The Regressed SSS-Rank Supporter Who Turned Dark - Chapter 101

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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#Episode 101
“I understand perfectly what you’re saying.”
Cha Geun-woo smiled.
“I suppose my greed got the better of me—making my wife suffer all these years and not spending enough time with the children.”
“That’s the fate of all operatives. We’re lucky if we spend a hundred days a year at home.”
Minister An offered a bittersweet smile.
“You’re right, Minister. I need to stop putting my family through this.”
“That’s the right thinking. It’s better for you and your family alike. Your loved ones have sacrificed enough—now it’s your turn to make that sacrifice.”
“Yes, sir.”
“At my age, I can barely hold my head up at home. There are few sinners like me. I’ve been a selfish, pathetic father figure, demanding sacrifice from my wife and children my entire life.”
“Minister…”
“Don’t live like me. You’ve done your part. Now it’s time to serve and devote yourself to your family, not the nation. This isn’t something I’m saying as Defense Strategy Department Minister to Hunter Cha Eun-sung’s father—this is soldier to soldier.”
“Those are precious words… I’ll take them to heart.”
“Then I’ll consider the matter settled.”
“Yes, Minister.”
“I’m planning to increase security personnel for your family. Don’t find it too inconvenient—it’s all for their safety.”
“Thank you for your consideration.”
“Still, it’s a shame.”
“Sir?”
“I wish you’d received the blessing of Ether as well.”
“That’s…”
“Don’t take it as something to grieve over. Your talented son seems to have taken care of his father’s share as well.”
“Haha.”
“Let’s have dinner together next week.”
“Won’t you be busy, sir?”
“Even if I am, I’ll make time. I’d like to talk about old times with you.”
“I’d like that.”
“But tell me—what exactly were you thinking back then?”
“Sir?”
“I sent in special reconnaissance, and you captured the North Korean officer but killed all the Chinese operatives? And that’s not even…”
Minister An’s face gradually flushed as his blood pressure spiked.
“Haha, hahaha…”
Cha Geun-woo laughed awkwardly and gulped down his coffee.
* * *
Jamsil Colosseum Underground Level 1 was equipped with various facilities.
There was a reception desk where administrative procedures were handled, a hospital and recovery room for the injured.
Along with a lounge, restaurant, and bathing facilities.
The underground section of Jamsil Colosseum operated like a small city unto itself.
Of course, all these facilities were modeled after an ancient colosseum rather than contemporary structures.
Moreover, the people operating the arena were not real humans but NPCs from within the Gate.
“Haha….”
I swept my gaze across the basement level, my expression tinged with nostalgia.
‘So the day I stop using this place has finally come.’
Hunters often used their experiences in the arena as conversation fodder, exchanging stories about their matches.
Every time that happened, I could only sit there sucking my fingers in silence.
Like someone who hadn’t served in the military, unable to join in when veterans swapped war stories, merely listening from the sidelines.
Moreover, arena records and the Achievements that came with them were treated like medals among hunters, serving as one of the key metrics for gauging combat prowess.
To interact and collaborate with higher-ranked hunters, proving one’s own strength was essential, making it crucial to build a solid track record in the arena.
“Huh? Isn’t that Cha Eun-sung?”
“Wow. He’s even more handsome in person.”
“We’re seeing the hottest hunter right now, right here.”
Several hunters recognized me and began whispering among themselves.
“Still just a newbie though, right?”
“Nah, that’s gotta be bullshit. How does someone hit 4-Star in just three months? He probably awakened way earlier and has been hiding it.”
“From the videos, he looked pretty skilled, but we’ll know for sure once he gets in the ring. That’ll tell us if he’s the real deal or not.”
I didn’t react to the voices reaching my ears.
Just like before the regression, the noise from the public and those around me was nothing but static to me.
I knew all too well that reacting to every comment would slowly eat away at my sense of self….
“Welcome.”
“Hello, Warrior. I’m Sharan, working at the reception desk. Are you interested in participating in a combat match?”
The female NPC at the reception greeted me.
“Yes, that’s my intention.”
“Then please read this carefully first.”
Sharan handed me a heavy stone tablet.
The tablet was a kind of terms of service, densely inscribed with the arena’s regulations.
“Hmm.”
I slowly and meticulously examined the contents written on the tablet.
“You’re quite a unique person.”
“Me?”
“It’s very rare to see someone examine the tablet so thoroughly.”
Sharan spoke as if fascinated.
“Oh, if you’re in a hurry….”
“It’s fine. It’s just been so long since I’ve met a warrior as meticulous as you. Take your time.”
“Thank you. Then I’ll continue reading.”
“By all means.”
People who carefully examined terms of service and contracts were surprisingly rare.
There was no telling what toxic clauses might be lurking, and the scope and terms of the contract could be vague and overly broad.
Before the regression.
I had been burned badly by Oh Yu-hwa, that demon from the Defense Strategy Department, so I’d become obsessively thorough about these matters.
Most hunters would skim through the contract carelessly and sign without really reading it.
“So, to officially become a fighter and compete in the Colosseum, I need to win three one-on-one matches, correct?”
“That’s right.”
“When can I start?”
“You’re in luck. We had a rookie fighter tournament scheduled for three hours from now, and we were just short one participant. Perfect timing. If you fill out this application form and sign it, you’re all set.”
“I’ll do that.”
I wrote my name on the parchment application and signed it with a fountain pen.
Thunk!
Sharan poured red sealing wax onto the application and pressed the Colosseum’s official seal into it.
“Feel free to look around, and when your name is called, just head to the waiting room.”
“Thank you for the guidance.”
With nothing else to do, I claimed a seat at an outdoor tavern.
Though technically Basement Level 1 of the Colosseum, it was essentially ground level—I could enjoy the surrounding scenery while passing the time.
Since I was getting a bit hungry, I ordered a few simple dishes and a bottle of wine from the server.
Clink.
I placed a single golden secret coin on the table.
“Keep the change.”
“Oh my, fighter! Thank you so much. I’ll bring it right away!”
The server snatched up the gold coin faster than the blink of an eye and rushed toward the kitchen.
‘Hmm. Still nothing unusual. It’s all the same.’
While eating, I scrolled through HunterLink to gauge public opinion among hunters.
Despite days having passed, most hunters remained skeptical of Supernova’s prophecy.
[Anonymous] Why people who believe in prophecies are idiots (431,220)
[Anonymous] So what do you believe in if you don’t believe in this? (753,311)
Believers and non-believers.
The hunters were sharply divided into two opposing camps.
It seemed that skepticism toward Supernova still held the upper hand in public opinion.
[Comment] Hey, the guy who said Supernova was real, come out. Wanna fight?
└ [Comment] You think I can’t fight?
└ [Comment] Send me a DM. Let’s expose each other’s info and settle this. Loser keeps their mouth shut for life. Got it?
└ [Comment] Let’s go
It seemed these online disputes frequently escalated into real-world confrontations.
“I understand, but…”
I muttered with a sense of regret.
In truth, the believers were the ones being unreasonable.
Who would believe that a severe cold snap would hit Australia and kill millions?
Just as with the Jebu Island incident, it was absurd for an entire nation’s government to evacuate its capital based on a single anonymous post.
Supernova simply hadn’t built enough credibility yet…
‘I should try to contact a hunter from Australia when I have the chance. Like I did with Minister An.’
With that thought, I took a sip of the served wine.
It was wine infused with herbs and honey.
Three hours later.
“Cha Eun-sung, reserve fighter!”
Eun-sung rose from his seat.
* * *
The Colosseum’s qualification tournament followed an unusual format.
There was no bracket.
Thirty hunters in total drew numbered lots, and those numbers determined the order of participation.
The matches proceeded in numerical order, but the format itself was peculiar.
The first participant, number one, fought number two, and the victor remained to face the next number in succession.
While skill mattered, luck played an equally crucial role in this system.
Drawing a higher number naturally favored one’s chances at the championship.
Since winning the tournament here came with substantial rewards, newcomers to the Colosseum all desperately wanted to be the last one standing.
However, one didn’t necessarily have to be the final survivor or achieve three consecutive victories.
Three wins across any number of attempts was all that was required.
“Is everyone here?”
The referee, a man named Carlson, spoke up.
“Yes!”
“Good. Now we’ll draw the lots. Come forward and each draw one.”
The hunters approached the box under Carlson’s guidance and drew their lots.
For this draw, Eun-sung had decided not to use the [Fortune & Misfortune] card’s ability.
Even if he drew number thirty, while his chances of winning would increase, he’d only secure one victory, forcing him to participate in two more qualification tournaments.
Moreover, since qualification tournaments required thirty new fighters to assemble, winning too early would waste time.
The ideal scenario was drawing a higher number in the first tournament, securing three or more victories, and claiming the championship.
Besides, the [Fortune & Misfortune] card’s passive effect granted a constant 25% luck bonus, so even a casual draw would likely yield a favorable number.
Of course, since luck was an abstract stat, certainty was impossible.
“Hmm.”
“Not bad.”
“Ugh.”
The hunters drew their lots in the order they’d registered.
“Finally… Cha Eun-sung.”
When my name was called, every eye in the arena snapped toward me.
I paid them no mind and approached the box, drawing the single remaining lot.
‘Somewhere around twenty would be ideal.’
I unfolded the slip.
The number I’d drawn was…
“This is a bit…”
My expression darkened.
The digit inscribed on the slip.
…was number one.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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