The well-Balanced Yamamoto-san Gets Caught up in a Death Game

Chapter 56

“Package…? Oh, that’s Leon from the Knight Order!”

It seems someone among the customers recognized the blonde guy from the package.

They’re wearing a slightly frustrated expression.

“He was often spotted patrolling the royal capital in Area 3 of the human side, but even if you tried talking to him, his affection meter wouldn’t increase at all, and no events would trigger. Everyone said it was impossible to recruit him as a companion… But there was a way after all…”

Upon inquiring, I learned that this blonde guy named Leon is apparently a young hopeful in the Knight Order NPC, and quite capable too.

It seems Maris cleverly managed to recruit Leon as a companion and participate in this Grand Martial Arts Festival.

By the way, when I asked about Maris, they said, “I sometimes see her at the Adventurers’ Guild, but we’re not particularly close.”

Hmm, I feel like I’ve seen her somewhere, but could it just be my imagination?

But still, you know.

“Isn’t it cheating to team up with an NPC for the Grand Martial Arts Festival?”

As I pondered this question,

“Well, there are NPC teams participating too, so I don’t think NPCs are forbidden from entering,” Bure pointed out.

“The tournament announcement didn’t say teaming up with NPCs was prohibited,” Misaki added.

I was completely refuted by Bre and Misaki.

So, does this mean Maris cleverly exploited a loophole in the rules?

“Besides, even if you can team up with NPCs, we have no idea what the conditions are for teaming up with strong NPCs. That Maris person must have been really skilled, for sure.”

Bre says this as he heads out to the hall, called by a customer.

Well, when you put it that way…

But something still bugs me.

“It’s about to start.”

While still harboring some doubts, I focus my attention on the float screen at Misaki’s words.

On the arena, Leon steps forward and seems to be saying something to Iko and Gobzou.

Let’s see, what’s he saying…

“I do not possess a sword meant for cutting down elderly gentlemen. Would you kindly surrender while you still can—”

Hey, he’s straight-up asking them to surrender!

What a confident guy…

Or is he naturally rude despite his gentle demeanor?

Hearing those words, Gobzou and Iko are shaking with laughter. I guess they never expected to be treated as weaklings, being the previous champions and all.

“Well, well, to think this old Gobzou would be worried over by a youngster. How the mighty have fallen.”

“Grandpa, if our opponent says they can’t fight at full strength, we might have to get a bit serious, don’t you think?”

“I reckon so.”

The next moment, Gobzou’s body begins to swell, transforming into a youthful, slender yet muscular handsome figure.

Ah, Maris’s face is tensing up.

Maybe she didn’t expect the transformation?

“How’s this?”

“I see. I suppose this is sufficient for wielding my sword.”

“Then I’ll take on the young lady. I leave this to you, Grandpa.”

“Don’t overdo it now, Iko.”

Maris’s expression is becoming increasingly strained, but…

—Ah!

That tense, frozen expression reminded me!

“…!”

She’s the person who was interviewed alongside Koichi Sasaki as the Chief CG Designer in that magazine featuring the LIA article.

Oh. Could it be that she was playing the initial shipment of LIA and got caught up in this death game?

Talk about bad timing…

But now I understand.

The reason she could recruit Leon, whom no one else knew how to befriend, was probably because she was deeply involved in the development.

So she knew Leon’s event chart.

And once caught up in the death game, not wanting to die, she likely used her knowledge cheat to strengthen herself as much as possible.

The result being her advancement to the main tournament.

Well, even if it’s for survival, I’m a bit put off by her suddenly running around with a strong character and acting all powerful… but I guess it can’t be helped when your life is on the line?

…………

…Wait a minute?

“What’s wrong, God?”

“Huh?”

“You’re making a difficult face.”

“Was I?”

“Yeah.”

That means the unease in me hasn’t been properly resolved.

What could it be…

While I’m lost in thought, the match begins, and a battle between strong NPCs unfolds.

Leon takes the initiative, but Gobzou effortlessly evades his attacks.

As expected of the previous tournament champion.

The difference in skill and experience is so vast that Leon’s attacks look amateurish in comparison.

Moreover, while Leon is using a sword, Gobzou is deflecting those attacks barehanded as if they were gentle breezes. They’re clearly in different leagues.

On the other hand, the battle between Iko and Maris is surprisingly even?

Iko tries to approach steadily, but Maris maintains a strict distance, launching magical attacks.

Well, Iko easily deflects those attacks with [Magic Armor], but…

Overall, it seems Iko’s team has the upper hand? It’s a picture of Iko pursuing and Maris fleeing.

Hmm.

I wonder if this will take a while?

That’s what I thought, but the balance crumbles in an instant.

Just as I thought Gobzou’s strike had hit Leon, the next moment Gobzou’s fist multiplied rapidly, and dozens of fists caught Leon.

With that attack, Leon’s body was sent flying high into the air—

Ah, Gobzou got ahead of Leon’s trajectory, and with clasped fists, slammed him down to the ground.

WHAM!

Wow…

Leon’s body was smashed into the arena, and the arena cracked open beautifully.

I bet Gobzou will get scolded for this too.

But Gobzou, seemingly unconcerned with the situation, charges in with a high-speed flying knee strike from above!

The merciless follow-up attack sinks deep into Leon’s neck as he tries to get up!

Hey, isn’t Leon incredible for not turning into polygons after taking all that damage!?

But it seems he couldn’t withstand this follow-up attack.

Leon’s body vanished, turning into polygons…

With the odds now 2-to-1, Maris chooses to surrender, probably considering the match decided…

—Ah.

I see.

I’m such an idiot…

“Sorry, Misaki, Bre, Mungaga! Can I step away from work for a bit!?”

“What’s the matter?”

“The customer flow has slowed down, so it should be fine!”

“Did something happen, God?”

“I might be mistaken, but there’s something I need to check… I’ll explain properly later!”

After saying that, I quickly exit Umi no Mozukutei.

But as soon as I step onto the main street, I’m met with a sea of people. It’s as crowded as a famous fireworks festival!

No choice but to take a shortcut.

I enter an alleyway and lightly jump onto the roof of a nearby house.

In this town of Forzane, all the houses are shaped like square boxes. It makes roof-to-roof movement very easy.

Well, I don’t think that’s the original purpose, but…

For now, I aim for the arena, leaping from roof to roof to avoid the crowds.

The reason I’m in such a hurry is because of Maris… no, Rei Kusunoki.

Earlier, I thought it was pitiful that Rei Kusunoki, despite being a development team member, got caught up in the death game… but thinking normally, it’s the opposite, right?

Rather, Rei Kusunoki was part of the development team, and as the Chief Designer, she must have had contact with Koichi Sasaki.

In other words, she’s more likely to be on the management side.

I don’t know how much she knows about this death game or how involved she is, but I’m heading to the arena to confirm that.

But since I started moving after the match ended, I might not make it in time…

“[Jet Stream]!”

[Jet Stream], a Level 8 [Wind Magic], is a spell that can create a path of intense air currents.

It’s a versatile [Wind Magic] that can be used to obstruct an opponent’s movement by hitting them directly, or to increase an ally’s movement speed.

I use [Jet Stream] to launch myself, soaring high over many houses.

Eek! So high! Scary!

After experiencing something akin to an amusement park attraction, I activate [Air Cushion], a Level 7 [Wind Magic].

A cushion made of wind gently supports my entire body, and I land softly on another house’s roof, killing my momentum.

Then, I use [Jet Stream] again—

I guess from an outsider’s perspective, they’d see me bizarrely hopping across the rooftops of Forzane…

Yeah, it couldn’t be less cool!

Even so, it’s much faster than running through the crowded streets, and I soon reach the edge of town. Once there, I search for stairs leading up.

I find the stairs easily.

After all, there are many people going in and out of the arena right now.

If you look for where the crowd is, you can quickly figure out where the stairs are.

Thanks to Level 9 [Invisibility], it’s convenient that no one says anything when I slip into the crowd.

I continue towards the arena, blending in with the crowd.

The path from the arena to the town center is mostly straight, so if Rei Kusunoki… no, let’s stick with Maris… chose the normal route, I thought we might run into each other, but even as I strain my eyes to observe the surroundings, I can’t spot anyone who looks like Maris.

Maybe there’s a special passage that only participants who’ve advanced to the final tournament are told about? If so, I’m looking in the wrong place.

Hmm, no time to hesitate.

I’ll quickly contact Tatsu!

“Tatsu, do you have a moment?”

“Ah, hold on a sec. Sorry, everyone. Got a call from a friend. Seems important, so I’ll have to step out for a bit.”

Oops…

Maybe I caught him in the middle of dealing with the aftermath of Lily’s situation?

If so, I might have caused some trouble.

“Sorry to keep you waiting. What’s up? Urgent business?”

“Sorry. Were you dealing with Lily’s situation? If so, I must have been a bother, right?”

“Nah, those guys were being persistent. It was a good opportunity to cut the conversation short. So, what is it?”

“Sorry for the sudden request, but do you know about any VIP passage that only participants in the final tournament are told about? I’d like to know about that…”

“Come to think of it, there was something like that… Lily was using it, but I hardly used it myself, so I forgot. What do you need that for anyway?”

“Do you know Rei Kusunoki?”

“Hm? Ah, I’ve met her a few times. I brought some additional bug reports directly to the CG team a few times, and she was the captain who gave me the cold shoulder. When I pointed out, ‘Hey, this polygon is transparent,’ she just brushed it off saying, ‘That’s a feature!’ Ah, now I remember, I remember.”

“About Maris…”

“Maris? The final tournament participant?”

“Doesn’t she look like Rei Kusunoki?”

“Now that you mention it, does she…? Well, the Kusunoki I knew always had bags under her eyes, looked like she was about to die, and had messy bed hair… The impression is different, but… Now that you say it, I guess they do look similar?”

“Kusunoki was the Chief CG Designer for Yggdrasil, right? She might be connected to Koichi Sasaki, so I wanted to meet her and have a little chat.”

“So that’s why you’re asking about the VIP passage!”

“Yeah. I’m currently on the general path, but I can’t see anyone who looks like her, so I thought she might be using the other route.”

“It’s been quite a while since the match ended, you know? She might not be there anymore…”

“That’s fine, just tell me. I’ll go and check it out anyway.”

“Alright, I’ll send you a map. I’ve still got these guys here, so it might be difficult for me to help out.”

“No problem. I’ll manage on my side. Thanks for the map.”

“Sure thing. Let me know if you find out anything.”

After waiting for a while, Tatsu sent me a map.

Apparently, there’s a hidden passage in part of the cliff, allowing participants to quietly exit into the town.

“So it’s over there…”

I turn on my heel and sprint towards the exit of the hidden passage.