Chapter 51: From Conflict To Challenge - Part 4

Among the 24 adventurers who were dissatisfied with the guild's official announcement regarding the new Dungeon Conquerors, only 12 accepted the challenge that Lynn offered. Maybe the remaining half felt guilty about the possibility that they might have killed their fellow adventurers. Maybe they realized they wouldn't stand a chance against Arezu—or perhaps more accurately, against the infamous Lady Impaler. Maybe she did something behind the scenes, Arezu thought, glancing back at Lynn. Lynn, in turn, responded to his suspicion with an innocent smile. Regardless, Lynn and Arezu—or rather, mostly Arezu alone—now had to face 12 veteran Iron-rank adventurers. Four matches: a team of four, then two, then another two, and finally another team of four. "...Punish them all, Mr. Arezu!" It wasn't that he was following her command, but Arezu gripped his halberd-axe in both hands and took his stance. His first opponents: a team of four adventurers—two warriors wielding swords, accompanied by two mages. As for the rules of engagement, Sylvia gave a quick rundown before signaling the start of the match: First: enchanted gear was forbidden, except for an enchanted staff for mages. Second: all fighters were blessed with Aegis—a divine blessing that granted both physical and magical protection. A fighter would be considered defeated once their Aegis was sufficiently damaged. Third: disarming a fighter and forcing them to surrender would also count as a victory. Fourth: killing was strictly prohibited. Once the rules were explained, Sylvia gave the signal. "First match... Start!" "Fireball" "Whirlwind" The two mages immediately launched a preemptive strike with intermediate-level mystic spells. Multiple fireballs manifested mid-air around the first mage, while a cyclone of wind spiraled around the second. In the next instant, fireballs shot forward, and wind blades surged from the cyclone—all aimed at Arezu. Although the speed of the attacks wasn't impossible to dodge, with Lynn still calmly sipping tea behind him, Arezu had no choice but to take the assault head-on. With no other option, he swung his weapon. Fast and precise, each strike flowed into the next as he guided the motion of his halberd-axe with expert control. The fireballs exploded on contact with his halberd-axe, causing the blade to glow red-hot. The wind blades were sliced cleanly in half by the burning edge. Though Arezu successfully blocked the barrage, the flames still scorched his Aegis, slowly wearing it down bit by bit. But that wasn't his only problem. As soon as the magical barrage ceased, the two swordsmen made their move. It should have been easy for them to slip past Arezu while he was defending and rush Lynn, who was leisurely munching on her snacks and watching the fight. Yet, both warriors aimed directly at Arezu, closing in from both sides. "Oi, seriously?" Arezu grumbled, realizing they were still pissed about Lynn's earlier remark and eager to prove her wrong—that they could, in fact, defeat him. 'Peirce' Both swordsmen activated their combat skills, channeling mana into their weapons as they launched a synchronized thrust. To counter the pincer attack, Arezu positioned his glowing red halberd-axe below his flank and expanded his mana into the weapon, activating his own combat skill. 'Cleave' His blade sharpened and accelerated with mana, and with a swift, wide swing, he deflected both incoming strikes in a single fluid motion. The counterattack knocked the swords from their hands. As the swordsmen staggered, Arezu charged the mages before they could cast another spell. In the blink of an eye, he closed the distance and knocked their enchanted staves away. "That should be enough. Please surrender." With the heated blade of his halberd-axe hovering inches from the flame mage's face, Arezu offered a chance to yield. The match ended as quickly as it began. The four adventurers surrendered, realizing how easily Arezu had dismantled their formation. Not to mention the intimidating glow of that massive halberd-axe—Aegis or not, no one wanted to be hit by it. "What are you doing, Mr. Arezu?! I told you to punish them! Don't hold back and beat them up like a punching bag!" Meanwhile, Lynn's cruel commentary drew more irritated glares from the remaining adventurers. The battle for the title of Dungeon Conqueror continued. Arezu's next opponents were a duo: a warrior with an axe and another with a spear. The axe-wielder serves as a vanguard, focused on taking attacks and retaliating with heavy strikes, while the spear-wielder relies on speed and precision. It was an odd combination—slow defense and fast offense—but Arezu understood it just by looking into their eyes. He had seen that look before—not just in others, but in his own reflection: the eyes of someone who had lost comrades. And a few words from the warriors confirmed his suspicion. "We feel bad about this, but we're taking that title." "It's the least we can do to honor our friends." Arezu bore them no ill will. He understood their reason. If it were up to him alone, he'd have gladly given up the title. But this wasn't just his choice. Gwen needed that title. And Lynn? She'd probably throw another tantrum if he lost on purpose. "Second match... Start!" At the signal, the spear-wielder dashed forward. Fast and direct—just as Arezu predicted. 'Pierce' He activated his skill, thrusting his mana-infused spear straight at Arezu. 'Shatter' Arezu responded with a downward slash aimed not just to deflect, but to break the ground between them and halt the attack's momentum. But the spear-wielder abruptly halted his charge and leapt into the air, dodging the debris and preparing a new attack mid-flight. 'Ballista' He hurled his spear, now glowing with a combat skill designed to penetrate walls and break through any defense. It was a powerful, fast attack—difficult to counter at that range. But not for Arezu. He ripped his halberd-axe free and spun it rapidly to build momentum. Then, as the spear neared, he activated his combat skill. 'Cleave' Just barely, he deflected the incoming spear. It buried itself in the ground beside him. But he had no time to breathe. The axe-wielder unleashed the attack he'd been preparing. 'Shockwave' A devastating burst of aura exploded from the axe, tearing through everything in its path. With no time to dodge, Arezu held his ground. Gripping his halberd-axe, he activated a defensive combat skill. 'Fortress' A protective aura expanded from his halberd-axe, shielding him from the brunt of the impact. The weapon absorbed the blow as much as its durability could allow. Silence followed. A dust cloud billowed where Arezu had stood. When it settled, he was still there—standing tall, halberd-axe in hand, ready to keep fighting. Though one opponent had lost his spear, it didn't mean he was out of the fight. Arezu prepared for possible hand-to-hand combat. But just as he was about to charge again, his opponents said something unexpected. —"We surrender."—