Chapter 18

With the first A-rank swordsman as the opening, the consecutive battles against A-rank swordsmen began.

The second was the *Dual Swordsman*.

And the third was the *Paladin*.

The *Dual Swordsman* is an advanced class of the swordsman type who can use the *Dual Wield* skill. I struggled a bit due to his numerous attacks but managed to defeat him unscathed.

The *Paladin* that followed was not an advanced class of the swordsman type but of the knight type. His most prominent feature is the large amount of divine protection he has, thanks to the *Divine Protection Enhancement* skill, which is more than that of an ordinary person. Therefore, he is a troublesome opponent under the match rules. However, I managed to defeat him unscathed as well.

But *Divine Protection Enhancement*... Could I somehow learn this skill?

"Amazing, Alair! Just one more! I didn't think you'd defeat nine of them...! Please defeat the last one too!"

Lilia's cheers came from the side of the stage.

"Hey, hey... If this keeps up, Dragon Fang will really win..."

"If that happens, what a huge payout it will be..."

"Damn, I should have bet on that side too..."

"No, it's not over yet. Look. The next one coming out of Black Blade is a top-class man even among A-rankers."

*And now, the tenth swordsman from "Black Blade" is here! The *Sword Master* Masamune!*

The final opponent ascended the stage. He was a middle-aged man dressed in attire I had rarely seen before.

"It seems I am the last line of defense."

The sword at his waist was not a straight sword commonly used, but slightly curved. The blade was also as thin as a rapier.

"A katana, huh."

"Yes. My class, *Sword Master*, is an advanced class of the Eastern swordsman, the *Samurai*."

This is truly a city of swords. Even Eastern swordsmen exist here.

"Hmm. This is quite an interesting opponent."

I readied my sword. However, the opponent did not draw his sword from the scabbard; he only slightly bent forward.

"You're not drawing your sword?"

"This is my stance."

...I see.

There are no openings at all.

If I recklessly approach, his sword will cut me down first. My honed "Premonition" ability was warning me of this.

"...Impressive. I judged that a mediocre sword would not defeat you and intended to use my ultimate skill, but your perception is quite sharp."

An ultimate skill.

It's probably a technique that can be used while the sword is still in the scabbard. Not drawing the sword would seem like a sign of underestimating me, and if I were to recklessly approach, I would be cut down. This is a very difficult skill to deal with on the first encounter.

But if I don't, I won't get to see his skill, which would be a shame.

I approached the opponent.

"Are you willingly entering a deathtrap, knowing this?"

When the distance between us was two meters, the suppressed killing intent erupted from the Eastern swordsman's entire body. In an instant, the sword flashed, and I visualized myself being bisected.

However, that was just my "Afterimage."

I had left the "Afterimage" in front and attacked the Eastern swordsman from the side.

"Too naive."

"!"

But the Eastern swordsman was not fooled by the "Afterimage" and had firmly locked onto the real me. Proof of this was that his sword was still in the scabbard.

"--- *Iai Strike: Supreme*"

The *Great Sword Master*'s ultimate skill was unleashed. The lightning-fast slash grazed just a few millimeters in front of my nose. Of course, it wasn't because the skilled opponent misjudged the distance; I had gauged the distance and retreated at the last moment to a point just out of reach.

"Could it be that you perfectly read my sword...!?"

"Indeed, it's fast. But thanks to my mother, I'm used to fast swords."

However, this was only possible because I had already "Premonitioned" the technique. The visualization earlier made it possible.

At that moment, the skill did not activate, but the mere presence of it was enough for me. The fact that I was not fooled by my "Afterimage" was impressive, but at that point, his ultimate skill was already doomed to fail.

"But you've shown me something good. As a thank you, I'll show you one of my ultimate *skills*."

--- *Piercing Storm*

It must have looked like countless flashes of light to him.

The *Sword Maiden*'s ultimate skill, *Piercing Storm*. It delivers a series of lightning-fast thrusts, like a storm. There was no way to avoid it after the sword was drawn.

Thrusts were driven into every part of his body, and his divine protection was instantly blown away.

*The, the winner is Alair! As a result, all the fighters from Black Blade have been defeated, so Dragon Fang wins!*

The announcement was met with a tremendous roar from the audience.

"He defeated a top-class *Sword Master* among A-rankers..."

"And it was a ten-man streak...!?"

"Black Blade, damn it! Losing to a guild like that! What a disgrace!"

"How much did you bet? Give me my money back!"

Some were purely astonished, but since most people had bet on Black Blade, angry voices were heard everywhere.

"Yay! Amazing, Alair!"

Lilia jumped with joy, her happiness evident.