Chapter 91

Chapter 32. The Arena of Cosmos (2)

"It's more dangerous than I thought?"

As Jin sheathed his sword, Kasimir nodded.

"Yes, it's a dangerous tournament with no minimum rules like a ban on killing, unlike ordinary martial arts competitions. While the overall level of the participants is low, there are quite a few skilled individuals who come to enjoy one-sided massacres."

The Arena of Cosmos, fitting for a pirate-organized event, had no rules at all.

Not only was killing the opponent allowed, but there were no restrictions on the use of special items. Even assassinating or poisoning the opponent before the match started was permitted in this crazy tournament.

"You can win by any means necessary. I've even heard stories of madmen who won by taking the opponent's family hostage and threatening them before the match began."

Therefore, in the Arena of Cosmos, one had to always be wary of 'dirty tricks,' even if the opponent was a 2-star or 3-star participant.

"Naive 4-star and 5-star newcomers, who know nothing, are the main prey for the participants. They walk the path of righteousness, unaware of the dark side of the world, only to face disappointment in a tournament rife with deceit and trickery. Ah, I'm not saying Confucius is like that. Confucius... is far removed from such things."

Except for his daily diligent practice, Jin was a person far from righteousness.

"And whether the opponent uses tricks or not, the 6-star and above participants, who overwhelm with overwhelming martial prowess, are the predators of the tournament. Most of them are just perverts who come to feel the thrill."

"Thrill?"

"Yes, there are those kinds of people. The type who gets a kick out of crushing an opponent who fights desperately with all their might... the most dangerous kind."

"Ha, what kind of martial arts competition is that?"

According to Kasimir's explanation, the tournament was not just despicable but terrifying. It was all about inducing gambling and entertainment through sensational matches.

"Well, it's officially called an arena, not a martial arts competition. Honestly, if it weren't for Dante, I wouldn't have suggested you participate, Confucius."

"Indeed, he doesn't seem to fit the tournament at all. Is there a huge treasure as the prize?"

"The winner can choose between a certain prize and 1,000 gold coins. It's a considerable amount by general standards, but it's pocket change for the next head of the Hyaran family."

"Then is there a rival or something?"

"There's no clear information on why Dante is participating in the tournament. But I think..."

Kasimir paused for a moment.

"Maybe he just wants to test his sword. He's probably curious to see if his sword will shine even in the face of evil and trickery. If not, he might have fallen into a mess without knowing the ways of the world."

It was a hard-to-understand story.

If Dante really joined the unpleasant tournament just to test his sword, it was hard to believe.

'Anyway, I'm also intrigued. Dante Hyaran... in my past life, he was someone I could never even dream of facing.'

Before his reincarnation, when Jin was just expelled from Runkandel.

People often debated who was the more outstanding figure between Dante, the swordsman, and Veradin, the mage.

They had many things in common.

Both surpassed 7-star at a young age and became 9-star by their thirties, the next heads of their respective great families. Whenever they met officially, the news was plastered everywhere. They were even the same age.

'Back then, they received more attention than the children of Runkandel. Luna rarely showed herself to the world, and the eldest brother, who was the next head, was slightly inferior to them.'

Among the second generation of Runkandel, only Luna was considered more outstanding than Dante. Of course, Dante was not clearly stronger than the other siblings, but that was the general consensus.

'I was curious about him. Meeting him once wouldn't hurt. Surely he doesn't have a temper like Veradin, right?'

However.

Kasimir's exaggerated attitude had been bothering him. He could have naturally suggested going once, but he was talking as if he were a salesman trying to sell medicine.

'Besides, the Seven-Colored Birds probably don't have the time to investigate Dante Hyaran these days. Their best people are all focused on Jip, Alu, and Kinsel. It seems suspicious to have stumbled upon this information...'

Thinking up to this point, Jin smiled as if something had occurred to him.

'It must be Father. The information about Dante likely came from Runkandel. Now that I think about it, when we were in the study together, Father sent me out first, saying he had something to talk to Sir Kasimir about.'

Since then, Kasimir might have been reporting to him about Jin.

Although this thought crossed his mind, it wasn't a significant issue. From Jin's perspective, there was nothing to lose.

Instead, he felt a bit playful.

"Hmm... Sir Kasimir, do I really have to go?"

"Eh, yes?"

"I don't really want to go to such a despicable tournament. I'll have plenty of opportunities to meet Dante Hyaran in the future."

"Hmm, hmm! Master Jin, think about it. As a Runkandel, you will naturally have many opportunities to meet Dante! But will you have many chances to face him in a match? It might be an opportunity that won't come again..."

"Haha, I'm not a fighting enthusiast. I've been sparring with Lady Alisa for the past three months, and I'm quite tired."

"Master, please... just trust me and go once. It's a great opportunity to assess Dante Hyaran's martial prowess, isn't it? Hahaha, my tongue is getting twisted. Maybe it's the heat..."

Jin pointed to the window and laughed. Snow was pouring outside, and it was the height of the cold snap in early January.

"The heat?"

"Oh, another slip of the tongue. Anyway, Master! I've already filled out the application form. Just trust me and go once? I have a strong feeling it will be a great experience for you!"

"Well... if Sir Kasimir insists, I have no choice. I'll go."

"Thank you, Master Jin! By the way, you need to leave tomorrow. The deadline is tight, so that's all for now!"

"Tomorrow? Wait, Sir Kasimir!"

Kasimir hurriedly left the training ground with a ten-year-old's face, without even looking back.

And Jin's suspicion turned into certainty.

'Father is having me reported on. And this time, it's probably the first direct order. To face Dante Hyaran once.'

He couldn't help but laugh. He already knew his father was paying attention to him, but he didn't expect such overt interest.

If the other siblings found out about this, there would be chaos.

'Anyway, Sir Kasimir really has no talent for acting... Is it just me? I heard he was very good at politics when he became the king of the Free State of Tikkan.'

Jin chuckled.

* * *

The Arena of Cosmos was held on an island south of the Principality of Valado. Strangely, it was outside Valado's territorial waters, making it a playground for pirates operating in the nearby seas, a deserted island.

Jin came to the island alone, without bringing a single companion.

'If it's a direct order from Father, I can't rely on anyone else.'

If he had brought someone, it would have certainly been a point deduction.

To Jin, Father's message was clear: to conquer this trashy tournament alone, with only a sword.

Using magic and spirit energy in such a snowy place would be insane.

'This is the first time I'm doing something alone since Marmot. And the stage is a den of outlaws, then and now.'

After passing through the Principality of Valado via a teleportation gate and paying a generous fee to a fishing boat, Jin's first impression of the island was not good.

It felt like the bottom of the barrel, a place where the lowest of the low gathered and squirmed. The streets were filled with the stench of decay, and dried bloodstains were clearly visible everywhere.

It was a place where people were stabbed at the slightest provocation. Being a remote island, most visitors were pirates or down-and-out martial artists, and there was no law enforcement to maintain order.

"Kekekeke."

One could encounter a drug-addled maniac laughing and wandering the streets every five steps.

Of course, not everyone was like that.

Sometimes he saw the children of wealthy families with bodyguards, and knights in decent armor. They were either participants in the arena or visitors looking for entertainment.

Jin started following one of them. He thought he could easily find the registration area by following them.

After about 30 minutes, as expected, Jin arrived at the registration area. It was just a table set up in front of a dilapidated and dirty arena that resembled a pigpen.

"I've come to apply for the arena."

When Jin handed over the application form Kasimir had prepared, the man at the registration desk raised his eyebrows. He was a typical pirate, a giant covered in hair and childish tattoos.

"What, the application period is over. Get lost. It would be even better if you died on your way back."

"Over? I was told applications are accepted until sunset today."

"Oh, I just don't feel like taking applications right now. Can't you understand what I'm saying?"

While saying this, the man subtly made a circle with his thumb and index finger, clearly asking for money.

Jin's usual principle was to solve problems that could be solved with money by simply giving money.

Of course, that included giving a punch.

Smack!

Jin kicked the old table and punched the man's head as he tried to stand up. The crumpled application form was in his fist.

"Ugh! Hey, you little—"

"Register me. I'll pay."

Then, throwing a few gold coins on the table, the man's face lit up with a smile and he nodded.

Jin couldn't help but flinch at this point, as he had put considerable force into the punch. Even a 4-star martial artist with decent training would have been dazed by the impact.

Yet, the man, who had taken a direct hit, immediately stood up and laughed when he saw the money.

"Registration complete! Hahaha, you're a fiery kid. I like you. You'll be fighting in Group 13. Take this and go inside; the guys inside will guide you."

The man wrote something on a small piece of paper and handed it to Jin.

Group 13, Jin Gray.

Since you hit me first, I'll pair you with some decent opponents. Ah, if this kid can't survive the night, cook him immediately and feed him to the sharks.

- Pirate King Cosmos

"Hahaha, welcome to the Arena of Cosmos, filled with romance and love. Do your best."

The man, revealing a mouth full of gold teeth, laughed. He was the organizer of the tournament, the pirate king Cosmos.