Becoming a Hunter in a Dark Fantasy - Chapter 138



Only Krnovel

Episode 138: Monster Tournament

Time goes back a little while.

After the shocking ‘human vs. monster’ massacre.

“Did you enjoy it!”

The host turned the loudspeaker toward the audience and shouted. Then, a thunderous response came back.

“I’m glad you enjoyed the show! But isn’t it a shame for it to end here?”

The audience, who understood what the host meant, cheered again.

“Our stadium’s specialty! We’re holding a tournament to determine the strongest!”

If you defeat the five gladiators prepared by the organizers.

It was an event match that allowed the undefeated Moroccan and Wuwei to compete against each other, the strongest gladiators in history.

“Kill the five monsters we’ve prepared! A brave man who will challenge the strongest gladiator! Where are you?!”

There were many people in the underground arena who came to watch the matches, but there were also quite a few unmanned people who came to participate in the tournament.

For quick fortune or great fame.

But this time, things were different.

“… … .”

Until just a moment ago, the players who had been looking forward to this match kept their mouths shut.

None of them would face a mid-level monster and die a fatal blow. That was not courage, but recklessness.

‘… …I’m going to die!’

The life-or-death match was in fact nothing more than a plausible fraud.

It was an unspoken rule between the fighters and the organizers that gladiators who showed talent for showmanship would be beaten to death to some extent, and given a certain amount of life.

However, these people were used as a mere example in this ‘human vs. monster’ match.

‘It seemed like this wasn’t agreed upon at all beforehand?’

‘That Kiribni brother begged for his life.’

‘What the heck! How can we defeat that? We’re not even hunters!’

They killed even the most economically valuable fighters, so how could they spare ordinary civilians like them… …!

“Is there anyone who wants to challenge the strongest gladiator?!”

The host, who was in agony, screamed until his blood burst.

I wouldn’t expect this kind of reaction… … I’d be lying if I said I didn’t know!

‘I don’t think I’ll get dragged out and go to the game for no reason, right?! I heard from my senior that that happens sometimes… … .’

The announcer’s voice grew louder and louder as his worries grew louder, but the stadium became increasingly quiet.

That was when!

“Me.”

In the silence, someone raised a hand.

“I will challenge myself.”

It was a blond young man wearing a fancy mask.

‘Ear, are you a noble?’

Although he was wearing a butterfly mask that completely covered his eyes, the host could tell at a glance that he was from a noble family.

The upright posture, gait, and gently flowing elegance are things that cannot be imitated unless you are born with them.

‘Oh, what should I do?’

The host was sweating profusely and didn’t know what to do.

It was unclear whether the high-ranking officials could accept him as a challenger.

‘Guild Master! Master!’

I turned my head in a hurry to find my boss, but there was no trace of the Elyon Guild Master.

“… … Hmm?”

Just a man who owns the arena.

For some reason, the person called ‘Master’ among the employees was looking at this place.

“It looks weak on the outside. Ugh, something… … .”

However, he only stared at the blond young man, not paying any attention to the host’s earnest gaze.

A slightly frowning eyebrow, a look of puzzlement.

The host was about to burst.

“I told you I was going to challenge you?”

“Uh, that’s… … .”

The young man waved his hand gently and urged the host on, oblivious to her feelings.

‘Sigh, I’m going crazy!’

Finally, the host closed his eyes tightly and shouted.

“… … A courageous person has declared that he will challenge the tournament!”

I had a feeling that it was a decision made by a young nobleman in a fit of passion.

If I had made one wrong move, the host himself would have been in danger of death. I guess I should just live and see.

“Are there any other challengers? Then, here we go! Let’s start the tournament~!”

“Wow!”

The cheers of the crowd filled the stadium.

“Challengers, please enter the arena!”

Kookookookook.

The high wall that clearly separated the stadium and the audience seats was opened.

A space where about one person can pass through.

Elwin walked in without hesitation.

“Challenger! Do you need any weapons? We can provide you with simple armor and weapons!”

At first glance, Elwin was a young master who had just come out for a nightcap. He appeared to be unarmed.

Is there anything more boring than a game where you have to crush an unprepared opponent?

The fun of these arena matches lies in watching the players desperately struggle and struggle for survival.

“Really? Then can I use five swords?”

“As much as you want!”

Elwin took five swords from the display case where the weapons were on display.

It didn’t take long. I just quickly looked through them and chose one.

‘As expected, he was a noble who didn’t know style.’

The host’s thoughts hardened at that sight.

Why would you choose a weapon so carelessly that could extend your life by even just one more second?

Even if I examine each and every grain of the forged iron and carefully consider it, it won’t be enough to make a decision!

“Sword, can you put your swords down on the ground for a moment? I’m not going to use them all in one match.”

“Haha! Of course!”

The host inwardly laughed bitterly at the young man.

Because I won’t be able to use all those swords anyway.

Everyone tends to be more forgiving toward someone who is about to die. The host asked.

“Are you ready?”

“Yes. Please proceed immediately.”

“… … Yes. Okay, I understand.”

Tsk tsk. You’re urging me to take my own life.

The host, who was clicking his tongue inwardly, soon put on a humorous expression and said.

“Time is gold! We cannot afford to waste your precious time!”

The excited audience screamed.

“Round 1, let’s begin!”

At the same time as the shout, the stadium floor opened and a steel bar rose.

《Kueeeeek!》

It was a different monster than the one I had just seen.

It was mushy and not even in its proper form.

If I had to make a metaphor, it was like jelly made of darkness.

“It wouldn’t be fun if you started with a strong character right from the start, right? Start with a low-level character!”

“Wow!”

The audience booed playfully. They thumped each other and muttered quietly.

“How long can you last?”

“A few minutes? Hahaha! You overestimate that young man! A few seconds, I guess!”

“Hey, you little punk! You’re overestimating every second! I bet a million arkels that I’ll die the moment I see that monster!”

Even famous gladiators could not last long against a single monster and died.

Of course, the monster that the young man was fighting against and the monster that slaughtered the gladiators were not the same entity or of the same rank.

No one would have thought that a young man who looked like a nobleman would win against a low-level monster.

“Haha! Look over there! The monster will be released soon, and you shouldn’t run away even a little bit, but you’re just relaxing!”

“Oh, are you doing some warm-up exercises?”

“Hohoho! You really are a young man who doesn’t know anything. How pitiful.”

Eyes filled with interest, curiosity, and a variety of other emotions all turned toward the stadium.

Finally, the monster was released.

《Keeeeeek!》

The monster screamed and rushed towards the young man, Elwin.

Everyone in the audience watching this expected it.

That young man will soon meet a cruel death.

But the young man broke everyone’s expectations.

“Is this level of power enough?”

I killed the monster. And I killed it overwhelmingly… …!

Wheaaaaaaaaa!

The sword that the young man threw lightly flew at a crazy speed and hit the monster!

The monster split in half disappeared without a trace, leaving behind not even a single word.

In an instant, the stadium became quiet.

Clang.

The sword that had played a vital role in killing the monster was no longer useful, and only the faint sound of it breaking could be heard.

“… … .”

“… … .”

“… … .”

The host, the audience, and the stadium staff.

No one could open their mouths. They say that when people are too surprised, they lose their voice, and that was exactly the case.

My mind was dizzy.

No one bet that the young man would defeat the monster.

No one had any expectations of that young man.

No one thought that young man would survive!

But he… …did it!

“next.”

The young man who was picking up the new sword tilted his head, perhaps feeling something strange about the silence all around.

“Should we start?”

He turned to the host and said.

“and…….”

The first start was someone’s exclamation.

And this is coming soon.

“Waaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!”

He returned with a thunderous roar.

The whole stadium was buzzing.

“Wow! That’s so cool!”

“Hey, young man! That was the best scene ever!”

“Win next time too! I’ll bet everything on you… …! You’ll definitely win!”

Elwin didn’t react much to the sudden outpouring of enthusiastic cheers and shouts.

but.

“… … .”

The very top. The only VVIP room in the underground arena.

I looked up at the undefeated Moroccan, the Nono of Familia who was there.

He seemed a little surprised by the unexpected turn of events, and seemed interested in Elwin’s strength.

‘It’s your turn soon.’

See you soon, Familia.

‘I will definitely kill you.’

* * *

Then, three lower-level monsters were also destroyed in one stroke.

In an atmosphere that is becoming increasingly tense.

Finally, round 5.

《Kuaaaaak-!》

A mid-level monster that swept away the gladiators appeared.

In front of that monster, the young man was holding only a sword, just like before.

The audience whispered.

“Should I kill him with one stroke of a sword this time too?”

“… … Well, I guess. I know that young man is strong enough to defeat a low-level demon in one breath, but I wonder if he can kill a mid-level demon… … .”

Most of the monsters that people encounter in their lives are low-level.

And lower-level monsters could be killed by skilled warriors or mercenaries.

It’s only lower level.

“It’s different for intermediate level monsters.”

From the intermediate level, it was difficult to even lift a finger against a monster without the help of a hunter or magic user.

“High-level monsters can only be killed by the strongest hunters among hunters, and top-level monsters can only be killed by the strongest hunters among hunters.”

Why are hunters so popular in a world ruled by monsters?

Because only they can kill the vicious monsters and return safely!

“However, looking at that young man’s inaction, if he does well, he could even kill a mid-level player.”

“Well, there might be a few cuts or injuries, but… … .”

Where would it be possible to survive just by saving one’s life?

The audience focused on the situation in the stadium with anxious faces.

《Kueeeeek!》

The form of the intermediate monster was utterly repulsive. Dozens of legs moved around like tentacles.

A lumpy face, made up of ghosts. The face of a screaming person.

“Is this a creature that eats quite a few people?”

Elwin muttered absentmindedly.

The monster only preys on humans, and only eats humans.

And the more humans it eats, the stronger it becomes and the more it gains ego.

“How did you capture a mid-level monster, how did you make it so docile… … .”

In fact, Elwin had a rough idea of ​​what would happen.

‘The eighth son of Familia, Ottabo.’

This must be the work of a mad scientist.

“… … Oh my, it’s dangerous.”

《Kueeeeek!!!》

Elwin dodged the monster that was rushing at him fiercely and injected magic power into the sword he was holding.

“I’m a bit busy right now.”

Hwaaaaak!

The sword was suffused with golden magic.

“I don’t have time to play with you!”

Elwin swung his sword sharply.

Then, a golden slash from the tip of the sword split the monster in two. The intermediate monster was destroyed without even a scream.

Clang-!

As with the previous four rounds, the black shape was shattered into nothing.

“… … .”

“… … .”

“… … .”

Once again a stunned silence descended upon the stadium.

At that moment, the entire audience shared the same thought.

‘Who the hell is that young man!?’

I was curious about the identity of Elwin, who appeared like a comet.

And that was also the case with the owner of this arena.

“Hahaha! It’s been a while since I’ve seen a strong person who I feel like fighting against!”

The undefeated Moroccan.

Unable to contain his competitive spirit, he stood up from his seat.