Chapter 274: Kim Yoora's Fury
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 274: Kim Yoora's Fury
["What was it like, the first time I clashed with the Warcry Queen, Kim Yoora? You ask a pointless question. Surely you, who were in the same tribe, would know better. A history book? The volume on the Great Chieftain? Hmm... If my name happens to be in that book, I'll tell you in more detail. Ah. If it's already in there, then there's no problem. I feel quite good. Then I shall tell you. What our first duel was like... - The Chieftain of the Desert]
Morning came. Unlike yesterday, the entire Land of Glory was swept up in a strange fervor. Of course it would be different. If yesterday and the day before were like a grim nine o'clock news report, then today was like watching a sports match. It was no wonder these simple-minded folk were so excited. For them, it must have felt like watching a soccer or basketball game.
Even though there was still plenty of time before the scheduled gathering, several chieftains had already appeared and were discussing various things.
"Hmm... I'm looking forward to this."
"That kid, Kim Yoora, didn't seem ordinary either. She already had the eyes of a warrior."
"The Orcs of the South are strong, too. They are born warriors and have been further tempered under Sand Glave."
"The same goes for the Green Skins of the East. The young Green Skins of the East learn to fight through play."
"It's just play. You can't call it combat. I wonder if it will be effective..."
A debate that wasn't quite a debate was also underway.
In one corner, a rather heated argument broke out. Of course, nearby Green Skins intervened before it could escalate, but I took it as proof of just how much interest this duel had garnered.
A single banner of the Great Tribe Leader was planted in a vast, sandy clearing, and countless Green Skins were forming a circle around it. They were all there to watch the duel that would soon begin.
It felt something like a colosseum, and for these warriors, it was probably the most enjoyable of times.
Duels under the Great Tribe Leader's banner happened often, but those were usually personal clashes. This matter, however, was quite important, so it seemed the Land of Glory had given it special attention.
As time passed, the chieftains who had yet to appear began to gather one by one. Even warriors who weren't chieftains but were well-respected and highly skilled were assembling. Hark, who was positioned behind me, was one of them.
I could see a black werewolf from under White Silver Fang, and many other warriors were gathering as well. If she won, it would be a very successful debut. Even if she lost, as long as she put on a good show, we could still spin the story in our favor.
I glanced to my side and saw Kim Yoora sitting cross-legged, her eyes closed and her head held up quietly.
"Are you confident?"
"Yes. I am confident."
She might have been endlessly replaying the upcoming battle in her mind. Seeing her mana completely contained, I nodded.
On the opposite side, the Orcs from the South were seated with a few of their young. They were clearly Orcs who had spent the last three years growing into bodies fit for battle. What I saw in their eyes was a will for conflict. The one who looked like Sand Glave's son, in particular, was staring at the Great Tribe Leader's banner with a very stern expression.
He looks strong.
On the surface, he certainly appeared powerful. He had the body of a classic Orc. He might even have combat experience. He gave off the distinct impression of being one of Sand Glave's Southern Orcs, and I couldn't help but think he would be her opponent.
This might not be as easy as I thought. It was just as I was beginning to feel tense.
Bwooooooooooo—
The sound of a horn began to echo. The time for the duel had arrived.
The one who appeared was none other than Storm Shadow. It was highly unusual for the Great Tribe Leader himself to oversee a duel under his banner. Storm Shadow, too, was taking a great interest in this matter.
"My thanks to all the Green Skins who have gathered."
"Strength, Wisdom, and Honor."
After receiving the greetings of the waiting chieftains, Storm Shadow spoke again, carefully.
"I believe everyone knows what happened yesterday. A detailed explanation is no longer necessary. Kim Yoora of the Blood Dagger Clan has formally requested a Great Tribe Leader's Duel with Sand Glave, and Sand Glave has delegated this duel to his representative."
Of course, avoiding the duel doesn't make him dishonorable. In fact, in this case, where Kim Yoora stood up for my sake, Sand Glave's refusal to accept her challenge could be seen as an honorable act.
It was a fight between a child and an adult. It was only natural for him to refuse.
I had seen the Southern Orcs praising his mercy and patience just yesterday, so my thoughts must have been correct. It was something I was personally grateful for. His decision not to accept the duel was a wise one.
"The duel will take place under the Great Tribe Leader's banner, and killing the opponent will not be permitted. As young warriors are fighting, supervisors from the Land of Glory will intervene directly if any unforeseen situations arise. There are no other rules. I wish glory upon these young warriors."
After finishing his words, Storm Shadow sat down, and at the same time, Kim Yoora rose to her feet. For Kim Yoora, who carried a shield, sword, and spear, weapons were practically meaningless, but it was a strategic choice to conserve her mana.
"I believe in you."
"Thank you, Chieftain."
The one who stood up from the opposite side was, contrary to my expectation, not the one who looked like Sand Glave's son, but a completely different Green Skin. He didn't look bad either, but he seemed lacking compared to Sand Glave's son.
This was likely proof of how much the South was underestimating Kim Yoora.
I couldn't tell if it was confidence or arrogance. But it was clear that he would pay the price for his carelessness.
The two stood in the center. Kim Yoora looked up at the nameless Orc, and the nameless Orc looked down at Kim Yoora. The large hand holding the axe looked quite menacing. But the small human girl—no, the small Green Skin—did not back down. She stared straight at her opponent with unwavering eyes.
She hasn't let her guard down.
It wouldn't matter who came out as her opponent. Kim Yoora would do her best and seize victory.
"Kim Yoora of the Blood Dagger Clan."
"I am Barui of the Sand Glave Clan."
They placed their fists on their chests, showing each other respect. But Barui's eyes were unmistakably looking down on Kim Yoora.
His opponent was a small human girl. He might not have even wanted to come out. Perhaps he considered fighting this child a disgrace. Thanks to that, I could guess how he ended up in the duel. The other Orcs had likely pushed the task of fighting Kim Yoora onto him. Contempt and dismissal—it was the same look Kim Yoora had received often when she first joined the tribe. Kim Yoora acknowledged the Orc before her as her enemy, but he did not do the same. Despite this, Kim Yoora showed no agitation. Quietly suppressing her anger, she slowly raised her sword.
"I look forward to a good fight."
"Hmph..."
"Khm..."
The moment Kim Yoora raised her sword, gasps escaped from here and there. A murmur of surprise rippled through the Southern Orcs in particular.
They hadn't known, but now they did.
They realized she was already a warrior.
There was no wasted movement. Of course, at her young age, it couldn't be called perfect, but it was a level of skill unheard of for someone her age. What stood out even more than her stance was her terrifying aura. I could feel her will to bring her opponent to his knees. Mana surged violently around Kim Yoora.
Barui, seeing this, seemed flustered as he raised his own weapon and spoke.
"I apologize."
"........................."
"I sincerely apologize for looking down on you. I, Barui, an Orc warrior of the Sand Glave Clan, will do my utmost in this duel to defeat Kim Yoora of the Blood Dagger Clan."
He had no choice but to acknowledge her. The condescending gaze had, in an instant, changed to that of one looking at a true warrior. Sweat suddenly beaded on his once-relaxed body. His muscles swelled—proof that he was tense to the extreme. His breathing grew ragged, and his eyes turned red.
Watching him, Kim Yoora smiled pleasantly.
"Thank you."
Seeing this, Storm Shadow spoke.
"Begin."
With Storm Shadow's voice, it was Barui who threw himself forward with a shout. Even though it wasn't a life-or-death duel, he was charging at Kim Yoora with a fierce roar.
He must have thought his only chance was to strike first. He had judged her to be a powerful foe.
In response, Kim Yoora raised her sword and quietly began to watch Barui.
She didn't even pull out her shield against the descending axe. She simply raised her sword and deflected it. But Barui was no pushover. When Kim Yoora attempted to deflect the axe, he pressed forward, pushing her back with his body.
He was trying to strike Kim Yoora's body with his own shoulder. It was a fighting style that made full use of his physical superiority, a method used by Ogres. The axe missed, but Barui's body was definitely aimed at Kim Yoora.
But Kim Yoora didn't move.
She moved only when Barui's body drew even closer.
In an instant, she dove into Barui's guard, even faster than he was moving. She moved faster than I expected, and my mouth fell open slightly. After deflecting the axe with her sword, she immediately righted her blade.
She didn't even protect her body with mana. The place where her mana was concentrated was, unexpectedly, not the blade, but the pommel of her sword.
Thud!
A heavy sound echoed.
Barui's body completely enveloped Kim Yoora's.
A few clueless young Green Skins from the South started to cheer, but they shut their mouths when they saw the expressions on the adults' faces.
The one who collapsed was the Orc with the massive body.
Before Barui could close in, she had moved in faster and struck his solar plexus with the pommel of her sword. It looked easy, but it was by no means a simple move. The fact that she dove into an Orc's range with her frail body, without even protecting herself with mana, was worthy of praise. Of course, she must have been confident in her skills, but it was still difficult to display such a technique.
All the chieftains were staring at Kim Yoora as if they couldn't believe their own eyes.
The strange atmosphere prevented any cheers from erupting. Instead, the sound of murmuring grew louder.
The answer to why no one cheered was simple. It was because Kim Yoora hadn't let down her fighting stance even after the battle was over. I didn't know the reason, but Kim Yoora was still in combat. Barui was clearly unconscious. He couldn't fight anymore and had no strength left. The difference in skill was all too obvious.
"The winner is..."
It was just as Storm Shadow slowly opened his mouth to speak. Kim Yoora spoke first, looking toward the southern contingent.
"Is there no next?"
The moment her words ended, a tremendous roar erupted.
All the Green Skins were cheering for Kim Yoora.