Chapter 413

Words : 2389 Updated : Oct 15th, 2025

A sparring match all of a sudden? Rudger frowned at Eileen’s unexpected proposal. “You must be busy, so let’s leave it at that.” “What’s the big deal? I still have plenty of time left, so it doesn’t matter. And I was asking this warrior anyway.” Eileen spoke while gesturing with her chin toward Pantos. Even regarding the beastkin, she showed no particular unusual reaction. Eileen was someone who would be willing to employ anyone as her closest aide whether they were beastkin or elf, as long as they had good abilities. At least there won’t be worry about discrimination. While having such idle thoughts, Rudger was planning to stop this meaningless action. However, unusually, Pantos spoke up first. “I’ll do it.” “You...” Rudger tried to say something to Pantos, but lost his words at the burning gaze that turned to look at him. The beast-like nature unique to beastkin was even stirring in his pupils. Though Pantos was usually solemn and well-behaved, right now he was properly stimulated. He’s been itching for action lately anyway. And now a Master-level knight appears and you’re telling him not to fight and just let them go? It was no different from preventing a starved lion from eating meat. “This can’t be stopped even if I try. Fine. But keep it at a moderate level.” When Rudger gave permission, Pantos nodded. The corner of his mouth twitched slightly. Eileen watched the scene with satisfaction, while Pasius showed the only normal reaction. “Your Highness. Are you telling me to suddenly have a sparring match right now?” “What’s wrong? Don’t tell me you think you’ll lose?” “It’s not that I think I’ll lose, it’s just too sudden. Weren’t we just going to finish our unfinished conversation and part ways cleanly?” “Then take this opportunity to learn one of life’s truths. Plans can change at any time due to sudden variables.” “...I’ve lived longer than you, Your Highness.” Pasius shook his head in disbelief at hearing about life’s truths from someone younger than him. But what could he do? Even as a Master-level knight, he ultimately had no choice but to do as he was told by those above him. ‘Ah. But I really don’t like this.’ Pasius looked at Pantos. Look at that huge build. It’s been a long time since he’d seen such a massive physique, even bigger than Commander Luthers. Though he wasn’t sure if it was bulked up for mass building now, Pasius knew how firm and massive muscles were seated beneath that flesh. The muscles slightly protruded even over the thick flesh. ‘Looking at pure physicality alone, isn’t this stronger than even a high-ranking knight?’ It wasn’t just about size alone. That beastkin warrior had a unique presence that only flows from the strong. Pasius could sense it because he too was a Master-level knight. ‘To show such blatant fighting spirit even knowing I’m a Master.’ In Pasius’ assessment, Pantos was a fierce battle maniac. Moreover, he had been greatly suppressing his true nature recently. However, a full cup is bound to overflow. Like a dam breaking, Pantos’ fighting spirit burst forth the moment he saw him. ‘The princess shows no sign of stopping this, and Senior Rudger seems to have a “can’t be helped” reaction too.’ -Haah. Pasius let out a sigh full of sympathy for his unfortunate situation. “Well, it can’t be helped.” Though he said that, truthfully Pasius was also itching to fight. When one reaches the Master level, most people revere them. This is true even among fellow knights. From then on, worthy opponents disappear. The recent case with Leopold was an extreme exception, and Pasius found Pantos, who openly bared his fangs at him, not just interesting but welcome. “Let’s do it.” * * * The group switched locations to a massive underground arena where people’s gazes couldn’t reach. Looking at the place where facilities had deteriorated in various ways due to lack of recent management, Eileen asked. “Where is this?” “This is an underground illegal arena that was secretly operated by an organization called Silver Line that used to be in Leathervelk.” “Ah. I heard there were such fellows. I left them alone for now since they didn’t cross the line, but to think they were doing something like this.” “After sweeping them away, we weren’t sure how to handle this space so we left it for now, but I think it’s the optimal place for sparring in the current situation.” Rudger, who had naturally sat down in the VIP seats, answered. From the start, fighting near the hideout wasn’t a very good option. While there were open spaces away from people’s eyes, they weren’t that spacious. Considering the level of Pantos and Pasius, their sparring needed to take place somewhere more sturdy and wide. ‘Above all, the most dangerous thing is unnecessarily drawing Master’s attention.’ Grandel was currently staying in a personal quarters separate from the hideout. They had prepared an entire building as her living space, and recently she had been staying quiet as a mouse, they said. Since he returned, she might come looking asking what happened, but seeing that she hadn’t done so, she must be sleeping. Therefore, it wasn’t good to draw her attention. Even Rudger had difficulty predicting Grandel when she had just woken up. So this was the place that was both optimal for sparring and away from her gaze as much as possible. “But even if it’s an arena, it doesn’t seem that sturdy.” “Though it may look like this, it was a place made for knights to fight each other. It won’t break from ordinary matters.” Just then, Pantos and Pasius were entering the center of the wide arena facing each other. Eileen’s sharp gaze, like analyzing a product, swept over Pantos. The reason she had provocatively requested a sparring match with Pantos was because she wanted to verify him at least once. ‘Looking at that build, he seems to be this man’s right hand.’ If Rudger kept him as an executive, his skills must be quite excellent. Although he was a beastkin, the way he showed fighting spirit against Pasius, a Master-level knight, stirred Eileen’s curiosity. He was qualitatively different from those full of nothing but bluster without skill. She could tell the moment their eyes met, that in Pantos’ pupils, a great beast lay sleeping. ‘She’s openly wanting to see Pantos’ skills.’ While Rudger clicked his tongue at Eileen’s desire, he didn’t blame her. If anything, Rudger was curious as well. While Pantos was strong, even Rudger had difficulty being certain about how he would fare against an actual Master-level knight. ‘So I should properly observe this opportunity.’ Although it wasn’t a fight to the death, he could still extract some combat data from the sparring match. Rudger’s gaze turned to Pasius who held a sword. Just then, Pasius was saying something to Pantos. “You use an interesting weapon.” Pasius’ gaze was fixed on Pantos’ weapon. Wondering what weapon this beastkin warrior used, he was holding a strange harpoon that was odd to call a weapon. A weapon specialized not for fighting people, but for hunting and killing something. A beastkin with a harpoon was a truly ill-fitting combination. Moreover, something long and black was attached to the end of the harpoon’s handle. ‘However, I can’t just laugh at it.’ The pressure emanating from Pantos holding the harpoon was not ordinary. Though they said it was sparring, he had the momentum to properly hunt his opponent like prey so Pasius also drew his sword. It wasn’t a situation where he could fight empty-handed while showing composure. Moreover, that weapon. “That’s not yet a complete weapon, is it?” At those words, Pantos showed a surprised reaction for the first time. “How did you know?” “Just. I felt it by instinct. That weapon is certainly dangerous, but it doesn’t feel complete.” “Indeed. So this is what you can see when you reach the realm of Master. I learned something.” “Do you plan to use the weapon properly?” “This is not something to use in a place like this.” “Oh? That’s quite insulting.” Though he spoke with a smile, Pasius’ gaze became more serious. The pressure flowing from Pasius grew stronger. Pantos grinned at the mighty force that made his skin tingle. His white fangs showed in his smile. This is it. The sensation he had forgotten for so long. The feeling of meeting a strong opponent he wanted to defeat even if he had to throw everything he had. “Let’s do this.” “Yes.” As soon as their words ended, both Pantos and Pasius’ forms disappeared from their spots without anyone moving first. “W-what?” Hans, who was watching the scene, gaped. Right after, countless sparks flickered numerously in the air at the center of the arena. Belatedly realizing those were sparks created from weapons colliding. In less than a second, they exchanged who knows how many attacks. The following massive shockwave spread and greatly shook the arena barriers. Usually, spectators gone mad with excitement would have cheered at this insane fight, but not a single ant’s sound could be heard from the empty arena seats. Meanwhile, Pantos and Pasius’ collisions continued. Every time their forms hazily appeared, sparks and thunderous sounds burst from various spots in the arena. -Crunch. Clear marks were carved into the sturdy floor of the arena made to accommodate knights’ fights where sword strikes and spear thrusts had swept past. “Brother, can you see that?” Hans asked with a dazed expression. It was a fight too difficult to follow with his eyes. Rudger didn’t answer, that’s how focused he was on the two people’s fight. -Clang! After one big collision, the two forms stood in place at a distance. Different from the start was that their positions had switched and countless traces of collisions were carved into the ground. “Good!” Pantos smiled while contorting his face. The pupils in his eyes split vertically as he explosively emitted beast-like nature. The harpoon held in Pantos’ right hand became hazy. Seeing that sight, Pasius narrowed his eyes, then hurriedly twisted his body to the side. -Pop pop pop! The sound of leather being hit rang through the air 3 times. It happened almost simultaneously, so it sounded like once unless you listened carefully. Right after, 3 massive holes were punctured in the sturdy outer wall of the arena a bit away from Pasius. The thick alloy steel that wouldn’t easily be cut even by decent knights’ aura had tunnels opened through it by pure thrusts. Pasius spun his body while dodging and swung his sword. Although it was a distance the sword couldn’t possibly reach, Pantos avoided the trajectory with flexibility unfitting his large build. Right after, a massive slash was carved into the outer wall behind Pantos. One of the outer wall pillars was cut diagonally and fell to the ground with a thud. They did this much while both hadn’t used aura and spirit, thanks to pushing their bodies to the limit and utilizing them. Right after their forms disappeared, sparks flew in the air again. The collisions grew stronger and the intense shockwaves bursting in the air shook the surrounding space like lightning. The waves created from the two weapons colliding not only shook the surroundings but roughly shook even the VIP seat windows. The sight of them rattling like windows during a typhoon was quite threatening. ‘Good grief.’ Rudger clicked his tongue and deployed magic to reinforce the glass by layering mana on it with strengthening magic. This should prevent any risk of breaking. At that moment, a slithering sound rang through the arena. It sounded like a giant snake crawling on the ground. That sound of trembling scales resonating with the air was, surprisingly, made by Pantos’ weapon. “Oh? Is that an iron chain?” Eileen asked curiously as she recognized it. At the end of the harpoon Pantos was using, that long black thing hanging from it was an iron chain and it was a very thick and massive iron chain at that. “It’s not an ordinary chain. Although small-scale, it’s an anchor chain used on ships.” And not just any anchor chain, but one made of special material with special processing applied. “Even after maximizing weight reduction as much as possible, that chain’s weight is in tons.” “...And he swings that around?” Eileen’s gaze turned to the black whip sweeping through the air. The black iron chain making sonic booms at tremendous speed slithered as it tried to press down on Pasius. Pasius also let out a dry laugh at Pantos’ monstrous strength swinging that iron chain with one hand as he deflected it diagonally with his sword. The iron chain flowing smoothly along the sword blade heavily struck the floor. “Hey. Isn’t a weapon like this cheating?” Though he said that, Pasius who deflected that swinging anchor chain with just one sword was quite insane too. ‘If they’re like this with just physical combat, if they both used aura and spirit...’ Rudger shook his head imagining that sight. Even this underground illegal arena built sturdily in preparation for unexpected situations might collapse. Fortunately, the two were still maintaining boundaries while continuing their sparring. ‘However, as the atmosphere gradually heats up, who knows what will happen.’ He may need to prepare to step in just in case. While thinking that, Rudger’s gaze turned to the executives in the VIP seats. The U.N Owen executives were watching the current sparring with gazes mixed with expectation and tension. Hans’s reaction was that he couldn’t understand even while watching, while Seridan and Bellaruna comfortably cheered for Pantos. Arpa just watched cheerfully, while Violetta sat quietly and just observed. Among them, the person catching Rudger’s attention was Alex. Alex had thrown off his usual frivolity and was watching the sparring with a serious expression. ‘This sparring will be good for Pantos to gain experience too.’ In Alex’s transparent retinas, sparks flew repeatedly as the two clashed. ‘This side can become stronger too.’

Chapter 413

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