Fighting as many duels as possible in the shortest amount of time—that was the path I chose to prove my worth to the Arena.
In these duels, I had to demonstrate beyond a shadow of a doubt that I was a fighter who didn’t belong in the Silver Medal rank. Therefore, in the ten-plus matches I was about to face, simply ‘winning’ wasn’t enough.
“This sacred duel shall be dedicated to Goddess Lefri, the guardian of justice!”
I had to win overwhelmingly.
So overwhelmingly that I couldn’t even be compared to Seol-yoon.
I needed to make it so that not only the other fighters but even the spectators in the stands would be forced to accept the truth.
* * *
“An impostor? How the hell does this guy look like the Small Gladiator?”
“…”
“Did a Black Mage snatch you up for some experimental surgery? Or did you scavenge some tainted monster meat from the slums?”
The first fighter to face me was a talkative one.
The audience’s reaction was equally strange. There were still those who remembered me, and they were busy whispering about my drastically changed appearance. However, the noise soon died down.
“You brat, answer m—”
I knew the essence of this Arena.
The spectators here didn’t come because they loved a specific fighter or cared about them personally. They didn’t care if a fighter’s appearance had changed overnight or if they were going through personal turmoil. What those looking down from the stands wanted was entertainment. As long as you could provide a thrill, no one cared if a boy who was tiny until recently had suddenly become a well-built young man.
“Ugh—”
All that mattered was the excitement.
At least, here in this amphitheater.
And from their perspective, the duels I was about to fight would be very entertaining indeed.
“O-Ohhhhh!”
“Holy shit!”
Thud.
The opposing fighter, who had been blathering at me just moments ago, was now sprawled on the dirt floor. The duel ended in an instant. The man lay there twitching, his tongue lolling out in a dead faint. I sheathed my sword and spoke in a flat voice.
“Next.”
A single, short word.
The reaction was explosive.
“Waaaaah!”
“That crazy bastard! I’m betting everything on you, Small Gladiator!”
“Fuck, bring out the next one! He said he didn’t even get to warm up!”
While the audience cheered like mad, the fallen fighter was dragged away by Arena officials. My seven scheduled matches were set back-to-back. The crowd’s fervor wouldn’t have a chance to cool. I glanced at the spectator stands for a moment.
“Liam! Liam!”
“Small Gladiator!”
I no longer fought by darting around with a Needle. Among the swords I had devoured, there were now those that were bold and savage. Not the blades of men, but the steel of Orcs. I now possessed a raw, primal swordsmanship that made the audience’s hearts pound—a true spectacle.
I decided to set their hearts ablaze today.
“Seven matches in a row? He’s a lunatic. You might have gotten lucky in the first one, but—”
A fighter with a massive physique reminiscent of a barbarian appeared.
He was my second opponent. The man walked over arrogantly, his upper body bare. The moment I faced him, I lowered my sword.
“Is this brat trying to insult m—”
I didn’t even need a sword.
With a single breath, superhuman strength flooded my veins. The magnificent physique I had forged through Wildness was as hard as tempered steel. I lunged straight ahead and drove my fist into the man’s jaw. I felt the satisfying crunch of bone shattering against my knuckles.
“Guh—”
The moment we made contact, my Path read how his muscles would move. A Sword Walker can maintain an overwhelming advantage even in hand-to-hand combat without a blade. Just like this.
“Ack, ugh—”
I dodged every single attack the opponent threw and unleashed a barrage of strikes into every wide-open gap. Terrible bruises began to bloom across his exposed torso. I finished it by kicking the forehead of the man, whose teeth were falling out like rain. Looking down at the unconscious brute, I spoke again.
“Next.”
There was no need to even look at the audience.
“Waaaaaaaah!”
“Is this guy completely insane?!”
The remaining five duels were no different. The audience erupted in explosive cheers after every match, and by the sixth duel, some fighters who recognized the gap in our skill surrendered out of pure fear. Thus, my seven duels on the first day ended in the blink of an eye.
Discarding things like stamina management or efficiency, I focused solely on hot-blooded duels that provided a ‘spectacle.’ In those moments, I felt more like an Orc than a human.
And.
“I can’t sleep. I have to go see him again tomorrow. A real psycho has appeared!”
My name echoed through the taverns late into the night.
It didn’t feel too bad.
After checking my physical condition, I settled in for sleep. The sound of crickets and the faint voices of drunks became white noise. I surrendered my body to the uncomfortable inn bed, the moonlight shining clearly through the window.
Then, the next day arrived.
“I will give you the chance to wear a Gold Medal.”
I received an unexpected proposal.
It came much faster than I had anticipated.
* * *
While I was preparing for the remaining eight matches, an Arena official visited my inn. I didn’t know how they found me, and I didn’t bother asking. They likely had their own information network. The Arena was the largest business in Steel City, after all; finding one gladiator would be child’s play for them.
The important thing was why they were here.
“Small Gladiator, we saw enough of your strength yesterday. That is why I have come here personally. I guarantee it—even if you fight the remaining eight matches, it won’t be interesting. Watching the strong overwhelmingly crush the weak is only fun at first; it becomes boring when repeated. We do not want this white-hot fervor to end in boredom. As a Planner of the Arena, one must always satisfy the audience.”
“…”
“We judged that the right move would be for the Small Gladiator to have a match befitting his level while interest is at its peak. What other Silver Medal gladiator could garner this much attention? This is a rare opportunity.”
The Arena official chuckled.
“You have talent as a fighter. Seeing how you draw people’s attention now, just as you did when you were a Bronze Medal… you have an innate star quality.”
“So, what is your point?”
“Let’s cancel the eight matches you were supposed to have today and hold a single promotion match instead. If you win that, you will immediately be awarded a Gold Medal.”
The proposal wasn’t bad.
In fact, it was excellent. It was a chance to reach Gold without wasting time on eight meaningless matches. However, I didn’t accept immediately.
“I want to hear the details of this promotion match.”
After all, I had been burned before. I still remembered the malice I felt from them when they proposed my Silver Medal promotion match. There was no guarantee they wouldn’t pull the same stunt again.
“Haha, you’re quite the suspicious one.”
“I hear that a lot.”
The official laughed for a moment. “It’s not that difficult of a duel…”
“Hey, you don’t have to lie.”
I cut him off mid-sentence. Then, with a smile just like his, I said, “I know it’s a shitty duel. Don’t beat around the bush. Just say it.”
Perhaps influenced by the Orc’s memories, my way of speaking had become a bit more aggressive.
But the official didn’t seem to mind. Instead, he burst into loud laughter. He grinned widely, showing his teeth.
“Yes. I’ll be honest. I’ve set up a pretty shitty duel for the promotion match. I set it up myself. But it will be very interesting. It’ll be a hot-blooded duel that will blow the audience’s minds. A truly fun duel.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. You’ll do it, won’t you? From what I see, the Small Gladiator is the same type as me. A born fighter who would burn his own body for the sake of the audience’s entertainment! Isn’t that why you said you’d fight fifteen duels in the first place? Ha, hahaha.”
The official’s eyes sparkled with a manic light.
Watching him, Liam spoke.
「These mad clowns haven’t changed since the days of the fighting pits. They’re the kind of people who would put their own parents in the amphitheater for the sake of entertainment.」
I agreed. The madness in the official’s eyes was enough to send a chill down my spine. Under that burdensome gaze, I nodded.
“Who is my opponent?”
“Ah, you probably won’t know them even if you hear the name. They’re rarely seen in the Iron Kingdom, but they flocked here upon hearing that an ‘Infinite Duel’ was being held.”
The official paused for a moment.
“Have you heard of them? They’re called ‘Monks’…”
* * *
Monk.
A term referring to the ascetics of the Sky Empire, Velma. They cultivate their bodies and spirits in the Sky Mountain Range. They are practitioners and religious figures who serve Rebrua, the Goddess of the Sun.
As people who have severed ties with the secular world, restrained all desires, and devoted themselves solely to surpassing their limits, they are mysterious beings rarely seen in the Iron Kingdom.
“They visit whenever there’s an event that tests limits, like the Infinite Duel. Opportunities to duel a Monk are rare. This is an opportunity for you as well.”
The official said his piece. While he was blathering on, Liam spoke.
「Monks, eh? It’s been a long time since I’ve heard that. They’re a bunch of lunatics with shaved heads.」
“…”
「Accept it. It sounds like it’ll be a fun experience.」
For some reason, Liam laughed mischievously.
Following my master’s words, I told the official I would accept. He was delighted, saying he knew I wouldn’t run away. After he left, I asked Liam.
“What kind of beings are Monks?”
「To the current you, they’re a very shitty bunch to deal with.」
Liam glanced at me.
「It will feel like fighting a massive boulder.」
A massive boulder. Should I imagine something like a Knight clad in full plate? A detailed image didn’t form. I had never seen a Monk in person, nor had I heard any rumors about them.
Well, there was no need to ponder for long.
“I don’t know how long I’ll keep using this nickname. After all, he’s no longer small, nor is he weak! A bold brawler who started from a lowly Bronze Medal and is already facing the chance to hang a Gold Medal around his neck! I guarantee he is the most famous ‘Silver Medal’ fighter in Steel City! The Small Gladiator, Liam!”
“Waaaaaaaah!”
The match was approaching. Rather than making useless guesses, it would be better to see it with my own eyes. Experience it and judge for myself. That was always the right way.
“His opponent is a practitioner who has traveled a long way from the great Sky Mountain Range! A Monk, rarely seen in the Iron Kingdom, has appeared here for the struggle! Fighter Helen!”
Amidst the booming voice, I saw a man walking from the far tunnel. Instead of armor, he wore only a single scrap of cloth. His exposed upper body was a masterpiece of muscles woven as densely as steel. Through the gap in the helmet covering his face, I could see the man’s gaze. It was as clear as spring water.
‘This won’t be easy.’
* * *
The spectators were initially dissatisfied that the eight originally scheduled matches had been canceled. They had expected the fast-paced carnage of yesterday. But their dissatisfaction soon vanished.
A Monk!
At the news that a mysterious ascetic had appeared, the crowd grew even more heated. I could feel their burning fervor from the center of the ring.
“People of the secular world are so easily heated. I am envious. I, too, seem to have burned over small things back when I resided in the secular world.”
Fighter Helen’s voice was calm. He should have been excited by such cheers, but he was indifferent. That wasn’t good. You can never let your guard down against an enemy who doesn’t get excited. They will always fight intelligently.
Instead of answering his monologue, I focused on the remaining seconds. I had to learn even one more thing about him. Only then would my probability of victory increase. Information always plays a crucial role.
“Small Gladiator Liam versus Fighter Helen of the Sky Mountain Range! Without further ado, let the duel begin!”
Helen’s body was perfect, like a sculpture. It was a physique that could only be achieved through grueling training. Furthermore, I could see not only his physical body but another power filling his interior. It was a different kind of power from what I had seen in swordsmen or mages—a mana so clean and pure, it was devoid of any impurity…
“This sacred duel shall be dedicated to Goddess Lefri, the guardian of justice! Oh, wait, there is someone here who does not serve her. Let me add: it shall also be dedicated to Goddess Rebrua of the Sun!”
“Begin!”
The moment the signal was given—
“—!”
With a dull thump , Fighter Helen’s body vanished.
He was fast. Faster than I had anticipated. I deployed my Path and leveled my sword. At the same time, I sharpened my senses to track him. I sensed a presence. Behind me. He was circling to my rear at high speed.
“Hoo—”
Inhaling, I dragged my foot and spun around, swinging my sword in a large arc. As I turned, Helen appeared. He did not retreat. Instead, he countered with a peculiar stance, his hand held like a blade. He was fighting bare-handed.
I swung my sword, prepared to take his hand.
However—
“What—”
The blade failed to cut him. Instead, with a sickening clang! , a powerful shock vibrated through the steel. It felt like I had struck a solid block of iron.
「Stay sharp, young descendant.」
I withdrew my sword, changed my stance, and hastily retreated.
But Helen doggedly followed. He wouldn’t let me go. I gripped my sword and thrust it to shake him off, but something unexpected happened. Helen caught the thrusting blade with both hands, then spun it, using the momentum to launch my body into the air.
「Monks are essentially the natural enemies of those who use bladed weapons. Especially swordsmen.」
“…”
「Your hardness will not be a great advantage right now. Monks are one of the few groups on this continent with a hardness comparable to a ‘Caravan.’」
The moment my body rose into the air, the Monk’s fist struck my chest. The shock spread instantly, a prickling sensation reaching my fingertips and toes. It felt like being struck by lightning. Was this really a human fist? It felt like colliding with a giant boulder.
For a moment, my consciousness flickered.
But I couldn’t afford to black out. I inhaled and threw the blade in my hand far away. Helen’s eyes followed the discarded sword. He must have been surprised; a swordsman throwing away his weapon was unheard of.
“What—”
That brief diversion was my chance.
I pulled the Fang from my thigh and plunged it into both of his shoulders. The dagger’s blade couldn’t penetrate his skin, but it didn’t matter. He was damn hard, but I had the power to pierce even that.
“Hup!”
Line.
A powerful explosion erupted from the daggers in contact with his shoulders. Fighter Helen’s body was blown far across the amphitheater. In the meantime, I grabbed the dwarf-made steel sword I had thrown. Dust rose, and through it, I saw Helen walking toward me, staggering slightly.
“…That was a truly magnificent hardness just now.”
His shoulders were mangled. His skin was torn, and red blood dripped down. It was an injury significant enough to make me confident of victory.
“Let’s go again.”
Yes.
“I want to see it again. That power, as hard as steel. It’s surprising. To think a swordsman who relies on a blade could show such wonderful hardness.”
If only he weren’t a Monk.
「That’s the truly shitty thing about Monks, young descendant.」
A Monk is an ascetic who pushes his body to its limits. At the same time, he is a religious figure. Therefore, Monks are both excellent fighters and excellent priests. The power a Monk possesses isn’t just a stupidly hard body.
A golden light erupted from Helen’s body. In the next moment, the mangled wounds were gone. Having finished his healing, Helen walked toward me through the dust.
I had only one thing to say.
“You fight like absolute shit.”
「That is a high compliment, young descendant.」
It seemed this duel wouldn’t be easy.
* * *
Name: Monk
An ascetic residing in the Sky Empire, Velma. They cultivate themselves in the Sky Mountain Range and live severed from the secular world.
They take the restraint of desire as their doctrine and are devout religious figures who serve Rebrua, the Goddess of the Sun.
Possessing excellent physical abilities and martial arts, combined with healing techniques using divine power, they boast very high combat capabilities.
