Chapter 92: vs. The World’s Biggest Spender

Episode 92

“…The total sponsorship amount is 58.89 billion won.”

“……!”

Kim Jinsung stared at the staff member, his face a picture of shock. He was so surprised that he asked again.

“58.89 billion?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Wow…!”

It was unexpected that he had received over 58.89 billion in sponsorship. He had expected a significant amount of sponsorship due to the large number of viewers, but he thought it would be around 10 billion.

Sure, he was a hot topic and had a large audience, but he thought there would be a limit without a big spender contract.

Of course, 10 billion was still a huge sum of money.

Kim Jinsung had planned to make another broadcast and express his gratitude if the amount exceeded 100 million.

But 58.89 billion?

Before Kim Jinsung could recover from his surprise, the staff member continued.

“The highest sponsor is ‘Hong Hyeonjin,’ who has sponsored 50 billion.”

Kim Jinsung’s eyes widened at the unexpected name.

Hong Hyeonjin?

‘Could it be the vice-master of the Baekdu Clan I met at the party…?’

He couldn’t think of anyone else. Out of all the people named Hong Hyeonjin, the only one who would sponsor 58.89 billion to the Colosseum was the vice-master of the Baekdu Clan.

‘Why did she sponsor me? She must have seen my broadcast two days ago…’

Kim Jinsung had declared that he would never accept a big spender contract.

Yet, she had given him 500 million. There was clearly a hidden motive.

But it didn’t matter right now.

‘Well, it’s not bad. I’ll use it however I want.’

Kim Jinsung planned to use it as he pleased. The fact that he now had money to buy expensive equipment was more important.

As Kim Jinsung looked at the items, the staff member spoke.

“You have 30 minutes to purchase the items you want. You can try them on before buying them. Let me know when you’re finished.”

“Yes.”

The staff member finished speaking, and Kim Jinsung approached the items. The price tags next to each item were impressive.

‘Let’s see… This amount is enough for a top-of-the-line weapon and a full set of armor.’

Kim Jinsung nodded, satisfied, after checking the prices.

He had seen firsthand how weapons and armor could make a significant difference in one-on-one battles.

Now, he could choose whatever he wanted.

‘What should I buy… Should I go with the Daehan Clan equipment? They’re the most expensive and proven.’

Kim Jinsung was most drawn to the Daehan Clan products, engraved with the Taegeuk symbol.

The most popular items among the participants in the first round were those made by the four major clans.

Those who had received a lot of sponsorship from ‘big spenders’ had chosen the most expensive Daehan Clan products.

While Kim Jinsung didn’t feel that the Daehan Clan products were overwhelmingly superior to the other four major clan products, they definitely seemed to be the best.

‘I can use the items I buy in the third round too…’

After much deliberation, Kim Jinsung reached for the Daehan Clan products.

But for some reason, he stopped his hand and raised his head.

He turned his head and began walking towards the display next to it.

‘I’ll take a look at the Baekdu Clan products since they sponsored me 500 million.’

Kim Jinsung stopped at the display of Baekdu Clan equipment.

* * *

[Welcome, everyone! We will now begin the first match of the second round of the third preliminary round of Colosseum Survival Season 12!

The one-on-one match between Kim Jinsung and Han Mir will begin now!]

The caster’s melodious voice echoed throughout the arena.

“Woooaaaah!!”

The over 100,000 spectators in the arena cheered loudly.

“It’s Kim Jinsung’s first match?! That’s awesome!”

“I wonder how much sponsorship he got?”

“He probably didn’t get much, did he? He said he wouldn’t accept big spenders on his recent broadcast.”

“But I think Kim Jinsung could win even with a small amount of sponsorship.”

“I have that feeling too…”

The viewers murmured, looking at the two entrances that hadn’t opened yet.

The VIP guests were also discussing Kim Jinsung’s sponsorship. Even Oh Byeong-guk, the master of the BK Clan, and Kang Gyeong-gwon, the master of the K3 Clan, were discussing the same topic.

It showed how much impact Kim Jinsung’s broadcast had made.

“I heard Kim Jinsung, that guy, said he wouldn’t accept big spenders.”

“I heard. He’s still young. In the hunter world, public popularity is useless…”

Kang Gyeong-gwon’s response seemed to mock Kim Jinsung’s choice.

“I heard that because of that broadcast, all the big spenders who were interested in Kim Jinsung turned their attention to other players.”

“It’s like saying you’re going out of business if you keep waiting for someone who said they wouldn’t accept your offer.”

“Then, Kim Jinsung will have to rely solely on his skills. No matter how much money ants give him, how much can they really raise?”

Kang Gyeong-gwon nodded in agreement with Oh Byeong-guk’s statement.

“I don’t think he seems that skilled…”

“Woooaaah!”

“It’s Kim Jinsung!”

The cheers from the general seating area made them turn their gaze towards the entrance.

Kim Jinsung was entering through the left door.

“…Hmm?”

Their eyes widened.

“His weapons and clothes…?”

The full-body armor and sword Kim Jinsung was wearing were familiar to them.

The words ‘Baekdu’ were engraved on the blade of the sword and the left side of the chest armor.

It was clear that they were products made by the Baekdu Clan.

‘Those are the top-tier products from the Baekdu Clan?’

‘How did he buy those expensive items?’

As they wondered, the announcement echoed through the arena.

[Left Corner, participant Kim Jinsung! The total sponsorship amount received so far is 58.89 billion won!

The highest sponsor is ‘Hong Hyeonjin,’ who has sponsored 50 billion won.]

As soon as the name ‘Hong Hyeonjin’ was mentioned in the announcement, everyone in the VIP seats turned their gaze in one direction.

Hong Hyeonjin, who was sitting there, was on the phone with a Baekdu Clan executive.

“I’m telling you again, the amount you heard on the broadcast is from my own money. I didn’t touch the clan’s operating funds, so don’t worry.”

– We’ve confirmed that.

The executive’s voice echoed through the speaker.

– Didn’t I tell you to let us know when you invest such a large sum of money?

“You would have strongly advised against it, right? Investing in a participant who openly refused big spenders is like throwing money away, right?”

– That’s…

He couldn’t answer immediately, as if he had been hit right on the mark.

– …This is problematic. You know that using such a large amount of money will cause a stir, right? Please let us know beforehand next time.

“Alright, I’m sorry.”

Hong Hyeonjin, who sounded anything but apologetic, continued.

“Are you watching TV right now? Take a look at the items Kim Jinsung is wearing.”

Kim Jinsung was covered in the latest Baekdu Clan armor, holding one of their best weapons, the latest Baekdu sword, in his right hand.

For Hong Hyeonjin, who was practically the unspoken master of the Baekdu Clan, it was a sight that would make her smile instantly.

“He’s promoting our Baekdu Clan products to the entire world. We could consider this a payment for modeling, right?”

– That’s if he wins. If he loses miserably because of the difference in weapons…

“Do you think he’s going to lose?”

– …That’s not what I meant.

Hong Hyeonjin chuckled at the executive’s hesitant answer. Who in the world would think Kim Jinsung would lose?

“Let’s end this call. I need to watch the match.”

She ended the call, as if there was nothing more to say.

Then, she saw Kim Jinsung looking directly at her, giving a slight nod.

Hong Hyeonjin smiled in response.

‘So, this is what it feels like to sponsor someone. Well, it’s not bad.’

It was a lie to say she had sponsored him for no reason. It was an investment, a way to get on his good side.

Even for someone like Hong Hyeonjin, 50 billion was a significant expense. But at this moment, she didn’t regret it at all.

‘If he defeats his opponent with that Baekdu Clan set, there’s no better publicity.’

Perhaps, the Baekdu Clan had just recruited the best model they could never afford to hire.

* * *

The VIP guests, looking at Hong Hyeonjin with a pleased expression, all had similar expressions. They were a mix of surprise and the question ‘Why?’

But there was one person with a different expression.

Park Jinwoong.

‘It’s unexpected, but it’s a good thing.’

The surprise had long faded from his face, replaced by a sense of relief.

He was satisfied, no matter the reason, that Kim Jinsung had received a lot of sponsorship.

‘No one knows about the 300 million I invested…’

His heart ached a little when he thought about the 300 million he had spent, emptying his slush fund, but good things come to those who wait.

‘This means Kim Jinsung is definitely going to survive. With that full set, it’s hard to lose, except against Shin Woong.’

He looked at Kim Jinsung in the arena with a hopeful expression.

He wasn’t sure if it was because he had heard that Kim Jinsung was his brother’s closest friend in the fight club or because he had given him his brother’s last belongings, the only photo of the three brothers.

He didn’t know the exact reason, but Park Jinwoong had been drawn to Kim Jinsung since their first meeting at the party.

Then,

“Hey, look!”

“What is that… ?”

“A robot? No, it’s a suit! A suit!”

“It’s a suit like something you’d see in a movie… ?”

Park Jinwoong’s gaze naturally shifted towards the right door as he heard the audience murmuring.

“……!!”

Park Jinwoong’s eyes widened.

Han Mir was entering, wearing a state-of-the-art suit that covered his entire body.

Park Jinwoong knew what that suit was.

‘Abyss Suit?!’

A state-of-the-art suit powered by ‘Abyss,’ the highest-grade magic stone obtainable in the New Continent, Sselepoh.

It was so expensive that even the Daehan Clan only had about three Abyss Suits. The Abyss Suit, which was worth a fortune, had appeared in the Colosseum preliminary round.

‘How did he…?’

Park Jinwoong thought to himself, unable to believe it.

Then, the announcement echoed through the arena.

[Left Corner, participant Han Mir! The total sponsorship amount received so far is… a whopping 5 trillion won!]

“!!”

“What?!”

“Trillion? Not billion?”

Almost everyone in the audience stood up in shock.

But there was even more shocking news to come.

[The highest sponsor is ‘Muhammad bin Nasir Al Saud,’ who has sponsored 5 trillion won!]

The heads of almost 100,000 spectators turned towards the center of the VIP seats.

Bin Nasir, sitting there, exchanged an unreadable glance with Baek Jun, who was sitting next to him.

“Hey…”

Jang Seungwook’s voice came from beside him, and Baek Jun looked at him.

Jang Seungwook asked in a low voice, so only they could hear.

“He really sponsored 5 trillion… right?”

“He just sponsored the Abyss Suit that the Al Saud Clan used to have.”

“Ah…”

Jang Seungwook, finally understanding, nodded. Even Jang Seungwook knew that it was impossible for Bin Nasir to spend 5 trillion at once.

‘Wow, even if it’s an old suit, he just gave him that expensive Abyss Suit to use in the preliminary round…?’

Jang Seungwook, inwardly impressed by Bin Nasir’s spending, looked at Kim Jinsung, who was staring at the Abyss Suit with no change in expression.

“What do you think?”

Baek Jun asked.

Jang Seungwook, immediately understanding the question, looked at the two standing in the arena and answered.

“I don’t know if Han Mir can use the Abyss Suit well…”

“He can use it.”

“Then, the second round will be the most interesting match.”

They had given Han Mir, who was significantly weaker than Kim Jinsung, a massive advantage by giving him the Abyss Suit.

Now, no one knew who would win.

‘The balance is perfect, just as planned. It would be best if Kim Jinsung wins here…’

Baek Jun stared at Kim Jinsung, who was looking at the Abyss Suit with no change in expression.

—