Becoming a Hunter in a Dark Fantasy - Chapter 136



Only Krnovel

Episode 136 Underground Arena (2)

“As expected, this wasn’t an ordinary guild building.”

These were the first words Princess Alicosa spoke after entering the Elyon Guild building.

The interior of the Elyon Guild building looked ordinary at first glance.

As we entered the basement following Lila’s guidance, we could smell the strong smell of illegality.

“… … the smell of blood.”

The scent of blood vibrated from the very beginning. It was clear that something unusual was happening down there.

Jiiing.

As we took the magic lift and went deeper, there was a giant door there.

In front of him stood a group of men of equally large size.

“Lily, are you here?”

“Yeah, hello!”

“You came to watch with your friends. I’m sure the guild leader will be pleased.”

The gatekeepers who had been guarding the door with grim expressions smiled rather docilely as soon as they saw Lila.

“Your alias is Lily? Does the change mean anything?”

“Well… … . It’s better than just using your real name. You’ve become more careful now than before.”

“… … That?”

Behind them, Elwin and Gale whispered quietly.

“Here are your tickets. Seven in total!”

“Confirmed. Enjoy your viewing.”

The gatekeepers, having checked all the tickets, took a deep breath and pulled the handle on the door.

Kuuuuung.

“Waaaaaaaaaah!”

As the door slowly opened, a thunderous roar was heard through the gap.

“Damn it, kill me quickly!”

“Kill him! Kill him!”

“Ahh! I lost again! You useless brat!”

Malicious voices. Laughter. Enthusiastic cheers and applause.

Chaeng! Chaeng, chaang-!

The sound of metal clashing violently against metal.

Painful screams and groans can be faintly heard between them.

The group, except for Elwin and Lila, stared blankly ahead.

Because I wonder if what they see now is reality.

“… … Ugh!”

“Ugh, gasp… … Ugh!”

A huge circular arena with two gladiators inside.

Judging by the fact that they were bleeding all over their bodies and had difficulty standing properly, neither of them seemed to be in good condition.

They took one step forward, even though they stumbled.

Whether it was the pain, the fear of death, or the pressure of having to kill the other person soon.

They kept shaking and distorting their faces.

“Die!”

“Whoaaaa! I’m dying!”

And then he forcefully swung the weapon he was holding. With utter desperation… … .

To the magic users, it looked more like a struggle than a battle. It was nothing more than a struggle, with people kicking and struggling.

But even that is where victory and defeat come from… … and soon the winner is decided.

“Save me… … . Please.”

The winner, who was climbing on top of the pleading loser, shed tears.

“I, I’m sorry. I have to kill you so I can live. Die, die. Die!!!”

He slashed down mercilessly with his blade. A terrible scream rang out.

A man was dying.

A person with compassion would have immediately shouted for a nearby doctor or healing wizard to come and take care of it.

But for some viewers, someone’s death was just something to watch and enjoy.

“Wahahahahaha!”

Again, loud laughter erupted.

“Did you see that? That look on Welvin’s face!”

“Of course I saw it. It was a masterpiece! That terrified face… … Ugh!”

“What a pity. Couldn’t you have told me a little more? It was a heartbreaking scream… … .”

“Hahaha! That’s impossible. Look, he’s already dead!”

The seating area surrounding the central stadium was tiered, like an ancient Colosseum.

Beautiful and stylishly dressed people filled the auditorium.

“Ahhh… …! I lost the bet again!!”

“You should have struggled a little more! Welbin, that useless guy! Do you know how much I bet on you?!”

“Whoa, whoa. Don’t be so angry. Just drink this champagne and calm down. You just have to win the next bet, right?”

They enjoyed blood and death with elegance, wearing ridiculous masks.

A bet was made on the death of a person.

Those who saw this sight for the first time stood there dumbfounded, as if shocked.

“How can nobles, who are supposed to be role models for others, do such vulgar things… …!”

“… … It’s terrible.”

“Huh, it’s like watching an opera or something. The tastes of the higher-ups here are so annoying.”

It is said that in the barbaric ancient times, people enjoyed watching people kill each other as entertainment.

It was no different in modern times, not just in ancient times.

The sight they see now proves this.

“This is the darkness of Goddard.”

Lila said, walking ahead with an indifferent expression.

“Welcome to the underground arena.”

* * *

The place Elwin and his party were assigned was the VIP room.

The highest room with a panoramic view of the stadium.

No one was allowed to enter this room without their permission.

[Ms. Sercia. Is there any wiretapping or surveillance magic installed in this room?]

Elwin showed her the writing on the Nexion screen.

Sercia, who had just cast her search magic, shook her head.

Only then did the group feel relieved and slightly lower their masks and sigh.

“Whew. I’m already so tired.”

“… … Phew. I agree. Seriously, this is the worst place.”

However, Princess Gale, Princess Alicosa, and her knights were in relatively better condition because they had been through a lot during the war.

“Oh. Are you guys okay? You don’t look so good.”

“… … I’m fine.”

“Okay, okay… … . Ugh!”

Calix, who had no experience like this, and Sercia, who had a pale complexion and was even feeling nauseous, were not in good condition.

“Don’t push yourself too hard. I brought a knife and a water bottle. Give them to me.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Here she is. Lady Odelweiss.”

“Go, thank you.”

Elwin said as he read the underground arena schedule he received from Lila.

“You can rest easy for a while. There’s still a long way to go before the main dish comes out.”

Elwin looked across the terrace at the stadium with sunken eyes.

The corpse of the man was dragged away, and soon another participant appeared.

He was a man with a muscular body that could not be compared to the man who was barely standing in a dying state.

“Ah, ahh… …!!”

The winner will soon become the loser.

“Lila.”

“Okay, I understand!”

Lila Mavis bowed her head slightly, as if Elwin understood her intentions simply by calling her name.

And then he smiled brightly and went out of the room.

“Little guy?”

“Hey, where are you going?”

Elwin added to the people who looked back with surprised expressions.

“That’s because Lila has a separate mission to complete.”

It was originally called for that purpose.

Because I needed the resources to infiltrate the underground arena in advance and do the ‘work’.

‘According to intelligence, the owner of the underground arena participates in every arena held in the capital city of Dasti.’

It turns out that the owner of the underground arena was the ninth member of the Familia, Nono.

‘It is said that when the match is at its peak, he always asks the spectators if there is any proud warrior who would like to challenge him to a duel of honor.’

That’s the moment. Elwin had been eagerly awaiting that moment.

Tonight, no one will be allowed out of this building.

* * *

The only VVIP room in the underground arena.

There, the leader of the Elyon Guild was sweating profusely and laughing cowardly. He rubbed his hands together as if he were a sly man and bent his back.

“Oh, you’re here! Master!”

The person receiving such greetings was a man leaning back in a chair with boredom.

“It’s been a while. Has it been three months since I last saw you in person?”

The man’s long, unkempt purple hair was covered in steel-like muscles.

The chair he’s sitting on keeps creaking so much it’s pitiful.

“Is there anything unusual in the workshop?”

Also, looking at the scars and calluses covering the man’s entire body, it was clear that he was a warrior of considerable skill.

“Of course! This time again, all the tickets were sold out like hotcakes!”

“okay?”

The man glanced around the arena, bored. Just then, a gladiator pierced his opponent’s heart.

Then, there was an enthusiastic response from the audience. The man clicked his tongue loudly.

“Why are you so excited about such a boring game? I don’t understand.”

“ha ha ha……!”

The guild leader, Elyon, smiled awkwardly and spoke loudly as if he had just had a good idea.

“Oh, right! If you’re bored, Master, shall we try something a little more stimulating?”

“Hmm? How?”

“Taking the families of gladiators hostage!”

The guild leader laughed evilly.

“If I fail to inflict fatal damage on the opponent within the time limit, I will kill the hostage. Wouldn’t that make for a more brutal and fun scene?”

“Hmm.”

“Or how about giving each participant different weapons or armor? It would probably make the death scenes more unique!”

It was an absolutely horrifying statement. Most people would have been disgusted by the words of the Elyon Guildmaster.

“… … As expected, the guild leader!”

But the man seemed to like the suggestion and laughed heartily.

A faintly magical laughter rang out loud.

“Okay! Allow it! Then proceed like that in the next game!”

“Yes, yes! Leave it to me!”

“And two more things… … . I have a good idea.”

“What is that?”

“The organization sent me something a while ago. I’m going to try using it this time.”

When the topic of ‘organization’ came up, the body of the Elyon Guild Master, who was already tense, froze.

This was because the guild leader knew the identity of the man in front of him.

“What, what is that?”

A man, one of the top executives of Familia.

Ninth, no no.

This alone is dizzying, but the guild leader also knew the man’s past before he became a Familia executive.

Before the Goddard royal family began to pursue a policy of violent repression.

In the capital city of Dasti, there was a ‘Colosseum’ where many warriors gathered to compete.

Beyond Goddard, many powerful men from the North Continent flocked there like wildfire. Because it was the easiest and simplest way to gain money or fame.

However, the one who conquered the Colosseum was neither a murderer who had beheaded 100 people nor a famous mercenary.

There was a king there in name and reality.

A 10-year-old child who has never lost a single battle since participating in the Colosseum and has always achieved an overwhelming victory.

‘Undefeated Moroccan… …!’

He said.

“Ah. Maybe it would be better to show it to the guild leader.”

Then, Moroccan lifted the curtain behind the VVIP room.

The ‘thing’ that saw the light screamed.

《Keeeeeeeek!》

The guild leader’s face turned pale.

“God, goblin!”

“There are quite a few more of these, so feel free to use them as much as you want. There’s nothing better than these to liven up the excitement of the game. It’s a sight you won’t see anywhere else!”

Why. I wondered how he was able to capture the monster.

A curious person has a short life.

“… … I will call someone and move it right away.”

Moroccan called out to the guild leader who was about to bow his head politely and leave.

“Wait a minute. We’re not done talking yet. I told you I had another good idea.”

“Ah, ah! I’m sorry! What is that? Please tell me your opinion.”

The Moroccan smiled.

“The last game, I will participate too.”

Elwin and Moroccan, 3 hours left until encounter.