Surviving as a Knight in a Trash Game

Chapter 159

The match had started, and only an hour had passed.

Kwoong!

Already, the 7th challenger had fallen to the ground.

Then the next challenger came up.

A few more minutes passed.

Kwoong!

This time, the 8th challenger fell to the ground.

“…”

A huge silence, not applause and cheers, enveloped the arena.

What on earth was happening?

People had thought the challengers might not be a match, but those who had expected Karl to engage in a sparring match that offered guidance were all silent as the tournament unfolded in a completely different manner.

In fact, most of the spectators gathered here were facing a situation where they couldn't even properly comprehend what had happened.

“Next.”

Nevertheless, Karl’s next call continued.

While admiring Karl’s overwhelming presence, people reacted with bewilderment at the incomprehensible duels.

Thus, the 10th challenger came up.

“My name is Dennis. I have waited for this moment for a long time.”

A very short self-introduction and a word of his feelings.

The duel that began thus, unlike before, had Dennis lunging at Karl first.

Whereas previous challengers, unable to overcome the pressure exerted by Karl, couldn't even take a step from their spot, the young man now called Dennis, before Karl even moved, first extended his sword with all his might.

Though somewhat straightforward, it was a truly clean knight’s sword, with a good balance of offense and defense.

Moreover, it combined strength and speed that could appropriately drive an opponent without overexerting.

‘He’s certainly a tricky type, just as the report said.’

In modern society, people used the word "hexagonal" to describe such a type of person.

As Karl exchanged proper sword blows for the first time, people also let out gasps close to admiration for the first time.

“Wooooooah!”

Cheers erupted in the arena for the first time.

“Well done, young man! Yes! At least you should swing and then fall!”

“Dennis! Dennis! Dennis!”

Voices cheering for the young man Dennis were also heard quite loudly from all directions.

Dennis, strangely excited by the cheers of the crowd and the heart-pounding atmosphere of the arena, swung his sword at Karl even faster than before.

‘He’s excited, yet moving thoroughly rationally and calculatively.’

Karl, still relaxed, observed Dennis’s every move and received his sword.

“Cool-headed reason is definitely a positive factor in combat. However.”

Karl’s elbow, which had approached unnoticed, struck Dennis’s chin squarely.

Simultaneously, Karl’s sword, as he rotated his body, struck various parts of Dennis’s body and passed.

“Sometimes, one must create results that transcend one’s own reason. That will be the path to the next stage.”

The sight of him not finishing the duel, even though anyone could see he could, sent thrilling shivers down the spines of the spectators.

Karl, after a rather long period of instruction along with advice, appeared behind Dennis as if folding space.

Thwack! As Karl’s hand, moving at an invisible speed, struck the back of Dennis’s neck, Dennis, who had been moving actively until a moment ago, slumped to the ground.

“Let’s call it a day here.”

Waaaaaaaaaaah!

People let out thunderous cheers towards Karl, who had secured a perfect victory until the very end.

Exactly 10 duels.

The time it took for all 10 duels to end was just over an hour.

After the first day’s matches ended, people excitedly talked about Karl’s extreme performance.

***

“…”

Tariq, the Vice-Commander of the Stefano Knights, who had been watching Karl’s duels, felt his tightly clenched fist tremble when all the duels were over.

“What in the…”

It had been quite some time since rumors about Karl Meyer had spread across the continent, and he knew Karl was a Master-level expert, but Karl's current display of ability felt excessive.

Overwhelming.

That word suited him perfectly.

Even the commander of the Stefano Knights, who was not lacking in fame on the continent, could not have produced the scenes Karl was showing now.

Just as not all Superiors were the same, not all Masters were the same.

A person who transcended Master, a Grand Master, whom he had only heard of in stories.

Perhaps Karl was walking that path.

He, who had been given the opportunity to spar with Karl, couldn't hide his excitement along with his trembling hands.

To him, who couldn't find his way after reaching Master, Karl could be another milestone.

Tariq clenched his fist tightly.

It was tomorrow.

There wasn't much to wait for.

Tomorrow would come soon enough.

Just as Tariq of the Stefano Knights was burning with fighting spirit after watching Karl’s match, Tuva, who was watching the match from another place, was also in immense shock.

“…”

Though Tuva had not been in the world for long, he was confident that his axe would not lose to anyone.

Even if he lost now, he strongly believed he could someday defeat the person who had dealt him a defeat.

But the moment he saw Karl’s match, he felt like he was facing a colossal wall.

It was a day when Tuva’s confidence, which had assured him he could surpass any of the numerous stronger opponents he had seen, shattered into pieces.

“Strong…”

Had he ever truly felt that an opponent was this strong when looking at someone?

Tuva thought he wanted to split that colossal wall, which seemed utterly insurmountable, with his axe.

“I will definitely… surpass him…!”

He, holding an axe with muscles that looked like they would burst and a blade that shone with a threatening chill, firmly steeled his resolve.

***

The next day dawned, and people, as always, flocked to the arena to watch the 10 consecutive matches with Karl that would take place today.

The gamblers’ bets were converging on Karl’s victory, with odds close to 100:0.

The overwhelming skill he had shown made it impossible to think he would lose in the remaining matches.

“By the way, there was that guy with the axe, you know. Why.”

“Ah, you mean Red Axe Tuva?”

“Yes! That Red Axe. Wouldn't he at least put up a bit of a fight?”

“You saw His Lordship yesterday and you still say that? All nine of them couldn't last a minute. Dennis only managed that because His Lordship deliberately let him. The question today is whether anyone can last a minute against His Lordship, not who can fight similarly to His Lordship.”

People betting on the outcome of the matches in the arena voiced their opinions and made predictions about today’s match results.

“Oh, over there…!”

Just as people were busy betting on the match outcomes, a large notice was posted on one of the walls.

[Considering the gap between His Lordship and the challengers. Today’s betting will be on how many exchanges the challengers can endure.]

“What!? This changes things!”

“Huh… In that case, I’m!”

People who hadn't been betting because the match prediction was too one-sided rushed to place their bets.

“I! Bet my entire fortune on everyone finishing in one exchange!”

“Only a maximum of one-tenth of your possessed assets can be invested.”

Thanks to Anne, the residents of the Arthur Domain had undergone a rough census and some degree of property investigation, so investing an amount too large relative to their owned assets was blocked.

Even without knowing the exact scale of people’s wealth, assuming a certain level of ascertained wealth could somewhat prevent domain residents from losing all their assets in gambling.

“If it’s Lord Karl, he could certainly finish them all in one exchange, but if there are cases like Dennis yesterday, it won’t be settled in one exchange.”

While people exchanged opinions and continued betting, the preparations for the first match were completed.

And after some more time, Karl’s opponent walked up to the dueling ground.

It was a woman whose aura seemed stronger than the previous day’s. Her black hair, beautiful yet strong-featured face, and a scar above her eye made the aura she exuded seem even rougher.

She was Alba Flores, who had the rather unusual nickname for a woman, the Black Wolf of Killis.

In the woman’s hand was a black spear, like her hair.

The woman, seeing Karl who had, as always, walked slowly into the arena with an indifferent face, gave a slight nod and gripped her spear.

“I look forward to it.”

Thus, with the woman’s short greeting, the match soon began.

The woman’s black spear rotated fiercely, and the moment a black afterimage formed from her body, the woman had already reached Karl’s front.

Paang!

The spear thrust, like it was piercing the wind, made a sound of air bursting as it stabbed towards Karl’s face.

The spectators screamed, thinking the spear thrust would pierce Karl’s head.

“Hup!”

The moment everyone thought Karl would be hit, his body lightly moved to the side, easily deflecting the spear thrust.

“Hap!”

If it were the previous day, it would have ended in one blow, but Karl was giving Alba a chance, following Dennis.

Both Dennis and Alba had the courage to overcome their fear and rush in first, and the desperation to gain even one more thing.

“A straightforward attack is fast and efficient, and its power is strong. However.”

Swish.

The spear passed too easily by Karl’s side as he took a step diagonally to the incoming spear thrust.

In that process, all Karl had done was take one step forward to the left diagonal.

Tight!

Alba, whose pride was hurt even as she took Karl’s teachings to heart, thrust out her tightly gripped spear and continued her barrage.

She rapidly slashed the spear left and right, struck down from above, and executed continuous thrusts.

She moved desperately, exerting all her capabilities, to land a single successful attack.

“Heok…! Heok…!”

Even though over 100 exchanges of offense and defense had already taken place, Karl still stood in the same spot with the same expression.

On the arena floor, only she was drenched in sweat, panting heavily.

“Hoo…”

Alba, having barely managed to regulate her breathing, stood firmly holding the spear that looked too heavy to lift anymore.

The moment her calm eyes turned towards Karl, a strangely different atmosphere from before began to emanate from Alba’s body.

“Here I come.”

Nod.

Karl accepted her ultimatum with a slight nod of his head.

At that moment, her spear rapidly thrust towards a single point on Karl’s chest.

This strike was the most beautiful strike she could execute, with all superfluity removed.

The moment a single black light seemed to directly hit Karl, Karl’s sword, which no one knew when it had been drawn, lightly pushed away Alba’s incoming spear.

“Ah…”

Alba, with a slightly dejected face upon seeing her crucial strike so easily blocked, knelt on one knee.

“The winner is… Lord Karl Meyer!”

Even after the declaration of victory, Alba stood blankly on the dueling ground, replaying the moments that had just passed.

“It was good spearmanship, the best I’ve seen in a while. If you polish it, you’ll reach high places.”

Karl, who had rarely given praise before, left words of praise for Alba.

“Awesome! Alba, you’re a hundred times better than those guys who are all muscle!”

Wheeeew!

After the crowd’s cheers poured down on Alba standing on the arena, the next match proceeded.

And after that, as expected.

“Next.”

Thwack! Kwoong!

“Next.”

Like the previous day, the word “Next” continuously came out of Karl’s mouth.

Thus, the 9 duels after Alba ended easily.

Just when everyone thought they would have to wait for the next day’s matches.

Karl’s mouth, who hadn't left the dueling ground, moved once more.

“Next.”

At Karl’s quietly resonating word, everyone present went into an uproar.

Contrary to the initial plan, Karl had called for the 11th challenger.