When the two teams reappeared in the arena, everyone applauded. Not just for the winning orc team, but also for the vampire team who lost. They had both shown a strong fighting spirit. Even Pallas looked pleased.
The tournament ended with this team match, the orc team would be going into the finals facing the human team, which would be held tomorrow. Everyone left with great anticipation for the final matches tomorrow.
The orc team went back to their quarters. They walked together with the orc native representatives. After arriving in their quarter, they parted ways and went to their own rooms. Abasi Raretooth, who was one of the natives, went into his room with another native who was older and appeared to be of higher station.
Once inside the room, Abasi locked the door and said to this other native, "Father, I'm afraid the assassination had failed. That human healer girl is still in the audience today."
"When that human assassin didn't return to report last night, the result is obvious already," Abasi's father, whose name was Abdu Raretooth, said. "Once we returned, organize a team to hunt him down. His failure meant that he had most likely been found out by the Council of Virtus. And since we are not yet disqualified, it meant he has escaped as well. He won't dare to return to the Assassins Guild since he has taken a freelance job unsanctioned by the guild, even offending this divine faction. He won't have a place to go."
"I'm rather surprised he is willing to take this risky job in the first place," Abasi said.
Abdu chuckled. "He owed me a favor. The guy's a fool but he keeps his words. Anyway, now that he is found out, he is useless anymore. He should be eliminated before this faction gets to him and force him to spill everything. We can just deny since he is of the human race, but I still prefer not to get that kind of heat. Now, about the assassination attempt. Since it has failed, how confident are you in that outworlder's team representing our nation?"
"Under normal circumstances, I would say they would have the best chance of winning," Abasi answered. "But that multi-class outworlder from the human team, his power is beyond what normal outworlders have at the same level. His existence throws normal sense to the wind."
"Then our team should just follow what the dwarf's team does. Eliminate all others and evade that multi-class human until the time runs out."
"… I'm afraid our outworlders won't abide by this tactic."
"Hmph! Why do you get such thickheaded outworlders to represent us anyway?"
"… Because they are the best there is in our nation."
"We can't lose to the human team. The team match's outcome is the most prestigious. Any other country as the victor is still fine as long as it is not the human's one. That's why I have taken the risk of bringing that human assassin when we came here. The human prestige will increase if they win this tournament. Our proposal to the Council of Ten to invade Themisphere will get a setback if that happens. The other chiefs who disagree with the invasion will just use this excuse as a sign that we will lose if we invade."
"I understand, I will talk with our outworlder team again," Abasi said.
"Tell them we will give more incentives if they win. That should encourage them to do everything necessary to win," Abdu suggested.
"Yes, father…"
*
Jack was heading to the Temple of Courage to do the Ancient Battleground again. Paytowin was nowhere to be seen after the matches ended. Jack had sent him a message asking him for his whereabouts. Paytowin asked Jack to just come to the temple. He would be waiting at the entrance of the temple.
When he was close to the entrance, he was surprised to find another person there waiting with Paytowin.
"Oh… Hi! What are you doing here?" Jack asked that person next to Paytowin.
"I heard you two have been entering this cool dimension called ancient battleground. I am here to join you two," Grace said.
"You do?" Jack looked at Paytowin, who just shrugged and then looked away.
"You know you have to pay coins to enter, right?" Jack asked.
"I have the coins," Grace answered.
"The exp points are meager and the rewards are shitty," Jack said again.
"I will be the judge myself. Why do I have the feeling that you don't want me to join?"
"You are just imagining it. We are glad to have you! What are we waiting for? Let's go!" Jack said and gave Paytowin a questioning glance. Paytowin turned away again.
As they walked towards the hall. Jack asked Grace, "Where do you hear about this ancient battleground anyway?"
"He mentioned it when we talked," Grace was pointing at Paytowin. "When I express my interest to join, he happily invited me."
Paytowin felt like crying. Grace had literally come to him and demanded to be told where he and Jack had gone to every afternoon after the matches. She practically threatened him to be allowed to join. He had been worried when he asked Myson about letting another outsider into the ancient battleground. Surprisingly, Myson allowed it. But his faction points were deducted, though. He felt like being the friend of these two was getting more and more expensive by the day.
While Paytowin was lamenting, he received a silent message from Jack, 'Hey, you are okay bringing extra people? Then can I ask my friends to join as well? We can bring a maximum of ten, right?'
'No, no! Please don't, brother! Just the three of us!' Paytowin hurriedly replied. He would be dead broke if more players are joining.
Paytowin then sent another message, 'I'm excited. It felt like the old gang again.'
'Me too,' Jack replied. 'She doesn't know yet about me, does she?'
'No, she doesn't,' Paytowin lied.
Paytowin explained the general outlines of the ancient battleground to Grace as he prepared the device. Once the portal appeared, the three entered. Once inside, Grace had the same astonished eyes as Jack had when he first laid eyes on the battlefield.
Her attention stayed on the mass of blackness in the distance for a long while. "All of those are our enemies?" She asked.
"There will be more appearing from behind," Jack answered. "Don't expect getting a good result here. It's an impossible mission. Just enjoy the battle."
"If so, then why do you keep on entering this place?" Grace asked.
"I am training my mana manipulation here," Jack replied.
"What's that? First, it's mana sense. Now, it's mana manipulation."
"You will see when the battle started. Let's go to the frontline."
The three ran forward and waited with the other battlefront soldiers.
"Why don't we go to that side? The golden armies there looked much stronger," Grace asked.
"So, you spot them as well," Jack said. He then explained to her the pros and cons of fighting around the golden knights.
"The two of you can focus on getting the one thousand kills. I will practice my mana manipulation," Jack told them.
Paytowin equipped his gun and mechanical dagger then called out his Brave King, which impressed Grace the same way the techno golem impressed Jack the first time he laid eyes on it. Grace readied her mace and shield. Jack called out his Therras and ten wolves but otherwise did nothing else.
When Grace saw Jack didn't ready any weapons, she asked, "Why are you not getting ready?"
"I'm already ready," Jack answered with a grin.
"Don't bother about him. You will see," Paytowin said.
The black armies soon crashed with the soldiers in front of them. The battlefield soon turned chaotic. Some enemies broke through and the three engaged them. Same as yesterday, Jack fought with punches and kicks.
"I thought you said his classes were Blade Dancer, Archmage, and Beastmaster? Did he also have Battle Monk class?" Grace asked Paytowin.
"That is his mana manipulation," Paytowin answered.
"It's that chi thing the martial artists of our world like to sell when they performed things that bordered on superhuman feat. Apparently, this world enhanced that ability. It also allows one without the battle monk class to cause damage even when not using a weapon."
Grace thought about Paytowin's explanation, then said, "Is that how that human Weapon Master from earlier today defeat his opponent despite using a punch? Even one punch for that matter."
"Yes. And for your information, that Weapon Master is that guy's grandfather."
Grace turned to Jack and uttered, "Teach me this mana manipulation method!"
Jack was rather taken aback by her sudden request that he got a slash from the enemy he was facing. "Uh… My grandfather will gladly teach you if you wish to learn, but you will have to join my guild."
"All right, I will join," Grace said without hesitation.
