Chapter 132
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 132
Chapter Title: The Arena's Barbarian Warrior
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It's already been ten days since I ranked up to D-rank adventurer.
The last time I saw Kobson, I told him about my promotion, and he instantly plunged into full-blown jealousy, throwing an epic tantrum. I had no choice but to force alcohol down his throat until he calmed down.
Bragging endlessly for hours to Kobson, who was groggy from drowning in booze, was honestly a blast. Nothing beats lording it over someone less fortunate than you.
'Damn it all!'
His shout still rang fresh in my ears.
A grin tugged at my lips unbidden.
Back on my home planet Earth, they say your in-laws buying land or a friend getting promoted makes your stomach ache. Surprisingly, it holds true in this other world too. Human nature's the same whether on Earth or here.
Anyway, this was the first time I'd seen Kobson since then.
A few days apart, and here we were crossing paths again.
"Whoa, Barbarian! Perfect timing!"
His energy was off the charts the moment he spotted me.
"Drinking since morning, huh?"
"What're you talking about? Just hear me out first!"
Kobson had this fidgety-looking young guy in tow. Who was he? A buddy of Kobson's? The green bob cut on a dude screamed bad taste.
Birds of a feather, alright.
Anyway, Kobson suddenly launched into his spiel. This wasn't the first time he'd ambushed me like this, so I was just listening patiently. But what the hell?
What kind of wild bullshit was this?
"So, what do you think? Pretty sweet gig, right?"
To sum up his excited ramble:
"How about fighting in the arena?"
"What kinda nonsense is this..."
"No, no, you're D-rank now, aren't you? Time to swim with the big fish."
The arena didn't strike me as big leagues, though.
The arena was just a gambling den. Sure, watching monsters or gladiators spill blood in brutal fights might be fun, but you could get that just stepping outside the city.
To me, it was nothing more than a casino.
Back in Krasheim, I'd blown money there a few times.
"Hey, Durban. Check him out. He's perfect, right?"
"Hmm... Yeah, looks like it."
The green-bob-cut guy Kobson called Durban started sizing me up from head to toe.
What the hell, dude? Picking a bride?
"...And you are?"
"Oh, I'm Durban. I work at the arena. Kobson's friend. Call me Durban."
Kobson's friend?
He seemed friendly enough, so I decided to play nice. Friend of a friend is a friend. Us global villagers are all buddies, after all.
"Alright then, Durban. Mind explaining what this lunatic Kobson's babbling about?"
"Well, see..."
Durban took over.
"Our opening act guy got into a drunken brawl and ended up in critical condition. Opening act means some decent fighter takes on weak monsters like goblins or kobolds to hype up the crowd before the main event. Anyway, he's out, and we've got games tomorrow. We're scrambling for a replacement."
This guy's wordy as hell.
"Yeah, you're a real talker, huh?"
"So I asked Kobson, and he mentioned one of his buddies is a D-rank adventurer. Figured we'd ask you. A D-rank's reliable enough."
So, arena needs a sub because their opening fighter got hurt right before the match. Got it.
But why bother?
Gladiators should be a dime a dozen.
No need to come to me, right?
"Oh, that. Most pros avoid opening acts. Gladiators have ranks too, and opening's the lowest tier. That's why we're looking outside..."
"You want me to do it?"
"Exactly. D-rank, and... yeah. Impactful."
"Impactful?"
"Black hair. You're from Mirksha, huh? Real deal. That kind of impact means no one's griping about a sub. Crowds love novelty."
Basically, Kobson pitched me to him, mentioned barbarian, and he bit. D-rank barbarian adventurers aren't common.
Could've been offended, but I hadn't heard the pay yet. Observation mode.
"Impact, huh? Sounds good. So, daily rate? Gotta be impactful too, right?"
"Don't worry about that. Two opening matches, not even thirty minutes, pays 1 silver."
"Th-thirty minutes for 1 silver???!!!"
I reacted with full impact, jumping up and yelling.
"See? Interested? You in?"
To me, Kobson and Durban were like bluebirds of fortune. What a steal! Passing this up is pure idiocy.
Still, before biting, I asked about details.
"Not dangerous?"
"Here's the contract. For a seasoned D-rank like you, zero risk. Plus... yeah, built like a tank. You've slaughtered goblins by the dozen."
"True that."
I took the contract from him.
Reading was no issue. It said I'd be the opening gladiator tomorrow: three kobolds in match one, three goblins in match two.
...Total pushovers. Could mop 'em in a minute.
Six weaklings for 1 silver? Insane bargain.
"Hmm..."
Should I?
Chopping goblins and kobolds for that pay? Worth it.
"Durban."
"Yeah?"
"Just stamp here?"
I offered a handshake.
Looks like Kobson hooked me up with a solid guy.
Durban grinned and shook.
"Awesome, thanks both of you. Without you, I'd have to drag some gladiator in, and they'd kill me."
"Thanks my ass, I'm the grateful one. 1 silver a day? Insane."
Durban and I bonded instantly. After stamping, the three of us linked arms, strutting the streets, singing. I started, then Kobson, then Durban.
Mood hit peak, friendship deepened.
"Oh, right. Contract says arena gear, follows our rules. Cool?"
"Sure, sure."
Their equipment, not mine. Whatever. Even naked, three goblins are toast.
Grab one leg, swing like a flail—they're done.
"And... most important: performance. Showmanship. Character. Like an actor in a play—exaggerate, slay monsters dramatically. That's the impact. Impact!"
Perfect for my Taekwondo, real combat arts, wuxia moves, and homemade styles. Impact? My specialty.
"That's my jam. Don't sweat it."
"I know it. Fighting Barbarian's a legend berserker!"
We were hyped for drinks, but Durban panicked about losing another fighter and bailed.
"Katt! Arena by morning tomorrow!"
"Got it! Sleep well!"
Durban gone, just me and Kobson.
"You damn Kobson, bringing something useful for once."
"Heh, buy me drinks with your pay."
"Hell yeah!"
"Heh heh, feels great! Tomorrow, I'll hit the arena, bet big. Your debut! All in with my savings."
"Bet it all on me."
"Sucks, no bets on opening."
"Lame."
Grabbed a quick bite with Kobson, then split.
I'd headed out to guild for jobs, but lucky run-in with Kobson scored huge. 1 silver for thirty minutes? Gladiators got it good.
Grinning ear-to-ear, I headed back to the inn where Cloudy waited.
Another wild night last night—she couldn't get up. Came alone. Opened door; she sat up in bed.
"Cloudy, I'm back!"
"Huh? You're late."
"Ran into Kobson. Ate while at it."
Shed gear, plopped on bed.
"Oh, that guy? You look happy—what happened?"
"Scored an awesome gig."
"Really?"
Explained the arena to Cloudy.
She nodded, intrigued. Loves this stuff; excited I'm in.
"So, opening tomorrow morning. Let's chill today. Come watch. Just bash some goblins and kobolds."
"Hmm... Yeah, hyped now. Can I bet?"
"Nah, not on opening."
And so, rest today, fight tomorrow. Free time? Date with Cloudy.
Morning at arena entrance; Durban waved.
"Katt! Here! Here!"
"Yo, Durban. Sleep good?"
"Yeah. Come on in."
Followed him inside. Isbrandt's arena looked like a mini-Colosseum—smaller than Rome's ancient one, but similar shape and function.
Led underground.
Underground was bright. Some otherworldly lights—magic tools? Glowstones? Felt modern. Money makes it happen.
Walked narrow halls.
"Okay, change to issued gear, quick training, wait, then fight."
"Got it. Kobolds x3, goblins x3, per contract?"
"Obviously. Think we'd cheat with orcs? Save those for pros. Opening's hype event. Make it impactful, got it?"
Turned corner—bam.
Gladiators everywhere, oozing killer vibe.
Felt like everyone but me was primed to deploy.
"Waiting room."
"..."
Eyes locked on me.
Muscle-bound hunks in maniacal armor, polishing gear. One guy—dude in bikini armor—locked eyes; I nearly fainted.
"Hey, Durban. Who's the pretty boy?"
A vicious-looking brute pointed at me, asking Durban.
Looked legit strong.
No cap—fight him, shredded in three seconds. Gladiators are pro serial killers. Scant armor, short weapons, slicing humans like veggies.
No lipping that. Shut up.
"This is Katt, subbing for Sodotar. Hired for opening."
"Opening, huh... Heh heh heh!"
—Heh heh heh!
—Ku ku ku ku!
—Ka ka ka Katt!
"What? Laugh track go off?"
Suddenly, gladiators burst out laughing.
"Ha ha ha ha!!!"
So I laughed too.
In the manic vibe, I laughed hard with them. No way I'd be the stiff one.
When everyone's laughing, you laugh.