The Alven Founding Anniversary Tournament: Main Event (1)

"Alright! The moment you've all been waiting for! The main event of the Alven Founding Anniversary Tournament is finally here!"

——!!!

The roar of the crowd, even louder than during the preliminaries, fills the Colosseum. There is a burning intensity in every single voice that makes up that thunderous cheer. As the heat is poured out, it only grows hotter, eventually threatening to swallow the entire arena whole.

"Now then! Before we begin today's tournament, we will have a commemorative opening address from our leader, Ka En ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Derban!"

The host's fiery voice cuts through the tension, followed by the sound of a man's footsteps. The first thing that catches the eye is his massive, five-meter-tall frame. Beneath his slightly swarthy skin, muscles of impossible size flex and ripple, demanding attention. Following the lines of those muscles up to his face, one finds a thick beard and sharp, piercing features. The owner of this presence, a man who would make an ordinary person faint just by standing before him, is...

"...A giant."

He exudes an aura that can only be described as such.

"Is that true?"

Surprisingly, he is apparently just a human. 'That makes it even more impressive.'

The level of the aura erupting from his massive body keeps my eyes locked on him. The image his aura manifests is a giant, even larger than his physical form. Not a single flaw can be found in that manifestation. It is the stage of Flower Extremity, where body and mind reach perfect harmony. Standing at the very peak of that lofty realm, he is gazing toward transcendence.

"...."

I grip my sword hilt, encountering a level of mastery I haven't seen in a long time. Following my instincts, I begin to analyze Derban's characteristics. Weaknesses. Habits. Flaws. I open my eyes wide, imprinting every one of his movements to ensure I don't miss a single thing.

——!

At that moment, the heavy iron ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠gate begins to rise with a deep, grinding sound. Inside the Colosseum's gate, people start stepping out one by one. Checking them carefully, I realize they are all the participants who made it to the main event. As I imprint their faces into my mind with senses sharpened by Derban's presence, I suddenly lock eyes with Yuna.

"Hee-hee!"

Yuna beams, waving her hands wildly. Feeling my senses soften slightly at the pure sight, I wave back. 'Yuna is truly incredible.'

I haven't taken a single step out of this dim waiting room. My form is still shrouded in darkness. Furthermore, Yuna's waiting room is located quite far from mine. 'And yet, she found me right away.'

The fact that she locked eyes with me so confidently is unusual. During the last chase, Yuna pinpointed my exact location even when I was constantly changing my path. At first, I checked my entire body to see if she had marked me, but there were no such traces. Perhaps she tracked me by scent. If so, Yuna's senses might rival my own.

Yuna runs toward me, keeping her wide smile and waving arms. I walk slowly to meet her halfway.

"All warriors, gather before me."

Derban's voice pulls me away from Yuna. Even without a microphone, his voice fills the entire Colosseum. 'Amplification... no, is that Daemyeong-eum?'

Unlike simple amplification magic that only increases volume, Daemyeong-eum is a 4th-circle spell that can imbue the user's will into the sound. And the 4th circle is the first wall every mage faces. The fact that he crossed that wall means Derban, a martial artist, has a fair amount of knowledge in magic as well.

'He's an impressive man in many ways.'

"Teacher!"

"Ah, Yuna."

As I call her name, she leaps into my arms, and I catch her with both hands.

"Hee-hee. Soft."

Yuna rubs her face against my chest. I tighten my grip on her slightly. "Oof!" Yuna, buried in my chest, starts to squirm.

"Pfft..."

"Ugh..."

When I let her go, she looks up at me, puffing out her cheeks. I poke her inflated cheek with my finger.

"Nng!"

"Pfft..."

I poke her cheek-balloon a few more times before walking toward Derban, feeling everyone's gaze shift toward us. Ignoring the barrage of stares, I join the other gladiators waiting for us. As I slip into place among them, I meet Derban's steady gaze.

"...Hmm."

"...."

Derban strokes his chin, looking at me with interest. 'He seems to have a lot of questions.'

Someone like Derban can gauge a person's level of mastery at a glance. But right now, I don't fall into the category of an "ordinary person." The height of one's mastery is the firmness of their Simsang, and the firmness of the Simsang brings about changes in the body. In other words, it's rare for the Simsang and the body to be out of sync. But my body and Simsang are completely disconnected right now. Because this is a game character's body.

To Derban, my very existence must be a massive irregularity. We lock eyes for several seconds before Derban, who has to proceed with the address, is the first to look away.

"Proud warriors! Intense heroes! I, in the name of Ka En Derban, offer my respect to all of you who have climbed this far!"

Derban's address, starting with those words, is filled with intense will. A stern and powerful commitment to a glorious tournament. As I listen, a thought suddenly occurs to me.

'Can I drink an Ascension Potion?'

What if they call it doping? 'Hmm... I'll just drink it secretly.'

As I reach a conclusion and nod, the address is already nearing its end.

"To a glorious tournament!"

——!!!

A roar of cheers follows Derban's final words.

"Then, let the first match begin!"

The host's voice rings out, and the gladiators return to their waiting rooms, signaling the start of the main event.

"Teacher! See you later!"

I wave to Yuna as she jumps down from my arms and look straight ahead. The level of the guy in my sights is 62. He shows clear hostility, gripping his curved blades in both hands, so I take my stance in response.

"Hoo..."

"Oh! It seems the contestants are already prepared! No need to ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠delay!"

——!!

Ignoring the excited roar of the crowd, I observe my opponent. Curved blades in both hands, chainmail visible beneath his rough cloth armor. His two feet, planted firmly without losing balance, are typical of a technical fighter. And the faint sound of metal clashing together from his person. He must have hidden weapons.

"Then, the first match! Baldojang versus Dialloto! Begin!!!"

——!!

At the sound of the trumpet echoing through the arena, he moves. Dialloto walks toward me, circling slowly while keeping his eyes on me. Ignoring his gaze, I close my eyes and prepare to draw my sword.

Step, step.

Dialloto's footsteps close the distance. I track the sound of his feet, measuring the distance.

Step, step.

Usually, guys with hidden weapons prefer to chip away at their opponents by hitting and running. There's a set routine for guys like that at the start. They close the distance just enough for their hidden weapons to reach, while keeping out of the opponent's range. My job is just as clear.

Step, step.

Wait without rushing. As if spreading a net to catch a fish, I wait for him to enter my range.

Step.

And when that moment finally arrives.

Step.

"Head!"

I pull the net tight in an instant.

"Ugh!"

Dialloto, having blocked the sudden surprise attack, recoils as the distance closes unexpectedly.

"!"

I don't miss the movement, following him and swinging my sword.

Ishina-ryu - Illusion Sword, 4-Fold.

Clang-!

He manages to block both lethal strikes aimed at his head.

"Kuhk!!"

But two sword strokes he couldn't block shred his legs. An out-fighter who loses his legs is just an idiot with a weapon. As I aim a strike at the idiot's throat, one of his curved blades interferes.

Clang-!

"You'll be disappointed."

"Feint...!"

He hurriedly tries to pull out a hidden weapon, but after I kick his legs, Dialloto falls backward. I push his body down with my hand to ensure he's grounded, then hold my sword in a reverse grip and drive it down.

Thwack-

My sword, embedded right next to Dialloto's neck, emits a murderous chill. The engagement started in an instant and ended in an instant.

While the chat window is in a state of confusion, Dialloto's voice settles over the arena.

"...I lost."

——!!!

At that moment, cheers explode from the stands.

Baldojang! Baldojang! Baldojang!

Listening to the voices calling my name, I pull the katana from the ground and sheath it.

"...Master Baldojang."

"I don't take students."

"...Too bad."

Turning my back on the disappointed Dialloto, I walk toward my waiting area.

——!!!

Ignoring the applause, I turn my eyes to the waiting room where Yuna is. I see red eyes watching through the iron bars. As soon as we make eye contact, Yuna gives me a thumbs-up. I nod slightly and move on.

According to the bracket, I'll be meeting Yuna tomorrow morning. Until then.

'You'd better keep up, Yuna.'

I'll be looking forward to it.