Surviving as a Knight in a Trash Game

Chapter 157

A full 6 hours.

That was how long Karl had been in the mine.

The endlessly connected cave seemed structurally sound enough, and it was made to allow the collection of various types of minerals from within.

However, in the process of entering each space, wolves or bears, 3 to 4 times larger than ordinary animals, would jump out and target Karl.

The number of appearing creatures was roughly 10 to 20, not that many, but unlike ordinary animals, their skin, which was not easily cut even by aura, and their claws, which looked harder than steel, were sufficiently threatening.

It seemed to be a dungeon-type system, created for knights to conquer together, now that domain management had been added to the system.

Still, there was no explanation, so Karl was just guessing.

This system, too, seemed to be one that should have been opened when he wasn't at a state of possessing martial prowess transcending the Master-grade, like Karl was now.

To the system, Karl was no different from a bug-like element.

Karl, who had been moving through the cave interior for a long time, clearing out groups of animals, at some point reached what seemed to be the end of the mine.

In a space like a wide open area, a reddish crystal orb lay alone.

Presumably, something would happen if he grabbed that crystal orb.

Karl, who had no intention of thinking deeply, strode over and placed his hand on the crystal orb.

Wooooong.

The moment light seemed to emanate from the crystal orb, the reddish crystal orb turned blue.

[Ownership of the mine is being attributed.]

[Owner: Karl Reitz Arthur Meyer]

At that moment, a system window popped up, indicating that ownership had been transferred to Karl.

“Is this the end? Simple enough.”

The moment Karl, thinking he had worried for nothing, lightly shook his head, a black shadow flew towards Karl at high speed from somewhere.

Kwaaaaang!

Karl’s eyes widened slightly as he rotated his body in an instant and kicked the side of the flying creature.

The speed of the strange creature that had just rushed at him was fast enough to surprise even Karl, who was transcending the Master-grade and advancing towards a higher realm.

“…You dodged this?”

Then, the continental common tongue was heard from the mouth of the creature that had flown off.

Looking closely, a person in strange attire, wearing something like black tights and a cape, was there.

“What are you doing?”

“Well, I don't know either. When I opened my eyes, I was here. What on earth am I?”

The man in black clothes, standing in a slightly crooked posture, was clearly not of sound mind at first glance.

It felt as if he were high on drugs.

“I have to protect this place. That’s why I think I’m here.”

The fellow was rambling, not even properly understanding himself.

“Then, you must follow my orders, the owner of this mine.”

“You’re the owner here? No, this mine has no owner. That’s why I have to protect it.”

“I am the owner of this place.”

“Really? No, it’s not. I definitely know there’s no owner here.”

Though he seemed insane, his fighting skills appeared to be certain, so Karl, who had tried to persuade him with a few words, quickly realized that the unsound fellow would not be persuaded.

“You have to die. You’re an intruder.”

“I’m the owner.”

“Intruders are killed.”

The man in black tights moved as if disappearing and flew towards Karl.

His speed alone was truly superb, seeming faster than the Uruk he had recently clashed with.

Kwang!

However, it was questionable whether he had the combat power of an Uruk.

Karl, who grabbed the flying fellow’s leg and slammed him to the ground, diligently beat up the black-tighted figure using various techniques, including Fajin, to test the durability of the black clothes.

“Keok… Keok…! Uwaak…!”

The black-tighted figure cried out in pain every time Karl hit him, but he was still enduring the quite strong, power-laden attacks well.

“S-stop… Stop hitting me…!”

The fellow, even as his mind drifted in and out, seemed to feel pain, and after being beaten for a long time, he began to plead with tears.

Thwack! Thump! Clatter clatter clatter!

Crack!

The sound of something breaking and rolling was heard endlessly.

The black-tighted figure’s screams grew equally loud.

“…Stop… Stop hitting me!”

Karl mercilessly beat the pitiful-looking figure in tights even more.

The indifferent expression and emotionless eyes instilled even greater fear in the figure.

Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!

It was then, when the beating continued endlessly, with no telling when it would end.

“Please… stop hitting me… I beg you.”

For some reason, the fierce beating directed at the black-tighted figure stopped as if it were a lie.

“I am the owner.”

“Ye… Yes! Master is the owner of this mine!”

The figure in tights knelt and looked at Karl as if praising him.

[Guardian System will be unlocked.]

[Guardian of the Mine, Vampire Honolulu, will be attributed as the first guardian.]

[The attributed guardian will be adjusted according to the master’s stats.]

As Karl was looking at the system window that first appeared, a fairly strong energy emanated from Honolulu’s body, who was kneeling and looking at Karl as if pledging absolute loyalty.

It seemed his stats had been slightly enhanced due to the adjustment based on the master’s stats.

At that moment, Honolulu’s eyes changed, and a black dagger popped out from his bosom, flying rapidly towards Karl.

Kang!

The fellow’s dagger, thrust swiftly right in front of Karl, amusingly stopped in front of Karl’s body as if blocked by an invisible, intangible wall.

“…?”

Honolulu showed an awkward expression as he looked at the dagger blocked by the wall.

“You haven't been hit enough.”

If the fellow hadn’t tried to stab him with the dagger, Karl might have thought a little more quietly about this Guardian System, but thanks to Honolulu’s blunder, Karl ended up beating him for several more hours.

“Guard it well. I’ll be back soon.”

Karl, lightly turning his body, left the cave, and Honolulu, collapsed on the floor, watched Karl’s departing back.

“Son of a bitch…”

It was when Honolulu cursed at Karl, who had left the cave.

Crack.

A stray stone, flying from somewhere, struck him on the forehead.

When Honolulu, hit on the head by an object that looked like a diamond from its sharpness and shine, writhed in pain and rolled on the floor, the sound of footsteps leaving the cave was heard.

‘Come to think of it, the reason he stopped beating me like he was going to kill me earlier… surely it wasn’t because of the polite speech…?’

The beating, which hadn't stopped while he was being pummeled like crazy, had stopped the moment he used honorifics.

Even while thinking "no way," Honolulu couldn't erase the strange feeling as he recalled the chilling Karl who had beaten him with completely emotionless eyes.

***

‘Interesting.’

Karl, experiencing a new system after a long time, thought it was interesting for the first time.

The damn system had, for once, provided him with a decent gift.

Even at a glance, the amount of metal buried inside the mine seemed considerable.

Moreover, that guardian thing too.

It was a strong being, capable of dealing with those who had just entered the Master-grade.

It meant that if Karl hadn't been at his current level, it could have been dangerous.

It seemed that the guardian, being subordinate to the system, couldn't betray Karl.

Literally, he had a guard who could never betray him.

It was a day with many benefits in various ways.

Karl thought he should do one thing he had been thinking about, now that a system related to the domain had been created.

Karl, who returned to the lord’s castle, immediately summoned the top brass.

“What’s with the urgent summons?”

Since Karl rarely summoned them except for regular meetings, Bastien’s face was full of curiosity.

“I’ve discovered a mine.”

The location where Karl had created the mine was an optimal place, safe from raids by external domains and with good accessibility to the Arthur Domain.

After a rough explanation of the mine, Marquis Nigel excitedly sputtered while talking about the mine’s value.

As the talk about the mine was concluding, Karl threw out another story.

“I’m thinking of holding a Knight Grand Tournament.”

In the North, there was the Somerset Knight Grand Tournament, hosted by Duke Ellenhower, the best event in the West Continent.

That was why other surrounding domains didn't bother holding such knight tournaments.

No matter how hard they tried, they couldn't surpass Somerset’s Knight Grand Tournament.

It was obvious they would just be compared.

“The practical benefits from a knight tournament will be small; will that be alright?”

Karl also knew well what Marquis Nigel was worried about.

“Our knight tournament will be run a little differently.”

Everyone’s eyes were filled with questions. How special could a knight tournament be, even if it were special?

“Our knight tournament is for training purposes. The first event will be a duel where I fight challengers 10 times each day for three days. And the second will be a time where they compete against our Lighthouse Knights twice a day for three days.”

“This sounds less like a knight tournament and more like some kind of challenge event. Can I participate in the first day’s challenge?”

Bastien showed an interested expression.

“General, you too, accept challengers. Set the number as you wish.”

Following Karl’s words, people began to put their heads together and plan this interesting knight tournament.

According to the finalized plan, the Arthur Domain Knight Grand Tournament was announced throughout the continent.

[Arthur Domain Knight Grand Tournament]

-1st. Grand Match.

A 1:1 duel with Lord Karl Reitz Arthur Meyer, the Knight of the Lighthouse. A total of 30 participants who advance through preliminaries and finals will be given the opportunity to duel.

-2nd. Grand Match

A 50 vs 50 rotation battle with the Lighthouse Knights. A total of 6 knight orders that advance through preliminaries and finals will be given the opportunity to battle.

-3rd. Grand Match

A 3 vs 3 battle with the Master-grade knights of the Arthur Domain. A total of 6 teams that advance through preliminaries and finals will be given the opportunity to battle.

Thus, the announcement of the Arthur Domain Knight Grand Tournament, which caused a stir in the West Continent, was made, and numerous knights began to make their way towards the Arthur Domain.

The tremendous opportunity of a duel with Karl, a great knight who had newly joined the continent’s top 10, combined with the thought of succeeding the fame of the Lighthouse Knights, who had recently gained renown throughout the continent, fueled the desire of knight orders from various regions to participate in the tournament.

Whereas previously, the competition among participating knight orders was central, this was a situation where the organizer itself became the center of the tournament, and it was widely praised as an innovative plan.

“So, are you saying you’re participating this time too?”

“Isn’t this a chance to cross swords with Sir Karl? I have to somehow get into the top 30.”

Knights who were stuck at the Superior-grade and hadn’t become Masters, and those who had already entered the Master-grade but had not yet made their name known throughout the continent.

Many people, transcending race and profession, including those of different species who had come to the continent and wielded swords, showed up at the Arthur Domain Knight Grand Tournament.

The domain thoroughly prepared to showcase the remarkably developed Arthur Domain and display its practical power to the world, using the Knight Grand Tournament as an opportunity.

Thus, time flew by, and before long, the first day of the Arthur Domain Knight Grand Tournament arrived.