Volume 4 Chapter 7 It's S Rank, You Know？even If It Seems Small-time, It's Still S Rank
At dusk in the Guild, the S Rank adventurers Cain and Randy were having a heated argument, which ended abruptly when Cain grabbed a weapon. Well, it could be said that this was exactly what Randy wanted.
In Dukedom, the relationship between nobles and commoners is mostly based on trust. Nobles have a sense of noblesse oblige, and commoners remember to be grateful for the support they get from the nobles.
Since both sides trust and support each other, nobles can't just punish commoners for being "rude." If nobles could punish commoners on a whim, it would shake the foundation of their trust.
That's why, when there are issues between commoners and nobles, they usually discuss things through a system of accountability to solve the problem. If that doesn't work, they can either negotiate more or challenge each other to a duel.
Of course, all of this is just an old system written in the law. In a world where it's rare to find nobles who actually follow the rules, many nobles abuse their power. Randy, however, is at least pretending to follow the law.
After a simple accountability process──basically just a heated argument──Randy accepted a duel challenge from a commoner, which can be seen as him solidifying his position.
No one can complain about it. Not even Count Shadler, who is likely behind Cain, or the higher-ups in the Guild.
Just as things were about to head into the second round as Randy planned, Aaron stepped in and said, "Wait."
Randy had thought about the possibility of being stopped, so he was ready to explain the situation, but what Aaron said was unexpected: "Let me show you a place where you can really go all out."
So, with Aaron's permission, they decided to have the duel in the Guild's training ground. The training ground, located on the outskirts of town, is a really nice facility, just as you'd expect from the top Guild in Dukedom.
Randy was excited and stepped into the training ground, ready for the second round to start, but...
"There's way too many spectators."
The number of people watching completely filled the training ground, and it was clear that it wasn't just the folks from the tavern.
The standing area behind a low wall was completely packed.
There were people peeking over from chairs they brought, others looking in from outside the windows, and even some who had climbed over the fence to sit down.
It was way over capacity.
"Looks like there are some gossip lovers around."
Aaron shrugged, but he didn't seem to want to chase anyone away. Randy shot him a glare, as if to say,"You..."
It seems Aaron has his own plans, from arranging the training ground to allowing the onlookers.
Randy didn't like feeling used and glared at Aaron, but then Aaron said, "Well, since we're here, I'll be the referee."
Aaron casually walked to the center of the training ground, ignoring Randy's glare. It seemed like Aaron had his own agenda, but Randy decided to use that to his advantage.
The atmosphere was building up, and the crowd was getting excited.
"Randy, are you okay?"
Liz asked worriedly, and Randy smiled back, saying, "Don't worry about it," while watching Cain lounging on the other side.
"No, I'm worried about whether you might go too far..."
Liz hesitated to say it, and Randy replied with a wry smile, "That's what you're worried about?"
"Ellie said, 'As long as you don't kill him, I'll do whatever you want'."
Liz couldn't stop her own wry smile. It seems the great magician is telling him to really go for it.
"Well, I'll just do enough to not kill him..."
Randy grinned, but narrowed his eyes at Cain.
"...Next time, who knows?"
Randy took a big breath and stepped into the center of the training ground. At the same time, Cain also moved to the center.
They faced each other with Aaron in between them.
Randy was taller, but Cain was just as strong. Both had powerful bodies and a strong presence, showing they were both S-rank adventurers.
The pressure coming from Randy was one of the strongest Cain had ever felt, except for Victor.
Randy was definitely strong. It was clear that Ian and the other A-rank adventurers wouldn't stand a chance against him. But honestly, to Randy, Cain was just a nobody not worth his time.
Still, being a nobody didn't mean he could be let off easy.
Cain had picked a fight with Victor's "house." And he was an S-rank adventurer.
S-rank adventurer. It's the title given by the Guild and countries to the strongest adventurers.
The most famous one right now is a man called the [Sword Saint]. He has stories about defeating dragons when he was young and many other legends. He's already retired, but people still talk about how strong he was.
But before the [Sword Saint], there was a man named [Black Flash], who became S-rank and created that rank. He was the first to break the A-rank barrier.
Another famous S-rank adventurer who rose to that rank around the same time as [Black Flash] is the [Sword Demon]. They were said to be rivals, and people still get excited about who was the first champion.
S-rank adventurers are admired by all, and they are also a dream for Randy. After all, one of his mentors, Keith Stratholm, is [Black Flash].
Young Keith, known as the Black Flash, is definitely someone Randy looks up to.
Even old Keith is incredibly strong. Randy would probably have to fight seriously to win against him. In reality, Randy has gotten so strong that Keith has to train hard behind the scenes.
For Randy, who only knows Keith at his peak, a guy who just sits back on his S-rank title is nothing more than a joke. And that joke had come to pick a fight with him.
For Keith, his rival, and all the other S-ranks that came after, Randy needed to take this fool down right here and now. With that thought in mind, Randy took another deep breath.
"Now, we will have a duel between Randolph Victor and Cain Bloodrage. The fight ends when one of you says 'I give up' or when I decide the match is over. And remember, don't kill each other."
After saying that, Aaron stepped a few paces back.
The two stared each other down, but neither said a word. Cain understood that arguing now was pointless.
They continued to glare at each other, but neither broke eye contact as they moved closer.
"You can use weapons if you want."
Aaron tilted his head, and Randy shrugged, saying, "I don't need one." Cain snorted, agreeing, "Then I don't need one either."
"...Then... let's begin──."
At Aaron's signal, Cain moved.
In an instant, Cain closed the distance and aimed a punch at Randy's forehead. It looked like a solid hit, but Randy caught it with his left palm.
To Cain's surprise, his fist was slowly pushed back. Cain clicked his tongue in frustration and threw a left punch.
But again, Randy caught Cain's punch in his palm.
Cain's face twisted as Randy held both of his fists.
"Ugh... this is ridiculous──."
As his wrists bent, Cain started to shrink back... until he finally dropped to his knees in front of Randy.
In a position that looked like he was begging, Cain shouted, "L-Let me go!" just as Randy kicked him hard in the throat.
Cain was breathing heavily, and the crowd gasped as Randy made his move right from the start.
Randy kicked Cain, who was crouched in pain.
Cain rolled on the ground, quickly getting back on his feet.
But Randy charged at him with a lariat.
With a loud smack, Cain spun around from the impact.
He hit the back of his head hard.
Randy grabbed Cain's raised leg and slammed it down to the ground.
Even though Cain's face hit the ground, he was still a tough S-rank adventurer.
His fighting spirit was still shining in his eyes.
Honestly, he wanted to throw Cain around a few more times and finish by stomping on his face. But Liz was watching, so he thought it wouldn't be good to make it too brutal. So, Randy let go of Cain's leg.
"...Gah, huff──."
Cain let out a breathless sound, but as he slowly circled around Randy, the cuts on his face and body started to heal a bit.
(Natural healing...? I've never seen that before.)
Randy frowned as he heard Cain's voice come back, saying, "Don't get too cocky."
Cain wiped his mouth and smirked, while Randy snorted,
"Not a chance. I'm actually feeling a bit down because you're so weak."
With a mocking grin, Randy said that, and Cain shouted, "You jerk!" and charged at him again.
Cain swung his right fist.
Randy dodged.
Just as Cain's punch grazed Randy's right ear, Randy grabbed Cain's face and slammed it into the ground.
Cracks spread out like a spider web around the back of Cain's head.
Randy stepped on Cain's face, pushing it into the ground.
Cain's blood mixed with the widening cracks.
But before Cain's blood could flow back into his body, Randy kicked him in the side.
Cain bounced and rolled on the training ground, then stood up with a defiant laugh, "Heh, heh, heh."
"That didn't hurt."
"If it did, that would be a problem. I'm holding back."
Randy snorted, and Cain said, "Don't act tough."
Cain charged straight at Randy, then suddenly kicked up dirt.
The flying debris was probably meant to blind Randy.
As Randy grabbed one of the flying rocks, Cain shouted, "You're wide open!" and punched Randy in the body.
The sound echoed like a huge impact.
It didn't sound like a normal punch...
"What's wrong? Are you holding back?"
Randy grinned and slammed a hammer punch down on Cain's shoulder.
The sound of breaking bones filled the air.
Cain's right arm dropped weakly.
Randy quickly turned his left arm into a hook with just a twist of his waist.
Cain couldn't guard himself and stepped back from Randy's approaching left fist.
"Bad move."
Randy's left fist hit Cain's chin.
Cain's head jerked back.
His eyes rolled up for a moment, and then he collapsed to the ground.
"Y-You..."
Cain muttered as Randy's left roundhouse kick caught him on the chin.
Cain grimaced as his brain shook again.
Randy's right fist slammed into Cain's face, who still couldn't get up.
Cain flipped backward, and Randy stepped on his face again.
The cracks spread again, but the crowd didn't even scream.
Randy now grabbed Cain's hair and pulled him up.
Seeing that Cain was probably completely out cold, Randy clenched his right fist...
"That's enough!"
...But just as he was about to throw the punch, Aaron called out to stop him.
"The winner is Randolph Victor."
Randy let out a short breath and tossed Cain onto the floor. But that was it. Losing interest, Randy glanced at Cain and walked over to Aaron in the center.
"Well then, I'll see you tomorrow afternoon."
"Don't you have to clean up this mess?"
"Let that idiot over there handle it."
Randy pointed at Cain, who was getting treated by their friends behind him.
"This is why Victor is like this."
Aaron, with a wry smile, nodded and said, "Since we promised, we have no choice."
"Well then, let's go."
Without breaking a sweat, Randy smiled at Liz, who ran over, and said, "I'm hungry, let's grab some food," and they both left the training area.
As Randy walked away, Aaron shifted his gaze to Cain, who was still being healed.
(Does he think an S-rank is just a kid...)
Seeing Cain, who was shouting, "I'm not defeated yet!" after being healed, made Aaron sigh.
Cain was indeed a well-known adventurer for his battles with a greatsword. His true power came from the greatsword called the "Carnage."
That cursed sword matched Cain's unique abilities. It's no wonder he wanted to use it...
But Cain was forgetting something. Randy was also unarmed. Cain was so angry that he couldn't even think about that. After being beaten up in front of a huge crowd without being able to fight back, he felt he had to clear his name to protect his pride.
If they faced each other again and both used weapons...
"...If that's on purpose, he's a scary young man."
Aaron looked back at the entrance where Randy had just left.
"I want to believe it won't go that far..."
To make it seem like he had a good reason to kill, and to make the other person think, "There will be a next time," was something Aaron hoped was just his imagination.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Donate me
Support Me with USDC
(ERC20)
Support Me with XLM
(Stellar Lumens)