The Novel's Extra: Scrapped

Many people sat expectantly as the two combatants entered the arena. Parents, relatives, fans, reporters and associates all watched as the third match of today began.

The crowd roared for Kim Horak to win as the 'villainous' and 'scandalous' Kim Hajin stepped onto the centre stage.

—Welcome one and all to the first match of today's duels!

"It's starting." Yun Seung-Ah directed her gaze to the arena, finally casting it away from Minori, giving him some time to relax.

—The match will be between rank 18, Kim Horak and rank 934, Kim Hajin! How will Kim Hajin overcome the difference in their rank? Why did Kim Horak nominate such a low ranked cadet?

"Oh? What's this? Why did Kim Horak nominate such a low ranked cadet?" Yun Seung-Ah spoke with interest.

"..."

"Ahem, I said, WHY did Kim Horak nominate such a low ranked cadet?" She repeated, this time lightly elbowing Minori in the ribs, causing him to hold the area and look at the offender.

"W-Well…(damn she hit me hard)... it's probably due to the negative rumors circling around Kim Hajin… maybe Kim Horak has an inflated sense of justice."

"Rumors?" Yun Seung-Ah tilted her head.

"Yeah. Something about how he leaves during the weekend to spend money on debauchery and the sort."

"Are they true?"

"Probably not… I don't care about rumors enough."

"But you care enough to get the general picture?"

"Something like that…" Minori stopped responding and began focusing on the match.

Down in the arena a losing battle began.

—Counting down! Three!

—Two!

—One!

—Start

Kim Horak's feet dug into the ground as he shot forward. His body was essentially a qi reinforced missile of pure muscle.

Minori watched carefully, taking in every movement.

So Qi reinforcement is done like that… he's charging head first to clear the distance… It's good but he's underestimating Kim Hajin.

Suddenly a flicker of light attracted Minori's sharp eyes. 

On Hajin's wrist was a glowing tattoo that looked like an ornate clock hand, for some reason there was intense mana that flicked out before disappearing, as though a signal breaking up while entering a tunnel.

I saw it… that mana. I've never seen anything so pure before… What was that? It's gone now. Even the tattoo disappeared entirely.

I wasn't seeing things, I know I wasn't… I felt as though I recognised it… If only I could get another look.

Not even a millisecond later, a bullet coated in mana blasted out of the pistol head.

The metal pellet cut through the air without drag and drilled into Horak's boorish attack.

Blue sparks flew into the air as the bullet clashed with the qi reinforcement.

Clang—!

The bullet tore through the blue mana, shattering it like glass. The bullet itself disappeared upon impact, but now that Kim Horak was bare skinned, he was nothing but a big oaf.

"Well that is interesting." Yun Seung-Ah purred beside Minori, causing him to shift away slightly.

"Yun Seung-Ah, I don't recommend going after young boys when you're at the peak of your career." 

"W-What?! All I said was that he's interesting. D-Don't misunderstand!" Yun Seung-Ah elbowed Minori again causing him to refocus on the match… which had turned into a game of ring around the rosie.

Kim Hajin had a smirk on his face as he ran around an increasingly bruised Kim Horak.

Eventually Kim Horak rolled and lifted a tile of the arena to use as a shield.

Using a shield? Is he buying time for him to reuse qi reinforcement? This'll be his last one for the day… I doubt he has that much mana left.

Following Minori's thoughts a blue qi began rising out of Kim Horak's body.

He then set the shield down and charged once again.

This time, his movements were zigzagged and unpredictable. Furthermore it appeared that Kim Horak was moving faster than Kim Hajin's gun could fire.

So what will he do now…

Minori looked to Hajins wrist but was surprised when Hajin pulled out a dagger, the tattoo on his wrist flashed for less than a split second.

I did want to see it again… but that was way too quick. But at least that weird sense is back… it's like I… I don't know.

I really want to try some magic and see what happens if I apply… that to it… but I don't even know what that is!

This is frustrating. It's on the tip of my tongue!

Minori blankly stared as Kim Horak rolled out of the way of a knife. Only for it to make a ninety degree turn, changing its direction and homing in on Horak.

This time Horak decided to catch the knife, gripping onto it.

Just as he was about to let it go a bullet pierced through his Qi and drilled into his chest.

Now completely open, it was obvious what would happen next.

Arms, legs, chest, shoulder, head, all assaulted by bullets over and over again.

Enraged, Kim Horak chased after Hajin mindlessly. Hajin evaded quickly and slipped past attacks like a cat.

Eventually Hajin scampered up a wall and continued to fire from far above where Horak could reach.

And so for the next few minutes, Horak was bullied by a rain of bullets until-

–Click

Hajin ran out of bullets.

With no other choice, Hajin jumped down.

Approaching Horak with his dagger only to stop.

It didn't look like Horak would surrender which led to-

Silence.

Not a single person was speaking in the entire arena.

So with a sneer, Hajin raised his hands and spoke quietly.

"I surrender."

Hweee—

The referee blew the whistle and Minori let out a sigh of disappointment.

I think I saw a glimpse… that mana, it was without impurities… and… I think only a closer look will bring me to understand it.

"Hah, honestly…" Yun Seung-Ah let out a breathy laugh at the ending of the fight.

She then projected her watch and typed a couple things.

"Is that a record of Kim Hajin?"

"Huhuhu, You were so serious during the match. Were you entranced?" The woman deflected with a cheeky smirk.

"It was interesting to say the least."

Yun Seung-Ah smiled before stretching.

"When's your fight? I think it'll be interesting."

"It's this afternoon. It's the first one after the break."

The brunette was taken aback by the young man.

"Against Shin Jonghak?"

"Yeah." Minori looked to the side. "And I plan to win."

"Oh~ now I've got to watch this."

"Aren't you focused on your little golden egg, Suho?" Minori quipped.

The woman licked her lips, making Minori shift away once again.

"No one said I wasn't."

"Please refrain from acting so thirsty for young boys."

"I already said-! You're goading me into this!" She huffed but in the end let out a good natured laugh.