「INCOMPETENT BA*STARD!!」
A huge, bear-like man spouted those words as he closed in on Kai
Heineman, but he was easily thrown back by a seemingly simple swing of
Kai's wooden sword. The swing sent the bear-like man rolling out of the
arena.
「S-SURROUND HIM!!」
Although several people leaped out to surround Kai upon hearing that loud
order, Kai destroyed the formation far too easily with a single step.
「B-BE CAREFUL! He might be using magic or something!」
Magic, THAT? You're absolutely wrong, idiots! It just looks like magic in
the eyes of those rookies since they can't recognize such a terrifying level
of mastery that it looks natural. In fact, even I could just barely perceive his
mastery. That showed just how terrifying was the ability of the youth that
those rookies called incompetent.
Then, they tried to use ranged attacks after realizing close combat had
failed. However, when I looked at Sigma, who stood beside me, I found that
he was drenched in a cold sweat as he looked at Kai. It seemed he also
didn't wish to make his move for now.
「Fireball!」
The magician-like man clad in a navy-colored robe shot a fireball.
However, Kai didn't dodge the incoming fireball. He simply waved his
wooden sword toward the fireball. For some reason, I caught a glimpse of
that fireball getting entwined with his wooden sword, then returning to its
caster. The returned fireball shot forth with an even greater speed and
collided with the caster. When the fireball hit him, the caster fell back and
passed out.
「M-MONSTE~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~R!!」
To be honest, this was the first time I had witnessed such a haphazard way
of avoiding a magic spell. Not even my master could do that. There was no
doubt about it. HE is a master, maybe even stronger than my master, who
already has monster-like strength.
After seeing that scene, Sigma also lost his chance to fire his prided magic
spell. I don't think I can beat that monster either. It's already a hopeless
situation where managing to graze that monster alone would place you
amongst the strongest swordsmen of this era. That's just how much the gap
of strength is between that monster and me.
What should I do now? Is there really no way to win against that monster
with frontal tactics? Should I cooperate with Sigma?
Nope, that's impossible! How can such a makeshift team beat that monster?
We will become the prey of that monster once we take the initiative to
attack him. As if I have fallen into a bottomless well, I can't move even a
single step from my spot while that seemingly impossible delusion sprouts
within my heart.
（Dammit!）
Merciless! He's way too merciless! Those greenhorn swordsmen and
mages, who I had looked down on until now, had dared to plunge toward
that monster! Yet, here I am, frozen on the spot, unable to make a move. My
current situation is no different from that of the young master, who had
been beaten first and was now trembling on the edge of the arena.
That young master seems to be the type that has rarely suffered a defeat
against an opponent from his generation. That might be the reason he had
gotten overconfident of his abilities.
Kai Heineman finally stopped moving for the first time ever since he beat
that young master. Then, he approached the blonde, female emcee, who was
watching the match in a daze since the start of the match.
""
「It's finished. Now it's your job to announce the victors of this round.」
At that moment, I also snapped out of my dazed state and realized that
except for Kai, that young master called Riku, Sigma, and I, everyone else
had already been thrown out of the arena.
「E-EH! The victor of the D-block's final preliminary round are Kai
Heineman, Riku Salvatore, Bri Stamp, and Sigma Rockwell!」
The entire venue was enveloped in total silence after that announcement.
Kai Heineman didn't even spare a glance at us; he simply descended from
the arena and left.
The silence was finally broken a while after Kai left the arena. A few
moments later, a huge uproar took place amongst the crowd.
「Bri, just who in the hell…」
Sigma came and asked me that with a ghastly pale face. I also wanted to
know the answer to that question the most. But, I guess it was natural for
him to ask such a question since he felt the same way as me.
「By the way, I can assure you of one thing. He's a far more powerful
swordsman than my master.」
「I agree with you about that. But, what shall we do now? Doesn't it mean
that we've already accomplished our duty?」
「You're right! Anyway, I think we have to gather the information about
him and establish a contact for now.」
""
「But, I don't think the other organization will just fold their arms,
waiti―」
「It's okay. No one in this country will try to scout the gift holder of a
trashy gift such as [The Most Incompetent in This World]. It's just a
matter of time for a foreign organization though.」
「Agreed! Anyhow, I'll go and report this matter to the tower master and
drop out from this tournament. We have to devise a plan as soon as
possible.」
「Roger that! I'll stay in this tournament and see the situation for now. Like
hell I'm gonna accept the fact that the reason I advanced was that I can't
move due to fear. I'm definitely not going to lose in a fight.」
「Hahaha! How typical of you! I shall take my leave then.」
After waving his right hand, Sigma descended from the arena and went
toward the tent of the tournament committee.
Yeah. Even if I try to scout that monster right now, I doubt he would be
interested in joining the organization where a coward like me came from.
I've to show him my, Bri Stamp's, guts!
「LET'S DO THIS!! I'll show you that I can at least graze your clothes.」
I know myself that it's an almost impossible feat, but I'll show that monster
that I can accomplish it.
I swore in the proud name of [Babel]!