Chapter 91: The Arena of Cosmos (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 91: The Arena of Cosmos (2)
“Is it more dangerous than I thought?” Jin asked, sheathing his sword.
Casimir nodded grimly. “Yes. Unlike typical martial arts tournaments, this one lacks even the most basic rules, like a ban on killing. It’s a perilous event. While the overall level of the participants is low, quite a few experts show up just to enjoy a one-sided slaughter.”
True to its pirate hosts, the Arena of Cosmos had no rules.
Killing an opponent was a given, and there were no restrictions on using special items. It was a madhouse of a competition where even assassinating or poisoning an opponent before a match was permitted.
“It simply means you must win by any means necessary. I’ve even heard a story about some lunatic who won by taking his opponent’s family hostage and threatening them before the match even started.”
Because of this, one had to remain constantly wary of dirty tricks in the Arena of Cosmos, even if the opponent was merely a 2-star or 3-star warrior.
“Greenhorns at the 4-star or 5-star level who enter without knowing any better are the primary prey. They’ve walked the righteous path, ignorant of the world’s dark side, only to face despair in a tournament where deception and schemes run rampant. Ah, not that I’m saying you are like that, Young Master. You are… quite far from that category.”
Aside from his diligent daily training, Jin was a man far removed from the ‘righteous path.’
“And then there are the predators of the tournament—participants at the 6-star level or higher who crush everyone with overwhelming martial prowess, regardless of what tricks their opponents use. Most of them are just perverts looking for a thrill.”
“A thrill?”
“Yes, you know the type. The kind who derive pleasure from trampling an opponent who is desperately resisting with every trick in the book. They are the most dangerous ones.”
“Hah, what kind of martial arts tournament is that?”
According to Casimir’s explanation, the tournament was worse than barbaric—it was horrific. It was nothing more than a provocative spectacle designed to incite gambling and debauchery.
“Well, its official name is an ‘arena,’ not a martial arts tournament. To be honest, if it weren't for Dante, I wouldn't have even suggested you participate.”
“He certainly doesn’t seem like the type to fit in at a tournament like that. Is there some incredible treasure offered as the grand prize?”
“The winner can choose between a specific prize or one thousand gold coins. By normal standards, it’s a significant amount of money, but to the next patriarch of the Hairan Clan, it wouldn't even be pocket change.”
“Then does he have a nemesis there?”
“As of now, we haven't identified why Dante is participating. However, in my opinion…”
Casimir paused for a moment.
“I suspect he simply wants to test his own sword. He’s likely curious if his blade can still shine even when faced with malice and treachery. If not that, then he’s just a sheltered brat who stumbled into a shithole without knowing any better.”
It was hard to believe—that Dante would enter such a foul tournament solely to test his sword.
‘Regardless, it’s true that my interest is piqued. Dante Hairan… In my past life, he was an opponent I couldn't even dream of facing.’
Before his regression, around the time Jin had just been exiled from Runcandel, people would often debate who was superior: Dante of the sword or Veradin of magic.
It was because the two had much in common.
Both were the next patriarchs of Great Families, had surpassed 7-star in their youth, and had reached 9-star by the age of thirty. It was only natural that every news outlet was plastered with their names whenever they met in public. They were even the same age.
‘Back then, those two received more attention than the Runcandel children. Sister Luna rarely showed herself to the world, and the eldest brother, who was the next patriarch, was considered a bit inferior to them.’
Among the Runcandel siblings at the time, Luna was the only one considered superior to Dante. Of course, that didn't mean Dante was definitively stronger than the other siblings, but that was the public's perception.
‘I’ve always been curious about him. It wouldn't hurt to meet him once. Surely he doesn't have a personality as much of a buzzkill as Veradin, right?’
However.
Casimir’s exaggerated attitude had been bothering Jin for a while now. He could have just suggested it naturally, but instead, he was acting like a pushy salesman.
‘Besides, the Seven-Colored Bird shouldn't have the leisure to be digging into Dante Hairan’s background. All their top personnel are tied up with Zipple, Alu, and Kinzelo. For this to be information they just stumbled upon is suspicious…’
As that thought crossed his mind, a smile played on Jin’s lips.
‘Father ordered this. It’s highly likely the information about Dante came from Runcandel. Come to think of it, when we visited his study, Father sent me out first, saying he had something to discuss with Sir Casimir.’
Had Casimir been reporting on him to Cyron ever since?
The question arose, but it wasn't a significant issue. From Jin’s perspective, there was no downside.
Instead, a bit of mischief welled up within him.
“Hmm… Sir Casimir, do I really have to go?”
“Uh, yes?”
“I don’t particularly want to participate in such a filthy tournament. As for Dante Hairan, he’s someone I’ll have plenty of chances to encounter in the future anyway.”
“Ahem, cough! Young Master Jin, think carefully. You’re a Runcandel, so of course you’ll run into Dante often! But will you have many chances to actually trade blows? This might be an opportunity that never comes again…”
“Haha, it’s not like I’m some battle maniac. And fighting Lady Alisa for three months straight has left me quite exhausted.”
“Y-Young Master, don’t be like that… Just trust me and go this once. Isn't this a great chance to gauge Dante Hairan’s martial prowess? Hahaha, my tongue is getting tied all of a sudden. I must have heatstroke…”
Jin laughed as he pointed toward the window. Outside, thick snowflakes were falling. The cold wave of early January was in full swing.
“Heatstroke?”
“Oh dear, another slip of the tongue. Anyway, Young Master! I’ve already filled out the application form. Won't you just trust me and go? I have a gut feeling this will be a great experience for you!”
“Well… if you’re going to go that far, Sir Casimir, I suppose I have no choice. I’ll go.”
“Thank you, Young Master Jin! Ah, for your information, you have to leave tomorrow. The deadline is tight. Well then, I’ll be off!”
“Tomorrow? Wait, Sir Casimir!”
Scuttle.
Without even looking back, Casimir bolted from the training ground with the face of a man who had just narrowly escaped death.
Jin’s suspicion turned into certainty.
‘He is reporting to Father. And this time, a direct order was likely given. To pit me against Dante Hairan.’
A laugh escaped him. He already knew his father was keeping an eye on him, but he hadn't expected such blatant interest.
If his other siblings found out about this, there would be an uproar.
‘By the way, Sir Casimir really has no talent for acting… Is it only with me? I heard he was an excellent politician when he became the King of the Tikan Free State.’
Jin let out a small chuckle.
* * *
The Arena of Cosmos was hosted on an island south of the Scholl Principality. It was a deserted island that sat strangely outside Scholl's territorial waters, making it little more than a playground for the pirates active in the nearby seas.
Jin arrived at the island alone, without a single companion.
‘This is essentially a mission given directly by Father, so I can’t borrow anyone else’s strength.’
Bringing someone along would surely result in a deduction of points.
In Jin’s eyes, his father’s message was clear: conquer this trashy tournament alone, using nothing but a single sword. Using magic or spirit energy in a place with so many eyes would be madness.
‘This is the first time I’ve done something alone since Mamit. And just like then, the stage is a den of outlaws.’
After passing through the Scholl Principality via a teleport gate and paying a fishing boat a hefty fee to reach the island, his first impression was… not great.
It felt like a place where society’s dregs, people with nowhere lower to fall, had gathered to swarm. The stench-filled streets were vividly stained with dried blood.
It was the kind of neighborhood where people got stabbed at the drop of a hat. Since it was a remote island populated mostly by pirates and low-life martial artists who had tasted all of life’s bitterness, and since there were no measures to maintain public order, it was only natural.
“Kek-kek-kek-kek.”
Every five steps, one would encounter a lunatic high on drugs, wandering the streets and laughing aimlessly.
Of course, not everyone was like that.
Occasionally, he saw children of wealthy families accompanied by escorts, as well as knights clad in decent armor. They were either tournament participants or spectators.
Jin began to follow one such group, figuring it would lead him to the registration desk without much trouble.
After walking for about thirty minutes, he arrived at the registration area as expected. It was nothing more than a single table set up in front of a dilapidated, filthy arena that brought a pigsty to mind.
“I’m here to register for the arena.”
When Jin held out the application Casimir had filled out, the man at the desk looked up. He was a typical pirate—a massive man covered in hair, with tacky tattoos all over his forearms.
“What? Registration’s over. Piss off. Even better if you drop dead on your way back.”
“Over? I heard you were accepting applications until sunset today.”
“Ah, I’m just not in the mood to take them right now. You don't understand plain speech?”
As he spoke, the man subtly made a circle with his thumb and index finger. It was a blatant demand for a bribe.
Jin’s philosophy was that problems solvable with money should be settled with money.
That included, of course, a good punch.
CRACK!
Jin kicked the old table aside and drove his fist into the head of the man, who was just starting to stand up. Inside his fist was the crumpled application form.
“Urgh! Argh, you little brat…!”
“Register me. I’ll give you the money.”
When Jin tossed a few gold coins onto the table, the man’s face lit up, and he nodded.
Jin was slightly startled; he had thrown that punch with quite a bit of force. It was a blow powerful enough to leave even a well-trained 4-star warrior dazed. Yet the man had taken it head-on and was now standing up, laughing the moment he saw the money.
“Registration complete! Kuhaha, what a fiery brat. I like you. You’ll be fighting in Group 13. Take this and go inside; the guys in there will guide you.”
The man wrote something on a small piece of paper and handed it to Jin.
[Group 13, Jin Gray.
He’s the brat who hit me out of nowhere, so pit him against some decent guys. Oh, and if this kid can’t survive the night, roast him without delay and feed him to the sharks.
- Pirate King Cosmos]
“Uwahaha! Welcome to the Arena of Cosmos, a place full of romance and love. Give it your best shot.”
The man laughed, revealing teeth entirely covered in gold. He was the host of this tournament, Pirate King Cosmos.