Chapter 302
Chapter 302
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 302
Chapter Title: God-Defying Superhuman Strength #2
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Zzzzt-.
I tore the coin in half.
The iron plate, ripped apart front to back like a sheet of paper, rolled across the floor amid the trash, and many people blinked in shock at the sight.
Is that titanium plating?
Not only did he unfold it, he straight-up shredded it!
It was something that shouldn't have been possible, and everyone was busy shouting in astonishment. Since it was exactly what I'd expected, I just calmly gazed at the man in front of me.
Just moments ago, the Silver-tier adventurer Yabes had seemed full of pride in himself, but now he glared at me with undisguised hostility for surpassing his own feat.
Szzzzt-.
His enmity gnawed at me from all sides, like the jaws of ants stabbing my skin. If things went on like this, a full-blown fight might break out.
The man named Yabes was a Silver-tier adventurer from another city. His skills were probably on par with mine.
And the two companions around him, wearing matching necklaces, looked like your typical run-of-the-mill lackeys you could find anywhere.
What would happen now?
I'd thrown an obvious provocation at them.
You could say I'd lobbed the ball over the net with a racket.
It was up to them whether to back down or counter appropriately.
So I stayed silent for a beat, letting the tension build, and finally, the man named Yabes set down the nymph he held like he was dropping trash.
"L-Lord Sizar, are you alright…!"
The nymph Alinoi, wriggling every which way, rushed to her comrade collapsed on the floor, nose bleeding.
"I'll apply some herbs here…! Lord Sizar, you mustn't lose consciousness…!"
She pulled medicine and a handkerchief from her bosom, dabbing at his face with practiced ease. Then she stood back up, drawing a short dagger and pointing it at Yabes.
"You rotten brute! I won't forgive you! I am Alinoi, the greatest servant of the great Lord Sizar! I shall bring down rightful heavenly punishment upon you!"
She shouted boldly, but that tiny thorn-like dagger didn't seem capable of scratching Yabes in his titanium armor.
Still, the mere sight of the nymph drawing her dagger and facing such a fearsome foe hit me like a blow to the back of the head.
If I'd been the one collapsed like that, how would Paranoy have acted?
She probably would've betrayed me or fled. The thought suddenly made me angry.
Why was this guy's nymph so fiercely loyal?
Why?
What was the difference between him and me?
Why did I have Paranoy instead of Alinoi?
Ruuuumble-.
Whoa, look at that. What overwhelming presence. His aura just changed! My skin's tingling!
Heavens, that must be fighting spirit. I can feel it too. First time I've ever sensed something like this.
A duel between true Silver-tier adventurers? This isn't something to take lightly! Call everyone over!
Before we knew it, crowds had gathered around us, forming a small arena. It was a prison from which there was no escape.
Adventurers, as I'd said before, lived for fame and reputation on the grand stage. They were the type desperate for attention.
With the stage set like this, few adventurers would back down.
And the man in titanium armor, Yabes, was no exception.
Yabes spoke.
"You've got some strength. Think that'll be enough? I am Yabes, firstborn son of the River God Kaikos. I'm the real deal, blood of a true god—not some random nobody."
"River God Kaikos?"
It was a name I'd never heard.
I'd skimmed through encyclopedias every weekend, memorizing most god names and lineages, but this was new.
What was it?
Some obscure minor deity? Polytheistic or pantheistic faiths always had tons of nameless gods. Probably the same on this Gaia continent.
Firstborn of an unimportant god. Like the son of a mid-sized company president? Impressive in its own way, I guess.
As I mulled that over, Yabes added a few words.
"I, Yabes, will one day sit upon the throne ruling all oceans and waters beyond rivers and seas. You think you can cross me and walk away unscathed?"
"Ah, so in other words, you'll be a big shot someday, so bow down now?"
"For a freakish-looking barbarian, you catch on quick. Kneel and beg forgiveness, and I might take you as a subordinate. I plan to build a temple open to all races equally."
"That's funny, considering you were about to handle that nymph roughly."
"You must not know since you're from outside the continent, but that's how you handle nymphs."
"I see."
"I could give you maybe one percent of my future domain. Think it over."
"Ah-, so to sum up, you might be a great god someday, but right now you're a nobody?"
"What-!?"
"I know your type—full of hot air and lies. Quit yapping and come at me, 'son of a god.'"
"How dare you mock the divinity of I, Yabes."
Yabes's face flushed redder than seemed possible.
It was as good as me denying his very existence, and for a prideful Silver-tier adventurer, that was unforgivable.
From watching Hippolyte for so long, I'd sensed that demigods usually took immense pride in their bloodlines.
If your parent was a god, even I'd feel proud.
To have that dismissed as nothing special? No wonder Yabes was boiling with rage, on the verge of murderous intent.
"I'll rip you to shreds and feed you to the river fish, you barbarian scum! Sword! Shield!"
At his bizarre shout of "Sword! Shield!", one of his same-rank companions hurriedly drew the sword from his belt and tossed it over.
The one holding the shield beside him did the same.
It was so natural, like pulling items from an inventory—it even shocked me a bit. I should have Paranoy try that sometime.
"Helmet! Pauldrons-!"
Clank, clunk.
Soon, Yabes was fitted with a stylish helmet and shoulder armor. It looked like slapping external parts onto a Gundam.
Fully geared, Yabes was the picture of a heavy cavalryman—solid, without a single gap.
"Hasan, that's amazing! Incredible armor!"
Even Luna, watching from the crowd, seemed impressed by his fearsome presence. Whispers of awe reached my ears from the onlookers.
Yabes declared.
"These are ancient relics inherited from my father. No matter your strength, think you can dent them? My gear rivals Achilles' armor!"
"Oh- now that's a familiar name. But you're a pale imitation of Achilles. Not even second-rate."
"You barbarian scum, what do you know of Achilles!"
"More than you. Anyway, that armor looks sturdy enough. Guess I can use this too."
I grabbed the club slung on my back. Gripping both ends, I stretched it out until it was staff-sized.
"Get out of the way-."
I kicked off the ground and leaped. The Flash Step from Karidur. It wasn't masterful, but nothing beat it for burst speed.
Fwoosh-.
I charged straight at the heavily armored Yabes, channeling strength into my arms and swinging the Terror Crusher.
Whoooosh-.
The weapon, capable of flying hundreds of meters, cleaved the air with a terrifying roar.
True to its name, the Crusher arced wide, ready to pulverize anything in its path toward Yabes.
"Too obvious an attack, idiot-!"
Most foes wouldn't react in time and would fly off, but Yabes was a Silver-tier adventurer, boasting enough skill to claim firstborn status.
Clang-.
He raised his massive shield high, lowered his stance, and hid behind it.
"I'll throw your attack right back at you!"
It was rock-solid. No ordinary weapon could scratch that defense. Lesser foes would've fled in terror at the impenetrable fortress.
But even if I had no fear, my club didn't either.
Crack-crack-crack-.
My club finally collided with his shield.
An impact so massive it threatened to burst eardrums erupted, shredding the leather sleeves of my tunic like spiderwebs.
Rip-rip-rip-.
Intense vibrations shot through my fingertips. A powerful force shook my entire body, trying to hurl me back the way I'd swung.
"Grhh-!"
I gritted my teeth and squeezed from my toes upward.
If I didn't pour in more strength, I'd be the one flying away—the attacker. He'd bragged about reflecting it—what, some kind of repulsion?
Rip-rip-.
Not just my sleeves—my entire outfit started tearing like old rags.
The recoil battered my palms and veins, raging wildly.
Damn it, it'd be mortifying to strike a cool pose and then get launched.
I had to stop it!
"Graaa-!"
With a roar like a scream, my club finally shattered the shield and sent him flying.
"Die, you bastard-!"
"Uwaaaagh-!"
Yabes screamed as he soared far back. Iron plates shattered off his airborne body, crashing and breaking on the ground.
"Hoo-."
Only then could I catch my breath.
"Hand over your ticket, punk."
I yanked the bracelet from Yabes's trembling wrist as he foamed at the mouth. His number: 192.
Compared to my 1110, it was overwhelmingly better.
When Luna and I swapped bracelets earlier, the clerk hadn't said a word, so swapping numbers must be fine.
As I happily pondered that, people around us picked up the scattered armor shards.
"Heavens, this titanium armor shattered like pottery?"
"Even a minor river god's son—blown away like that. What kind of guy is he?"
The crowd's attention turned to me, the duel winner.
A mix of fear and fascination in their gazes left me with a strange feeling—equal parts pleased and embarrassed.
"The white-furred Samaritans, I've heard of him. Famous around here."
"The one who took down the local monster king, Geryon? Matches the description."
"The barbarian who beat the man-eating horse to death?"
"Yeah, that's him! The one called Jupiter's daughter! Juno's holy warrior!"
"No, wasn't that a woman? This guy's clearly a man… Look at those muscles. Guy's a dude. Even for a Samaritan, that face couldn't be a woman…."
"Maybe… I only saw from afar, but he looks similar…."
Sticking around felt like it'd bring nothing but trouble, so I rifled through the fallen man's pockets, snatched his wallet, and slipped away.
"Hasan, you won another duel!"
Luna followed me, thrilled.
"Son of a river god—should be pretty impressive, right? Hasan beat a demigod! Amazing!"
"You think so?"
"Of course! I knew you'd win. I was cheering for you! You win most times when I cheer!"
Thinking back, I'd won every duel with Luna watching. Was she my goddess of victory? Then I should spend thirty percent of this wallet's contents on her.
Wonder how much is in here? A gold coin or two, maybe.
As I pondered what to eat, a voice called from behind.
"H-Hey, stop right there! Our great Lord Sizar has words for you!"
"Ah-."
In the duel excitement, I'd forgotten something—the nymph Alinoi and her trainer, Sizar.
Turning around, I saw the ditch-water nymph Alinoi straining to carry a huge man disproportionate to her small frame.
"Urgh… Urgh…."
The man's swollen, battered face struggled to open his mouth.
"Urgh, urghhh…."
"Our great Lord Sizar wishes to reward you!"