Chapter 20

"Next up, the entrance of the Daisuke Heihachi party."

Unlike Dius earlier, when our entrance was announced, there were no cheers. Instead, people started chatting with those around them, creating a different kind of buzz.

"I had expected this, but it's more of a blow than I thought. Well, it's to be expected since we're E-rank."

"Hehe, it seems we have no popularity at all."

"Besides, we just arrived."

As we stepped out of the waiting room to enter, everyone's gaze turned to us. The atmosphere with tens of thousands of people silently staring at us was intense. I tried to move forward as we were encouraged to enter, but my legs started to tremble slightly.

Esther, walking beside me, seemed calm and smiled. Noll also appeared composed. Was I the only one feeling anxious?

"The Daisuke Heihachi party consists of two E-rank warriors and an F-rank mage. I wonder if they'll be okay. How far can they go against an Ogre with a C-rank bounty? Please retreat if it gets too dangerous."

The commentator didn't seem to think we could defeat the Ogre, speaking with concern. It was probably reckless for E-rank adventurers to face a C-rank monster. I doubt many in the audience believed we could win. Some might even be hoping we'd lose miserably for challenging Dius and his party.

"Ah, are you worried, big brother? Hehe, don't be. With Noll and me, there's no way we can lose."

"That's right! We'll show that guy what we're made of!"

Esther seemed to have noticed my unease and smiled at me. Noll raised his hand and made a determined pose. Seeing their usual confident selves, I started to feel silly for being so anxious.

"Yeah, you're right. We'll make that guy regret underestimating us and accepting the challenge. Thanks."

That's right, I have these two with me. It's pathetic to be intimidated by this level of pressure.

Regaining my composure, I moved to the starting position. The Ogre, just like before, started walking with a thud. I thought about checking the status of the hooded figure leading the Ogre, but the distance was too great. Instead, I confirmed the large Ogre.

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● Species: Ogre

Level: 40

HP: 53,000

MP: 0

Attack: 500

Defense: 300

Agility: 35

Magic Resistance: 0

Special Abilities: None

Skills: None

---

The attack and defense weren't too bad, but the HP was high. The agility was also slightly high. If Noll lands a hit, the Ogre's movement will slow down. Should we start by blocking the attack like Dius's party did? Noll's defense is strong enough to act as a tank. That should shock them. Meanwhile, I'll circle around and attack from behind with Esther's support.

"Everything seems ready, so let's begin. Good luck to all. The match starts now!"

The bell signaling the start rang. The Ogre, which had been standing a bit away, started running, just like before.

"I'll cast support spells."

Esther immediately cast a body-strengthening spell on us.

"Alright, Noll. Can you block the Ogre's attack and stop its movement? And Esther, I need your magical support. Don't use area spells by mistake."

"Hehe, no problem!"

"Sure, leave it to me."

The Ogre held a club in its right hand. I directed Noll to approach from the right side, while I circled around to attack from behind. The Ogre swung its club horizontally, trying to sweep us off our feet. Noll stopped in its path and raised her shield.

"Oh! The Daisuke Heihachi party's warrior is taking on the role of a tank! Even with a shield, isn't this reckless?"

The Ogre, several times larger than a human, faced the slender Noll. It seemed impossible for her to block the attack. Just before the club hit her shield, the audience gasped. I was also running and watching Noll.

The moment Noll's shield blocked the Ogre's attack, the Ogre was sent flying.

Seeing this, I stopped in my tracks. The audience, who had been gasping, fell silent.

"…Huh? Am I dreaming? The Ogre was not only blocked but sent flying! I've never seen anything like this!"

The Ogre's massive body flipped over, creating a cloud of dust and groaning in pain. What the hell just happened? The club should have hit Noll from the side, but it was deflected upward, sending the Ogre flying.

…Well, it worked. The Ogre's movement was stopped, even if it wasn't as planned.

"Noll! Cut its legs while it's down!"

"Got it!"

Noll cut the Ogre's legs to prevent it from standing. I stabbed the Ogre's body with a pickaxe to increase the damage. The Ogre, screaming in a voice I'd never heard before, thrashed around but was soon immobilized by the earth rising and fixing its torso and limbs. Probably Esther's magic.

"Gruesome, this is incredibly gruesome! They're one-sidedly attacking the fallen Ogre! I've never seen a party fight like this before!"

Even I, who am used to gruesome scenes, thought this was a bit much. Noll shredded the Ogre's legs, and Esther's wind magic tore its skin, causing blood to spurt. The Ogre, writhing in pain, couldn't move the earth restraints.

Looking at the audience, they were gaping in shock, as if they had seen something incomprehensible. Was this enough?

…No, it wasn't. To show those who underestimated us and that guy, it wasn't enough.

"Noll, let's back off."

"Huh? Not finish it off?"

"It wouldn't be fun to end it like this."

We stepped back, leaving the Ogre, which was almost dead, on the ground. A battle should end with a grand finale.

"The Daisuke Heihachi party has returned to the mage. Despite the favorable situation, do they have a strategy?"

"Big brother? Why are you coming back?"

"Well, I thought we'd give a little show. Esther, I'll leave the finishing blow to you."

"Hehe, are you sure? Should I make it spectacular?"

"Ah, don't do anything that might cause collateral damage."

"Ugh, that's unfair~"

If it's a spectacular finish, leave it to Esther. She looked very happy to be given the task of the finishing blow.

…Maybe I should have just ended it normally. Noll looked disappointed, but you've already drawn enough attention by sending the Ogre flying with your shield.

"Let's put some effort into it, hey!"

Esther, with a more determined voice than usual, swung her staff. A large gray magic circle appeared centered on the immobilized Ogre. Flames gradually appeared at the edges of the circle, swirling and rising into a fiery tornado.

We were a bit away, but we could still feel the intense heat. It was a complete overkill.

When the fiery tornado dissipated, the Ogre was gone, leaving only dropped items. It seemed to have been completely obliterated in the tornado.

"…Ah, um, the Daisuke Heihachi party has finished the hunt! The candles left are… four and a half. I don't know what to say. What are these people?"

The initial silence of the audience, who had looked down on us, had changed to a different kind of silence. Did we overdo it?

The commentator was also confused.

"Phew, it feels great to cast a powerful spell. I might get addicted."

"I'm envious… I wanted to do a big 'Bam!' too."

Esther, who had cast the powerful spell, was hugging her staff with a blissful expression. She's really something. Noll, looking unsatisfied, was fidgeting with her fingers.

At least we won. Let's celebrate. I had thought we could win since I had seen the Ogre's status beforehand, but this was more overwhelming than expected.

Wait, now that I think about it, I'm being ignored again… Oh well.

"Alright, the Daisuke Heihachi party wins. Please hand over the 1,000,000 G bet to the Daisuke Heihachi party."

Dius's party, who had been in the waiting room, walked over. They held a bag in their hands, looking serious.

"It seems we lost… please take it. Feel free to check."

I had braced myself for some snide remarks, but he handed over the 1,000,000 G without hesitation. I checked the bag, and it contained ten gold coins.

"Thank you."

"Esther was right. I apologize for my rudeness."

Dius bowed deeply to us. Maybe he's actually a good guy? No, that's impossible given his previous behavior.

After bowing, he extended his hand to me, probably for a post-match handshake. I shook his hand in response.

But as soon as he grabbed my hand, it started to creak under the pressure. This guy! He was still smiling but applying an incredible amount of force. He hadn't learned his lesson at all.

I returned the pressure, smiling and squeezing his hand as hard as I could.

"Ah, yes… please continue to work together."

"Ugh, yes… the same to you."

We both maintained strained smiles while increasing the pressure on each other's hands. I was a fool to think he had changed.

"The match is over, and Dius and Daisuke Heihachi are shaking hands. Both parties have shown a great hunt. Thank you for today!"

While we were having a strength contest, the match was declared over, and the audience applauded. From their perspective, it looked like we had ended on good terms.

This guy will definitely come after us again. The thought made me a bit weary, but I was relieved that today had ended safely.