Awakening to a Special-Grade Explorer
Vol. 5 - Ch. 222 - Final Preliminary (1) - Catching Up With an Old Friend

The shadow that suddenly jumped into Tenji's vision was of a doll. However it wasn't the tiny doll that kids like, but quite a huge one, like the mannequin used as a showpiece in the shops to display their clothes.

The mannequin—which had just suddenly creeped out of the thicket that was around 10m in distance from him—was quite short compared to Tenji, maybe somewhere around 180cm.

Manequin's joint made a creaking sound as it rose itself from the ticket, turning its featureless face in the direction of Tenji. For a moment, Tenji felt like a wave of gaze washing over him, even though the mannequin was supposed to had no eyes, when their faces looked at each other.

"I guess you'd react to me, huh......Mannequin-kun. But the act of attacking from participants is forbidden, the same goes for me too. In that case---you're not an assassin from participants."

Although he knew there wouldn't be any reply, Tenji still felt like posing the question, a fearless grin on his face.

In the same fashion as a puppet being controlled by invisible threads, Mannequin got up with robotic movements. It was as if it had suddenly harboured a will now, flipping the switch of hostility inside it. The next moment, that hostility showered at Tenji like heavy downpour.

Tenji, who also noticed it at the same instant, lowered his waist and prepared to battle. He put his hand on the hilt of his weapon fitted inside the weapon case, slinging on his right shoulder, ready to draw it out at any moment.

(Hmm? That hollow hole in the chest of a mannequin...doesn't it seem similar to fingerprint verification hole? No wait, it's practically the same thing!)

On the centre of Manequin's chest, a depression similar to the fingerprint verification system similar to what he had seen in the explanation video was carved on. Tenji was sure he wasn't mixing things.

Tenji replayed the content of the explanation video inside his mind and sure enough, Renji Ukai never once stated points could only be obtained from mech watermelons only. There was no one way to earn points, everything just depended on the discretion of the contestant.

So, this mannequin in front of him should be one of that mean for points.

(So not just straightforward mech watermelons, but even the obstructions have a point system huh. It's quite a gentle mean I guess...no wait, but that would mean the obstruction was real for any non-combatant contestants. Well, not that it matters to me.)

Just as Tenji had started to see through the vision of final preliminary, the changes occurred in his surroundings.

Mannequin abruptly turned toward Tenji's direction, lowered itself silently before dashing toward him at breakneck speed.

Mannequin's running style was surprisingly in line with how a real human would have, and its speed at least have to be closer to that of a sports player. It crossed the tree's root with parkour-like movement and dodged the tree's branches like any other human while avoiding them, effortlessly navigating through the nature.

"Woah, amazing."

Tenji was genuinely impressed. He wasn't as fast and nimble when crossing through the forest in his first hell quest and felt a faint jealousy toward that mannequin who could breeze through it.

But his feelings aside, Tenji quickly switched to his serious expression. With familiar movements, he centred his power inside his eyes. Immediately, Tenji's eyes turn red, allowing him to see through every movement of the mannequin.

(Hmm, it seems like they have fitted a MP stone in its head, and it has been quite fitted with MP atoms, working in the same way as the blood circulation system of the human body. Amazing, it's partially following capillary mechanics and thoroughly managed by the MP atoms. Maybe it's what makes it possible to control Mannequin, I guess? Whoever has this calling has really lucked out. The only one who can rival this level of detail about MP atom distribution is Fuyuki-kun. Either way, a professional explorer must be controlling it for sure.)

In the meanwhile Tenji reached that conclusion, Mannequin was just moments away from reaching him. But Tenji didn't show any flustered reaction, remaining in his battle stance. His calm mind made it possible for him to squander his attention in the analysis of the situation around him.

Chapter 132 -

This composure was surely something he had gained from his one year training.

(I think it should stop moving once I cut its head from its torso. Oh, or maybe I will have to destroy the MP stone I guess? Wait, will it cease its movement if I stop its movement......? Anyway, I can only give it a try. Trying to capture them each time would be a huge waste of time too, so I will see what happens if I destroy it I guess. Well, I will just switch to a capture plan if it doesn't work.)

Tenji, having decided his policy, quietly lowered the zipper of the weapon case on his shoulder and from there pulled his weapon.

It was not the Hell Weapon. Just a normal 5th grade weapon---an Iron Sword.

It was the same weapon that Tenji had first brought by himself. For some reason, instead of drawing his beloved sword, he pulled out this one, adjusted his grip, and lightly swung it over his shoulder.

Utilizing the brief recoil from adjusting his posture, he sharply threw it.

In the next moment — the iron sword pierced deeply into the mannequin's head. Kachink A faint sound of cracking MP ore could be heard as Tenji slowly approached the mannequin.

In a mere moment, the mannequin fell backward onto the ground. Ka-lank, a dull crashing sound echoed through the forest.

"Oh? It completely stopped its movement. Now let's destroy the core and see if I can gain the points."

With no destination, Tenji placed his index finger on the fingerprint authentication depression on the mannequin's chest. Beep the sound of the machine chimed, and immediately, a string of azure text 'Tenji Amagi - 1P' projected on the mannequin's flesh coloured chest.

"Yay! Sure enough, the MP circuit to control the mannequin and the fingerprint verification system has been stacked differently. At Least, I would be able to use my time efficiently then."

Tenji squealed in delight as he fortunately managed to earn the point. After that, he nonchalantly pulled out the iron sword before packing it back into the weapon case with precise movements.

Then, he had just moved to close the zipper when---

"I expected nothing less. Tenji."

Abruptly, someone called out to Tenji.

Tenji, who had already noticed the sound of approaching footsteps, appeared no surprise as he leisurely turned his gaze in the direction of voice. The shadow stride in his direction, their gait unhurried with no animosity.

"It's been a while, Mizue-kun."

Tenji replied cheerfully to that tone.

The newcomer was none other than Katsunari Mizue, one of his friends, older than him by one year, who had fought beside him in the Chariot's enrollment exam.

As Tenji looked at 19 year old Mizue, he really wondered if he was hallucinating or Mizure appeared twice as hulkish compared to past.

Mizue's height was still in the range he remembered in his memory, however his muscles looked more forged, adding to his firmly built body. But of course, that was bound to happen considering it already has been more than a year since he had joined Chariot, one of the top guilds in Japan, training there.

Though Mizue's expression was laced with slight dissatisfaction, showing a sullen look.

"I was hoping you would be more surprised."

Mizue walked up to Tenji with lack of any sort of animosity as he commented. Tenji’s lack of much reaction must have stood out for him.

Tenji responded with a carefree tone.

"You're not the only one who has trained, you know? By the way, you must have seen that, right?"

"Yeah, I'm not as good as Commander but I did see it. Well, this was also how I noticed you."

"Ahaha, I knew it~. But it really has been a good while huh, I often see you in the Mallorca's news as well! I was like, 'woah, my friend has truly come so far!' and that next time I meet you, maybe I should start calling you 'Mizue-senpai'~."

Tenji's tone was buoyant, as if he was rejoicing at his own achievement.

After enrolling into Chariot, and once he had awakened his calling with his own effort, Mizue's substantial headway was not hidden to the explorer's society, earning him quite the spotlight among other promising youngsters. At the end, he even made it to the top 30 in the ranking of promising explorers ranking (below 25 years), becoming a bonafide celebrity.

Mizue shifted his gaze, looking embarrassed, as he put an awkward smile.

"N-Now, I didn't expect you would be watching me from so far. Thanks."

"Oh my god! Did you just smile?! The Mizue-kun that I thought had no such words in his dictionary!......Then again, I see you're still not used to being praised huh."

"Hey now, your inner thoughts are leaking out."

"Ahaha, my bad. But I am seriously happy for you."

The two take a jab at each other and high-fived, rejoicing at their reunion. Though attributed to their well-trained bodies, a dry clapping sound reverberated in the surrounding.

"So you have heard about me, but man, did you become Mr Invisible ever since than though. I also couldn't get through you in the last year either, so I wondered what you were doing around. ......Well, it seems like my worries were unfounded it seems. It's really a relief to meet you here."

"I guess it's because the world's eyes were mostly on Fuyuki-kun, and definitely not because I am not that noticeable so don't make a mistake. Fuyuki-kun's presence is like the sun so it's obvious others would be less noticeable."

"Haha, I also miss these unassuming words of yours. Ah, that said, I am not here to relive our past memories, but for something else."

"Something else?"

Abruptly, Mizue put his hand on the dual katanas fastened to his waist. Though he didn't draw them, just rested his hand on the hilt as he explained.

"Can you figure out why I, while not being a student and contracted to Chariot as a professional, is in this Seeker Olympic?"

"Huh, I am sure professionals with contracts aren't exactly forbidden from joining either. I already expected that professionals would join considering the leeway in age this year. As for their reason, it should be to make their guild's name known to others, or to appeal to their abilities I guess, no? Oh, and some maybe also want to appeal to other guilds as well."

"Heh, you’re right. In my case, I've official order from Commander Kujou, who wants to see me advance into the main tournament with an overwhelming win and that I must strive for top ranking in the main tournament too. Also, if there's a chance, I should seek to defeat Fuyuki Kuro as well. But personally---"

Mizue paused, took a deep breath, and looked at Tenji with serious gaze while drawing one of the two katanas---must have been his newfound weapon as Tenji didn't remember seeing them---and pointed its tip toward him.

"I had volunteered myself to appear here to......have a serious battle with you."

"......You want to fight me?"

"Yes, you. I have only ever face defeat against you, starting from that day. Even after making a name in the society of professionals, despite putting bone breaking effort, and using the blessed environment I am in......I just can't remove the shadow of your Oni from my mind. The notion that I can never win against you have almost become a second habit of mine. So---"

A wave of sharp hostility washed over Tenji. A silent fire was smouldering into the eyes of Mizue. It pushed Tenji to look at him straight, that his words were neither lie nor his attempt to be humble.

"I come here to win against you...I am here to convey only that."

Finishing his declaration, Mizue put the Katana back into its sheath with a fluid moment and turned on his heels. At end, he finished his explanation with final words---

"I will definitely challenge you in this tournament. If you have no reason to not to do so, then accept my duel."

"Alright, I will look forward to our battle."

Tenji didn't want to deny his feelings. If anything, he was slightly surprised that despite making the news, he still felt an inferiority complex toward a nameless fella like him. Tenji decided to take the challenge upfront.

He wouldn't turn his back on his friend's will.

"But of course, the one going to win is me."

"Hmm, time will tell soon."

With these as their final words, the two took their steps in different directions.

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