I Became a National ‘Disaster’ Level Monster

Chapter 96: What the Princess Wants is Revenge?

The Kitsune Family’s estate was approximately half the size of Yeouido when compared to Korean standards.

And at the center of this vast estate stood the grand castle symbolizing the Kitsune Family.

Beneath this castle, where only the head of the family was permitted to reside, lay an ancient place that had been passed down through generations since before the Common Era.

Located there was an underground arena where direct descendants of similar age would engage in brutal slaughter—a so-called underground fighting arena.

This was a story unknown to the general public.

It was a dark side of one of the world’s top ten families, known only to the elders of the Kitsune Family and a select few privileged individuals who secretly supported the family.

‘It’s like something straight out of a Roman Colosseum…’

Even in the 21st century, where the concept of human rights existed, such an absurd and brutal scene still persisted.

Around the arena where the direct descendants fought were spectator seats, built for those who came to watch the spectacle.

To an outsider who knew nothing, it could easily be mistaken for a wrestling ring.

But if only this place had ‘rules’ and ‘order.’

“The selection of the head of the family is decided in a tournament-like format. The most likely candidate gets a bye to the final round, while the other direct descendants fight their way up.”

“It really sounds like some sort of competition… But the way they determine the winner is…”

“It’s one of two things: either you forfeit without a scratch or you’re on the verge of death before being eliminated or crowned the winner. If you don’t forfeit immediately and hesitate even a little, once you’re attacked, you can’t even forfeit anymore.”

Under the pretense of being part of Princess Kurumi’s entourage, we were able to enter the underground fighting arena.

And Mr. Lorensky, who had no idea about the true nature of this place, seemed quite shocked that such a facility even existed.

“If it were back in the days of the Soviet Union when I was born… This place is quite shocking.”

“I know, right? No matter how many times I see it… It’s truly a dreadful place.”

This arena was also used for duels or sparring between the family members, often with their lives on the line.

Numerous incidents and accidents had occurred under the guise of ‘honor killings.’

And Kurumi, who had been forced to witness such things from a young age, no matter how much she hated it…

“The selection of the head of the family will take place over three days, with one match per day.”

With the desire to leave as quickly as possible…

Since she was scheduled for the first match, Kurumi took a deep breath and began preparing to head out shortly.

“Well then, Shin-woo, Mr. Lorensky, I’ll see you in a bit.”

“Good luck, Princess.”

“Wishing you the best, Princess Kurumi.”

As the time for the match approached, people dressed in traditional Japanese kimonos began to gather in the spectator seats.

Here, Shin-woo realized that these were the cousins who assisted the current head of the Kitsune Family.

They were the elders who practically led the family.

“So it’s finally starting…”

“Mr. Lorensky, that person…”

“I felt it too. With that level of aura, it’s likely that’s the current head of the Kitsune Family.”

Beyond the spectator seats where we were watching…

A man who stood out with a powerful presence that made it hard to believe he was an old man rose from his seat, and all the cousins stood up to bow deeply to him as he confidently took the most splendid seat.

“The current head of the Kitsune Family, Kitsune Hosen.”

I immediately realized that this was Hosen, the head of the Kitsune Family, who had only been mentioned in the original story.

“Who’s in the first match?”

“Ah, yes! The first match is between Kitsune Rokyu and Princess Kurumi of the Kitsune Family.”

“Kurumi? That child entered the selection? I was planning to make her conceive as a good host for Amaterasu, but who allowed her to participate?”

“Well, it’s customary for all direct descendants to participate in the selection…”

“Tsk! Tell Rokyu before the match. He must not attack her lower abdomen. Just breaking a few limbs will be considered a win.”

“Y-Yes, understood!”

This wasn’t an arena for enjoying matches but a solemn dueling ground.

Though I was a bit far away, when I focused and listened closely, I could hear Hosen’s conversation.

‘So that man is the one who sold Princess Kurumi to Korea when she was on the verge of death…’

*Crack.*

I had somewhat expected it when I heard she was treated as an illegitimate child within the family, but…

“Grrrr…”

I couldn’t forgive that bastard.

No matter what, she was still his granddaughter, and yet, he regarded her as nothing more than a breeding animal for the sake of his position as head of the family.

“Mr. Shin-woo. Are you alright?”

“…! Ah, yes. I’m sorry. I got a bit too worked up for a moment.”

Even without transforming into a monster, I had been grinding my teeth and was almost swept away by my emotions, nearly causing a scene here.

Mr. Lorensky placed a hand on my shoulder, as if to calm me down.

“Calm down. If simply killing that old man would solve the problem, I would have assassinated him long ago.”

“Mr. Lorensky…”

“But the plan you and Princess Kurumi are about to carry out isn’t such a bloody revenge plot, is it?”

“…Yes, you’re right.”

Hearing his words, I recalled our original plan.

It was a much more complicated and roundabout way than simply killing them all, but that was precisely why it was so much more valuable.

“Princess, stay strong.”

I had fully calmed down and was now simply waiting, looking toward the opposite entrance of the arena where Princess Kurumi would soon appear.

***

The waiting room before the selection of the head of the family.

There, Kurumi was waiting for her turn when a visitor appeared in front of her.

It was none other than her younger sister, who would be leaving the waiting room after her.

“Asuna…”

“Sister, so you ended up participating in the selection too.”

Asuna continued to speak with a bitter expression, wearing a sad smile as she looked at Kurumi.

“I understand. You’ve been through a lot, so it’s only natural for you to seek revenge.”

“Asuna.”

“Oh, and I didn’t come to declare war or anything. I just have my own goals. I came to tell you that if we end up fighting, I want you to end it quickly…”

“Asuna!”

However.

“Sister… Kurumi?”

Before her sister could finish speaking, Princess Kurumi stepped forward and hugged her tightly without saying a word.

“W-Why are you doing this all of a sudden?! This isn’t like us…”

“What do you mean, ‘like us’? I’ve always wanted to hug you like this since we were little. So now that you’ve come to me first, I’m doing what I want. Are you saying this isn’t like me?”

“N-No! Th-That’s not what I meant…”

We have more important things to discuss.

With the upcoming events, wouldn’t this sudden development be fatal for both of us?

Thinking this, Asuna tried to stop her immediately, but…

“You’re wrong, Asuna.”

“Sister…?”

“I didn’t come here for revenge.”

“…What?”

“I just wanted to ‘forgive’ them. That’s why I’m here. So trust me and watch over me.”

Her answers were incomprehensible.

Leaving those words behind, Kurumi patted her younger sister’s head, who was left with a question mark floating above her head, and slowly walked out of the waiting room.

“See you tomorrow, Asuna.”

“Ah, okay… I understand, sister…”

Asuna, left alone in the waiting room, still had no idea what those words meant.

As the match began, and Kurumi entered the arena, not only Asuna but also the elders in the spectator seats quietly watched her.

Only one person.

Shin-woo was the only one smiling brightly.

*Rustle, rustle, rustle.*

“If I remember correctly, wasn’t Princess Kurumi the illegitimate child of the Kitsune Family?”

“According to recent reports, she cooperated with the Hunter Association in Korea and secretly attacked her siblings who came looking for her.”

“Wasn’t she supposed to be the host for Amaterasu?”

“If that’s the case, she probably doesn’t have much time left to live. So why did she come here?”

“She’s probably here for revenge. But honestly, there’s a limit to how ruthless someone can be…”

As Rokyu appeared from the opposite gate, the spectators in the arena finally started talking.

It was only natural that Kurumi, who hadn’t been properly recognized as a direct descendant, was being harshly judged.

It was absurd to think that an illegitimate child could have overpowered not just one, but all of the legitimate direct descendants of the family.

The elders in the spectator seats naturally expected Kitsune Rokyu to win this match.

And then…

“You made sure to tell Rokyu, right?”

“Yes, I told him not to touch the lower abdomen and only to break a few limbs.”

“Well done. If she can just give birth to a healthy child, it wouldn’t be so bad if she lost a leg or two.”

Hosen, the head of the family, signaled the referee in the center of the arena to start the match quickly.

“…! Then, the first match of the selection for the head of the family will

now begin!”

With this, the referee quickly announced the start of the match.

“Then, let the match begin!!”

With the referee’s loud shout…

*Thud.*

“?!”

“…?”

“What…”

Everyone in the underground arena, without exception, saw it.

“I… lost.”

They all saw Kitsune Rokyu kneel down as if admitting defeat the moment the match started.

“Brother Rokyu… Why?”

Naturally, the person most shocked by this sight was Sakura, who supported the same candidate as the next head of the family.

This was because, in the selection of the head of the family, surrendering before the match even began was an act reserved solely for those who supported the candidate they backed as a sign of allegiance.

If it were a match against Brother Katsuo, it might have been different.

But now, Brother Rokyu’s actions effectively meant that he had switched his allegiance to Kurumi as the next head of the family.

And since Hosen, the head of the family, couldn’t have been unaware of the agreement between Katsuo and Rokyu…

“…You there.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“Ensure that a bloodbath ensues in the Kitsune Rokyu household for losing without agreement in the selection at dawn.”

“My lord, you mean…!”

“Yes.”

Hosen clicked his tongue in disappointment and decided to punish him severely according to tradition.

“Slaughter all the people in his household, including family and servants alike, and sever the tendons in all of Rokyu’s limbs, leaving him as nothing more than ‘meat’ that can only produce offspring.”