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 clearly been searching for me—immediately started complaining the moment she saw me.
"Sorry. I took 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 spotted me, he glared with pure fury.
"Hey! Get up there! I'll smash you in front of the crowd tomorrow!"
He's still as loud as ever. I already told him not to involve himself anymore, yet he keeps picking fights.
Well, part of this is my fault too.
"Cheering me on? Thanks."
"I'm not cheering!"
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 had already heard about this 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 don't want to hand my magic tools over to strangers, after all.
I wrapped the belt around my waist, hung the long sword at my left waist, and the short sword horizontally at my back waist.
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 of 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 voice drew cheers as loud as those for the first match across the entire arena.
Everyone's 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 much. You jumped from the 86th to the 89th floor in just one month."
Yes. Last month, the A-rank party that advanced the furthest was the one Bernard-san belongs to in "Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky".
But in this single month, they shot straight to the top of A-rank parties.
This rapid progress deserves honest praise.
Mid-layers are one thing, but conquering lower layers in such a short time is no easy feat.
"Still not enough. We'll pass Copper, pass Rabbit, pass Dawnlight—and become the 'Hero'!"
Loretta readied the two long swords she held in both hands.
Can a woman handle them well without buffs? In terms of muscle strength.
She has a standard build, so I feel like the swords would drag her around.
"Yeah. I cheer for your goal, but I have my own reasons I can't lose. I'll take the victory."
I drew the long sword from my left waist, lowered my center of gravity slightly, and relaxed my entire body.
"Both fighters seem ready! Round 1 Match 8—begin!"
At the host's words, 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 from my perspective—right to left.
—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 swinging so much with the sword's weight dragging her, I judged there would be a large opening after 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! 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 short sword from my waist and struck her right sword just before her attack.
"—!?"
With her rhythm broken, I swung the long sword.
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 long sword at her right arm.
Blunted—no cut—but I felt her bone break through the sword.
I tried to follow up with the short sword in my left hand, but she leaped back far again—creating distance—so I abandoned it.
Instead, I threw the short sword at her landing timing.
Loretta dodged the incoming short sword—lost balance—created an opening.
I closed distance and swung the long sword 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.