In Tartar, illegal dumping of trash, especially human bodies, incurs a hefty fine.
Hector said that Tartarians fight every day, so shouldn’t they be stopped with money?
As a result, most Tartarians avoid fights out of fear of losing money.
‘Looks like the dueling arena is no exception.’
Following Hector’s instructions, I awkwardly moved Uro’s corpse—no, his body.
Before long, guides arrived with a stretcher to take Uro away. They were probably going to treat him.
His ribs are shattered, and he has numerous wounds all over his body. It’ll take time to recover.
“Can I ask a few questions before we start?”
Now that the trash—I mean Uro—has been cleared, it’s time to duel Hector. I nodded at his words.
In the Soul World, Hector had heard of Ragnarok. But now, he was unarmed.
It seems he still can’t wield Ragnarok. Seeing this made me a little worried.
“Did you like Tartar?”
In the meantime, Hector brought up the question. Whether I liked Tartar.
It’s a question he can naturally ask as a king. Still, I sensed a subtle emotion behind his words.
Anxiety and concern. It sounded confident at first glance, but there was a hint of negativity.
It felt like a questioning of whether he was ruling correctly. That kind of feeling.
“Yes. I like it.”
“What part?”
“The food is tasty, and the people are kind.”
“Is that so…”
Did he notice something weird? Hector’s eyes widened abruptly as he paused mid-sentence.
I didn’t mean to say that on purpose. I thought I was used to Tartar language, but apparently not.
Or maybe I twisted my words while thinking of something else. So, I quickly corrected myself.
“I’m sorry. The people are kind, and the food is delicious.”
“I see. But wasn’t there someone who insulted you? That guy who’s supposedly the younger brother of the lord of Bouar?”
“There are jerks everywhere. Those who are neither civilized nor barbaric are just jerks.”
“Jerks, huh… I see.”
Hector chuckled. He seemed to relate.
I picked up a weapon that had fallen to the ground with heavy steps. A one-handed hammer with a short handle.
I hadn’t used it until now, but since it’s Hector, I figured I should. The difference between having a weapon and not is substantial.
“What is that weapon?”
“Just a temporary one.”
“A temporary one? It looks formidable, though. Did Old Bor make it for you?”
“I don’t know the name.”
I don’t know the name of the blacksmith who gave me the weapon. I just got it unexpectedly.
Hector shrugged, seemingly indifferent, and prepared his stance. It looked like he intended to fight barehanded for now.
To the Tartarians, it might seem like he’s imposing a sort of penalty on himself. In fact, Hector does have a penalty.
He must be struggling to figure out if he’s a king or a warrior. Given that he can’t wield Ragnarok, it’s halfway certain.
‘He shows all his weaknesses in the Soul World…’
Dueling Hector in the Soul World usually ends quite blandly.
Hector often gets distracted mid-fight, causing him to take a few hits.
Thanks to his unique durability, he rarely gets bruised, but the Tartarians start to wonder.
Why did the king they knew become so weak? That feeling ignites the hardliners.
‘And right now, that hardliner got beaten like a dog.’
Things might be different now. Since I hit Hector with a heavy fact the last time we met.
How he receives that fact will make a difference. That’s why I couldn’t help but feel tense.
“Now, let me ask my next question.”
“Are we not fighting?”
“That’s important.”
If he says it’s important, there’s no way around it. Still, I didn’t forget to linger around, not knowing when it will start.
It’s a kind of scouting phase. Hector also started to scrutinize me from head to toe.
“There are many fascinating systems in civilization, many of which should be emulated.”
“If you think so.”
“Then, in your opinion, which system does Tartar need the most?”
Why is he suddenly giving me a pop quiz? I squinted, unable to comprehend.
It seemed Hector anticipated my reaction, smirking enigmatically.
“If you don’t answer, there’s no duel.”
Now that’s a bit of a threat mixed in with it. I have no choice but to answer.
‘A necessary system, huh…’
Honestly, I don’t know. I didn’t major in politics, so what system are we talking about?
Moreover, this world is a fantasy realm. The Earth’s systems would be hard to fit in here.
I’ve heard jokingly that democracy could never be implemented since how could a sword saint and a farmer have equal votes?
“I don’t know.”
“You don’t know?”
“Yes. I don’t.”
Above all, I prefer moving around to sitting at a desk studying.
So I could confidently answer. Besides, I had a suitable excuse.
“It has only been a year. A year since I came out of the forest.”
“Oh. I see. I’d forgotten.”
Hector nodded, seemingly convinced by my words. His expression showed understanding.
Now that the questions seem over, I wonder if it’s time to fight. The spectators seem to want that too.
“No, wait. For just a year, this is pretty impressive.”
“Yeah?”
“It’s praise. I’ve rambled on for too long. It’s about time we start.”
It’s praise, but it feels loaded with nuance. At least that’s the vibe I get.
However, Hector could very well be mistaken. On the surface, I’ve transitioned from the wilderness to civilization.
Doubtless not just Hector, but countless others likely think the same. Hence the high evaluation.
‘At least Luna is aware, but…’
Curiously, Luna hasn’t blabbed about anything really important. If anything, she only adds to the confusion.
It’s a bit unclear whether she’s tight-lipped. Her mouth is chaos itself.
-Kuwoong!
“?!”
Just when my mind started to wander. Suddenly, I felt a pressure like a weight pressing on my shoulder.
As soon as I felt that pressure, I turned to look at Hector.
-Pazik! Pazizik!
Two fists were wrapped in a blue lightning glow. A completely different level than a dancer’s.
The lightning glowed so brightly it was almost white. Not just that, but Hector himself radiated danger.
An ominous aura I hadn’t felt from Uro, the burning trash. A murderous energy that felt like it would choke me was emanating.
The kind of energy fitting for the “Destruction King,” known for destroying everything in his path. That energy was now focused on me.
“Oh, by the way, did I forget? How’s that squirrel doing?”
“······Yes.”
“I should say hi later, of course…”
-Pazik!
It was a flash. All of a sudden, a dazzling light exploded in front of me, making all the hair on my body stand on end.
Wilderness instinct shouted urgently. It told me to pick up Mjolnir and block right now.
I didn’t ignore my instincts. As I lifted Mjolnir and got in a defensive stance…
“If I can just live.”
Hector extended his lightning-filled fist toward me.
-Kwang!
Even though I hastily blocked with Mjolnir, my whole frame was shoved back dramatically. What a terrifying impact.
At least I was fortunate not to go flying. Though pushed back, my two feet remained planted on the ground.
“Phew.”
I lowered Mjolnir and looked at Hector. His fists still crackled with lightning.
They looked almost like gloves made of lightning. Even without Ragnarok, the power of the lightning suffices.
Having fought numerous battles, I’d say my unarmed combat skills are top-tier. Not as good as Rize, but not far behind either.
‘I can handle it. But…’
What bothered me was Hector’s words just before he punched me. That “if I can just live” was a dangerous statement.
Both the heavy murderous intent and that earlier remark were troubling. But I was still lacking.
So, I rotated the magic power within my body to strengthen myself. It’s too early to reveal the Red Magic.
Rod and Rize had advised against it. They said to avoid showing Red Magic as much as possible.
‘Maybe Red Lightning would be okay?’
I thought that much, but couldn’t finish my thoughts.
Hector lunged at me with lightning speed. Just like before, he aimed a powerful punch at me.
Even at lightning speed, it’s still a punch. A punch targeted directly at my face.
I tilted my head just in time to dodge. My face stung, perhaps from the electricity.
‘Wait, did he just try to smash my head?’
There was no mercy. Hector was genuinely trying to kill me.
I wondered if this was revenge for the last time, but no, Hector isn’t that petty.
First, I should counterattack. I grabbed Hector’s arm as it flew past my face.
I planned to smash it down with my hammer to break his arm.
-Beok!
But I kicked first to push him back. Since I somewhat anticipated this, he easily stumbled back.
However, that kick was infused with lightning, sending him flying a bit further. His will to defeat me was quite apparent.
I couldn’t make sense of it. In the Soul World, he fought sluggishly to the point of laziness.
And now? It’s the complete opposite. Hector was fighting with everything he had to try and kill me.
“…Are you serious about this?”
I said to Hector while brushing off my stomach with my hand. It was a confirmation of sorts.
At my question, Hector solemnly nodded. His expression was dead serious.
Why? It leaves no room for doubt. Fighting seriously here could genuinely lead to death.
‘Unlike last time, he’s prepared for this, so the outcome might differ, but…’
Still, Hector is determined to give it his all. I want to ask the reason behind this.
“Are you serious?”
“Yeah.”
“Are you trying to get yourself killed or something?”
I asked incredulously. The response I got was even more absurd.
“Yeah.”
“··· ···”
“Looks like that’s the only way I can get an answer.”
-Pazik!
The lightning wrapped around Hector’s hands intensified even more.
He hasn’t enveloped his whole body yet, but even that is quite threatening.
“If you want to die, go bother Rod or Rize…”
“Those guys are just ridiculously strong.”
“··· ···”
“I think I need someone of similar strength to gain answers.”
What a strangely reasonable reply. True, both of them are ridiculously strong.
If they’re fighting at full strength? Either I or Hector would be sliced right in half.
“If you don’t kill me…”
“··· ···”
“I’ll pluck out my heart and throw it at you. So come on.”
Hearing those words, I couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Are you out of your mind?”
But because of that, I felt compelled to give it my all.
Hector right now isn’t a king; he’s a ‘warrior’ prepared for death.
-Pazik!
A weak lightning crackle began to ripple through Mjolnir.