Chapter 3. Colosseum (2)

Alden’s escape had been a while ago.

So…

“Hey!”

“Y-Yes, sir!”

“How many days has it been since I got here?”

“S-Six years and two hundred fourteen days…!”

“Fucking hell, that’s a long time.”

Yeah, it’s been roughly three years since Alden’s escape. Time really flies.

“Good work.”

I lightly patted the head of the young, rigidly attentive Gladiator and exited the Training Ground.

Sixteen is considered an adult in this country.

So I've been stuck here from a snot-nosed kid to adulthood?

That feels pretty shitty.

I'm starting to understand how Alden, the escaped Gladiator, felt.

I've already gone from Champion candidate to Champion, but my desire to leave hasn't changed.

So, once again, with a deeply furrowed brow, I walked down the hallway and entered my designated solitary cell, sitting down on the bed.

“Huu…”

After briefly checking if anyone was around, I practiced the Meditation Technique Alden taught me.

The air quality sucks.

But this place is overflowing with energy.

Contrary to this stuffy, poorly ventilated hole.

Life force.

In other words, positive energy, brimming over.

This is a place where Gladiators stake their lives every single moment.

I absorb the life force emanating from them and accumulate Aura.

After meditating for a while…

I open my eyes.

And pick up the wooden practice Knife I left on the desk.

And then…

*Saaak-*

I try channeling the energy I just gathered…

*Crack-*

A fissure appears in the wood.

“…Not working.”

I can manipulate the energy, but…

My skill isn't high enough to imbue it into objects yet.

Plus, I’m isolated, so I can’t ask anyone for help.

I don't even know if I’m doing it right.

Still…

I circulate the energy and envelop my body with it.

This overflowing exhilaration always feels good.

About three years since Alden ran.

During that time, I haven't forgotten to practice the Meditation Technique even once, while enduring a hellish schedule.

Absolutely without getting caught.

So that someday, in the worst-case scenario, I can escape like Alden.

Still, I’m better off than Alden was.

At least I don’t have that Restraint he wore.

And so, after finishing my training that day…

“Hey, Champion.”

I was taking a Walk around the nearby Training Ground when one of the Colosseum staff called out to me.

“What?”

“Here, your schedule’s been set.”

Saying that, the staff member handed me a schedule.

The paper, a flagship product mass-produced by the Magic Tower, listed my schedule for the week.

As always, it was packed with my grueling itinerary.

It included the usual Intermediate-level Monsters like Orcs and Werewolves, as well as matches against other Gladiators.

And the end of the week usually features a Highlight Match.

This week, what kind of opponent…

“…Is this right?”

…did I think I’d be facing?

Is it my turn now?

[King of the Mountains]

“Yeah, the higher-ups have high expectations, so do well.”

…I wondered when this match would happen.

After Alden escaped…

The Colosseum has been racking their brains for three years, unable to arrange a match to take down that Ogre.

Ogres are top-tier large Monsters.

From containment facilities to food, the upkeep must be substantial.

Even occasional event matches where Monsters fight each other must be a burden.

“But, even Alden couldn’t take down that Monster…”

However.

Isn't it too much for me to handle?

Even if I’m the current Champion, honestly, I don’t think even two of me could beat Alden.

Taking down an Ogre that even Alden chose to run from seems clearly impossible, but…

“Don’t worry, we’ll give you plenty of other Gladiators.”

The staff member answered as if I had nothing to worry about.

…A raid-style match, huh?

Well, with a bunch of Upper-level Gladiators, it might be possible.

Still.

“Alright, I understand.”

I felt that this place was nearing its end.

Are these crazy bastards incapable of learning?

I can handle myself, but the idea of using Upper-level Gladiators as fodder to draw aggro…

“And don’t even dream of escaping like *him*.”

“Yes.”

It seems…

I also need to prepare for the end.

***

Time passed.

A week later.

As scheduled, I stepped into the Colosseum for the Highlight Match that would mark the end of the week.

“Waaa–!!”

“Champion!”

The Spectator Seats, usually only about two-thirds full, were absolutely packed today.

It seems they’ve put in a lot of effort promoting this match, considering what it is.

Well, the number of spectators significantly dropped after Alden’s escape.

This is a good chance to wash away the mistakes of three years ago.

[Now!! Here comes the Champion!!]

The Announcer shouted through a small loudspeaker.

“Kyaaak!”

“Look over here!!”

The excited roars of the crowd from the Spectator Seats echoed loudly.

This sight and sound…

Irritates me every time I see and hear it.

What the fuck are these Dogs so happy about?

Still, it’s a relief.

[And- his opponent is… the eternal overlord of this Colosseum! The King of the Mountains!]

This will be the last time I hear that.

Up ahead.

Across this massive Colosseum…

I see the Ogre, its entire body bound in chains, glaring out from beyond the bars.

…The pressure is immense. Is it about three times the size of a human?

I had a chance to see it from a distance before.

But facing it directly makes my body tremble involuntarily.

I understand why even the strong Alden ran away.

[And! To join this event! The pride of our Colosseum, the Upper-level Gladiators!]

After showing only the Ogre…

“Waaaah!!!”

“Wooor!!”

The gates of other cages opened.

Gladiators, each wielding different Weapons, poured out.

Like me, they’re wearing minimal armor.

Since bloodshed is part of the entertainment, they usually wear these kinds of outfits…

Making them wear this against an Ogre…

It seems insane, but…

[The match of the century! Let’s begin!]

Honestly.

Very honestly, it seems doable.

Because…

“Let’s go, everyone!!”

“Tie him down!”

The Upper-level Gladiators here are incredibly skilled.

Normal Gladiators are those who fight Monsters for their lives every day while also Training.

Reaching Upper-level among them is proof of strength.

That doesn’t mean it’ll be an easy win, though. I probably need to be prepared to sacrifice at least an arm.

[Now! The Ogre is released!]

The Ogre was released, and…

“Attack!”

“I’m taking that bastard’s Head!”

The excited Gladiators charged.

I, too, gripped my Sword tightly and ran towards the Ogre with the other Gladiators.

[Now! The Champion charges!]

Listening to the Announcer’s excited commentary, I looked up at the sky.

Or rather, I estimated the height of the Spectator Seats, which always looked down on us like the sky.

One jump won’t be enough.

I wish I knew the details of Alden's Escape so I could use it as a model.

Since I don't, I have to plan my own route.

“Huu…”

I circulated Aura within my body.

Condensing it to its limit, just before it bursts forth.

Don't even dream of escaping?

Fuck that.

It's a little early, but...

I've been preparing for this day.

[At last! The Champion and the Ogre clash!]

The excited announcer yells as I sprint towards the Ogre.

I should stab that announcer bastard someday.

It's a shame I can't.

*Thud-*

I kick off the ground.

Circulating my Aura, I leap to the Ogre's shoulder height in a single bound.

[Whoa! The Champion, he, he flew!]

*Groaaaaar–!*

The Ogre bellows as I quickly rise to its eye level.

My body freezes at the sound.

…This is the 'fear' I heard about beforehand.

A cry that evokes primal terror in humans, possessed only by powerful Monsters.

However.

It's different when you wield Aura.

I circulate my Aura, instantly loosening my stiffened body.

Then I climb onto the Ogre's shoulder.

And then.

“Haa…”

I focus all the Aura circulating in my body into my legs.

Just like I practiced countless times, I leap towards the sky.

[Uh, uh…?]

Along with the announcer’s dumbfounded voice,

my body soars towards the Spectator Seats.

[Hey, you bastard-!]

I see a strange barrier in front of the Spectator Seats.

Did they set this up after Alden?

But.

*Kzzzzzzt-*

It's not strong enough to withstand my sword.

I tear the barrier with my sword and land in the Spectator Seats.

“Uh, uh…!”

“Kyaa- Kyaaaak-!”

The spectators, who always looked down on me, scream in terror instead of cheering, scrambling from their seats.

“Haa….”

...I used more Aura than I expected.

Can I escape the Colosseum like this?

I know this is a wealthy city, but I don't know the layout at all.

I was blindfolded on the way here, and Gladiators don't get outings.

Still, I have to try.

I cross the Spectator Seats, searching for an exit.

The one where most people are exiting.

Yeah, there.

Just as I’m about to jump out….

“You’re not getting through!”

“Stop him!”

Reacting swiftly to my appearance, people who look like Colosseum Guards and some spectators block the entrance.

…Roughly twenty of them.

Some of them have unsettling auras.

Breaking through seems impossible.

Even if I do, I can’t expect to be in one piece.

In that case….

I change my plan and turn.

I didn’t want to resort to this… but my back is against the wall now.

I quickly scan for a suitable target, as I planned before.

The weakest and most expensive-looking one in this arena.

Yeah. That girl will do.

I dash towards the girl in the expensive dress with all my might.

“Young Lady!”

“Get away!”

Two men, likely Bodyguards, draw their swords and try to block me.

But I’m desperate now.

I push through them forcefully.

I’m used to walking a tightrope between life and death.

“This bastard…!”

However, they are clearly elite. Instead of panicking, they swing their swords sharply, aiming to take my life.

*Whizz- Swish-*

A frontal thrust, a side slash.

Two blades come at me.

They're imbued with a faint energy, so they must be Aura users too.

…I never heard Aura was this common.

It seems this Young Lady is from a more powerful family than I thought.

Good, she has to be valuable enough to be a Hostage to these Medieval barbarians.

*Clang!!*

I parry the thrusting sword.

I bend my body back sharply to avoid the sword aimed at my throat.

A close call. I almost had my throat slit.

But thanks to the incident where I took the wrong medicine and my senses became supercharged, I was confident I could dodge it.

“...!”

“Young Lady!”

I push past the two men.

“Everyone stay put!”

I hold my Champion-grade sharp sword against the neck of the girl with the luxurious blonde hair.

“You, you bastard…!”

“Do you know who she is?!”

Judging by the agitated reactions, I chose well.

“I don’t give a fuck, just clear the way!”

…I never thought I'd resort to such a cliché Hostage situation.

A Pursuit Squad will come after me once I escape, right?

Since I took a Noble as a Hostage, the Pursuit Squad will be several times larger than I initially anticipated.

...Still, I’m confident in my Escape and Erasing Traces skills.

Magic is a concern, but I won't know until I try.

But then….

“Subdue him, but don't kill him.”

The girl I'm holding hostage says something strange.

Don't kill him?

At that moment.

A chilling sensation makes every nerve in my body scream.

Just as I try to press the sword closer to the girl’s neck.

*Bang!!*

A powerful impact slams my body into a Spectator Seat.

“How dare you.”

Immediately after,

a raspy, old voice rings out.

“*Cough!*”

My entire body is dizzy from the impact.

What hit me?

*Shing.*

While I’m still reeling from the sudden shock,

The two men who were guarding the girl immediately point their swords at my throat.

“We are deeply sorry….”

“Young Lady, we sincerely apologize.”

Their eyes, filled with killing intent, are fixed on me as they apologize to the girl.

And that old man who appeared next to the girl.

He must be the monster who sent me flying.

…This is the end.

Should I have just accepted losing an arm and fought the Ogre?

Or maybe trying to break through the twenty men would have been better.

Anyway.

“No regrets about dying, right?”

This is it.

...It’s ridiculous, even to me.

Isn't this similar to when I failed to escape the Slave market?

Blocked by overwhelming power. A feeling I never experienced in my previous life.

Well, it’s the result of being overconfident in my meager experience and strength. Maybe this was my destined end.

As I sensed the end of my second life,

“I want to keep him.”

“Young Lady?”

The girl's words turn the situation around.

“Hey, you.”

The girl’s strangely glowing red eyes, which I hadn't noticed before because I was focused on her expensive clothes, stare at me.

“Want to be my Dog?”

Or….

“Want to die?”

My answer was obvious.