Book 22 Chapter 11

Preliminary market research

—Of course, I'm serious!

"You're going to participate? Yeonbi, are you serious?"

"Of course, I'm serious. I'm in dire straits right now, despite appearances. It's a kind of preliminary survey. I can't just rush in without knowing how this place works, can I? I'm not that reckless."

Even now, she looked quite reckless.

"But…"

"Why?"

Yeonbi stared intently at Nayerin with eyes like tiger's eye stones.

"No, I was just thinking that you truly have no hesitation."

Even if she desperately needed money, did she really have to go this far? Nayerin questioned even that.

Then Yeonbi replied with a slight smile.

"It's not too late to hesitate after I've confirmed things, is it? I'm not a shaman possessed by a god; I can't decide whether to participate or not without knowing anything, can I?"

"Th-that's true as well."

"Originally, I'm the type who doesn't believe anything unless I see and hear it with my own eyes and ears."

The will behind those words was so firm that no one dared to challenge it. It was impossible to dissuade Yeonbi any further. Seeing Nayerin hesitate visibly, Yeonbi said.

"Um, Rin?"

"Yes?"

"Rin, you should go back from here. Thank you for coming this far with me. But it really is better for you to go back. This is a place where human desires and madness run rampant. It's not a good fit for you. So please go back."

Now that she had come here, she didn't want to drag Rin into such a place. Who could guarantee that Nayerin's spirit wouldn't break in the vortex of such desires and madness? This was the worst possible place for Nayerin. Even if she needed her strength, she couldn't force such a sacrifice. However…

"No, I will not go back."

"Rin?"

That was a truly unexpected answer.

"I don't really want to, but I will not go back."

She too, was already feeling it, the madness swirling beyond that immense wall.

"Are you sure it's okay? It could be dangerous. It could be painful."

"We can't keep making excuses and running away forever. I'm going to move forward."

The emotions swirling within were so thick and rough. It was like a sea swirling in a storm. The fact that she had to enter the very center of it felt deeply unsettling. But Nayerin seemed to have no intention of backing down.

"Well then, shall we go inside?"

Nayerin took Yeonbi's hand first and stepped inside. It was impossible for Yeonbi to break free of that hand. The will to not retreat now that she had decided was clearly felt. It was as Nayerin said. They couldn't just keep avoiding it forever. Unless they fought against their fear, they would never escape its shackles.

Finally, Nayerin followed Yeonbi into the circular arena.

The moment they crossed the threshold, the smell of evaporated sweat and blood wafted strongly.

From ancient times, people had bet on the outcomes of many races. Horse races, mouse races, cricket races, dog races, turtle races, pig races, almost anything that could run. Furthermore, humans had bet not only on races where they competed for rankings but also on fights where they competed for victory and defeat.

Dogfights, bullfights, horse fights, insect fights, and so on. The types of fights were also countless. Among them, what people were most passionate about was the arena where humans tore each other apart, spilling blood. This was a place where immense amounts of cash changed hands daily.

"Are you okay, Rin?"

Although she had come in with a firm resolve, the atmosphere inside the circular arena was more oppressive than imagined. Just crossing through the center of it was enough to make Nayerin feel distressed. Standing in the vortex of the most brutal desires, Nayerin looked as precarious as a lone boat adrift in a typhoon.

"I… I'm okay."

Nayerin's complexion was extremely pale as she answered.

The spilled blood numbed reason, and the torn flesh ignited instinct. This place, where swords clashed with swords, swords with halberds, spears with axes, creating sparks and roars in the midst of life and death, was a cauldron of madness where frenzy and violence danced hand in hand.

"Waaahhhh!"

As one warrior's axe struck the opponent's shoulder, a seething roar erupted. That single blow determined the outcome. Those who had bet on the winner cheered, while those on the opposite side despaired. It was simple and easy to understand.

Nayerin's brow furrowed involuntarily. It felt as if an invisible madness was writhing like a black snake, coiling around the entire building. It might have been better to not see this distorted strangeness. However, her eyes reflected even that twistedness without omission. An instinctive sense of revulsion welled up from within her heart.

"This is not a place I want to stay in for long."

Who on earth would think of making this into entertainment? And what kind of people were those who enjoyed it? As such thoughts continued to pile up, her sense of revulsion deepened.

She too, was a martial artist who revered martial arts, but this was merely a collection of violence rather than martial arts.

She could be certain of one thing: this was not a place that suited her.