An active hunter from Hokkaido was thrown into another world - Chapter 79

An active hunter from Hokkaido was thrown into another world

Chapter 79   Arena

“Now, everyone, what’s the most important thing to be cautious about in situations like this?”

As we approached the arena, the crowd thickening, Bartil-san called out.

“Pickpockets.”

“Thieves.”

“Muggers, perhaps?”

“Exactly.”

Indeed, with such a dense crowd, it can be risky.

We’ve put all our valuables into the magic bag and made them disappear, so I guess we’re safe.

In terms of security, there’s nothing more we could do.

Among the members of Ballistes, there are only three of us today after adjusting the tickets. The magician and the healer Newton-san are taking a day off. Apparently, the finals showcase more advanced magic.

The vice-leader wielding a one-handed sword and shield, Mild-san, and the bow user, Lant-san, seem more interested in the qualifiers than the finals.

Qualifiers apparently showcase various combat styles with different weapons.

Of course, our leader Bartil-san will watch both.

“We’re on the fourth floor. And Shin?”

“Second floor.”

“Assigned seats, huh? That sounds great…”

“Well then, see you later.”

Parting ways with the Ballistes members, we headed to the second floor.

At the entrance to the second floor, we showed our tickets and were allowed in.

The seats are quite nice.

We can overlook the venue. A square ring is visible. About 40 meters on each side, I suppose.

It’s surrounded by tall walls. It should offer some protection against magic and projectiles flying around, at least.

It’s amazing, isn’t it? It feels like the Roman Colosseum.

On the opposite side from us is the VIP section.

The chairs are like stone stairs. Sitting directly on them for a long time would probably make your bottom feel cold.

The stone has numbers carved into it, indicating assigned seats.

We took out a piece of cloth from the backpacks we’re carrying, unfolded it, and laid it down together.

The seats are filling up quickly. It’s the most popular event in the capital, after all.

Ding ding ding.

The bell rings, signaling the start time.

Woahhhhhh! Cheers erupt!

“Wow, this is amazing,”

Both Saran and I are surprised.

I’m a country boy too, so I’ve only really experienced big events like going to the Sapporo Snow Festival.

“Hey there, first time at the martial arts tournament?”

The man next to us strikes up a conversation.

“Yes, it is.”

“I see, I see. Make sure to watch closely. And you, big sister over there too. If you have any questions, ask me. I’ll explain anything you need to know!”

Seems like we’ve got an enthusiastic commentator right next to us!

It’s lucky to have someone like this around!

“Thank you very much!”

Let’s get along with him.

“Minister!”

The trumpet sounds, and the minister enters.

Front row of the VIP section. Accompanied by a lovely lady.

His wife, perhaps?

He’s waving his hand.

The minister takes his seat, and everyone in the audience also sits down.

No opening remarks or anything?

Seems like they’re just here to watch. So, they’re not the organizers, I suppose.

Or maybe they want to keep their distance from the hero.

I heard they’re looking to abolish the hero system, after all.

“Does His Majesty the King not watch the qualifiers?”

“Well, obviously not. There’s no point in watching the small fry.”

Well, that’s understandable.

Someone in the center ring is giving a speech, but the venue is so large that we can’t hear a thing.

In this world, they don’t have microphones or speakers, after all.

“Now, let’s begin the first round. A mage versus a swordsman.”

The two contestants face each other.

Even though he’s a mage, he’s fully clad in armor for defense. He’s holding a staff.

The swordsman wields a one-handed sword and a shield.

Gong!

The bell rings, and the match begins!

The mage readies his staff for an incantation as the swordsman charges in.

Just as he’s about to strike, the mage casts a spell! A fireball shoots from his staff.

The shield disperses the fireball with a puff, and the swordsman takes a step back.

Undeterred, the mage continues launching fireballs one after another, but the swordsman readjusts his shield and charges in, executing a tackle.

The mage stumbles backward, and as the swordsman pins him down, ready to swing his sword, the gong rings, declaring the winner.

…Shields can be troublesome.

I use guns, so if my opponent has a shield that can block bullets, I’m out of luck.

However, a shield that completely covers the body isn’t practical. You need to see your opponent’s attacks.

It’s about anticipating projectile magic that’s expected, then dodging it.

Since magic projectiles travel relatively slowly, you can dodge them, but that wouldn’t work with bullets.

So, you aim for parts not covered by the shield, like the legs or head.

Of course, that makes shooting more challenging. These opponents should be avoided in close combat.

Magic, well, it’s like having the upper hand with the first move, isn’t it?

If they’re doing those drawn-out incantations and all, it’s an easy win. But if they suddenly cast without chanting, well, there’s no way I’d stand a chance either. Should I wear a bulletproof vest? Can you buy one with a Magic Bag?

Clap, clap, clap.

The applause is scattered. Well, it’s just the qualifiers.

“That was an ordinary fight. Well, both of them are unknowns.”

“Magic can be blocked by shields, huh?”

“There are also magic spells that can’t be blocked. Like lightning, shields won’t help.”

Well, that’s scary! My gun might go zzzt too!

“But can magic that requires incantation be used effectively in actual combat?”

“Harsh, sis. Well, casting magic makes it more powerful. The longer the charge, the stronger the magic. That’s usually how it goes. So, the key for a mage in battle is figuring out how to create those openings.”

“Doesn’t that make swordsmen overwhelmingly advantageous, then?”

“That’s right. That’s why mages rarely become heroes. Well, if you become well-known here, heroes might invite you into their party. Once you’re in a hero’s party, the hero creates the time for you to cast magic.”

I see, makes sense.

It’s a way to measure one’s abilities and also a place to gather comrades, isn’t it?

“How is the winner determined in these matches?”

“There’s a referee, and when the bell rings, the match ends. Just like earlier. Even if the opponent becomes incapacitated.”

“Are the weapons real swords?”

“They’re blunted, practice swords. Plus, there’s a rule that disqualifies you if you actually kill your opponent. We don’t want to turn it into a bloodbath.”

That means magic users need to hold back quite a bit.

“Those capable of using powerful magic that can kill someone outright aren’t that common. There are more who end up working for the royal palace rather than becoming heroes.”

“I see, it’s also a chance to demonstrate your potential for government service.”

“Exactly.”

Oh, this commentary from the old man is really helpful.

“Thank you for all the information. We’re called Shin and Saran.”

“Got it, I’m Do. Don’t underestimate my twenty years of watching matches. Hahaha!”

Do-san, huh? It’s a short name, easy to remember.

Come to think of it, this is my first time witnessing a proper battle.

I’ve always had the advantage of shooting first and deciding the outcome with bullets, so I’ve never really fought like this before.

Now, the next match is with the fully-armored spear guy…

Ah, the fully-armored spear guy.

“…I wonder how the tournament matchups are determined.”

“It’s a draw. Luck plays a part in the matchups. Luck is part of your skill, too.”

“Seems harsh.”

The bell rings, and they’re clashing their spears, but the match is still undecided.

“Those in full armor are a nuisance. The match just doesn’t seem to end. It always ends up being an ordinary fight.”

“So, being tough is an advantage?”

“That’s right. Anyone wearing full armor just seems like a wimp.”

Swinging the spear overhead and slamming it into the opponent’s torso proved to be the winning move.

The armor has dented.

Maybe it’s reinforced steel plating. It seems like it could deflect arrows, but I might be able to shoot through it with a rifle.

Both the magic user from earlier and the sword-and-shield knight could probably be taken down with a shot to the back. As things stand, if I manage to strike first, I might be able to win.

Spears have the advantage of attacking from a distance.

But if it’s about distance, guns are far superior, so even if a spear user keeps their distance, they won’t pose much of a threat.

I feel like swordsmen who engage in close combat are much scarier, though.

So far, no one has emerged who’s immune to bullets. The concept of a complete defense against bullets through defensive magic hasn’t materialized yet. Take the magic user from earlier, for instance. Even though they were in full armor, it means they were only prepared to defend against attacks that could be thwarted by armor. It’s clear how incredible that bikini-clad witch was. We managed to break through with Nanotesu-san’s protection.

Here I am, constantly evaluating my chances—this one’s winnable, that one’s challenging. While I might handle situations where I raise my weapon and say, “Let’s do this!” with some confidence, if I were suddenly ambushed or faced overwhelming odds, I’d probably end up dead quite easily…

It really makes you appreciate the peaceful world in Japan, where no one walks around with weapons. Even in advanced countries, the idea that “if everyone carried guns, there wouldn’t be mass shootings!” is held by many, and that’s still quite unsettling.

“Don’t say scary things like the spear doesn’t penetrate.”

Please don’t frighten me like that, Saran-san.

“Well, it’s not about killing each other, you know… When dealing with monsters, I might stab them, but these are humans we’re facing.”

The commentary old man looks bemused too.

“Show me your hand, sis.”

“My hand?”

Saran spreads her palm to show.

“You use your hand quite a bit. You’re not one of the contestants, sis?”

Impressive insight, old man. You understand a lot from just that.

“You’re no good, big brother. I bet you’ve never even held a sword. Ahahaha!”

I’ve been easily figured out. I guess I look weak no matter where I go.

Firing a gun doesn’t lead to calluses no matter how much I shoot. If it were a handgun, maybe I’d get a blister on my finger.

Saran seems like she wants to say something, but I’ll gesture for her to stay quiet with a raised finger in front of my mouth.

I acknowledge that various forms of swordsmanship exist across the world, the two that have truly survived as sports would likely be Japan’s Kendo and Western Fencing. As a Japanese individual, I believe I have a discerning eye in this regard.

From my perspective, everyone still appears quite rough. It’s a contest of brute force and power, like a clash of swords seen in Western films—a kind of sword-fighting brawl.

In classic Japanese period dramas, the actors always include slashing movements with their swords. It gives a different vibe from Japanese swordsmanship, and I can’t help but feel something is missing.

While the battles have been rather ordinary, we’ve encountered a slightly intriguing pairing.

Two-handed sword versus one-handed sword and shield.

“So, who do you think will win?”

The old man asks with a sly grin.

“I’d wager on the two-handed sword, I suppose.”

“Oh, really?”

The wielder of the two-handed sword deftly parried the one-handed sword, then slammed into the shield, disrupting the stance before delivering a slashing blow to the forearm. I wouldn’t be surprised if bones were broken. The bell rings, signaling the end of the match.

“Well, no matter how you slice it, weapons meant to be wielded with one hand just can’t hold a candle to those meant for both hands. Even dual-wielding boils down to two one-handed swords. I can hardly recall a moment when a one-handed sword triumphed over a two-handed one.”

Perhaps that might be the case in one-on-one situations. However, when it comes to dealing with monsters, it’s not as straightforward.

I’ve seen Vice Leader Mild of Ballistes skillfully defend against Hydra’s attacks using a shield. Even during the werewolf encounter, if it weren’t for Bartil’s shield, we would have been in trouble. Shields are crucial in battles against monsters.

But still, when it comes to swordplay, the two-handed sword is undeniably powerful. A resilient individual might withstand gunfire and still come at me with their blade. It’s not as easy as saying having a firearm ensures victory.

Next up is a battle between a two-handed sword and a spear.

“You know that spears are usually significantly stronger than swords, right?”

“Yeah, I’ve heard that you need about three times the skill to beat a spear.”

“Indeed, it’s about that much. But this one’s different. Well, just watch.”

The two-handed sword wielder crouched low and lunged into the reach of the spear, swiftly deciding the match.

“Amazing…”

“He’s Blanversh, the personal guard of Duke Baldorat of the Royal Capital. He’s a contender for the championship, remember his name.”

“Well… that’s intimidating.”

Even from Saran’s perspective, it’s impressive. Since I’ve never seen Saran struggle in a fight, I honestly can’t gauge just how strong Blanversh is. But being a contender for the championship suggests he’s much more formidable than Saran. Let’s avoid any conflict or involvement with him.

Here comes the mage!

For me, seeing magic was a big reason I wanted to watch this. I’m excited for this!

I need to know what kinds of magic exist, and whether my guns can counter them.

Right from the start, they shower the spear-wielding contestant with an intense torrent of freezing water, effectively immobilizing their lower body!

Incredible!

With their lower half frozen and unable to move, they hold a staff against the spear user…

This is a surrender, isn’t it?

The spear user releases their weapon, and the match is decided.

“Wow, there are even spells like that?”

Guns, as weapons, don’t fare well against opponents capable of long-range attacks.

In essence, it turns into a mere shootout, leveling the playing field and offering no advantages.

Moreover, against wide-area spells, you’d easily be taken out.

Ultimately, with magic, the key is having the upper hand from the beginning.

“Guild’s ace magician, Pitor. A regular around the semifinals.”

“Only reaching the semifinals?”

“Quits before reaching the finals or semifinals. Strong against weaker foes, but won’t take on those above. Clever strategy.”

Well, that’s one way to go about it. Even I would do the same if it means avoiding injuries.

However, real combat often results in quick and decisive victories.

True life-or-death struggles seem to be like that, I suppose.

Even when skill levels are close, the outcome is determined in an instant. There’s no prolonged clash.

What’s this feeling? It’s familiar…

It’s sumo wrestling, isn’t it?

Two contenders step forward, and within seconds, the match is decided, and on to the next one, and the next!

That image, right?

Since battles are fleeting moments, being a spectator requires keen insight.

The commentator beside us is enthusiastically providing explanations, but if I were watching alone, I probably wouldn’t grasp half of what’s happening.

“Real combat magic is truly impressive.”

Saran is also amazed. Saran’s magic involves things like igniting flames or chilling meat – handy spells. I’ve never seen her use them in actual combat.

Though it’s already lunchtime, the matches continue.

“Here you go, sir.”

Saran takes out a homemade lunchbox from her backpack and hands it over.

“Well, now, that’s mighty kind of you.”

We’ve been camping since yesterday, so Saran made meat-filled sandwiches herself.

Bottled spring water too. She’s used her ice magic to chill it.

Of course, I wouldn’t openly share PET bottles or anything of the sort from the magic bag.

“This is delicious!”

Dō-san is overjoyed.

He’s been providing us amateur spectators with explanations all this time, so this is the least we can do in return.

The afternoon will see more first-round matches.