After killing some time, my match time finally arrived, so I returned to the waiting room.
"Ah, Orun-san! I've been looking for you! Why weren't you in the waiting room? Geez—"
The staff member, who had obviously been searching for me, immediately started complaining the moment she saw me.
"Sorry. I went for a little walk."
"…Fine. The previous match has already started, so please prepare."
As she spoke, the previous match apparently ended.
Derrick entered the waiting room from the arena. The moment he caught sight of me, he glared with pure fury.
"Hey! Get up there! Tomorrow I'll beat you to a pulp in front of the crowd!"
He was as loud as ever. I'd already told him not to get involved anymore, yet here he was picking another fight.
Well… this was partly my fault too.
"Cheering me on? Thanks."
"I'm not cheering for you!"
I traded light jabs with Derrick and left the waiting room.
Deeper inside, the circular arena spread out before me.
"That bracelet is a magic tool, right? Magic tools are prohibited in the arena. Please hand over the main body or any attached magic stones."
I'd already heard the rule beforehand, so I wasn't surprised. I stored the right bracelet, then took out the belt and the two tournament-use swords.
Next, I removed the magic stone from the left bracelet and handed it to the staff member.
I didn't want to hand my magic tools over to strangers, after all.
I wrapped the belt around my waist, hung the longsword at my left hip, and positioned the shortsword horizontally at the small of my back.
While I was preparing, the host's voice echoed through the arena.
"Now—today's matches are down to the final one! The ace of 'Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky' and top favorite to win this tournament—'Dragon Slayer' Orun Dula! Facing him is the one who skyrocketed from the 86th to the 89th floor in just one month—currently the closest to S-rank—Loretta Weber of 'Jade Gale'!"
The host's announcement drew cheers as loud as those for the first match, sweeping across the entire arena.
Everyone's so full of energy…
With preparations complete, I slowly walked to my designated position in the arena.
◇
"Nice to meet you, 'Dragon Slayer.' To think I'd face the top favorite in the first round—my luck really sucks. But if I beat you, our party becomes famous overnight. So I'll take the win!"
"…Win or lose, your party's fame won't change that dramatically from one victory. You jumped from the 86th to the 89th floor in just one month, after all."
Yes. Last month, the A-rank party that had advanced the furthest was Bernard-san's group in "Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky."
But in this single month, they had shot straight to the top of the A-rank parties.
This rapid progress deserved honest praise.
Mid-layers were one thing, but conquering lower layers in such a short time was no easy feat.
"Still not enough. We'll pass Copper, pass Rabbit, pass Dawnlight—and become the 'Hero' party!"
Loretta readied the two longswords she held in both hands.
Could a woman handle dual longswords well without buffs? Especially in terms of muscle strength.
She had a standard build, so I couldn't help thinking the swords would drag her around.
"Yeah. I cheer for your goal, but I have my own reasons I can't afford to lose. I'll take the victory."
I drew the longsword from my left hip, lowered my center of gravity slightly, and relaxed my entire body.
"Both fighters seem ready! Round 1, Match 8—begin!"
At the host's signal, the battle began.
Immediately after the start, Loretta rushed forward.
I stayed still and focused on watching her movements.
Once she entered sword range, Loretta swung her right-hand sword horizontally—right to left from my perspective.
—As I expected, she was somewhat swung around by the sword's weight.
The sword's weight didn't suit her, so the attack was slow.
I easily dodged it, and without pause, she swung the left-hand sword along almost the same trajectory as the right one.
After being dragged so much by the momentum, I judged there would be a large opening once the left sword finished—counter time.
—but right after, from my lower left, a sword tip rushed toward my throat.
"—!"
I immediately stopped my attack, twisted my body to dodge the thrust, and leaped backward to create distance.
Loretta had thrust with her right sword immediately after swinging the left one.
That movement required a solid core.
(So the appearance of being swung around by the sword was a bluff?)
"Oh—you reacted? I wanted to finish you off with that rush!"
Loretta spoke lightly while closing the distance and swinging again.
Her sword speed wasn't that fast, so dealing with it was possible.
But the number of attacks was high.
She was maximizing the advantages of dual-wielding.
I could dodge or parry her slashes, but I couldn't transition to attack.
"Unexpected development! Orun can't shift to offense! He's just barely hanging on defending!?"
We clashed swords dozens of times.
(I've mostly grasped her movements. —About time.)
While defending, I observed her fully and moved to counterattack.
Loretta compensated for her slow speed with sheer volume.
But the tempo of her attacks was almost constant—easy to read.
First, to disrupt that rhythm, I drew the shortsword from my waist and struck her right sword just before her attack.
"—!?"
With her rhythm broken, I swung the longsword.
Loretta immediately shifted to defense—blocked my attack with her left sword and backstepped to create distance.
I closed in for pursuit, but she had already steadied herself and swung her right sword.
Unfortunately, that attack wouldn't reach me.
I had already read that her attacks started from the right sword—and her range.
Her strike fell just short and whiffed.
Right after the whiff, I swung the longsword at her right arm.
Blunted—no cut—but I felt her bone break through the sword.
I tried to follow up with the shortsword in my left hand, but she leaped back far again—creating distance—so I abandoned it.
Instead, I threw the shortsword at her landing timing.
Loretta dodged the incoming shortsword—lost balance—created an opening.
I closed distance and swung the longsword horizontally with full power.
While collapsing, she blocked with her left sword—but couldn't brace—dropped the sword—and fell on her butt.
I pointed the sword tip right before her eyes.
"Yeah—my loss."
"Match over! Winner—Orun of 'Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky'! One-sided after shifting to offense! As expected—strong, 'Dragon Slayer'!"
The host's excited voice drew even louder cheers from the crowd.
…Still so loud.
"Ahh—lost after all… Buff-less improvised style wasn't enough against an opponent this tough~"
"Indeed—that wasn't your usual fighting style."
"Yeah. Just an excuse, though."
She handled herself well, but calling this A-rank party ace level? Questionable.
"Right arm—sorry."
"No—don't apologize. I was prepared for injury the moment I entered this tournament."
Injuries are natural in the martial arts tournament.
Excellent healers are stationed.
She'll receive treatment soon—probably fully healed today.
"Then—good luck in the next match! Win the championship. Then I can excuse my first-round loss as 'lost to the champ'!"
"Understood. I planned to win from the start anyway."
Thus, my first-round match ended in victory.
Through this fight, I thought again.
This tournament's rules and explorers have the worst compatibility.
Personally grateful—but if the public thinks this represents high-rank explorer strength, it's a bit disappointing.
And so, day one of the [High-Rank Explorer Division] ended.
Three more wins to the championship.
Next—quarterfinals and finals won't be easy, but for the clan—and above all, for myself—I can't afford to lose.
◇◇◇
"Good morning, everyone! Yesterday's excitement still lingers—second round begins!"
The host's high-energy voice pulled the crowd into hype once again, just like yesterday.
"Now—today's matchups! First—Hero Party's Oliver vs 'Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky''s Willkus. Second—'Copper Twilight''s Hart vs 'Ultramarine Shower''s Olaf. Third—'Amber Flash''s Kiron vs 'Copper Twilight''s Fuka. Fourth—Hero Party's Derrick vs 'Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky''s Orun! Especially the first and fourth—S-rank clashes! What battles will we see today—"
"Will—how's your condition?"
Orun—waiting in the room with me—asked.
"Not bad. Simulated yesterday's Oliver fight—gonna win."
His style—attack is the best defense—all offense.
Only attacks—good matchup for me.
"…Referencing yesterday's Oliver fight—not great. Not meaningless—but."
Orun warned in a concerned tone.
"Know. Yesterday's style might be misdirection. I'll see through it carefully."
"Now—time! Second round high-rank division begins! First match—yesterday's overwhelming barrage instant win—Hero Party Oliver Cardiff! Vs parried attacks—controlled pace—skillful—'Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky' Willkus Severy!"
Called—I walked to the arena center.
Opposite—Oliver approached.
Aura impressive. Somewhat like Orun…
"Go easy—Hero-sama."
"…Easy? Don't joke. Crush full power."
Casual greeting—serious reply.
Sharp gaze—seemed could kill with look.
But intent to go full—clear.
Switched mindset—readied dual blades.
"Then—second round first match—begin!"
Host—big drum sounded.
"…?"
Unlike yesterday—no immediate attack.
Cautious? No way.
My style—react to enemy attacks.
Smart opponent seeing yesterday—knows I don't initiate.
Then—I move—seize initiative!
"Oh—Willkus moves first! Opposite yesterday!"
Closed in—still gripped sword—watched movements.
Similar to Orun there.
But response—Orun superior.
Mock battles many—counter ready!
Swung dual blade.
Blade neared—yet still unmoving.
(What? Move or counter miss—!?)
Blade reached—not hit something… attack stopped.
Checked—golden mass in air.
(This—[Mana Convergence]—!?)
Stopped—Oliver blade rushed.
Counter wary—reacted—but not full dodge—tip hit side.
"Guh"
Blunted—no cut—but strong hit. Hurt…
Endured pain—blocked second strike dual blade.
(Too heavy…)
Couldn't parry—took head-on—unexpectedly heavy.
Still endured—clashed guards.
Planned steady—opposite blade attack—but Oliver pulled sword.
Almost stumbled—caught—his attack already coming.
Blocked—but current me—can't parry. Can't take head-on.
Barely holding.
"Oliver torrent rush! Willkus defends—defensive! Can turn around!?"
Oliver attacks unrelenting—grinding stamina.
No room steady.
(…Master said—understood couldn't beat Oliver. But this gap… From stare-down—entirely on his palm…)
"Will!! Do your best!!"
(—!)
Amid crowd noise—felt Lucre voice.
(Giving up mode!? Can't show pathetic! Even lose—leave mark!)
While collapsing—forced diagonal block—Oliver sword slid over dual blade.
"What!?"
"Haa!"
Swung through—blade hit Oliver abdomen—he flew back.
(Felt impact. Big damage—)
Full power—yet Oliver stood like nothing.
(Direct hit. Why!?)
"Surprised. Thought finish rush."
"Surprised here…"
"Then next. Can endure? Rabbit Shield."
Said—Oliver blade glowed gold.
(This Heaven Flash!? Bad!)
Normal dual blade—could negate.
But tournament weapon—pure striking.
Direct hit that dangerous—can't stand!
Or die!?
Rushed close—prevent Heaven Flash.
Oliver smiled.
(Bluff!?)
Thought unmoving—moment—Oliver closed—gold-wrapped blade hit—consciousness lost.