Chapter 170: Today is the First Time
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 170: Today is the First Time
"What? Dexter and that kid?"
Most people reacted the same way upon hearing the news.
"It looks like Dexter plans to go easy on him, but he’s made a blunder among blunders. Ha! This is perfect."
Though it had been over a decade, Arthur Dexter’s combat prowess and reputation from his time as a Titanium-grade explorer were still legendary.
He was the monster who had broken through the 6th Stratum in a party of only two, alongside the woman known as the Black Wolf, Katrina. Would the public really be satisfied if he fought half-heartedly?
The moment it became obvious that a Titanium Grade like Arthur Dexter was pulling his punches, it would prove that Yoo Eon’s appointment to Cobalt Grade was inappropriate. If that weren't the case, shouldn't he have just sparred with the Cobalt-grade explorer prepared by the Small and Medium Clan Alliance?
And what if Arthur Dexter claimed he hadn't held back?
Then he would be seen as a washed-up old man who struggled against a mere Cobalt-grade explorer. His reputation would crumble, leading to a decrease in the Southwest Branch's influence.
On the other hand, what if Arthur Dexter won and proved he was still in his prime by defeating another Cobalt-grade explorer?
That would only further prove that he had gone easy on Yoo Eon.
"Anyway, I never liked that old man speaking up for the riffraff."
"You're right, Clan Leader! He was obviously just trying to win over the low-grade explorers to secure a position for himself!"
Either way, the consensus was that this would end up ruining the political career of Dexter, who had long been a thorn in their side.
There was only one scenario where things would turn out well for them.
Arthur Dexter, the former Titanium Grade, would have to fight with such undeniable sincerity that no one could object, and Yoo Eon would have to put up a good fight against him.
‘As if that’ll happen! Do Titanium Grades just grow on trees?!’
The shitty small-time clan leader and his advisor shared a hearty laugh.
"Hey, let's go watch that spar."
"Yes, Clan Leader!"
* * *
In an unusual move, the Guild had rented out the Grand Martial Arena located in the Northeast. A large crowd had already gathered, including explorers from various small and medium clans in the Northeast, several external stakeholders, and officials from all four regional guild branches.
"Has Aven lost his mind...?! He’s seriously crazy...!"
Naturally, explorers from the Mayerbridge Union were also present. Today, however, they weren't exactly in the good graces of the other clan explorers gathered there.
Although opinions had been slightly divided internally, the official stance Mayerbridge Union had taken was: "We cannot interfere with the decision made by the Southwest Branch Guild Manager."
In other words: "All you small-timers, shut up."
When a super-large clan says it's not their place to meddle, but the small-timers keep running their mouths? It was clearly meant as a form of pressure on the other clans.
This statement had been influenced by Delbaheim, who held significant sway within the Mayerbridge Union.
"Lord Delbaheim! What are we going to do?!"
"Miss Rubia. Let us just watch calmly for now."
"Ah, yes...!"
Rubia had come because she was dying to know what Yoo Eon had been up to. In terms of seniority, she was like a private following a division commander to a golf course out of curiosity. Fortunately, Delbaheim was open-minded and knew about Rubia’s history of partying with Yoo Eon.
Delbaheim, whose brain usually worked quite well as long as there were no Orcs around, couldn't bring herself to call the decision made by Arthur Dexter and Yoo Eon a "brilliant" one.
His reasoning was similar to what the Small and Medium Clan Alliance had thought.
Shortly after, Arthur Dexter and Yoo Eon entered the Grand Martial Arena.
—That guy is the one getting promoted to Cobalt?
—Tch, do they think Cobalt Grade is based on looks now?
—This is it. The Southwest is going to lose all its power.
As the murmurs grew louder, Dexter silenced the noise with a single clap.
BOOM—!!!
It wasn't a sound that should have come from two human hands meeting. A powerful gust of wind swept through the spectator seats like a shockwave, instantly sealing everyone's lips.
"Thank you all for coming today. I am Arthur Dexter, Head of the Southwest Branch Guild Management Department."
Arthur Dexter’s voice was calm and steady. He didn't seem nervous or uneasy. There was just the usual hint of playfulness beneath his words, anchored by an even greater sense of gravity.
"The explorer standing beside me is known as Aven. Two days ago, he made a significant contribution to the subjugation of the Irregular Megido Serpent that appeared on the 30th Floor."
Everyone listened intently to Arthur Dexter’s voice. In his left hand, he held a voice amplification artifact commonly used in the Grand Martial Arena, making him easy to hear even from a distance.
"He was accompanied by four Cobalt-grade explorers... but according to their testimony, he received help from only one of them, while the other three focused on life-saving efforts."
"The Southwest Branch retrieved and appraised his Explorer’s Plate. After confirming that a massive amount of Labyrinth Mana had been absorbed and determining that his contribution to the subjugation was high, we made the decision to promote him to Cobalt Grade."
"However, several clans have voiced concerns regarding fairness. And thankfully, they even suggested a solution. Was it that you would acknowledge him if he proved his skills through a spar with another Cobalt-grade explorer?"
—That’s right! Prove he’s worthy of Cobalt Grade with his skills!
—If he’s innocent, he should have just taken the test!
—Exactly! What is this situation right now?!
"Ah, I see. It seems there has been a misunderstanding. Explorer Aven will follow the solution you proposed to the letter."
"It might have looked like he was trying to avoid sparring with another Cobalt Grade by choosing to spar with me, Arthur Dexter."
"But this spar is merely for your entertainment. Once it is over, he will proceed to spar with the Cobalt-grade explorer suggested by the Clan Alliance. So, please, don't look so upset."
"Do you have anything to say, Aven?"
Dexter handed the voice amplification device to Yoo Eon. Yoo Eon took it and tapped the artifact with his fingertip to check if it was working.
"Ah, ah. Can you hear me? I am Aven. I was honored to receive the news of my promotion to Cobalt Grade after a relatively short five months of activity as an explorer."
"I’m not sure if it’s standard procedure to undergo such a test, but since you’ve prepared this stage for me, I can’t exactly refuse to step up."
"I’ll keep it short and simple. If you still wish to spar with me after I finish my match with Sir Arthur Dexter... you are welcome to come down to the stage immediately after."
The audience erupted at Yoo Eon’s words. He was too arrogant. He had no manners. He was stuck-up. He was full of himself. He was handsome. Did he have a girlfriend? And so on.
"Lord Delbaheim...! What’s wrong with him?! Did he get a skill that made his head spin?!"
"Hmm...."
Delbaheim couldn't easily dismiss Rubia’s suspicion. Such a huge gamble? If he was planning to win using artifacts, that was unfortunately impossible. The Page of Arcana was also watching this situation with interest.
A large number of mages had already entered the Grand Martial Arena and taken their seats. The moment anyone started spamming high-powered artifacts, the fight would lose all meaning.
While it was hard to identify everyone, information had been received that the Antonio Brotherhood was also keeping an eye on this. The observers were likely high-grade explorers with unclear backgrounds.
To say he was fine with continuing to the next fight immediately after battling Dexter... it was basically like telling the Cobalt Grade to go screw itself. Several small-clan leaders who had been stuck at Cobalt Grade for years were turning red in the face, screaming at the top of their lungs.
And surprisingly, three more people had come to find Yoo Eon after hearing the news during their free afternoon.
"Sister... will he be okay...?"
"To be honest, I don't really know how strong Yoo Eon is either.... Ravi, did you say you've seen him fight...?"
"Yes! If it's Yoo Eon, a Cobalt Grade should be... um.... Actually, it might be tough...?"
Sera, Ravi, and Tresha had stopped by the Northwest to watch Yoo Eon’s fight. Surprisingly, the one who provided the information was Roland, who had sensed something unusual brewing thanks to his long career as an explorer.
Roland had taken some money out of a drawer, pressed it into their hands, and told them to go to the Guild. Following his words, the three of them went to the Guild together.
'Aven? He should have gone to the Northeast Grand Martial Arena.'
Following Katrina’s words, the three of them took a carriage to the Northeast, a district they rarely visited.
Unfortunately, Ravi had missed seeing Yoo Eon fight in the arena because she had been busy exploring the amusement park with Ms. Alfi.
"Yoo Eon...."
At the sound of Sera’s voice, which was thick with worry, Tresha, sitting on her left, squeezed her hand. Seeing this, Ravi also reached out from the right and took Sera’s other hand.
‘Ravi’s hands are so sweaty...’
Sera managed to calm down somewhat, but she couldn't stop worrying.
Before long, the arena manager retrieved the voice amplification artifact. Arthur Dexter and Yoo Eon moved apart, facing each other as they finished their preparations for the spar.
Soon, a dome-shaped defensive barrier was erected over the stage, and the countdown that would make Sera’s heart race began.
"Ugh.... I can't watch...."
3.
2.
1.
The battle began with the sharp blast of a whistle.
"Eh?"
Sera Otmarie.
Surprisingly, today was the first time she had ever seen Yoo Eon fight.
"E-eh...?"