Chapter 36: A Different Kind of Showdown with the Brave! The Elves Look Sideways!
The tranquility after the expedition was broken by an unusual stir, as members of the Loki Familia whispered amongst themselves—
The main executives had been unusually busy lately. Each day, after handling the Familia's affairs, they would dive into the training ground and stay for a long time.
At this moment on the training ground, the moonlight, like a frosty cloak, draped over Bete, whose speed was like a ghost.
He left afterimages in his wake, his legs imbued with moonlight, as a flurry of kicks rained down on Arthur!
Sharp whooshing sounds tore through the air, but they were all blocked by the indestructible white-gold sword curtain, leaving only the fierce clang of metal echoing through the field!
Though his offense was more incisive than ever, it still yielded no results. Bete was not disheartened; instead, he grew more determined with each setback.
After all, he had grown accustomed to being trampled this past week. This level was nothing!
On the right side of the training ground, the Amazon sisters and Ais had already finished their sparring, and all three turned their heads.
Bete's usual kicking techniques were broad and sweeping, but now, with the power of Moon Breathing, they had an added touch of elusive trickery.
The three women watched Bete's rare focused expression in the arena, conversing in low voices.
"Bete's speed… has improved again?"
"Hmm, Young Arthur said that although Bete's magic power isn't high, his compatibility with Moon Breathing is surprisingly good!"
"Damn it! Why does it feel like only that guy won the jackpot?!"
Tione gritted her teeth, her tone filled with unwillingness.
"If you're not convinced, then go cultivate Sun Breathing, you idiot Amazon!"
Bete and Arthur, who had just finished their sparring, walked over side by side. The former was breathing heavily, but his taunt was still precise.
Tione's eyebrows shot up, and she immediately put her hands on her hips and retorted.
"I don't need you to remind me! You stupid wolf who's also incompatible with Sun Breathing!"
Bete snorted lightly. In his good mood, he surprisingly didn't continue the argument.
Arthur walked to the side of the field, took two sips of water, and explained in a deep voice.
"Everyone's Breathing Technique has been mastered. Next, it's time to challenge maintaining it for extended periods."
At these words, everyone's faces showed difficulty.
Maintaining a specific breathing rhythm all day was not difficult, but adding the constant coordination with the flow of magic power within the body made the difficulty self-evident.
Arthur ignored their troubled expressions and continued to entice them.
"When the Breathing Technique reaches its peak, its uses are endless. While not omnipotent, it allows you to surpass your yesterday's self every day."
With that, he turned and walked out of the training ground.
"I'll go report the situation to Finn and the others. You all can rest for a bit."
…
Captain's meeting room.
Finn and Gareth were discussing logistical supply matters when Arthur pushed the door open.
"Captain, Old Man Gareth, the executives' training progress report has been compiled."
"You've worked hard."
Finn put down the logistics documents in his hand and reached out to take the parchment Arthur handed him.
It meticulously recorded the training progress of all executives, including himself.
While Finn reviewed the report, Gareth and Arthur exchanged a few pleasantries, then Gareth left with a document.
A bored Arthur's gaze swept across the meeting room. Suddenly, something entirely different from the surrounding decor caught his attention—
It was a finely crafted Go set.
Finn finished reviewing the report and followed Arthur's gaze. Seeing him staring at the board, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.
"Tione gave me that. It's said to be an elegant game popular among the Eastern Gods. Arthur, are you… also interested?"
Arthur smiled faintly: "I wouldn't say I understand it, but I know a thing or two."
At these words, Finn's eyes lit up.
He had always loved strategy games and believed that such games among the gods best embodied the essence of military strategy.
However, few in the Familia were willing to play against him.
Even Riveria, who was also known for her wisdom, was unwilling to contend with him on the chessboard.
Seeing Arthur show interest in Go, Finn's spirits soared. Without further ado, he pulled the other person to play a game.
The game quickly began. Finn initially only wanted to play a quick game to satisfy his craving.
Unexpectedly, as the pieces continued to fall, he gradually became engrossed, even forgetting about his official duties.
Time slipped by silently amidst the black and white pieces.
…
Clang—!
The melodious chime of a bell drifted through the window, signaling that dinner time had arrived.
Finn and Arthur sat opposite each other at the Go board, both with furrowed brows, staring at the intricate game. They remained silent for a long time, each lost in thought.
Although the outcome was still undecided, both sides already felt it.
They were walking on the edge of a cliff; a slight misstep would lead to an irreversible, complete defeat.
Finn looked up at Arthur, full of vigor. The performance of this super rookie truly astonished him.
Not only did he possess adventurer potential far beyond ordinary people, but could his strategic wisdom also rival his own?
No!
If not for the needle-like warnings his thumb gave him several times during the game, allowing him to re-examine the board, he probably would have been defeated by now.
Finn was secretly shocked, but the turmoil in Arthur's heart was even more intense.
As a special existence of Chaldea, his mind contained countless military strategies from ancient and modern times, and he was intimately familiar with the way of Go.
Yet, he still couldn't completely suppress his opponent?
During the game, Arthur set up multiple intricate traps, both overt and covert, but Finn always navigated the dangers with ease, defusing them one by one.
As the endgame approached, Arthur's killing move was about to succeed, but Finn inadvertently licked his thumb, then made a move, once again narrowly avoiding the trap!
Arthur's heart tightened: This… isn't cheating, is it?
Wait!
Thumb? Cheating?
In a flash, a neglected detail surged into Arthur's mind.
He suddenly looked up, his sharp gaze piercing Finn, filled with incredible surprise and doubt!
Finn Mac Cumhaill from Celtic mythology?
That thumb stained with the broth of the Salmon of Knowledge?
Could the legend be true?
This incredible ability was even more unreasonable than his proud intuition!
Creak—!
The meeting room door slowly opened, and the elven beauty with emerald hair walked in with a hint of reproach.
"Finn, you… Arthur is here too?"
"Perfect, what are you two doing? Don't you know everyone is waiting for you in the dining room to eat?"
The Loki Familia had an unwritten rule: everyone eats together!
So, every morning and evening at mealtime, except for members on patrol, everyone else had to be present before they could start eating.
Now, with the Captain and Arthur still not back, the Familia members in the dining room were already eagerly awaiting them.
Finn and Arthur exchanged glances, then tacitly stood up simultaneously and apologized.
"Sorry, I was the one who pulled Arthur into a game of Go and lost track of time."
"No, I am also at fault. I got engrossed in the game and forgot the time."
Riveria's delicate brows furrowed. Her gaze swept over the black and white Go board, but she didn't comment immediately.
Then, Finn motioned for Arthur to go to the dining room first, saying he would clean up the board.
As soon as Arthur left, Riveria eagerly leaned over the board, scrutinizing it intently.
"The victory is not yet decided. The white pieces are…?"
Finn replied frankly: "They are mine. It was truly just a little bit more."
Riveria turned her face, her features, beautiful enough to make a goddess pale, filled with astonishment.
She had known Finn for decades and was well aware of how profound her old friend's wisdom was. Yet, he was almost defeated by a fledgling young man?
"The game is like a mirror, reflecting the heart. How would you evaluate your opponent?"
"His play is aggressive, prioritizing offense over defense, with a strong sense of personal heroism, but—"
Finn's gaze returned to the black pieces on the board, which formed a Surround (wei) or encirclement, and he mused.
"He isn't reckless; rather, he deeply understands the truth that sacrifice is sometimes necessary."
"He's still so young. What kind of experiences could have forged such a temperament?"
The look of inquiry in Riveria's beautiful eyes deepened. Her curiosity about this new companion had already reached its peak.