Translator: Kazumi
Editor: Silavin
The arena erupted with cheers and noise as Kouhi and Hartvin faced each other in the blocked-out venue, the crowd’s energy electric with anticipation.
Hartvin was a formidable power fighter who maximized his Towering two-meter frame and blessed physique in combat. While he shared the same fighting type as Kouhi’s first opponent, he operated on a completely different level altogether. For over ten years, he had dominated the arena rankings, and his magical attacks were notoriously difficult to counter. This was the unanimous assessment from fighters and experts alike.
As soon as the battle commenced, Kouhi departed from her previous tactics and began casting spell after spell at Hartvin. Initially, Hartvin assumed she was testing some new strategy, but when her magical barrage finally ceased, he addressed her with measured calm.
��What’s wrong? Magic doesn’t work on me. You should understand that by now.”
Whether this was provocation or genuine warning remained unclear, but Hartvin maintained the same composed demeanor he had displayed before the battle began. Indeed, despite receiving Kouhi’s sustained magical assault, he appeared completely unharmed.
Kouhi ceased her spellcasting and fixed him with a steady gaze. “That doesn’t matter, but you’d be wise not to make such careless remarks.”
Hartvin’s brow furrowed at her unexpected comment. “What?”
“There was considerable noise last time about unfair practices, so this time I’ve ensured our voices will reach the audience.”
“Really?”
While Kouhi had not taken any special combat preparations, she had made one particular adjustment. Through magic, she had amplified their voices so the entire audience could hear their conversation clearly.
Hartvin looked genuinely impressed when the crowd’s reactions confirmed they could indeed hear every word. “I see. That certainly appears to be the case. I’m curious when you managed that, but it’s better than leaving room for unnecessary interference with the outcome.”
He spoke without particular concern about being overheard. Kouhi was not trying to unsettle him with this revelation. She simply wanted to issue a warning.
“Is that so?” Kouhi asked, then fell silent and motionless.
Hartvin responded with clear provocation. “What’s wrong? Aren’t you coming?”
Kouhi refused to take the bait and silently readied her sword, clearly signaling her intention to switch to close combat. She launched several sword attacks at Hartvin, but he remained not only unharmed but stood there smiling without the slightest sign of damage.
“Hahahaha! That attack won’t work on me!”
Hartvin’s laughter came easily, but this display revealed the true essence of his fighting style. He endured all attacks, be it magical or physical, then countered with his own meticulously honed techniques. This approach alone had secured his victories for the past decade, earning him Carmen’s designation as a ‘monster’.
While receiving Kouhi’s attacks with a relaxed expression, Hartvin occasionally launched his own offensive strikes. His attacks required no weapons. He was simply striking opponents with his bare hands. Such apparently simple attacks, full of obvious openings, could not possibly connect with someone of Kouhi’s skill level, and the stalemate continued with neither combatant sustaining damage.
After this pattern persisted for some time, Kouhi suddenly ceased her sword attacks.
“I see. So that’s how it works.”
Her sudden muttered observation drew a suspicious look from Hartvin. Ignoring his scrutiny, Kouhi stored her sword in her item box.
“What are you planning this time?”
Unable to comprehend Kouhi’s actions, Hartvin tilted his head in confusion. Then Kouhi vanished before his eyes with movement so sudden that even he couldn’t track it.
A moment later, she reappeared directly in front of him, holding an accessory in her right hand.
…
“Y-you…!!”
Hartvin, who had never once lost his composure, suddenly contorted his expression upon seeing the item.
“Did you really think I wouldn’t discover this? Or have you grown careless after ten years of dominance?”
Kouhi spoke without changing her expression, and Hartvin’s face transformed completely. It was a change he had never shown while maintaining his role as the arena’s number one.
The accessory in Kouhi’s hand possessed overwhelming defensive power, nullifying all attacks directed at its wearer. Its capabilities were so extraordinary that calling it a divine artifact rather than a magical tool would be more appropriate.
Hartvin had been using this item to block his opponents’ attacks while fighting purely on offense. The audience watching their battle fell into stunned silence at this unexpected revelation. They had never imagined that the man praised for his godlike strength over the past decade would rely on such an item.
After the initial shock, the audience erupted into fierce booing directed at Hartvin. Perhaps it was backlash from the expectations they had harbored for him over the years, but their disapproval was intense.
Having likely anticipated this reaction the moment he saw Kouhi holding his accessory, Hartvin’s expression remained unchanged. However, he studied Kouhi as if contemplating something, waiting for her next move.
Then Kouhi said something unexpected for both Hartvin and the audience.
“You seem to have misunderstood something. I didn’t take this to criticize you or expose any wrongdoing.”
“What?”
Kouhi finally addressed Hartvin directly. “Everyone here seems confused, but the arena rules state that fighters must bring their own equipment, correct? Naturally, that includes accessories.”
As Kouhi noted, no restrictions existed on what could be brought into the arena, from magical swords to the accessory she now held. It would be hypocritical for her to condemn Hartvin here.
So why had Kouhi deliberately taken the accessory Hartvin was wearing?
“I simply wanted to examine what kind of equipment you were using. I planned to return it after my inspection from the beginning.”
True to her word, Kouhi tossed the accessory back to Hartvin. Needless to say, her interest in the item stemmed from Kousuke. After handling it directly, she could understand its general structure and construct. If she could convey this information to Kousuke, he would surely be pleased.
The noisy audience fell silent at her words and actions.
“What are you planning?” Hartvin asked.
Kouhi answered with her usual expressionless demeanor. “I’m not planning anything specific. I’ll simply show you a world far beyond what you’ve achieved. You may activate your accessory as you’ve done before.”
“…Sure.”
Hartvin nodded at her words and boldly activated the accessory in front of the entire audience. While no visible change occurred, Kouhi could definitely sense the same defensive barrier forming around him as before.
With her sword still stored in her item box, Kouhi approached Hartvin casually.
“Actually, there’s someone who surpasses me in this particular technique.”
The moment after speaking those words, Kouhi vanished before Hartvin again. It was the same super-speed movement she had demonstrated when taking his accessory.
Even with superhuman speed, repeating the same movement should have allowed Hartvin, as a powerful fighter, to somehow track it. But his reaction was still just a fraction too slow.
When he finally caught sight of Kouhi, her fist was already approaching his stomach.
“Guh…?! You—that’s…?!”
Hartvin felt damage that should have been impossible reach him. His eyes widened in shock as he collapsed, and in that moment, Kouhi’s victory was confirmed.