The children held weapons—swords and spears.

Not the harmless wooden practice arms used in academy duels, but real metal weapons.

Forged from demonic materials, they were items that could wound not only monsters but also hunters and awakened alike.

At the announcer’s call, ten children clashed.

“!”

My teeth clenched.

What the game had glossed over with a few lines was here laid bare in brutal detail.

The kids swung blades and spears at one another.

But their bodies were clad only in thin scraps of cloth—short garments that left shoulders and thighs exposed.

Of course they bled. Cuts opened on arms and faces, smearing them in each other’s blood.

And the spectators in the stands watched with smiles.

It was madness—children fighting savagely without fear of injury.

‘They drugged them.’

The crimson glow in their eyes proved it.

‘And if the scenario matches the game, then soon…’

A boy who had been staggering on his knees suddenly threw back his head with a scream.

Fire spewed from his mouth in a wild spray.

“Ohhh! An Awakening! Contestant Six has manifested an ability! Fire—ranged, multi-target attack! Will this decide April’s Rookie of the Month?! Incredible! He’s striking friend and foe alike!”

The announcer shouted in delight.

But nothing about it was delightful.

Watching children’s skin blister and shrivel in flames wasn’t thrilling—it was horrifying.

Yet here, I was the odd one. Everyone else looked ecstatic, roaring with excitement.

“Ahhh! Contestant Six! All others down! His team takes the win by default!”

“Yes!”

“Damn it…”

Cheers and curses mixed as gamblers tallied their bets.

“To think a power would manifest in the very first match.”

“This might be worth watching after all.”

“But the rest were nothing special.”

“Well, there’s another rookie match in early May. Let’s wait for that.”

As I listened to their chatter, I looked down at the arena.

Adult hunters rushed in, beating down the rampaging boy until he fell silent.

Once all the children lay sprawled, orderlies came with stretchers to carry them out.

The second match soon followed—again, children, though older, mid-teens.

This time both fought using their awakened abilities, eyes clear—no drugs.

Both wore protective gear… yet also bore prosthetic arms and legs.

It ended with one collapsing into a pool of his own blood.

“Now, thank you for waiting!”

The announcer appeared once more in the center of the empty pit.

“The highlight of tonight! The final match is about to begin! Introducing first, the Challenger—master of twin blades, she entered Valhall at fourteen! With unmatched speed, she has skyrocketed in just one year! Sixty-eight matches, fifty-nine wins, nine losses—Jeonhee Lina!”

The barred gate opened, and a blonde girl entered, twin swords in hand.

“Her opponent—our Champion! Two years in Valhall! Not a single defeat! The pride of the arena, the greatest warrior—one hundred forty-nine matches, one hundred forty-nine wins! The Masked Fighter—Yumi!”

From the opposite gate emerged a girl in a red devil mask, pink hair flowing behind her.

‘At last.’

I studied her closely.

She wore only light armor covering shoulders, chest, and stomach, wielding a massive halberd.

“And now—the April Championship! If you haven’t placed your bets yet, this is your final chance!”

Several spectators pulled out sleek handheld devices, adjusting their wagers.

“The Championship Match—begins now!!”

The announcer leapt back as the two girls raised their weapons and locked eyes.

Then, battle exploded.

In a blur, Lina dashed forward, twin swords flashing in rapid strikes.

The Masked Fighter raised her halberd, meeting blow after blow.

“Amazing! Jeonhee Lina is fierce! She’s overwhelming the undefeated Champion!”

The announcer’s voice rang.

And for nearly twenty seconds, it seemed true—the Masked Fighter did nothing but defend.

But I knew it was a façade.

Despite the relentless barrage—nearly a hundred strikes—not a scratch marred her. Her defense was flawless.

To parry such rapid blows with a heavy halberd, not a shield—that alone proved her monstrous skill.

Then, subtly, she brushed a hand over her mask.

At once, the crowd roared.

“Ohhh! It’s here! Yumi’s Asura Mode!!”

The name made me wince—cheesy as hell—but my eyes were glued to the arena.

Her playstyle shifted instantly.

No longer passive, she launched a furious assault, swinging her halberd in long, devastating arcs.

Now it was Lina who could only dodge, her swords useless against strikes that could cleave her in half.

Driving Lina back, the Masked Fighter slammed her halberd into the ground.

Dust erupted—

Claaang!!

“Ohhh! Incredible!” the announcer cried.

The halberd had shattered Lina’s twin blades in a single strike.

“She’s lost her weapons!”

Gritting her teeth, Lina lunged bare-handed like a wrestler.

But the Masked Fighter did not let her close—she thrust the halberd into Lina’s stomach.

The girl flew several meters before crashing to the ground.

She didn’t rise.

The Masked Fighter approached, raised a boot, and stomped down on the very spot she had struck.

“Gaaahh!!”

Lina shrieked, convulsed, then went limp.

Even after the Champion stepped back, she lay motionless.

“And there it is!! The Champion retains her crown! Yumi the Masked Fighter! The undefeated legend continues!!”

“Yes!!”

“As expected!!”

The stands erupted with cheers, though some spat curses at Lina for losing.

‘It’s time.’

I turned away from the pit and walked toward the exit doors.

Now came the true purpose of my visit tonight.

Beyond the arena doors, I found myself once more in the lounge-like hall.

I scanned quickly, searching.

And there he was—the man with the eyepatch who had guided me earlier, stepping from a staff room.

“Ah, leaving already?”

“No. I was hoping to ask someone something.”

“What is it you’d like to know?”

“Is it possible to meet any of the fighters from tonight’s matches?”

“I’m afraid not. For fairness and security, personal contact with contestants is forbidden.”

“A shame. Their performance was so moving—I’d hoped for a word with them.”

“My apologies. I must ask for your understanding.”

I nodded, turning as if to head down the exit hall.

“Ah, sir—one moment.”

Finally.

“You seem new to Valhall. Might I ask whose introduction brought you here?”

He stepped closer, voice polite but edged.

“To ask such a thing defeats the point of these masks, doesn’t it?”

“My apologies if I offend. But for the safety of our patrons, I must confirm. Especially when one arrives after bribing the gatekeepers instead of presenting a proper letter.”

So, the doormen’s last day on the job had come.

I drew a steady breath, answering as smoothly as possible.

“Chen Kai.”

The man’s face froze.

“I heard of Valhall from the president of Forward Magic Engineer. He said it wasn’t really a place for someone my age. But my curiosity got the better of me, so I came alone. If you still doubt me, shall I call President Kai right now?”

I manipulated my smartwatch.

A bead of sweat trickled down the man’s cheek.

Valhall, the underground arena, operated under absolute secrecy.

New members couldn’t enter without a letter of introduction signed by three existing members, and even that required the owner’s signature as well.

On top of that, to become a member, one had to pay tens of millions of won in cash, all at once.

That massive entrance fee was proof of identity.

In return, no one—not even the owner—was allowed to know the true identity of the members.

That was why everyone came wearing masks.

So when this man had asked me to reveal my introducer’s name, he had broken the arena’s cardinal rule.

And now that I’d dropped Chen Kai’s name—an executive from Forward Magic Engineer—his position had become perilous.

Of course, he had asked because he was certain I was a spy, or at least unrelated to Valhall.

But with my finger hovering over the dial button, ready to call, the man bent at the waist.

“M-my apologies! There’s no need to make that call.”

Good.

I’d won this gamble.

For the record, Chen Kai wasn’t a member of Valhall at all.

“Then… your name?”

“Why do you ask?”

“I think I should inform President Kai that masks are meaningless here in Valhall.”

“I—I beg your pardon! Please, keep this matter a secret. In return, I’ll arrange a membership card for you—come anytime you wish!”

“No need. I’ll simply tell President Kai and ask him for a proper introduction letter myself.”

“……”

Sweat poured down his face, draining all color from it.

I watched his pale features and smiled.

“But I’ll let it go—if you grant me one favor.”

“A-anything, sir.”

Moments later, I was descending another staircase, deeper beneath the staff rooms.

“You must understand, I can’t give you much time,” the man whispered at a locked steel door. “In about fifteen minutes, the owner himself will come down to check on the fighters. So please finish within five.”

I nodded.

He unlocked the door with a keycard and stepped inside.

Not long after, he returned—bringing the Masked Fighter with him.

“Leave us. I’d like to speak with her alone.”

“…Very well.”

The man shot her a sharp glare as he left, as if warning her not to say anything foolish. Then the door closed behind him.

I turned to the Masked Fighter.

“I saw your match today. Your skill was extraordinary.”

“…Thank you.”

The voice behind the devil mask was stiff, guarded.

“Your opponent was strong too, but compared to you she was just a trainee sparring with a real hunter.”

“That’s too generous.”

“Is it? From where I sat, your level was at least ten higher than hers.”

“……What do you want from me.”

“Straight to the point, then. Good. We don’t have much time.”

I removed my mask.

The instant my face was revealed, she stumbled back, pink hair flying.

“You… how are you here…?”

“As I thought.”

I met her gaze.

“You recognized me. That confirms it—the Masked Fighter is you, Senior Seo Yui.”

“……”

For the record, this was a trap from the start—baiting her so she couldn’t deny it. I’d already known who she was.

“What the hell are you.”

Her voice was nothing like the drained murmur I’d heard at school. It was sharp, wary, edged with killing intent.

Even without raising a weapon, the murderous aura leaking from her mask pressed into my skin.

“To answer that, I first need to hear something from you.”

“……”

Seo Yui stared, silent. Through the mask’s eyeholes, her eyes glowed faintly red.

“Why are you in the arena?”

“…And why does that matter to you?”

“Because depending on your answer, you’ll be my ally—”

I narrowed my eyes.

“—or my enemy.”

“…What?”

Her gaze behind the mask flickered, unsteady.

(End of Chapter)

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