Chapter 137
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 137
Chapter Title: The Arena's Barbarian Warrior
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Even trolls that couldn't stand up weren't worthy opponents for me.
No matter how fast they scrambled, they were still slower than my casual stride. That meant the key was all in the performance. How could I execute these sickly, demonic trolls in the most impactful way possible?
Taekwondo, of course.
"Executive Fist Technique!"
The moment I tossed my sword aside, I showcased the three crisp stances of the Executive Fist Technique. Kui-kui. A torrent of confidence surged from my perfect form. And thanks to the effects of the holy winged outfit I was wearing, devastating power poured straight out as well.
The announcer, seeing my dynamic moves, praised it as barbarian martial arts, and the crowd's eyes sparkled in response.
Paat!
I kicked off the ground and seized the troll from behind.
In that instant burst of speed, my wings flapped wide, feathers whipping through the air.
It was truly a Divine Dash.
"Start: Dash!"
The troll tried to turn, but in its state, swiftly changing direction was physically impossible. I immediately grabbed its leg and spun.
"Here it comes!!! The Savage Whirlwind Strike!!!"
Krr, krrrng...!
The spin intensified. This wasn't your average Giant Swing. Where a normal Giant Swing would whirl the enemy and slam them into a wall, this swing gathered centrifugal force to the extreme and—
"Uwoooo!!!"
Whiiik!
—hurled it straight into the air, a differentiated EX skill.
Swoosh! The troll flew into the empty sky, letting out a grotesque scream as it crashed into the ground. The exploding shriek even caused a Doppler effect. Thud! It was easy to guess its fate from the head-first impact.
I trampled the corpse and pressed forward.
Four trolls remained. I advanced like a god of destruction, methodically slaughtering each one in bizarre, outlandish ways.
It was the reenactment of a myth.
Next time, I should ask them to sprinkle some glittery pigment on the feathers. That would amp up the holy effects even more.
With every step, I piled up bodies.
But nothing special crossed my mind. To me, this was just like whack-a-mole. The monsters' resistance meant nothing. With no sense of danger, it was nothing but fun, playful mayhem.
After beating down three more trolls, only the final one remained.
Krrng!
I kicked the troll's head, stunning it, then flipped its body over.
The finishing blow had to be flashy.
Those were the rules.
"The End."
Flap!
I leaped high, twisting my body mid-air. Shrack! I felt my wings unfurl. Icarus—that was me now! Icarus, who dared reach for the sun and plummeted to his death!
But I wouldn't die. I hadn't even jumped two meters, let alone reached the sun. Still, it was enough.
My eyes snapped open as I gazed down at the troll sprawled on the ground. The target: its heart. I clenched my fist. My steel-hard punch, honed to the extreme, could shatter the heart of such a small, fragile creature in one blow.
I raised my arm high. At the same time, I fell.
Due to gravity.
As I plummeted,
"Diamond Lock Fiiiiist!!!"
I smashed my fist into the troll's chest.
Thud!
Queeeeeek!!!
The ultimate strike, infused with every physical force, erupted. A true critical hit! I felt the troll's ribs shatter through my fist. It vomited blood, convulsed, and met its end.
The power was like divine punishment from the heavens.
Brutal Angel Kim Katt had fulfilled his duty once more today.
"The Barbarian Warrior wins again today!"
Waaaaah!
Uwaaaah!
The moment the announcer declared victory, cheers exploded.
I was used to this by now.
"Heh."
Savoring the win, I retrieved my tossed sword.
Lately, with all my arena exploits, my bare-handed combat proficiency felt at least 50% higher. It was a great opportunity all around. Chances to freely beat monsters bare-handed like this were rare.
Time to head back. Collect my pay from Durban, return to the inn, and done. Cloudy would be waiting.
She said it was embarrassing, but she'd come watch every match day.
Today we'd hang out together, quests starting tomorrow, then arena next week. That cycle worked perfectly. Income was way up, so I planned to visit the Swordsman Guild soon.
"Hey—!"
Suddenly, a sharp voice rang out.
"I sawww it!!"
It was a super hyped voice... A fan of mine?
But I felt something off. In this noisy space, no individual's voice should ring out so clearly and loudly... What? Did they boil a train whistle or something?
No, this world didn't have trains yet.
So what then?
And above all, it sounded strangely familiar.
As I pondered the voice's owner, a massive boom echoed.
Kwaang!
"Wh-what?!"
A crashing sound kicked up dust in the arena.
Startled, I backpedaled. What the hell was happening? In the confusion, unsure what to do, the announcer shouted excitedly.
"Aaaand! What's this?! The Lady of House Isvant, who was watching the match, has descended to the stage!!!"
Th-the Lady has come down!
Lady!
Take me!
What?
The Lady?
"See?! Up close, I'm sure now!"
Hair dyed blood-red like it was soaked in gore. And that roll-cake bun screaming "I'm nobility!"! Above all, that distinctive tone and the dress armor she wore!
She stood with arms crossed, proclaiming proudly. It was the Lady of House Isvant!
The wind blew away the dust. The Lady had landed in the arena's center, watching me with a triumphant expression.
"You're the barbarian warrior who shone in the ogre subjugation battle!"
What? Had she watched my match?
Flabbergasted, I wondered how to react. I was Angel Barbarian Kim Katt right now.
Even if she was nobility, bowing my head was out of the question. No, here I needed to show true barbarian flair. The unyielding figure of a warrior who bowed to no one!
Don't talk bullshit, you immersion freak!
The last shred of my rationality snapped me back. Right. I was just an actor. The moment I shed this costume, I'd be back to D-rank adventurer nobody Kim Katt.
Not a true barbarian warrior.
Decision made. I dropped to one knee and bowed my head.
"This lowly barbarian greets the Lady!"
"Oh! So the barbarian warrior knows etiquette! Impressive!"
"Pardon?"
"Just kidding! Stand up!"
Tension made sweat pour from me. I awkwardly raised my head and stood. Step step. The Lady approached.
"My eyes didn't deceive me! Great match! Truly impressive! Heart-pounding combat from start to finish!"
She shouted right in my face, ears ringing like they might burst.
At the same time, embarrassment hit. I was in white triangle panties, sandals, and straps holding my back wings—barely covered.
Utterly humiliating. Nothing worse than an acquaintance seeing me like this. My nipples were on full display for all to see.
I looked like a creepy adult lost in delusions, half-ass cosplaying as cute love angel Cupid.
"Ah... yes. I-is that so? Haha! I'm honored the Lady enjoyed it!"
Still, I expressed thanks.
She seemed to have loved the match. She'd even handed out prize money personally after the ogre fight, so this was probably her coming down to praise me.
"Ohohoho! Watching those trolls die like trampled maggots was so satisfying! As expected of the warrior I had my eye on!"
"Kuhahaha!! Trampled maggots—such poetic words! Barbarian Katt is deeply moved!"
I'd just say whatever came to mind to stroke her ego.
"You get it, barbarian warrior!"
We burst out laughing together. Come to think of it, the prize money handoff had a similar vibe. She seemed reasonable, no need to fear.
"I came down because I was happy to see you, wanted to praise you myself! No—above all, I wanted to see such a ferocious warrior up close!"
"Pr-praise?! Such an honor!"
I bowed deeply again.
"Nonsense! Your ferocity delighted me—that's the true value!"
The Lady rambled on, praising me.
"Anyway, what a delightful time!"
"I was truly honored to meet the Lady!"
"Keep striving forward!"
Kwaang!
The Lady kicked the ground explosively and rocketed back to her seat. Insane leg power—no, mana control. She leaped dozens of meters in one bound. Superhuman.
Is she even human?
Well, to such superhumans, gladiator fights without mana probably looked ridiculous. But that wasn't all.
Fistfights were the best. No mana users in the arena. All burly veteran killers, toppling monsters or foes with raw flesh alone.
That made them warriors, mana or not.
Maybe that's why they were popular.
Though big cities had knight tournaments showing off prowess—otherworldly tales, not my interest.
"Did you see thaaat—?! Katt, the savage barbarian hero, has been acknowledged by the Lady herself!!!"
I wasn't the only shocked one. Announcer and crowd congratulated me. Sudden event, sudden end, but my shoulders swelled with pride.
My antics worked on nobles too!
Well done, Kim Katt!
"Kieeeek!!!"
I screeched triumphantly at the cheering masses. Amid the roar, I left the arena.
But damn, I thought they'd at least give a bonus reward, not just praise.
Heartbreaking.
"Durban!"
I exchanged greetings with the gladiators and found Durban. Even with my 30-minute morning vanishings, we were like coworkers now. Durban appeared with my clothes.
"Katt! Amazing as always!"
"I'm always amazing."
"Here's your pay!"
"Sweet!"
I took the money and heard about the next match. Opening act again, kill some minor monsters. We discussed costume concepts too. Angel, demon, warrior, knight. What next?
"How about a mage who can't use magic?"
"What kinda nonsense is that?"
"Pointy hat, panties, and robe—bash monsters with staff and fists!"
Not a mana-less mage, just a crazy warrior cosplaying. Whatever. I was a pro actor. I'd nail any script perfectly.
Finished chatting with Durban and headed out. Next match next week—perfect. Straight outside.
"Hey, 「Claudy」."
Claudy was waiting, as expected. I called her right away.
"Wh-what? That weird emphasis?"
"Nothing. Next match is next week again."
"Oh? Next week, not the week after..."
What was wrong with next week? Claudy sighed and said,
"Anyway, more importantly—what'd you talk about with the Lady?"
"Huh? Oh, you saw?"
"I left midway, but yeah, I saw. Huh? What? Did our Katt snag another girl?"
"No no, no way. She just liked watching me smash trolls like maggots. Came down outta nowhere, praised me, and left."
"That's it?"
"That's it."
Even I, the guy there, had no clue.
Whatever.