Volume 1 Chapter 22 (1/2)

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After arriving at the waiting room, me and the other members gathered together to receive an explanation of the rules

[This is a opportunity for us to show that adventurers from Rumberg more capable than those from the other starter towns, please show everyone the result of your trainings in the town. Moving on to the rules of the event…] (Event Staff)

While listening to the rules, I observed the young men in arms who I would cooperate with for the battle against Killer Ape. As I have heard from Phil, my party members were young men who were full of ambition and pride.

The two of them only cared about showcasing their own capabilities rather than collaborating together for the battle. One of them is a warrior who is Kevin’s older brother, Nicholas.

The other is a fighter named Isaruk. Based on how he carries himself, it looks like he has some experience as a martial artist but is extremely overconfident.

Note: Isaruk speaks using -sessha and -gozaru

[Don’t drag our feet down old man. Try your best to keep up with us. It is impossible for magic knights like you to defeat Killer apes.] (Nicholas)

[Nicole-dono, let’s see who will be the one to land the finishing blow.] (Isaruk)

[You two shouldn’t underestimate me.] (Youya)

The warrior Nicholas and fighter Isaruk clearly do not plan on cooperating with each other and think that they are capable of defeating it themselves. It is bad news if our group of level 20 adventurers do not collaborate in the battle as the battle will be difficult individually.

The two of them heard me as I let out a sigh. Times like this make me appreciate Til and Luna even more. Those children may be equally ambitious but they properly listen to my instructions.

[Magic is even prohibited in this battle for the crowd as they are more excited to watch us brawl out with the Killer Ape. This is really a terrible handicap] (Youya)

Without my magic, my firepower won’t be enough to take down the ape. I’ll have to defeat it with just my sword. It will be a difficult if not impossible task to perform. I spent the time before the battle to prepare myself.

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The event is about to start and the contestants enter the ring. The warrior Nicholas and the fighter Isaruk waved towards the audience, brimming with confidence and making themselves standing out.

[Youya, do your best!] (Luna)

[Show everyone your good side!] (Til)

Hidden amongst the cheers of the audience, I could hear the voices of the two girls and waved towards them. I was starting to get depressed talking to these two people and I can feel a little bit of motivation coming back to me.

The crowd’s cheers started becoming louder and louder as our enemy entered the arena. The Killer Ape was brought into the arena trapped in a mithril cage. It is a gorilla at least 50% larger and taller than me with purple hair all over its body. That purple hair served as an armor, harder than steel, flexible enough to absorb impacts and greasy enough that any blade that lands will be directed away. However, what made it terrifying was it’s abnormally large arms that boasts as much strength as it look, and it’s intellect which was more intelligent than a typical beast. There is even a chance of instant death if we make a mistake in the battle.

[We will be activating the barrier.] (Announcer)

A spherical barrier starts to surround the arena as a precaution to protect the audience from any collateral damage. However, this also means that we will be unable to escape from the battle. In addition, the staff started sprinkling perfume onto the contestants, agitating the ape while making the crowd more excited. This was done to ensure that the ape would be more focused on us rather than it’s surroundings.

[For today’s main event, it is the exciting battle between a powerful monster and Rumberg’s very own adventurers!] (Announcer)

The staff announced the start of the battle and unlocked the cage. An angry Killer Ape officially enters the arena.

Now, it’s the start of the battle.

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The first person who took the initiative is the fighter Isaruk. Thanks to the Fighter’s stat corrections, he moves quicker than any of us in the arena. As he has the air of an overconfident martial artist, I followed behind him in order to provide support and prevent the worst-case scenario. In my opinion, martial artists who are inexperienced are much more dangerous than amatuer martial artists due to their overconfidence whereas amatuer martial artists typically understand where their limits lie. As far as I can tell, Isaruk’s defensive stats should be enough to survive a hit against the Killer Ape so I’ll support him on his attempt rather than stopping him outright. As Isaruk approaches the gorilla, he sidesteps the gorilla’s attacks and steps into it’s body.

Those are good movements.

[AH CHA CHA CHA.] (Isaruk)

He lands a series of consecutive blows with the Fighter skill Iron Fist. It’s a skill that hardens his fist as hard as iron, raising the power of his punches.

[Uhoaaaa] (Killer Ape)

The Killer Ape’s roar reverberates throughout the arena, however it wasn’t a cry for pain but a roar in rage. The flurry of punches did not affect the gorilla in the slightest. It didn’t matter how hard the fist was hardened, the bristles present on its body would cushion each blow, killing the power from the punch. Although he was advised to attack the areas without bristles, it seem that he ignored that advice and continued to attack the bristles anyway.

In the first place in a battle of power, it isn’t practical to release a flurry of punches rather than a single powerful punch. If he tried to push through with a single powerful punch, there was a chance that he could inflict some damage through the bristles. The Killer Ape swung its arms towards Isaruk and he is blown off to the side of the area. Watching his trajectory, I slid in front of him and caught him before he landed on the ground on his head.

[Pathetic, Isaruk. End of the day, it seems that the hero will be me.] (Nicholas)

While throwing a one-liner towards Isaruk, the warrior Nicholas entered the battle. He immediately ran towards the gorilla and releases a single strike against the tough bristles on the Killer Ape. However, it was a slash that a person would expect rather than a thrust, ignoring the advice given to him backstage. Typically, it would be more effective to thrust against the Killer Ape as it was possible to slide the blade in between the bristles and directly attacking its body.

[Take this! Bash!] (Nicholas)

Attacking from above with pure power by using Bash.However, the Killer Ape does not avoid it. As if it was natural, the sword slips on the greasy hard bristles, getting redirected back onto the ground

[ARGHHH.] (Nicole)

Nicole drops his sword onto the ground and screams in pain. This is expected if you are going to Bash onto a stone floor at full strength. The Killer Ape raised his arms and lands a direct punch onto his face, instantly blowing him away towards the arena wall. His life will be endangered if he slams into the wall with that momentum.

I run towards Nicole’s flying body to grab him, using my own body to kill the momentum as much as possible.

[ouh ouh ouh ouh] (Killer Ape)

The Killer Ape pounds his chest in celebration as I turn to face Nicole and Isaruk.

[Our first round ended badly, but it’s time for round two. Now, you two ready for some revenge?] (Youya)

The two defeated adventurers were trembling in fear, closing their eyes trying to drown out the roar of the Killer Ape. Their minds seem to be breaking just by battling the ape for afew seconds. They are forced to face the reality that none of their attacks worked on the beast and they would be badly injured if I did not step in. More than anything, their hearts were breaking when faced with an opponent with a overwhelming advantage in ability. They must have not participated in a battle against a monster where their superior techniques and equipment is unable to protect them. They grew as an adventurer experiencing victories after victories without experiencing a defeat. Having their first defeat with such an overwhelming difference has inflicted too much damage on their self-confidence. At this rate, they will become unable to continue as an adventurer.

I could continue to defeat the Killer Ape but that is no good. If the two of them ends the battle in this state, it will become a traumatic experience for them. They may never stand up on their own two feet ever again. This is all they would ever amount to in their life.

I can’t bear to leave the two of them like this. The two of them are still growing and young, they have plenty of time to fail and learn from their mistakes. It feels too much of a waste for their journeys to end right here.

[If you guys won’t do it, then am I supposed to defeat it alone?] (Youya)

[It’s impossible. To defeat that.] (Nicholas)

[At our level, it’s impossible for us to defeat it.] (Isaruk)

[Then sit there and watch.] (Youya)

I stepped forward and cast my new skill Warcry. It’s an ability that draws a monster’s attention and provokes it, forcing them to focus their attacks on one target. It’s an essential skill for the front-line.

[OHHHHH]] (Killer Ape)

Without sparing a thought for the two fallen warriors, the Killer ape attacked me using both it’s arms without worrying about a flank, sometimes throwing in a kick showcasing it’s dexterity.

I receive each of its attacks with my sword and deflect it to the side.

It’s attacks are much heavier than the Rock Golem in the dungeon with different variations, coming from the sides, above and even from below. However, it is still managable as it also has more preliminary movement.

Predict it’s movements by afew seconds ahead to find an opening and land a strong blow.

I don’t have access to my magic so I won’t be able to inflict any major damage without an opening.

Wait and predict, be patient until you get a chance.

Meanwhile, the two losers are on the ground watching the battle with widened eyes.