I Was the Strongest Sword God in My Past Life

part 60

But all Amy could do now was cheer. She had done her part to fulfill Jenie’s role, and this time, she was one of the hidden number one supporters.

“This is… Sylia is going to win, and it’s going to be a total disaster.”

Her performance was only going to shine if Arcana didn’t win. Jenie’s contract was based on winning, and now it was just one step away, right in front of them.

“Please win!”

Amy gazed at Chris on the screen, crying out with a desperation she had never shown before.

* * *

The old diner was bustling with noise, unlike before, thanks to the TV screen showing the central dome’s game and vote progress.

[“Chris Arun won the first round with 51% of the votes!”]

The old TV screen crackled with Vernon’s loud voice. Chris looked bewildered, his expression filled with skepticism.

“This is how it’s going to go?”

“It doesn’t matter if I won the vote, right?”

Isabel was subtly channeling her mana while speaking, thanks to her unique characteristics and item abilities. She had recovered her mana to the limit, and now she was ready for the final round.

“I didn’t think we’d end up going one-on-one.”

“Really?”

Isabel’s calm demeanor, unwrapping a candy wrapper, seemed to exude confidence, but Chris was anxious.

‘I have to win the first round no matter what.’

Chris knew that Jenie had put herself in the competition, not as a number one, but as a party member, to counterbalance Sylia’s influence.

Moreover, Jenie had given her time to train, and even gifted her an artifact and a sword.

This was an opportunity to repay the favor and prove her worth as a party member.

Snap.

Chris clenched his fist after making his decision. His eyes seemed sharper than ever.

“Chris.”

When it was time to call out to Chris.

“Hey, why?”

Chris’s expression relaxed slightly as he turned around to look at Jeon.

“You’ve done your part. Don’t get tense.”

Jeon patted Chris’s shoulder, but it wasn’t a genuine gesture. Chris had used his skills to the limit in the worst-case scenario and had managed to survive until the end.

If Chris had dropped out early and failed to seal the knight’s oath, Jeon wouldn’t have been able to guarantee victory against Ief.

“Thanks for the words.”

Ding.

[The winner of the first round is Chris.]

[Please choose the map you want to play with, and the first round will begin.]

[…]

A variety of maps stretched out like a hologram. Chris touched one.

[He has chosen the Underground Maze of the Ruad Castle. The tournament will start in 5 seconds.]

The Underground Maze of the Ruad Castle was a map with various traps hidden, making it an optimal location for Chris, who had X-ray and intuition.

“Wait for me outside, let’s see each other later.”

Chris disappeared into the white light, saying those words.

Snap! Crackle!

Isabel looked at the screen showing the underground maze and munched on a candy.

“Who do you think will win?”

“I don’t know.”

Jeon didn’t feel like he had a sense of who would win between Chris and Demon.

However, to become the best swordsman, you need the best party.

The tournament was undoubtedly a shortcut, but it was just one part of the process.

Jeon looked at Isabel and joked for the first time in a while.

“One of you will definitely lose, won’t you?”

* * *

The Underground Maze of the Ruad Castle was an uneven tunnel.

‘As expected.’

But the narrow and wide branched mazes and traps didn’t pose a threat to Chris.

‘There’s a trap arrow ahead. Next to it is a pit. If you step on it, it’s the end.’

Beyond the wall unfolding with the aid of Toushi and Tianlian, everything in sight. As long as Mado’s eyes are not present, the devices in the labyrinth would not harm Chris.

“‘We must lure them to the place with the most traps.'”

Chris continued to search for the optimal location, burning his mana. Beyond the 4-layered wall, Demon appeared.

White-haired, small-statured Demon grasped the wall with his right hand, maintaining a robotic expression as he walked slowly.

“‘Is Mado a trap?'”

Chris found the optimal location, hiding the trap in a narrow alleyway.

“‘I’ll settle the score from there.'”

The battle would be short.

***

A decrepit restaurant’s old table.

Isabel and Jean sat comfortably, watching the game. The ancient TV, courtesy of the organizers, surprisingly displayed top-notch quality, unlike its outdated appearance.

“‘Good seat.'”

A smooth start to the game.

Jean gazed at the TV and said, as Isabel chimed in.

“‘Well, if they use Halberd, it’s better to have a narrow one.'”

While it’s a burden to have fewer escape routes, Halberd, also known as the axe, excels in both slashing and thrusting.

Especially, Demon’s long-range combat skills are a strong point. When his fury begins, it will be difficult for Chris’s short sword to approach.

“‘Yes, movement is limited. And is there a small brick on the floor?'”

Jean’s question made Isabel’s eyebrows narrow.

“‘Uh, small one?'”

“‘It’s definitely a trap.'”

“Really?”

Isabel popped a candy into her mouth, spun it around, and glanced at Jean.

“‘He doesn’t know anything.'”

This isn’t the only time.

After becoming partners, how did Jean know this? Even the slightest details were all familiar to Jean.

“‘There’s no one who doesn’t know anything.'”

Upon reflection, there were many such incidents.

After testing his limits and becoming a Number One, Chris, ranked 97th, formed a party with the top students. And then, he fought for his life against Desire, only to obtain the right to participate in the Battle Survival.

‘I’ve reached the final round now.’

I’ve accomplished all this in less than half the time. Not just that, but Isabelle and Chris have also received special training from me.

‘Isabel thought…’

A true Saver.

That was Isabel’s evaluation of Jen. The gate had been conquered, the world had changed, and the meaning of Saver had drifted far from its original purpose.

When the terror of the Ma’at appeared at the Ma’at, most Savers would not have compromised, right? But Jen still stood firm as a Saver.

Isabelle was thinking of a suitable word, but then she stopped.

‘Ah, yes. It’s true, after all.’

The candy had already melted away.

Isabelle turned her gaze to the TV.

The broadcast was showing Demon and Chris alternatingly.

‘If Chris wins…’

It’s possible.

No, it was even more likely. The enemy’s magical tool was a combat-type, and Chris, as a support character, had little chance of winning.

‘I could win, too?’

If I do, I’ll get the seal from Selphie, and the party will disband. Isabelle felt a pang of unease just thinking about it and bit her lip.

“Why did it have to be the tournament?”

* * *

‘Just a little more.’

Demon, who had been circling around the corner beyond the wall that Chris could see, appeared.

Now, Chris and the remaining distance to him were about 1 meter apart. But Demon couldn’t sense Chris yet.

That was due to Chris’s artifact, the Heightening Wind, and the experience he had accumulated from the Battle Survival.

‘Hold your breath, lower your mana, and hide your intentions.’

Reciting the rules of surprise, Chris gripped his short sword tightly. The two were facing each other, thanks to the wall. If Demon just turned the corner, he and Chris could face each other.

Shh.

Demon’s footsteps on the corner stopped. He leaned against the wall for a while, and Chris’s mouth was dry with tension.

‘Did you notice it?’

But his suspicions were unfounded.

Shh shh.

Demoona started walking again.

At that moment, the stone she stepped on let out a sound and caved in. She had stepped on a trap.

“Ah!”

‘She’s fallen into it!’

Bang!

From noble mtl dot come

An arrow shot out from the ceiling, aimed at Demoona. The arrow was poisoned, and it would have eliminated her immediately if it had hit her.

“Now!”

A perfect timing.

Chris turned the corner directly. Chris’s dual swords, released simultaneously with the arrow, were successful.

But.

Tick-tock! Tick-tock!

The two swords stopped in front of Demoona’s neck. A thin spark flew between Demoona’s neck and the swords. The mana barrier had been deployed.

“Damn!”

Chris scowled with a scowl.

Until now, no one except Isabelle had used such simple and foolish methods to show off their mana.

“…”.

The blocked swords and the deflected arrow.

Demoona continued to stare at Chris with a robot-like expression, saying nothing.

‘But it’s still a good start. I’ll consume a lot of mana!’

Chris and Demoona’s auras shone simultaneously.

Hss!

Chris’s eyes were filled with mana, and Demoona’s hand held the wicked halberd.

Demoona tried to create distance.

Chris repeatedly attacked and clung to her.

‘One hit would be enough to end it.’

On the other hand, Chris’s attacks were deflected by Demoona’s barrier.

“What’s going on with my mana…?”

Chris couldn’t finish speaking.

Pffft!

If Chris hadn’t stepped back, she would have been split in two. Luckily, she dodged just in time, and the halberd was only blown away. Chris’s leg stiffened from tension, but compared to Ji-en’s sword, her opponent’s movements were slow.

‘However strong, it won’t work if it’s not meant to be.’

Cha-yeong! Cha-cha-cha! Zzong-grang!

“…Ugh…”

A series of sharp blows.

The barrier broke, and Demona bit into her palm. She gazed at her own palm with a nonchalant expression, then pulled out mana.

Kkraa!

The Holy Sword, hurled towards Chris, landed on the ground with a thud. The floor cracked, tiles shattered, and dust rose into the air.

Demona’s magic was powerful, but it was meaningless if it didn’t work.