Chapter 18: Imperial Capital – Martial Arts Tournament – 36
As I had informed Miss Dorozitte, I decided not to go to the VIP seats but instead watch the match between Karma and the young man, Momental, from the side of the stage exit.
If Momental were to win, there would be no consequences, but if Karma managed to defeat him, there was a possibility that some action would be taken.
“Now commencing the third match of the main event! In the Rainbow Dragon Direction, we have Momental from the ‘Water Lily Lion’ team! This is his first appearance in the main event. In the Dawn Tiger Direction, we have Karma from ‘Soul’s Guidance.’ This is also her first appearance in the main event!”
It was a curious coincidence that both were making their debut. Momental had mentioned he had been an adventurer for a year and a half, and his strength was indeed remarkable. However, that was only if he were an ordinary human.
The two faced each other, swords at the ready, stepping back to their designated positions. From what I could see, Karma appeared calm and composed. The corners of her lips curled into a slight smile, but it vanished as she took her stance.
“Begin!”
At first, they seemed to be gauging each other, slowly inching closer. Both Karma and Momental possessed ranged weapons, but neither was primarily a ranged fighter.
It seemed they both understood this, refraining from using unnecessary skills and engaging in an invisible battle for advantageous distance.
Then, Momental’s body twitched.
Boom!!
In that instant, an explosion erupted where Karma had just been standing. It was that same magic. How sudden it was!
However, Karma’s body was already gone from that spot. She had dashed forward with Swift Run. What incredible intuition and reflexes she possessed!
“Take this!!”
Karma swung down the Beast King’s Fang at the young man. He managed to block the strike with his shield, but he couldn’t completely absorb the impact, causing him to stagger slightly.
By that time, Karma was already moving into her second strike. She aimed for his torso by sweeping her blade horizontally after slamming the tip into the stone floor. This was a slash permitted only to those with the Honshin skill.
Momental received that blow with his shield as well. This time, he managed to brace himself without losing his footing. Stepping forward, he flashed his longsword and counterattacked.
“Take that!”
“Ha!”
For a while, they engaged in a fierce exchange, almost rooted in place. Occasionally, they would use Swift Run to retreat or advance, but the clash of sword against sword and sword against shield continued relentlessly.
Momental’s skill was high, and his movements were seamless, leaving no openings in his offense and defense. Of course, Karma’s greatsword exerted tremendous pressure, not allowing for easy counterattacks.
The battle resembled two tornadoes colliding, but gradually, the slight difference in their strengths began to reveal itself.
Karma was pushing forward. With the unique dynamic vision and reflexes of the Tiger Beastkin, combined with her physical abilities and excellent swordsmanship, she was gradually overwhelming Momental’s sword and shield.
And finally—
“Here it is!”
Karma’s horizontal slash with the Beast King’s Fang struck Momental in the side. He barely managed to deflect it with his sword, but his body was sent flying over ten meters away.
However, it was clear that this was not a decisive blow.
Karma should have immediately followed up with Swift Run, but she hesitated for a moment.
On the stone floor, Momental adjusted his stance slightly, and his body trembled for an instant.
“Damn it!”
The explosion magic—Karma seemed to have sensed it too, as she attempted to close the distance with Swift Run once more.
But just as she tried to close in, an explosion erupted right at her feet.
The young man had anticipated her move and placed an explosion in her path.
“Guh!?”
Karma’s body was thrown into the air. It was evident that she had sustained significant damage to both legs. She arced through the air and landed at Momental’s feet.
“Damn it.”
Even so, Karma tried to rise. But the young man’s longsword was already at her throat.
“Stop!”
I couldn’t help but shout out.
The young man’s sword pressed lightly against Karma’s neck, halting its momentum.
Judging that this was a decisive attack, Karma fell to the ground, breathlessly uttering, “I give up.”
With his foot resting on Karma’s back, the young man turned his face toward me.
“See? There was no need to worry, was there?”
He wore a vacant smile as he spoke those words.
Karma was quickly treated and returned to the waiting room.
Her face bore a mix of frustration, along with an unmistakable hint of confusion and fear.
“You fought well, Karma.”
“Yeah, Soushi, I showed a pathetic side of myself.”
“That’s not true. You fought valiantly, and I can proudly say you’re a member of my party. But that last magic felt like a trap.”
“Right? The way he made me dodge at first was probably all part of his plan. It’s frustrating, but I’m not good at those kinds of mind games. I fell for it.”
Despite her calm words, I could see her body trembling slightly as she sat in the chair.
I hesitated for a moment but decided to place my hand on her shoulder. I felt it was my duty as the elder and leader.
“In the end, I couldn’t help but shout out.”
“About that strike to my throat? If he had fully swung his sword there, my head might have flown off.”
“Please, don’t say that. I don’t even want to imagine it.”
“Haha, if you’re that worried, it makes me happy as a woman.”
“Of course, I’m always concerned. You never know what might happen in a dungeon.”
“That’s true. In the arena, it seems like your skills lose their effectiveness, but in a dungeon, it should be fine.”
“Yeah, that could be the case. But Karma, just before that explosion, you hesitated for a moment, right? Was something off?”
“Ah, about that…”
Karma paused for a moment, furrowing her brow and making her beautiful face tense.
“When I struck his side, it felt… different. It didn’t feel like cutting through a human or armor. It felt like I was slicing through some thick, gooey mud. And at that moment, I felt an overwhelming sense of dread. I got distracted by it. It’s a foolish story.”
Karma leaned against me, and I could feel her body trembling slightly. Perhaps it wasn’t just the fear of nearly losing her head, but the abnormal sensation of that strike had touched something within her.
“…I see. Well, tomorrow it’s my turn to fight, and perhaps I’ll uncover the truth then.”
“Do you think it’s those ‘Candlestick of the Netherworld’ guys? When there was a commotion at the church before, I only caught a glimpse from afar, but if they’re as unpleasant as they seem, there’s no doubt they’re not good people.”
“I agree. One day, we must uncover their true identities and crush them completely.”
“If it’s you, Soushi, I believe you can crush them beautifully and flatten them out. I also have debts to repay, so I need to become stronger.”
With a grin, Karma pressed her head against my chest. I found myself wanting to reach out and touch her tiger ears, but I quickly restrained myself.
“You can touch my ears if you want, Soushi.”
Hearing her say that with a smirk, I hurriedly pulled my hand back.