Wooyun was able to make it to Sky City in under an hour. He had made it just in time.
As he dismounted his horse, he could see the crowded area with people eager to spectate. He made his way to the entrance and was met with a young lady who kept her gaze on the papers in front of her, clearly disinterested in everything.
"Can I get a name?" She asked in a bored tone. Wooyun paused for a second, unsure of how to answer. He wasn't aware you needed to give a name, to spectate. Since he hadn't answered, she looked up at him, opening her mouth to ask him once more, but her words were caught in her throat at the sight of him. Wooyun looked like a beautiful, sheltered young master who had yet to see the light of day. It didn't help that he looked whiter than usual with the powder on his face. Though the hat covered half of his face, the young lady could tell he was a looker.
"Uh, name sir… could I get your name?"
"Oh, I'm not participating in the tournament, just spectating." He said. The lady's attitude changed as she regarded him with interest.
"It's fine, sir. We usually ask for names because some people like to place bets on their favourite participants. You get the chance to win some money if the person you chose wins." She explained.
"I see." Wooyun had no interest in placing bets on anyone. He was still a novice in fighting and wouldn't be able to discern who was strong and who wasn't. Plus, he didn't wish to attract any attention to himself. So, after a moment of reflection, he came up with the perfect name. "My name is Lee Wooyun. I wish to spectate."
The young woman nodded her head and wrote his name down. "Then you will need to pay a fee, Mr. Lee."
"How much?"
"50 moon coins please." Wooyun pursed his lips but reached for his bag and handed the woman the money. It had already cut through the allowance Mr. Chun had given him, but it was worth it.
Once he paid the fee, he was directed towards the grandstands. He had to weave through a sea of people to get there. He kept his head down the entire time, hoping to not run into anyone he knew. His hopes, however, were instantly shattered as he felt a hand tap him from behind. He turned around and was face to face with Eun-woo.
Shit, he thought.
"What are you doing here?" The young man asked.
Wooyun paused for a moment before tilting his head in confusion. "I'm sorry, sir, but do I know you?"
Eun-woo shot him a deadpan look, which made Wooyun sigh. So much for that plan.
"How did you know it was me?"
Eun-woo raised a brow. "How could I not? This is a poor excuse for a disguise." He said as he gestured towards Wooyun's person.
Wooyun scoffed. "I worked with what I had!"
Eun-woo gave him a 'and this is what you came up with?' Look that both annoyed and embarrassed him. Just as he was about to retort, he suddenly heard mumbled chatter around him. Eun-woo noticed it, too.
"Hey look who showed up," a person next to him whispered. Wooyun followed his line of sight and saw that they were all staring at a young man who had entered the coliseum. He walked in front and was followed by two men behind him. "Why is the third youngest master of the Hwa Clan here? Does he think this tournament is a joke?"
A few people threw the man scornful looks, and Wooyun couldn't help wondering who this man was. Eun-woo, who was standing next to him, spoke up once he saw the puzzled look on his face. "He's just like you. Having no business being here." He said.
Wooyun rolled his eyes. Does he not remember advising him to come just the other day? Did he suddenly change his mind or something?
"You're still upset that I'm here brother?" The older man gave him a cold glare. "If the madam even caught a whiff that you're here, getting a few lashings will be the least of your worries." He hissed.
"Brother, you worry too much; she will never know I was here. I am in disguise." He said, gesturing to himself proudly.
Eun-woo scoffed. "I was able to see through your disguise quite easily."
"That's because you have the nose of a bloodhound. It's not my fault you're able to sense me just from my energy." He argued.
Eun-woo remained silent as there was some truth to his words. He was more sensitive to people's energies and could detect a person just from their aura alone. Though it was easier with people, he was close to. And having spent several months in proximity to Seo-yoon, he could easily point him out from a crowd. Though his disguise was shoddy, you couldn't tell who he was from afar; even up close, his face was covered by the straw hat.
"So who is he? Why do people hate him so much?" Wooyun asked once more.
Eun-woo sighed. "It's because he is lazy. He does nothing to advance himself despite how talented he is. Only a few are born with innate talent—especially with the ability to reach the master level at such a young age. He could've been past my level had he applied himself." He explained. A knowing look flashed through his eyes as he stared at the young man known as Hwa Giyoung who sauntered into the platform without a care in the world.
"Sometimes having talent isn't always a good thing," Wooyun murmured.
"What do you mean?"
"Gifts can be both a blessing and a curse. Just like a poor person has problems, the same can be said for those who are rich. Life isn't easy for anyone. We all have problems. Having so many eyes on you, and having people push down their expectations on you, can be a lot. Talent or gifts can be a burden for most—especially those who wish for freedom."
Eun-woo raised a brow at this. "Freedom?"
"Hm. The freedom to be who they want. To do what they want without being bound by obligations, duties, or responsibilities. It is a life people crave more than you think." Wooyun said.
Eun-woo's gaze became thoughtful. "Do you believe this way of thinking applies to young master Hwa?"
Wooyun shrugged. "Who knows? He is but a stranger to me. How dare I make assumptions about him?"
Eun-woo furrowed his brow. "But didn't you just—" he shook his head.
"Ha. Never mind."
Wooyun gave him a cheeky smile before turning back to the stage, where the announcer continued to explain the rules of the tournament.
The tournament was straightforward. The tournament starts with one-on-one duels. Participants must win two out of three rounds to advance. If you lose twice, you're out. If a match is taking too long, the referee can make a judgment call.
The crowd was eager for the fight to begin, and once the announcer rang the horn, the tournament began. Wooyun and Eun-woo sat next to each other in the grandstands and watched the first contestant walk into the arena. He was a sprite young man who walked in with an eagerness to fight, while his opponent, who was much taller and muscular than him, stared him down with a smug smile.
"It's such a pity," Wooyun heard a man whisper below him. "His first time entering and the person he's up against is a giant of a man. How is he supposed to win against someone like that?"
The young man's name was Chun Hajin, aged fifteen. It was clear to everyone there that he didn't stand a chance, yet when Wooyun saw him, he didn't think he was at a complete loss. The man he was fighting named Ji Joohyuk looked like he was made of pure muscle. A natural muscle-head. The kind of guy who only thought of pummelling. He reminded Wooyun a lot of those gym bros who only obsessed with their figures, went to the gym seven days a week and inhaled protein powder like it was their only life source.
Eun-woo saw the look of doubt on his face. "What do you think?" He asked him.
"Hm? Think of what?"
"Of Ji Joohyuk. Do you think he will win?"
Wooyun turned to look at the stage and, with the two standing face to face, could see the clear difference in their height and body structure. Wooyun couldn't help but be reminded of the story of David and Goliath. The little shepherd boy defeated the powerful Philistine with a mere rock and a sling. People were shocked by the sight at the time, yet little David didn't cower in front of him. For Wooyun, physical appearances aren't everything. After all, battles were often fought strategically.
"I think Chun Hajin has a chance of winning this one." He said.
Eun-woo raised a brow at this. "Oh? What brought you to that conclusion?"
Wooyun shrugged. "I don't know. Call it intuition."
"Intuition? You believe in such things?"
"Why not? Are you a logical kind of person?" He chuckled.
"What's wrong with being logical?"
"Nothing. People usually believe things when they have solid proof. Logic follows strict rules to determine what makes sense. If you see one man looking much stronger than another, you'd naturally assume he's more likely to win."
Eun-woo paused. "Is that not right?"
"Yes, and no. Logic may get you the answers to the here and now, but intuitions get you answers to the future. My instincts tell me that Chun Hajin is stronger."
A light smile formed on Eun-woo's face when he heard this. "I see."
The young man didn't utter another word as they watched the fight. The two clashed swords and for a moment a moment, it looked as though Joohyuk was going to win, but at the last moment, Hajin redirected his attack and aimed it straight at him. Joohyuk didn't have the time to dodge and could only face the attack straight on. The force was too hard for even his strong muscles to handle and so he was flown out of the stage, crashing into the wall with a loud thud.
The arena was silent until Wooyun brought his hands together and clapped. Eun-woo stared at him for a moment before following suit. The crowd erupted and the man who had commented earlier was left aghast.
"I guess appearances really aren't anything." He mumbled to himself.
Wooyun smiled at the comment.
A few more fights took place, with some ending in knockouts. Wooyun couldn't help comparing them to boxing matches where the people entered the ring and could only get out once one was out cold. Despite the array of battles presented before him, Wooyun had a fun time spectating.
Finally, the man Wooyun was dreading to see—Kang Yu-jun stepped up to the plate. His body physically went rigid, and Eun-woo kept a fixed gaze on the young master.
"How do you think he will do?" Wooyun asked Eun-woo.
The young man was quiet for a moment before he answered. "It's hard to say."
His words took Wooyun aback.