“What’s with that old man?”
My name is Retsu Daiba. I’m part of a clan called Organic, written with the kanji for ogre and meat (niku).
The clan’s name is a joke? Yeah, I agree. But our leader, Yuri, named it, so don’t blame me.
I’m kind of annoyed right now. I was going after a rainbow peafowl yesterday, but the Granma chivalric order took it. And then I had to see that Monkura guy and argue with him.
Damn four eyes. Said he didn’t have time for me and shrugged while he left. I saw myself hitting him on the head with my Red Vajra, but held it back. I’ll make that guy cry in this year’s seeker grand prix.
After Monkura left, I saw Yuri with an old guy that looked like he didn’t belong here.
He looks like he’s in his mid forties. I could sense magic energy on the red panda on his back, so I assumed it was a tamed beast. And the guy looks weak, around level ten.
I don’t know about the tamed beast, but the guy looks seriously weak. Nevermind the level, I can feel it from his demeanor.
The problem is that this old guy picked a fight with me. Well, I started it, I just didn’t think he’d accept. I’m Retsu of Organic, you know? Level forty-eight. I’m the guy that beat a blood quartz golem one on one barehanded.
“Retsu. Are you serious?”
“Shut up Yuri. I’m just gonna have some fun. That old guy probably just wants to have a special match he can remember. He’s not gonna die in this colosseum field. It’ll hurt a bit though.”
A little pain can be a learning tool. Almost dying in a safe environment is an experience that’s hard to come by for seekers. If it breaks your heart, so be it.
But why are my instincts telling me to watch out for him? It’s not like me to joke like that either. What am I feeling from him? Does he have a rare skill? I don’t think that’s gonna help him.
“This is great. Was it brought from ruins?”
The old man in front of me looks impressed when he sees the stone fighting arena with a crystal pillar on each of its four sides.
“Yes. This is called the colosseum field. Once you go in and activate it, a magic energy film covers your body and takes damage for you. It still hurts a bit though. You can give up if you want.”
“No no, it’s all right. This is an important opportunity. Ah, please step back, Lucky. One, two, three.”
He’s not nervous. He’s got nerves of steel. At least he’s thinking like a seeker, saying this is an important opportunity. Not that I care.
“Lucky’s staying with me then. Hoho, fluffy fluffy.”
The red panda follows Yuri, who starts hugging it. Nice. I want a tamed beast too, but taming is about ability and compatibility. I don’t got that. They’re not easy to look after, and it takes time to train them for combat. That means if you’re not a tamer, you’re getting at best a pet. I’m jealous.
“Ahh, and I’m dealing with the old man. Whatever, let’s just do it.”
I step up to the arena, and a faint blue aura surrounds my body. This isn’t as nerve racking as a real fight, but seekers don’t have a lot of opportunities to fight each other. This is why I rented a room in the Maze Hotel. I didn’t think I’d be fighting this old man though.
“Are you sure you wanna start, old man? Don’t blame me if you’re traumatized. And aren’t you gonna use a weapon?”
“It’s fine. You’re also barehanded. Lay it on me. Cough.”
Hey, he just hit his chest and coughed. This old man isn’t right in the head. Like I’d use a weapon against an amateur. If he got hit with my Red Vajra he’d be traumatized for sure. And if I really put strength into it, it’d get through this magic item’s defense.
“Take your positions.”
Let’s just end it and go back to my room.
“Start!”
“Ah?”
The old man’s in front of me.
What? What just happened?
Bam.
“Ugoh.”
I feel like something just stabbed me in the gut… O-ooh!? You’re kiddin’. I just got blown away. Was that a palm heel strike? Was this guy just going along with me and pretending to be weak!?
“Don’t screw with… Ah!?”
I put my foot down and I’m about to charge at him, when something I can’t see hits me and stops me. That’s dirty. What was that!?”
“Dammit. What’s… Ah?”
I have to stop, because when I take a step back, I feel something hitting my back. I can’t move. What’s goin’ on? What did the old man do?
“How are you right here?”
Before I know it, the old man is right in front of me… He hits me in the stomach with the palm of his hand, and the successive blows that come next blow away my consciousness.
———————————
Poor Retsu Daiba. Tragic Retsu Daiba.
The loser’s end will flow into an electronic sea, becoming a permanent tattoo.
As Zenjurou feels the cruelty of this world, the woman will have a proposal for him.
This will be a lamp that invites the grim reaper.
Damn, that is no contest for sure! 😲😳