Chapter 67

“…What do you mean by confidence?”

Shusuke found himself completely thrown off balance.

Had he misheard those words?

South Korea was claiming to possess assurance against Japan?

Was this a joke?

Hmm.

This was a far cry from the response he had anticipated.

The old version of South Korea would have seized these conditions without a moment’s hesitation.

An exhibition match wasn’t merely about playing a single game and walking away.

Each side would record the other’s performances, utilizing the tapes to scrutinize fundamental habits, the timing of abilities, and various other tactical components.

And providing all of that for a mere one billion won?

In this profession, that was practically giving it away.

A wave of quiet chatter rippled across the room.

The rankers who had accompanied him appeared just as perplexed, and the exact same sentiment was shared by Jinwoo’s four disciples and Yu Jia.

“Jinwoo… these conditions aren’t actually bad.”

Yu Jia stepped closer to his side and spoke in a low voice.

“You possess enough strength that you don’t require this, but obtaining actual battle experience against Japan? That is a highly advantageous arrangement for us. Headquarters has been actively pursuing this exact type of deal for the past three years.”

Hong Ari was likewise nudging him to accept the exhibition.

Indeed.

That was the logical perspective.

Shusuke nodded silently to himself.

From what he understood, South Korea was hardly in a position to be selective.

Given their historical and geopolitical circumstances, they desperately needed to cultivate their power.

He is merely bluffing.

He had received forewarning about this from Lord Hikaru.

JinuGod, was that the name?

Supposedly a completely unrivaled veteran from an older title called Battle of Summoners.

Shusuke had viewed Hikaru’s interview as well.

But what of it?

That individual.

He wasn’t an active veteran or anything of the sort at this moment!

This wasn’t a virtual simulation — this was actual reality, and Japan’s summoning battle capabilities had steadily advanced over the course of the last three years.

No matter how immense this man’s talent might be, he stood no chance against Shusuke.

“No, I am entirely serious.”

Baek Jinwoo turned toward Yu Jia and kept speaking.

“Handing over money to engage someone in combat — that is an action you take when there is actually something worth learning from them, is it not?”

“…True. That makes sense, but.”

“I truly believe this. There is absolutely nothing to learn from them. The rest of you should consider this carefully as well.”

Baek Jinwoo shifted his gaze to his disciples.

“Rather than throwing away funds on an encounter like this, you would benefit far more by simply persisting with the training regime we have been practicing. One billion won, honestly. Go donate it to a charitable cause instead. Or hand it over to me.”

He turned around.

A silent, unambiguous signal to depart.

And that put Shusuke in a terrible predicament.

Damn it, I am in deep trouble.

Lord Hikaru had given him explicit directives to obtain a precise assessment of their fighting capabilities.

To accomplish that, an encounter was mandatory — and matters had completely derailed from the very beginning.

What choice do I have?

Return to Japan and report, “They claimed one billion won was far too cheap”?

He could vividly anticipate Lord Hikaru’s retaliation.

One billion? Have you lost your mind? I explicitly commanded you to engage them for FREE!

He would launch into a furious tirade.

And that would be the most favorable outcome.

He might strip Shusuke of his position as right-hand man entirely.

The sole reason Shusuke maintained the world rank of 30th was due to Yoshida Hikaru.

If he were abandoned?

He would drop down the leaderboards instantly.

Some alternative lieutenant would step into his vacancy.

That was how monumental the chasm was between the Five Emperors and ordinary world rankers, and how absolute their authority was within their respective homelands.

People frequently jested that Yoshida Hikaru possessed higher standing than the Emperor of Japan — that fact alone explained everything.

“Hold on!”

Consequently, he lunged forward to halt Baek Jinwoo before he could step out the door.

He was thoroughly desperate.

“What is it?”

“For free!”

To hell with it.

A massive concession.

“What?”

“We will do the exhibition for free! We will challenge you with no fee attached!”

“…?”

Baek Jinwoo’s eyebrows knit together once more.

What on earth is this fellow babbling about?

And the declaration that escaped his lips struck like a bolt of lightning.

“It seems you failed to comprehend my words… Why would we engage in an exhibition for free? Perhaps if you compensated us ten billion won per match.”

In all honesty, the faction that stood to profit the most from these encounters was Japan.

At the very least, that was how Baek Jinwoo viewed the situation.

Upon hearing those words.

Not only Shusuke — but Yu Jia and the disciples all found their jaws dropping in utter shock.

What?

Not accepting funds…

But paying them?

And ten billion won at that?

Has he completely lost his mind?

“Hey!”

Hong Ari cried out, her face displaying pure disbelief.

“H-Hyungnim! Don’t you think that is pushing things a bit too far…?”

“Haaah.”

Ki Jaehyeok and Kang Jiho traded apprehensive glances with the Japanese rankers.

Proposing to conduct an exhibition at no cost was already a massive token of goodwill.

Were these ordinary rankers?

They were representatives of the national squad from Japan, a prominent global powerhouse.

To not merely turn them down but demand ten billion won per encounter — that was equivalent to issuing an open challenge.

Even if Hyungnim is incredibly powerful… that was going way too far.

Aren’t we creating adversaries for absolutely no reason?

The reality of the matter was.

Anti-Japanese sentiment within South Korea had largely dissipated by this point.

Not because anyone held a deep affection for Japan, but because as a partner nation, Japan assisted in maintaining pressure against North Korea and China.

In an era where nuclear weapons were utterly redundant, Yoshida Hikaru’s presence served as an undeniable deterrent against China.

Predictably.

Shusuke’s complexion was turning crimson and violet with pure rage.

“…Those remarks just now.”

His voice trembled with tightly reined anger.

“Can you accept the consequences for them?”

“Hmm.”

Baek Jinwoo crossed his arms and shut his eyes for a brief moment.

Well.

He did share a connection with Sugoi — had he applied a bit too much pressure?

Even so, an incorrect premise was an incorrect premise.

Compensate them one billion won per match to battle these individuals?

Receiving funds, possibly. But providing them?

Then again, they lacked that awareness.

After organizing his thoughts, he offered a deliberate nod.

“Then how about we do this?”

“…Let’s hear your proposal.”

“If both factions are entirely confident in their talents, we settle the matter via a tournament. The victor claims money from the defeated party.”

“A wager?”

Well, look at this.

Shusuke let out a mocking laugh.

The individual standing in front of him.

Did he truly believe he possessed the ability to defeat them?

Not merely putting on an act, but in actual reality?

“It makes logical sense, doesn’t it? Surely you wouldn’t utilize phrases such as ‘ten billion won per match’ or ‘we will challenge you for free’ unless you were certain you could secure a victory.”

The grin visible on Baek Jinwoo’s face as he spoke was thoroughly infuriating.

“Very well.”

Shusuke’s tone cut through the air like a blade.

“There is no grounds to decline. Nothing functions quite like cold cash when it comes to teaching someone their proper place.”

“Are you absolutely certain about this?”

This arrogant fool!

Of course he was certain.

Who did this man take Japan for?

The sole remaining point was the figure.

“What amount are we discussing?”

“I am quite adaptable. Whatever figure you desire, I can match it.”

Baek Jinwoo offered a smirk.

With Yubaek expanding at a rapid pace lately, capital was not an issue.

Furthermore, this wasn’t capital he was going to lose.

The higher they wager, the more I profit.

“Understood. Allow me to deliberate with my companions and we shall get back in touch with you tomorrow.”

“Certainly. Ms. Yu Jia?”

“Y-Yes!”

Yu Jia responded haltingly, having observed the entire conversation in awe.

Good heavens.

To refuse to yield even an inch against Shusuke — a ranker widely recognized as a colossus — and show no fear whatsoever!

Even going so far as to put a fortune on the line?

She frequently experienced this sensation, but whenever she observed Baek Jinwoo, she discovered a renewed sense of hope for South Korea.

Naturally, Yu Jia had discerned something specific within Baek Jinwoo’s eyes.

An absolute, unwavering certainty that he would emerge victorious.

“Please secure lodgings for them. It appears they have nowhere else to stay.”

“Understood.”

Inside the living quarters.

The Japanese rankers, having been allocated a visitor’s room, maintained somber countenances.

“What is your strategy moving forward?”

One ranker questioned Shusuke with a tense expression.

Lord Hikaru had been remarkably explicit.

Under no circumstances should you antagonize him, and assist him in any plausible manner you can manage.

“He proved to be far sharper than I anticipated.”

“Agreed. Typically when an individual encounters a colossus-class ranker, they either become paralyzed with fear or begin pleading… He did not yield a single fraction.”

“He appears to possess genuine capability as well. Did you review the recordings?”

They had indeed.

Granted, there wasn’t a great deal to observe — every encounter concluded in less than sixty seconds.

“I am capable of achieving that much.”

Shusuke grumbled, completely unimpressed.

From his perspective, Baek Jinwoo was merely a frog trapped inside a shallow well.

Overpowering South Korea’s lower-tier rankers?

Any member of Japan’s national squad currently sitting in this room was capable of achieving identical results.

“So what figure do we wager?”

“That is the dilemma… whether we triumph or fail, it presents an issue either way.”

Precisely.

Fail, and they would forfeit an immense fortune.

Triumph and claim a massive payout?

That would represent a direct defiance of Lord Hikaru’s directives.

“There is no scenario in which we lose.”

The individual had put forward a tournament structure.

A tournament implied what, exactly?

The winner maintains their position on the field.

Which meant as long as they possessed a single competitor who remained undefeated?

Success was completely assured.

“Because I am present.”

“True.”

“Without a doubt.”

Shusuke occupied the 30th position globally.

They existed on entirely disparate tiers.

No matter how gifted non-world rankers might be, they were incapable of overcoming a colossus.

To speak plainly, the disparity in capability was so immense that Shusuke could engage in battle utilizing entities outside his primary roster and still achieve an easy victory.

The rankers found themselves in complete agreement.

The dilemma remained.

What amount to stake.

“We have already committed ourselves. There is no alternative path, is there? Let us aim high. One hundred billion won. What do you think?”

“One hundred billion?”

Shusuke’s countenance grew complex.

That was a massive sum.

“What truly matters is demonstrating to these conceited fools the stark contrast in our levels. We are bound to triumph regardless… so we claim the entire one hundred billion, and then open-handedly return half. Will they not be completely overwhelmed by our magnanimity?”

“Ah.”

That strategy!

It was highly ingenious.

“So we proceed with one hundred billion?”

“Let us execute it. There are four of us, meaning twenty-five billion apiece. Is everyone in agreement?”

“Agreed!”

“It is essentially free capital. Naturally we are participating.”

The Japanese rankers traded smiles.

Very well.

“Let us proceed with this.”

And with that, the Korea-Japan exhibition was officially established.

Four against four.

A tournament configuration.

Yu Jia supervised the recording, and the stake of one hundred billion won was cemented via a binding contract.

The framework itself served as official verification.

“We shall manage the recording process and deliver duplicates to you subsequently. As settled beforehand, given that this is a confidential exhibition match, everything regarding the bouts remains strictly between us. Do not utter a word to an outside soul.”

“Hold on a moment.”

Shusuke raised an arm.

“Allow me to clarify one detail. We are required to report our findings to Lord Yoshida Hikaru. If that condition is prohibited, we cannot agree to these terms.”

“That is acceptable. The specifics of the match remain confined to the individuals present here and Yoshida Hikaru. No one else.”

“Then there is no issue whatsoever.”

The arrangement settled into place quite seamlessly.

With one hundred billion won hanging in the balance, limiting the distribution of information was entirely expected.

“Who will take the field first from your group?”

Shusuke directed his gaze toward Baek Jinwoo.

Yu Jia stepped into the background.

The bouts would unfold within the training grounds, operating under the regulation that forfeiting five summoned entities to forced dismissal constituted total defeat.

Leading off.

Japan deployed a competitor named Atsuto.

Not a globally ranked individual — but holding the 5th position within Japan.

Then for their own side.

“Kang Jiho.”

“Yes, Hyungnim!”

“You will lead off.”

“Understood!”

Gulp.

Kang Jiho drew a nervous breath and marched forward.

“Whether you triumph or fall, it is of no consequence. Simply unwind and engage. Deliver your utmost effort, precisely as I coached you.”

Those reassurances granted Kang Jiho an immense wave of serenity.

What did the phrase “whether you triumph or fall, it is of no consequence” truly signify?

It ought to be an impossibility, and yet.

It indicated that Baek Jinwoo possessed the capability to handle all four opponents entirely on his own.

Furthermore, Yubaek had fully sustained the entire wager.

That demonstrated the scale of their assurance.

Granted, any potential profits would be directed to Yubaek as well, but being permitted to acquire genuine battle experience with absolutely zero vulnerability was more than sufficient for Kang Jiho.

“In that case — here I go!”

And so.

Kang Jiho against Atsuto.

Their confrontation commenced.