Vol 4 Chapter 15

"What?"

"You handed over the Pale Knights Guild Master position to someone who appeared out of nowhere! Without a word of explanation to the people who followed you, Gert-nim! Now all sorts of people are flocking in with membership requests! I... I'm just going to quit the guild!"

"Hmm... Didn't I tell you? We just need to help and follow Caesar."

At Gert's leisurely words, the accordion man blinked his eyes that had been on the verge of tears.

"I don't understand why. Why on earth? That man is too suspicious. He gives off a dangerous feeling. The image of our Pale Knights in this city has completely changed because of him..."

"Well... We haven't lost anything because of it, have we? I thought he was worth following. Isn't it more fun to overturn everything than to follow the ordinary path?"

"Pardon?"

While the man questioned, wondering if he had misheard the suddenly dropped bombshell statement, Gert turned around and walked away, throwing one last remark.

"If they want to join the guild, accept them all. They'll become our strength later."

***

The next day, as they headed back to the colosseum, Kapros and his companions saw the match-up notice appearing as a guide message and headed to the waiting room. Just as they finished looking around at the various people warming up in the surprisingly large waiting room, loud applause and shouting could be heard from outside. Was the free-for-all tournament finally starting?

"I'm first among us."

Kran opened his mouth with a slightly serious face. His opponent was someone named Surkun, and it was written that he had no weapon. Un-o was next, and his opponent was someone named Pelman who used a sword. Kapros, who would be competing last among the three, also had an opponent named Song-ho, a man who used a sword.

"If it says no weapon, does that mean he's a fighter?"

As Kapros muttered curiously, Un-o nodded.

"That's probably the most likely. But since it doesn't say 'fighting', it could be some other means."

It was an answer that made Kapros newly realize that there were as many combat styles as there were users. Kran crumpled his face and shook his head like a dog.

"I don't care what weapon they use... Ugh, I'm bored to death. When does this start anyway?"

"From the sounds outside, it seems to have already started... It's taking quite a while."

Un-o, seemingly feeling bored as well, spoke more than usual. But just then, some guy suddenly butted in between the three of them.

"What's this? A gathering of friendly people?"

'Who's this guy?'

The guy who casually inserted himself had a face that still hadn't completely lost its youthful look, but incongruously, he had grown a rough beard like a bandit. Judging from the two heavy-looking daggers at his waist and the light armor he wore, he seemed to be a type that prioritized speed.

"What do you want?"

When Kran glared at him with a hardened expression, the man waved his hand with a smile.

"Nothing. Everyone else looks so fierce, but you guys seem particularly close, so I just came over. I'm not looking for a fight."

Un-o stared intently at the man who was mixing casual and polite speech skillfully, then quickly turned his eyes elsewhere.

"Let me join you guys. It's no fun just waiting without saying anything. Oh, by the way, my name's Rob."

Roughly gauging him, it didn't seem like he had approached with any malicious intent. Kapros looked at Kran, signaling him to respond casually, and Kran opened his mouth with a deep sigh.

"If you want to play, play by yourself. We have nothing to do with you."

"Ah, you're so stiff. Alright. What are your jobs? This one looks like a swordsman judging by the sword, but what level have you reached? For your information, I'm~ right right right at intermediate level 3! Ta-da!"

"..."

The atmosphere turned cold. They silently agreed to ignore the guy. However, no matter how much they ignored him, Rob kept following them and chattering.

"The one in armor is really handsome. The one with the bow too... Is this some kind of real-life model group? Then what about the one in the middle? Why is your face covered?"

"..."

"Oh, come on, why are you keeping your mouths so tightly shut like your voices are expensive?"

"..."

"Since we've met like this..."

Their annoyance was starting to turn into anger as he wouldn't back down even when ignored. Finally, Kapros pulled his hood back slightly so that his face was just barely visible, turned around, and glared coldly at the guy.

"If you want to die here before the match, keep it up. I won't stop you."

"Wh-whoa, Ka-p... Ugh!"

Kran, surprised by Kapros's action, was about to call out his name reflexively when Un-o jabbed his side deeply with the edge of his hand, making him gasp. It was punishment for almost breaking the rule they had set when coming here today - not to carelessly call out their real names where others might hear. As Kran writhed in pain, Kapros saw Rob freeze as their eyes met.

Judging that he didn't even need to use Aerial Servant on this guy, Kapros pulled his hood back down. Rob started babbling in a somewhat frozen tone.

"Uh, no. Um... Really... You've got amazing charisma, sir. Wow, I almost peed my pants a little. Hahaha, hahahaha!"

"..."

After Kran, this guy was... No, he was the most ridiculous guy Kapros had ever met, even more so than Kran. As Kapros was dumbfounded, a gentle voice rang out from above the waiting room with a chiming sound.

[ Next is M.K-nim who uses a sword. M.K-nim, please come out. ]

"It's you."

"Phew..."

As they looked at Kran upon hearing his alias being called, Kran took a deep breath with a slightly stiff face and rotated his shoulders a couple of times. After a moment, he turned to Kapros and Un-o with a bright expression and gave a light greeting.

"Hahaha. Well, I'll go get some exercise. Watch me."

As they left the waiting room to watch Kran's match and went to a place where they could see the arena, numerous people were making a racket, booing and cheering.

"What's with that guy? He looks so unlucky!"