Chapter 73
Chapter 73
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 73
Chapter Title: Mad Fire, Halfbeck
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Mad Fire, Halfbeck.
Thanks to him, Leyzon was suddenly being touted as a rising star.
'I just came to check on the guild meeting and see how things were going.'
And now, out of nowhere, he was being treated like a prospect.
Rafila's eyes met Leyzon's.
Rafila seemed just as unsure about how to handle this situation.
"A prospect?"
Sure enough, Buffalo latched onto it again.
"Where do you see that?"
Leyzon was currently a 9th Ascension Pioneer.
Plus, considering he was a Half Dark Elf, he couldn't exactly be young.
It was downright ridiculous to call someone like him a prospect.
The other guild masters looked at Leyzon with puzzled expressions.
For someone Mad Fire had recommended, Leyzon didn't look like much.
The Blossom Deer Guild master, Leo, was furrowing his brow.
Leyzon's appearance was just too unremarkable.
[Should I just wipe them all out?]
Syria, unable to stomach Leyzon being ignored, spoke up.
[Hahaha.]
Iden chuckled softly from the side.
But he was ready to jump in at any moment too.
Stop it.
Syria might actually wipe them all out if she got started.
"Mad Fire, you idiot. If you're talking prospects, this is the kind of guy I mean."
"How's that trash a prospect?"
Buffalo pointed to a man standing behind him.
There stood a lanky figure with deep navy-blue hair.
He was at 10th Ascension, having recently entered the upper ranks of Pioneers.
His name was Obilon.
Even the other guild masters coveted a prospect like him.
The reason Obilon had become famous was simple.
His growth speed.
It had only been three years since he became a Pioneer.
In just three years, he'd reached upper-rank Pioneer status.
On average, it took ten years for a Pioneer to hit that level.
Even worldwide, it was an astonishing pace.
Of course, Buffalo had been backing him heavily from a certain point.
Even accounting for that, Obilon's growth was absurd.
As a result, Obilon was insufferably arrogant.
Having made a big name for himself so early, the whole world seemed like a joke to him.
Obilon tilted his chin up slightly, looking down at Leyzon.
His gaze was filled with mockery toward Leyzon.
[I have to blow him up!]
And just like that, he was in mortal danger.
[Syria, calm down.]
Iden, the only one still composed, tried to soothe her.
[I'll curse him so he never gets up again.]
But that was just an excuse for him to cast the curse himself.
Iden wouldn't let anyone who insulted Leyzon off easily either.
This was bad.
Both of them were ready to flip the table right then and there.
"Hey, old man."
So Leyzon opened his mouth to save one person.
Obilon turned around, wondering if Leyzon was calling him.
"Quit staring. It's making my face itch."
You're gonna get yourself killed at this rate.
"Huh?"
Obilon reacted with utter disbelief.
A faint killing intent emanated from him.
Man, even after warning him, he won't wise up.
While Leyzon worried about Obilon,
Rafila tried to defuse the situation.
"Leyzon is..."
"Then let's just have them fight and see!"
"No, Leyzon is..."
"Buffalo, let's settle this once and for all!"
But every time Rafila spoke, Mad Fire Halfbeck went berserk.
Crunch—
Rafila clenched his fist under the table.
Once the meeting ended, he'd smash it right into Halfbeck's mouth.
That resolve boiled in Rafila's eyes.
"Ahem, well, what do you think about that."
Even Buffalo glanced warily at Rafila.
"In the end, whether that guy's impressive or our side is, we can find out by having them fight!"
But Mad Fire was an unstoppable runaway train.
He'd already decided on the duel between Leyzon and Obilon.
The guild masters began murmuring.
These were aides handling advisor roles for major guild masters.
A 9th vs. 10th Ascension matchup was definitely worth watching.
Above all, they wanted to see the prospect Obilon's skills up close.
They had no reason to stop it.
The mood started shifting strangely.
Rafila quietly swallowed a groan.
It was getting awkward to back out now.
This had escalated into a matter of pride between guilds.
'Lord Leyzon is a Necromancer.'
His power would easily overwhelm Obilon.
But that was only using Necromancer abilities.
Without them, it was a different story.
'He can't reveal his Necromancer powers in front of everyone.'
Leyzon was at a severe disadvantage.
"Ha, that's what they say?"
Buffalo, sensing Rafila's hesitation, pushed him further into Mad Fire's trap.
Confident of victory from Rafila's ambiguous attitude.
Buffalo flashed a hostile grin at Rafila.
"What does the Steel Wolf Guild master think? Apologize and back down now, and I'll let it slide."
Backing down here would damage Steel Wolf's standing.
They were already branded as the bottom guild.
They'd finally started shedding that image and changing.
They couldn't afford to be dismissed by the guild masters again.
"Guild Master Rafila."
At that moment, Leyzon spoke up.
As Rafila turned to him, Leyzon nodded.
"Leave it to me."
Leyzon's lips curved up on both sides.
He was the one who'd cornered even Rafila with all sorts of tricks.
Rafila took a deep breath and looked up.
Fine. If he couldn't trust him, what choice was there?
They were already in the same boat.
"Do it."
Rafila gave his approval.
"Jeez."
Obilon reacted with disbelief.
"Guild master, is this for real? I don't even need to duel trash like that to prove anything."
The outcome was obvious to anyone.
Why bother with this farce?
Buffalo smirked.
"Some idiots only learn the hard way. Obilon, have your fun with him."
"Then we'll prepare the arena on our side!"
The Blossom Deer Guild master, who'd found the situation amusing, quickly volunteered the venue.
And just like that, the unlikely prospect duel was set.
Perhaps because of the sudden exciting event,
the major guilds' regular meeting wrapped up faster than expected.
The major guild masters were Pioneers at heart.
They were all battle-hardened.
This duel intrigued them all.
Even the Frost Night Guild master rushed through the meeting.
'She's no easy woman.'
When the duel talk came up, she hadn't stopped it—just observed.
She could've intervened easily.
But she chose not to, meaning she knew how to use the situation.
'Not just a rigid type, then.'
She could be flexible when needed amid her sternness.
A hallmark of a leader with real talent.
'She and Rafila have some complicated ties, though.'
If Rafila had truly seemed in trouble, she probably would've stepped in.
But she read his eyes and judged it fine.
Thanks to that, the guild masters quickly aligned and ended the meeting.
It became the shortest major guild meeting in history.
Leyzon arrived at the room prepared by Blossom Deer Guild.
The guild master said he'd call once the arena was ready, so rest here.
The guest room was as luxurious as the meeting hall.
There was even rare liquor stocked that he'd never seen before.
He wanted to down it right away, but
with the next event ahead, Leyzon just smacked his lips.
"Lord Leyzon, are you really okay with this?"
Finally, Rafila asked Leyzon directly.
He trusted him, but
winning without revealing he was a Necromancer? He couldn't be sure.
"His opponent's a 10th Ascension spearman."
One Ascension above Leyzon, no less.
And skilled in close combat.
A nightmare matchup for a Necromancer like Leyzon.
Leyzon plucked a grape instead of the liquor.
"Yeah, no problem."
"If it's that explosion you used last time..."
"Nah, not using it. Crazy? Cast Necromancer magic in front of all the major guild masters?"
Leyzon waved it off like it was no big deal.
Then he grinned instead.
"Just watch. I've got something fun prepared."
For some reason, Rafila started feeling uneasy.
Leyzon always wore a smile,
but his grins were often maniacal.
Maybe he had something outrageous planned again.
Rafila's mind grew complicated.
While Leyzon leisurely munched grapes,
Knock knock—
A Blossom Deer Guild staff member appeared soon after.
"Master Leo says it's ready. He wants me to bring both of you."
The arena was set.
Leyzon jumped up immediately.
Rafila followed, his face full of worry.
He hadn't considered Leyzon losing.
Instead, he felt a strange dread about what Leyzon might do.
In contrast, the beaming Leyzon followed the staff.
Soon, they reached the arena: a hall-like plaza.
A central stage with seats ringing around it.
Like a theater built for performances.
'How big is this building to have something like this?'
Talk about extravagant spending.
"Blossom Deer Guild does musicals and shows sometimes. Probably for that."
Rafila whispered to Leyzon.
Leyzon wondered anew what kind of guild Blossom Deer was.
Pioneers doing musicals?
"Oh, right on time!"
As Leyzon entered the hall, Blossom Deer Guild master Leo greeted him warmly.
"Rafila, the merchants supporting our guild want to watch."
Unexpected words from him.
Blossom Deer's backers were all renowned merchant houses.
Rafila frowned at the news.
"Too many eyes on this prospect fight."
"Heh, merchants love spotting unpolished gems the most."
Leo whispered to Rafila with a sly grin.
"Not a bad deal for you guys either, right? Could even get merchant backing if it goes well."
No merchant house would back the poorly imaged Steel Wolf, naturally.
But it was an opportunity.
The merchants weren't there for Leyzon.
They were there for Sun Pavilion Guild's rising star,
Obilon.
Rafila checked that Leyzon had no objections.
"Do what you want."
"As expected of the Iron Wall. Generous! Thanks!"
Leo beamed.
He'd clearly taken payment from the merchants to host this.
What a materialistic guy.
Murmur murmur—
Soon, the hall filled with people for the duel.
Once the merchants took their seats,
Click—
All the lights in the hall went out.
Moments later, a single spotlight hit the center.
There stood Blossom Deer Guild master Leo.
In yet another flashy outfit.
"Welcome, everyone. I'm Blossom Deer Guild master Leo, handling referee and hosting duties for this prospect battle."
Without lengthy intro, he swept his left hand sideways.
"Now, introducing the two prospects for this battle."
"Steel Wolf and Flame Butterfly vouch for him though his name's not out yet—Leyzon!"
A light shot left at his name.
There, Leyzon stood alone on stage, black hair with blue inner strands fluttering.
The round hall looked even bigger from the stage.
Plenty of room for a duel.
All eyes turned to him.
Sudden battle or not,
they watched with interest.
But that was it.
Leyzon looked unremarkable in looks and skill, so no real attention.
"Next prospect, Sun Pavilion Guild's rising star!"
"The genius who reached upper-rank Pioneer in just three months—Obilon!"
Step—
Obilon ascended from the opposite stairs.
Everyone's eyes sharpened at once.
"As expected."
"His presence is different."
"That's Obilon? Man, definitely not your average joe."
The hype was real.
Even the merchants buzzed about Obilon.
The reaction was night-and-day compared to Leyzon.
Obilon looked smugly at Leyzon.
Leyzon remained indifferent.
'Genius my ass.'
This world hadn't had real talent in ages, you idiots.
Leyzon rolled his shoulders, eyeing them.
Obilon stepped right up to Leyzon.
"Hey."
He called out.
"Admit you messed up coming here, and I'll let it go."
Leyzon stared blankly, then dug in his ear.
Where's this dog barking from?
"Huh."
Obilon was stunned at the blatant ignore.
"Gonna be stubborn to the end, huh."
He drew the staff from his waist.
Click, click!
The three-section staff extended into a spear.
His signature weapon.
"You think you won't get hurt bad with all these guild masters watching."
Obilon assumed position, spear lowered.
"I'll show you how reckless that is."
Leyzon stayed nonchalant despite the warning.
He even yawned, face screaming "dog barking."
A vein bulged on Obilon's forehead.
"Then."
Leo, done with intros, raised his hand.
"Duel starts!"
The instant he finished, Obilon kicked off the ground.
Boom!
He vanished at eye-defying speed.
As everyone marveled at his leap,
Boom!
The same sound echoed.
Those unsure of the source grew puzzled.
Obilon, who should've hit Leyzon, was gone.
"Huh."
"O-over there."
People started pointing one by one.
At the hall's edge.
A man lay sprawled, head flung back.
Tall frame, fine build.
And a completely wrecked three-section spear.
It was a battered Obilon.
His side was caved in.
People's eyes widened slowly.
The prospect Obilon downed in one hit.
"Obilon!"
Sun Pavilion Guild master Buffalo shot up in horror.
Rafila, seated nearby, clutched his forehead.
Mad Fire Halfbeck cackled, delighted.
Frost Night Guild master Egris narrowed her eyes quietly.
"......"
Finally, Blossom Deer Guild master Leo, who'd prepared it all, looked deflated.
As all eyes turned to Leyzon,
he shrugged with a casual smile.
"It's over. Everyone head home?"
Show's done, idiots.