34-24

Chapter 24 

Ninja. 

Almost nothing is known about them. 

All that’s clear is that their superpower is extreme speed. 

Their abilities, origins, even their real name none are public. 

Ninja is also famous for never speaking! 

Even in interviews, they communicate by writing on paper, to the point that most people assume Ninja is mute. 

The only personal detail Ninja has revealed is their gender. 

Though small in stature, Ninja’s appearance is masculine enough that people just accept it. 

But even if Ninja were a woman, nothing would really change... 

For reference, Ninja’s rank as #2 is based on their own admission that they would “lose” to Sword Saint in a fight; no one actually knows who would win. 

‘Ninja...’ 

‘...was a woman?’ 

For the other rankers, who were sure Ninja was a man, this was a thunderbolt. 

But with Lee Jinwoo’s words and Ninja’s desperate dodging of the spray, it was clear to everyone that Ninja was a woman. 

If anything, seeing her dodge everything and still steadily land blows on Lee Jinwoo inspired awe in the others. 

...Of course, that was only until Lee Jinwoo started instantly healing all his wounds. 

Sigh  

“Let’s get you hit for once.” 

With that, Lee Jinwoo’s fist slammed into Ninja’s stomach. 

“...!” 

Ninja was sent flying. 

Was it carelessness? It was a stark contrast to how Ninja had dodged all of Lee Jinwoo’s attacks so far. 

‘No...’ 

Maybe they just wanted to believe it was carelessness. 

The rankers had known Ninja for over three years. 

Ninja was quiet, but not absent-minded if anything, very serious. 

For them to let their guard down in such an important fight? Hard to imagine. 

‘But... if Ninja couldn’t react...’ 

‘This is the worst-case scenario...’ 

“...Hitting a woman really does hurt my heart.” 

Lee Jinwoo muttered nonsense while looking at his fist. 

Even though the rankers knew Ninja was a man, they found themselves swayed by Lee Jinwoo’s words. 

His words, groundless as they were, somehow made you think, “Is that true?” surely one of his many traits at work. 

Step, step  

“...Someday you’ll understand my ideals.” 

Lee Jinwoo could have approached quickly, but chose to walk slowly. 

“I don’t want to fight you.” 

‘Is he just stalling for time?’ 

‘What’s he talking about now?’ 

“Why should we fight? We’re both human...” 

“Then why do you brainwash and control people like you? We’re fighting you to stop that!” 

“Brainwash? Me?” 

“Yes!” 

Lee Jinwoo sighed lightly. 

“I don’t know where you heard that, but I haven’t brainwashed my followers.” 

“Liar!” 

“You expect us to believe that?” 

“They just truly follow me... There are plenty who’ve been with me who aren’t even followers.” 

“....” 

“I give people freedom with no strings attached. People just use me to get that freedom.” 

“And thankfully, most women have understood and followed me.” 

“...That’s sophistry.” 

“If anything, aren’t you the real villains? I’m just trying to give humanity freedom, and you’re blocking the way.” 

Lee Jinwoo’s words were nonsense, but for some reason, the others couldn’t refute him. 

“...Don’t use your powers like this here.” 

“Oh, you noticed?” 

[Sermon] a trait that makes others agree with your words. 

“But what I said isn’t sophistry, it’s sincere. I do have many traits... but I swear I’ve never used them to brainwash anyone.” 

“Are we supposed to trust a villain?” 

Hah! 

“Well, it’s your freedom to believe me or not.” 

  And it’s my freedom, too. 

“Argh!” 

‘Ice Master’s arm...!’ 

When they snapped out of it, Ice Master’s left arm was gone. 

Looking around, they saw Lee Jinwoo holding Ice Master’s arm. 

“...There’s a price for everything.” 

Suddenly, Lee Jinwoo was right in front of Scouter. 

“You tried to stop me. Now pay the price.” 

‘No...’ 

He was about to do to Scouter what he’d done to Ice Master tear off an arm. 

Scouter couldn’t stop him, couldn’t even put up token resistance. 

All he could do was wait. 

Just as Lee Jinwoo’s black hand reached for Scouter  

Smack! 

Ninja grabbed his wrist. 

“Huh?” 

‘Ninja...?’ 

“Weren’t you trying so hard to avoid me?” 

“....” 

She still didn’t speak, but it was clear she was standing up to Lee Jinwoo. 

Then Ninja handed Lee Jinwoo a piece of paper. 

“...What’s this?” 

After staring at the paper for a while, Lee Jinwoo burst out laughing. 

“Hahaha! Interesting...” 

  I’ve changed my mind. 

“Hey! Catch.” 

Lee Jinwoo tossed Ice Master’s severed arm. 

“The cut’s rough, but... who knows? Maybe you can reattach it...” 

“Originally, I was going to take an arm from everyone... but I liked Ninja’s ‘deal.’” 

  I hope we don’t meet again. 

Whoosh  

With that, Lee Jinwoo vanished. 

“...He could leave whenever he wanted?” 

“Heh, did he just toy with us...” 

“....” 

We couldn’t ask Ninja anything until the subspace closed on its own. 

It was the first time we’d ever seen Ninja that angry. 

And then... 

“Argh! Lee Jinwoo!” 

Boom! 

A minor incident, perhaps, but... 

The news was plastered with the story of Fist King rampaging in the middle of Seoul. 

Exactly one week after the clash between the rankers and Lee Jinwoo. 

‘Lee Jinwoo hasn’t done any media play.’ 

Was it on purpose? Or just mercy? 

It would have been the perfect chance to show off his power. 

He’d defeated rankers from #2 to #10 overwhelmingly! 

‘Granted, he excluded the female rankers...’ But it was clear Lee Jinwoo was stronger than #2 Ninja. 

Maybe even stronger than Sword Saint... 

‘...No, don’t think that.’ 

That would mean Lee Jinwoo is the strongest in Korea, and that there’s no one to stop a cult leader. 

What kind of country is that? 

‘And what was that “deal” with Ninja...’ 

Ninja hasn’t appeared since the fight with Lee Jinwoo. 

He rarely showed up even before, but... 

‘I have a bad feeling...’ 

Scouter felt uneasy for some reason. 

Top floor of the Ja-Ae Cult building. 

“Oh, you’re here?” 

“....” 

The person I greeted was the Association’s #2 ranker, Ninja. 

“‘If you beat me in a speed battle again, I’ll give you everything I have’...” 

Suddenly betting your whole life did I push too far? 

“Are you that angry?” 

“....” 

“Tch, still sticking to the silent act...” 

Swoosh  

Ninja handed me a piece of paper. 

[I must be the fastest in the world.] 

“Well... that’s true, but can’t you lose sometimes?” 

Swoosh scratch  

[No, there are no exceptions. I have a duty to be the fastest on Earth.] 

“I don’t know about your duty...” 

“Let’s have the rematch here.” 

"...?" 

“This isn’t an ordinary building, but a space connected to another world.” 

“It’s similar to the subspace you all dragged me into.” 

Tap  

The office we were in expanded infinitely. 

“How about this? I’ll start running one minute from now. If you catch me, I win; if you don’t catch me in ten minutes, you win.” 

[...How do I know you won’t pull some trick in a space you control?] 

“Oh, I get your concern. But I swear on myself, I won’t.” 

“....” 

[Fine. But if you cheat, the bet is void.] 

“Hmph, do you think I’d stoop so low?” 

“....” 

“I’ll be the judge,” Han Ji-young chimed in from the side. 

“Is everyone ready?” 

“Good.” 

“....” 

“...Ready, go!” 

With Han Ji-young’s words, Ninja vanished in an instant. 

Tick tick  

“...Jinwoo, are you sure about this?” 

“Nuna, don’t you trust me?” 

“Oh, it’s not that....” 

[30 seconds left.] 

“Didn’t I mention before?” 

[20 seconds left.] 

  I’m more than twice as fast as her. 

[10 seconds left.] 

“Alright, time to go.” 

A rare outing. 

‘For some reason, she’s been cross-dressing...’ 

‘ 

But she can’t fool my eyes. 

[3 seconds] 

[2 seconds] 

[1 second] 

Ding  

[09:59] 

‘Don’t use the spray on Ninja right away use her as much as possible.’ 

She’ll make a great spy for gathering intel on the Association.