ALL NOVEL Chapter 86
86. Winner And Loser
Even after the match ended, the frenzy in the arena didn’t subside for a while. Thunderous applause and the shouts of people of all ages and genders. I stood at the center of the stage, soaking it all in.
“Arx!”
Irena, who had been watching from offstage, ran up. She seemed delighted with the victory, her eyes sparkling as she scanned the audience.
[Look! Irena’s on stage!]
[Irena! Amazing! Well done!!]
[That sword was incredible! I was mesmerized!]
The audience praised Irena one after another. It was only natural. It was her swordsmanship that allowed her to emerge victorious against the S-rank adventurer who cheated.
Irena wiped her teary eyes and bowed deeply to the audience.
The sun shone brightly on her. It seemed even nature was blessing her now.
“Barry, are you okay!?”
Elgen shook Barry, who was lying on the ground. We turned our attention back to them.
“Why do I have to lose!?”
Barry pounded his fist on the ground while being supported by Elgen.
He had instructed the management committee to break Irena’s sword and had cheated by using skills in the match. And in the end, they lost to us fair and square. There was no sympathy for them, no matter how you looked at it.
“Damn it, damn it… why this…”
“Barry! You’ve already lost, calm down!”
“Don’t stop him, Elgen! I’m not done yet!”
Sitting on the ground, Barry glared at me fiercely.
But he must know he couldn’t win against me even if he stood up now. His body was burned, his clothes charred. The wounds from the sword strikes still hurt him.
Realizing this, Barry suddenly went limp and collapsed face down on the ground.
“Aaaaaa…”
A voice almost choked with sobs leaked out. He, exposing a miserable appearance, was on the verge of madness.
“You lost, Barry. Apologize for breaking Irena’s sword.”
“Dammitttttttttttttttt!!”
Declared defeated again by me, Barry erupted like a burst balloon.
“I’ll kill you! You, I’ll take care of you right now! Even if we both die!”
“It’s impossible. You can’t beat me.”
“Uoooooo!”
Barry got up and charged at me. I instinctively kicked his face.
Barry screamed and rolled on the ground again. After lying face down for a while, he started muttering something.
“… Yeah, I know. I understand. That I can’t beat you.”
The next moment, Barry banged his head against the stage and went berserk.
“I know! I knew I couldn’t beat you when I looked into your eyes! But then… what am I living for!?”
It didn’t make sense. Was that an important cry for Barry?
As we watched Barry, some staff members approached from the side of the stage.
“You two! We need to ask you about the cheating. Stay quiet!”
With that, the staff took away Barry, who was causing a commotion, and Elgen, who remained silent.
A little later, the host stood back on the stage.
“Uh, regarding the finals, there were issues with the cheating by Team Diego Arms Store and the problem with the sword of Team Dantzel Arms Store… The results will be announced at a later date!”
Well, with such an irregular match, this was to be expected. It was a natural decision.
“Therefore, the Hero Tournament is now concluded! Audience, please return home!”
The host exited. I finally felt a sense of relief wash over me.
“Irena, let’s go home. We need to report to everyone.”
“Yeah! Let’s do it!”
“Now that’s the way to talk properly. Irena is better that way after all.”
“Shut up! Forget about yesterday!”
Seeing Irena fuming, I couldn’t help but laugh.
With the busy tournament over, everyday life was returning. My heart was filled with such a sense of relief.
But that hope within me was shattered in an instant.
[Hey, what’s this!?]
[We can’t get out of the venue!?]
From that moment, we heard the cries of the audience.