Hm, I think I’ve done it.
I didn’t use dangerous things like rock cannons or rock bullets, and the rock shotgun was obviously out of the question. I limited myself to air bullets, the Storage Gates, and Slow.
When the mock battle started, I used Slow and got close quickly to shoot an air bullet. Air bullets are weaker than a rock cannon, but have considerable force when fired up close.
Still, my opponent was a high level seeker. An air bullet did little but throw him off. And it didn’t take him long to counterattack.
I was surprised as well, but I didn’t want to get hit, so I put a Storage Gate in the direction he was facing.
My Storage Gates stopped a tackle from the supposedly level fifty Lucky. Retsu couldn’t break through it, and tried to back away, but since I was only using air bullets, I couldn’t let him do that. I placed another Storage Gate behind him, and stopped him. Retsu seemed surprised, and I took advantage of that opening to fire five air bullets into his stomach.
I already saw he could take one, so I fired more.
Retsu was knocked out. It looks like people can pass out even if they’re protected by the arena’s film. I’m glad I won. Ahh.
“T-that was amazing mister. You beat Retsu. No way. What’s up with you? Was that kung-fu? Qiqong?”
“It’s a secret.”
Seekers shouldn’t show their hands. Not their skills, not their money, not their rare items. And a summon beast like Lucky goes without saying. If word goes around, it could end up in less than savory ears, and we could get kidnapped and sold to a foreign criminal organization.
I saw it on the Saturday special report ‘Chasing the former Japanese seeker sold in an underground market in South America!’.
Apparently said seeker is now working as a bodyguard for a mafia in Mexico. He’s not treated like a slave, but he was made an accomplice to their crimes right after they picked him up. I shuddered when I pictured myself in his position, doing drugs and crying about not being able to go back to Japan. I need to watch myself.
“Haha. You’re a better seeker than I thought, mister. I’m kinda impressed. Ah, lemme take a photo of Retsu. Retsu Daiba (thirty-five), knocked out by a passing old man! *Rolls eyes*. I think this one’s gonna go viral. What a scoop!”
Ah, should you really take a photo like that? As I think that, Yuri is already uploading it to social media. That was a quick decision. Wait, she just said Retsu’s age.
“Mister Retsu is the same age as me.”
“Eh? Aren’t you in your forties?”
“I’m thirty-five. But I am often told I look older.”
“People tend to look younger when they become seekers and have their physical abilities boosted. You’ve been a seeker for a week, right? You should look a little younger as you level up.”
“That would be nice.”
My stats are all F and I’ve been called old since I was a teenager, so I can’t see that changing.
“But that was awesome. Super speed and a palm strike. And then an obstruction technique? I guess you weren’t lyin’ when you said you make bank.”
“Hahaha.”
“Kyururu.”
I make money selling ether crystals, not through my fighting abilities.
“Still… Retsu underestimated you too much, but I think he can handle you if he’s serious, even if he can’t keep up with your speed. No matter how fast you are, you’re still an amateur. You should watch yourself… I think so, anyway.”
“Thank you for the warning. Basic safe driving is my motto. I will be careful not to overdo it in the dungeon.”
“Yes yes. I’m proud of you, honest mister.”
Yuri comes across like a jokester, but she was following my moves during the fight. I was surprised when I noticed it, but I guess I should expect that from a high level seeker. I need to be careful, because even Slow isn’t invincible.
Retsu isn’t waking up, so Yuri tends to him, and I leave. They’re in the same clan, and I got their business card. Organic written with the kanji for oni and meat? Strange name.
She also asked to borrow Lucky for a livestream, and since Lucky was eager to do it, I said yes. Well, it should be fine if it’s in its small form.
———————————
The man will descend into hell again.
There he will find a forbidden proving ground.
Ugly claw marks from people on the verge of extinction.
What will Zenjurou see, and do?
Retsu overestimated you too much
Underestimated*
Thanks.