You once told me that I was like the wind.
I didn’t disagree.
My life was like a wandering breeze—a meaningless wind that drifted without a fixed destination. To use a sailor’s term, you could say I was “adrift.”
My life had no purpose, no conviction, and no direction. I simply lived, swept away aimlessly by the currents of time.
Even the shepherd boy I met not long ago lived a more meaningful life than I did. He had a role—managing the ranch—and a goal: to save up money, start a happy family, have children, and grow old in peace.
It wasn’t just the shepherd boy.
The captain of the ferry who gave me a ride, the innkeeper where I stayed for a night, and the young girl who picked apples every morning—they all lived dreaming of the future.
Every person I met lived with a sense of purpose. To them, life was a long journey with a set destination. I alone was drifting aimlessly in this vast world, like a cloud floating in the sky.
Perhaps that was why.
At some point, my sword became a bit peculiar compared to others.
“It resembles you.”
You smiled brightly after seeing my sword.
“It’s like the wind. A swift, fierce gale that no one can catch.”
“…….”
“Ah, yes. It’s like….”
I still remember the warmth of your hand when you held mine. I remember your white teeth showing when you laughed shyly. I even remember the subtle scent of flowers that wafted from your hair.
“Like a Gale .”
You said that my sword wasn’t peculiar, but special.
It was the first time in my life I had ever heard such words.
Maybe that was why.
“I want to see it again. Both you and your sword.”
From that day on, I—a wandering ronin and a worthless swordsman—began to become a little bit special. Because only then would you tell me, tomorrow and the day after, that you wanted to see my sword again.
.
.
.
I slowly opened my eyes.
When I regained consciousness, I was lying in the middle of a forest. I didn’t have the strength to move a single finger.
「 You shouldn’t have used that sword yet, young descendant. 」
“……I think you’re right.”
My whole body ached as if it were breaking apart. My palms, which had been gripping the sword until moments ago, were a mangled, bloody mess. My hands trembled incessantly as red blood dripped from them.
“I’ve never felt anything like this before.”
「 I suppose not. 」
I had only swung it once.
I had merely reproduced a fragment of the Gale by following the memories that surged from the blade, and yet I ended up in this state. I forced my head up to look ahead.
This forest was originally quite dark because of the densely packed trees. Trees so tall they obscured the sky were crowded together, blocking the sunlight so that it remained dim even during the day.
But now, it was incredibly bright.
「 The former master of that sword was a ‘Sword Runner’ with four pairs of wings. 」
There were no more tall trees in this forest. Instead, it was filled with cleanly severed stumps, their rings exposed to the sky.
With a single swing, the overflowing trees of this forest had all been cut down.
Yes, with just one swing.
「 If you don’t want to be swept away by the wind, you’d better toughen up quickly. 」
Master’s warning wasn’t just empty talk. I had experienced it firsthand.
Gale was different. It was different from all the other swords I’ve devoured until now.
* * *
The streets of Steel City Ferma were insanely crowded. It was the first time in my life I had seen so many people gathered in one place.
“What’s with all these people…?”
“Stay sharp and follow me. You’ll get lost if you’re not careful.”
“Do you think I’m some child you need to keep an eye on?”
“You’re the one acting like a country bumpkin.”
“…….”
They were all gathered here for the Infinite Duel . People had come not only from the Iron Kingdom but from every corner of the vast continent.
“As I mentioned before, the first duel will be a ‘Species Duel.’”
“Yes, I remember.”
“There’s no need for you to stand out, and honestly, you won’t even have the chance. It’s conducted on such a massive scale. Think of it more as an event held by race rather than a duel.”
Species Duel.
As the name suggested, this event was on the scale of entire races. It wasn’t an event where much was expected from an individual; rather, it was a competition of skill with the pride of each race on the line.
“It’ll probably pass by in a blur.”
Following Seol-yoon’s guidance, we stood in line and waited our turn to enter the Arena’s reception area. Among those waiting, I saw several unusual fighters. The ones who stood out the most were the other races.
“It tends to be regarded as a ceremonial event for building rapport between races, so it won’t be very dangerous. It’s also the opening event of the Infinite Duel, and Elves and Dwarves are extremely reluctant to get injured, so they’ll be playing it safe.”
Among those in line were the Elves and Dwarves Seol-yoon mentioned. I had seen Dwarves before, but this was my first time seeing an Elf in person. The children of the forest who live for nearly an eternity and serve the World Tree of the Great Forest—the blessed ones who are the closest to ‘Mana’ among the seven races.
I saw the pointed ears that were the symbol of an Elf, and their ornaments and clothing made of woven plants. Even from a distance, they seemed to give off a thick scent of the forest.
“There’s only one thing you need to be careful of.”
“What is it…?”
I focused on Seol-yoon’s words as the line gradually shortened.
“Orcs.”
The moment I heard that word, I understood.
“If you see anything with green skin, run. The concept of ‘building rapport’ doesn’t exist for that crazy race. The only race that fights with their lives on the line in this Species Duel will probably be the Orcs.”
“…….”
“You might not take it to heart since you haven’t seen them in person, but you really have to be careful. Rumor has it that in the last Species Duel, a chieftain actually participated and took the vanguard. Well, there might be some exaggeration, but it means they’re that dangerous….”
“No, it’s probably not an exaggeration.”
They were exactly the kind of lot to do that.
“The moment I see green, I’ll run without looking back.”
Those damn lunatics. I could already hear the ‘ chwik-chwik ‘ sounds and that heavy breathing in my head. I had to get through three events, and I didn’t want to waste my energy getting tangled up with those psychos from day one.
But I was overlooking one thing. I was thinking I should find somewhere to hunker down and hide, forgetting the fact that my life never, ever went smoothly.
“Are you the gladiator Liam? The one who recently got the nickname ‘Sword Demon’ after being known as the ‘Small Gladiator’?”
After a long wait, Seol-yoon and I finished our registration at the reception desk.
“Ah, yes. That’s me.”
“Your qualifications are verified and your application is accepted. Take this.”
“What is this?”
The employee handed us a piece of old iron.
“It’s the identification tag you’ll use in the Species Duel. You must never lose it.”
The pieces of iron were inscribed with the numbers 271 and 444, respectively. Seol-yoon was 271. I was 444.
“Never.”
* * *
It took quite a long time for the first event of the Infinite Duel, the Species Duel, to begin. Because the number of participants was enormous, the registration process alone took ages. By the time the procedures were finished and the curtain rose, it was late evening.
“Thank you for waiting!”
Even under the dark sky, the heat of the Arena did not cool down. On the contrary, it was heating up. Enthusiastic cheers poured from the spectator seats, and the fervor of the fighters below was just as intense.
“Just how many people are there?”
Standing next to Seol-yoon, I tried to estimate the number of fighters. But it wasn’t a number that could be physically counted. How could they decide victory or defeat with so many people gathered? To make them compete, they would practically have to fight a war….
“Woo! Woo! Woo!”
“Waaaaaaaah—!”
“Stop the chatter and just start already! You slow-ass humans!”
The Orcs gathered on one side of the massive arena made their noisy presence known without hesitation. Everyone frowned at the shrieking din. Only the floating Liam smiled proudly.
「 The Orcs are the same as ever. They were always passionate in my time as well. Their enthusiasm was always famous in the arenas. 」
“They just seem like crazy bastards to me….”
Just watching them from afar made me feel drained. I reaffirmed my vow never to get involved with them.
Meanwhile, the event continued.
“As you all know, the Species Duel is an opportunity to prove which of the seven races is the most superior. Unfortunately, the Dragons have once again declined to participate. Therefore, this Species Duel will proceed as a contest between six races: Orcs, Dwarves, Demonkin, Humans, Elves, and Beastfolk.”
.
.
.
“The last Species Duel was a struggle for flags. After a fierce battle, the valiant Orcs emerged victorious. The passion of the Orcs is always recognized! They are the race that has won the Species Duel the most! The fighting spirit of the green is acknowledged by everyone on the continent! I believe they have won nine times in a row!”
“War! War! War!”
“You speak well, human!”
“But whether the valiant green warriors can win this time remains to be seen!”
A booming voice resonated. As the heat continued to rise, the announcer’s voice erupted.
“The content of this Species Duel is ‘King Catching’ !”
King Catching. The name sounded unfamiliar.
“Since the number of participating fighters is so large, this Species Duel will take place in the ‘Black Forest’ near the Steel City. It is a treacherous place where even experienced rangers lose their way at night. The match will be broadcast live via search magic by wizards hired by the Arena.”
.
.
.
“Now, the rules of ‘King Catching’ are simple! Every fighter participating in the Infinite Duel has received an identification tag with a unique number!”
The identification tag. The moment that was mentioned, I thought of the piece of iron I had received earlier.
“In ‘King Catching,’ the fighter with a specific number on their identification tag will take on the role of the ‘King.’ The moment a King has their tag taken by a fighter of another race or becomes incapacitated, that race is eliminated! That is why strategy is crucial. A King can hide to avoid danger, or reveal themselves to receive protection from their own race! The other fighters must choose: find the King of another race, or protect their own!”
Listening to the explanation, I felt an inexplicable sense of dread.
“Now, I trust you all understand. Then, I will announce the number that will take on the core role of the ‘King’! If you are a fighter lacking in skill, it will be a nightmare; if you are confident, it will be a wonderful opportunity to be the star of this stage!”
And then.
“The grand number is 444 !”
As expected, my dread was not misplaced.
“……Small Gladiator, your number was definitely—”
“Yes.”
Seol-yoon looked at me with a worried gaze. I gave her a bitter smile.
Dammit.
「 Congratulations, young descendant. Such an opportunity is rare. I’m envious. 」
“…….”
As expected, my life never goes smoothly.
Fuck.
The first match of the Infinite Duel, the Species Duel: King Catching, had begun. I had been chosen as the King of the Humans.
* * *
After the explanation, the fighters moved from the Arena to the “Black Forest.”
Fitting its name, the interior of the forest was entirely shrouded in darkness. It wasn’t just because it was late; a pitch-black energy hung over the entire forest. It was unclear whether the Arena officials had done something for entertainment or if it was a natural phenomenon.
Of course, I didn’t have the luxury to worry about that.
“Then, the Species Duel begins now!”
First, I had to survive.
“Chwiiiiik! Look at me, you weak humans! You crawling little dwarves! You filthy fairy-elves who smell like manure! You disgusting demonkin spawned by devils! You beastfolk half-breed bastards!”
From the very start, a crazy Orc fighter was hurling aggressive, racially charged insults, provoking all five other races at once.
“I am the King of the Orcs! I, Orc Elder Behera, am the glorious King who drew the number 444 identification tag! The valiant Orc Behera does not shy away from struggle! If you want a fight, come at me now! I’ll crush your heads and pull out all your teeth to hang around my neck! Chwiik!”
Less than a second after the duel began, the madness of the Orcs spread through the Black Forest. Amidst the spreading madness, the quiet killing intent of the other races began to creep out from the shadows.
I judged my situation objectively.
I’m screwed.
The Species Duel had truly begun.
