I Was the Strongest Sword God in My Past Life

part 48

The Blessing of the Wind, enhancing evasion against ranged attacks.

[In areas where the wind blows, the power of the Blessing intensifies.]

Whether due to its name or its principle, when standing on the plains with a gentle breeze, the cloak seemed to charge up, absorbing more mana.

However, the tranquil atmosphere slowed progress, and Amy often sent messages.

[Amy♥: There’s no one around this way. Well, the plains, factory, and cave are all off the beaten path. There’s nothing to eat.]

Compared to the shopping district or downtown, this area had fewer food item drops. If mana drinks were the fuel for fighting, food was the fuel that drove participants to fight, due to hunger levels.

[Hunger Level 32%]

Although biscuits had lowered the level earlier, hunger gradually accumulated throughout the game. Once it exceeds 50, one feels famished, and concentration begins to wane after 60.

And surpassing 70, one is afflicted with debuffs.

‘But one would lose their sanity before that.’

Just earlier, Zien’s hunger level had slightly exceeded 50. At that moment, a hunger as if he hadn’t eaten for two days struck him.

In truth, the hunger level was a system designed to weed out participants who did not farm and merely hid.

[Amy♥: If you eliminate 11 players like someone did, location doesn’t matter.]

“Right, the biscuits I have are still sufficient.”

The small amount of biscuits provided at the start.

They don’t significantly lower the hunger level, but for someone like Zien who has hunted down 11 humans, the story is different.

[Amy♥: But…]

[Amy♥: Is it really your first time playing the game?]

Amy had only explained Battle Survival to him for a single day.

Yet, Zien was too skilled.

From the allocation of time and food to understanding the terrain and combat. Zien didn’t miss a single detail, even the minor ones that Amy overlooked.

But it wasn’t because Zien was adept at the game, as Amy thought.

‘After all, the setting is Zone One.’

The unmanned maps of Battle Survival were mostly modeled after Zone One. Zien, in his past life, was a master who had reached the 8th-grade gate, clearing the gates of Zone One countless times.

However.

“It’s my first time.”

Zien’s reply was unhesitant.

Because it was indeed his first time playing the game.

As Amy’s messages became sparse for a while to proceed with the broadcast, Zien began to calculate.

‘One hour until the air drop.’

It was a long time to defeat the boss mob in the current destination, [Knight’s Cave], but a short time to find a comrade.

Of course, finding a comrade and matching items would make the boss fight safer and quicker, but now that Celia’s side had already defeated [The Witch of the School]. A normal clear wouldn’t attract the viewers’ attention.

But what if he cleared the Knight’s Cave alone? Zien was the only participant in this match who could do such a thing.

‘It’s worth the risk. No, I must take the risk.’

A one-on-one melee with the boss mob was an event beyond common sense. Success would guarantee the viewers’ frenzy.

* * *

The VIP seats of the Central Dome.

A seat where only high-ranking government officials or 6th-grade Savers could sit.

Selfis, as the principal of Arcana, could proudly take his place there. Yet, despite sitting in such a prestigious seat, Selfis was only uncomfortable.

“Selfis, you look displeased. Could it be because the main camera is only focusing on Celia? Hahaha!”

The reason was Raymond, the principal of Celia, sitting next to him. Ever since Celia became the main cam, he had continuously provoked Selfis.

“Really now, didn’t you say Celia would win?”

“What happened to it being just a mere event match?”

“A mere event match where Celia loses to Arcana would be an absurd story, hahaha.”

“You’re too excited just because the camera caught you. Have you forgotten the performance Zien showed at the factory?”

Selfis fumed.

Raymond sneered at the sight.

“You’ve lost your touch.”

Raymond shifted his gaze to Lucia on the screen.

“Miss Lucia comes from a lineage of heroes. And yet, you choose a mere orphanage alumnus to represent the school in competition! That’s unlike you.”

Selfis, too, had always ranked students by their abilities and lineage. At Raymond’s words, he found himself speechless.

‘This guy…’

Yet, Selfis was furious.

‘When Zien was shining, he kept his mouth shut!’

Once enemies, Zien now stood as Arcana’s representative. To belittle Zien was to demean all of Arcana. Selfis’s eyes blazed with anger.

‘…Raymond!’

This wasn’t just about today.

Raymond and Selfis. Their bad blood ran deep.

Rivals in love at the academy.

Rival guilds in their prime.

Now competing as principals for the prestigious position. Neither could bear defeat to the other.

But what if Zien lost to Lucia?

‘That cannot happen!’

Selfis’s cheeks trembled with rage. The main camera had caught just enough to show off.

‘Raymond… If that scrawny school of his takes first place!’

Raymond was not one to let things slide.

‘We must win! At all costs! Not to Celia, no! We cannot lose to Raymond!’

Selfis glared at Raymond.

The battle survival was no longer a mere suburban event for Selfis.

It was a blood feud, carrying the name of an enemy and a prestigious institution.

* * *

“Where on earth is Zien?!”

In the forest, far from the cave.

“Pant, pant! This is driving me crazy!!”

Chris was on the run, evading his pursuers.

Three enemies in number. His escape thus far had been aided by the artifact ‘Highwind’ gifted by Zien. But now, he was reaching his limit. The enemies skillfully closed in, cornering Chris.

“Hah, haah! Why are they so persistent?”

Hidden behind a tree, Chris caught his breath. It was strange, no matter how you looked at it. To go to such lengths just to catch him.

‘What on earth…’

Then, a noise came from the side.

“The grass is flattened. They must be nearby. Don’t let your guard down, it’s the Arcana party.”

“Did you hear the party leader? Search!”

“Move quickly. We need to eliminate them before they can join up.”

The man called the party leader, who resembled a snake, resolved Chris’s curiosity.

‘Join up? Could it be Gian?’

The puzzle pieces finally fit together.

Celia and Arcana, the favorites to win.

Since Celia’s side had finished joining up, the opposition must have come to check on the Arcana party.

‘To prevent me from meeting Gian!’

Rustle.

Having grasped the situation, Chris swallowed hard. He could sense someone close by. But the man passed without seeing Chris.

‘Gasp!’

From noble mtl dot come

Chris held his breath, doing his best to hide his presence. Today, he was thankful for his small stature.

‘With the situation as it is, even with a strong wind… Should I just fight?’

There were three opponents.

A combination of one swordsman and two archers.

‘I’ll definitely lose!’

It was a combination too disadvantageous in terms of compatibility.

Moreover, Chris, with a dagger as his weapon, was at a disadvantage in a fight against multiple opponents.

“Is there nobody there?”

“They must be around here somewhere.”

As voices spread from various places, Chris quietly sighed.

‘Ah, if only I can hold out until the air drop…’

Usually, the standard is to set a time and place to gather with the party. However, Isabelle and Gian, confident in their solo play, had not set a specific rendezvous point.

Overwhelming talent and skill.

Ordinary foes were no match for Isabelle and Gian. Even if they joined late, they had farming routes planned for each starting area. It was the most efficient method, but Chris had many complaints.

“I wish they’d consider an ordinary person like me!”

With a gloomy face, Chris pressed his back against a tree.

“Sniff, hang in there. Just gotta hang on.”

Gian and Isabelle.

Crouching down, Chris awaited the moment to reunite with his teammates.

* * *

40 minutes left until the air drop.

Like the calm before the storm, all academies entered a lull.

Even Celia, leading in viewer count, began reorganizing at her school base in preparation for the air drop.

– But where is he going?

– Looks like he’s searching for a party11111

– The party must be near the cave?

– Could be a rendezvous point~

– Don’t doubt him…

The viewers’ varied reactions were due to Gian’s unique actions, different from the others.

He moved towards the cave, opposite of downtown, and didn’t reorganize for the air drop. If there had been a party, they might have suspected a boss mob, but Gian was still alone.

– Seriously, where is he?

– Seems like the gathering point is near the cave?

– Who would inefficiently gather in a cave? Haven’t they played the game?

Compared to Celia, who was openly reorganizing, Gian’s situation sparked much more anticipation and curiosity. Amy watched with pride.

“The viewers are increasing! Ehehe!”

Amy subtly baited them.

“Hmm, where could he be moving to? There’s no farming area in that direction.”

The only thing in that direction was the [Knight’s Cave], where boss mobs appeared. Amy’s fishing had the viewers jumping like fish.

– Could it be the boss?

– Alone? That doesn’t make sense lololol

– I heard from Beta that even three people struggle with the Knight’s Cave, the boss mob is almost level 5;;

– One less option then~

Slowly but surely, the number of viewers continued to rise. It was proof of the growing anticipation for Gian. Amy smirked mischievously.

‘The situation is too good. This is definitely sponsorship material!’

The viewers’ expectations are ripe.

A lull in the other academies.

If I make a move now, the main cam will surely follow through to an airdrop.

‘And a solo defeat of the boss mob? This will surely be the best scene so far.’

Amy grinned, lost in admiration.

Human greed is truly frightening. Second place is no longer satisfying.

But it’s not just me who can’t be satisfied with second place. Amidst tens of thousands of viewers, Jian on the screen spoke.

– We’ve arrived.

[The Knight’s Cave], contrary to its name, was more akin to an ancient ruin.

A 20-meter structure, overwhelming in size.

Having come this far, Jian’s intent was clear.