On the third day of the seven-day tournament, Russell Moon's turn to fight was scheduled. And at this moment, standing in the center of the arena, he scrutinized his opponent, who was someone he did not know from the original story of his unpublished novel since what he had focused on when he wrote the details of the El-Vul-Or Tournament were the matches of the major characters against the noteworthy individuals from either the Elves or the Dwarves.
What was standing in front of him was a dwarf man with dirty white short hair, a greyish pair of eyes, a well-built body, and around four feet in height, which was average among the Dwarven Race.
'Since their specialization is crafting technology, it's certain that he has numerous artifacts in his arsenal.'
Apart from the Skills and Stats that every being in this world possessed, the Dwarven Race mostly relied on the use of technology, and the body strength they had was the complement to wielding such artifacts. In other words, unlike the human-crafted weapons, armor, or artifacts, the dwarves could impose restrictions on the aspiring wearer, meaning that requirements were present in order to wield something they had crafted.
It's similar yet somewhat different from Exclusive Skills or Bound Items that could only be utilized if certain conditions were met.
After some time, the voice of the Elven presider of the match echoed throughout the arena.
***
'He's cautious, huh.'
Although there were arrogant individuals disregarding any race, the Dwarves were proud when it came to technology's development and its utility, but considering the greed creeping deep within humanity's nature, they were reluctant to fully trust them as well as learn the strange innovations of human minds. However, this tournament's purpose was to give them an ultimatum to decide if they could truly dwell with other races since the time they were transported into this world.
Holding the Sword of Shad, the one he used against Bailey Clarkson during the Ranking of Exchange with the intention of not quickly finishing his opponent, in his right hand, the one that didn't possess a sharp blade but more of a blunt end, Russell made the first move as he vanished from his spot.
'He's fast!'
The dwarf man's eyes instinctively constricted due to the speed of his opponent, but he quickly took out something from his Dimensional Inventory.
"Molten Shroud!"
His body was then surrounded by a heat barrier, but without hesitation, Russell cleaved his sword diagonally, causing sparks to be screened from every spectator's eyes.
"Molten Barrage!"
'Oi! Why are you screaming about your artifact's functions?!'
Russell revealed a faint smile as he heard the dwarf man's words. The next moment, as soon as his opponent said his next action, however subtle it may be, was still a clue for Russell, a barrage of molten rocks appeared from the existing fire barrier, causing the spot where they were standing to be set ablaze.
But Russell didn't dodge; rather, he parried the barrage of flying molten rocks, causing his weapon to overheat upon contact due to the lack of the Fire Resistance Intrinsic Effect.
'Mountain folks surely love fire.'
If the Elven Race was living in an environment surrounded by nature produced by the aura of the World Tree, the Dwarven Race was different, as they were living on rocky mountains at high altitudes. Not just rocky mountains, but volcanic ones. With the ideal condition of their environment, it's the race's paradise to procure materials for their craftsmanship.
As Russell thought in a casual manner, he continued hacking the Molten Barrier from the artifact that the dwarf man was using, which looked like a bracelet with written rune symbols presumably being the determiner of its functions.
"Do you feel no pain?!"
'Is he mad?'
Russell thought as he heard the dwarf man's voice, but he checked his expression, which was painted with concern.
'I see. He thought that this fire might kill me.'
"Hey, your name's Azir, right? Later in the evening, let's have a drink."
Aside from their pride in craftsmanship, they were also proud of their alcohol tolerance. The only difference between the two was the practicality it had.
"W-what…?"
For a moment, the dwarf man named Azir faltered upon hearing the out-of-place offer in the middle of the fight. With that slight loss of momentum, Russell intensified his strike as he used a dummy swordsmanship he bought from the Thorn of Rose since he couldn't just show anyone the Swordsmanship of the Night and the Scythemanship of the Reaper.
'I'm pretty certain that the Sword of Shad will shatter because of the Chaos corruption.'
As he pushed himself, breaking through the molten barrier and blocking the barrage of molten rocks fired at him almost in perfection, a series of System messages were ringing in his ears.
[Your Attribute: Nihility has sent the pain into Nothingness.]
[Your Attribute: Nihility has sent the pain into Nothingness.]
[Your Attribute: Nihility has sent the pain into Nothingness.]
It's the reason he wasn't reacting to any stimuli caused by the intense heat.
Then, two to three seconds after Azir faltered and pondered about Russell's words, he continued his strikes by utilizing the first and second movements of the dummy swordsmanship.
[Black Sun Swordsmanship First Movement: Eclipse.]
[Black Sun Swordsmanship Second Movement: Eclipse Reversal.]
Positioned in a proper stance, just less than a meter from Azir, Russell slashed horizontally as dark crimson hues were traced in the air. After that, the dark crimson remnant of his slash spun counterclockwise, which was the Eclipse Reversal slash.
It was a quick, terrifying sight for individuals similar to his rank because Russell's physique was well-suited for that swordsmanship display.
***
"Well, well, isn't your brother a masochist, Freya?"
Amelie, watching Russell almost under fire, with other companions, muttered with a cheeky smile.
"I don't think so, but I think it's you who's a masochist."
Freya answered in a casual manner. Even though Russell hadn't told her what he thought regarding Amelie's personality, Freya also thought that Amelie possessed the masochistic trait. It was as if these siblings possessed the same brain cells, depending on particular matters.
"Huh…? Me? A masochist? I think you're mistaken."
"Perhaps yeah, perhaps not."
Amelie's crimson eyes shifted to her left side from where Freya was sitting. This time, to avoid others hearing them, Amelie spoke through telepathy.
<I see. Do you think it's a masochistic attitude whenever I use the puppet Arthur to look like shame in the public's eyes? I think sadist is the right term.>
<No. Still a masochist.>
Without gazing at Amelie, but focusing her eyes on her older brother's fight, Freya responded in a firm manner. Before Amelie made a response, Freya continued:
<It'd be nonsense if you're not feeling anything if Arthur Wolfson's getting beat up under your control since he's connected to you through your Authority. That's why I thought you were a masochist, though I'm pretty certain that my older brother thinks the same. We have one brain cell in this kind of observation, after all.>
Amelie couldn't make a response to Freya's deduction, which was presumed to be Russell's deduction, too.
'She's right that I'm feeling itchy when Arthur, who's connected to me as a puppet, is getting beat up, but... "
For the first time. Amelie was at a loss for words because of the confusion spreading over her.
'Perhaps I'm both a masochist and a sadist in a way!'
She concluded but felt that she was leaning on the latter side.
Woong-! Slash-! Slash-
At that moment, their thoughts were cut off by Russell's final move before the dwarf man surrendered because of a sword aimed at the back of his neck.
<Sigh… Whatever! Let's double-check our preparation since we'll be catching some fish lurking in a forested ocean.>
Amelie said as their focus aimed for what was next—encountering a vampire that was probably leagues above Ruina and Tanya, the previous Obelisk Students.
***
"Congratulations on winning your match! That swordsmanship, it's beautiful to the eye. Can you tell me what it was?"
The Disciplinary Committee President, whose relationship with Russell, in others' eyes, was still veiled and only showered with speculation, sent her words of commendation as she clapped with an alluring smile.
"Hey, sarcasm doesn't suit you at all, but thanks."
Since the Black Sun Swordsmanship was bought from Thorn of Rose and with Azalea's help just a few days before the tournament started, during the time of the Capital Tour, Russell just shrugged off her act but still responded with gratification.
"Tsk… I haven't known any man duller than you."
Azalea puffed her cheeks as she made a remark.
"Oppa-! Congrats!"
Freya, from her seat, waved her right hand.
After being sent back to the spectators' seats, Russell walked past Azalea and her group, with another Elf Guide, like Elfina, guiding them, and finally reached where he was sitting before his match started.
<Hey, did Miss Ayleen agree to our suggestion?>
Sometime later, as the match this morning progressed, Russell queried telepathically.
<Yup! So it means we're going later this afternoon, right, Oppa?>
<And what's your decision? I mean, the three of you? We're not in a rush, so…>
<It's fine with us. If we operate in areas with plenty of sunlight, we will have a better chance of catching a vampire.>
Amelie's words reverberated in each of their heads, which Freya and Ken agreed on, knowing what she was referring to.
<How about Amery?>
<Uh, I'm good. Whatever everyone's decision is, it's not like I have a part in this tournament, after all.>
<Alright. Let's just fill ourselves during breaktime before proceeding.>
Russell said firmly, waiting for the time to pass before the operation as a mercenary group and not mere students began.
***
The morning quickly ended as the warmth of the peak of the day could be felt in the air.
Russell and the others filled their stomachs before seeing Miss Ayleen for permission to proceed in the mission as Umbra Mercenary.
"Miss Ayleen. What did Sir Artorious say?"
Meeting in a public area to avoid suspicion, Russell, together with his Chaos Companions except for Samantha, muttered, politely addressing them.
"Are you sure you don't need any backup? It'll be dangerous because it's unchartered in our book."
"No, we're going to be fine, but I appreciate the concern."
"Alright. It seems I won't be able to convince you, so good luck with your journey.
"Even though you're not told about the purpose of this mission, it's easy to guess, so I hope you'll succeed and come back unscathed."
Ayleen Mayfield glanced at everyone with a mix of incredulous and proud expressions because this crucial mission to move forward was entrusted to mere students.
"I hope so, too."
Russell whispered, his voice swept by the air.
At this moment, they're sauntering and sightseeing in an area crowded with a mix of races, being guided by their respective Elf Guide.
"Make sure to contact me through smartwatch since the signal's coming from the OSS, it won't be lost."
Russell nodded while the others just listened between the two's exchange.
They were feeling both apprehensive and excited.
***
"Because of the absence of the participant, the remaining one will be considered the winner!"
The voice of the Elven referee echoed from where he was standing.
It happened four times in a row, shocking the spectators, especially the Elves and the Dwarves.
It's because Freya Moon, Amelie Rose Merveil, Ken Raven, and Samantha Hall, who were scheduled this afternoon for their respective matches, didn't appear, causing their supposedly opponent to win by default.
"Hey, Anya. What's happening? I mean, where are they?"
Han Jiho asked, but Anya's expression was also in disbelief because she didn't know anything.
Glancing at the princess on their side, the two's expressions hardened.
"Y-you don't know, too? About their whereabouts?"
"I don't. Samantha didn't even speak about it. What the hell are they up to?"
Missing four participants on the human side in a row had tarnished humanity's reputation. However, with their increasing curiosity, a familiar voice in their head resounded.
It's telepathy from the number one player of humanity.
<Do not look for them in any way.>
Han Jiho, Anya Amasawa, and the princess of Etheria looked at each other before shifting their gaze from afar, from where Artorious, together with the Elven Queen and Dwarven King, was sitting leisurely.
Standing behind Artorious, Makoto Amasawa, Anya's father, saw them looking and nodded at him with a serious expression.
Knowing her father, making that expression meant that Samantha, along with the others, didn't attend this tournament because of a crucial matter.
'What could possibly it be?'
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