Volume 11 Chapter 1 Preparation For The Beast King Martial Arts Tournament
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Ugh, it’s such a hassle and I’m not interested.”
”No way! This is a chance to show off my daughter Iska Low’s strength to the world. The South District Margrave is joining in place of the Fourth Fang, Elkisa, so it’s also a chance to promote her! They say they’re planning to launch a southern expedition soon. I want to make connections so our Hunting Group gets called up then!”
Rosalinda was quick-witted since her mercenary days.
She successfully built a decent-sized Hunting Group and was trying to make it even better.
If I can help her, I think I might use my hated Devour ability.
”A skilled Hunting Group Leader is different, you know!”
I walked with Rosalinda, who was holding my hand, toward her house.
* * *
*Talia’s perspective
”What’s the status of the participants for the Beast King Tournament?”
I was at the entrance of the Beast King Temple, where the registration was happening.
The tournament was to celebrate Lady Elkisa’s marriage to Sir Kent, but the main goal was to secure Lady Elkisa’s influence and find brave warriors from the Garuda Clan for the southern expedition, to recommend to Sir Kent and expand the clan’s power.
I was anxious as I checked with the wolf-woman at the registration desk.
If not enough participants showed up, the Garuda Clan’s status in the South District would be in danger.
”Lady Talia, you don’t need to be so anxious. Participants are gathering quickly! This time, more than half of the top ten spots are still open. We have way more registrations than the eastern event!”
The wolf-woman showed me the thick registration book filled with names.
It was clear that many participants had signed up, just as she said.
In the recent Gertroud War, chaos swept through the east.
Out of the ten members of the Garuda Elite, only 3 survived: the Fourth Fang ‘Blue Fang Elkisa’ who fled to the South District, the Seventh Fang ‘Green Fang Aladdin’ who was hunting monsters there, and the Tenth Fang ‘Dark Blue Fang Dihart’ who teaches martial arts in the Capital City.
The other 7 were either killed in battle or executed by Gertroud.
The vacant 7 seats were the First Fang ‘White Steel Fang’, the Second Fang ‘Black Fang’, the Third Fang ‘Red Fang’, the Fifth Fang ‘Blue Fang’, the Sixth Fang ‘Scarlet Fang’, the Eighth Fang ‘Purple Fang’, and the Ninth Fang ‘Yellow Fang’.
My father ruled as the ‘White Steel Fang’ for a long time and was the leader of the Garuda Clan, but he died in battle fighting alongside Gertroud.
”Well… I hope that’s okay…”
”Also, it seems that Sir Nokin, the leader of the Garuda Principality, will be joining this time. I just received a letter by fast horse saying they are preparing a Dragonewt to welcome him.”
”W-What!? Why is Lord Nokin coming here!?”
”Why? Because an invitation was sent from Lady Elkisa, of course.”
I exaggeratedly gasped, not caring about the curious look from the receptionist girl.
This was because Nokin, the leader of the Garuda Clan, was eyeing Gwain and the northeastern lands, and I thought he wouldn’t participate in this Beast King Tournament.
…That scheming fox must have put this idea in his head.
Ugh, this is a hassle… Since Lady Elkisa has officially invited him, we can’t just send him away.
I need to stir up Lady Miriallia to gather the full strength of the Blackdagger family to ensure Sir Kent takes the First Fang position.
”Y-Yes, that’s right. Lord Nokin is the recognized leader of the Garuda Clan by Lady Elkisa. We really need him to participate in this Beast King Tournament…”
”I’ve heard he’s incredibly strong, supposedly from the South District where he used to Monster Hunt. Loads of people know him, like dozens. Especially Mr. Hendric, the Hunting Group Leader of the ‘Golden Apostles’. He’s coming back from Felward Fortress just to join in.”
The receptionist’s words made my ears perk up.
I knew Nokin used to Monster Hunt in the South District from the girls in Ms. Lina’s ‘Astral Valkyrie’ Private Hunting Group, but I hadn’t heard about any ties with Hendric, the Hunting Group Leader of the ‘Golden Apostles’, the top Hunting Group in the South District.
”Do you know if Lord Hendric and Lord Nokin have some sort of connection?”
”Yeah, well, I’m not just a receptionist. I gather information too…”
The receptionist giggled and pulled out a small notebook-like thing from her clothes.
”This time, the Beast King Tournament will be held at the new arena, so gathering information to sell to bookies can be a nice little earner. Keep this a secret from Lady Elkisa, okay? I wouldn’t want to get in trouble… Lady Talia would understand, though, right?”
The receptionist in front of me seemed like a South District native, using her wits for a living.
She looks serious and well-behaved, but it seems she’s quite the opposite on the inside.
”I’ll keep it a secret. Can you tell me about the connection between Lord Nokin and Lord Hendric?”
I am also in charge of the temple, given authority by Lady Elkisa.
If things get too bad, I will take action, but this time, I will let it slide in exchange for some information.
”It’s a story about the two of them. Well, I found out that they trained under the same sword master. There was some trouble, and it seems Mr. Hendric really dislikes Lord Nokin.”
”Same master… Considering their ages, Mr. Hendric must be the younger disciple.”
”That’s right. By the way, the sword master was a high disciple of Sword Master Dalmoth, named Belholt Remarque.”
I remembered the name of the sword master the receptionist mentioned and tried to dig up my memories of that person.
I recalled reading somewhere that he was the swordsmanship instructor under the Margrave of South District before Sir Arbalest.
”He was the swordsmanship instructor for the previous… no, the one before last Margrave. I wonder if he is still alive?”
The receptionist leaned closer and whispered to me.
”No, he has passed away. He died in prison ten years ago during a family conflict, just like Sir Akebus. It seems the source of their feud was his daughter.”
”Belholt Remarque’s daughter?”
”Yes, apparently she was Sir Nokin’s former fiancée. Sir Nokin was supposed to protect her after Belholt Remarque died, but he couldn’t save her from an assassin, and Mr. Hendric couldn’t forgive him for that. After that, they kept clashing. When Mr. Hendric heard that Lady Alonsa became the main wife, he was furious and shouted, ‘I’ll kill him!’”
…This is good information.
If Hendric and Nokin face off, it should be a close match.
Even if Hendric wins, he will be worn out, which will help Sir Kent win…
I was in charge of the Beast King Tournament’s matchups, and I just started preparing to help Sir Kent secure the first seat safely based on the information I just got.
”That’s good information. I will let this slide this time, but if you are too obvious, I can’t protect you, so try not to be too loud about it.”
”…Yes. I understand. I will continue gathering information, so if you want to know anything, please ask. I will provide it for free to Lady Talia.”
The receptionist girl bowed her head and went back to her work.
”Try not to stand out too much. If I can’t protect you anymore, I will cut you off without mercy… Know your place and do your job.”
I quietly warned the receptionist girl, just loud enough for her to hear as I turned my back to return to my work.
~New Character~
• Rosalinda Row
– Race: Garuda Clan (Cat Type)
– Age: 35
– Role: Hunting Group Leader of *Déraciné*
– Relation: Stepmother of Iska Low
– Background: Daughter of a small eastern lord, became a mercenary, trained in two-handed weapons
– Current: Founded a monster-hunting group after moving to the South District
– Personality: Cares deeply for her adopted daughter Iska but respects her freedom and doesn’t complain about her wandering
—
• Belholt Remarque
– Age: 46
– Race: Human (Sword Master)
– Background: Last high disciple of Dalmoth
– Specialization: Dual-wielding sword style based on Dalmoth’s techniques (Asura Clan style)
– Role: Swordsmanship instructor for Margrave Dwaid
– Legacy: Ran a dojo teaching various students; Nokin and Hendric were his pupils
– Note: Nokin was engaged to his daughter and chosen as Belholt’s successor
—
• Iska Row
– Race: Garuda Clan (Panther Species)
– Age: 25
– Height: 176 cm
– Weight: 50 kg
– B: 72 | W: 63 | H: 80 | Cup Size: B
– Hair: Short black, dull, long bangs, animal ears
– Eyes: Amber
– Skin: Normal tone; black fur from wrists to shoulders and ankles to thighs
– Speech Style: Casual
– Motto: “Don’t refuse those who come, don’t chase those who leave.”
A registered free solo Hunter of the Garuda Clan, identified as a black panther (cat type).
She takes occasional bodyguard work but has no real interest in status or money, living a life of freedom and solitude.
Her figure is tall and slim with small breasts, a husky voice, and a direct personality that makes it hard to tell her gender at a glance.
Though she can mix with strangers easily, she avoids forming deeper bonds. She says of herself: “I’m just broken.”
For over a decade, she’s wandered without a home, and only her stepmother Rosalinda knows why.
She loves good food and eats a lot, but her cooking skills remain hopeless.
—
Iska Row
Race: Garuda Clan (Panther / Cat Type)
Age: 25
Card Color: Purple
Card Info: 9/24
HR: 1
Remaining Skill Points: 0
Combat Jobs:
– Warrior: Level 36
– Swordsman: Level 21
– Beast Fighter: Level 25
– Fist Fighter: Level 40
– Beast Fist Master: Level 22
– Devourer: Level 77
General Jobs:
– Citizen: Level 25
– Cook: Level 15
– Wanderer: Level 9
Modifier Skills:
– Vitality Increase II: Level 10
– Intuition III: Level 20
– Agility Increase II: Level 10
– Strength Increase II: Level 10
– Dexterity Increase II: Level 10
– Martial Arts II: Level 10
– Natural Healing: Level 20
– Always in Battle: Level 30
Combat Skills:
– Air Bullet: Level 10
– Swordsmanship II: Level 10
– Sword Flash: Level 10
– Unyielding: Level 10
– Break Fist Wave Palm: Level 15
– Devour Madness: Level 15
– Devour Fury: Level 30
– Devour Possession (Gift Skill)
General Skills:
– Detection III: Level 20
– Aura Perception: Level 10
– Camping Technique II: Level 10
– Cooking I: Level 5
– Herb Gathering I: Level 5
Equipment:
– Right Hand: Killer Bee (Single-edged Dagger)
– Left Hand: Queen Bee (Single-edged Dagger)
– Armor: Black Wolf Fur Armor (Top and Bottom)
– Accessory: Old Medallion
Languages:
– Western Language
– Beast Language
Reading Comprehension:
– Western Language
– Beast Language
Titles:
– Devourer… The Top of the Food Chain
– Rootless Grass
—
~New Job~
Devourer
A job only for the panther species, obtained under specific conditions.
This job cannot be erased.
Unique Job
• Physical Strength Up
• Strength Up
• Speed Up
• Intelligence Down
Job Trait:
During battle, by devouring monsters or ‘another world monsters’, you gain great combat power for a short time, at the cost of a big drop in enemy and ally identification ability.
If you keep devouring within the time limit, the madness status deepens, and the time until it wears off also increases.
If you devour a Beast Monster, you shift to a fury status and completely lose the ability to identify enemies and allies.
The condition to unlock is for a panther to devour a monster, ‘another world monster’, or Beast Monster before reaching adulthood.
You cannot equip mineral or metal armor, and if you do not devour for a long time, you will suffer from a hunger that cannot be healed.
—
Beast Fist Fighter
A higher job of Fist Fighter exclusive to the Garuda Clan,
with increased speed and a job trait that boosts unarmed attack power by 50%.
—
Wanderer
A General Job gained by living freely without a base for over 10 years.
Job level increases by 1 for each year of wandering after learning it.
Job Trait:
Increases Physical Strength recovery speed and stamina while camping.
—
~New Skill~
[Always on the Battlefield]
Avoid fatal blows during ambush or assassination with a 50% chance (it works alongside Intuition).
• Cost: 30 Skill Points
• Modifier Skills
—
[Devour Possession]
Temporarily boosts combat power by devouring monsters or ‘another world monsters’ and Beast Monsters.
The boost rate changes depending on the strength of the devoured target.
• Cost: 30 Skill Points
• Combat Skills, Rare Skill
—
[Breaking Fist Wave Palm]
A super close combat skill that attacks with fists and palm strikes wrapped in fighting spirit.
Breaking Fist is a powerful strike focused on one point, while Wave Palm sends shockwaves that spread and penetrate the target.
Ignores opponent’s defense and boosts unarmed attack power by 100%.
• Cost: 15 Skill Points
• Combat Skills
—
[Devour Frenzy]
A skill that grants a significant boost in combat power for a limited time by devouring monsters or ‘another world monsters.’
During the frenzy, you cannot tell friend from foe.
Effects can be extended and boosted by devouring different individuals.
• Cost: 15 Skill Points
• Combat Skills
—
[Devour Madness]
Gain immense combat power for a limited time by devouring Beast Monsters.
You lose the ability to identify friend from foe during the madness.
Effects can be extended and boosted by devouring different individuals.
• Cost: 30 Skill Points
• Combat Skills
—
~Title~
Apex of the Food Chain (Title)
A sign that you have devoured over 100 monsters and ‘another world monsters,’
then devoured a Beast Monster to reach the madness status.
—
Rootless Grass (Title)
Proof of having spent over 5 years with the General Job Wanderer.
—
~Monster~
Fenrir Noir
A Rank S beast monster, a mature beast that appeared from a mix of ‘another world monster’ and monsters.
It boasts incredible speed and high intelligence, hunting prey while blending into the darkness as the strongest wolf-like creature.
It doesn’t have special attacks like breath or poison,
but its extraordinary speed and claws can tear through steel like paper, ravaging its prey.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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