Chapter 96: Vs. Shin Woong

Episode 96

The announcer’s voice continued through the speakers.

[Before the match, let’s first announce each contestant’s current sponsorship amount!]

“…That’s a bit early, isn’t it?”

Kang Gyeong-gwon commented, his expression revealing his surprise.

Typically, they would introduce the players after they entered the arena, announcing their sponsorship amounts at the same time. But right now, neither player had entered yet.

[First, Kim Jinsung! His total sponsorship amount is 71,85 billion won!]

“Oh…!”

“That’s a lot…!”

[Since Kim Jinsung used 40 billion won in the second round, his remaining balance is 31.8 billion won. Next, Shin Woong! The total sponsorship collected is 11,38 billion won!]

“Ah…”

“As expected, it’s not a lot.”

“Well, he’s not exactly the type to attract big spenders.”

The audience’s reactions were more or less what they had expected.

At least Kim Jinsung engaged with his fans, offering some fan service by smiling and waving when they cheered.

But Shin Woong didn’t even do that. He ignored everyone who tried to talk to him, maintaining his loner persona.

His overall popularity was much lower than Kim Jinsung’s, reflected in the sponsorship difference.

Maybe if he’d been a bit more proactive, an unexpected big spender like Hong Hyeonjin might’ve stepped in.

“Doesn’t this give Kim Jinsung a huge advantage?”

“Exactly. His equipment in the second round was already way better…”

“Ah, bummer. I was hoping for a level playing field…”

Such whispers arose among the spectators.

Then, as if anticipating these reactions, the announcement continued.

[Those are the sponsorship amounts for both contestants. However, just before the match, Mr. Bin Nasir made an urgent proposition.]

“Huh?”

“Bin Nasir?”

“Could it be…?”

[He offered to cover the entire sponsorship himself so both contestants can fight on equal terms.]

“Whoa!”

“As expected of the world’s number one oil tycoon!”

“This is what I wanted!”

The announcer’s words further ignited the excitement of the already-buzzing crowd.

[Therefore, for this final match, both Kim Jinsung and Shin Woong will each have a sponsorship amount of 5 trillion won! They can now use all the equipment available in the preparation room!]

“Woooaaaah!!”

“Bin Nasir! Bin Nasir! Bin Nasir!”

The spectators turned their gaze towards Bin Nasir, seated in the center of the VIP section, chanting his name in unison.

This alone demonstrated how eager the audience was to witness a fair match between Kim Jinsung and Shin Woong.

“Wait, but doesn’t this mean they’ll both be wearing those suits now?”

“Huh? Actually… I was hoping for a pure sword duel…”

“Whatever, I’m fine with either.”

“…Look! The contestants are entering!”

The audience’s gaze immediately focused on the two contenders slowly emerging from the entrances.

“Wow! Neither of them is wearing the suit!”

“Nice!”

“Whew! Thank goodness. Now we get to see a real sword fight…!”

“Aw man, I thought watching them fight in those suits would be more exciting…”

“Then what did they spend all that sponsorship money on?”

The crowd murmured excitedly, their reactions mixed.

Oh Byeong-guk and Kang Gyeong-gwon also exchanged comments about both contestants entering without the Abyss Suits.

“As expected, neither of them wore the suits.”

“They probably aren’t used to them. Those suits can be quite uncomfortable the first time, right?”

“Hahaha…”

Oh Byeong-guk chuckled in agreement. Kang Gyeong-gwon continued.

“In a fight between masters like this, where victory is decided by a hair’s breadth, it’s best to stick with what you’re comfortable with.”

At the level Kim Jinsung and Shin Woong had achieved, the “Union of Body and Qi,” a single mistake could truly mean the difference between life and death.

Even in mixed martial arts, the higher one climbed in weight class, the more likely the fight would be decided by a single punch. The amount of power behind a single blow increased drastically.

The match between Kim Jinsung and Shin Woong could be considered at least a heavyweight bout in MMA, if not higher.

[Both contestants are entering the arena! The match will start as soon as they’re ready!]

Soon, Kim Jinsung and Shin Woong stood in the center of the arena, facing each other.

The tension in the Jamsil Colosseum Arena skyrocketed at the sight of the two facing off.

“Kim Jinsung, fighting!”

“Jinsung, we believe in you today too!”

“Oppa! You have to win! Please…!”

“Shin Woong, fighting!”

“Decapitate Kim Jinsung with a single blow, like you always do!”

“I bet my deed on you, Shin Woong! Please win!”

Amidst the already heated crowd, a lone figure was pouting with displeasure.

Hong Hyeonjin.

‘This makes my personal sponsorship meaningless…?’

She had hoped that, at the very least, her sponsorship would give Kim Jinsung a significant advantage in equipment. However, this rule change essentially nullified her 50 billion won sponsorship.

‘Baek Jun, this guy, really! I haven’t liked him since he introduced the sponsorship system…’

Hong Hyeonjin glared at Baek Jun, who was having a pleasant conversation with Bin Nasir in the distance, and shook her head before turning back to the arena.

‘And why does Kim Jinsung keep using our company’s equipment? I’m happy, but…’

A complex mix of emotions stirred within Hong Hyeonjin as she watched Kim Jinsung, who was wielding the Baekdu Clan’s sword and sporting their armor, just as he had in the second round.

She felt conflicted between wanting him to use the best equipment available as a fan and wanting him to continue utilizing her company’s products as the clan leader.

‘I guess I should be relieved that Shin Woong isn’t wearing any Daehan Clan gear…’

Shin Woong was wielding a Sword crafted by the K3 Clan and clad in armor made by the BK Clan.

Of course, the equipment made by the K3 and BK Clans was nearly as good as the Daehan Clan products.

The K3 Clan’s Sword, especially, was considered by some to be the best in Korea, surpassing even the swords made by the Daehan Clan.

‘I wonder what they’re thinking, facing each other like that.’

Hong Hyeonjin noticed that Kim Jinsung and Shin Woong were standing motionless, their gazes locked.

She tried to imagine herself in their position.

‘If it were me, I’d be doing everything I could to gain the upper hand in the aura battle before the fight even begins.’

Her thoughts aligned with those of the two in the arena.

From the moment their eyes met, an intense aura battle raged between Kim Jinsung and Shin Woong.

The tension between them was palpable, as if the slightest touch could ignite an explosion.

‘…He’s not an easy opponent.’

Kim Jinsung couldn’t help but acknowledge Shin Woong.

‘It seems like this fight will be decided by the smallest margin.’

He simultaneously resolved to fight with everything he had from the very beginning.

He couldn’t afford to feel out his opponent or take his time like he had done with Han Mir in the second round. If he did, there was a good chance his head would be separated from his body.

He could sense that Shin Woong was that powerful of an opponent.

‘But… as long as I stay focused, I will win.’

Kim Jinsung glanced at his status window in the corner.

—

▶ Remaining Beast Karma points: 28,917

—

He had earned almost 30,000 points in the second preliminary round by raising and eliminating Quagmires.

He could use Skill Fusion five times or Skill Enhancement twice during a full day of fighting against Shin Woong with these points.

These Beast Karma points were his final hidden card, unknown to anyone else.

Shin Woong, across the arena, harbored similar thoughts.

‘…He’s strong.’

Shin Woong furrowed his brow, thinking to himself after the intense aura battle with Kim Jinsung.

Since the beginning of the Colosseum, no one had made him tense up like Kim Jinsung just did.

‘But I’m the one who will win.’

He slowly adjusted his grip on the Sword, assuming an attacking stance.

Kim Jinsung mirrored his posture.

“Oh…!”

“Here we go!”

“Wow! I’m so nervous…!”

“Come on, already! Shout ‘Start the match!'”

Over 100,000 spectators were on the edge of their seats, anxiously awaiting the start of the match.

Park Jinwoong, in the VIP section, was analyzing both contestants with a keen eye.

‘I just noticed… neither of them brought any potions.’

He jotted down another observation on his tablet. He couldn’t spot a single potion on their bodies.

‘Maybe they don’t need them at the ‘Union of Body and Qi’ realm? Still, they should have at least one, just in case…’

Considering the small size and light weight of a potion, carrying a few wouldn’t significantly hinder their movements during combat.

The fact that they both chose not to carry even one meant only one thing.

‘They both have abilities to handle dangerous situations, even without potions.’

Kim Jinsung definitely had the ability to deal with danger. His two-day fight against Froghinae in the first preliminary round was proof.

He had endured the various status ailments caused by Froghinae’s powder without consuming a single potion.

It would’ve been impossible without some personal skill or trait.

‘Shin Woong must have that kind of ability too, right? …Damn it! There’s so little information on this guy.’

Park Jinwoong scratched his head with a frustrated expression.

He prided himself on his knack for finding information, but his confidence crumbled whenever he thought about Shin Woong.

‘How can there be so little information on him? I don’t know where he was born, where he grew up, he has no friends, no family, no schooling history…’

Park Jinwoong wondered how someone so powerful could have such a nonexistent past.

Just as he began to entertain the idea that Shin Woong might have simply appeared out of thin air,

[Now we will begin the match between Kim Jinsung and Shin Woong, Shin Woong and Kim Jinsung!]

The words the entire audience had been waiting for echoed through the speakers.

Immediately after the starting bell rang,

**Clang!**

The clash of weapons resonated throughout the entire arena.

Kim Jinsung and Shin Woong had instantly charged at each other as soon as the match started.

Their fierce, all-out battle had begun.

**Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!**

The continuous clash of their weapons echoed within the arena.

Neither side showed any sign of backing down. It was truly a dead heat.

“Wow…!”

“…Gulp.”

The crowd was captivated, watching the spectacle unfold with bated breath.

Even Oh Byeong-guk and Kang Gyeong-gwon were no exception.

Their gazes were fixed on the battle, even as they conversed.

“Kim Jinsung has opted for a full-frontal attack.”

“He has no other choice against an opponent like that.”

Shin Woong was entirely different from the opponents Kim Jinsung had faced so far.

If he’d chosen to try and gauge his strength or take his time like he had previously, he likely wouldn’t even have a head left on his shoulders.

“And he’s holding up better than expected.”

Kang Gyeong-gwon commented, observing Kim Jinsung, who was still fighting fiercely.

Oh Byeong-guk immediately followed up.

“However, it’s only a matter of time before Kim Jinsung is pushed back.”

The moment he finished speaking,

**Clang!**

“Huh?!”

“Wow!”

The audience gasped, rising from their seats as a louder, distinct metallic sound resonated.

They watched Kim Jinsung get pushed back a couple of steps.

The first crack had appeared in the seemingly unbreakable stalemate.

—