Without warning, everyone started attacking each other. I don't know how they hid it, but people started whipping out their weapons from nowhere.
("I'll chalk it up to magic.") [Solace]
I've gotten so used to random things happening in this world that this much wouldn't even faze me.
"See ya little guy!" [???]
I turned to see a big sweaty muscular dude swinging a mace at me.
"Oh my." [Solace]
Is what escaped my lips as I ducked under the attack.
("I should counter now.") [Solace]
Just as I was about to make my move, the big guy backed away.
("Wow. I didn't expect him to retreat.") [Solace]
He was smarter than he looks.
"Set the world ablaze! |Fireball|!" [Big Sweaty Dude]
He conjured up a ball of fire the size of a basketball and launched it at me. Of course, I retaliated.
"Don't think so." [Solace]
I quite literally smacked it to the side.
("That was… mildly disappointing.") [Solace]
Honestly, I didn't even need to bring out my gauntlets. I checked beforehand and all the guys here are only around level 20 to 30. I was way too overleveled for this.
"You canceled my magic?!" [Big Sweaty Dude]
"Not really. I just smacked it away." [Solace]
"Impossible! How did you learn magic nullification?!" [Big Sweaty Dude]
"No, like I was saying-" [Solace]
"You must be wearing some kind of artifact!" [Big Sweaty Dude]
I punched him. There are no extra details since I literally just punched him. I got tired of dealing with him and that was the quickest solution.
("Oh. That knocked him out?") [Solace]
The guy was out cold on the ground. Seeing that, I took a look around for my next opponent.
("Hm…Everyone seems to still be fighting someone else.") [Solace]
There wasn't anyone free at the moment so I settled on wrapping things up quickly by what gamers would call "third partying".
"Hi." [Solace]
I snuck up behind someone and socked him in the chin. It surprised their opponent as well, but I made sure to give him the same treatment.
"Looks like someone has taken down three people by himself. Does he not look promising to you, hero?" [Ross]
I could hear her voice echoing from above. Maybe they forgot to turn off their magic microphone?
"He is indeed promising. I've had my eye on him for quite a while now. What do you have to say about his combat skills sir Urth?" [Wilharrow]
Nope, it was on purpose. They're commentating now.
"His close combat is very refined. I'm certain he has experience out in the field." [Urth]
"Of course he does, I trained him myself." [Vincent]
"Did you teach him how to cancel magic as well?" [Grotto]
"That one, he came up with on his own." [Vincent]
I could see Master put on a smug look.
"I'm glad he's doing well. I wouldn't be surprised if he took out all the challengers at once." [Vincent]
Their little narrating bit turned the rest of the participant's attention on me. Things were about to get annoying.
("I swear to the gods, Master has a gift in getting me in trouble.") [Solace]
It was like their pride took a hit. None spoke a word, yet they all brandished what weapons they had and rushed at me.
"It looks like they've decided to gang up on the boy." [Ross]
"He can handle it." [Vincent]
Indeed I could. I evaded a few attacks like the slices of a blade or the smashing of a hammer. There was someone trying to grab me a few times so I slapped away their hand.
("I'm not even getting any time to hit back!") [Solace]
I was completely focused on defense. If I want to take someone out, I'll have to eat a hit.
("Wait, it's just that simple.") [Solace]
I locked on to some poor dude, ignoring all the attacks coming at me. I got struck by a blast of wind, a dagger to my thigh, and a hammer to my ribcage before I struck down one of them. Luckily, the damage was something that I could brush off.
"You have gained |Experience|. |Experience| limit reached. |Temperance| has gained a level." [Spirit Guide]
Boy does it feel good knowing that I am a walking talking tank.
"Wow. He's unscathed." [Urth]
"What kind of training did you give him, sir Vincent?" [Wilharrow]
"The kind where it would be difficult for him to lose." [Vincent]
He wasn't wrong. Over time, I've been standing toe to toe with beings at least twenty levels above me.
("Let's spice things up a bit.") [Solace]
I showed them my physical prowess, time to show them my magical prowess.
"|Terra Javelin|." [Solace]
I conjured up some spears forged from earth. They stuck out of the ground so I had no choice other than to chuck it at my opponents.
"That's… an interesting way to use magic." [Grotto]
The speed at which I threw these spears were nothing to be scoffed at. Some of the fighters managed to dodge it by a hair's breadth, while the others weren't so lucky. The ones who were unable to avoid my onslaught would find themselves on the ground groaning in pain with a rocky stick embedded in their leg or something.
("Oh, I got a pretty good amount.") [Solace]
And then there were three. These guys were the cream of the crop. Their reaction speed was higher than I expected since they also dodged other spells I tried to use other spells like |Liquid Bullet| or |Wind Edge|.
("...I should probably work on my aim later.") [Solace]
Since magic wasn't very effective, I had to go with the good ol' fashioned left and right.
"Alright, c'mere." [Solace]
I used |Earthen Shield| multiple times to box the three in with me like a boxing ring. They seemed to quickly realize the situation they were in since they all lunged at me.
"It looks like things are about to get settled right here." [Wilharrow]
And settled it was. I planned on taking a hit from the big hammer to take one of them down, but little did I know it would lift me up and cause me to spin. Not only that, it allowed me to miraculously knock out two of them from my heel hitting their faces from sheer coincidence.
"That's incredible! I've never seen anything like that!" [Urth]
I landed on my feet; the hammer guy and I stared at each other in disbelief from what just happened.
"I forfeit." [Hammer Guy]
He dropped his weapon and raised his hands.
"Understandable." [Solace]