Volume 1 Chapter 23 (1/2)

The evolved Killer Ape became eerily quiet. Listening to the guild master’s broadcast, it seems that he has complete control over the monster.

[Until now we have always relied on those savages, adventurers to protect us. In reality, without adventurers we would suffer at the hands of wild monsters. It was all we could do as normal citizens to suck up to adventurers as they abuse their power in current society. We had no choice but to cater to their every whim.] (Guildmaster)

Suddenly, the guildmaster began to give a speech. It had never occurred to me that a person hating adventurers would ever become the guildmaster that supports adventurers in every way.

Actually, it could be the other way. He became to dislike adventurers after becoming the guild master.

[However, it will be different from now on. The ability to rule over wild monsters has been discovered. And by researching this ability, We have managed to discover the ability to mutate monsters, to make them grow beyond their previous capabilities and evolve them. Everyone should be able to understand this. Rather than spending so much time and resources into raising weak humans into strong adventurers, we can instead raise strong monsters, far stronger than anything humanly possible. Unlike adventurers, they are also completely obedient. Please take a look at the power of the evolved Killer Ape.] (Guildmaster)

Seems like we are the unfortunate ones that were chosen to be sacrificial lambs.

The staff panicked and outside the barrier removed the barrier trying to get us out of the arena. The moment the barrier was lifted, chaos ensured as screams came out from the audience and every began rushing to the exits. The staff are good people, but unfortunately it was the wrong move.

Even if it meant trapping us with it, the monster should be left contained inside the barrier.

If I were to inform them about the voice belonging to the guildmaster, there is a chance that they would refuse to believe it.

Nicholas and Isaruk ran towards the exit trying to escape.

[Old man, you should escape too.] (Nicole)

[That monster is too powerful.] (Isaruk)

Escaping is the correct option to take here.

The mutated Killer Ape’s strength feels like it’s on par with a level 50 monster. There is zero chance of winning this battle.

[Piece of advice to the adventurers in the ring. If all of you escape the ring or die, I’ll order the monster to attack all the civilians in the area. It will become a BIG incident. Well I’m sure all of you are going to escape anyways! You adventurers, are self-centered people who only look out for themselves! Even if reinforcements arrive, I’ll kill all of them!] (Guildmaster)

Giving advice to us adventurers, such a nice person.

I prepared my stance while grabbing my sword.

Although the audience had started evacuating a while back, everyone is disorganized and in a mess. The evacuation hasn’t progressed one bit. I don’t want to imagine the damage it will cause if the guildmaster were to let the monster loose.

[You heard what he said. You guys get away, I’ll stay here and fight.] (Youya)

[No way. In that case, I’ll sta-] (Nicole)

[I’ll stay to-] (Isaruk)

[There’s no need. He mentioned that everyone has to leave before he’ll unleash that beast. Only one person has to stay behind.] (Youya)

Nicole and Isaruk both gasped in shock.

[We aren’t going to leave you here to die!] (Nicole)

[We can provide support! Even a little if we’re here!] (Isaruk)

It is hard to believe that the two of them were trembling before the Killer Ape earlier after a rough beat. I’m glad that pulling off a show to pull their spirits back wasn’t a waste of effort. They will become amazing adventurers in the future.

[Having the courage to battle against an opponent that you may or may not defeat is a privilege that belongs to the young. But take heed of the fact that too much courage leads to recklessness. So I request of you to give up on this battle. If you were to join in the battle you will die. That is without a doubt. You guys will just be dragging me down in the battle. Now GO.] (Youya)

The two of them remained silent as they recalled how overwhelming the mutated ape is based on their encounter against it pre-evolution.

[No.. I refuse. If we leave you to die here.. Then we are the losers here. That kind of loss-] (Nicole)

I put on an air and started laughing.

[Since earlier just what have you been trying to imply? Self sacrifice. Dying. Doing what you want without regrets. I think you have misunderstood. If you guys aren’t here being dead weights. Then I can win this easily.] (Youya)

Increase my concentration and control my breathing.

[I mentioned earlier that the courage and recklessness to dive into a battle against an overwhelming opponent is the privilege of the youth. If that is the case, then the privilege of the old would be the accumulation of experience from constantly diving into battles to the death, finding ways to overcome opponents that you would have no chance to defeat otherwise. Old men only participates in battles where he can win.] (Youya)

The brave men who planned on sacrificing themselves are began crying while leaving the battlefield. With this, I have even more reason to ensure that I do not fall here to prevent wounding their pride even further. As their senior, that is something I will absolutely not do.

I would have two win conditions where I get to survive with my life.

First would be to defeat the monster and survive.

Second would be to survive and buy enough time for other adventurers that are capable of defeating this monster. If only Phil was among the audience, then this situation wouldn’t be as dire as it is.

However, thinking about it clearly, my conditions aren’t impossible.

[Oh? Only one adventurer was willing to stay? Trash will remain trash no matter what. No one else would ever consider abandoning their friends for their own survival. Now, enough waiting. Go, my cute toy.] (Guildmaster)

The mutated Killer Ape is finally ready to battle. On the other hand, I have been ready from the start.

[Oie you public display. How long are you goona stare at me with that “I hate you for gouging my eye out” look?] (Youya)

[OUHHHHH] (Mutated Killer Ape)

Now then, it’s the start of the second round.

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Back in the days where I had a shitty status, I obtained a means of overcoming my low status to allow me to compete against other adventurers. For me who had neither speed nor power, it was the only thing that I had. Deflect was difficult to maintain but it made me stronger by a huge margin. However omnipotent it could be, there was a limit.

Note: I gave a name to Youya’s technique as it fit the description of his technique while making it easier to write.

[UHOOOOO] (Mutated Killer Ape)

[UWOOOOO] (Youya)

I properly received the blow and diverted the force elsewhere. It doesn’t matter how fast the Killer Ape could move nor how powerful his blows are. So long as I can anticipate his movements several seconds into the future, Deflect can be used perfectly. However, it wasn’t enough to nullify his power and each blow threw me around the arena.

Deflect isn’t a technique that nullifies a person’s attack, but rather a technique that allows me to receive an attack roughly ten times my strength. Regardless of how perfect I perform it, it is inevitable for me to receive some of the impact and damage when performing Deflect.

If it’s the worse case scenario where the opponent has strength far superior than I can deflect, then I’ll be blown away. Just like what is happening right now.

Right now, even though I am killing my momentum after each blow, I’m immediately sent flying once more. The mutated ape became so fast that he could easily move to where I was sent flying in an instant, cracking the ground in the process.

[Ugh. This is difficult.] (Youya)

His power is probably at least eleven or twelve times my own. It’s not a level where I can manage with just Deflect. Even my Deflect is starting to falter to his power and my footing is becoming worse.