Kays Translations

Chapter 42: I Feel like Complaining

"When fighting an unarmed opponent, grasp the timing to pull back your fist. That leads to a counterattack."

While Ishud taught various techniques, this particular piece of advice was the most prominent among the considerations when facing a hand-to-hand combatant.

(Ishud's methods, breathing, and speed are different, but... finally, I'm getting the hang of it!!!)

Most attacks are narrowly blocked by the gauntlets, yet Maisel's skin still bears several cuts.

Reading the opponent's movements is a high-level skill that can be practiced by those who have reached the pinnacle of physical strength and combat expertise.

Currently, Gulf can't execute it against opponents whose levels are below the mid-teens.

It's impossible against opponents of a similar level.

However... he can still make predictions.

Ishud, being a combat enthusiast, naturally excels in unarmed combat as well.

Combat styles vary from person to person.

While that is certainly true, it's not necessarily as diverse as saying "ten people, ten colors."

Even if there are multiple elements to a combination attack, there is a certain rhythm present.

(Left, right! Back fist!! Now!!!)

"Huh?! Annoying!!"

"How about this!!!"

A clear distinction in the combat content has emerged.

Gulf is by no means unscathed.

However, he guards against all unavoidable attacks, keeping injuries limited to bruises and minor internal bleeding.

On the other hand, as Gulf begins to grasp the rhythm of Maisel's attacks, the latter has started to accumulate more cuts on her body.

While there are no attacks that would be immediately fatal, some have left significant slashes on her flesh, even though she can still move.

The amount of blood flowing is becoming significant, and if it continues like this, it cannot be ignored.

(There's no way I can accept a conclusion like this!!!)

Losing too much blood can lead to a loss of consciousness. 

Even before that, feeling lightheaded could make her stagger, and Maisel knows this could lead to a decisive outcome.

(I will win this, it's me!!!!)

She strives for victory with unwavering determination.

All traces of underestimating Gulf have vanished, and the martial artist now roars, seeking nothing but victory.

"Ha!!!!"

Deflecting Gulf's slashes over and over again, she seizes a faintly emerging opportunity and delivers a finishing blow.

A martial technique, an attack skill that can be learned at skill level three: Hakkō.

The finishing blow carries no deception. The impact of the palm strike travels through armor and clothing, delivering a shock to the body.

In other words, defense holds little meaning.

Gulf, as a gladiator in his second job, falls into the category of high defense within combat professions. However, taking the full force of Hakkō, even without collapsing to the ground, he is momentarily staggered by the impact, leaving him disoriented.

With a martial artist's reaction speed, that brief moment is enough to render him completely knocked out.

("Ugh!!! Why...")

Even though it was small, that gap was certainly an opening.

Nevertheless... Gulf, even in a slightly disadvantaged position, managed to evade.

"Zeeeeeyaaaaaaahhhhh!!!!"

A flash.

The unleashed diagonal slash hit around Maisel's left arm. 

Due to being too focused on evasion, it didn't result in an amputation.

"Gahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"

Whether it was pride or sheer determination, Maisel gritted her teeth and refused to let out a scream.

"Yo."

"Oh!? Guh!!!"

Not crying, not screaming.

I can't help but admire that tenacity.

Even with the endorphins gained during battle, a profound sense of pain from a significant cut.

If you try to endure the damage that comes from it... that, in turn, leads to vulnerability.

If your stomach is lightly kicked, it's inevitable to easily collapse.

"Haa, haa... I've won, haven't I?"

"~~~~~~~~!! Damn it!! It's my loss."

"That's it!!!! The winner, Gulf!!!!"

He won again.

It wasn't like the first enemy self-destructed, but rather, after a fair and intense clash, he seized victory.

The moment the referee declared Gulf's victory, the arena once again trembled violently.

It might be the most intense shake of the day.

"Shaaaaaa!! Nice fight!!! Nice slashing!! Take down the next opponent with that momentum too!!!"

Amidst the tremors, there was also praise from friends.

"Jeez, I lost, I lost. Haa~~~ Why are you so strong?"

"Thanks to my friend, whom you call a savage barbarian."

"...That guy contributes to your strength?"

"That's right."

In the final blow, when a hint of desperation appeared in Maisel's eyes, Gulf recalled the sequence of events conveyed to him by Ishud within his expectations.

“The greatest weapon for martial artists at the student level who fight barehanded is probably 'Hakkō' (issuing force). If it hits, maybe you won't be knocked out in one hit, but a significant opening will be created. However, to release Hakkō, there are necessary movements.”

The necessary movement involves pulling the hand and withdrawing the hips.

What are you saying as if it's obvious? It's not something that can be easily dismissed as foolish.

The first step is the so-called Qiankun one-punch.

In order to put everything into it, it's not just a matter of thrusting the palm, but it requires consciousness of twisting the hips, and so on. Without that awareness, it will only end up as a strong palm strike.

(Without that advice, I probably wouldn't have known ...... that she was going to release her fangs.)

Philip and Michela occasionally say that Ishud is a pervert.

Gulf denies it each time, but even though the words may be like that, he came to understand a bit why they would say so in gaining this battle.

"You lost to a friend of someone who you mock as a barbarian."

"...Are you perhaps angry?"

"The person I fought in the first round also made fun of me. I can't help but want to complain a little."

With that said, Gulf, who finished expressing what he wanted to say, descends from the ring and heads towards the healing room.

(So, there are commoners like that... If the story is true, I might not be able to dismiss them as barbaric or foolish.)

He got angry for the sake of his friend.

Facing a noble lady, he expressed his opinions.

To those who wouldn't understand the meaning, he didn't appear as a fool.

(That barbarian... no, that's not it. Is it because that guy from the Regula family is next to him, and his attitude has become more prominent? Or does he really want to complain as a friend... Hehe, he seems to have more spirit than the sons of the nobility around here.)

Having participated in the fierce battle festival and advanced to the second round.

Well... Gulf can no longer remain just a commoner.

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