Chapter 28
After the battle between Shuka and Nana, the event progresses uneventfully without any particularly remarkable incidents occurring.
And so, after several reductions of the safe zone, the number of players is narrowed down to three.
The final safe zone is in the middle of the forest.
At last, it’s the final phase.
「The battle royale is in its final stages! Now then, let’s introduce the players who have survived up to this point in order! First up is this person – Kaiser!」
The young and refreshing handsome man appears on the main screen.
It’s Kaiser, the pro gamer and popular streamer who defeated Elena.
「As expected from a pro gamer! He has easily survived up to this point with overwhelming strength!」
(I bet he’ll be the winner.)
Since his match against Elena, Kaiser has appeared on screen numerous times and has won decisively each time.
He has done so without using any major skills.
Based on his inherently calm and quick-witted fighting style, Isamu predicts that Kaiser will win.
Looking down at his tablet, the viewers watching the broadcast seem to have the same idea.
「Next is Rayleigh! With his fierce determination, he has advanced to this final stage through narrow victories!」
The screen switches to show a large man holding a staff.
(Oh, it’s that scary guy. Amazing, he’s managed to win all the way to this point.)
「The last player is this person! Unfortunately, the timing was bad and he didn’t appear on the broadcast, but he has impressively survived up to this point! Takashi!」
The moment the final player is shown, Isamu’s eyes widen in surprise.
Walking through the forest while looking around is the handsome middle-aged man he met on release day.
It’s Takashi, who had asked about the game because he wanted to teach his son.
(I-It’s Mr. Takashi! I can’t believe Mr. Takashi was also participating in the event! And he’s survived until the end! Whoa, seriously?!)
Even though they only talked once and are mere acquaintances, Isamu is somehow happy that Takashi has survived.
He would like Takashi to win as is, but-
(Ah, but there’s no way he can beat Kaiser. Well, but he’s in the top 3 so he’ll still get a prize. I’m sure his son will be happy too. Good for you Mr. Takashi.)
「These three players have survived up to this point! Now then, which player will grasp victory? …Oh, Kaiser and Rayleigh have already clashed!」
The main screen switches again, capturing the two facing each other among the trees.
『Crimson hellfire! Engulf my enemies and reduce them to ashes!』
『Rock, rise up and become a sturdy shield to protect me!』
Rayleigh begins chanting first, followed by Kaiser.
『Inferno Blaze!』
『Stone Wall!』
Immediately after Rayleigh speaks the skill name, a huge fireball heads towards Kaiser.
But a moment later, as Kaiser also activates his magic, a wall of rock emerges from the ground and intercepts the fireball.
It’s the exact same situation as with Elena.
(Huh. So that guy has leveled up not only dark magic, but fire magic too. Inferno Blaze is the third fire magic spell you learn, so he must be quite high level.)
「Rayleigh unleashes a powerful skill! But Kaiser easily blocks it with his trademark magic!」
『Crimson hellfire! Engulf my enemies and reduce them to ashes!』
『Rock, rise up and become a sturdy shield to protect me!』
Immediately, Rayleigh begins chanting Inferno Blaze again.
In response, Kaiser also starts chanting Stone Wall once more.
(Hm? The same skill again even though it failed before? What were you, Rayleigh?)
『Inferno Blaze!』
『Stone Wall!』
As if replayed, the same thing happens again, and the huge fireball flies towards the emerging rock wall.
At the same time, Rayleigh opens his menu window and quickly moves his hand.
Then, the staff he was holding vanishes, and a large sword appears in front of him instead.
Rayleigh grabs the greatsword and kicks off the ground.
Meanwhile, Kaiser smiles behind the wall of rock that intercepted the second fireball.
However, the moment the rock wall vanishes, Kaiser’s face suddenly becomes grim.
And for good reason – Rayleigh, who was holding a staff until a moment ago, is now closing the distance with a greatsword in hand. It’s no wonder he’s surprised.
『Flip Slash!』
Rayleigh leaps high into the air and unleashes the greatsword skill Flip Slash – a vertical spinning slash – at the stunned Kaiser.
Even the usually nimble Kaiser is unable to react and takes the attack head-on.
『…Not bad! I can’t believe you switched weapons mid-battle.』
Kaiser remarks while backstepping to create distance.
「T-This is amazing! Rayleigh was hiding a trump card!」
「Wow, that was surprising…」
Even Isamu unintentionally mutters at Rayl’s unexpected action.
(But just how high level is that guy…?)
At the same time, that question crossed his mind.
Evil Hand, which Rayleigh used right after the event started, is the second dark magic spell.
Inferno Blaze from earlier is the third fire magic spell.
On top of that, Flip Slash just now is the second greatsword skill.
Learning all of these simultaneously requires a considerable amount of skill points.
In other words, it means his level is quite high.
『You bet!』
Rayleigh replies while rushing towards Kaiser.
『Rock, rise up and become a sturdy shield to protect me!』
In contrast, Kaiser begins chanting Stone Wall for the third time.
『Flip Slash!』
However, he doesn’t make it in time, and Rayl’s greatsword swings down at Kaiser before the rock wall appears.
―At that moment.
『Stone Wall!』
『What?!』
Kaiser activates Stone Wall while grinning.
Rocks rapidly extend vertically from the ground, colliding with Rayleigh who was somersaulting high above.
Carried upwards while riding on the rock, after a brief pause, the rock vanishes and Rayleigh is ejected into the air.
And at the falling Rayl-
『Quick Tilt!』
Kaiser executes rapid thrusts with the spear in his hand.
Naturally unable to dodge, Rayleigh takes the hits directly. Perhaps because his remaining HP was low to begin with, he eventually disintegrates into particles and disappears.
『Thank you for the match!』
「Match settled!! Kaiser is the victor! My, my, that was quite the spectacle! Sieg, what did you think?」
「That was incredible… I never imagined using Stone Wall like that. Knowing Kaiser, I’m sure he did it deliberately, but I would have never thought of that. Brilliant move.」
「Right?! As expected of Kaiser! But even in defeat, Rayleigh was brilliant too! Everyone watching, give them both a round of applause!!」
Perhaps excited by the heated match, Teshigawara spoke in an enthusiastic tone.
(Hm, hold on. Come to think of it, where’s Mr. Takashi… Ah!)
Remembering Takashi, who had completely slipped his mind, Isamu looks closely at the screen and sees the handsome middle-aged man right behind Kaiser, who had just lifted his head.
Grasped in both of Takashi’s hands are daggers-
『Assassin Attack!』
The black-dyed daggers stab into Kaiser as he swiftly turns around.
At that instant, Kaiser disintegrates into particles.
「「Ah…」」
Isamu and Teshigawara utter simultaneously.
A moment of silence follows, then-
「…Ahem, match settled! Takashi has defeated Kaiser! This concludes the battle royale! The winner is Takashi!! Everyone, please give a big round of applause to Takashi and all the participating players!」
And so, Dream Fantasy’s inaugural event came to an end.
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