Chapter 78
Zeon stared intently at the steak.
Just as Goran had said, it was clearly made from real beef.
The juices slowly seeping out and the rich aroma carried a depth of flavor that could never be found in lab-grown meat or even magical beast meat.
His mouth unconsciously filled with saliva.
As Goran cut into his steak, he said,
“I told you, don’t hold back. This stuff is really good.”
He stuffed a large piece into his mouth and chewed.
Juices dripped down the corner of his lips.
Goran wiped them with his fingers and sucked them clean.
In an instant, an entire portion of steak disappeared into his stomach.
Goran pointed at the steak placed in front of Zeon.
“You’re not going to eat it?”
“I’m not particularly tempted.”
“Tch! When you’re young, you should eat whatever you can.”
“I’ve got a small appetite.”
“Seems like you’re not hungry yet. Then what about women?”
Snap!
As Goran snapped his fingers again, a door on one side opened.
Beyond it stood about a dozen women in revealing outfits. A flamboyantly dressed middle-aged woman led them out.
Zeon recognized her instantly.
Ava.
Eaton’s lover—the one Zeon had nearly beaten to death—and the madam of the brothel.
Ava smiled alluringly.
“Meeting again, young master!”
“I wonder if your boyfriend is alright. I might’ve beaten him a bit too hard.”
“No need to worry. He’ll recover from something like that in no time.”
“That’s good to hear.”
“You really are such a kind young master.”
Ava gave a playful smile.
Zeon thought she was anything but ordinary.
It wasn’t easy to smile in front of someone who had almost killed your lover.
Ava gestured toward the prostitutes beside her.
“Well? Do any of them catch your eye? I picked only the best among my girls…”
The women smiled brightly.
They were renowned even among Ava’s group for their beauty. The scent of their perfume stimulated Zeon’s senses.
Zeon glanced over them one by one.
They posed seductively, emphasizing their curves, trying to appeal to him.
But none of them stirred his interest.
“They’re not really my type.”
“You just don’t know women yet. Even if you don’t like them now, once you hold them and roll around a bit, your thoughts will change.”
At Ava’s signal, the women surrounded Zeon.
One sat on his lap, another slipped her hand into his chest and caressed him.
It was a temptation most men would find hard to resist.
Watching this, Goran said,
“You just need to say one word. Then all those women are yours.”
“What do you want me to say?”
“That you’ll follow me.”
“So…”
“Exactly! I’m offering you a position. So I’d rather you didn’t refuse. I’m not used to being turned down.”
His tone was smooth, but his eyes weren’t.
Even behind the sunglasses, a chilling gaze could be felt.
Zeon asked with mild curiosity,
“And if I refuse?”
“You’ll pay the price. And it won’t be a light one.”
“Is this how you usually recruit people? By threatening them?”
“That depends on who I’m dealing with.”
Eaton, whom Goran had sent to deal with Zeon, had returned badly injured.
Eaton, along with Dolkan, Taeo, and Ava, was one of Goran’s most trusted subordinates.
Yet Zeon had subdued him without much effort.
Based on what Eaton and Ava reported, Zeon’s level was at least B-rank—not C-rank.
In the slums, a B-rank awakened was extremely rare.
Even in Neo Seoul, someone of that level would be treated like nobility.
If he could recruit a B-rank, personal grudges meant nothing.
Zeon spoke,
“I’m flattered you think so highly of me. But before I answer, let me ask one thing. You were the one who leaked information about the mana generator to the Crocodiles, weren’t you?”
“It was business. No personal feelings involved, so don’t misunderstand.”
“I figured.”
“For your information, I’d rather this not reach the Goblin Market. So think carefully before you answer.”
Goran smiled, baring his white teeth.
The contrast with his dark skin made it all the more unsettling.
Zeon understood exactly what he meant.
This was Goran’s territory.
Everyone in the arena was under his influence. With a single command, the entire arena—and even all of Sinchon—would turn against Zeon.
Being the ruler of Sinchon was no empty title.
Zeon said,
“So I didn’t really have a choice to begin with.”
“If you want to keep living in Sinchon, come under me. I won’t work you too harshly.”
“What about the Crocodiles?”
“Just hand over the mana generator. Then everything will be settled.”
“Come on. How is that a solution? I’m the only one taking a loss.”
“That’s how the world works. The weak have to accept all the unfair terms. If you don’t like it, become stronger than me.”
“Is that all it takes?”
“Confident, are you?”
Goran lowered his sunglasses slightly and looked straight at Zeon.
“Things in life don’t get solved by confidence alone.”
“You speak like someone with experience.”
“I’ve had my share.”
“Hah!”
Goran let out a sigh at Zeon’s nitpicking tone. Irritation was clearly written across his face.
“Then negotiations have broken down.”
“A negotiation only works when both sides have something to compromise. Who would agree to a deal where only one side takes all the loss?”
“I see. I guess I demanded too much sacrifice from you. But what can you do? That’s the law of this world. The ruler takes everything. I am the ruler of Sinchon. Everything here belongs to me. Nothing within this place can escape my grasp. That includes you.”
Zeon smirked at Goran’s arrogant declaration.
“I don’t belong to anyone.”
“If you’re in my territory, you’re mine.”
“Sounds like you’ve lost your mind. I’m actually curious how someone ends up thinking like that.”
“You’d better watch your mouth. My patience isn’t that great.”
“You should take your own advice. Don’t bother someone who just came back to his hometown to rest.”
Zeon brushed the surrounding prostitutes aside and stood up.
Goran glared at him.
“Sit down.”
“Negotiations are over.”
“I’m not finished. Sit.”
“I am.”
“You think you can handle what happens next?”
“As much as needed.”
“Must be your youth—no fear.”
“Unlike someone who hides behind a shield.”
Zeon’s jab twisted Goran’s expression.
It wasn’t a visible barrier, but Goran wore an item that automatically activated a protective shield when attacked.
The ring on his finger.
A rare item obtained from a dungeon.
It activated once per day against a surprise attack.
Goran called it the Ring of Protection.
Without it, he would never have allowed Zeon this close.
Whether Zeon had noticed the ring or not, the remark struck a nerve.
“Heh…”
Goran chuckled.
He no longer tried to persuade Zeon.
Zeon was desirable, but not enough to endure this level of insult.
Goran stood up, towering over Zeon by two heads.
“I invited you as a guest today, so I’ll let you leave.”
“Thank you. Then…”
Zeon gave a slight bow and began walking down the stairs.
Watching his retreating back, Dolkan spoke.
“You’re really letting him go?”
“As if…”
Goran grinned, showing his white teeth.
By then, Zeon had nearly reached the arena floor.
The arena had been cleared—no fighters remained.
At that moment, Goran shouted,
“Now, a new match begins!”
“Waaaaah!”
A thunderous roar erupted.
The crowd, already eager for another fight, flushed with excitement.
Goran pointed at Zeon.
“The opponent is Zeon. Anyone who defeats him will receive ten thousand Sol!”
“Waaaaah!”
The arena gates opened, and people poured in.
Most were ordinary civilians captured for failing to repay debts.
They held cold weapons—axes, swords—in trembling hands.
At the mention of ten thousand Sol, they lost all reason.
That amount could pay off their debts and free them from this hell.
“Hah…”
Zeon sighed and looked up at Goran.
Goran simply smiled down at him.
“They’re ordinary people with no abilities. Let’s see if you can use your power against them.”
“…Seriously.”
Zeon sighed again.
He had tried to live quietly, to behave politely—but it seemed they had mistaken that for weakness.
“Die, you bastard!”
“Ten thousand Sol!”
“Give me my money!”
The trapped civilians rushed at Zeon, swinging their weapons.
Desperation filled their voices and eyes.
To them, Zeon was like a long-lost lottery ticket—something that could free them from this nightmare.
The crowd’s cheers only fueled them further.
“Waaaaah!”
“Fight!”
The frenzy wiped away what little reason they had left.
Whoosh!
Swords and axes flew toward Zeon’s neck and chest.
To them, it was their best effort—but to Zeon, it was painfully slow.
Zeon moved.
Bam! Bam! Bam!
With a series of impacts, all who charged him were sent flying backward.
Their weapons failed to leave even a scratch on him.
Zeon looked up at Goran.
“I told you—it’s useless.”
“No. They’ve already fulfilled their role perfectly.”
Goran grinned.
Sensing something off, Zeon looked at those lying on the ground.
One of them was glowing red.
“Damn it!”
Without hesitation, Zeon threw himself backward.
BOOM!
The glowing man exploded.
It happened before Zeon could fully escape the blast.
He was caught in the explosion and slammed into the arena wall.
That alone wasn’t enough to kill an awakened like Zeon.
He brushed off the dust and stood up.
His eyes had turned cold.
He had experienced many things—but never had he seen a human explode like a bomb.
It was something that could never happen naturally.
Unless someone had engineered it.
Zeon’s gaze turned to Goran.
“Planting bombs inside human bodies… You’re completely insane, old man.”
“And you’re surprised by something like that…?”
Goran smiled, baring his teeth.
Then he shouted loud enough for the entire arena to hear:
“One hundred thousand Sol! Anyone who injures Zeon gets one hundred thousand Sol!”
“One hundred thousand… Sol?”
“Are you crazy?!”
Madness filled the crowd’s faces.
The massive reward erased all fear—even after witnessing what had just happened.
“It’s mine! Don’t touch him!”
“I’ll kill him myself!”
The spectators turned into attackers, rushing at Zeon.
Zeon looked at them with cold, sunken eyes.
“You’ve seriously crossed the line.”