Chapter 109
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 109
Chapter Title: Finals
-----------------------------------------------------------------
I'd heard some concerning words from Axel, but for now, I pushed them out of my mind. I'd at least noted his guild affiliation, so there were ways to dig up more info later.
Right now, the finals were the real issue.
The finals opponent was Leo from the Martial Guild. The tiger beastman known as the disciple of that "Beast King."
There wasn't much intel on him from prior matches since he'd knocked out most opponents with a single punch. All we knew was his exceptional martial prowess and mana control.
'And probably the [Sixth Sense] skill.'
In the semifinals, when he'd taken down Gray (probably Hiss), Leo had seen through her [Stealth] skill. As someone with [Sixth Sense] myself, I could tell that's what he'd used.
'Crazy bastard. Sure, I got mine for free with [Lust Absorption], but...'
[Sixth Sense] was a rare skill, though not as much as resistances. It manifested in those with tons of real combat experience or, very rarely, innately in people born with it... which was probably this guy's case.
Since he'd pierced Hiss's [Stealth]—on par with mine—mine probably wouldn't work either. Plus, [Sixth Sense] was the classic counter to illusions. Unlike previous foes, hallucinations wouldn't faze him.
'[Sensory Block] might do it, though...'
Blocking his [Sixth Sense] and hitting him with an illusion could win it, but I planned to seal [Sensory Block] in the arena. Hell, would it even land? The guy looked insanely tough.
'...Guess that leaves one option.'
A straight-up fight.
"Let the Tournament C Group Finals... begin!"
"Wooooaaah!"
The announcer's call ignited the hottest cheers yet, shaking the arena.
"Kuhaha! This heat... it's been too long!"
From the prime seats, a white-maned lion beastman boomed with laughter, overlooking the arena. He'd been watching since the semifinals.
And though he hated to admit it about his own disciple, his focus was more on the unaffiliated adventurer than Leo.
Others might not have noticed under the perception-blocking masks provided to participants, but he could see it.
'That swordsmanship...'
In the semis, that mana slash... it faintly echoed Cain. More precisely...
'...Not his disciple? Using that technique...'
It was Cain's invention, but too crude—he'd refused to teach it, insisting it'd cripple anyone without [Regeneration] or resistances like Leonhardt's.
"Kuhah! Whatever!"
Leonhardt, never one for overthinking, shrugged it off.
The finals would reveal all. And that "Illusion Demon" from the semis... lousy alias, but his skill...
"Kuhuhu... Give it your all, disciple."
It'd be a tough one.
"Red corner! The unaffiliated adventurer's rebellion? The explorer who's toppled promising talents from countless guilds—Illusion Demon!"
"Wooooaaah!"
"illusion demon, win!"
"Boo! Drop out now! I bet on Leo!"
"How'd an unaffiliated guy make it this far?! I lost everything because of you!"
Cheers and jeers mixed as I stepped into the arena, but my attention locked on the beastman opposite.
'Strong.'
My instincts screamed it. This guy was leagues beyond anyone in the tournament. Like staring down a predator.
Feeling the proper tension, I glanced at my leather armor and sword—swapped for robe and staff—took a deep breath...
"Swordsman, huh?"
Leo, silent till now, spoke up.
"...And?"
"...So you're the one Master warned about?"
What? Master? If this guy's got a master worth mentioning...
'Beast King? Why him?'
"You made finals, so you're probably that 'watch out for' opponent Master mentioned. The others were nothing... but I'll believe you're different."
He rambled on before the announcer's countdown. Then a feral aura surged from Leo.
"...What're you talking about? I've never even met the Beast King—"
"...Begin!"
My retort drowned in the start signal.
-KABOOM!
"Whoa! Leo takes the initiative—unlike his previous matches!"
The instant it began, Leo exploded forward like a tank, straight punch incoming.
"Ngh!"
I dodged sideways instead of blocking head-on, drew my sword, and thrust at his exposed flank. But Leo spun, kicking my blade aside.
-CLANG!
The flat of my sword rang; its path warped, shock jolting me off-balance. Without [Heavenly Touch]'s grip boost, I'd have dropped it.
"Not dropping your weapon—impressive!"
Before I recovered, Leo pressed. I desperately aligned my blade against his punch for defense. At least it'd slice his hand...
-KABOOM!
"Guh?!"
Defying expectations—he didn't pull or redirect—he slammed straight through my blade.
A deafening impact erupted, unlike flesh on steel. My organs rattled as I flew back. Insane. Even with resistance skills?
"Hm... Underwhelming..."
-SPLURT!
Leo, mocking my retreat, glanced at his torn, bleeding hand.
Of course. Even rushed, did he think I held back mana?
"...Kuhuhu..."
Like in the semis, blood ignited him. He attacked faster. I gripped reality, parrying with my sword.
-BAM! BOOM!
Blade met fist; mana burst. Leo's fists glowed red. His grin widened, punches accelerating.
-WHOOSH!
"!!"
Finally matching his pace, I missed his feint, took bad guard. Leo cackled, unleashing a straight.
"Hup!"
[Mana Breathing Lv. 5], [Mana Manipulation Lv. 5]
I steadied my breath, gathering mana. His fist cratered my gut.
-BAM!
"Guh...!"
Blood sprayed from my mouth—organs bruised. My waist buckled, hurling me back. Leo charged, but—
-WHOOSH!
I gritted through pain, hurling my spare dagger from my belt at his face. He slapped it away hastily, but...
-SLASH!
The gathered mana was for offense, not defense. I tanked the punch bare. That's why I trained [Physical Resistance].
While his arm shielded his face, I infused my sword and swung—a crescent slash rocketed toward him.
"Ngh?!"
He barely raised one arm, but the mana blade shredded his guard, carving long gashes across arm and gut.
'Too shallow!'
I wiped blood from my lips, clicking my tongue. I'd eaten that hit to land it, but no critical.
"Kuhaha! Not bad?"
Blood pouring from wounds, Leo maniacally laughed, grinning fiercely as he charged again.
-THUD!
'Faster?'
Faster than before. I triggered [Leap] to evade, but as I kicked off, Leo grabbed my ankle.
-CRUNCH...
"G...argh!"
Vice-like grip. Ominous sounds from my ankle. He swung, smashing me into the ground.
-BAM! BAM! BAM!
Repeated slams disordered my breath; mana coating frayed.
'Never let [Mana Breathing] break, no matter the position.'
"...Hup! Huh...!"
Vivian's voice echoed. I maintained breath, reformed coating, slashed his wrist gripping my ankle.
"Ngh!"
As he released, I gripped my ankle, forcing the twisted joint back. White steam rose; [Regeneration] ground bones into place. [Heavenly Touch] ensured no misalignment.
[Berserk Lv. 3]
"Kuhaha! Tough bastard!"
Leo, with [Berserk] that strengthened on blood loss, grinned wildly, kicking arena debris at me. Long fight favored him.
-CRACK! Crack!
I slashed flying stones aside. He closed, axe-kicking my skull.
[Flexibility Lv. 3], [Martial Arts Lv. 3]
I bent lithely, dodging, then seized his ankle.
[Heavenly Touch Lv. 3]: ...Grip strength greatly increased.
Boosted by [Heavenly Touch], freshly maxed via Storm X.
-CRUNCH!
"Raaagh!"
"!!!"
I roared, hoisting Leo's bulk one-handed, slamming him like he'd done me.
-BAM! BAM! BAM!
"Kuhahaha!"
Each smash drew more blood, heightening his [Berserk] mood and power. He wrenched free.
I thrust my sword, but [Berserk]-amped Leo dodged easily, circled behind, elbowed my nape.
-SMACK!
"Guh!"
I pitched forward. Leo smirked for the finisher...
[Sixth Sense Lv. 5]
'What?'
His [Sixth Sense] flared; he braced...
-SLASH!
"G...uh?!"
Leo failed to dodge, gut impaled.
"Y...you mad bastard?"
He yelled in shock at my unforeseen strike. Understandably...
"Y...you stabbed yourself?!"
"Guh. Hah... Fucking hurts."
No angle from my position? I trusted [Regeneration], ran my own sword through to hit him from behind.
Self-harm pro now—knew exactly where to pierce, sparing vitals.
Fuck... No [Sensory Block], it hurts. Just use it?
Impaled, Leo staggered back.
[Limit Break Lv. 3]
"Hraaaagh!"
Momentum carried, I triggered my held skill, back-kicked his stabbed body, yanked the sword free, swung bloodied blade.
"Ngh... guh...!"
Kicked wound staggered him. He barely dodged, grinning in ecstasy.
"Heh... Yes. You're my rival!"
This was the guy. Master had warned someone like the Sword Saint to him might enter—his true rival!
-WHOOSH! THUD!
"Guh!"
He tried declaring rivalry, but I hurled my sword. Unforeseen, it gashed him deep. I tackled with my shoulder, toppling and mounting him.
-THUNK! THUNK!
"Wha... what?"
[Limit Break]-boosted, I pinned his injured arms with knees, raised fists.
"W-wait. You're a swordsman..."
-SMACK!
"Guh!"
What? Win is win. Rival? Hole in my gut, dying in pain—fuck your posing.
His weird talk since start. Chuunibyou?
-CRACK! THUD! THUD! SMASH! CRUNCH!
"........."
Leonhardt stroked his mane, watching his disciple pummeled mercilessly.
'...Not Cain's disciple?'
Swordplay reeked of Cain, but ditching it for fists? Cain would've drilled "never drop your sword."
"Hm......"
Observing Ian's precise, positioned pummeling amid other thoughts.
"Tsk........."
Worth cultivating.