Chapter 133: Level 666

A new character entered the arena.

This one also wasn’t an opponent to charge at me right away.

A monster that looked like a fusion of a human and a lizard slowly approached me with a sword in its right hand.

A lizardman.

Covered in scarlet scales and with two horns growing from its lizard head it had some resemblance of a dragon.

Naked above the waist he wore baggy trousers. His physique wasn’t that different from mine.

【Appraisal】doesn’t work this time as well. Unlucky.

However, he had that air of the strong about him, so he should be quite skilled.

The weapon…… Eeh? I feel like I already saw it somewhere. I immediately appraise it.

The name is Growing Sword. Skills 【Strong Edge】, 【Blade of Destruction】,【Enduring Blade S】,【Blazing Blade】,【Slashing Wave】.

「Isn’t that Unnamed?! Why are you here!」

I asked, but Unnamed didn’t reply. And he was so noisy on the 12th floor.

Could it be that he has no consciousness anymore?

Or rather, why the lizardman has that swordーー Ah, that’s how it is.

It really bugged me on the 12th floor.

Why a weapon that can grow so strong by merely cutting enemies, was given to me, a challenger.

So the goal was to make a challenger cultivate a weapon, collect it and then let the lizardman use it.

I feel somewhat betrayed. It stings my heart.

The lizardman’s glare changed which became an abrupt start of a deathmatch.

As the lizardman swung Unnamed horizontally it emitted a slashing wave.

「I was the one who made you learn that move though!」

Complaining, I evade it.

Since【Slashing Wave】comes one after another, I end up running around the arena.

I wonder if I can take back the weapon?

Without that all-purpose sword, that’s equally effective both at distance and in close quarters, the fight would be a lot easier.

I guess I’ll focus on evading, for now, aiming at it running out of stamina.

「……Shuuu.」

The lizardman breathes a sigh, silently, yet clearly showing signs of anger. Stopping with ranged attacks, it used the blazing blade.

Parrying【Blazing Blade】means the possibility of being set ablaze, so I would prefer to avoid that. And even without the flames, there is still【Blade of Destruction S】.

With S rank it might easily break my weapon.

I guess I’ll stick to blocking it with the sturdy Champion’s Shield and countering with magic.

Reading the opponent’s movements I guard with the shield.

The lizardman was skilled with a sword, his movements resembled those of someone who trained with it since a tender age.

For a while, it turned in a completely defensive battle for me, but finding a chance, I countered with【Purple Lightning】during a big swing.

The effective range is 3 meters, so it can be easily used in close combat.

「Ugaah……」

Since the enemy received the electric shock, I use this chance to ram the lizardman with the shield. Next, I use my sword to slash off the opponent’s right hand. Its sword fell to the ground along with it.

Since the lizardman was still stunned by the pain, I put away the shield and picked up Unnamed.

「Nice, this is a game-changer.」

During that moment of negligence, the lizardman attacked me with the tail, aiming right at my heart. I barely managed to backstep in time.

Phew, that was close.

Lizards can grow back lost tails, but this lizardman went even further than that.

A new arm grew right away. Liquid-like strings rushed to the ground as if pulled to it by something, forming a new arm.

Left without a weapon, the lizardman, for some reason, instead of attacking me, dashed towards a boulder on the arena and pulverized it.

「That’s a terrific ramming attack……」

If it hits me, I might die.

And back to why the lizardman did that, it seems that it wanted some stones.

Picking one that fit in its hand, the lizardman then threw it at me in a swift motion.

「Ha?」

*ーClang*
The repelled stone flew towards the audience. Raising Unnamed by reflex, I accidentally managed to block the stone.

A complete fluke. The lizardman’s throw was that powerful. I also have【Throwing B】, but he was clearly way above me.

Undoubtedly he has either A or S.

Once again I pull out the shield and cover behind it. Since there was nothing special about those stones, I endured through this and used【Slashing Wave】from Unnamed to counterattack.

「Gyah?!」

One of the attacks hit, slashing the lizardman in two.

I didn’t want something like it growing the lower half to happen, so activating 【Blazing Blade】I slashed off its head.

「Phew, this time I hope it’s over.」

Falling onto my backside I make a weak complaint. If the fourth enemy comes, I guess I’ll just run away.

But what if I’ll have to do this all over again the next time I come……

But those fears proved to be pointless. The host shouted in a vexed voice.

「This is the worst! To think such a brat would kill all of our champions. Can such a thing even be allowed!? But I will open the gate since I don’t want to get killed myself.」

The path to my goal opened. There also were no signs of a possible riot among the audience.

I’ll be on my way while they still haven’t changed their mind.

And while I tried a stealthy getaway, a sight completely unfit for a winner, that annoying host began shouting once again. What is it this time!

「Thi-this is bad!　This is really bad!」

*BOOM*

A roaring sound akin to that of falling lightning. But instead of a natural phenomenon, a black crack appeared in an empty space.

In the blink of an eye, it spread, revealing a pitch-black dimension, then, something riding a red horse appeared from there.

The horse was a fine specimen with a splendid physique, but all my attention went to what was straddling on it.

A man with long black hair. But due to his completely red eyes, one can tell that is not a human.

Clad in armor with no helmet.

The basic color is black, but here and there it’s ornamented with gold. The defense power seems high. The weapon is a spear, once again, black.

「Strong one. Where are you……」

The voice startled me.

I was too focused on appearance, but I have to hurry up and confirm his abilities.

Name: Black Lancer
Level: 666
Skills: Thrust of Annihilation, Hidden Thrust, Spear Throw S, Overall Magic Resistance B.

The only option here is wail in despair.

So the dangerous creature mentioned by Dori-chan is this guy.

You won’t know the outcome unless you try to fight, but with his stats, I don’t feel like I have any chance.

Naturally, Black Lancer is looking for me…… It is what I thought, but he went towards the screaming audience.

His steed easily jumped over the wall, after which he proceeded to stab those running away into their backs.

「What is that?!」

「I don’t want to die! I don’t want to die yetー」

The host was completely out of his mind. As he ran around in a panic, a thrown spear pierced through his head.

With that magnificent spear throw, I can’t help but admire him, despite him being my enemy. I mean, he was at the most outer tier of audience seats and still managed to hit.

Black Lancer sent his horse into a gallop, rushing this way.

「He that fights and runs away may live to fight another day.」

I told myself and dashed towards the passage.

Black Lancer pulled the spear from the host’s head and rushed at me at full speed. The entrance to the passage is right there. I have to make it in time. I’ll die if I don’t!

Entering the passage I spot the sight of the stair further down the corridor.

At the same time, I felt behind me an intense bloodthirst, which made all of the hair on my body stand.

「Cowards will have no escape.」

I blocked the spear thrown from horseback with the flat side of Unnamed.

*CLANG*

An abnormal sound rang, but I wanted to believe.

Since it had【Enduring Blade S】that I created, it shouldn’t break.

But my empty hopes were shattered along with the weapon.

The shockwave knocked me off my feet, sending me tumbling on the floor. The head was spinning, but the only thought in my mind was that I have to run away no matter what I do.

Catching the glances of the stairs at the edge of my vision I adjust my posture and just dash there with all I’ve got.

「…So you are not a weak one.」

I felt like I heard such a mutter. Perhaps it was nothing but my imagination.

Anyway, I reached the stair and managed to escape to the 14th floor.

Upon descending the stairs I ended up in a room with huge doors, but this time I couldn’t calmly inspect it.

Black Lancer also appeared on the floor with Dori-chan.

In other words, he had no restrictions and could appear anywhere.

Naturally, he also should be able to climb down the stairs after me.

Since the floor was now marked as visited, I immediately used Dungeon Portal to return to the second floor. Barely escaping with my life.