Reincarnator’s Stream

“The opponent I will fight…”

Lee Suhyuk did not look at the numerous participants.

From the very beginning, he had already decided on his opponent in his mind.

“Heavenly Demon, Jin Haryung.”

“…What?”

“What did that bastard just say?”

“Did I hear that right?”

The surroundings buzzed with excitement.

All from a single word. The resonance was due to the name that came out of Lee Suhyuk’s mouth.

-??????
-Hyung, are you in your right mind????
-??????????????????
-Is he really obsessed with his character???

『’IloveLeeSuhyuk’ has donated 1,000 points.』
『Did I just arrive? Did SafeAsset set a mission to designate the Heavenly Demon?』

-Nope.
-He didn’t.
-Then, why the hell is he doing this? LOL
-Really, what’s going on?
-Wasn’t SafeAsset supposed to set a mission? Something like defeating the Heavenly Demon?

『’SafeAsset’ has donated 100 points.』
『Not that outrageous, seriously;;』

Of course, the stream also went wild.

In that short moment, the number of viewers rapidly increased. It appeared that viewers were moving over from the official channel.

『Moving to the trial hall in 1 minute.』

One minute.

Afterwards, the match with the Heavenly Demon would begin.

From before the designation, and even after it had ended, Lee Suhyuk had been looking directly into Jin Haryung’s eyes.

Twitch.

Jin Haryung’s usually expressionless lips slightly moved.

As expected.

‘We were thinking the same thing.’

Even if the designation had not been initiated by him, it would have been the same.

Jin Haryung participated in this Counter-Fight to fight against him.

“Hey, have you lost your mind over that concept?”

By this point, Hailz was confused.

That familiar sense and atmosphere emanating from Lee Suhyuk.

Starting to think that it stemmed from long-term research and perfecting his character.

“What are you thinking, fighting against him?”

“Do you think I plan to win?”

“Then?”

“I can’t win this with my current skills anyway. Neither do I want to just participate for the sake of it.”

Lee Suhyuk needed a breakthrough.

“After all, nothing gets people’s attention like the name of the Heavenly Demon, right?”

In other words, he intended to use the Heavenly Demon to garner viewer interest.

Anyone could think about it.

Not everyone participating in the Counter-Fight aimed for winning, and they struggled to leave a mark on people’s memories.

But no one tried.

Because the opponent was the Heavenly Demon.

The kind of monster who, with his evil power, could annihilate forces, even the whole of Murim overnight if he did not like someone.

“You’re crazy, aren’t you….”

Blur.

His vision became blurry.

The world disappeared like a mirage. When his body regained gravity, Lee Suhyuk found himself in a completely different world.

A new field for the match.

Coincidentally, it was atop a high mountain ridge with steep cliffs.

-Mountains, huh?
-Does the field even matter LOL? It’s over once they meet.
-He was going to call him a lunatic, wasn’t he?

No one anticipated Lee Suhyuk’s victory.

Not just victory—they didn’t even expect him to put up a good fight and lose honorably.

But regardless.

“Let me introduce one of our sponsors.”

Lee Suhyuk began presenting the ad for the match.

“This is a sword called ‘Denma’, manufactured by the famous ‘Iron Mine’ guild.”

-????
-You’re doing an ad now?
-Yeah, lots of viewers LOL;

Lee Suhyuk drew the newly equipped sword.

A rough, gray-bladed sword. The design wasn’t pleasing, but Lee Suhyuk accepted this ad because of the sword’s attributes.

“It’s an item with basic functions a sword should have: durability, stamina, and cutting power. I tried it once before accepting the ad, and it’s good.”

-So blatant with the ad, shaking my head.
-If we advertise with the Heavenly Demon, the impact would be huge, hahaha.
-Oh, come on, you think that would work?
-If you’re done with your tasks, let’s get ready.

It was an unabashed prelude to an advertisement. No matter how high-quality the item, it was during a match.

It was naturally difficult to attract interest.

‘Well, this should suffice.’

The advertising for the item was adequate for now.

Whether or not this advertisement would shine depended on his efforts.

‘Jin Hwaryung.’

Lee Suhyuk’s eyes sparkled as he gazed down from the mountain range.

Was it a coincidence?

He could immediately recognize the place.

‘So, it’s the Ten Thousand Mountains again.’

The first Counter-Fight against Jin Hwaryung had taken place right here in the Ten Thousand Mountains.

The location where the ancient Murim’ Heavenly Demonic Cult had once stood.

Whether it was pure coincidence or some kind of inevitability, it was uncertain.

‘Back then… I lost.’

Lee Suhyuk recalled his first fight with Jin Hwaryung.

Ignorant of defeat, he charged up the tower, only to face a shocking defeat against Jin Hwaryung.

It was a crushing defeat.

Jin Hwaryung had not even used the Heavenly Demonic Arts, the symbol of the Heavenly Demon.

He had only wielded a single sword against Lee Suhyuk, and the result was an overwhelming victory for the Heavenly Demon.

Moreover, Jin Hwaryung had grown even stronger since then. Much stronger.

Step by step, he moved down the mountain range.

As the familiar landscape started to appear, the viewers gradually began to recognize the stage.

-Isn’t that Ten Thousand Mountains?
-Oh? It is!
-Fighting the Heavenly Demon at Ten Thousand Mountains?
-Romantic win
-Romantic ‘only’ win

A long mountain range extending beyond the blue sky and horizon.

An undeniably beautiful place.

It was hard to believe it had once been stained with blood.

While walking for a while and taking in the scenery…

There, in the distance…

A vivid red aura tainted the blue sky, rising into the air.

The distance was quite far.

Whether by fortune or misfortune, it was relatively far away.

“They’re calling me.”

To Jin Hwaryung, this wasn’t a test of combat.

It was a challenge.

A challenge that Lee Suhyuk, a rookie, was posing to the pinnacle of the world.

It was only natural for the challenger to come forward. Aware of this, Suhyuk readily accepted Jin Hwaryung’s provocation.

With a burst of speed, he moved swiftly, pursuing Jin Hwaryung’s aura.

The bulging red aura in the sky rapidly closed in, and from atop a high peak, Jin Hwaryung’s figure came into view.

“You’re here?”

Even from a distance, Jin Hwaryung’s voice was clear.

It was still surprising.

Despite speaking softly, his words were so distinctly heard.

Maintaining a suitable distance, Suhyuk stopped in front of Jin Hwaryung.

-Something just zipped past
-That’s the Heavenly Demon!
-So fast!

Suhyuk reached Jin Hwaryung without hesitation. The viewers were astonished to see Jin Hwaryung right up close after being distant moments ago.

Jin Hwaryung nodded without a trace of agitation.

“Your speed is impressive.”

“Just my speed?”

“Do you have more to show?”

From the peak, Jin Hwaryung looked down at Suhyuk.

With just a few words, Suhyuk understood.

‘He’s not planning to kill me right away.’

To Lee Suhyuk, the Heavenly Demon was a special existence, as was Lee Suhyuk to the Heavenly Demon.

They were each other’s sole defeat. They were unique, unmatched by anyone else in the world.

Thus, Jin Hwaryung didn’t immediately strike Suhyuk down but engaged in conversation.

“Shall I show you?”

Drawing energy without drawing his sword, Suhyuk formed a spear in his hand.

『Creating the ‘Thunder and Lightning Spear’.』

A spear mingled with golden and blue light took shape in his hand. Suhyuk threw the spear toward Jin Hwaryung, who had been quietly watching.

Flash-!

Boom-!

For a moment, the world turned white.

The sound of thunder did not stop at just one strike. The deafening noise continued to roar, showcasing its immense power.

The peak had disappeared.

The spear had enough power to alter the terrain in a single strike.

Suhyuk’s magical and physical abilities had increased to the level where he could create such a spear in mere seconds.

Crrk-.

But it was of no use.

On the vanished peak, Jin Hwaryung stood in midair, unchanged from his initial appearance.

No, there was something different.

“…It’s worth noting.”

Jin Hwaryung’s gaze had changed.

His once weary eyes now showed a hint of interest.

It wasn’t because the power was overwhelming. Rather, it was the potential of the lightning power that he hadn’t felt in a long time.

“You won’t be disappointed.”

Thump-.

Suhyuk began to feel his heart beating.

Thump, thump-.

Two hearts.

As the Heart of Lightning and the Heart of Thunder started to rev up, Suhyuk’s two eyes began to shine in different colors.

“That’s why I challenged you, because I’m confident.”

『2,560,000 points have been used.』
『The skill level of ‘Selfish Sacrifice LV.9′ has increased.』
『’Selfish Sacrifice Lv.10’ resists ‘Thunder’ and ‘Lightning’.』

* * *

After quarrelling with Cheon Ryang, Un Hyang had sought a place where no one could find her.

She ended up on the rooftop of a building with a locked door.

“That jerk.”

She sat on the railing, idly swinging her legs.

The conversations she had with Cheon Ryang continuously muddled her mind. No matter how much she thought about it, she was angry.

“Happy to be the manager of a cheap fake. Is that what makes you happy?”

If only he hadn’t said that.

But for some reason, she couldn’t tolerate the word “fake”.

She knew, deep down.

“It’s not like he was wrong….”

Cheon Ryang’s words were right.

Lee Suhyuk wasn’t real.

The image he projected on screen, his actions, perhaps even his fighting style—they were all fabricated for the show, and the world called that a fake.

That’s why Un Hyang was so angry.

“It’s worse because he’s genuine.”

She knew, yet somehow, she couldn’t feel that way about Lee Suhyuk being a fake.

But she could not find a reason. Even though he resembled the real one, it wasn’t like a dead person came back to life.

It felt as though her emotions were being invalidated.

That feeling of helplessness and crushed fan spirit when you can’t refute something.

Cheon Ryang had mercilessly struck that nerve.

“No messages.”

Unlike usual, she had turned off the stream and fiddled with the kit. This was because she believed Lee Suhyuk had no chance of failing the first test.

Un Hyang waited for Cheon Ryang to contact her.

Usually, he would send at least a simple “Sorry” by now, but there was no such message today.

Should I text him first?

She sat on the railing, pondering for a moment.

“You seem to be waiting for someone’s message?”

A voice came from right above her.

Un Hyang, startled, vanished from her spot.

The next moment, she appeared on the rooftop of the building opposite.

She looked up at the source of the voice from where she had been sitting.

‘Who is that?’

Someone stood on the other side of the rooftop she had just vacated.

Black hair and an excessively average ‘fake’ face.

She was sure she had seen them somewhere.

“You….”

And then a fleeting memory.

“What is your name?”

“It’s Yejung.”

The name was Yejung.

“Alright. I won’t ask why you’re here.”

“Why else? To watch the match.”

The place they had met was in the audience seats of a competition hosted by Blue Zone.

“…Yejung unni?”

She had appeared again, with the same fake face.