Riot Grasper

In the center of the arena, there is enough room for the challengers to compete with their skills. For those who fight a distance, there are many ways to do so with such a large area. It might be possible to tire out the opponent by running away from him, but I dont think I can do that as it would be a storm of condemnation from the spectators in all directions.

The two sides go head-to-head, and when a winner is determined, the bell rings.

If the game was exciting, the audience would cheer to the point of breaking their eardrums.

My opponent in the first game wasnt that great, but I think I was only able to show off half of my usual strength due to my nervousness. Well it mightve made the match a bit more interesting.

Hmm. You seemed a little nervous, but as usual, your fight doesnt match your face.

Im also surprised that youre the same age as us.

A small peephole has been set up so that we can see the game from the prison. It seems that they were watching it. They are all talking about it.

Rei and Ren.

Two people who not only look exactly alike but even their names could be mistaken.

Rei has great potential as a woman, as long as she gets her language right, and Ren is a gentlyman who seems oddly light.

Its a big world, but a small one, to run into the same people who kidnapped Marita in Merveille.

We exchanged information about our names and ages before I was called to my first fight. Even though we were enemies, my words are falling apart a bit because I know were the same age.

Im most surprised that you two are here, though. I mean, was it okay to introduce yourselves or something? Youre kind of like. spies who do espionage and stuff right?

Even so, Ive already told you everything I know.

Youre the one who threw up, though.

At first, my brother averted his gaze from me, but when I told him it was just a coincidence that I was here, he began to talk to me in a friendly manner. It was as if I had met an acquaintance for the first time in a long time. I wonder why he is so light-hearted.

You two, if you have no business here, get the hell out of my sight.

..its natural to be wary in the face of the man who caused their capture, so its more understandable that Rei has this bitter attitude.

But Im not the type who gets pleasure from being abused by women.

No, maybe its pleasurable if there is love involved in it but well, that doesnt matter now.

Anyway, theres not much to talk about. Im not going to run away with my tail between my legs at Reis words, but I think Ill leave you alone.

Well. I know youre going through a lot, but good luck. So long.

Hey! Wait, wait, wait. Its been a long time since weve seen each other, so there must be something more.

No not really. I was told to go away.

Its not like were friends or anything. Rather, they were enemies.

Yesterdays enemies are todays friends, you know. Let bygones be bygones.

Even if you get along with me, I cant let you out of jail, okay? I dont have that kind of authority, and I cant help you escape from jail or anything.

Well, well. I didnt mean it like that.

Ren scurried around.

Speaking of which, what happened to the beastman girl you were with? Shes not with you?

He asks.

Were going our separate ways now for a variety of reasons. I mean, theyre not called animals, theyre called beastman.

This is a bit surprising.

Just because were humans from the Suven Empire doesnt mean we all have bad feelings towards beastman. She was a pretty girl. .Oh, maybe you were rejected?

Goodbye.

Forever.

Its not true. Just a little joke.

Ren grabbed at the bars with vigor and brought his face close to mine. Im not sure what to do with a man who looks so light, to begin with, but he makes even lighter comments.

No speaking of being rejected, how about the story of the bad guy that sister Rei almost tricked? Im looking for healing in the sweet words that might soften this harsh reality gawd!

.shut up.

Rei successfully drove her fist into her brothers side, forcing him to shut down his speech. Im a little bit curious about the rest of the current conversation, but I think its safe to say that Ive failed to change the subject.

Its not like I was rejected.

.Guh, ugh. So, so. Why dont you tell us your personal story about how you came to do what you do?

Well its not that Im not interested in. its a good idea to listen to them if they are willing to talk.

Forgive me or not, though.

Youre on!

But as I stopped to move away, the voice of a soldier on guard echoed. Apparently, they were going to let Ren play. The soldier stretched his arm out as if to hurry me, as the dull iron bars opened with a creaking sound.

Oh, wait, dont do that. It was just getting good.

Silence followed the sudden departure of the noisiest person around.

The only ones left in this place are me and Rei. To be honest, its not even close to awkward. The aura of rejection emanating from her is so strong that I suspect that it can be visualized to a varying degree. Even so, I would like to praise myself for trying my best to leave this place with just one word.

Well. Do you want to talk about something?

Why you?

Its. isnt it?

Well, this is normal. This is normal because Im certainly the cause of the situation.

Id like to see what this Belga guy is capable of before I face him myself, so lets head back.

Youre not from. Toggle are you?

Hmm? Could this be a question to me? Im not sure what to make of it.

But unfortunately, Im not even sure what Toggle is referring to.

Is Toggle the name of some place?

Yes, its the name of a city in the eastern Suven Empire. It used to be a small country but it was absorbed by the empire and is now one of its territories.

Why did you think that I was from Toggle?

Because your hair color and eye color are the same as ours. The skin color seems to be a little different, though.

I see. It is true that Rei and Ren also have black hair and black eyes. Im not sure what to make of that.

You thought I might be from your hometown? Im sorry but Im not from Toggle.

I was born and raised in a place far, far away.

Even if I said, no one would know it.

Hmm well it doesnt really matter.

Then please dont ask.

Were you born and raised there, Rei-san?

Its weird. the san

Well, Re

Dont be casual about calling me my name

What do you want me to do?

Im sorry to have stopped you. I have nothing more to say to you.

Wow. What can I say? I wonder if anyone has mental resistance skills. Id like you to give it to me right now. Im not sure what to do, but Im sure Ill be able to do it.

And so, halfway back to the waiting room, I was sitting in my chair with my cheek pressed against the table.

Was it me who told Lim that sweets are best when youre tired?

A little tired, I reached into my tool bag. The magic tool bag that Old Worm had given me was very useful. It can hold a lot of stuff and doesnt feel heavy. (TL: We know. This has literally been said like 10 times.)

You can also put food in the bag, but its dangerous unless it is something that will last. The time inside the bag doesnt stand still, so anything that spoils will spoil. If you pack a large amount of food in the bag, your tool bag will become a garbage bag in a few days.

Well I took out a small paper bag. This is a great way to make sure that you dont end up in a situation where youre not going to be able to get a lot of money.

These are made from dried white silver peaches, which are portable food with concentrated nutrients. The peaches are delicious in their fresh state, but drying them makes them sweeter and longer-lasting. The sweetness spreads in your mouth and the unique aroma of the fruit stimulates your nostrils.

Oh it was a bit of a luxury item, but Im glad I bought it.

I took out another piece and threw it into my mouth. Its a strange phenomenon that it takes a while for sugar to nourish the brain, but I felt energized right after.

As I tucked the paper bag, with only the last grain left, into my tool bag, I heard the players call.

The one who was called in Belga.

I stood up from my chair and looked around the room. The man who was leaning against the wall slowly raised his body and walked away. I dont know if he was observing my battle earlier, but Im going to take a good look at him and see what hes capable of.

It may be a privilege for the players to be able to watch the game up close and personal rather than in the bleachers.

Belgas opponent was also a well-built man with a large axe and a sword at his waist. His skill level was Axe Technique Lv. 2, so he should be able to do pretty well. I cant help but wish that he would rip off the robe that Belga is wearing.

As the bell rang for the start of the battle, the man ran towards Belga, shouting vigorously. What will he do in the fact of a blow that will likely slice off at least one of his arms, if not take his life?

Im keeping a careful eye on Belga to make sure I dont miss anything.

But there was no need for careful eyes.

This is because Belga did not move an inch from where he was standing. That doesnt mean he was defenseless against the attack, and of course, it doesnt mean that his opponent stopped their attack midway.

The only thing I could see was a haphazardly protruding arm grasping a swinging axe.

..Thats ridiculous. Its not like its an axe with a crushed blade, and even if it were, if you were to catch a heavy axe like that, you usually wouldnt be safe.

Thats barehanded right?

What the hell kind of body does he have?

The opponent is trying to move his axe with a desperate expression, but it doesnt budge. In the end, he wont be able to get a lot out of it.

The man who had both of his weapons neutralized seemed to have lost his will to fight and muttered something to Belga.

Belga throws the weapon he was holding to the ground and turns his back to his opponent in silence.

In what may be a classic pattern, the man who picked up the discarded axe tried to attack Belga from behind, but he was perfectly repulsed.

The spinning kick that was delivered with a half-turn of the body caused the man to experience floating in the air. Perhaps. a few ribs might have been broken.

The struck man was taken to the first aid staff, where the match ended.

I couldnt make out Belgas expression the whole time, but I had the illusion that he looked at me for a moment and smiled.

Yikes he is much stronger than I expected. I cant just grab a weapon with my bare hands.

Im starting to get really anxious.

I dont want to start thinking about what to do if I lose because its a sign that my mind is already losing.

If I were to actually face him, I would have to keep my distance and find an effective way to attack him.

Are you bored by any chance?

Huh?

After finishing my second round, I was once again standing in front of the prison cell. Its a great way to get rid of a little anxiety before the match against Belga. but its also a great way to get rid of a little bit of depression.

Hey, Ill give you this, just be quiet for a minute.

I threw the dried fruit out of the tool bag toward Rei so that the guard soldiers wouldnt find it.

Wow, you are surprisingly good with my sister Rei. So what are you really doing here?

Ren nodded next to Rei who was enjoying the sweet taste of the fruit but seemed to have forgotten what they had talked about earlier.

I thought you said you wanted to talk to me.

When I said that, Ren clapped his hands and smiled, as if remembering.

Oh! Youre listening to me? I think its good that youre interested in me, dont you?

Ren, who had an aloof demeanor that was hard to hate, turned a little more serious as he said this.