A battle between world rankers. It was a major event globally. That's because it's extremely rare to witness a battle between those ranked in the world rankings.

After all, they had more to lose than to gain from such battles. The higher you climb, the more you have to lose. For that reason, most of them were very reluctant to engage in duels with each other.

Individuals like the Sword Emperor or Martial Emperor, who were unafraid of defeat and constantly fought, were extremely rare. That’s why this matchup—Sungshik vs. Boris—captured public attention. It was the first time in a long while that a duel between top-class Superhumans had taken place.

Furthermore, Boris had declared it a life-or-death match. A life-or-death match. A battle where even one’s life is at stake, and the victor takes everything from the loser. The Winner Takes It All.

It was somewhat expected to become a life-or-death match. Boris had frequently engaged in such fights in the past.

[Clash of World Rankers after 8 Months.] [Veteran Boris VS Rookie Ranker Heo Sungshik. What Will the Result Be?] [Let’s Analyze the Combat Patterns of Boris and Heo Sungshik.]

Numerous articles popped up. Not just articles—various online communities also took a keen interest in their duel.

[Wow, are those two really going at it? Why all of a sudden?]
└Apparently Boris challenged Heo Sungshik to a match?

[Damn, can Heo Sungshik even win this?]
[He didn’t seem like he would lose from that video though... But this time, he said he would fight without using his own artifact, right? Not sure how this will go.]
└?? Why would he fight without his artifact?

└Boris provoked him. Yep. Said all those flashy moves Heo Sungshik showed off were just thanks to that [Myth] grade artifact.

└Pfft, what nonsense. Weapons are part of one's skill. If he’s jealous, he should go get a [Myth] grade weapon himself.

[Ugh, now I’m suddenly nervous that Heo Sungshik might’ve walked right into Boris’ trap.]

Many cheered in anticipation for the showdown. However, some—especially in South Korea—were worried that Sungshik might be rushing into the fight against Boris.

And it was understandable. Boris was an overwhelmingly strong individual who had stood out since the early days of the Great Upheaval. In terms of experience in battles against Superhumans, he was considered to be among the top.

Compared to that, Sungshik was still new to being a Superhuman and had only recently reached 7 Stars. Furthermore, saying he would fight without his [Myth] grade weapon was like playing chess without a rook or bishop. Thus, when comparing their strengths, the scales tilted heavily in Boris' favor.

“As you can see, Boris is already known as a Superhuman approaching 7 Stars+. On the other hand, Heo Sungshik has just barely stepped into 7 Stars. This is where the objective difference in power begins.”

“But don’t you think Sungshik’s combat ability displayed in China was quite remarkable?”

“Of course, in the footage, he was incredible. Honestly, it’s questionable whether he really just reached 7 Stars. However... it’s said his weapon was a [Myth] grade artifact. Whether he can show that same strength without it is questionable.”

“Rather than the power, I think we should focus on the abilities he showed. He manipulated even more elements than Elemental Master Jenny, who is believed to be at the limit of human capacity. I think that points to his [EX Rank] trait, right? I believe we need to focus on that power.”

“Sure, handling many elements is amazing, but that doesn’t necessarily make it a decisive weapon in close combat. I think it’s a completely different kind of trait compared to the Sword Emperor and Martial Emperor, who also have [EX Rank] traits.”

Some private broadcast channels even held debates about the match. The duel garnered attention from all directions.

“Sungshik, are you really okay with this? I can’t help but feel worried.”

“Yeah. It’s still not too late. Let’s just call it off. A swordsman fighting without a sword—does that make any sense?”

“It’s fine. Don’t worry about it.”

It had been a while since the academy friends had reunited. Choi Moonguk and Sung Jihwan expressed concern for Sungshik as soon as they met. But seeing Sungshik so confident made him seem almost suicidal in their eyes.

“Hey, I get that you might not know, but that guy’s had a nasty reputation since forever, okay? It’s impressive that you reached 7 Stars, but he hit 7 Stars way before you. Seriously, think it over again.”

Sung Jihwan wore a clearly anxious expression.

‘This guy can even make that kind of face?’

Sungshik only remembered Sung Jihwan’s usual playful expression, so the worry felt oddly unfamiliar.

“I said it’s fine. I know very well what Boris is capable of. I’ve also gained something this time... Anyway, I’m not planning to lose, so don’t worry.”

Sungshik responded with a broad smile.

“Well, alright. If you say so, then I guess you have something you’re confident in? Then I won’t worry anymore. But if you come back after losing, you’d better prepare yourself. No soup for you.”

“I don’t think Sungshik will lose. I’m not worried at all.”

Kim Subin, standing beside them, joined in after Sung Jihwan’s words. Her eyes clearly showed she had no doubt Sungshik would win.

“Whoa, what’s with that faith? You two went into a dungeon together and something happened, huh?”

“Oh? What, what? Something happened between you two?”

Choi Moonguk chimed in playfully after Sung Jihwan.

“What are you even talking about? Subin saw me fight back then, that’s all.”

“Uh... mm, yeah. Sungshik really fought well.”

Kim Subin hesitated, awkwardly replying to Sungshik’s firm interruption.

“Speaking of which, you know the dungeon we entered back then was an Irregular Dungeon, right? Thinking about how Sungshik took down the boss on his own... I just can’t imagine him losing.”

She meant every word. She had witnessed Sungshik’s power firsthand, right next to him. The way he overwhelmed and dominated the Thunder Bird had left a lasting impression on her mind. That’s how powerful he had seemed.

—Don’t worry, Subin. Trust the reading I saw. His royal path starts now.

Luna had also said, according to her reading, that Sungshik’s journey was just beginning. She had especially noted that he had now stepped onto the royal path.

The King’s Road. The path toward the peak. The path everyone dreams of walking.

At Luna’s words, Subin nodded. Luna’s divinations had never been wrong. Nothing would happen this time either. That’s what she believed.

“Wow, if Subin believes in him this much, then he must really be something, huh?”

“Honestly, just from that Chinese video, I didn’t think he’d lose. When I first saw those massive thunderbolts streaming out of his hands, I wondered if that was really the Sungshik I knew.”

“Yeah, seeing that, I guess he’ll do fine. What would us low-levels even know?”

It was true. For people like Choi Moonguk and Sung Jihwan to worry was meaningless. The gap between them and Sungshik had already grown too wide.

Insight.

Name: Choi Moonguk

Rank: 4-Star (★★★★)

Traits: [B+ Rank] Iron Cannon Hand / [SSS Rank] Indestructible Vajra Body (currently sealed)

Name: Sung Jihwan

Rank: 3-Star+ (★★★☆)

Traits: [B Rank] Spear and Sword Arts

Oh-ho.

Sungshik, checking in on the two after a long time, let out an impressed sound. Their growth was considerable. Choi Moonguk was already 4-Star. Even Sung Jihwan, whom he hadn’t expected much from, had reached 3-Star+.

Once this is over, I’ll have to seriously train them both.

If Choi Moonguk were to awaken the [SSS Rank] Indestructible Vajra Body (currently sealed), his growth potential would be enormous. He had latent power that could place him at the very top.

Later… I could even ask Uncle Martial Emperor to take him under his wing.

Now that he thought about it, Choi Moonguk learning under the Martial Emperor would be perfect. Perhaps the Martial Emperor would even know how to unseal the trait.

Alright, that’s Choi Moonguk taken care of… Subin will manage just fine on her own.

That left Sung Jihwan.

Jihwan’s potential ceiling is too clear.

The [B Rank] Spear and Sword Arts. A common trait that could grow quickly with proper guidance, but only to a certain point. Beyond that was the limit. There wasn’t time to hold his hand the entire way, and his potential was visibly capped.

I can only teach for a very short while anyway.

Laying a foundation and setting him on the right growth path. That was all Sungshik could do. But in that short time, he planned to cram in as much as he could.

At the very least, he won’t be left behind.

If Sung Jihwan put in enough effort, he should be able to grow enough to take care of himself during the Nights of Trial.

“Yeah, Jihwan. Thanks for worrying.”

Sungshik smiled warmly at Sung Jihwan.

“Uh… y-yeah, sure.”

Sung Jihwan sensed something ominous from that smile and replied awkwardly.

Incheon International Airport. Korea’s largest airport, and among the arriving flights today, there was one from Russia.

From that flight stepped a man. Striking blond hair and a fierce expression. Broad shoulders and a well-balanced physique. A tall man over 185 centimeters—currently one of the hottest names alongside Sungshik.

It was none other than the world’s 16th-ranked Superhuman, the Beast, Boris. He had arrived on Korean soil. He came in just days before the scheduled duel with Sungshik.

“So this is Korean soil.”

Though Korea was near Russia, it was practically Boris’s first time visiting. From his perspective, Korea had never had any prey worth his attention. If not for the tasty prey named Sungshik, he wouldn’t have ever set foot here.

“Oh? That’s Boris the Superhuman!”

“Hello, Beast Boris. Welcome to Korea. Could you say a few words ahead of your match with Heo Sungshik?”

Several reporters who had been staking out the arrivals zone rushed over when they saw Boris. To them, getting an interview with Boris was a top priority, and they shoved microphones at him indiscriminately.

“What are these bugs?”

But Boris was a fiercer beast than they imagined. He glared at the clinging reporters with eyes full of murderous intent.

“Wh-what kind of eyes are those…”

Seeing Boris’s pupils slit vertically like a beast, they instinctively stepped back. His gaze was so savage it sent chills down their spines.

Shiver.

Drip… drip…

One of the regular reporters even wet himself from the pressure.

“This is why yellow monkeys are so…”

With an expression of utter disgust, Boris brushed past them. As much as he wanted to tear them all apart, doing that on foreign soil would only bring trouble.

Damn it, what’s with this awful smell?

He grimaced even more at the pungent garlic scent Koreans were known for and walked away.

“Ah… th-that guy’s insane.”

One reporter who had clearly seen the madness in Boris’s eyes shuddered in fear.

C-can he really win…?

Suddenly, an image of Heo Sungshik being torn to pieces by Boris flashed through his mind.

A training ground located in Ilsan, Gyeonggi Province. Today, the place was swarming with people.

“How long until it starts?”

“I think about 30 minutes left.”

“To witness a battle between two 7-Star Superhumans live… whew, I’m nervous myself.”

Indeed. Today, the duel between Sungshik and Boris would take place here.

How did they even find out about this?

Sungshik muttered inwardly as he looked at the crowd. He had exchanged messages with Boris privately and told no one. All he had done was rent the training ground the day before.

Did it really spread that fast?

Yes. The moment the training ground was booked under Sungshik’s name, the news quietly and rapidly spread. A few people with access to that kind of intel had caught wind and gathered. Most were Superhumans affiliated with clans or clan representatives.

There’s probably over a hundred of them.

What was meant to be a private duel, witnessed and recorded by only a few key people, had turned noisy due to unexpected spectators.

Still, this isn’t so bad.

Fighting in an empty, silent place wasn’t necessarily better. Having a moderate audience wasn’t too bad either.

At that moment, the air grew tense with powerful killing intent, and the viewing stands buzzed with chatter.

“That guy’s Boris?”

“Wow, look at that presence. You can feel it from here.”

A man with untamed blond hair walked in. The Beast, Boris, had arrived.

“Heh heh heh, no need for introductions, right? If you’d run, I would’ve hunted you down to the ends of the earth, but you actually showed up.”

Before the duel even began, Boris launched a fierce provocation. Seeing that, Sungshik grinned.

“Of course. What tiger would run from a mere wildcat?”

With those words, Sungshik’s hand began to glow a brilliant blue.