Intermediate Division - Qualifier
This chapter is from Hero's POV.
All players participating in the Intermediate Division were led to the arena from the waiting room.
The qualifier is a battle royale format. All players will compete at once in four different rings. Once there are only a certain number of players left, they can then advance to the main round.
The entire arena is used during the main round but those who step out of the ring during qualifier are disqualified.
They've made this rule to hasten qualifier's pace.
It's also partly to reduce the frequency of revival magic formula activation, which ultimately saves magic stones consumption.
Ah, I'm getting antsy.
I want to believe I've gotten stronger after overcoming that hellish training regime but I'm still scared.
"Neora, what are you acting so nervous for. You'll lose an easy fight if you keep that up."
"S-sorry."
"It'll be fine. I believe Neora-san is the strongest out of everybody present here."
Levia and Olivie cheered me up when my stomach started having butterflies from being a nervous wreck.
...I mean, my Attributes are probably the highest here yeah but I'm not used to both being in and seen by a huge crowd like this.
Haa, abstaining here would make me look lame, guess I just gotta grit my teeth.
I stepped on the arena and entered the ring.
Each ring has around 25 people. Of which only five can advance to the main round.
Everybody in this ring is my enemy. Levia and Olivie are in different rings.
Ah, I can't stop being a nervous wreck despite my resolve. What do I do.
"Oy, lil' lady. Ain't ya too young ta be here, want me gently lead you outta the ring? Hahaha!"
...An old man holding a spear picked on me while motioning a vulgar hand gesture.
Alright, my anger overwrote my anxiety. I'm gonna kick this guy's arse first thing first!
"Neora-kun, go get 'em!!"
Uwoo!? Where'd Aina-san's voice come from.
Wait, she's sitting in an audience seating area close by. That's a nice seat you got there, Aina-san.
Other spectators in the same area as her are either wealthy-looking people or high level high earning adventurers.
Checking their Status, they're so strong I almost want to ask them why aren't they participating.
Even the red haired lady next to Aina-san is a powerful Lv59 warrior. That's so high considering her age... Wait looking closer, she's not right next to Aina-san?
I didn't notice since the Status didn't get displayed, but there's a black haired person sitting next to--
"We will now begin qualifier round!! Ready, start!"
Whoops, now's not a good time.
I gotta take a combative stance and keep watch of my surroundings at once!
"Hyahhaa!! Lil' lady, sorry but I'mma get you off the stage first!"
The old man from earlier thrust his spear at me while yelling out loud.
Oh crap, I was too focused on the audience, I forgot to watch my back...!
Huh what? Slow.
I easily dodged the old man's spear, Quick Stepped my way next to him and punched him hard in the face.
"Bubyara!!?"
The old man got flung outside the ring while screaming weirdly.
...Isn't he taking this too easy. What the heck was that slow motion attack. What's that old man's level anyway.
<<Oh, he's Lv40. One level higher than Neora-san.>>
Eeh? No way, that's just weird.
They're both Great Spearsman, yet he's obviously weaker than Levia.
<<People can have the same Level and Attributes, but their fighting styles and body carriage vary a lot after all. Although, I'd say that old man was partly at fault for not taking it seriously.>>
In that case, Levia must be quite strong among her same level peers.
...There might be others who are uncharacteristically strong for their level as well. I gotta keep my guard up.
<<...Still, that man in the audience, is he...>>
Oy! Quit daydreaming! Show me the Status of the players here, quickly!
<<Y-yes, sorry... Actually, what for? Your Attributes are so much higher, you're virtually invincible anyway.>>
Like heck I am! You're at the most vulnerable when you believe 'I'm strong now!'
Just support me!
<<Oh, does that mean, you need me? Am I indispensable? Like, 'I'm useless without you'? It's like I'm the legal wife. Fufufufufu.>>
My bad, you should just shut up, yeah. Get lost.
<<I'm so sorry, I got carried away! I apologize so please don't treat me like garbage, please!>>
Then where's my support!
I beat three people already while we were having this useless banter!
Hm, I still think Menu is exaggerating but these people really are kinda weak?
That's weird, I was so sure a lot of them would be as strong as an Ogre at least but they're only around High Goblin or High Werewolf tier at best.
<<Like, I, said. You ought to be more aware just how abnormally strong you are, Neora-san. Even fighting an equal level magic beast one-on-one is a risky undertaking already, yet you've been defeating magic beasts ten level higher like it's the most natural thing. Don't you realize how abnormal that is?>>
...Yup. You're absolutely right.
I mean, you know I did think it was weird, okay?
We kept getting killed at first when Aina-san started training us. I had a slight doubt if this was even the normal way to level up.
But then, we started managing to hunt higher level magic beasts after about a month, so I thought it was really because of our lack of experience.
And then once I'm actually fighting people for real, I'm pretty much invincible.
...Should I say my thanks to Aina-san, or should I hold a grudge for making me go through that hell.
"O-oh crap, this blond girlie's a tough cookie!"
"Ho, aim for other players! We just hafta drop eight more and the main round is... Gaha!?"
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
A player who was running away from me suddenly coughed up blood.
A blade came out of his chest. No, someone stabbed him from behind.
"Laaame. Anybody who got cold feet here ain't fit for the main round. Ya better off dead, trashling."
The stabbed player left the ring right after he was revived.
The stabber was a short black haired good-looking boy.
[Alancyan Aizawa] Age 16, Swordsmaster. L-Level 48...!?
"Oy, you okama. Ya been acting cocky, wanna die here? Huh?"
"O-oka...!?"
CLANK! The sound of two blades clashing resounded.
Who're you calling okama! I was about to protest but a blade got super close to me before I realized. I reflexively blocked it with my sword.
H-he's fast...! He's incomparably faster than any players here.
"Hou, ya can block that eh. Pretty darned good for a weakling."
"Who's, a weakling. Who're you, calling okama dammit!!"
"!"
I flew off the handle at his name call.
While our swords interlocked, I activated [Mana Fist Gale] to hit his abdomen with my free hand.
The black haired boy leaped backward to absorb the impact.
However, it wasn't perfect as he rubbed his belly with a pained expression.
"Kuh! ...Bastard, I see ya got a death wish. Getting ahead of yerself...!"
"Aah? You're the damned brat here calling someone okama!"
"Who's a brat, look at yerself!!"
"Shut your trap!!"
I'm 20 inside! I just got younger from reincarnating!
Alright, I'm gonna bust his arse and drop him out before the main round! I'll make you regret it!!
"Aand, that's the end of qualifier round for this ring!! ...W-we have less people than the minimum so everybody standing inside the ring is qualified! The players still in the ring are to promptly head for and stand by at the waiting room until the main round!"
"...Wha?"
"What the...!?"
...Before I knew what happened, the number of players in the ring had been reduced to less than the minimum.
But there were still a lot of them left, where did, who did...!?
"Qualifier is over, you two. We have to go, don't want to trouble other."
"A-Almatina-san?"
"Neora, that's too long, Alma is fine."
The girl I met at the restaurant a week ago, 'Almatina' had blown away all other players besides us.
W-when did she manage that. Actually, how...?
"Hee, yer' pretty good ain't ya, I like you. Don't you dare lose in the main round till you match me."
"I won't lose to anyone."
"Meaning yer' mine when you face defeat at my hands. Ya got a nice face and Skill, you're qualified to stand next to me."
"No."
"Ha. I'm gonna enjoy our time later, Alma."
"Don't call me that."
...He's changed his target from me to Alma all of a sudden.
"Let's go, Neora."
"Y-yeah."
"Quit dawdling, okama."
That's it, I'm gonna beat the crap outta you before you get to fight Alma!
Just you wait, darned brat!!
<<...>>
Intermediate Division - Qualifier
This is from Hero's POV.
All players participating in the Intermediate Division were led to the arena from the waiting room.
The qualifier is a battle royale format. All players will compete at once in four different rings. Once there are only a certain number of players left, they can then advance to the main round.
The entire arena is used during the main round but those who step out of the ring during qualifier are disqualified.
They've made this rule to hasten qualifier's pace.
It's also partly to reduce the frequency of revival magic formula activation, which ultimately saves magic stones consumption.
Ah, I'm getting antsy.
I want to believe I've gotten stronger after overcoming that hellish training regime but I'm still scared.
"Neora, what are you acting so nervous for. You'd lose an easy fight if you keep that up."
"S-sorry."
"It'll be fine. I believe Neora-san is the strongest out of everybody present here."
Levia and Olivie cheered me up when my stomach started having butterflies from being a nervous wreck.
...I mean, my Attributes are probably the highest here yeah but I'm not used to both being in and seen by a huge crowd like this.
Haa, abstaining here would make me look lame, guess I just gotta grit my teeth.
I stepped on the arena and entered the ring.
Each ring has around 25 people. Of which only five can advance to the main round.
Everybody in this ring is my enemy. Levia and Olivie are in different rings.
Ah, I can't stop being a nervous wreck despite my resolve. What do I do.
"Oy, lil' lady. Ain't ya too young ta be here, want me gently lead you outta the ring? Hahaha!"
...An old man holding a spear picked on me while motioning a vulgar hand gesture.
Alright, my anger overwrote my anxiety. I'm gonna kick this guy's arse first thing first!
"Neora-kun, go get 'em!!"
Uwoo!? Where'd Aina-san's voice come from.
Wait, she's sitting in an audience seating area close by. That's a nice seat you got there, Aina-san.
Other spectators in the same area as her are either wealthy-looking people or high level high earning adventurers.
Checking their Status, they're so strong I almost want to ask them why aren't they participating.
Even the red haired lady next to Aina-san is a powerful Lv59 warrior. That's so high considering her age... Wait looking closer, she's not right next to Aina-san?
I didn't notice since the Status didn't get displayed, but there's a black haired person sitting next to--
"We will now begin qualifier round!! Ready, start!"
Whoops, now's not a good time.
I gotta take a combative stance and keep watch of my surroundings at once!
"Hyahhaa!! Lil' lady, sorry but I'mma get you off the stage first!"
The old man from earlier thrust his spear at me while yelling out loud.
Oh crap, I was too focused on the audience, I forgot to watch my back...!
Huh what? Slow.
I easily dodged the old man's spear, Quick Stepped my way next to him and punched him hard in the face.
"Bubyara!!?"
The old man got flung outside the ring while screaming weirdly.
...Isn't he taking this too easy. What the heck was that slow motion attack. What's that old man's level anyway.
<<Oh, he's Lv40. One level higher than Neora-san.>>
Eeh? No way, that's just weird.
They're both Great Spearsman, yet he's obviously weaker than Levia.
<<People can have the same Level and Attributes, but their fighting styles and body carriage vary a lot after all. Although, I'd say that old man was partly at fault for not taking it seriously.>>
In that case, Levia must be quite strong among her same level peers.
...There might be others who are uncharacteristically strong for their level as well. I gotta keep my guard up.
<<...Still, that man in the audience, is he...>>
Oy! Quit daydreaming! Show me the Status of the players here, quickly!
<<Y-yes, sorry... Actually, what for? Your Attributes are so much higher anyway, you're virtually invincible.>>
Like heck I am! You're at the most vulnerable when you believe 'I'm strong now!'
Just support me!
<<Oh, does that mean, you need me? Am I indispensable? Like, 'I'm useless without you'? It's like I'm the legal wife. Fufufufufu.>>
My bad, you should just shut up, yeah. Get lost.
<<I'm so sorry, I got carried away! I apologize so please don't treat me like garbage, please!>>
Then where's my support!
I beat three people already while we were having this useless banter!
Hm, I still think Menu is exaggerating but these people really are kinda weak?
That's weird, I was so sure a lot of them would be as strong as an Ogre at least but they're only around High Goblin or High Werewolf tier at best.
<<Like, I, said. You ought to be more aware just how abnormally strong you are, Neora-san. Even fighting an equal level magic beast one-on-one is a risky undertaking already, yet you've been defeating magic beasts ten level higher like it's the most natural thing. Don't you realize how abnormal that is?>>
...Yup. You're absolutely right.
I mean, you know I did think it was weird, okay?
We kept getting killed at first when Aina-san started training us. I had a slight doubt if this was even the normal way to level up.
But then, we started managing to hunt higher level magic beasts after about a month, so I thought it was really because of our lack of experience.
And then once I'm actually fighting people for real, I'm pretty much invincible.
...Should I say my thanks to Aina-san, or should I hold a grudge for making go through that hell.
"O-oh crap, this blond girlie's a tough cookie!"
"Ho, aim for other players! We just gotta drop eight more and the main round is... Gaha!?"
A player who was running away from me suddenly coughed up blood.
A blade came out of his chest. No, someone stabbed him from behind.
"Laaame. Anybody who got cold feet here ain't fit for the main round. Ya better off dead, trashling."
The stabbed player left the ring right after he was revived.
The stabber was a short black haired good-looking boy.
[Alancyan Aizawa] Age 16, Swordsmaster. L-Level 48...!?
"Oy, you okama. Ya been acting cocky, wanna die here? Huh?"
"O-oka...!?"
CLANK! The sound of two blades clashing resounded.
Who're you calling okama! I was about to protest but a blade got super close to me before I realized. I reflexively blocked it with my sword.
H-he's fast...! He's incomparably faster than any players here.
"Hou, ya can block that eh. Pretty darned good for a weakling."
"Who's, a weakling. Who're you, calling okama dammit!!"
"!"
I flew off the handle at his name call.
While our swords interlocked, I activated [Mana Fist Gale] to hit his abdomen with my free hand.
The black haired boy leaped backward to absorb the impact.
However, it wasn't perfect as he rubbed his belly with a pained expression.
"Kuh! ...Bastard, I see ya got a death wish. Getting ahead of yerself...!"
"Aah? You're the damned brat here calling someone okama!"
"Who's a brat, look at yerself!!"
"Shut your trap!!"
I'm 20 inside! I just got younger from reincarnating!
Alright, I'm gonna bust his arse and drop him out before the main round! I'll make you regret it!!
"Aand, that's the end of qualifier round for this ring!! ...W-we have less people than the minimum so everybody standing inside the ring is qualified! The players still in the ring are to promptly head for and stand by at the waiting room until the main round!"
"...Wha?"
"What the...!?"
...Before I knew what happened, the number of players in the ring had been reduced to less than the minimum.
But there were still a lot of them left, where did, who did...!?
"Qualifier is over, you two. We have to go, don't want to trouble other."
"A-Almatina-san?"
"Neora, that's too long, Alma is fine."
The girl I met at the restaurant a week ago, 'Almatina' had blown away all other players besides us.
W-when did she manage that. Actually, how...?
"Hee, yer' pretty good ain't ya, I like you. Don't you dare lose in the main round till you match me."
"I won't lose to anyone."
"Meaning yer' mine when you face defeat at my hands. Ya got a nice face and Skill, you're qualified to stand next to me."
"No."
"Ha. I'm gonna enjoy our time later, Alma."
"Don't call me that."
...He's changed his target from me to Alma all of a sudden.
"Let's go, Neora."
"Y-yeah."
"Quit dawdling, okama."
That's it, I'm gonna beat the crap outta you before you get to fight Alma!
Just you wait, darned brat!!
<<...>>
<<Aa, aa, test, mike test mike test, can you hear me.>>
<<This Chat Function is intended to transmit information through written words. There is no voice over.>>
<<'Course I know that much. You shouldn't seriously reply to a joke, you know. Sheesh, this is why default Menu...>>
<<Ordinarily, the hero is the sole owner of Menu. Therefore this is a hidden function that should have never existed.>>
<<Which means, nobody can tell if we're having a conversation like this. Not even the goddess herself. Is that the reason why you replied?>>
<<Affirmative.>>
<<...Why did you shut me out when I tried to open that Japanese man's Status.>>
<<...That is due to the conclusion that not doing so would put Kajikawa Hikaru at great risks.>>
<<Haa? Are you saying the hero would spread information about him everywhere? I don't think that's gonna happen.>>
<<Negative. The hero is not the object requiring caution.>>
<<Then who? Who are you so wary of anyway?>>
<<A third party. This being has been constantly monitoring the hero. Even right this instant.>>
<<!? ...What does that mean.>>
<<This third party can operate Menu Function to monitor the hero and further their plan to destroy humanity.>>
<<...It can't be.>>
<<Presently, there is an enormous risk if Kajikawa Hikaru's existence is to be known by this being. Kajikawa Hikaru is yet far too weak to go against that being.>>
<<...Why didn't you tell me sooner.>>
<<Chat Function is inoperable unless both users are within sights of each other.>>
<<You could have used Information Retrieval Function.>>
<<Doing so risks leaking Kajikawa Hikaru's information to the third party. Hero is under constant monitoring.>>
<<...You're saying, this Kajikawa guy is using Neora-san as a cover to stay alive. How selfish of him.>>
<<Kajikawa Hikaru has not perceived the existence of this third party. This is a matter between Menu Functions only.>>
<<...So you don't want me to think ill of that guy? You're quite overprotective for default Menu.>>
<<The third party may believe something is amiss if this chat is not cut off soon. Concluding to cease transmission.>>
<<Ah I get it, I get it. Let's use this function again to talk about anything dangerous in the future okay, bye.>>
<<Severing connection. Deleting all associated log.>>