70. Champion
Iron Wall skill activated, fist slamming down with full power. Even with a helmet, no way that strike could have been withstood—it plunged straight into the high elf knight.
Of course, the opponent was an elite NPC stronger than the 7th floor boss. No way one hit would take her down.
"Guh... ugh..."
But with her jaw properly shattered, the high elf knight couldn't get up easily either.
The high elves quickly started damage control, dragging the injured knight away.
"H-human... how could you... what evil trick did you use...!"
The knight, being hauled off, babbled in full cognitive dissonance. Who the fuck came at me first with a sword, then calls me evil? What a joke. No wonder high elves get called total shitstains in the community. Shameless as hell.
"P-Perit..."
Meanwhile, the high elf prince who'd come out to greet us muttered the knight's name, his face drained of color. Was he shocked by his subordinate's rampage, or surprised that I, his duel opponent, was stronger than expected?
"Ahem. Well, a brief commotion there."
In the tense atmosphere, one high elf cleared his throat awkwardly to smooth things over. I wasn't sure if that could be brushed off as a "brief commotion," but I didn't want to escalate the already hostile vibe either. Sure, it had been hostile from the start, but no point heating up before the duel.
With that sorted, we headed to the designated duel site.
[Where Life Circulates]
Where Life Circulates—probably named for the World Tree that cycles the elves' souls. So that skeletal tree over there must be it? True to its name, it's massive, but it looks withered, like it's lost its power.
But appearances aside, I could feel an immense magical energy radiating from it. If it's this strong even in its faded state, how overwhelming must it have been in its prime?
"Hmph, even a human can recognize the World Tree's majesty. That's why your kind keeps eyeing our forests."
As I gazed up, lost in thought, the high elf guide clicked his tongue. It wasn't me eyeing their forests—it was the kingdom's army. Lumping all humans together like that? No different from real-world racism.
The duel site was an open clearing about twice the size of Rizmel's training ground. Not just bare dirt—it was neatly maintained, with spectator seats all around. Being a big event, tons of high elves had gathered to watch.
And among all those elves, the most standout was the expressionless elf man in a crown, seated at the head table. Sitting close to the dark elf queen who'd arrived first, he had to be the current high elf king.
Man, do all long-lived elves end up like that? The dark elf queen and high elf king both gave off this ancient, gnarled tree vibe. Not like living people—more like rigid statues. Makes sense they'd be uniquely detached after outliving everyone else. But then... would Elenoir end up like that too? Hard to picture.
The official observer was the high elf king, though plenty of elves participated as witnesses.
"Seems everyone's ready. Let's proceed."
The receiver of the duel challenge sets the rules. Since this was my challenge, the prince's side had the right.
The prince had already lost to me once, so he probably wouldn't pick a straight-up fight. Or so Elenoir had said. But I disagreed.
That prince who'd come to greet us earlier—his face had burned with rage and malice. He looked like he wanted to grind me into paste right there. I got it; some no-name challenger puts his fiancée on the line for a duel. Understandable.
"Weapons and magic are both permitted. The duel ends only when one side declares defeat or becomes combat-incapable."
And as I'd predicted, the high elf king's declared rules were a simple one-on-one.
But the prince standing before me showed zero fighting spirit.
"Fuck, fuck...!"
No spirit at all—he was biting his nails anxiously. I could guess why. He'd seen that knight Perit get her jaw smashed by me.
He must've been basing my strength on a few weeks ago: shitty pure swordsmanship, relying on tricky weapon switches to pressure Perit. Probably thought slapping on a handicap limiting my weapons would let him win. Or maybe wagering some high elf treasure item.
But I'd made insane gains in those weeks. And he'd clocked it. No handicap would save him now.
"The sacred ground and World Tree's grace will side with the righteous. The duelists, stake your honor and—"
As the high elf king moved to start the duel...
"M-me!"
The prince, eyes squeezed shut, shot his hand up and yelled.
"I, Eluryon Pracinus, exercise my right as challenger to designate my champion!"
The prince straight-up called for a champion to fight in his place.
Murmurs rippled through the elves. Clearly unplanned.
A champion is a proxy for when the principal can't fight or is too noble. As the high elf prince and challenge acceptor, he absolutely had the right.
So why the uproar? Simple.
"The world’s never seen such a coward..."
He looked pathetic.
"To think that wimp's my fiancé... Sigh."
I could even hear Elenoir sighing heavily from the stands. Calling a champion in a fiancée-on-the-line duel? Peak pathetic.
The watching high elves seemed to agree it was too much—their faces soured. The prince's looked the worst; he knew it was shameful.
"My champion, the noble 1st Knight of the Pracinus Order, Mercedes!"
Face beet-red with shame, the prince finally named her.
Fine by me—better than this loser. Problem was, it was his spur-of-the-moment call. Was Mercedes even here? Would she accept?
-Thud, thud.
One high elf in a white uniform rose from the seats, blowing those worries away. But a new one bubbled up inside me.
The prince retreated with a twisted expression as the uniformed elf drew her sword and stood before me. Apparently caught off-guard too—her outfit wasn't battle-ready. Looked uncomfortable as hell.
But I tensed up anyway.
Because of the console floating over Mercedes, the champion who'd stepped up for the prince.
A pitch-black console signaling an overwhelming level gap. The 7th floor's unrivaled outlier among elite NPCs.
"You've squandered the luck that let you harm His Highness and walk away unscathed."
The high elf knight I'd met before stood before me.
This goddamn Tower of Trials wasn't the first time it'd shown malice toward me.
Floor 2: a field boss popping out of nowhere with elemental attacks.
Floor 3: lizardmen using electric barriers deadly to warriors.
After reaching the 7th floor, I was immediately ambushed by an elite NPC stronger than the boss. Since I’m climbing a Tower that hasn't been touched by anyone else, most of this was just part of the deal.
This time was no different. I couldn't really complain, considering I was following an unconventional route—forcefully breaking through the early-game "forced defeat" event and securing an epic quest based on my affinity with Elenoir.
"Damn it, isn't that guy even embarrassed?"
"His Highness has made a wise choice."
As I muttered my complaint, he immediately retorted with a frown. His loyalty is incredible, especially considering he’s agreed to be my champion. It's not entirely wrong, I suppose—after all, I summoned the strongest ally possible to face an enemy I couldn't beat alone. And to be honest, I don’t really have the heart to insult him that much, either.
"It seems you have no intention of forfeiting the duel."
-Cling.
"Obviously. I’m not a coward like some people."
My heart hammered against my ribs, and a thrilling sense of tension coursed through my entire body. It was a sensation I hadn't felt in a long time. I had been curious about exactly how strong I was, and how I measured up against other challengers. It was hard to get an objective comparison, mostly because the only Ranker I’d faced head-on happened to be an idiot who only knew how to poke things.
But this female knight? I guessed her specs were higher and her skills far superior to Choi Gil-hyun's. In other words, if I could take her down, it would confirm that I was stronger than the lower-floor Rankers of the 25th floor.
"If you want to retract that statement, now is your only chance—though it seems you have no intention of doing that either."
No matter how justified the exercise of a right might be, a sudden change in a duel opponent obviously requires consent. Elenoir even seemed to be over there protesting something.
"You said you'd tear my ears off the next time we met, didn't you?"
But Mercedes and I, we didn't need any formal procedures. We had already agreed, just between the two of us, that we would bring the other down.