Chapter 16

"Then, let's begin the first match! From 'Black Blade,' we have the 'Rapier Knight' Gyo! And from 'Dragon Fang'... huh? ...The 'Unemployed' Areru...!"

There was a momentary pause when he said 'Unemployed.'

The venue fell silent.

"...The 'Unemployed'?"

"Did you just say 'Unemployed'? Did I hear that wrong?"

"No, I heard it too."

Gradually, the murmurs spread, and eventually,

"I know that guy! He came to our guild as a prospective member!"

"I know him too! He was turned away at the reception!"

"So, he's really 'Unemployed'?"

"Hahaha! No way! Dragon Fang is sending out an 'Unemployed'!"

"Even if they're short on members, to make an 'Unemployed' a guild member...!"

Laughter erupted throughout the venue.

But it wasn't just laughter.

"Are you not trying to win, you bastard?"

"Then don't even set up the match in the first place! There are plenty of other guilds that want to face Black Blade!"

"This is the holy ground of swordsmen! 'Unemployed,' get lost!"

Such shouts of anger echoed through the venue.

"Please, don't throw anything! It's very dangerous!"

Objects started flying onto the stage.

"Well, I guess this was expected..."

"Hmm, quite a reaction, isn't it?"

"How can you stay so calm!?"

"Nothing, I just need to silence them."

I, the vanguard, stepped onto the stage.

My opponent also climbed up.

He was a small, slender man, looking quite agile.

He was probably around twenty years old.

His weapon was a rapier.

I think he was introduced as the 'Rapier Knight' Gyo.

"Of all people, I didn't expect to face an 'Unemployed.' You must really be underestimating me."

"I'm not underestimating you."

From behind, I heard Lilia's voice, sounding somewhat resigned.

"Mr. Areru! He's a B-rank swordsman! Take him down without any damage!"

The match is won by stripping the opponent of all their blessings, and the guild that defeats all the opponents in a knockout system wins. We need to defeat ten opponents with a team of three, but even if we win, the next match starts immediately, so we can't wait for our blessings to recover. Therefore, we need to win without reducing our blessings as much as possible.

Hearing Lilia's words, Gyo snorted.

"Hah, you're funny. I'll be the one to take you down without any damage."

And the match began.

"I'll end this in one strike."

In the next instant, Gyo's figure vanished and reappeared in front of me.

It was 'Dash.'

Then, he lunged.

A perfect strike aimed at my heart.

It was 'Vital Point Strike.'

Closing the distance in an instant and piercing a vital point to finish the opponent.

If a vital point is pierced, the blessings can be completely lost, but avoiding it from 'Dash' is quite difficult.

This is the true strength of the 'Rapier Knight,' the fastest of the swordsman classes, and the strongest skill combo.

Gyo's rapier tip aimed straight for my heart—

"Was that too quick?"

"That line is a bit premature, don't you think?"

"What!?"

—pierced, but it was my 'Afterimage.'

The real me was behind Gyo.

I returned the favor by aiming a thrust at his heart from behind.

It was a 'Vital Point Strike.'

"Ugh!"

To his credit, Gyo managed to twist his body to avoid a direct hit to the heart.

Still, his shoulder was pierced, and his blessings were significantly reduced.

"Impossible!? That was an 'Afterimage'! How can an 'Unemployed' like you use a skill that only 'Rapier Knights' and 'Illusionary Swordsmen' can use...!? And you even used 'Vital Point Strike'...!"

Despite his shock, Gyo quickly regained his composure.

"But I'm also skilled with 'Afterimages'!"

Gyo's figure split into two.

Hmm.

Quite impressive 'Afterimages.'

I can't tell which one is the real one.

One of them lunged at me.

But the heart it pierced was, once again, my 'Afterimage.'

However, Gyo seemed to have anticipated this.

"I won't fall for the same trick! The real one must be over here! ...What!?"

"Sorry, that's also an 'Afterimage.'"

"Ugh!"

Gyo's blessings were significantly reduced again.

Just one or two more hits.

"Two 'Afterimages' at the same time!? B-but even I can do that much...!"

This time, Gyo split into three and charged at me.

"Who said I can only do two?"

"What!?"

I created a total of five 'Afterimages' to counter Gyo.

A three-on-six battle, the outcome was clear.

Gyo's thrusts missed me again, and my sword slashed his real body.

Finally, Gyo's blessings were completely lost.

"The winner is... Areru!"

The match was declared over.

"Impossible... How could this happen..."

On the stage, Gyo knelt, his lips trembling in shock. I told him,

"Let me correct you on one point. Other swordsman classes can also learn the 'Afterimage' skill."

"What!?"

"The 'Sword Maiden.'"

Gyo's eyes widened in surprise.

"A 'Sword Maiden,' the highest rank of swordsman classes...? B-but only women can become 'Sword Maidens'..."

As he said, only women can become 'Sword Maidens.'

But it doesn't matter to me.

"After all, I'm just an 'Unemployed.'"