-Congratulations to those who have been chosen to join the round of 16!

The broadcast echoed through the waiting room. The Colosseum had some events before the full-scale game. Well, it was called an event. In fact, they were just betting on people who looked like they could survive.

Supreme Fire Dragon sighed. “Phew. I thought I would lose.”

There were several players. There were around 20 partic.i.p.ants and the people here bet their own money after checking out the players reflected in the crystal ball. The collected money was divided equally among those who bet on each of the four survivors.

“There were more people than I thought.”

Many people had bet on Reinhardt, just like himself. He was a celebrity of the Zeus Guild so it would be strange not to bet on him. The crowd soared so the dividend was only 1.5 times, but Supreme Fire Dragon was still satisfied. Winning was winning.

“Che. If I had known this, I would've bet more money.”

He was afraid something would happen so he only bet $500,000. 1.5 times was only a $250,000 profit. It would've been a huge sum of money previously but now it was only a small sum for Supreme Fire Dragon. The cigarette business was still in progress.

'...By the way, what should I do?'

After vainly failing his mission on that day, Supreme Fire Dragon didn't meet Aidan. He didn't dare to open his mouth or else the ongoing business could also be ruined. Aidan's personality made it clear that he wouldn't tolerate any excuses.

'I have to believe in Jebok for now.'

Earlier, Kim Jebok joined the Colosseum battle. Supreme Fire Dragon was planning to attack Garbage Village again with Kim Jebok. However, Kim Jebok said he wanted to warm up in the Colosseum so Supreme Fire Dragon brought him here. Supreme Fire Dragon decided to watch from the stands. Kim Jebok had the ID of 'Mad Dog' in this world.

-Those who have selected the above four players, please receive the money straight away.

A crystal ball appeared and showed four faces. One of them was Reinhardt, who Supreme Fire Dragon had bet on. The impression he gave off was very formidable. Next, there was a man with a greatsword and a handsome male magician. By the way, why was this last person covering his face? His expression couldn't be read.

This person hadn't done anything. He wasn't holding a weapon like the man with the greatsword and he didn't use magic like the magician. He seemed lucky to have survived when Reinhardt destroyed the stage.

“Hmm. The dividend is times two. I guess not many people bet on him.”

Supreme Fire Dragon turned his head. He was curious about the lucky person who doubled their money. Then his eyes widened.

“No, that guy...?”

“Oh, I knew he would be able to survive! Hahaha.”

It was a man wearing light green armor. Supreme Fire Dragon's face turned red the moment he saw this person. He never expected to see this man here. It was the crazy knight NPC who logged him out. His ident.i.ty wasn't known but gooseb.u.mps went down Supreme Fire Dragon's back anyway.

“...s.h.i.+t, why is that b.a.s.t.a.r.d here?”

Supreme Fire Dragon logged back in a day later and was able to attack Garbage Village again, but he didn't. It was all because he thought he would meet this person in front of him. He was lucky the last time and only dropped one carton of daylily cigarettes but he might not be so lucky the next time. The man approached and Supreme Fire Dragon instantly turned around. He would be screwed if he was caught.

“Huhuhu. I have to bet on the old man again.”

The person walked past him. His money jingled as he walked but Supreme Fire Dragon wasn't focused on the money.

'Old man? That old man is partic.i.p.ating in the Colosseum battle?'

The fact that the man just made money meant the old man was among the partic.i.p.ants of Group 2.

“Don't tell me?”

Supreme Fire Dragon moved his gaze back to the faces of the Group 2 players. Then he stared at only one person.

'That masked man is the old man!'

Thinking about it made him grit his teeth. He couldn't even touch a hair on the old man due to that person just now. Perhaps this was a once-in-lifetime opportunity. Supreme Fire Dragon immediately opened the whisper window.

* * *

There was a brief earthquake. The power was enough to cause the entire building to shake. It soon stopped and the host's voice was heard.

-Hahaha. Truly amazing! The conclusion has been reached in an instant! Let me introduce the four people from Group 2 who will enter the round of 16!

“What? That earthquake was due to a fight just now?”

“Who is it? It was tremendous strength.”

“There seems to be a strong one.”

“Bah, it's nothing compared to our Icarus Guild, Oppa.”

It was the voices of the group who had started a quarrel earlier. Kim Jebok continued to pay attention to that woman. She seemed like someone who would scream when he stabbed her. Her face was also pretty...

“...Okay, I've decided it is you.” Kim Jebok licked his lips. Just then, a crystal ball appeared from nowhere and shone in the air. There were four faces being shown on the crystal ball's screen. Kim Jebok, who had the ID of 'Mad Dog', looked at it. “What? Reinhardt?”

“Why did the executive of the Zeus Guild come out?”

“Is he aiming for the Star Fruit?”

The Zeus Guild? He didn't know what that was. His only interest was to stab something. It didn't matter if it was a monster or a person. Everything was allowed in the world of virtual reality. This was why Kim Jebok was here. He was able to enjoy his pleasures to his heart's content.

-Supreme Fire Dragon: Kim Jebok.

“Ah, what is it now? s.h.i.+t.”

He was thankful for the work and money but this guy used him too much. Supreme Fire Dragon's eyes looked like he would place Kim Jebok under his feet to control as he pleased before throwing Kim Jebok away when Kim Jebok was no longer needed. Kim Jebok had stabbed many people and could see people's emotions just by looking at their eyes. That guy called Supreme Fire Dragon was sure to abandon him.

“Xck! If it wasn't for the money...”

He would've stabbed that guy if it wasn't for the money. He barely endured it after being scolded for blocking his whispers yesterday. It hadn't been long since he came out of the detention center so there was no money now. That f.u.c.ker. Kim Jebok had to answer.

-Mad Dog: Yes.

-Supreme Fire Dragon: Do you remember the old man I told you about the other day?

-Mad Dog: Yes.

-Supreme Fire Dragon: The man wearing the black wolf mask who appeared on the screen just now is the old man.

-Mad Dog: Ah, yes.

-Supreme Fire Dragon: Kill that old man in the game. Then I'll give you more money.

-Mad Dog: ...I understand.

He closed the whisper window. Kim Jebok moved his gaze back to the screen. The old man was that strong...? Kim Jebok was excited due to Supreme Fire Dragon's words. 

“This is the players' waiting room.”

“Um, it seems to be right.”

“Let's go inside.”

People started gathering one after another. The host also showed up. It seemed the match was about to begin. Once approximately 20 people were gathered, the bars went down at the entrance. The host's words continued.

-Those who are here are now in Group 3. The rule is survival. You can fight alone or team up. Those who go outside the stage will be eliminated...

The host's words weren't interesting. His only interest was in the target of the stabbing. Kim Jebok looked at the screen again. He glanced back and stared at the back of the woman's head.

Kim Jebok licked his dagger and imagined her screaming. “First of all, let's have some fun.”

* * *

The reception that Gyeonso Dragon gave me when he opened his eyes was lukewarm. I didn't know how long it had been since I last saw him. Was it almost a month?

“What is with your voice?”

“Cough. I'm sorry, I got a cold while training.”

“Fragile guy. Where have you been training that you caught a cold?”

“I went to the North Pole the other day.”

“What?” I thought this person was crazy. He actually went there without Solar. It didn't matter if he could start a fire without Solar. Was the North Pole that easy? “It's amazing you survived. Tsk tsk.”

“Cough. I almost died. It was hard because I didn't have Brother. Solar is truly amazing. In the end, I had to train on the ice near the entrance.” Gyeonso Dragon released his posture and stood up. 

I asked him, “...You fool. How did you get there?”

“I saw a map by chance. Right next to the North Pole is the Parta Princ.i.p.ality. I was lucky enough to use a magic portal to get there. It was a bit hard to return. Haha.” Gyeonso Dragon laughed with a hoa.r.s.e voice. 

I didn't know if he could fight properly when he was sick. “Are you okay? I feel like you will break if I hit you once.”

“Cough. I'm fine, don't worry. I've been chewing on herbs that are good for colds.”

Come to think of it, one of his cheeks had been protruding. Gyeonso Dragon chewed it and moved it to the opposite cheek. At first glance, it looked like he was chewing gum. I continued asking, “What did you do there?”

“I trained.”

“So what training?”

Gyeonso Dragon's lips curved in a smile. “I met Raitra.”

“What? That guy. Don't tell me...”

“Yes, I was filled with the determination to freeze to death and we were able to meet each other with our fists.”

“...Haha. You're truly crazy.”

He was really crazy. Last time, I heard that the condition to talk to Raitra was to reach the threshold of death in extreme circ.u.mstances. However, it wasn't possible to artificially do it through training. No, was it possible because this person was crazy about training?

“You've grown up too.”

Kim Sujeong and Kerenos had also made a lot of progress recently. I was the only one left...

It was frustrating. I wondered if this was what it meant to be left behind by young people.

“Brother, it was all thanks to you.”

“What did I have to do with it? Haha. I didn't do anything.”

Just then, the iron bars at the entrance of the waiting room went down The stage outside was clearly visible. Perhaps the people of Group 1 had watched my match like this.

-Now, let's start the qualifiers for Group 3! The brave players are entering!

“The qualifiers for Group 3 is starting. Would you like to watch?”

“Watch? Do we have to watch through gaps in the iron bars?”

“Haha. Come to think of it, yes.”

We approached the iron bars. The other players of Group 1 and 2 didn't seem to be very interested. No, wasn't this?

"Wuhahaha! I wonder what type of people there will be!”

Reinhardt grabbed the iron bar with both hands and shook it. He was like a real gorilla in a zoo. I wanted to throw bananas.

“The players are coming out, Brother.” 

I s.h.i.+fted my line of sight. Most of them wore pretty good gear. Perhaps they were also aiming for the winning prize here. I looked at them one by one. Then my eyes widened. “Eh, that person...?”