Park Muyeol was dumbfounded. The constellation that liked sticks—this guy sent a message during the match and gave Park Muyeol a quest. It was also forced. Then that person holding the big club showed the same power as himself. It was an interesting situation but the important thing was that something had appeared in the air.

“Haha. This is a truly amazing world.”

If Park Muyeol was asked about the most mysterious time since starting Arkstar, he would definitely reply that it was now. It was the first time he saw other young people fighting. He usually led the party to a place with no people, or dungeons. Or they would beat boss monsters. It was because Jeonghyun told him this was necessary to get good items. Of course, it went without saying that he leveled up fast.

In any case, there were no magicians in their group so it was the first time he had seen such gorgeous scenery. The image in the air of a man wearing the lion's skin quickly scattered and separated into two, one of which merged with Park Muyeol. Of course, the remaining one went to the man with close-cropped hair.

[A constellation who likes sticks is wis.h.i.+ng you good luck.]

“He is that man who just appeared.”

He seemed to be a G.o.d. This was interesting.

“W-What? What was that just now?”

“What just happened?”

“Was that a G.o.d?”

The rest of the partic.i.p.ants were in a flurry to distance themselves from Park Muyeol and the man with close-cropped hair. It was a bit abrupt so they were a bit panicked.

Park Muyeol made eye contact with the other man in the distance. They walked slowly toward each other. They were each holding a stick. Their power meant that there was a huge conflict despite only taking a few steps. It was in the form of a shockwave and bothered the partic.i.p.ants in the middle.

Nevertheless, Park Muyeol walked forward. The same was true for the man with close-cropped hair. Thus, they stood face-to-face.

Park Muyeol asked, “What is your name?”

“Kuhaha! I like it. My name is Hutton!”

“...I see. My name is Park Muyeol. Do you know what we have to do now?”

“Hahaha! Those words are good. I like strong men!”

“I agree.”

They raised their strength and the ground shook. The area was filled with golden sparks and the partic.i.p.ants fled to the corners to escape the shaking. Suddenly, the match was a head-to-head between himself and Hutton but it didn't feel too bad.

'First, let's do it lightly.'

Park Muyeol was the one to move his wooden sword first, causing an earth-shaking sound. Both their weapons collided as they measured each other's strength. It was a tremendous power.

[A constellation who likes sticks is looking forward to the showdown.]

The two people looked at each other and smiled. It seemed Hutton wanted to stop testing each other. It was the same for Park Muyeol.

Park Muyeol swung the wooden sword at a high speed. Hutton swung the club quickly like he was unwilling to lose. The difference in size was enormous but there was no difference in speed. Nevertheless, Park Muyeol had a difference in level with this guy.

'Ugh. I was originally lacking in strength.'

He somehow held on in terms of technique but there was a limit to this. It seemed he had to take the defensive and attack during the gaps. Park Muyeol gritted his teeth and a small shockwave spread every time their sticks. .h.i.t each other. It spread throughout the stadium, creating a small wind. Was it when they had fallen into a trance?

-I-It is the end of the match! The match is over!

The sudden words caused Park Muyeol and Hutton to stop hitting each other. The two of them stood upright and c.o.c.ked their heads at the same time. Then they looked around.

“Ah. Tsk.”

“Haha. It is unfortunate.”

Some of the watching partic.i.p.ants had been pushed out of the field by the shockwave of power.

Park Muyeol let out a small sigh. “Let's promise to fight later.”

“Yes, there is a lot of time anyway. It's good!”

Park Muyeol left with this sad farewell. However, that person wasn't satisfied.

[A constellation who likes sticks is frowning.]

* * *

“Uwaaaack! Amazing!!!!” Mido's voice echoed through the waiting room.

The match just now caused shock and fear. They only exchanged a few blows yet more than half the stage was broken. Crazy.

“Brother, I would like to fight with him.” Gyeonso Dragon's fists were clenched and he seemed ready to battle.

However, I was stopping him. No matter how I thought about it, this place wouldn't survive if the two of them fought. “Shut up. I will go and meet him first. If it is fated then you will meet in a match later.”

“That's right. Haha.”

I once again s.h.i.+fted my gaze to the stage. The survivors of Group 4 were walking over here. All the players in the waiting room gulped when they saw the people coming over. Of course, I was only looking at one guy. Park Muyeol walked toward this place with a bit of antic.i.p.ation. I stood across from him.

“Um...?” Park Muyeol c.o.c.ked his head.

I spoke to him in a small voice, “It's me, Chuntaek, you rotten guy.”

“Ah? Kuhahaha! You're Chun...!”

I flicked my wrist and covered his mouth with a cobweb. I thought it would be like this. This person would expose my ident.i.ty to everyone if I didn't act first. I literally wrapped Park Muyeol in the cobwebs and brought him to a secluded area. This was almost like a kidnapping.

“Muyeol.”

“Ufff!”

Park Muyeol glared at me angrily. I felt a bit sorry but I couldn't release his mouth yet.

“From now on, listen carefully to my words.”

I started to tell the long story.

* * *

After a while, I took off the cobweb attached to Park Muyeol's mouth. He repeatedly said, “This d.a.m.n guy,” and spat several times before wiping his mouth and standing up.

“Tsk. In any case, it is nice to see you, Chuntaek.” Suddenly, Park Muyeol hugged me. What was wrong with him? He had never hugged me before.

“What's going on? Why are you hugging me all of a sudden?”

Park Muyeol smiled as he released the hug. “What is the big deal? Kuhahaha! I saw you in this new world so I did it once as a celebration!”

Ah, this was the reason.

“It is insipid.”

The two of us exchanged more stories. It was from the first day Park Muyeol started Arkstar to the present day. My second son Jeonghyun had met him and even his grandson, Park Seongchan, was with him.

I nodded with a smile. This person was definitely having fun.

“Muyeol, how did you get Stick's Protection?”

“Ah, this? Haha! It was like this...!”

“Ah, you were here, Grandfather Muyeol!” The moment that Park Muyeol was about to explain, another voice was heard from behind us. It was a familiar voice. The owner of the voice was Mido.

“Ah, Mido! It's been a while! Hahaha!”

Park Muyeol and Mido greeted each other. Mido had loved him since she was a child. I was a bit jealous but well, she still liked me more.

Perhaps.

“It has been a while. Have you been well?”

“Yes! Grandfather Muyeol, I think you've been doing very well? I saw your match! How strong are you?! The best!”

I felt somewhat embarra.s.sed because I was the only one wearing a mask. Mido didn't know my ident.i.ty yet. Hah, this was really embarra.s.sing. Once I took off my mask, my ID would be revealed. Then people would know my ident.i.ty, rumors would quickly spread, and it would enter the ears of reporters. It would probably be released on air the next day. I would hate it.

“Haha. I taught my grandson kendo. So I managed to do it somehow.”

“Ohh~! The best, the best!” Mido raised both thumbs toward Park Muyeol. “Ah! There is Dark Wolf as well?! What's going on here? Do the two of you know each other?”

I wondered how to answer this sudden question. I was fl.u.s.tered. What should I say?

That Muyeol laughed energetically as he replied, “Well, I was just pa.s.sing by and we got to chatting. Haha!”

This guy wasn't completely tactless. It was the best decision to tell him about my relations.h.i.+p with Mido.

“Ah~ I see. Oh, did you know my grandfather is playing this game?”

“Ah~ really~?” Park Muyeol looked at me with a strange smile. This rotten guy's playfulness was starting again. “I didn't know. Hahaha.”

Tsk. He was really naughty.

-I will say it again. The Colosseum's round of 16 will begin tomorrow. Partic.i.p.ants will be directed to their accommodation.

“Ah, that's right. The main section of the Colosseum will start tomorrow. Let's go to the hotel!”

Mido linked arms with Park Muyeol. I frowned when I saw it.

“Then we'll be going first~! Goodbye~”

“Ah, yes. Yes...” My mouth twisted as I watched the two people moving away. “That should've been my place...”

I couldn't help sighing as they left. I leaned against the wall while Gyeonso Dragon walked over.

“You are a chicken instead of a pheasant. Do you want to link arms with me?”

“...Do you want to die?”

* * *

The sunset's glow slowly spread. The trading city of Fortren was famous for its particularly beautiful night view but the sunset was just as spectacular. Due to its presence by the sea, it was famous as a place where a beautiful sunrise and sunset could be seen.

Supreme Fire Dragon was crossing the harbor. 

“d.a.m.n, why did that Park Muyeol start the game?”

He felt numb when he remembered their previous encounter. Fortunately, that old man was retired now. If they had met two years ago, they probably would've fought on the spot. Even so, a lot of that old man's hot-tempered personality had died down. Well, there was that person called 'Ma Seokdu' who was the third chairman now.

“Ahh, is something going on recently?”

Supreme Fire Dragon seriously thought about it. He was currently heading toward Aidan's place after leaving the Colosseum. He frowned and took a deep breath. “Sigh. I have to succeed.”

Supreme Fire Dragon vowed to do so from the moment he saw the old man who stole Ifrit's Bracelet at the Colosseum. Supreme Fire Dragon thought it was possible because his head was so good. He raised his hands and slapped his cheek. It hurt.

“I can do it. Come on!”

Supreme Fire Dragon entered the mansion with a solemn face.