Fight as many duels as possible in as little time as possible. That was how I had chosen to prove my strength to the 「Arena」.

In these duels, I had to make it unmistakably clear that I was a fighter who did not belong in the Silver Medal division. That meant simply winning the more than ten duels ahead of me would not be enough.

“This sacred duel shall be dedicated to the goddess Lepri, guardian of justice!”

I had to win overwhelmingly.

So overwhelmingly that Seolyun’s victories would pale in comparison.

Enough to convince not only the fighters, but even the people sitting in the stands.

* * *

“An impostor? What part of you is supposed to be the Little Gladiator?”

“...”

“Did a dark mage capture you and modify your body? Or did you scavenge monster meat in the slums?”

The first fighter to face me was a talkative one.

The spectators’ reaction was strange, too. Some still remembered me, and everyone was busy murmuring about my drastically changed appearance. But those noisy voices soon died down.

“You little shit, answ—”

I knew the true nature of this 「Arena」.

The spectators did not come here out of love or concern for any particular fighter. They did not care whether a fighter’s appearance had changed drastically or something had happened in their personal life. What the people looking down on the duels wanted was entertainment. As long as I gave them a thrilling show, no one would care that a boy who had been tiny until recently was now a well-built young man.

“... Urgh—”

Entertainment was all that mattered in this circular stadium.

And to their eyes, the duels I was about to fight would be quite entertaining.

“Oh, ooooooh!”

“Holy shit!”

THUD.

The fighter who had been mouthing off at me a moment ago sprawled on the dirt. The duel was over in an instant. He lay unconscious, twitching with his tongue hanging out. I returned my sword to my waist and spoke in an even voice.

“Next.”

One short word.

The response to it was explosive.

“Waaaaah!”

“You crazy bastard! I’m betting all my money on you, Little Gladiator!”

“Fuck, bring out the next opponent! He hasn’t even warmed up!”

As the spectators went wild, an Arena official dragged my fallen opponent away. My seven matches had been scheduled back-to-back, so the crowd’s excitement would not have time to cool. I glanced at the stands.

“Liam! Liam!”

“Little Gladiator!”

I no longer fought by running away with Needle in hand. Among the swords I had devoured was now a bold, powerful one. An orc’s sword, not a human’s. A raw, wild sword that set spectators’ hearts pounding—a sword that was a joy to watch.

Today, I decided to set those hearts ablaze.

“You scheduled seven matches? You must be mad. You got lucky in the first one, but—”

A hulking fighter who reminded me of a barbarian appeared.

He was my second opponent. He swaggered toward me with his upper body bare. The moment I faced him, I set down my sword.

“This bastard is insulting me—”

I did not even need a sword.

With a single breath, superhuman strength filled my body, and the magnificent physique 「Wildness」 had given me was as hard as steel. I charged straight at him and drove my fist into his jaw. I felt bone break beneath my knuckles.

“Ugh—”

The moment we made contact, my 「path」 read how his muscles would move. A 「sword walker」 could enjoy an overwhelming advantage even in unarmed combat.

Just like this.

“Urk, uuurgh—”

I dodged every attack he threw at me and rained blows into every exposed opening. His bare body bore the marks of a horrific beating. His teeth had tumbled out under my blows, and I kicked him in the forehead. Looking at him after he had lost consciousness completely, I spoke again.

“Next.”

There was no need to look to know how the crowd reacted.

“Waaaaaah!”

“Is this guy completely fucking insane?”

The remaining five duels were no different. The spectators erupted after each one, and by the sixth duel, fighters who recognized my skill were surrendering out of fear before we even fought. Thus, my seven duels on the first day ended in no time.

I cast aside stamina management and efficiency, fighting fiery duels focused solely on spectacle. In those moments, I felt like an orc rather than a human.

And then...

“I can’t sleep. I have to go watch him again tomorrow. A real crazy fuck has shown up!”

My name rang through the taverns late into the night.

It did not feel half bad.

After checking my physical condition, I slowly settled down to sleep. The late-night chirping of insects and the faint voices of drunks became white noise. I lay on the uncomfortable inn bed beneath the clear moonlight shining through the window.

The next day came.

“We would like to offer you a chance to wear a gold medal.”

I received an unexpected offer.

Sooner than I had anticipated.

* * *

While I was preparing for my remaining eight matches, an official from the 「Arena」 visited the inn where I was staying. I did not know how he had found my lodgings, nor did I bother asking. They probably had their own sources of information. Wasn’t the 「Arena」 the largest business in the steel city? Finding one gladiator who fought there would be child’s play for them.

What mattered was why they had come to see me.

“Little Gladiator, yesterday gave us ample proof of your strength. That is why I came here in person. I assure you, fighting those remaining eight matches will not be entertaining. Watching the strong utterly trample the weak is fun at first, but it becomes boring with repetition. We don’t want all that fiery excitement to cool and end in a dull anticlimax. As planners for the 「Arena」, we must always satisfy our spectators.”

“...”

“With so much attention gathered around you, we decided that the natural next step was for you to fight a match befitting your ability. How many Silver Medal gladiators could attract this much interest? Opportunities like this are rare.”

The Arena official chuckled.

“You have a gift as a fighter. You drew people’s attention when you held a Bronze Medal, and you still do now. You have natural star quality.”

“So what are you trying to say?”

“Let us cancel your eight matches today and hold a single promotion match instead. If you win, you will immediately be awarded a gold medal.”

His offer was not bad for me.

No, it was much better than merely not bad. Wasn’t this a chance to get a Gold Medal without having to go through eight matches that would be little more than a waste of time? But I did not immediately accept.

“I would like to hear the details of the promotion match.”

After all, hadn’t they pulled something on me before?

I still remembered the malice I had sensed when they offered me my Silver Medal promotion match. There was no guarantee they would not do the same again.

“Haha, you’re a suspicious man.”

“I hear that often.”

The Arena official laughed briefly at my reply, then said,

“It won’t be a particularly difficult du—”

“Oh, you don’t have to lie.”

I cut him off, then spoke with the same smile he wore.

“I know it’s going to be a shitty duel. Stop beating around the bush and just tell me.”

Perhaps inheriting an orc’s memories had made my manner of speaking a little rougher.

But the Arena official did not particularly mind. Instead, he burst into laughter at my words, grinning broadly with his teeth on display.

“Yes. I’ll be honest. I’ve arranged a pretty shitty duel for your promotion match. I arranged it myself. But it will be enormously entertaining. A duel so fiery it will blow the spectators’ minds. A truly entertaining duel.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. You’ll do it, of course? To my eyes, you seem to be the same sort of person I am, Little Gladiator. A born fighter willing to burn himself up for the spectators’ enjoyment! Isn’t that why you asked to fight no fewer than fifteen duels? Haha, wahahaha!”

The Arena official’s eyes sparkled.

Watching him, Liam spoke.

「These deranged clown bastards haven’t changed since the fighting pit days. They’d put their own parents in the ring if it promised entertainment.」

I agreed.

The madness in the Arena official’s eyes was enough to send a chill down my spine. Under that unnerving gaze, I nodded and asked,

“Who is my opponent in the promotion match?”

“Ah, you probably won’t know them even if I tell you. They’re rarely seen in the Iron Kingdom, but they came in droves when they heard the 「Endless Duel」 was being held.”

The Arena official paused before continuing.

“Have you heard of them? Monks...”

* * *

Monks.

The word referred to ascetics residing in Belma, the 「Heavenly Empire」. They trained and cultivated themselves in the empire’s Sky Mountains, serving both as practitioners and as devotees of Revrua, goddess of the sun.

Severing their ties to the secular world and restraining all desire, they devoted themselves solely to honing their bodies and surpassing their limits. They were mysterious figures rarely seen in the Iron Kingdom.

“They come whenever there is an event like the Endless Duel that tests their limits. Chances to duel a monk are rare. This is an opportunity for you as well, Little Gladiator.”

So said the Arena official.

While he prattled on, Liam spoke.

「Monks. It’s been a long time since I heard that word. Those crazy, good-for-nothing holy men.」

“...”

「Accept. It should be an interesting experience.」

For some reason, Liam wore a mischievous smile.

Following Master’s advice, I told the Arena official I would accept the promotion match. He was delighted, saying he had known I would not run away. Once he had left, I asked Liam,

“What are monks like?”

「For you as you are now, they’re a thoroughly fucking awful bunch.」

Liam glanced at me.

「It will feel like fighting a huge boulder.」

A huge boulder.

Should I picture something like a knight clad in full armor? I could not form a clear image. I had never seen a monk myself, nor even heard rumors about them.

Well, there was no need to ponder it for long.

“I don’t know how much longer we’ll keep using this nickname. He’s no longer little, nor is he weak! A bold brawler who started with a lowly Bronze Medal and already stands on the brink of a chance to hang a Gold Medal around his neck! I guarantee he is the most famous Silver Medal fighter in this steel city! Liam, the Little Gladiator!”

“Waaaaah!”

Before I knew it, the match was about to begin.

Rather than filling my head with pointless speculation, I could see for myself. See it, experience it, and make my own judgment. That was always the right approach.

“And his opponent, an ascetic who has journeyed far from the great Sky Mountains! A monk, rarely seen in the Iron Kingdom, has come here to fight! The fighter Helen!”

As that powerful voice rang out, I watched a man approach from the distance. Rather than armor, he wore only a scrap of cloth. His bare upper body was packed with tightly woven muscles like steel. I could see his eyes through the gaps in the helmet covering his face. His gaze was as clear as spring water.

Yes, like spring water.

‘This won’t be easy.’

* * *

At first, the spectators were unhappy to learn that the eight originally scheduled matches had been canceled. They had expected another series of fiery, rapid-fire duels like yesterday’s, only to have them canceled without warning and replaced by a single duel.

But their complaints soon subsided.

A monk!

At the news that a mysterious ascetic rarely seen in the Iron Kingdom had appeared as a fighter, their displeasure gave way to even greater excitement.

I felt as though I could sense the crowd’s heat all the way down here.

“People of the secular world grow fired up so easily. I envy them. I believe I, too, once burned with passion over the smallest things when I lived among them.”

My opponent, Helen, spoke calmly.

Such fervent cheers might have excited him, yet he remained unmoved. That was not good. You could not let your guard down against an enemy who did not excite easily. They would always fight intelligently.

Instead of responding to Helen’s almost self-directed murmuring, I concentrated on making meaningful use of the time left before the duel. I knew little about monks. I needed to learn whatever I could. That would improve my chances of winning. Information mattered in every fight.

“Liam, the Little Gladiator, against Helen, the fighter from the Sky Mountains! Without further delay, let the duel begin!”

Helen the monk had a body as perfect as a sculpture. It was a physique impossible to attain without arduous training. But I could see more than his flesh—I could see another power filling it. A different kind of power from what I had seen in swordsmen and mages. Mana, utterly clean and pure, without a single impurity...

“This sacred duel shall be dedicated to the goddess Lepri, guardian of justice! Oh, we have someone here who does not worship Lepri. Allow me to add one thing. It shall also be dedicated to Revrua, goddess of the sun!”

Until the starting signal was fully given, I kept employing Suspicion, trying to glean even the smallest detail about Helen.

“Now, begin!”

The instant the signal sounded—

“—!”

THUMP!

Helen vanished.

Fast. Even faster than I had expected.

I spread my 「path」 around me, then drew and leveled my sword. At the same time, I sharpened my senses to track Helen’s position. Soon, I detected a presence. Not far away. Behind me. He had circled around and was closing rapidly from the rear.

“Hoo...”

Drawing a breath, I dragged my foot around and turned. As I spun, I swung my sword in a wide arc. The blade sliced through the air, and Helen, who had vanished, came into view. He did not retreat from my swinging sword. Instead, he straightened his hand into a blade and swung at me from an unusual stance.

With an empty hand, holding no weapon at all.

I swung, prepared to take at least one of his hands.

But—

“What—”

My blade failed to cut through the monk’s hand.

CLANG!

Instead, that unpleasant sound rang out, and a tremendous impact traveled through my blade. It felt as though I had struck something incredibly hard. Not a human body, but a solid lump of iron...

「Stay on your toes, young descendant.」

I drew back my sword, changed my stance, and hurriedly retreated.

But Helen doggedly pursued me as though he would never let me go. To shake him off, I adjusted my grip and thrust. Then something unexpected happened. Helen caught my blade in both hands and twisted it around, lifting my body into the air.

「Monks are practically the natural enemies of anyone who uses a blade. Especially swordsmen.」

“...”

「Your toughness will not be much of an advantage here. Monks are among the few people on this continent as tough as a Caravan.」

The moment my body rose into the air, the monk’s fist struck my chest. The impact spread instantly from my chest, sending a tingling shock all the way to my fingertips and toes. It felt as though lightning had struck me. Was that really a human fist? It felt more like colliding with a giant boulder...

For a moment, my mind went hazy.

But I could not afford to lose consciousness. I drew a breath and hurled the sword in my hand far away. Helen’s eyes followed the discarded blade. He must have been surprised.

A swordsman throwing away his sword. He would never have expected that.

“What—”

That momentary distraction was my opportunity.

I drew 「Fang」 from my thigh and drove it at both his shoulders. The dagger’s edge failed to penetrate, but that did not matter. He was damned tough, but I had the power to pierce even that toughness.

“Hup!”

The line.

A fierce explosion erupted from the dagger’s edge where it touched his shoulders like a beast’s fangs. Helen’s body lifted into the air and flew far across the circular stadium. Meanwhile, I retrieved the dwarf-made steel sword I had thrown. Dust rose, and beyond it, I saw Helen trudging toward me.

“... That was truly magnificent toughness just now.”

Helen’s shoulders were in tatters. His skin was torn apart, and red blood dripped from the wounds. Those injuries should have been enough for me to feel certain of victory.

“Let us try again.”

Yes.

“I would like to see it again. That power, as hard as steel. Astonishing. To think a swordsman who relies on a blade would display such splendid toughness.”

If only he had not been a monk.

「That is what makes monks such fucking bastards, young descendant.」

Monks were ascetics who pushed their bodies to the limit. At the same time, they were devotees of the sun goddess. Thus, they were outstanding priests as well as outstanding martial artists. In other words, their power was not limited to absurdly tough bodies.

Golden light rose from Helen’s body. The next moment, there was no trace of his ragged wounds. Fully healed, he walked toward me through the dust.

Faced with that, there was only one thing I could say.

“What a fucking shitty way to duel.”

「That is high praise, young descendant.」

It seemed this duel would not be easy.

* * *

『Designation: Monk』

『An ascetic residing in Belma, the Heavenly Empire. They cultivate themselves through training in the Sky Mountains and, barring unusual circumstances, live cut off from the secular world.』

『Devout worshippers of Revrua, goddess of the sun, whose doctrine teaches restraint of desire.』

『Their exceptional physical abilities and martial arts, combined with healing techniques powered by divine energy, grant them extremely high combat capabilities.』