The Outer Sect Arena was nothing more than a raised dirt platform surrounded by cheering, bloodthirsty teenagers.
Jin Ryeong stood in the back, holding Ma Goo's towel and water skin like a good little servant. His arms were wrapped tightly in dirty bandages. They still ached with every movement, but the Constitution boost to 8 allowed him to ignore the worst of it. He was functioning, but barely.
"Next match! Ma Goo versus Han Su!"
The crowd jeered. Han Su was a favorite. He was fast, elegant, and had a face that wasn't mashed potatoes.
Ma Goo stepped onto the platform. He looked nervous. He looked back at Jin Ryeong. Jin Ryeong tapped his own knee and nodded subtly. 'Remember the treatment. Trust the legs.'
"Begin!"
Han Su launched forward, his wooden sword aiming for Ma Goo's neck. "Too slow, fatty!"
Usually, Ma Goo would panic and try to block with his face. But today, the Qi in his knees fired instinctively. Boom. Ma Goo didn't just dodge; he exploded sideways. The wooden sword slashed empty air.
"What?" Han Su stumbled, off-balance.
Ma Goo was just as shocked as his opponent. He looked down at his legs. 'I... I'm fast?'
[System Activation: Diagnosis Eye]
Jin Ryeong's eyes shimmered with a faint, invisible light. The world turned into a grid of data.
Target: Han Su
State: Shocked / Open Guard
Weakness: Left Ribcage (Old injury, poorly healed).
Jin Ryeong narrowed his eyes. He couldn't shout instructions; that would look suspicious. He had to hope Ma Goo wasn't a complete idiot.
Ma Goo roared, drunk on his newfound agility. "Die!" He didn't use technique. He just swung his fist like a hammer.
BAM!
Ma Goo's fist—fortified by the 5% Qi efficiency boost—slammed into Han Su's guard. The sound was sickening. Han Su's wooden sword shattered under the weight of the blow. Ma Goo's fist continued through, connecting with Han Su's chest.
Han Su flew off the stage, coughing blood, landing near the dirt where Jin Ryeong stood.
The crowd went silent. Then, Ma Goo threw his hands up. "I AM INVINCIBLE!"
[Ding!] [Your "Patient" has achieved victory.] [You receive a share of the glory.] [+50 XP]
Jin Ryeong looked down at the defeated Han Su writhing on the ground. [Target: Han Su] [Status: Critical / Resentful] [Hidden Potential: Medium]
A devilish thought crossed Jin Ryeong's mind. Everyone was looking at Ma Goo. No one was looking at the servant tending to the loser.
Jin Ryeong knelt down, pretending to check on Han Su. "Senior Brother Han," he whispered, his voice dripping with fake concern. "That was a dirty move by Ma Goo. He must be cheating."
Han Su gritted his teeth, blood bubbling on his lips. "That... trash... how..."
"I can help you recover," Jin Ryeong whispered, placing a hand on Han Su's heaving chest. "I can fix this pain. And next time... you can crush him."
[System Warning: Double Dealing.] [Healing the enemy of your "Host" carries high risk.] [Do you proceed?]
Jin Ryeong smirked internally. 'Risk? No. This is diversification.'
"Accept my help," Jin Ryeong urged, calling upon his innate Wicked Healing once more.
Han Su, desperate and in agony, nodded weakly. "Do... it..."
Jin Ryeong poured a tiny stream of energy into Han Su, stabilizing his heart rate just enough to stop him from passing out, but not enough to heal him fully. Just a taste.
[Ding!] [New Customer Acquired.] [+30 XP]
"Hey! Trash!" Ma Goo's voice boomed from the stage. "Get up here! My hand hurts from hitting him so hard! Massage it!"
Jin Ryeong withdrew his hand instantly. He bowed to the defeated Han Su. "Rest well, Senior Brother. I will visit you tonight."
He ran up to the stage to tend to Ma Goo, leaving Han Su staring at his back with a confused, complicated expression.
Jin Ryeong was no longer just a servant. He was the dealer in a casino, and he just placed chips on both sides of the table.