Chapter 123: Martial Arts Tournament ⑤
Yesterday, I thoroughly trounced that Yorumungan fellow, the supposed No. 1 of the Dragonoid Nation. Since Hayato also gave the No. 2, Ajidaha, a sound beating, those two probably won’t be causing any more trouble.
And today is the final day of the Martial Arts Tournament. Hayato and Ochcho-san will have their match, and I’ll have mine against Darius. The two winners will then fight for the championship.
Come to think of it, no one mentioned anything, but do we get something for winning this? Surely it’s not just the right to fight Taiyo, right?
Feeling a bit uncertain, I head towards the Arena again today.
Only the four remaining contestants were in the waiting room. However, it seems the eight who lost are in the spectator seats. It’s surprising that even Yorumungan and Ajidaha are still here. I thought they would have gone home already.
Anyway, right now, the waiting room is thick with tension. And also thick with the smell of grilled skewers. Ochcho-san, you’re way too laid-back.
The ones feeling tense are Hayato and Darius. Having seen yesterday’s matches, they must have realized the strength of their respective opponents. Hayato seems to be trembling with anticipation, but Darius looks downright tragic.
However, regardless of the situation in the waiting room, time marches on, and the announcer came to call Hayato and Ochcho-san. Hayato silently cracked his knuckles, grabbed the Demon Lord’s Spear, and left the waiting room.
“Well then, guess I’ll be off~”
Ochcho-san tossed those words at me as I stood near the entrance, then slowly walked out. Yep, he’s got confidence to spare.
“Today’s first match, Hayato versus Ochcho, begin!”
Unfortunately for Hayato, Ochcho-san had already completed his “Awakening” before the referee’s signal to start. It seems Hayato’s plan to strike in the split second before Awakening failed. I could tell because Hayato clicked his tongue.
“You’re pretty strong yourself~. If it weren’t for me and him, you would’ve been the champion~”
Whoa, Ochcho-san initiated the conversation. Does that mean he acknowledges Hayato’s strength? And by “him,” he means me, right? He just glanced over here.
“Yeah, maybe so. But hey, you never know until you try, right!”
Mid-conversation, Hayato unleashed the second-tier Lightning Magic, “Indra Judgement.” It was a complete surprise attack, but considering the difference in their strength, no one would call it cowardly.
With a deafening roar, lightning struck Ochcho-san’s head, but he moved as if nothing had happened and lightly thrust the staff in his hand.
Even a light thrust from Ochcho-san carried speed and power potentially fatal to Hayato. Twisting his body at the last second, Hayato barely dodged it. Using the momentum, he swung his Adamantite Spear horizontally… but Ochcho-san was no longer there… Hayato instantly leaped into the air to escape.
GOOOOONG!
Ochcho-san’s staff slammed down where Hayato had been just moments before, creating a large crater in the ground.
“Dodging that means you’ve got good instincts~”
Ochcho-san muttered, seemingly impressed by Hayato’s move just now. However, his movements didn’t stop. With a great leap, Ochcho-san easily got above Hayato and swatted the Majin, who had fled into the sky, back down with his staff.
ZUGAAAAAAAN!
Another large crater formed right next to the previous one.
“Gohak…”
It looked like Hayato tried to block with his arms, but they were clearly bent at an unnatural angle, and blood was spilling from his mouth.
“Are you gonna keep going~?”
To Ochcho-san’s question, Hayato replied…
“I yield. It’s my complete defeat.”
He readily admitted his loss.
As soon as Ochcho-san and Hayato’s match ended, medics rushed over and began healing Hayato’s injuries. Thank goodness there are people here who can heal properly. Ah, it looks like Sayaka rushed over too. He should be fine then.
While Hayato was being treated, Ochcho-san returned to the waiting room first. I thought about saying something but decided against it. We’d probably end up talking later anyway.
After a little while, Hayato’s treatment finished, and he returned to the waiting room, albeit slightly unsteady. He lost, but his face looked surprisingly bright.
Maybe his true strength lies in the fact that his spirit isn’t broken by a single defeat.
Alright, now it’s our turn. I slowly walk towards Darius, who is waiting in the center of the Arena. Just that action alone draws huge cheers.
So that’s how much attention this is getting. It’s fine, don’t think about unnecessary things. Focus on the enemy before me.
“Second match, Darius versus Fog, begin!”
“Kyoeeeehh!!”
What the—he charged right at the start, letting out a bizarre shriek. What’s wrong, Second Prince? Have you lost your mind?
Ah, could it be that seeing the previous fights made him snap from realizing the difference in power?!
Since he was reasonably handsome, he seemed to have a lot of female fans, but they’re all standing there dumbfounded with their mouths agape.
Theodore also looks shocked, like he’s seen a ghost. Also, he’s a bit close to Aurora.
Okay, with Thought Acceleration, thinking this much is a piece of cake, but he’s almost here, so I guess I should deal with him.
① Dodge the thrust he delivered while shrieking by moving to the right.
② Stick out my right foot to trip him as he passes by my side.
③ He tumbles forward with momentum.
④ Move in to finish him while he’s down… oh, the butt of his spear hit him in the solar plexus, and he’s twitching…
⑤ It’s over.
“Winner, Fog!”
Somehow, I felt bad that the result seemed to diminish Darius’s popularity. If possible, I hope he stays unconscious for a while.
Well, can’t be helped, I suppose. Time to brace myself for the final match. As Darius was carried away, Ochcho-san appeared in his place.
And now, the final match is finally about to begin.