Chapter 167: The Festival of Swords (10)

Chapter 167: The Festival of Swords (10)

Morning had arrived. As announced by the organizers, the third test commenced around the break of dawn. Participants, just awakening from their slumber, gathered at the assembly point, rubbing their eyes. With each breath or word they uttered, white puffs of smoke dissipated into the cold air.

“Ugh, it’s cold. How cold can it possibly get in the sacred grounds?”

“It feels like full-on winter here.”

The second checkpoint was located halfway up the mountain. As the altitude increased, the concept of seasons gradually faded away. The guides, now clad in thick leather attire, bustled about, carrying various items. Most of them were enormous boxes containing an abundance of ingredients such as meat and vegetables.

“Is it for dinner tonight?”

“It seems like too much for just that.”

Those who witnessed the peculiar scene were taken aback. It seemed like a fervent effort to set up a new restaurant, involving various equipment. At that moment, a woman in slightly better outerwear stepped forward. She seemed to be in charge of overseeing this test. Clapping her hands to draw attention, she began to speak.Updated from novelbIn.(c)om

“Good morning, everyone. It’s already the third test. The participant with the highest performance today will be awarded a priority selection voucher for the final test.”

“A priority selection voucher?”

“Yes. As you may know, the final test involves sparring with participants from Gran Parzan. Originally, opponents are randomly assigned, but with a priority selection voucher, you can choose your opponent for the duel.”

Ronan’s eyes widened. This was an unexpected gain. It seemed like a means to boost enthusiasm, much like acquiring the sword from the first test. Ronan and Russell exchanged glances almost simultaneously. Since they were at a distance, they communicated through facial expressions.

– You... is this...!

– Lucky you. Looks like we won’t have to resort to any surprise tricks.

– Well, are you confident?

– Let’s give it a try, at least.

Ronan nodded in agreement. It was a fortunate turn of events. It appeared that aiming for the selection voucher was not exclusive to them, judging by the fiery gazes of other participants.

“Essentially, it’s a ticket to the sacred grounds.”

“Hehehe, this is great.”

Upon reflection, it was a natural reaction. By selecting someone who appeared reasonably weaker than oneself, victory could be easily secured. The guide clapped his hands again to silence the crowd and added.

“Furthermore, in this test, there will be no division into groups or camps. There won’t be any participants dueling with swords among themselves. It might be an unfamiliar challenge, but we wish you all good health.”

Once again, people started to murmur. This test seemed to be different from the two conducted earlier. The guide turned back after delivering those words. Participants followed, engaging in various conversations.

“...Well, it turned out well, didn’t it? We managed to grasp the situation among ourselves.”

“Yeah, you’re right. Exactly.”

The majority of participants showed a positive response to the new direction of the test. Despite being competitors, spending days together, overcoming life and death situations, naturally led to a bond forming among them. Eventually, the consensus emerged that the real important thing was the final test against Aran Parzan, and the third test was merely a nominal scarecrow test.

It didn’t take long for them to realize that it was indeed a misconception.

****

“Take this!”

“Chwiek!”

A fully-armored knight swung his sword. The broadsword traced a perfect arc as the head of the orc soared into the air. The surrounding orcs, larger and more ferocious than the average, hesitated and retreated.

“Chwiik! Chwiik!”

“Now, the next order... number 44.”

“That’s me.”

Ronan stood up. He was the first among his group. Nonchalantly, Navirose remarked.

“Just don’t do anything reckless.”

“Surely, you don’t think I would.”

Ronan waved his hand as if to dismiss the concern, and then descended into the arena. The space was vast when seen up close, easily surpassing twice the size of the training ground of a top-tier adventure guild. Suddenly, a translucent illusion appeared in front of Ronan. The supervisor spoke.

“Well, please specify the monster and the number.”

Various monsters paraded in front of him. With a hundred to choose from, it seemed like he could create a zoo. Ronan shook his head, as if there was nothing for him to see. Looking up at the supervisor, he declared,

“All of them.”

“...What did you just say?”

“I’m picking all one hundred. In order from the most dangerous.”

Ronan’s voice echoed confidently. Navirose’s eyebrows furrowed noticeably. The spectators in the stands started to buzz.

“You.”

Lynn rose from her seat. Even she, who was usually composed, couldn’t hide her bewilderment. Ronan turned to the group with a smirk, showing the V sign. The bewildered supervisor asked with a perplexed tone.

“...Are you serious?”

“Yes.”

Ronan nodded without a hint of hesitation. He had planned for this moment from the beginning of the test. It wasn’t just to secure the priority selection voucher. He had a wry smile on his face.

‘I guess I’m quite the bastard too.’

His heart was pounding rapidly. Ever since Russell provided information about the demon, Ronan had been feeling this way whenever a battle with a formidable opponent was anticipated. It was a chronic condition that flared up in Ronan. Taking a deep breath, he tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword. This seemed to improve his state somewhat. Suddenly, the face of the Betrayer, someone eerily similar to him, crossed his mind.

‘Am I carrying that bastard’s blood after all?’

The thought occurred to him that it might be a hereditary condition. Despite having lived two lives, he hadn’t found the right name for the emotions attached to this feeling. Was it a fighting spirit? Anticipation? Or perhaps an extreme thrill due to heightened tension? In truth, whatever it was didn’t matter. There was only one way to extinguish the fire.

“Haa... I understand. Please prepare a hundred monsters.”

The supervisor, releasing a deep sigh, gestured for the judges to get busy. Shortly after, our gate began to open fully. The defensive barrier that doubled as a door vanished. The grinding sound of gears, resonating like the growl of a primeval beast, felt ominously powerful. Hundreds of pairs of eyes glinted in the darkness.

“Did he lose his mind?”

“Ronan! You agreed to join our knights! Stop this foolishness!”

“Good. I didn’t want to see his ugly face anyway.”

The audience remained restless. Amidst the shock, ridicule, and indifference, a eulogy for the fallen warrior echoed in our ears. The inexplicable excitement continued to burn in Ronan’s heart. Blood was needed. Blood to quench the fire.

“Then, let’s start the test for participant number 44.”

With the supervisor’s announcement, the gate opened completely. The double doors, previously held by the defensive barrier, disappeared. A hundred monsters poured out like a tidal wave. Ronan, lifting the corner of his mouth in a smirk, eyed the creatures and muttered.

“You all better cool me down a bit.”

The roars of a hundred creatures drowned out the noise from the audience. Ronan pulled at the hilt of his sword.