Chapter 67

□【Holy Knight】Ray Stirling

When attending an opera or similar events, there are seats called box seats or balcony seats.

These are semi-private, semi-open spaces embedded in the walls, more luxurious than regular seats but offering the best view of the stage.

However, the box seats in the central arena where we are positioned are a bit different.

They are private rooms, but one wall is entirely made of glass, providing a panoramic view of the arena.

By the way, the regular spectator seats are shaped like a soccer stadium.

The interior is completely different; while the regular seats are made of stone pathways and benches, these are furnished with carpets and antique chairs (which are normal chairs in this world).

The layout is also spacious, allowing one to relax even in a corner of the arena.

Furthermore, they are equipped with air conditioning and other amenities, making them extremely comfortable.

What a luxury. Even though we bought them through a scalper, it’s not surprising that they cost 100,000 rils per person.

However, this is equivalent to spending one million yen on a sports event.

...It’s a level of extravagance that would be impossible in real life.

“Having obtained 60 million rils, you’re still so stingy.”

I think being able to handle large sums of money and being able to spend them easily are different issues.

“Gacha”

“Grrr...”

I can’t help but groan. There’s no way to counter that.

But the gacha has an irresistible charm...

“Mr. Ray, aren’t you going to watch the match?”

“Oh, I am, I am.”

Prompted by Marie, who is sitting next to me, I shift my gaze to the match.

Before that, I check the box seat one more time.

In our box seat L, there are already me, Nemesis, Luke, Bavi, and Marie.

By the way, the fees for Nemesis and Bavi are free thanks to <Embryo>.

...At first, I didn’t know that and tried to enter with Nemesis in the crest.

“I felt like a dog being carried in a cage.”

Is that a good analogy?

“Yeah, you’re the one who’s like a dog.”

“Don’t dig up something I was trying to forget!?”

Those dog ears were gone this morning, so I want to completely forget about it!

“You looked good with them, though.”

“...Let’s leave that aside for now.”

Let’s get back to the box seat.

As I confirmed earlier, there are only the five of us in this seat.

Yes, the figure of my brother, who should be in the same box seat, is still not here.

Is he taking a detour somewhere?

“Well, it’s fine. Let’s focus on the match now.”

Below, several duels have been taking place on the battlefield.

It’s currently in the middle of a semi-event.

The rules of the duel are as follows.

Once on stage, the combat conditions are set before the duel begins, and both parties must agree.

After that, a unique barrier specific to the duel city is deployed, and the battle begins.

When the barrier is deployed, any injuries sustained within it, including fatal wounds and death penalties, are nullified once the battle ends.

This allows for a “safe death match.”

The safety of the spectators is also considered, with five layers of barriers between the stage and the audience seats.

The inside and outside are separated, allowing only sound, light, and the heat from the players to pass through.

Even with sound and light, dangerous things like ultrasound and lasers do not pass through.

Additionally, our box seat is equipped with various facilities.

Multiple monitors using long-distance magic are installed, allowing the match to be viewed from various angles.

The sound is also handled similarly, allowing the words of the players—mainly the names of declared skills—to be heard.

These features are very clear for the spectators.

Apart from wealthy Tiang nobles and major merchants, <Masters> also use these box seats for <Master> analysis.

“Enjoying the duel, huh...”

Duel City, where duels do not involve life and death, has many participants.

This applies to both <Masters> and Tiang.

Many Tiang martial artists also participate.

However, the highlight of this arena is said to be the <Master> vs. <Master> duels.

I watched an actual duel and was convinced.

Because—the level is different.

‘Swift...!’

One of the <Masters> in the duel, a girl with black wings similar to a fallen angel and a black longsword, flies around the barrier-enclosed space, scattering black feathers.

‘<Black Death Orchestra>!!’

The black feathers are countless.

From each black feather, a jet-black wind blade is simultaneously released.

The total number is immeasurable, and the jet-black grid slices through the air, surrounding the opponent and attempting to cut them down.

However, the opponent—a girl with a pirate hat wielding a massive golden axe—grips her axe firmly and slams it into the stone floor of the stage.

‘<Heaven and Earth Reversal Great Waterfall>~!!’

Immediately, a massive amount of water, surpassing a torrent, sprays up from the stage, which was supposed to be empty.

The water that sprays up around the girl resembles an inverted great waterfall.

All the black wind blades are extinguished by the great waterfall.

However, at that moment, the girl with black feathers breaks through the thinned-out point of the great waterfall and attacks the pirate girl, whose axe is still embedded in the stage.

The pirate girl raises her left hand and blocks with a gauntlet.

However, she cannot defend against it, and her arm is torn, causing HP damage.

At the same time, the girl with black feathers is thrown back.

The pirate girl, while raising her left arm to defend, also uses an attack skill from a blind spot created by the left-hand defense and her own attack, and the water bullet hits the girl with black feathers in the abdomen.

The girl with black feathers instantly flies backward to create distance, and the pirate girl’s axe, which she was about to use for a follow-up attack, swings through the air.

They take distance, glare at each other, read each other’s moves, and clash again.

“...The level is high.”

Compared to my current level, not only the base stats but also the place skills are several levels higher.

“But I can see it.”

According to Marie, the speed increases with AGI.

“Yes, the time inside the barrier is set to progress more slowly. The people fighting are actually moving at their real battle speed, but from our side of the barrier, it’s at a speed that can be followed with the eyes. There is a limit, though.”

“Wow, that’s convenient.”

“This barrier is also set to be a relic of the ancient civilization.”

This arena is like one of Silver’s companions.

“I think the barrier is amazing. In reality, less than 10% of the audience could follow the speed of those two.”

So they are actually fighting at that speed.

“‘Black Raven’ Juliet and ‘Wandering Golden Sea’ Chelsea. Both are <Masters> of the sixth form of <Embryo> and are skilled veterans. By the way, both are ranked in the Alter Kingdom’s duel ranking. ‘Black Raven’ is fourth, and ‘Wandering Golden Sea’ is eighth.”

I see, both are ranked.

“I think I saw the pirate hat girl eating sweets earlier.”

Ah, I might have seen her.

“‘Black Raven’ and ‘Wandering Golden Sea’ are their nicknames, right?”

“Yes. Their professions are the super-class job of the dark knight branch, [Fallen Knight], and the high-level job of the pirate branch, [Grand Pirate].”

Wow, ‘Black Raven’ is a super-class job.

It’s also a knight branch.

I feel a sense of familiarity, but not really.

The equipment looks a bit scary.

“Probably, Black Raven wouldn’t want to be called that by you, either?”

What does that mean?

“Are there many super-class jobs?”

“There are fewer in number, but there are about a thousand super-class... super-class <Embryo> <Masters>. You can become one in Tiang, too.”

More than I thought.

“Even if you stop at a high-level <Embryo>, you can become a super-class job.”

“That ‘Wandering Golden Sea’ is strong but not a super-class job, right?”

“Yes, Chelsea, the pirate girl, hasn’t discovered the quest for job change. There are still many super-class jobs whose conditions are unknown.”

So, she’s a ranked sixth but not a super-class job.

But is the super-class job for pirates really [Sea King]...?

“...It would be tragic if your super-class job in your job branch is taken before you know the conditions.”

“Yes, it happens often. There are also similar super-class jobs, so if you search diligently, you might find others. ...Some people have even obtained two super-class jobs.”

The world is unfair.

“Oh.”

While listening to Marie’s explanation, I was also watching the match. When both of their HPs dropped below 50%, the match took a significant turn.

The wings on [Fallen Knight] Juliet’s back disappeared, and countless black feathers gathered on both of her arms.

A vast amount of black feathers swirled around her arms, accelerating to a speed that was difficult to distinguish with the naked eye.

[Grand Pirate] Chelsea raised her golden axe with both hands, not the blade but the side of the axe facing the opponent.

The golden axe disappeared, and a hole opened in the space where the axe had been, spilling out golden seawater.

Both poured their magic power and skill into their attacks, increasing their power to the maximum and unleashing their decisive blows.

‘<Death Eater Bird>—!!’

‘—<Golden Bull Tsunami>!!’

On the arena, a dark tornado and a golden tsunami collide.

Even through the multiple layers of barriers, the intense visual pressure and the roar are overwhelming.

The collision of the tornado and the tsunami—both ultimate attack skills—is a sight that defies reality.

Their <Embryos> are in the sixth form.

In terms of the evolution of <Embryos>, they are four stages ahead of the current Nemesis.

The destructive power is immense.

Both attacks have the power to shatter [Galdorand]’s entire body in one hit.

But it’s not just the power.

The entire exchange leading up to this decisive attack tells the story of their skills.

“Are the ultimate skills I heard about at noon the ones they are using now, and are the names of their <Embryos> Phraseveld and Poseidon?”

“Yes. The skills they are using now are the ultimate skills named after their <Embryos>. These skills leverage the characteristics of their <Embryos>, so Phraseveld uses a combined dark and wind attribute magic attack, and Poseidon, with its liquid summoning characteristic, takes that form.”

“Is liquid summoning different from water attribute?”

“To put it simply, liquid summoning is physical, while water attribute is magical. By the way, the liquid summoned by Poseidon’s ultimate skill is molten gold at room temperature, which is much heavier than regular water. It could easily flatten a fortress.”

“Luxurious... and terrifying.”

“The liquid disappears after the attack, though.”

If such a large amount of gold is frequently released, the gold market in this world would be in a terrible state...

“However, I noticed that you know a lot about those two.”

“They are regulars in duels, so there’s a lot of information about them.”

“Hmm.”

In Gideon, Masters who participate in arena duels receive rewards regardless of the outcome (of course, winning is better).

In the main event of this grand arena, the reward is a solid 50 million rils per match.

This match is a semi-event, but it still offers 10 million rils.

This time, it’s a special event, and the reward is ten times that amount.

It’s a high return, but it comes with the high risk of exposing your information to the audience... other players.

Indeed, Marie, who belongs to <DIN>, has detailed information on her profession and ultimate skills.

“However, there are regulars whose information cannot be obtained at all.”

“...”

“Which is why the next match is very exciting.”

On the stage, the match has concluded, and “Black Raven” Juliet has been declared the winner.

And now, the main event of the day is about to begin.

The absolute champion of the Alter Kingdom’s duel ranking, reigning in this duel city Gideon—[Super Fighter] Figaro—will face off against the second-ranked duelist of the Yellow River Empire—[Corpse Immortal] Xunyu.

The curtain is about to rise on the <Super-Class Clash>.

To be continued

The next chapter will be posted tomorrow at 21:00.

(=ↀωↀ=) <The curtain rises (not saying the match will start next time)>