to me, excited.
Their warmth was vivid, almost painfully real.
They could’ve lived bright and happy lives if only they’d been born in a normal city.

Their fate was… a tragic one.

It was during a quiet moment on the rooftop, letting the night breeze wash over me.

“Getting all mopey again?”

I didn’t need to turn around to know who it was.
My eyes remained on the unusually lively city as I said her name.

“Yuryeon.”
“Master asked me to deliver something.”

Yuryeon stepped up beside me, gazing out at the same city.

A moment later, she placed something on my palm.

“…A mask and… a talisman?”

It was a blank white mask with large holes for the eyes.
And a sticker-like paper etched with metaphysical symbols.

The mask was self-explanatory, but I couldn’t guess the use of the paper at all.

“What’s this paper that looks like a talisman?”
“No idea. He just said to stick it on your chest. I got one too.”
“On the chest?”
“Specifically over the heart. Don’t question it. Master never acts without reason.”

[My liege, that is no ordinary talisman. It’s a type of relic. Its function is unclear, however.]

When a magical item gains an extraordinary power that defies natural law, it is classified as a relic.
That paper was one such rare object.

The mention of relics reminded me of something.

“You aiming for the championship prize too?”
“The prize… the Dragon Orb? Isn’t it obvious?”
“Technically, it’s not the orb itself. They say the prize is the accumulated magic from the orb. Is that really something you’d want?”

The Dragon Orb, the top-tier relic held by the Association.

This object constantly accumulated magical energy.
Every year, the vast amount stored was awarded to the Evaluation Match’s victor.

I was intrigued.
Unlike me, who was always gasping for mana, Yuryeon had more than she knew what to do with.
It was like comparing a sandbox to a mountain.

And yet even she found it enticing—just how much mana did the orb contain?

“It’s equivalent to all the mana I’ve accumulated up to now.”
“…”
“In other words, if I win, I’ll double my total mana reserves.”

[Hooh… In that case, if my liege claims it, you could instantly catch up to that girl’s mana levels.]

The speed at which one amasses mana depends on their constitution and the time invested.
After only six months of training, my mana capacity was pitifully small compared to my power.

“Nice.”
“You’re unbelievable. You didn’t even know and—”
“I’m going to take it.”

Yuryeon’s mouth clamped shut, as if she had been about to say something snide.
I smiled, meeting her bright orange irises.

“I’ll be the one to win.”
“…”

Our eyes collided in midair.

Uncharacteristically, Yuryeon neither scoffed nor barked at me for saying something outrageous.

She just stared at me silently, expressionless.

A frozen stillness settled between us, as though we were walking on thin ice—
even the wind seemed to pause.

“Master told me your level.”

She looked away and continued.

“It sounded unbelievable… but if it’s you, I can see it happening.”
“…”
“I admit it. You’re a genius.”

Her voice was calm as she looked out over the cityscape.

“A genius far beyond me. Probably on par with the Mad Demon or the Radiant King. I resented the heavens for sending a monster like you into my generation.”

Her voice remained composed, but Yuryeon’s hand, gripping the railing, trembled.

[…Incredible. For the proud Yuryeon to say something like that…]

I, on the other hand, felt a chill run down my spine.

Yuryeon now exuded the intensity of a beast facing the rival of her life.

Honestly, I preferred when she used to mock and underestimate me. That was easier to deal with.

Then, she spat her words like chewing on bitterness.

“But you still haven’t caught up to me.”
“…”
“A sapling, no matter how great, is still fertilizer when it breaks.”

Her twin red ponytails fluttered in the breeze as she locked eyes with me.

“Forget the orb or Master. They don’t matter. In the Evaluation Match, my only goal is you, Iran.”

It was the first time she had ever spoken my name aloud.

“So keep your eyes on me too.”

Her eyes, reflecting the twilight, blazed vividly.
In her pupils, I was the only one reflected.

“There’s no one in this world who can match you… except me.”

With that, Yuryeon turned her back on me.
Left alone on the rooftop, I quietly mulled over her words.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

The day of the Evaluation Match.

All the participants were gathered in a vast clearing.
A thousand pairs of eyes were fixed on the man standing on the podium.

“Before we begin, there are a few rules you must keep in mind.”

Hundreds of red crows were flying through the sky.

Ganjeog-o.
A well-known Grade E familiar.
It shared its field of vision with its master in real time.
These familiars were being used to broadcast the Evaluation Match.

In other words, they were real-time streaming cameras.

One of the crows briefly locked eyes with me.
I reflexively touched my face—feeling the hard surface of the mask Durek had given me.

It was said that most top-ranking heroes made a point to watch the Evaluation Match broadcasts.

There was a chance… Seoran might be watching too.

Which meant I had to hide my identity at all costs.
This was all to get myself killed by Seoran—but if she figured out who I was, there’s no way she could kill me.

The mask must never come off or break.
Not under any circumstances.

“The Evaluation Match will take place in the northeastern region of Telon, in the Great Yarne Forest. The rules are as follows.”

“One. Do not leave the designated area.
Any participant who attempts to leave will be stopped by instructors stationed around the perimeter.”

“One. Do not attack or imitate the Ganjeog-o.
They are the eyes of the Great Ones.
However, exceptions may be granted under unavoidable circumstances.”

“One. The match zone will shrink every hour.
By the end of the week, the area will be smaller than this very clearing. Keep that in mind.”

He went on to explain how to forfeit, how to check the number of remaining participants, and other details.

Once the explanation ended, the proctors led the participants away in groups.

The destination: the Great Yarne Forest.

We left Telon and traveled deeper into the wilderness, until eventually, towering trees began to rise into view.

As soon as we entered the forest, the instructors approached.

To my surprise, the one assigned to me had a very familiar face.

“Master?”
“Stay still. I’m going to blindfold you.”

Durek spoke as he tied the blindfold over my eyes.

“Did you apply the talisman I gave you?”
“Yes.”
“Good. If your mask comes off, it’ll protect you.”

If my mask comes off?

I frowned in confusion, but Durek offered no explanation.

Once the blindfold was fully secured, he led me deeper into the forest.

Participants were placed randomly throughout the woods.

“Yuryeon asked if she was allowed to kill you.
What do you think I said?”

…He probably said yes.

“Avoid pointless fights as much as possible.
You need to conserve your mana for when you face Yuryeon.”
“Yes.”
“I grant you the same permission—to kill her, if necessary.”
“…”

We walked for a long time before Durek finally stopped.

“The Dragon Orb is your only chance to make up for your lack of mana.
You must claim it.”

When he removed the blindfold, I was surrounded by dense trees.
I couldn’t sense anyone nearby.

Just before leaving, Durek gave me one last order.

“Win.
It’s necessary… to punish Gwangmyeong.”

“…”

I gave a silent nod.

[…That damn bastard…]

Durek disappeared into the trees.
A moment later, a red crow landed on my shoulder.

And then, a booming voice echoed through the entire forest.

“The Evaluation Match—begins!”