After ten minutes into the duel…

Badel was feeling a genuine terror.

“Won’t you be using any weapons?”

“If I use something like that, it’ll be over too quickly.”

He recalled the short question and answer session they engaged in when they started the duel.

Badel had actually never used a weapon in any of the previous duels he had been in. From start to finish, he had always used his bare fists to pummel his opponents.

After all, his preference was to enjoy watching his opponents suffer in agony.

“Really? You’ll beat me with your bare fists?”

“...”

“Nice. That’s great.”

In hindsight…

He should’ve been more cautious from the moment his opponent’s face brightened up at those words.

“...Have you gone crazy, you bastard?”

And due to that carelessness, he was stuck in the present time, muttering those words with a trembling voice.

The difference in their abilities were overwhelming. That was why he had chosen to duel with this man in the first place, so that he could slowly and leisurely torment him.

However…

-!

His fist landed squarely on Dowd's jaw. That fact was undoubtedly true, even his skilled combat senses were informing him so.

As long as they were human, that blow would be enough to make them collapse. After all, receiving a fist to the jaw would undoubtedly rattle one's brain.

However…

This man refused to fall.

Just like how it was countless times now.

He staggered back a step or two, then nonchalantly cracked his neck before walking back towards him.

“Ah, that was good.”

The voice, that seemed to say he was genuinely enjoying it, made shivers run down Badel’s arm.

“...Why don’t we stop the duel here? You should go to the infirmary and get treat—”

“Why?”

His tone, which sounded like he genuinely didn't understand what Badel was talking about, made the latter take a step back.

It was an instinctive movement.

'...Did I just take a step back? During a duel against a bastard of the Empire?'

As soon as he realized this truth, his face contorted tightly.

Harsher blows rained down on Dowd. Each blow held so much force that it made anyone who was watching them end up pitying the poor guy getting pummeled.

Dowd’s body was thrown around in all directions. Flesh jutted out and blood spurted like a fountain.

However…

“...I chose my opponent well. Nice.”

This time as well…

Even though he was practically in a half-dead state, he let out a laugh.

“...”

Badel’s face was gradually turning pale.

If it had just been a weakling putting on airs, he would have welcomed it. After all, he felt a certain satisfaction in thoroughly crushing such a person.

'But, with this bastard…'

He was genuinely ‘enjoying’ a situation where he was being unilaterally beaten.

Almost as if he had received some tremendous gain!

“Again.”

At the sight of Dowd muttering as such while walking towards him, Badel’s eyes couldn’t help but fill with terror.

'What in the world am I doing right now?'

'In the first place, is this even a duel?'

'No, is this bastard even a human?'

“...Don’t come any…closer.”

“Why? That blow just now was good. One more ti—”

“I said don’t come closer—!”

With a completely pale face, Badel staggered back and tried to press a red button that was placed on the stage.

If he pressed it, the duel would probably be declared over by surrender.

Normally, he would never press it, but compared to facing this somewhat monster of a man, he thought that a brief humiliation would be better.

However, a hand dripping blood grabbed him.

“No.”

Dowd spoke urgently.

There was a desperate anxiety in his eyes that went beyond his already frantic voice.

“No, don’t do that. You can still do more, right? Didn’t you say you’ll beat me until the time is up?”

“...”

At Dowd’s almost subservient smile as he held Badel’s arms, Badel’s face turned even paler.

Normally, it wasn't the kind of face that he should be scared of. But, how out of place his face was managed to make Badel almost go insane.

“You can do it. You’re still full of energy. Why are you the one surrendering when I’m the one getting beaten the shit out of? Are you fucking with me right now?”

“Hieek…!”

“Keep your promise. Please. I’m begging you.”

“Go away…!”

In the end…

With a shrill scream, Badel had no choice but to press the surrender button.

“Mmm…”

As my opponent ran while shivering, as if he had seen a ghost, I could only watch him with a saddened expression.

It was such a shame.

System Log

[ Engaged in combat with an opponent who used remarkable Fighting Arts! ]

[ A new set of movements will be added to ‘Mastery: Fighting Arts – Stance 立式’! ]

[ Engaged in combat with an opponent who used remarkable Fighting Arts! ]

[ A new set of movements will be added to ‘Mastery: Fighting Arts – Stance 立式’! ]

[ Engaged in combat with an opponent who used remarkable Fighting Arts! ]

[ A new set of movements will be added to ‘Mastery: Fighting Arts – Stance 立式’! ]

.

.

.

System Log

[ Successfully continued the battle despite serious injuries! ]

[ Proficiency of ‘Mastery: Iron Man’ increased. ]

[ Successfully continued the battle despite serious injuries! ]

[ Proficiency of ‘Mastery: Iron Man’ increased. ]

[ Successfully continued the battle despite serious injuries! ]

[ Proficiency of ‘Mastery: Iron Man’ increased. ]

.

.

.

He really wasn’t half-bad.

By just standing there while getting beaten was enough to stack up the proficiencies of two of the Masteries. This was something that would only be possible if I were to face up against a fairly formidable foes.

If only he could continue on for a little longer… Too bad he suddenly ran away for some reason…

System Message

[ Target ‘Eleanor’ is extremely furious at the fact that target ‘Badel’ dared to strike you. ]

[ She radiates intense hatred toward the target! ]

“...”

Because of that, the chances of this person harassing me had increased. Moreover, she was still spying on me.

After all, if they hadn’t been watching me, this window wouldn’t have popped up.

‘Badel, why did you run away…!’

‘You said you would keep fighting me until the time runs out…!’

“That Badel got scared and ran away…!”

“I can’t believe the Empire has an insane motherfucker like him…!”

“He is such a madman that I can’t help but be impressed…!”

“...”

The murmurs and glances of the Tribal Alliance students nearby pierced my heart.

‘Why are you guys saying those things? It’s hurtful.’

‘...Anyway, let’s check the important things.’

Eleanor wouldn’t come out even if I tried to find her anyway. I might as well just see what I had gained instead.

[ Mastery Info ]

Mastery: Iron Man 鐵人

Grade: Basic

Proficiency: 88%

Description: Warriors of the Tribal Alliance repeatedly put themselves in extreme situations in order to constantly train their ability to react to such situations. It is very risky, but effective.

[ ■ Endurance to various injuries and pain is increased. Reduces the intensity of pain and allows for easier movement even when severely injured. ]

[ ■ Effects are proportional to the Endurance stat. ]

First, the one Mastery that I gained proficiency in after getting beaten like a dog.

Even though I had only used a simple first aid kit to apply some medicine and wrap some bandages, my wounds were healing at a noticeable speed.

Unless the medicine was unbelievably excellent, if I had taken this much damage, I would usually have to empty my remaining points to buy an expensive potion from the Point Store.

And, more importantly…

‘It doesn’t really hurt, though?’

The effect written here said it reduced the ‘intensity of pain’.

But, it was a lot more impactful than I expected.

If I practiced and refined it well enough, it could become one of my trump cards in this chapter.

The pain that I actually felt when I got beaten the shit out of wasn’t that severe, you know?

[...You do realize that even with such an ability, people normally don’t think of getting beaten up that much, right?]

“It wasn’t bad, though? I can endure it easily.”

[Are you still the same guy who asked me about how to endure pain not too long ago?]

“I mean, people grow and become more mature over time.”

[Isn’t it more correct to say that you’re gradually becoming crazier rather than growing or maturing?]

“...”

Shut up.

Ignoring Caliban, I checked my other Mastery.

[ Mastery Info ]

Mastery: Fighting Arts - Stance 立式

Description: Efficient movements honed for a lifetime by a brawler with gifted insight. It can exert tremendous power even though it has not been fully perfected!

[ ■ Receives Strength adjustment in combat when unarmed. ]

[ ■ Receives Agility adjustment for evasive movements in combat when unarmed. ]

[ ■ Through practice, various movements included in this Fighting Arts can be unlocked. ]

[ New movements unlocked! ]

[ Perfection Progress: 10% ]

This was more important than the Iron Man Mastery.

Especially the words ‘Perfection’ Progress in the last sentence.

It wasn’t for no reason that the Mastery description stated it wasn’t perfected yet. After all, it was a style that even Kasa hadn’t been able to perfect.

“...”

And to lead Chapter 3 to my desired outcome, I had to perfect this in its entirety.

After all, the final ‘enemy’ in Chapter 3 could never be defeated with a weapon.

I should keep working hard.

[ Updating the current status. ]

While I was thinking as such, a message appeared on the electronic notice board inside the stadium.

It seemed it was boosting the rankings of people who had currently earned a higher ‘score’ in this Friendly Duel.

Scoring factored in various complex elements to give a higher score to the person that showcased a ‘better fight’.

If a weaker opponent held their ground well against a much stronger one, the former would actually receive a higher score than the latter.

For now, I checked through this scoring system, starting from the very bottom.

I just needed to secure a place within the top three…

[ 1st – Riru Garda ]

[ 2nd – Iliya Krisanax ]

[ 3rd – Dowd Campbell ]

I barely made it.

Given the difference between my combat power without Desperation and that guy’s, the fact that I made him surrender meant that I would score incredibly high.

‘...Riru made it as well.’

Although this was an obvious outcome, considering her combat power, it still needed to be said that she had to be within the top ranks. It was necessary for the progression of the ‘Main Quest’.

And I continued to look at the ranks below the top three.

Everything else looked fine, but…

[ 4th – Faenol Lipek ]

As soon as I saw the name right below mine, my brows instantly furrowed.

Come to think of it, she had also come as an exchange student, purely for the sake of story progression. That girl wasn’t someone I particularly wanted to run into though.

She was a key character in Chapter 4 and the ‘central core’ of the Heretic Inquisition that I was trying so hard to evade.

The problem was…

System Message

[ Target ‘Faenol Lipek’ has taken an interest in you. A related event will be generated soon! ]

[ Upon contact with the target, the benefit, ‘Heretic Inquisition - Special Interaction’, received from clearing ‘Boss: Boy King’ will be unlocked immediately! ]

[ ‘Skill: Fatal Charm’ cannot be applied to the target! ]

As soon as I saw her name, this window popped up.

My eyes squinted instinctively.

If my memories were correct, Faenol undoubtedly had the role of an antagonist. Moreover, she was a villain that was highly likely to be related to a Devil.

However, how was it that the system, which had always skipped over all process and coherence and just slapped Fatal Charm on anyone, didn’t even consider to slap that thing on her?

“...”

If that was the case, the importance of the ‘related event’ written here would skyrocket.

Considering her personality, that skill was the bare minimum of insurance I could get. If the system couldn’t apply it on her, that meant I would be in some kind of ‘danger’ as soon as we made contact.

‘...Let’s think about that later.’

When had I ever cared about such things anyway?

Regardless, there wasn’t enough information to come up with a countermeasure. Besides, the system didn’t even tell me when the event would occur.

For cases where countermeasures or plans could not be made no matter how much I racked my brain, it was best to just think about it after it happened.

I sighed and got up from my seat.

This was because…

[ For students who placed within the top three, please gather at the Hall of Honor. A presentation of awards will be held.]

Such an announcement had followed.

It was time to use the token Riru received from Luca. I was going to use it to collect Endurance stats that would protect my constantly injury-ridden body.

In other words, it was reward time baby.

System Message

[ Corruption Value of target ‘Eleanor’ has increased by 10%! ]

[ The target is in a state of ‘suspicion’. Corruption Value is applied at 3 times the rate! ]

[ The target’s current Corruption Value is nearing 100%! The possibility that the Fragment can ‘berserk’ has formed! ]

“...”

I had to find a way to resolve this somehow, but…

The ‘berserk’ of the Fragment mentioned here was not an event that could be seen that easily. Exceeding 100% would only result in them ‘manifesting’ with the Vessel as a medium. Reaching ‘berserk’ was out of the question.

In numerical terms, it probably had to exceed 200% to even have a chance.

‘But...’

Once it did happen, the destructive power would be unmatched.

A Fragment’s berserk was… Just on a different plane of existence.

It was at a level that perfectly showed how a Devil’s Vessel could potentially destroy the world if something went wrong.

Of course, as I mentioned earlier, it was an event that was hard to come by. It could only be witnessed in important events of the main scenario.

‘...Well, there’s no way it happens anyway, right?’

It wasn’t like I was going to purposely provoke Eleanor in her current state.

Right?

In order to bestow a special meaning to the concept of honoring someone, this place was created at the very top of the dome-shaped structure, known as the Forge of Struggle.

Thanks to that, the sea surrounding the academy could be clearly seen when it was usually difficult to do so.

And from there, Chief Priest Tatiana faced three students with her usual half-closed eyes.

Riru Garda. Iliya Krisanax. And me.

Those who were spectating this nearby all had dissatisfied expressions. After all, there was a widespread perception that, normally, members of the Empire would never come up here, no matter how many years passed.

“...”

I inwardly made a bitter smile.

As could be glimpsed during the Duel Event, for the most part, the Forge of Struggle was a place that inwardly looked down and refused to acknowledge Elfante. That basic trend practically overflowed in their every action.

‘...Though, some things were possible thanks to that.’

While reviewing what I would request at this place, I looked straight forward.

Tatiana’s gaze sequentially swept over me and the two women on my both sides.

“I heard you all achieved remarkable results. In the Forge of Struggle, those who achieve remarkable results in direct combat, where blood is exchanged, will always receive prizes.”

It was a tradition that had been passed down throughout the Tribal Alliance’s history. A prize would undoubtedly come for those who achieved excellent results, especially through ‘fighting’.

“First, shall we see what the first ranker wants?”

When her gaze rests on Riru, the expressions of the surrounding audience stiffened.

Voices full of slander and words of contempt could be sporadically heard.

“...The debauchee has returned. Didn’t her clan get completely wiped out after she picked a fight with the Chieftain’s clan first?”

“I cannot fathom why she has returned to this land, but at the very least, she’d learn one more lesson before leaving. We don’t welcome such trash.”

The evaluation of Riru in the Tribal Alliance was ‘coward’ or ‘unrivaled human trash’. There were two reasons for this.

First, the reason why Kasa Garda and Alan Ba-Thor had fought was because Riru ‘could not control her anger and picked a fight with him’.

Second, the reason why the Garda clan was wiped out was because Riru did ‘foul play’ during a battle between the War Chiefs.

“...”

Of course, in my perspective, who knew the inside story, summarizing the situation to merely that was enough for me to retch in disgust.

All of it was planned by the woman with half-closed eyes in front of me

“...Let me enter my clan’s ‘district’”

Riru’s tone made it as if she spit out those words to Tatiana.

I was worried she would rush over and fight with Tatiana right here and now, but fortunately, it seemed that she recognized it was unwise.

“There is still something that hasn’t been resolved yet.”

At her words, there was an immediate and intense reaction from those around us.

“That shame of the Alliance dares!”

“The souls of the dead warriors will curse a bitch like you! You dare to step into the space of those who died because of you!”

The people who were calmly mumbling previously, as they merely talked behind her back, were now shouting at her so loudly that the blood vessels of their eyes and necks were at the verge of bursting.

After all, from their perspective, the bitch who caused her family to die was now asking to set foot on the land of her hometown.

“Hyrule Mountain Range’s Luca Han-Chai guarantees my rights. It is the authority of a War Chief.”

Unphased by the reactions around her, Riru lifted up the Dream Catcher that I had tied around her wrist. It seemed like the crowd nearby recognized what it was, as their roars instantly faded away.

In the Tribal Alliance, the authority of a War Chief was almost as powerful as the authority of the Empire’s Imperial Family. In essence, even if they were dissatisfied, they would not dare to speak out of turn.

“Go do so.”

“...?”

Of course…

Even though she took that fact into account…

It seemed Riru did not expect Tatiana to so easily accept her request, as her eyes widened slightly in surprise.

Riru had probably expected that, as the culprit behind her entire clan’s annihilation, Tatiana would still cause all kinds of disturbances to hinder her.

“...”

And that was the same for me as well.

I glared at Tatiana, whose eyes were practically slits.

If it was her, there was no way she didn't know what it meant for Riru to go into her clan space.

After all, the biggest hint for killing the one she served, the ‘Existence of an Ancient Era’, was at that place.

As such, I had thought that she would have set up all kinds of interference.

“Then, what does the second ranker wish for?”

“...Mm.”

Iliya looked around with an awkward expression.

She seemed to find it difficult to adapt to this hostile atmosphere.

“...Can I think about it a bit and tell you later? I’m still not sure what I want.”

“Do so when you’re ready.”

She probably decided to act cautiously since she felt if she were to ask for something, she’d also get insulted by the surrounding crowds. Nevertheless, just as before, Tatiana easily agreed.

After all, there was no reason not to accept her suggestion.

“Then, you?”

“...Can I also think about it a bit more?”

Originally, I had several requests I had to make right away. For example, the right to access the Forge of Struggle ‘Workshop’, a place that was absolutely necessary to visit at least once in the game. Or the right to accompany Riru to her homeland for the Endurance stats.

However, that bitch’s attitude was somehow suspicious.

The fact that she accepted Riru’s request without a word was already more than enough proof for me to think as such.

“Very well.”

“...”

Seeing the way she casually accepted made my eyes narrow even further.

‘What’s her game? What’s she planning?’

While I was thinking that way…

Tatiana descended from the dais and stood in front of me.

The people around us were looking in her direction with questioning glances.

“Especially, if it’s a request from you, then I don’t mind anything, Dowd Campbell.”

Even while being subject to all these eyes on her one body, she still had the same smile that was always plastered on her face.

She approached just a little closer to me. As if she wished to whisper in my ear.

“Since, you’re going to die in this place anyway.”

At the same time as such words…

From the necklace she was wearing, a green light began to flicker.

The meaning behind that statement could be immediately noticed.

There was no need for words to explain it.

A wide space in the ‘sea’ near the dome-shaped Forge of Struggle started to ripple.

It moved at the same rhythm as the flickering of her necklace.

An extremely…

‘Ominous’ movement.

Tatiana’s half-closed eyes widened slightly.

“I heard that your characteristic was to always plan and prepare for everything, Dowd Campbell."

“And that’s your weakness.”

The virulence of her voice seeped into my ear.

She came even closer towards me and hugged me gently. People nearby seemed slightly surprised by this sudden action, but she paid no attention to them.

“If I were to summon ‘that,’ everyone here would die, perhaps, myself included.”

Madness oozed out from her slightly widened eyes, making my head spin.

The unique chaos of a madman melted into her mutterings, further strengthening that dizzying sensation.

“Even so, I’ve been waiting and waiting just for this moment. The moment when you come out of the Academy ‘structure’.”

“Perhaps you didn’t predict that I would act so recklessly, but…

“Since the Prophet ordered me to kill you with all my might, I am going to burn every ounce of my existence in this place to make sure yo—”

She continued to speak, but…

“Hey. Shut the fuck up for a moment.”

“...”

I frantically cut off Tatiana’s words.

Her expression momentarily froze, looking utterly stunned.

However, I didn’t have time to care about shit like that.

“I get that you want to kill me and I’m sure you’ve prepared some tricks or whatever bullshit that you’re confident with! I get all of that, okay?! But—!”

This bitch did seem to be immersed in her own world and had planned something tremendous, but…

That wasn’t the primary thing I needed to focus on right now.

“Back off, please!”

I desperately tried to break my body free from Tatiana’s tight ‘embrace.’

“...”

Sadly, I couldn’t.

Regardless of the fact that she wasn’t specialized in combat, Tatiana was still the final boss of a chapter.

It was clear that her physical abilities were far superior to mine.

My struggles were truly no different from an insect crawling around.

“...Teach, what are you doing?”

Besides me, Iliya spoke in an incredulous voice at the sight of my excessive actions, but…

I was being serious.

“You said that there was a high probability that you would also die if you summoned that, right?! That means that it’s possible for you to live as well!”

Going beyond mere seriousness, my vision was actually spinning. I was so frantic that I was on the verge of losing my mind.

I barraged the stunned Tatiana with even more words.

“If you don’t let go right this instant, even that low survival probability will vani—!”

However…

Before I could finish my sentence…

System Message

[ Target ‘Eleanor’ is enraged to the point of losing her rationality at the sight of your body rubbing onto the body of another new woman! ]

[ Target is in a state of ‘suspicion’! ]

[ Corruption Value of target has increased threefold! ]

[ Corruption Value of target ‘Eleanor’ has exceeded 300%. ]

[ Target is entering a ‘berserk’ state! ]

[ The estimated damage range is the entire ‘Forge of Struggle’! ]

[ The probability of survival is 0% ]

“...Fuck.”

As that message popped up along with my nausea…

-...

Everything around me…

Started to break down.

“...Uh. Uh?”

“Wh-What’s happening?”

Such murmurs began to trickle from people nearby.

Since they, too, had instinctively realized that ‘something’ was happening.

The first second.

Grey energy surged in all directions. Everything started to gradually slow down. Just like how it always did when the Grey Devil manifested.

“...”

However…

A Devil’s ‘berserk’ wouldn’t just end after merely this much.

The following second.

The world split apart.

“What the?!”

“Holy shit–!”

Screams erupted from all around.

As if someone had sliced this dome-shaped structure in half with a giant sword, the space became distorted and stretched grotesquely, splitting the entire building.

This building that had been painstakingly built over many years by thousands, if not tens of thousands of humans.

One of the greatest architecture in the continent, constructed with the highest level of technology in the entire world…

As if the defense facility, force field, and even the Seraph’s barrier were futile…

In just a single second…

Was split in half…

And had crumbled into pieces.

----!!!!!!!!

-!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The noise of the collapsing building made my ears ring. Even the people screaming themselves hoarse were drowned out by the sound of the dome splitting apart.

At the scene of such immense destruction, not only did people lose their minds, but some broke into loud sobs, and others just completely lost consciousness.

“...This is…insane…!”

In the midst of that hell, I turned my head frantically to find the perpetrator of this chaos.

And the one I was looking for could be easily found. It was Eleanor, who had somehow joined the crowd at a certain point in time.

And the moment I saw her…

I realized a chilling fact.

All of this was not something Eleanor had ‘intentionally’ caused.

The person responsible for this was just silently standing there, not doing anything besides breathing, but it seemed like the world couldn’t bear its presence, so it had crumbled.

All of these actions were completely void of any hostility.

How did I know this?

“...”

Eleanor’s eyes, which were redder than blood, confirmed this fact.

〚...I have already held back one time. In the case of Riru Garda, I had continuously stepped back and thought that it could just be my own misunderstanding.〛

Right now, in this place…

〚However, it’s impossible for me to endure. Twice.〛

The only person Eleanor sincerely ‘wished to harm’.

The only person she, who could exert this much power just by standing in place, would pour out her full strength onto was...

〚Who is that woman, Dowd?〛

Me.