BATTLE OR ALIVE
Chapter 15: The Man In Gold Armor

From the forest of ‘Kaze Tree’ they after a long time can finally go home to the surface. Mai had already woken up excited, she looked happy when they were going home.

Distance to be traveled from Yull village ‘Kaze Tree’ is located, as far as 4 km. So to get home, Jell and Mai had to walk that far to get to the capital.

The atmosphere of the forest was bright with flying birds adorning the forest. There are many species in this forest. Starting from monsters, wild animals and monster plants. However, not only contained various monsters, this forest also contained various kinds of beauty that it possessed. Such unique beautiful animals can be found here.

A 4 km journey has been made. Currently Jell and Mai were already at the front of the capital, and they seemed to be aware of something different, the city looked more crowded than usual. More precisely in the city square.

The atmosphere was bustling and also some development near the square. They had never walked in the area around the square, yet it was visible from their place. It was on the road to the guild, in the direction of the road to the square.

“Is it just my feeling, but it looks more crowded than usual?”

“Really! The capital city is currently hot. Khakhakha!”

While Jell was confused by the circumstances in the capital when they were going on an expedition in the dungeon, there appeared an adult man with a large body and also a large body, behind him. It's not wrong that it's Othnah-San.

“Otnah-San! Long time no see.”

“You too Jell, Mai. How are you guys doing? I heard you two joined as adventurers. How?”

“Yes, we're fine. True, we joined as adventurers, to fulfill our Needs forced to work as adventurers. At first it felt a little unsure, but now it's okay.”

“Hm! Good then, you two don't seem to have any trouble making money right now. And also, your adventurous clothes look expensive, you must have tried hard. I'm so proud of you!”

Othnah-San was happy to hear the state of Jell and Mai at the time they last met. In fact, Othnah was very worried about the humor that Jell and Mai had joined the guild. In addition, he is very proud to see Jell and Mai who are currently successful.

“hehe, for that time thank you very much Othnah-san. If at that time Othnah-san did not give us money, we did not know what would happen. For that time I was really grateful.”

Mai in a polite and respectful tone, thanked Othnah who had given them money when they first met. And to Mai, she felt very helped back then.

“No-no, no need to thank.”

“Heheh.”

A peaceful and beautiful atmosphere was seen from the conversation of the three people. The atmosphere that had been crowded, now it felt only belonged to the three of them.

“By the way Othnah-san. What's going on in the capital? It seems more crowded.”

Questions asked by Jell. Othnah who had been smiling kindly with the two boys, momentarily changed her aura.

Othnah in a moment of serious face. Like the smile that was thrown was just an illusion, the face of Othnah now has absolutely no joy.

“Actually, the kingdom is currently doing a contest.”

““Sayembara?””

“True. A competition that will determine the fate of this kingdom. (Silence and continuing his words) Kell, Mai. You two are from outside the kingdom right?”

“Ah... Can say that. What's wrong?”

“I can't say it. But, for now it is better that you two be prepared to travel home. This kingdom will be over soon.”

“What did you say Othnah-san? Going home? Ended up? What's wrong? Why can't you say it.”

Othnah did not answer Jell's question at all, and she just stiffened Jell's shoulders and she went to her shop.

The Jell left behind could only stare and could not say anything. Akhrinya Jell and Mai left from there and headed straight for the guild.

***

Right now the two of them were at the front door of the guild. The guild door that was normally closed, was currently open. Not knowing what reason the guild always closed the entrance, and had to open it themselves, but it was currently wide open. So that the situation inside the guild that could not be seen from the outside, now could be seen from the end of the road.

“Hm? What's with those people?”

“I don't know.”

Mai asked about the unusual situation, and Jell replied with the right answer. He doesn't know what's going on.

The conditions within the guild looked calm, or it could be said that they seemed depressed.

There was something going on in the guild that made the normal condition of the guild they knew seem unusual. The knights did not talk or laugh loudly at the diner. So did the adventurers who often gathered with their party members, now seen silently sitting politely.

Go into the guild. And the conditions inside were indeed as seen from the outside, the aura suppressing.

Jell and Mai who entered the guild instantly felt that suppressing aura, and they also seemed to have attracted the attention of the people. The people who were silent for a moment immediately noticed Jell and Mai who entered the guild. Their faces were different, some were radiating hope, gloomy, and also angry.

Especially for those who had angry faces, it seems that now they are more willing to show their anger to Jell. Usually those people always hold their anger and do not want to show it to Jell, but now it is different.

So too did Jell who suddenly gained a look of anger seem confused. And ignoring them, Jell and Mai went to look at Yinn.

Heading to the guild counter, there was Yinn who was standing uncomfortably. And there was also a big man who was about 190cm tall, teasing him. And not only that, the glittering clothes he used could steal everyone's attention.

The big man looks to be teasing Yinn who is currently cleaning the counter. Not only that, the big man did not seem to be alone. On the left and right are women. The women who clung to him, not just one, but there were three women who stuck sticky with the big man.

As with the big man, the clothes the women wore also looked expensive.

(Are they nobles?)

Jell noticed that the situation seemed unable to express what it was like. However there was one obvious one in Jell's head at the moment, it was that he had to immediately report the mission and go home for a break.

Yinn who was currently being seduced by the big man, instantly noticed the whereabouts of Jell and Mai. And at once Yinn immediately came out of the counter and went to greet the two of them. Yinn left quickly like the big man was not in front of her.

“You're finally back, Jell-san, Mai-san! Thank goodness you guys are okay. It seems you guys managed to do the expedition, good work.”

With Yinn's festive voice, ruining the gloomy atmosphere within the guild. Yinn went straight for Jell and Mai, she seemed to be happy to see the two of them, after completing the expedition mission in the dungeon.

And so did Mai, who saw Yinn coming seemed to feel happy after a long time of not seeing Yinn.

“Yinn-san! We go home.”

Mai with a happy cheerful voice, radiated throughout the gloomy direction of the guild.

“We have finished Yinn-san. As you can see, we're fine.”

“Hm~ I know you will definitely be back.”

The meeting after so long, made Jell, Mai and Yinn forget about the state of the guild. Likewise with the big, glittering man who was silent in front of the counter, seemed to put on a dislike face to Jell and Mai.

“Oi oi oi, what is going on here.”

The big, glittering man moved from the front of the counter towards the three happy people. With a dislike face and anger on his face, the man went face to face in front of Jell.

“I've never seen you two. New kid?”

The big, glittering man looked at Jell from below like he was staring at an animal. The 178 cm tall Jell could not rival the person's view, so Jell had to lift his chin to look up.

“True. We're new members of the guild. My name is Jell Kiy–”

Jell answered the guy's question. And just as Jell wanted to tell him about his name, the big, glittering man immediately made a sound.

“I don't care about your name, boy!”

Jell who was underestimated by this person immediately felt dislike for his attitude. And at first, Jell had indeed guessed the attitude of this person.

The man arrogantly cut off the other person's conversation and instantly demeaned the person he had just met. Yet strangely enough, the women who had always been attached to him seemed to be very impressed by the attitude of this big, glittering man.

“My name is Lhava! Remember that in your brain. That's even if you have brains.”

The big, glittering man slobberly shouted his name, and also added with his insults to Jell. Likewise, the women who clung to him were seen laughing with the words of this big, glittering man named Lhava.

Lhava laughed in a big voice after cursing at Jell, along with her women as well. But Jell's response was too ordinary, Jell did not react to his actions and instead felt ordinary.

When she was laughing with her women, she immediately noticed Mai. He looked at Mai who was carrying a large bag, and Mai's face was completely expressionless. Or rather a stupid face.

However, the view seen by Lhava is different. He saw Mai's charm and he was grounded.

“Nona easy. What is your name.”

Mai who only had a stupid face and did not care about all the conditions, was distracted by Lhava's question.

“Oh, My name is Mai Ogawa. Nice to meet you.”

Mai's answer is very stupid if he notices. He gave no expression at all while answering Lhava's question, rather he automatically replied so.

But Lhava seems to have been drunk by its charms. So that he will not feel that Mai's answer is not expressionless.

However, more than expected, Lhava tampa warning instantly attacked Mai with words.

“Oh~ What a very beautiful name. Mai... (Holding Mai's right hand by forming a proposing position.) Be wife. I will give you money, and you no longer need to do menial work like this.”

Mai who was shocked by the sudden attack, immediately woke up. No one would have thought that Lhava would directly propose to Mai in such a condition.

Lhava, with her large, shiny body, can fool all the women she meets. But it was because of his bastard attitude that made him dislike people.

But in contrast to his expectations, Mai flatly rejected him.

“Eh? What you said, it's obvious I'll turn it down. Anyway I already have everything I want.”

Rejected outright by a girl he had just met, making Lhava's face an empty expression with a scary face. But things turned out to be worse than expected. And the badder of that situation is Mai.

“Well, if you insist that I will accept your request.”

“Hm? What do you want?”

Lhava who heard Mai's words instantly changed her expression, which had been empty now became serious. Likewise with Mai who also changed her expression.

Mai's face, which had been stupid, now showed a very irritating face for Jell.

Mai spun around on her footing and went towards Jell. Spin around gracefully and land while holding Jell's back.

“Actually I like strong men, and this man is my lover. Of course he is very strong, and I admit it .. So if you can beat him, I will go with you.”

Hearing Mai's words, the instant Jell's face turned irritated. He puts Jell in a difficult situation and it is Mai's act that says they are lovers. Although it's not wrong for Jell.

“Mai, what did you say–”

“Good. I'll fulfill it.”

Jell's words did not come out until it was finished, it was because this man named Lhava immediately agreed to Mai's request.

In Jell's heart he was really upset, getting into the trouble created by Mai. He would definitely punish Mai with a very severe punishment after they came home.

But unlike the condition of Jell, the guild occupants when they heard Lhava's approval instantly broke out. They whispered loudly and stared at each other. And it makes Jell feel a little depressed because it becomes a conversation material when the situation is like this.

“Hei, boy. Let's do a duel and quickly finish this. I won't expend all my strength, so you can attack me freely.”

Lhava let out a word with a laugh while challenging Jell. The guild people only fell silent when they heard Lhava's words, but there were also some people who laughed following Lhava's laughter, those were the bastards that Jell had defeated.

And it seems like they apparently have a lot of members, it's because the ones laughing at Jell are quite a lot.

“Good. Let's do.”

With a haughty face, Lhava stretched out to be ready for the duel.

With both of them willing, simultaneously uttering the pledge in the duel.

“ITIS”

Itis is the word of this world. Using this world language, which means “Subah” or “Ikatan”.

By memorizing the pledge. The bodies of Jell and Lhava were immediately surrounded by iron chains. The chains did not bind their bodies, rather the chains just surrounded them. Blue chains surrounded the two bodies of the men who were about to duel, and in an instant they moved places.

With the chain's light, Jell's vision became glare and could not hold his eyes. And then they moved away.

The place was in the guild, now they were in an arena located behind the guild building.

At the back of the guild was an arena. The arena is used as a training ground and also as a battle. Right, battle. Or it could be said that it was a duel based on a pledge.

With a duel that is pledged a pledge, making the duel a sacred duel that will be arranged by the world itself. The chain that appeared suddenly was also part of the duel that had pledged.

Likewise with the reason they moved places directly, it was also due to a blazing duel.

Being in the arena, the battle arena was covered by a dome. A transparent blue dome, surrounding the arena. Share not allow anyone to come out after a duel.

“So this is the pledge that person said, yes?”

With an amazed face, Jell looked at the entire arena.

“Alright, boy. I'm ready.”

With a large sword issued along the 150 cm, the black blade is thick and also of course it is heavy. It was taken out of Lhava's back.

Also doing the same, Jell took out a sword 100 cm long, with a dark purple color like the sword was made of a very hard obsidian stone.

Lhava who saw Jell's sword immediately made a sound.

“The sword is too good for a boy like you. How about you bet that sword, and in return you can choose what you want.”

“Hm..”

Lhava arrogantly felt that the sword Jell was using was too good for a boy of his size. And to fulfill that lust, he challenged Jell by adding one more gift.

“You want to take my sword too? Wise decision.”

Lhava, who asked about what Jell wanted, just fell silent and waited. And Jell was also just staring at the big sword Lhava had on his shoulder.

“you're really stupid ya.”

With that said, Jell with a slight smile said Lhava was a fool and Lhava who listened to him was only confused by what he said.

***

The duel between the two of them began. Fellow Fighter job users, and sword users. This duel would be a duel that risked the pride of a sword master.

For a start, Lhava seemed to be the one who would take all the attention of the audience.

Clutching his greatsword, he shouted.

“Come boy, give up all your strength. I'll hold back.”

Staying the same as before, he still underestimated Jell.

Jell considered it by doing the unexpected. He put his sword on the ground.

Lhava who saw it just looked on with a confused face. A sword master not using a sword is an impossibility. But Jell challenged that. Putting his sword and Jell ran towards Lhava.

“You want to beat me with just your fists? You seem overconfident ... Feel this, ‘Mega Sword’!”

Jell ran quickly towards Lhava, and of course for the black guild-ranked Lhava, was one of the 4 black-ranked adventurers in ‘Athera Guild’.

With the defensive attack from Lhava, he used the “Mega Sword” skill which is a skill that can make a Fighter's sword grow longer and stronger. This is a buff skill with A rank among other Fighter skills.

Jell dodged beautifully and when the skill from Lhava hit him, Jell jumped up and carried out his attack.

Jell kicked Lhava's back head from above.

Surprised by what happened, Lhava crashed and did not collapse. He crashed the same as a bastard who had defeated Jell at that time in the guild. However, Lhava was a very formidable person. He still had his balance after getting a kick from Jell right hitting his back head.

“As expected of a person with a black rank. You are able to endure it turns out .. You have to be serious, if you are not serious, this will be boring.”

Beyond what he thought, it turned out that Jell's powerful kick had an impact on Lhava, he vomited blood.

“Khuf– What?-”

With the impact given by Jell made the audience scream and not believe. They were transfixed by what had happened by Lhava and the male audience could not make a sound and were only fixated on what was happening in the arena.

However, it is different with men. On the other hand, women are the noisiest people. Some were screaming hysterically at the sight of Lhava vomiting virgin, and there were some others who were silent as well as the men.

Lhava who felt her pride had just been stepped on by the boy she had just met, made her angry.

He took his great sword and ran towards Jell. He uses fast step type buff skill, “Dash” is enabled.

“Will I destroy you!”

With high speed, Lhava holding his greatsword directly using the skill “Mega Sword” to Jell.

But all of that was not as expected by Lhava. In a combination of his incredible attacks, Lhava came to a halt.

“Khuf–!”

Blood came out of his mouth once more. His eyes faded and his balance began to waver.

The audience who saw no one knew what happened to Lhava, and they just saw each other what really happened. However, in that condition only Jell could make a sound.

“Attacks that hit the back skull. You think it won't have any effect at all? You're really stupid yeah.”

“You bastard ... From the beginning you were indeed eyeing it.”

Lhava could not help but feel the spinning on his head, and fell down while leaning on his greatsword.

Jell approached and remained the same as the start of the duel, she remained calm and relaxed. Just as Jell was fighting a weak monster, she had no intention of dueling a sword with him at all.

Staring at the fallen Lhava, with a cynical look. Jell kicked him again to make Lhava completely fall to the ground this time.

Lhava who fell while his head was not getting better, Jell casually stepped on the neck belonging to Lhava.

Lhava, whose neck was pierced by Jell, made it difficult for him to breathe and thrashed to break free. However, Jell did not move at all. He still casually stomped on Lhava's neck.

“Will I end this slowly.”.

Jell with sinister eyes, looked at Lhava who was also looking at him. In his eyes there was no mercy at all, and there could be hatred in Jell's eyes at this time.

Jell could have ended the duel quickly, but Jell had more to slowly defeat Lhava, for one reason.

He wanted to destroy Lhava's self-esteem. By winning the duel it was confirmed that Jell would be the strongest adventurer and feared in the guild. But if only that was not enough. He will defeat Lhava in the lowest and most despicable way, and that way is to strangle him to death.

The reason Jell did that, had some other advantages. That is, in this way will make the name Jell will be known throughout ‘Athera Kingdom’.

Lhava is very famous in the kingdom, until actually he was even nicknamed “Destroyer”. And if Jell could defeat Lhava and even kill him in this kind of despicable manner, it was certain that Jell's name would instantly spread throughout the kingdom.

The suffocating Lhava could not put up any more resistance against Jell's lockdown at all. And Jell didn't mean to let go either. The match ended in Lhava's defeat.

***

The match was over and Lhava lost in a suffocating manner.

In a duel based on a pledge, murder that occurs in the duel is allowed. And it's okay until the duel is over. That is because the duel has become a holy duel and a murder in the duel will not have an impact on the body beyond the pledge.

Although he said it would have no effect, but the body of someone who died in the duel will make the body of the loser will run out of mana. And a lot of mana needs to be used to restore the body to return, depending on how much damage received by someone in the duel.

Therefore, Lhava who died due to being strangled by Jell, will take about 10 minutes to recover its strength.

The dome surrounding the arena was gone and the arena could already be entered by people. The medical team immediately swiftly went towards the fainted Lhava and so did the three women.

“Hm?”

The medical team and the three women went towards Lhava, and in the horde there was one presence that made Jell react.

Staring at them, the hysterical women and the medical team instantly pulled out the heal and “Mana Stone” to recover the power of Lhava. And in the horde there was one more presence that was not there before when they were in the guild.

The aura emitted by that person was different and it did not feel like an aura emanated by a human. More precisely, the mana possessed by the additional person was not mana.

When Jell was staring at them, Mai ran towards her with a fall while hugging Jell happily. However, Mai who felt like Jell was not responding asked what she was looking at.

“What do you see?”

“Do you see that little girl with them? I didn't see him at guild.”

Mai who noticed looked towards the girl whom Jell meant. And of course Mai also sensed there was something different about the girl.

“Eh~ You're right. Where the girl is different from theirs.”

“Do you think maybe he's not human?”

“Maybe..”.

Mai replied in a falling tone, as if unlike her, Mai looked sad to see the girl.

The second look was still staring at the girl who was helping Lhava heal, and what followed was, the girl was slapped by one of the Lhava women.

“What!-”

Mai saw it and instantly raised a voice. Before taking any action that could make things worse, by holding Mai, Jell held her back.

However, the violence the girl received did not get there. One of the other Lhava women also scolded the girl. They treated her unkindly, and like the girl was not a part of them. More like a child.

Mai who saw him couldn't keep quiet and she struggled more and asked Jell why he stopped her. And the answer Jell said can easily calm Mai's condition.

“Calm Mai. If we interfere, this problem will get worse .. So hold on.”

“…”

In the end, they both left the place. In order to resume their actual duties before this showdown, Jell and Mai went to the guild to confirm the completion of their expedition in the dungeon.

***