Kays Translations

Chapter 50: What a waste

"Both of you, refrain from attacks that could be life-threatening. Now... begin!!!!"

The referee signaled the start, but neither of them moved immediately.

(Probably... a knight. Or something related to knights.)

While Gulf's secondary job was a gladiator, Dimna's primary job was a squire, and his secondary job was a finesse knight—proficient in handling rapier-like weapons.

Dimna excelled in handling thin swords compared to traditional knights.

And... the tricky part was that Dimna had acquired uncommon elemental magic.

"If you won't come to me... then I'll come to you."

"!!!!"

Faster than he could think, Gulf swung his longsword.

While he had responded boldly before the match, Gulf could now feel Dimna's strength firsthand.

"Gulf!!!! Crush that damn arrogant brat until his face warps!!!!!"

While the content might border on defamation, setting that aside, Dimna possessed silky, envy-inducing golden hair and sharp, cool eyes, making him incredibly popular among female fans.

As a result, the moment Dimna stepped into the ring, the cheers from female fans were incessant.

However, Ishud continued to support Gulf with his unwavering cheers.

And there were plenty of spectators who envied Dimna. 

Primarily, these were male spectators who envied Dimna's popularity. Yet, despite joining in on Ishud's cheers, they remained grateful allies in the support for Gulf.

Thanks to these cheers, Gulf was currently enduring the relentless onslaught of attacks.

(This guy is really fast and skilled!!!!)

A gladiator versus a finesse knight. 

There wasn't a significant difference in stats between the two professions, and the rapid increase in levels due to practical combat with monsters during holidays eliminated any insurmountable level difference.

However... even though Gulf understood that Dimna's attacks with the thin sword were fast, he couldn't respond effectively.

Predicting Dimna's next move based on his attack patterns and body movements was still difficult, making it challenging to strategize on the fly.

(...It's not falling apart yet, huh?)

Nevertheless, Ishud, who had been Gulf's sparring partner, had taught him a certain level of rhythm in the attack methods of those using thin swords.

So, counterattacks were possible.

He hadn't landed any hits yet, but he had room to maneuver. 

Gulf managed to flawlessly evade attacks that seemed potentially lethal, and so far, all the hits he took were only shallow cuts.

The situation was leaning in Dimna's favor, but it wasn't ending as quickly as some spectators had thought.

(Read it, read it! Understand it!!! Grasp it!!!!)

Despite that, Gulf's instincts were aware, even if his mind wasn't fully comprehending.

If it continued dragging on like this, he would lose.

But he wouldn't fight aimlessly.

He halted each move Dimna made, deciphering the breaths and rhythms.

(Now, here!!!!)

A chance that had come full circle.

This single strike wouldn't decide the match.

By delivering a continuous attack from this point, he could finally level the playing field.

He launched a counter without the slightest trace of carelessness... or so it was supposed to be.

"!? Gu!! Gi!!?"

It might have been avoided.

However, the slash that he was confident would at least graze him was not only deftly intercepted with the thin sword but also smoothly redirected, throwing him off balance.

If it was intercepted, then switch to striking with superior power.

The decision itself wasn't wrong, but compared to the skill of intercepting and redirecting the opponent's attack, it was quite disadvantageous.

Seizing the moment when his posture faltered, a slash imbued not just with magical power but with light magic was released, tearing through Gulf's body.

(Use the ring, broadly!!!!!)

Enduring a pain that felt like it was burning through his insides, he rolled and leaped, escaping from Dimna's cross range.

"Gah!!??"

While it was a better decision than passively enduring continuous slashes, Dimna didn't immediately approach. Instead, he launched a series of thrusts from a distance.

(Must absolutely protect the face and the heart!!!!)

Attacks that could be life-threatening shouldn't be targeted as much as possible.

He didn't intend to ignore the referee's attention.

Dimna, however, was releasing thrusts more to keep Gulf in place, preventing him from moving too erratically.

Gulf understood that the attacks coming at him had the intention of keeping him in place, so he didn't particularly feel like complaining.

However... how could he break free from this situation?

He concentrated his thoughts solely on that.

(No good. If I stay like this, I'll be a sitting duck!!!)

He had to move forcibly, even if it meant doing the impossible.

Confirming that his legs could still move, he gritted his teeth and forced himself to escape from that spot.

"!! Ugh, heeeyyyyy!!!!"

"............"

Even though light thrusts were coming at him where he had fled, Gulf had anticipated such a move. He evaded the attack coming at his upper body with a sliding motion, shifted his direction left and right while kicking the ground, and once again entered Dimna's cross range.

"Shi!!!!"

"Tch..."

Dimna clicked his tongue in frustration.

In the previous exchange, there was no sign of any of Dimna's attacks hitting Gulf. 

However, in the second exchange... some attacks made him feel the possibility of an unfortunate event.

"............Hah!!!!"

"Gu!? Ngh!! Ah!?"

Frustration surges.

Dimna rides that surge with speed.

If the attacks become monotonous?

While Gulf would welcome that, the magical power of light surrounding Dimna accelerates his movements.

"!!"

"Gah!!??"

A swift kick.

All the attacks were done using the thin sword, creating the impression that Dimna only used that. However, from this impression, he suddenly unleashed a kick.

Although it didn't have the power of Gulf's kicks, if a kick was released suddenly by stepping in, there was no immediate defense. Instinctively, he concentrated his magical power as much as possible to counter it.

"Goh!!?? Geho, geho..."

"One... Two... Three."

If a fighter is forced out of the ring, a ten-count is initiated. 

If they cannot return to the ring within ten counts, it results in defeat.

(............Pointless.)

There had been several occasions when kicks had landed on his stomach.

While they were successful hits, the sensation this time felt different.

The kick didn't land perfectly, and its power was diminished.

Dimna dismissed the quick and effective decision as useless.

From the previous battles, it was clear that Gulf didn't hold a magical profession among the frontliners. 

If that was the case, Dimna saw no chance of losing due to a difference in magical power. 

If they were to continue the fight, magical enhancement was essential.

"Seven... Eight."

"Grr!"

Before the count reached ten, Gulf returned to the ring, wielding his longsword once again. 

The gaze directed at the commoner who bothered to come back to the ring had become even colder.

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