Volume 1 Chapter 22 (2/2)

[Amazing.. Such an intense battle.] (Isaruk)

[Just who is that old man?] (Nicole)

The Killer Ape throws out a telegraphed punch. This is my chance. If it’s like this, then I’m sure the message will reach them. I deflect the punch towards the ground, throwing the Killer Ape’s center of gravity forward, lowering his height. When it is retracting it’s hand, I shorten the distance and release a thrust into it’s right eye. One of the Killer Ape’s weak points is its face which isn’t covered by bristles, making it softer than anything.

[UGOHHH] (Killer Ape)

Blood flows out of it’s gouged right eye. The Killer Ape cries in pain as it jumps away, creating distance. When battling against an opponent with a impenetrable defense, it is a standard move to target the opponent’s eyes as it is highly likely to inflict damage while hindering the opponent’s vision.

The Killer Ape growls at a distance in provocation. Somewhere in that provocation, fear could be sensed. Now is the time.

[Nicholas, Isaruk. How long are you guys going to sleep for? You were watching weren’t you? Are you going to leave the battle as it is? At this rate you guys will exit this arena as a loser who relied on an old man to clean up after you. And you will remain as losers until your death without facing another strong enemy ever again. Are you fine with that?] (Youya)

I have said my piece. It’s up to them whether they choose to stand up and face their fears.

[OHHH. I can still do it. I’m not a loser.] (Nicholas)

[You are not alone in this.] (Isaruk)

The two of them stood up with trembling feets, following behind me as I stand at the front.

I let loose a slight smile. I don’t dislike people who try their best. The Killer ape started beating his chest and rushed towards us.

[Both of you stay behind me. I’ll open up a gap. When the time comes, both of you release your strongest attack right into him. Don’t hold anything back.] (Youya)

[OUH!] (Nicole)

[Roger.] (Isaruk)

The two of them ignored the advice given earlier before the battle, however this time they properly listened to my instruction.

This time, rather than deflect and wait for an opening, I am slowly inching forward while deflecting. Eventually I will get a chance to counter and forcefully open up a gap.

Driven by fear, the Killer Ape continues to fire a flurry of blows trying to deter me from approaching. With this, the match is decided. The faster you throw out attacks, the quicker your stamina drains. Eventually, the ape paid the price. It ran out of breath and it’s balance is thrown off. Seizing this opportunity, I moved around to the back of the Killer Ape and slash it’s exposed heel.

[UGYAAAAA]

Having it’s tendon cut, the Killer Ape is unable to stand and is put on his knees, cutting his mobility.

[Now, it’s your chance! End the battle!] (Youya)

I shouted towards the two of them to end the battle. The warrior Nicole’s blade starts to shine brightly while the fighter Isaruk’s body is enveloped by steam. Nicole activated the warrior’s special skill Strike Impact. It’s a skill with high mana consumption, but it’s easy to use with it’s high speed and rushing distance. The blade slides between the bristles and gouges out the flesh of the Killer Ape. The fighter Isaruk activated one of the Fighter’s more powerful skills Reverberation, focusing all his power into his elbow. It is a technique that focuses the person’s power into a single point. This technique renders the bristles useless as the shockwave is sent internally through the body.

Note: The name for Reverberation is 寸勁 which is also used for Bruce Lee’s famous “One inch punch”, however Isaruk uses it on his elbow instead of his hand so I decided to wing the name.

After the two of them landed their skills, the Killer Ape collapsed and blue particles start to rise.

But there’s something off. The blue particles seem to be appearing too slowly.

Is it just me or is his body not disintegrating?

[We won.. We actually won right?] (Nicole)

[It’s our victory.] (Isaruk)

The two of them have definitely stopped trembling. It seems that the two of them has gotten over their trauma.

[Good work. Now you know that old men can flourish in battles as well.] (Youya)

[We were rude to you and had to rely on you to save us. I am terribly sorry for my mistakes!] (Nicole)

[I have also been reflecting on myself. When I saw your battle, I felt ashamed. I am sorry.] (Isaruk)

Looks like these two men are still young in spirit after all. I am glad that I managed to save their spirits.

[What you did isn’t important. It’s what you do afterwards that’s important. So long as you are alive, you can atone for your mistakes. But now, it’s time to rejoice for our victory. When you come across a strong monster, you laugh and bump fists. That is a party.] (Youya)

[Yes Sir!]

I raised my fist and the three of us bump our fists and laughing in celebration. Somehow we managed to survive the battle without any major injuries.

.

.

.

Suddenly, I felt a chill rush down my spine.

Following my instincts, I pushed the two of them aside, grabbed my blade and turned around. I felt a huge impact throughout my body.

It was the Killer Ape that is assumed to be dead. However, it’s muscles were larger than before, it’s nails became even sharper and its bristles changed to silver in colour.

It was ridiculously strong impact. I placed my hand on my knee and pushed myself upright.

The Killer Ape raised his hand and swung towards me. I quickly performed a forward roll to the side to avoid the punch. The stone ring was unable to withstand the impact of the ape’s punch and broke apart.

[It.. changed?] (Youya)

And it isn’t stopping there. It continues to change as time goes by. It shouldn’t be that easy for a monster to alter it’s body. This is already on the level of evolution.

Just what is this monster?

Even if I were to go all out, I don’t think I’ll be able to defeat this monster, that is how terrifying this beast has become.

[From here on, we will fight together!] (Nicole)

[Both of you get away!] (Youya)

The staff outside of the barrier took out their swords and began to attack the monster resembling the ape. The staff which consists of high level adventurers who were on standby stood up against the beast. However, it was futile.

[GAHH]

With just one swing of it’s arm, one after another the adventurers merely became clumps of meat on the barrier.

This is bad. What can we do in this situation?

What should we do?

While I was contemplating our next move, a broadcast began to play.

[Greetings everybody. Congratulations to the adventurers who won the first round. However, now it’s the real deal. It’s the start of the second round. Everyone here is lucky enough to witness the first ever documented case of monster evolution. And the end of the adventurer age. With our secret art of evolution and our monsters, we will rule over the world.] (Broadcast)

This voice sounds familiar. It’s the voice of the guildmaster.

From his broadcast, I’ve understood the situation. No matter what, we have to manage this monster somehow. I feel the pain down to the bones in my body, but I have to do it now. The damage is contained for now thanks to the barrier around the arena.

Phil isn’t here right now thanks to her duties.

If this beast is released from the barrier, there won’t be any adventurers present in the town of beginnings that is capable of dealing with the beast.

For the second round, I don’t have to hide my magic anymore. It is a breach of rules to use magic, but it isn’t the first offense committed here today.

There is a customized magic spell that can’t be used until level 20.

It’s time to demonstrate, the power of the Magic Knight.