Semifinals to decide the challenger for the Reiou Title.
My opponent here is Capito, the young dog beastman with a refreshing air to him.
"Are you nervous?"
"Eh, ahh, yes. It's my first time participating... and also…"
"Hmm?"
"Never would've I expected to see the day where I would be facing you, Second-nikan, the person who I respect and admire... I would love to tell the me of a few months ago that dreams do come true."
So, rather than nervous, he's fidgety because he feels honored.
"Then, let me, the one you feel admiration towards, say one thing."
"Yes, what would that be?"
"Please, stop calling me "double crown" (nikan)."
"Uhhh...Did I disrespect you by calling you that?"
"No, it's just that it would make things complicated in the future. After all, I'm about to become triple crown (sankan). And eight crowns (hachikan) by next season, so…"
"...Ah, hahahaha! I understand, Second-san. However, I'm not going to go easy, I'll stop you!"
"I wouldn't want anything less!"
It seems like he's quite pumped up. Let's get this party started then.
"Participants, to your position!"
We took some distance from each other at the referee's command.
In the case of the Reiou matches, the starting position is a bit further away when compared with the other title matches. This is so that when both sides summon their monster or spirit forth, they will appear at the normal distance a regular contestant would.
"――Begin!"
The command came.
Without missing a single beat, Capito activated "Monster Summoning". Got to give it to him, he's got nice reflexes.
"OHHHHH."
Buzz erupted in the arena.
The reason obviously being the monster he summoned――"An Earth Dragon". A huge dragon with a total length of about 7 or 8 meters of the earth attribute.
I see now. If he was able to "Tame" this guy, it's no wonder he could gain experience at a fast pace.
"Possession."
As I faced the Earth Dragon, I used "Spirit Summoning" to call forth Angolmois, and almost at the same time, I used "Spirit Possession". Eliminating the time wasted, no matter how few seconds that is, is an effective way to deal with the gap summoners tend to show.
"Ggh...!"
Capito seemed to have noticed the intention behind my actions. So, after seeing my "Spirit Possession", he quickly retreated behind the Earth Dragon.
A summoner's weakness is the summoner themself. He surely is wary of my actions, thinking along the lines of "if he targets me, it's over".
Well, he's not alone, everyone would think the same.
And adding to that, there's my particular case, namely the raising of various skills such as [Swordsmanship], [Archery], [Shield Arts], and [Magic]. In other words, the accumulated experience I have is nothing to scoff at. Therefore, my raw stats are quite high due to that. And with "Spirit Possession" being active, those stats have increased four and a half times, so I'm quite strong even without using a weapon. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call myself a human weapon.
I'm sure everyone present thought that, by taking advantage of my unusually high STR and AGI, which was further boosted by 4.5 times, I would quickly approach Capito and do him in, which would have settled the match in an instant.
But that's just boring.
I'm letting myself be known, letting myself provoke them. The plan is to attract the best players for the summer title matches. I can't ignore the Eishou matches in that regard.
Therefore, I have to be showy today. Or rather, I want to be showy.
...Earth Dragon. Its strength is said to be about in between an Emerald and a Crimson Dragon. So, about twice as strong as a White Dragon.
Time limit: 1 hour. Weapons: none. Skills allowed: "Spirit Summoning"type...Can I do it?
"Rather, let's do it."
"（What? Do you mean I'm not going to come out?）"
"（It would all end in an instant the moment I let you lose. That would be boring.）"
"（So long as my partner has a backbone, I'm happy.）"
"（You and me both.）"
"（...By the way, what are you planning to do against an earth dragon while unarmed?）"
"（Well, I'm planning on giving the audience an interesting show.）"
"（Ohh, I see. Wait, you don't mean... Hey, wait, My Second, why don't you at least use a sword!?）"
"（That'll be boring.）"
"（Hey, I'm telling you! Stop! And what's with that phrase, do you like it that much?! Hey!）"
While being possessed by Angolmois, I struck the Earth Dragon with my bare hands.
"EEEEEHHHHHHH!!?"――Astonishing voices echoed from the audience seats. Good, it seems to be working.
My punch was a critical hit. The damage was lower than a Soldier Swordsmanship strike by a hair's breadth. Alright, if a critical did this much damage, I guess I can do it.
With a cry of pain, the Earth Dragon twisted and turned its body, trying to retaliate. It turned its face away, diagonally downward. A typical action that preceded a tail attack.
"Hoo."
I got down, lying on the ground in order to avoid the tail attack. Not a moment later, a huge tail the size of a small car passed overhead along with the sound of air being sliced. Ohh, scary.
Okay, my turn now. During "Spirit Possession", my AGI is increased so much it's stupid, I mean, it gets to the point that it appears as if I was teleporting around, so there's plenty of room to dodge's an opponent's attack. And my STR is also increased as well. In other words, if I want to do some damage, now it's the time.
"Ora ora ora ora oraaa!"
I hit the leg of the Earth Dragon with a flurry of consecutive punches, shaving off some of its HP.
"（It's about to run out.）"
Just as I was having fun, "Spirit Possession" time was about to be up. So soon, have 310 seconds already passed? The next time it'll become usable will be after 250 seconds. Until then, I'll have to hold up on my own.
"Haah..."
The possession came undone, making my body suddenly feel heavier.
Still, the Earth Dragon continued to attack without holding anything back.
"AAAOON!"
It gave a silly sound. Looks like a breath is coming, so I took evasive actions, moving in a large circle around the Earth Dragon. Immediately after, the dragon spat out a beam that seemed just like a pyroclastic flow from its mouth. This is an attack that isn't that difficult to avoid if you know it is coming.
If I still had possession, I'd retaliated at this moment, but unfortunately, I couldn't use it for 231 more seconds. Therefore, I devoted my everything to evading.
Preparing to jump was the telltale sign of a slam attack. So, the thing to do there was to run perpendicular to the direction the Earth Dragon was facing, in order to completely avoid it.
Taking two steps back was the sign of a Rush attack. You could easily avoid it by fearlessly waiting for its charge to the very last moment, and then jumping to the left or the right.
...Well then. While thinking about so and dodging everything, 250 seconds have passed since it came undone.
"Possession."
One set is about 560 seconds. The time limit is 3600 seconds. In other words, I can only do this, six and a half times in total. Will that be enough for me to defeat the Earth Dragon?
It appears this will be a close call...At least I think so. It'll be a gamble.
Cool, I'm starting to get pumped up.
"Let's get it done..."
＊ ＊ ＊
I could only stare in shock at the scene before me.
Before the match, I was sure Second-san would aim at me while in the state of Spirit Possession.
It will all boil down to whether my partner can stop him or not. Or so I thought.
But...What the heck is this?
Is it normal to hit an Earth Dragon with your bare hands?
I mean, It's a dragon, right? You 'can' punch it. No, no, no. That's not the point.
For a moment I thought this person was actually an idiot.
But as time went on. I began to realize Second-san's true intentions.
This is what being "mesmerizing" means. It is part of his bottomless charm, which fascinates everyone.
And despite me being in the middle of a match, I couldn't help but be mesmerized by it.
Amazing. I knew it, you're the best...!
"――HA! Did you see it?! I just barely!!"
With less than 10 seconds left in the match, Second-san finally stunned the Earth Dragon.
He won; this man just won. It took him an hour to beat the Earth Dragon with his bare hands, but he won.
There are only five seconds left. If I run away in this time left, my HP won't go down, so it will end up in a draw.
Well, I wouldn't. No way I could do such an embarrassing thing.
"I forfeit."
With a smile on my face, I resigned.
"That's enough! Winner, Second Firstest!"
――After a moment of complete silence, the entire arena was filled with an unprecedented cheer.
Well, it's hard not to get excited. He won the match with less than ten seconds left.
I think this was a gamble on Second-san's part. A challenge to see whether he could do this by reaching his limits. Otherwise, he would've used a sword or some other weapon. And I'm certain Second-san is the only person who would take such a gamble on the stage of the Reiou title matches.
Was I underestimated? Don't be ridiculous, I was obviously underestimated, it's only natural. There was heaven and earth-like difference in our abilities. Rather, I'd like to thank him for making this an exciting match without ending it instantly. Besides, it's Second-san. Even if he couldn't defeat the Earth Dragon, to think he would fight against it with his bare hands. Whether it ended in a tie or as a loss, it wouldn't have mattered.
...This changes nothing. He can say whatever he wants and do whatever he needs. There are core values to him, and there's power in his actions. Nothing has changed ever since the first time I saw Second-san. Nothing.
He told the adventurer who hunted newcomers at the Adventurer's Guild "The adventurer's guild is rotten". In a dignified and clear manner. Moreover, he looked at every person at the guild in the eyes, and despite being an F-ranked adventurer who had just registered, he said "It is the teacher's duty to look over and take care of bad students". I remember it clearly.
When our eyes met back then, a shock ran throughout my body. At the same time, I felt deeply ashamed of myself for looking away from those cruel actions. I felt shame, I felt guilt.
No, I can't go back to the way I way before, I won't.
I want to be like this person.
A strong man with core values who can say and do what he wants.
"Good luck on the finals."
"That's a given; I'll surprise everyone here. Ohh, and tomorrow I'll hold a triple crown celebration party, so you should come."
"Yes! I will absolutely come...definitely!"
A clean defeat.
I still have a long way to go. I'm not there yet.
And even though I lost today, I felt strangely motivated.
Alright, let's also do my best...!
＊ ＊ ＊
"――Second, good thing I found you. I have something to ask for you to do."
When the first match was over and I was walking down the aisle towards the spectator seats, I heard a voice call me from behind.
"Huh? Ah, it's you, Maine. What's up, what are you doing in such a place?"
Turning around revealed Maine standing there.
"Be careful with your wording. But more importantly, I have a favor to ask you."
"Eh? Well, for now, let's hear it."
I was thrown off by the strangely stiff atmosphere and his strange choice of words, but I guess it's probably because we're in "public" right now. I suppose being the King is quite a lot of work.
"I have received a report stating there's a large number of monsters inside the Reus Dungeon. And currently, you're the only person who can confirm the situation and deal with it, Second. Would you be so kind to go and analyze the situation?"
"Reus? Sure, I don't mind."
"...Okay."
"What's wrong?"
"Is that not a problem for your Reiou match?"
Ohh, I see. But didn't Maine know the existence of Anko already? Well, I guessed something like this might happen some time so I already visited most places in and around the Royal Capital with Anko. I can transfer around as much as I want.
"It's alright, leave it to me."
"I see. In that case, I will be leaving this matter in your hands."
Along with a nod, Maine left.
Is it alright for him to be in such a place without an escort?
Hmm...Well, whatever. Leaving that aside, is this about a monster outbreak in the Reus Dungeon? Is this a Stampede event? It is too sudden for something like that. And in the first place, the monsters inside a dungeon don't come out... I wonder what's this about?
Alright, let's go there. I won't come to any conclusion just by thinking about it. And I'll know when I get there.
"There's nothing here!!"
I yelled in anger.
I asked Anko to transfer me to the Reus Dungeon, but I couldn't see any particularly notable changes in the area surrounding the entrance. So, just in case I tried to do one capture run, but in the end, it was nothing different from the usual Reus dungeon until the very end.
As a result, I wasted a little over an hour of my time. I was in time for my next match, but I sadly couldn't watch the match between Mr. Slim and Big Horn in the semifinals.
"That rascal Maine...No, wait, did someone put him to it...!?"
There was no point in getting angry at Maine, so I pointed my anger towards the person who raised that false alarm.
After transferring to a secluded shadow in the back entrance of the arena, I entered and walked down the aisle. Looks like I won't have time to stop by the spectator seats.
"Oh."
I saw Capito at the end of the passageway. Did he come to cheer me up in anticipation of me going straight to the arena?
"What's wrong? If you want to cheer――"
"Second. Your loved ones are in my custody. If you want them returned, lose the next match."
"...What?"
Loved ones?
"What do you mean?"
"Hostages. If you lose, I'll tell you where they're at."
With only those words, Capito turned his back on me and left.
Taking my loved ones hostages...What does he mean?
...Eh? Why would he do that?
Yukari hasn't contacted me about anything wrong at all, right?
And I don't think Silvia nor Eko would easily lose to someone.
Also, is Capito the kind of person who would do or say something like that in the first place?
Hmm...?
"...Well, whatever."
He was trying to coax me into losing the next game but, I don't know what to think of it. And since there doesn't seem to be anything particularly wrong, let's just keep at it like usual.
I finished walking down the passage and went out into the arena stage.
My opponent was already waiting for me there.
A rather tall and skinny guy in a tailcoat suit, wearing a top hat. Ahh, I get it, he's Mr. Slim, right?
Oh my, I seem to be incredibly popular. The audience started cheering the moment I showed up. I'm happy that I got to practice my autographs in secret.
"Second-san! Good luck!"
Ahh, there's Capito, cheering for me in the spectator seats for contestants.
I waved back while saying "thank you".
...
...
Eh!?
Uhm, what about the hostage issue from a moment ago!?
"Is there something wrong, Double Crown Second?"
While I was puzzled by the turn of events, Slim talked to me.
"It's nothing, there was just a bit of a mix-up."
"Ohh, if that's troubling you, please don't bother with me. By all means, go and solve it."
Slim took off his top hat and bowed. Quite the sight if I say so. I get the feeling a pigeon will come out from that hat at any moment.
"That's kind of you. But I'll solve it after the match."
"So, it's going to be like that?"
His eyes turned sharp and he put the hat on again.
Eh? What was that now...
"Participants, get ready."
We moved, following the referee's instructions.
...Ahh...Hahaha, I see now. Now I get why I was getting that weird feeling.
So, this is why Capito warned me. Certainly, this guy would be quite troublesome for the people of this world.
"My best regards."
Slim bowed like a complete gentleman. Although he's anything but a gentleman, seriously.
...This punk, the nerve. I'll let you see something special in return.
"My best regards too, Chameleon tamer."