Ranker’s Return

Hyeonu looked at his smartphone and scratched his head. There was only less than an hour remaining until the recording of Masked Fighting King, but there was still no reply from Kale.

‘He isn’t going to tell me who the participants are...?’

Hyeonu didn’t get an answer when he asked. Although he had only waited for less than five minutes, there was now no more time left to wait.

‘I’m just going to enter.’

It was common sense to go ahead and continue waiting inside.

‘One last time...’

Before entering the cube, Hyeonu pressed the button of his smartphone again. However, there was still no response; only useless messages welcomed Hyeonu.

***

Hyeonu connected to Arena and went straight to the arena where the others were waiting. It was the space where Masked Fighting King would be recorded. Like the other Arena-related programs, Masked Fighting King was filmed in a space specifically prepared by Quency.

In particular, this time involved the same setting as the pro league’s PvP stage, so Quency provided a more special space. Masked Fighting King could have an effect on the success of the professional league, so Quency naturally had no choice but to pay more attention to it. Hyeonu discovered a man who stood out among the many staff members.

“So you were waiting here, Kale,” Hyeonu called out. The man was Kale, and he had started preparing for Masked Fighting King early on. It had been a long time since Kale released his hand from Masked Fighting King previously. That was because smooth progress was possible even without him. However, he came out today due to the importance of this episode.

“You came quickly today, Mister Gang,” Kale welcomed Hyeonu.

“No wonder why you didn’t answer when I messaged you. You were here,” Hyeonu said.

“Did you contact me? I’ve been preparing for Masked Fighting King for a few hours. I’m sorry.”

Hyeonu shook his head at Kale’s words and replied, “It’s fine. I just wanted to ask you something.”

“Then tell me now. My business is already over.”

“No, it’s fine.”

It would hurt Hyeonu’s pride to ask again. Alley Leader asked for the participants of Masked Fighting King... If news were to get out about this, what would people think of him?

“I understand. Then shall we go to the waiting room together?” Kale smiled and guided Hyeonu to his waiting room.

The waiting room was okay. There were large chairs and sofas to sit on comfortably, as well as refreshments placed on a small table. It was enough to wait for a while. Rather, it was too much. Hyeonu buried himself in a large chair. It was like he was sitting in a massage chair.

“This time, Masked Fighting King has really put their heart into the episode,” Kale said to Hyeonu.

Hyeonu listened silently.

Kale continued, “Only the best have come out as you’ve asked. Perhaps... Well, if you look, you’ll know. It is because only the prominent people are gathered. It’s just... you won’t know if they follow the concept of Masked Fighting King.”

The moment Kale finished talking, Hyeonu opened his mouth to say, “That probably won’t happen. Pride... It is a pretty scary monster. Please secretly tell me who the participants are.”

Hyeonu looked listless. There seemed to be no strength in his body, but his eyes were burning like volcanoes.

“Won’t it be more interesting? Hiding your identity... It’s the value that Masked Fighting King should aim for. However, this time is special, so there should be some deviant behavior,” he said while continuing to stare at Kale.

Kale didn’t avoid Hyeonu’s eyes.

‘He has a point.’ Kale thought about it.

Hyeonu’s words definitely contained a good opinion. Obviously, it went against the basic concept of Masked Fighting King, but it aroused more interest. It was a preview of the pro league—no, a preview of Arena Week. Moreover, it was the PvP that everyone was most interested in watching. This was the picture that everyone wanted.

“Yes, then I’ll go around and take a look. I have to meet them once anyway.” Kale bade Hyeonu a brief farewell. “Then I’ll see you again just before the shooting begins.”

Right after that, Kale disappeared. However, Hyeonu’s waiting room didn’t fall silent. It was because an uninvited visitor arrived.

“Hey, isn’t this too much favoritism? It is ridiculous.” It was Yeongchan. He entered the waiting room and munched on the snacks on the table.

“What else? Who said something to you?” Hyeonu, who had been dreaming of a short break, asked with a distorted expression. Hyeonu was currently unmasked, so Yeongchan noticed his expression.

“No... I’ve recorded Masked Fighting King several times, and I’ve never seen a waiting room like this. No, I’ve seen it once. It was the first time you came out. I only saw it then. Isn’t this complete discrimination?” Yeongchan commented.

Hyeonu agreed with Yeongchan’s words. This was obvious discrimination.

“It is because you and I are in different classes. If you want a waiting room like this, then you should do as much as me. You can’t? Then just stay like you are now,” Hyeonu spat out spiteful remarks to Yeongchan who interrupted his rest.

It was a terrible act of revenge. Hyeonu pointed to the sofa on the other side of the chair he was sitting on before saying, “It’s a joke, a joke. Sit over there. There is still a lot of time left. Talk to me.” 

Yeongchan wondered, “Do you know who is coming today?”

“No, I don’t know. Didn’t they tell you?’

Yeongchan shook his head. Originally, the cast’s information was passed onto Yeongchan before the shooting began, but today was different. It was a secret even to him for some reason.

‘Are they worried I will tell this jerk?’ Yeongchan thought about it. If this were the reason, he would be convinced of it. After all, if he knew it in advance, he would’ve definitely told Hyeonu.

“Really? You don’t know either?” Hyeonu was disappointed but only slightly. It would be nice to know, but he didn’t really care in the end. He was going to win anyway.

“I know. Then take a break. I want to close my eyes.” Hyeonu closed his eyes with these words.

***

‘Uh... Who is Gang Hyeonu?’ Yeongchan wondered.

It was just before Masked Fighting King began, and Yeongchan still hadn’t been told who was who. He didn’t even know what mask Hyeonu was wearing as he hadn’t asked while he was eating the snacks.

‘I am also like a viewer today.’

It seemed that Yeongchan’s acting would be more realistic than ever, but it would only be for a short time.

‘I will get a rough idea of who is who the moment they place one match.’

Once the matches progressed, their identities would naturally be revealed.

‘The problem is that jerk, Hyeonu...’

The problem was that Hyeonu wouldn’t be found if he hid his identity. Due to his excellent skills, there would be no sense of incongruity even if he copied someone else’s fighting style. It would be just like that person, but it would also feel like an evolved form.

“Hello viewers, how are you? I am your MC, Argon.” Yeongchan started speaking the moment he received the start signal from the staff sitting in front.

“Today is a day that everyone knows about. We’re having a preview of the Winter League, Arena Week—a party of the best at PvP!” Yeongchan poured out the prepared lines, which was also one of the things that Nike had carefully prepared. “Then let’s invite the masked fighters. Please come out!!!”

Eight masked people walked out in a line, each taking a turn to stop at the appointed location. Then the surroundings quickly became dark, and a spotlight was given to only one masked fighter.

“The first masked fighter is a warrior from hell, Hell Knight!” The voice of Andrea Palmares introduced the masked fighters in turn.

The first fighter was called Hell Knight, and he wore the typical knight’s attire. Armor covered his entire body, and on his head was a helmet with sharp horns. He was also holding a long sword. It was perfect.

“The second fighter appearing on Masked Fighting King came from the desert. He’s the desert tribe’s last champion! Blue Night!”

The second masked fighter wore rough animal skin and held a crude jungle machete in one hand. After that, six more masked fighters were introduced. The moment the introductions of the eight masked fighters were over, Yeongchan opened his mouth again. 

“Today we’ve added a special rule. As everyone knows, we are introducing the PvP rules of the pro league. Of course, it’s only for this recording. Next time, we will proceed as usual. All other rules are the same as before,” Yeongchan spoke quickly while glancing at the cue cards.

“Then let’s get started. Who will be the first masked fighter to take the stage?” Yeongchan shouted loudly.

From here on, there was no set script.

He would go with the flow like a paper boat floating on the sea.

‘Who will come out?’ Yeongchan carefully observed the masked fighters. He wondered if anyone would come up to the stage.

-Who will come up?

-I hope for Hell Knight in red armor and White Wing in white armor.

-The visuals are good.

-I don’t know who came out, so I don’t know who is who. I hope the matches can start quickly...

The viewers were also curious. There was no information about the cast, and no fights had occurred yet. Therefore, they hoped that a match would start quickly even if it was simply for the sake of acquiring information. Just then, a man in a modern suit raised his hand and stepped onto the stage. It was the gentleman from the island, Kingsman.

“The first masked fighter has appeared on the stage. He is Kingsman!” Yeongchan shouted upon seeing that. “Are there any masked fighters who will compete with Kingsman?! If there is no one, Kingsman will automatically take the victory! One!”

The moment Yeongchan shouted that, another person climbed onto the stage. It was a man in red armor—Hell Knight.

“I’ll challenge you,” Hell Knight spoke boldly in his voice-modulated voice.

“Good. Then match one will be between Hell Knight and Kingsman from the island,” Yeongchan declared. He was in the midst of stepping back when he saw a staff member hold up a card with writing on it: -Skill, stats check!

Yeongchan urgently raised the microphone back to his mouth, “Right, have you both checked your skills and stats setting? I’m asking just in case you don’t know. This question also applies to the six of you who are sitting there.”

The moment Yeongchan’s words finished, all eight people confirmed their stats and skills window.

Then one by one, they sent the ‘okay’ sign.

“Since everyone has checked it, we will start the match.” Yeongchan stepped off the stage and naturally moved between the six masked fighters.

Hell Knight and Kingsman had the same weapon. There was a difference in the detailed shape, but the nature of the swords was the same. The two men pointed their swords at each other. This battle was being watched by countless people—the MC, the other six masked fighters, dozens of staff members, and millions of viewers. In their minds, they all had a similar thought, ‘Who will win?’

There was also one more thing: ‘Will there be Alley Leader among the two of them?’

As people focused, the first confrontation of Masked Fighting King began.