Chapter 62

Naruto fans, the arena battle you all eagerly awaited is... not happening here!

If we were to stage battles for all the characters, it would take forever, so there's no choice.

"---Nirva! Nirva! Nirva! Nirva!"

The arena trembled with the Nirva chants echoing from all around.

(Still, she's as popular as ever.)

I sat in a corner of the arena's spectator seats, watching the excitement as if it were someone else's, and muttered to myself.

---The 'Invincible Sword Saint Nirva.'

She appeared in the world of arenas like a comet, defeating the top-ranked fighter in the first round and, from then on, never lost a single time, always reigning as the supreme champion.

And...

(To think I actually beat such an opponent, it's hard to believe when I think about it again.)

...I am also the one who won a duel a few days ago.

Of course, the opponent was not just the strongest in the early stages but the true 'strongest' warrior, a level 70 Sword Saint with broken-level stats.

I won by using a strategy that would only work once in every sense: limiting the opponent's combat power in a 'Soul Duel,' creating an opening with the attack skill 'Instant Blade,' and sacrificing the boss unique equipment 'Crimson Inferno Rod.' But a victory is a victory.

By being recognized by Nirva, I became eligible to change my job to 'Sword Saint.'

(Well, because of that, I lost even more interest in the arena tournament, which I already had no interest in.)

What is happening right now is the grandest arena festival in the BureBure world, the 'World Championship.'

Radd and the others repeatedly urged me to participate, but the greatest benefit of winning the 'World Championship' was to fight and defeat the 'Sword Saint Nirva' to obtain the 'Sword Saint' job.

Now that I have unexpectedly obtained the 'Sword Saint' job, I have no desire to participate.

However, this is Radd and the others' moment to shine, as my disciples.

I was watching the tournament as a spectator, but that's about to end.

Now, the final match has ended, and only the last exhibition match remains.

The only thing left is the match between the tournament winner and the champion, Nirva.

By the way, Radd and the others' performance was as follows: all of them passed the preliminary rounds.

Nuke and Mana, the magic duo, unfortunately lost in the second round.

Prana fought well but was eliminated in the quarterfinals due to unfavorable matchups.

And, the last one standing, Radd...

"...Brother."

Suddenly, my sleeve was tugged by Resilia, who had sat next to me, and I looked up to see Radd standing beside me.

Radd looked somewhat lost as he looked at me, but then he bowed deeply.

"Sorry, Master! Despite all the training, I lost..."

He seemed dejected, even calling me 'Master' awkwardly, and bowed his head.

"What are you talking about? Be proud, you're third in the world."

...That's right.

Radd, the last of the Brave Blades, made it to the final round in his first tournament appearance, defeating many strong opponents.

Although he lost in the final, it's a remarkable achievement for a boy who became an adventurer just two months ago.

In fact, being unsatisfied with this result is terrifying.

The 'World Championship' may have a silly name, but in this world with few entertainments, it has more authority and popularity than the Olympics in the real world.

Once this performance spreads, no one will doubt Radd and the others' abilities.

"That's right! I think Radd did a great job!"

Mana, who felt the same way, encouraged him strongly,

"...You made it further than me, so don't be depressed, you brat."

Prana, standing next to her, added a follow-up (or so it seemed).

On the other hand, Nuke, who looked at Radd steadily, gave a calm critique.

"I didn't think you could reach him, so I understand your regret. But, I felt he was a step above. ...Next time. We will become stronger."

Radd must have felt something from his best partner's words.

"...Yeah, that's right. I need to become even stronger."

He nodded in agreement and sat down next to me.

In front of him was the opponent who defeated Radd in the final, General Sergen, known as the 'Impenetrable Wall.'

"...Well, as Nuke said, you're not ready to face him yet."

As I said this, I used 'Insight' to analyze the general standing in the arena.

---

Sergen

LV 55

HP 840

MP 180

Strength 350 (B+)

Vitality 350 (B+)

Magic 110 (C-)

Spirit 255 (B-)

Agility 145 (C)

Focus 170 (C)

---

While not as broken as Nirva, his high stats easily surpass the early-game strongest, Rex, in both level and ability values.

A general is supposed to be more strategic than personally brave, but that's another story.

In RPGs, the general is always the strongest in the army.

Sergen is a unique character who appears during large-scale battle events in BureBure and has interacted with players a lot, so I remember his appearance well.

"But... my stats are not that far behind..."

I used 'Insight' on Radd, who insisted.

---

Radd

LV 32

HP 724

MP 158

Strength 300 (B)

Vitality 315 (B)

Magic 111 (C-)

Spirit 241 (B-)

Agility 232 (B-)

Focus 195 (C+)

---

In fact, Radd's abilities are high.

He is not wearing his equipment now, but with enchanted gear, his stats would surpass Sergen's.

However, in terms of equipment quality, he is completely outmatched, and his combat experience is self-evident.

Moreover, there is one more important factor.

"Even if the stats are the same, the levels are different."

"Levels?"

Radd tilted his head.

That's understandable.

I have always emphasized and taught that 'improving stats relative to level' is the most important.

From that perspective, it might seem that having a higher level but the same stats is meaningless.

"...You'll see."

A picture is worth a thousand words.

As I shifted my gaze to the arena, the opponent for General Sergen was just entering from the opposite entrance.

At the same time, a thunderous cheer of "Oooooooh!" echoed, and a swordsman with a presence I could never forget, whom I had met only once a few days ago, appeared in my field of vision.

---

Nirva

LV 70

HP 2120

MP 385

Strength 975 (SS)

Vitality 975 (SS)

Magic 300 (B)

Spirit 450 (A-)

Agility 825 (S+)

Focus 525 (A+)

---

As always, stats that make you feel a chill.

While General Sergen was strong, this was clearly on a different level.

However, instead of being intimidated by Nirva's appearance, General Sergen shouted with even more determination.

"Sword Saint! I acknowledge your power! But as the leader of the army, I will take the title of the strongest from you today! Kaaaaaah!"

An incredible aura of determination, not what you'd expect from someone in his advanced age.

And it wasn't just the aura.

"What the... What is that..."

A formidable fighting spirit overflowed from Sergen's body,

"---'Unyielding'!!"

It materialized as an aura enveloping Sergen's body.

This was Sergen's hidden ace, a unique skill that only unique characters can learn as they level up.

"Levels don't just increase stats. Some chosen individuals or purebloods of certain races learn unique skills as they level up."

For example, the worst-handling attack skill, the dark attribute skill 'Cross of Sin,' that Rex can learn is one of them.

However, among unique skills, the ones highly evaluated are not the attack skills that can be replaced by arts, but the buff skills like the one Sergen just used.

Sergen's unique skill 'Unyielding' can only be activated once a day for just one minute, but it has a simple and powerful effect: "Increase attack power by 1.5 times and defense by 3 times."

It's a formidable effect that can overturn a stat difference that should be insurmountable.

"Was he not serious when he fought me!?"

Radd said with regret, but in the game's events, Sergen, as a military man who prides himself on being a shield for the people, lamented being outmatched by adventurers and fighters.

He must have been all in from the start.

Once the match began, he moved forward with unyielding determination.

And, that choice was probably correct.

The effect of 'Unyielding' is overwhelming.

However, conversely, without the effect of 'Unyielding,' it's safe to say that Sergen had almost no chance of defeating Nirva.

How much Sergen can push Nirva during the effect of 'Unyielding.'

On the other side, how Nirva will deal with Sergen's attacks until the effect of 'Unyielding' wears off.

That's the crux of the match.

Everyone, including me, thought so.

But...

"Kiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii