Chapter 164
Chapter 164
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Translator: True Detective
Chapter: 164
Chapter Title: Ranking (3)
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Yuri's words, telling them to ignore her and go about their business.
No one failed to grasp what that attitude meant—like she was saying not to drag her into their petty affairs.
"You're saying we're not on your level?"
"So, since first place is your spot anyway, you're not interested in the competition below?"
"Is that seat reserved just for you?"
And as if to prove it, the name boldly written next to the No. 1 spot.
Normally, the basic principle was to write names on nameplates and post them, considering potential changes in rankings.
But Yuri had completely ignored such principles, simply writing her own name in the No. 1 spot as if they had nothing to do with her.
Even though she knew full well this ranking board would be used until graduation from the primer.
"……."
"……."
"……."
Amid the silence in the room, Yuri seemed to only now notice the stares directed at the board. She put on a fake expression and grinned sheepishly.
"Ah, this?"
Her long finger pointed at 'No. 1 Yuri Holland.'
"Hey, since my name's gonna be up there till the end anyway, what's the point of some nameplate?"
The 50th Cohort's prediction had been spot on.
That guy had really written his name on the board intending to lock in No. 1 for himself.
The atmosphere chilled further at his attitude, which treated the rest of them as beneath notice.
But they all knew it too.
'Sure, he's annoying, but that power he showed a month ago... it was the real deal.'
'Honestly, if we had to pick No. 1 among us, it'd be that guy.'
Yuri had only shown his strength in the early stages of the second integrated quest, the armband theft quest.
Of course, his clever tricks were what let him claim victory.
Regardless, based solely on that initial display of power—wiping out several squads single-handedly—the 50th Cohort had quietly ranked him as the strongest.
But it was precisely that: quietly.
'No matter how skilled he is... he can't just dismiss us like this.'
'Alright, fine—this is our chance to see just how good you really are!'
'We can't just hand over No. 1, right?'
Those in the 50th Cohort who had confidence in their own skills burned with fierce determination and zeal.
And they had good reason.
In their minds, Yuri's strength was still frozen at the level from a month ago.
They had no idea about the growth he'd achieved in that month.
Or how far beyond normal that growth was.
So they clung to the hope that 'you never know until you try!'
"Arrogant as ever, Yuri Holland!"
Someone barked that and stepped forward.
A slightly angular face with short brown hair.
A sturdy, robust impression.
It was Huey Mermon.
His end-of-month evaluation rank was in the early-to-mid 10s.
Huey glared at Yuri.
"I know your end-of-month score was first place, but that doesn't measure true skill."
Yuri picked at his ear in response.
"Yeah, yeah, sure."
His half-hearted reply, as if he weren't even listening, hardened Huey Mermon's face.
"...You'd do well to stay humble. Fights have matchups, and you never know when one that counters you might pop up."
"Sure, that could happen. But..."
Yuri blew the earwax off his pinky and replied.
"It doesn't seem like you're it."
Huey gave up on civility at the endlessly provoking tone.
"Fine, then let's go at it, you bastard! I'll test if you really deserve that No. 1 spot!"
Yuri covered his mouth with both hands at the shout, as if shocked.
His pupils shook violently.
"Test?"
He pointed a trembling index finger at Huey.
"You...?"
The quivering fingertip swung back to his own face.
"...me?"
As if he'd heard something he wished he hadn't, Yuri teared up and wailed.
"N-No! I-I'm not in a position to get tested by some nobody without the skills! I didn't train so hard just to end up like this!"
"……."
"I'd rather bite my tongue and die than suffer this humiliation!"
Arin and Poppi applauded in admiration at Yuri's tear-streaked performance.
Meanwhile, Pana stuck out her tongue.
"...At this rate, Huey's lost before they even fight."
"...Yeah. That's gotta be a huge mental blow."
Ivan nodded in agreement.
Huey's face, hit by the tear attack, had gone slack and dazed.
Then his fists trembled, and he ground his teeth.
"Y-You... you... bastard..."
It wouldn't have been strange if he'd drawn his sword right then.
In fact, his hand was already on the hilt.
And it was right at that moment.
Thud.
A hand landed on Huey's shoulder.
Huey whipped his head around with an angry expression.
"What!"
The one standing behind him was none other than Gunter.
With a calm, composed face, he lightly pressed down on Huey's shoulder.
"Calm down."
A flat tone.
For some reason, Huey's rage melted away at those words.
'Why?'
At first, Huey didn't realize why his anger had faded.
But he soon figured it out.
'Ah...'
Gunter's hand rested on his shoulder.
But his steadfast gaze never left Yuri.
And deep in Gunter's green eyes burned unyielding resolve.
Huey's anger was overwhelmed by that powerful emotion.
Crunch.
Gunter's hand pressed harder on Huey's shoulder.
"...Yield the first one to me."
"S-Sure."
Huey didn't know what 'first' meant, but he just nodded.
Gunter withdrew his hand, passed Huey, and stepped forward.
He stopped in front of Yuri, who was still fake-crying.
"Yuri Holland, I challenge you to a ranking match."
At the steady voice, Yuri finally dropped the act and looked up.
Gunter stood expressionless and straight-backed.
Yuri smiled faintly at the strong will emanating from him.
"A ranking match... so you're challenging me? Acknowledging me as No. 1?"
"Yes."
"Oho! Way better than some punk yapping nonsense beyond his station about tests or whatever. You're a hundred times better."
"That's fortunate."
"Alright, alright—as No. 1, I can't refuse a challenge from a lower rank. Let's do this!"
Huey's face twisted like he'd bitten into shit, but no one paid it any mind.
Everyone was just excited by the sudden matchup.
"Yuri Holland versus Gunter Irons..."
"This oughta be good."
If Yuri had quietly been pegged as the strongest since showing his stuff, Gunter had held that title before.
In other words, it was the former strongest versus the current strongest.
And since the two were polar opposites, it only heightened the interest.
Gunter, born to nobility, raised with fine education and upright character.
Yuri, origins unknown, but clearly rough around the edges in manners.
Gunter, famed as a genius not just in the Croton administrative district but neighboring ones since childhood.
Yuri, who appeared out of nowhere like a comet, with nothing known about him.
How could people not be hooked?
'In the last armband theft quest, Yuri Holland won outright.'
Gunter had torn off his own armband back then, admitting defeat.
But that was a case where strategy decided the winner.
So most of the 50th Cohort wondered:
What if it was pure martial force?
Who would win then...?
Information enthusiast Schleeman Hans concluded:
'Yuri Holland has a 60% chance of winning.'
The White Dragon Badge Lord's Gunter Irons versus the Black Dragon Badge Lord's Yuri Holland.
Based on everything they'd shown so far, Schleeman pegged the odds at '6:4' for Yuri over Gunter.
Schleeman watched Gunter facing Yuri with gleaming eyes.
'Gunter Irons, can you really overturn those 6:4 odds and beat Yuri Holland?'
Actually, that didn't matter much to Schleeman.
What mattered most was that the two go all out in this match and reveal as much info as possible.
Especially Yuri, who'd only vaguely hinted at his personal skills and magic body arts so far—Schleeman's expectations were sky-high.
And he wasn't the only one thinking that.
'Good timing. Now we can finally figure out what type of magic body arts Yuri Holland practices.'
'I won't miss a second—I'll watch closely! Analyze it over and over... and find a way to beat you, Yuri Holland!'
To claim No. 1, they all had to get past the obstacle named Yuri Holland.
So everyone with designs on challenging him hoped to uncover his weaknesses in this fight.
Whether Yuri knew it or not, he grinned at his first real challenge.
"Alright, shall we get started?"
Gunter shook his head.
"Sorry, but I'd like a little time."
"Why?"
"I want to pour everything into this match. Without regrets."
"Hmm..."
"Thirty minutes should suffice. I'll be ready by then."
Yuri shrugged at the faintly earnest tone.
"Well, it won't change much either way, but it's better than you whining later about being out of shape or not going all out."
"Thanks for understanding."
Gunter gave a brief bow to the waving Yuri and turned away.
The match was delayed a bit unexpectedly, but no one from the 50th Cohort left their seats.
They didn't want to miss it by stepping away even briefly.
About twenty minutes passed like that.
"Yawn..."
As Yuri let out a big yawn, Gunter reappeared.
Clad in gleaming silver full plate armor.
Clank— clank—.
Helmet tucked under his arm, he strode toward Yuri with steady steps.
The 50th Cohort in the circular arena stands widened their eyes in surprise.
"...Where'd he get that?"
"Full plate isn't even for sale in the special shop."
Gunter's full plate was high-end, custom-fitted for one wearer.
As they wondered where he'd gotten it, someone provided the answer.
"Ah, so that's what it was for!"
Pana nodded knowingly, prompting Nelli to turn.
"You know something?"
"I sold it to him."
"What?"
"The armament crafting ticket from the last integrated quest. Gunter offered a high price, so I sold it quick. Probably used it for that armor."
Ivan frowned at her.
"Idiot—blinded by points, boosting a rival's power."
"Don't talk nonsense, Ivan. Even if it wasn't me, someone else would've sold Gunter a ticket. Might as well offload something I don't need and make a profit, right?"
Now knowing how Gunter had obtained the full plate, they turned back to him.
Clank—.
"Thanks for waiting."
Gunter faced Yuri squarely.
He slowly placed the helmet on his head.
"Hoo..."
Gunter closed his eyes briefly and exhaled.
Flash—.
He snapped his eyes open and lowered the visor.
Click—.
Peering through the narrow slits at Yuri, Gunter drew his sword and held it before him.
"Eldest son of Irons, Gunter. I intend to cross blades with Yuri Holland without regrets."
Gunter's knightly salute was dignified and solemn.
The audience naturally immersed themselves.
Meanwhile, facing such a Gunter, Yuri...
'Whoa, whoa, whoa... whoaaa!'
He let out bizarre cheers inwardly, his eyes sparkling excessively.
Unaware, Gunter completed his salute and pulled his sword back.
Clank—.
Body slightly crouched.
The moment the sword in both hands pointed diagonally at the ground...
"...Here I come."
Muttering it like a warning, Gunter slammed his right foot down.
Then.
Boom!
Dirt erupted, and Gunter's body charged forward with terrifying momentum.
It was a charge reminiscent of a battering ram smashing castle gates.
The only problem: at the end of that charge wasn't a massive gate, but a human body of mere flesh.
To the spectators, it looked like Yuri would shatter under the silver ram's assault.
Gunter's charge was that overwhelming.
Then, finally.
Whoosh—!
The moment the silver plate reached Yuri's nose...
Ziiiiing—!
A roar exploded, and Gunter's midsection bent as he was flung backward.
At several times the speed of his initial rush.