NOVEL WEB Chapter 69
Chapter 69. The Semi-Finals Begin
The lunch break is over, and the time for the semi-finals has finally arrived.
However, the audience’s reaction doesn’t seem to be very good. The excitement from the preliminary rounds has completely cooled off. It’s unreasonable to expect people to get fired up over a match where the outcome is already decided, but I can’t help but wish there were at least a few people who believed in my victory.
My match is the second one, and before that, Jack-san and a man named Rudolf, who wields a rapier, will have their match.
During their match, I have to wait in the waiting room.
So, I’ve already arrived in the waiting room and am happily chatting with the tournament staff. There are some women here, so my mood is boosted by 30%, and if they’re busty, it’s a 50% increase. I’m in a great state.
There’s also a TV in the waiting room, so I can keep track of the match.
If I can get even a little insight into Jack-san’s fighting style, it’ll be killing two birds with one stone.
“…My stomach hurts.”
“Are you okay? Should I get you some medicine?”
“I-I’m fine. Your smiles are my special remedy.”
“My, my, you’re quite the charmer. Hehe.”
“We’ll do our best to cheer for you, so hang in there!”
“Even if it’s flattery, it still makes me happy…”
My flirting skills might have leveled up a bit.
If I become an Absolute One, maybe I’ll try hitting on more women. With my status, there’s a one in a million chance I might actually get a girlfriend.
“The first match is about to start.”
At the staff’s words, I shift my gaze to the TV.
There, I see Jack-san and another ability user moving to the center of the arena.
I won’t ask for much. I just hope they can show me at least one of their techniques.
◇ Rapier User’s Perspective
Finally.
I’ve finally made it this far.
This is the moment where I, by defeating the insufferable Absolute before me, will become the new Absolute One!
“Please, take care of me.”
“…Yeah, same to you.”
Tch, acting all calm and collected.
But you won’t be smiling for long.
It infuriates me that you’re called the Sword Saint.
A man like you, who’s only blessed with talent, is far less deserving of the title Sword Saint than I am, who has honed my skills to perfection.
With this battle, I’ll strip that title from you.
[And now, the first semi-final match begins! Facing off are Jack Grant, the Absolute who sliced through everything in the preliminaries with a single flash of his sword, versus Rudolf Klappe from the Netherlands branch! Both are ability users who wield swords as their weapons. What kind of match will they show us?]
The narrator’s voice echoes through the arena.
[Now, we’ll transport both fighters to the field!]
In an instant, my vision is filled with light, and I find myself standing on a field different from the previous one.
This time, the field is on a massive bridge.
The wind blows, and my hair sways.
Jack is already standing in front of me.
However, unlike the preliminaries, the semi-finals have a starting signal. A 30-second countdown window appears between us, ticking down moment by moment. The moment this countdown reaches zero, the battle will begin.
“…”
The feel of the rapier isn’t bad.
I’ll close the distance to Jack in an instant, not giving him a moment to prepare, and pierce through him.
What needs to be done is already decided. All I have to do is follow the script.
“Hmph…”
Ten seconds left.
With my ability to close the distance between swordsmen, the outcome is already decided. Well, struggle all you want and become my stepping stone.
[FIGHT!!]
As the countdown reaches zero, a beep sounds, and the central window bursts open, revealing the word [FIGHT!!].
“Hah!”
After a brief pause, I raise my rapier and charge.
As I do, I manipulate the shape of the rapier, eliminating his options—
But by the time I realize it, he’s already gone.
“Ah… Huh?!”
Where did he go?! I try to shout in surprise, but no sound comes out. Instead, a lump of blood spills from my mouth. My body tilts, and my vision spins as I slowly fall.
Only now do I realize that my head has been severed.
As my head rotates 180 degrees, I catch a glimpse of Jack standing behind me.
“As expected, the sword I applied for has reached its limit…”
His sword is broken in half, rendered useless.
I didn’t do anything to it. It’s clear that the sword couldn’t keep up with the user’s skill.
(I couldn’t even… make him use his ability?)
As my body turns to particles, he turns around and speaks.
“I’m the most ordinary among the eight. But I’ve put in more effort than anyone else.”
Those words are enough to slap me awake from my dream.
It seems that I was the one who got carried away after gaining a bit of power.
◇
“Wow.”
It’s not just his speed—what’s truly astonishing is his technique.
The walking technique that makes him unrecognizable to his opponent, the flawless slashes from blind spots.
That’s not something you can achieve overnight.
“Haah…”
Ah, no, no…
A genius who hones their skills day in and day out is the most troublesome type.
I really don’t want to fight someone like that.
Well, it’s not like I have a choice if I want to advance past this match…
“Alright, I’m off.”
I bid farewell to the staff and leave the room.
I make my way into the arena, heading toward the center.
“So it’s come to this…”
“I bet on the second round lasting a minute, but I should’ve gone with ten seconds.”
“Well, well, let’s just look forward to tomorrow’s excitement.”
The arena lacks any real heat, and a relaxed atmosphere fills the air.
They must feel like they’re watching a predetermined game on rails.
The outcome is already decided.
No one can stand against an Absolute One.
It’s pointless to even try.
The odds are zero.
“Hah, shut up.”
I laugh off all the words of denial.
Words are unnecessary. You all just watch me.
I’ll shatter the predetermined rails with my own hands and carve a new path.
Absolutes—monsters who exist beyond the laws that bind ordinary people.
If there’s anyone who can stand against them, it’s another monster who exists beyond reason.
If that’s the case, then I have more than enough chance to win.
Gods are capricious beings who bring about natural disasters and revolutionize the world—symbols of the unreasonable.
“You’ve got a good look on your face. I’m suddenly fired up.”
“Please don’t get too fired up. It’ll make it harder for me to take you down.”
“Hahaha!”
Both Leon-san and I stand at the center of the arena.
[And now, the second semi-final match begins! Abel Leon, the Absolute One who single-handedly defeated 43 ability users in just a few minutes, versus Yanagi Hayato from the Japan branch! At just 16 years old, he’s the youngest competitor to reach the semi-finals in this tournament!]
As the narrator’s introduction ends, a light envelops both of us.
When I open my eyes, the first thing I see is Leon-san standing ten meters away and a massive ruined castle towering behind him. Turning around, I see an endless expanse of trees.
The sky is somewhat dark, giving off an eerie atmosphere, but I prefer it slightly darker than a blinding sun, so it’s no issue.
The central countdown is already below twenty.
Can I win…?
It’s a pointless question, but I can’t help but think about it. Having time to think in moments like this only makes my thoughts work against me.
“Fuu~”
I take a deep breath to calm my mind.
(Don’t get too tense… There’s no way I can lose. And I can’t afford to lose in front of Ao.)
As the countdown reaches three seconds, Leon’s eyes widen in shock, and he lowers his stance slightly, preparing to defend.
As expected, his [Foresight] ability is a pain…
Being able to see three seconds into the future is downright cheating.
But knowing the future is meaningless if you can’t do anything about it.
One second left.
—Awaken, [Mars].
Zero.
[FIGHT!!]
Without the slightest lag, we move in perfect sync.
The moment the signal is given, the ground beneath me crumbles and explodes.
I’m already in front of Leon-san, my right arm drawn back, ready to strike.
The sheer speed leaves a trail of pure white aura, and a beat later, the shockwave mows down the trees.
With all my emotions poured into it, I unleash the opening strike.
“[Star Piercer]—Five Strikes!”
Five strikes, each capable of piercing through stars, land almost simultaneously on Leon’s body.
“Gah?!”
Even with his arms raised in defense, the power is too much, and Leon-san is sent flying backward, crashing through the castle walls.
The match between Yanagi Hayato and Leon, which would later go down in history, began with a strike from Yanagi that sent Leon flying—a move none of the spectators had anticipated.