The Healing Solaris Cleric
Chapter 346: Jackal of No Color (2)

Chapter 346: Jackal of No Color (2)

Recently, Kai’s daily schedule had been very simple. He would log in at dawn, do a light training session, then take a shower and eat breakfast. Usually, Battle News would be delivered around the same time, during breakfast, and today was no different.

Kai ate a lightly prepared morning toast with milk and picked up the newspaper.

There must be a flood of articles about Jackal.

In yesterday’s Four Heavenly Kings match between Jackal and Kane, Jackal had shown people something far beyond what they had expected. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that one match signaled the start of the peak of his career. That was why Kai was certain that today’s Battle News would be all about Jackal, and his prediction was spot-on.

[Jackal dominates Kane the Spirit Summoner in just 12 minutes. Industry critics give highest ratings.]

[Undefeated Empress Katherine praises: ‘It’s the first time I couldn’t close my mouth while watching Jackal’s match.’]

[How much fight money did Jackal earn from just one match?]

"Hmm."

At the top of the newspaper’s front page, there were headlines and page numbers for the articles listed inside.

"Alright, let’s see what the main headline is... Pffft!"

Kai lowered his gaze while drinking fresh milk, but soon after, a white stream sprayed right out of his mouth.

After coughing several times, Kai opened his eyes wide and lifted the now milk-soaked newspaper. On the front page was a massive photo of Jackal and Banish, that is, himself.

[Jackal of No Color: ‘I’m still hungry.’ His next prey, Banish.]

"What the hell is this crap..."

Kai wiped the newspaper with a tissue and quickly read through the article.

[Jackal, who drew attention with his brilliant performance against Kane the Spirit Summoner, has once again arranged a match and become the talk of the town. This time, his opponent is Banish, the super rookie whose value is skyrocketing. Debates predicting the outcome of the match between the two are in full swing, and the betting odds for Jackal and Banish are respectively...]

He read it once, then read it again from the beginning to the end.

"That guy, what is he thinking?"

Kai tried to recall whether he had done something wrong during their meeting last night.

Was it because I just went straight into my room? Did he expect me to offer tea or something?

No way.

Feeling confused, Kai hurried through his breakfast and left his room.

***

As soon as he stepped out, he saw someone leaning against the hallway wall. It was Jackal.

Kai’s eyes narrowed as he looked at him. Sensing movement, Jackal lifted his head and looked back at Kai. Kai wanted to see what kind of expression he was making, but the mask made it impossible.

"Are you resting here again today?"

"Yes. I’ve gotten so used to it that this hallway wall feels the most comfortable now."

Gotten used to it?

Kai tilted his head and approached Jackal, who was lightly tapping the wall.

Kai shook the newspaper he was holding and said, "You gave me quite the shock this morning."

“It’s good to hear you liked the surprise.”

“Well, honestly, I don’t mind having a match with you. It’s sudden, but I have to earn points anyway if I want to challenge the Undefeated Empress...” Kai trailed off.

“Yes, and?”

“And I’m just too curious. I’d like to know why. Why me? Did I make some kind of mistake during our meeting yesterday...?”

“Ah, no. It’s nothing like that.” Jackal raised his index finger and waved it side to side. “Of course, I did decide I wanted to fight you after we met yesterday.”

“So there was something during our meeting yesterday.”

“Well, I can’t exactly deny that.” Jackal let out a low chuckle and continued speaking, “To be honest, I’ve been waiting for you for the past two weeks. Leaning against this hallway wall.”

“Waiting for me? In this hallway?” Kai asked with an uncomfortable expression, a slight chill running down his spine.

He hadn’t known because whenever he logged in, he spent most of his time in the training room.

“Yes. But just like the rumors said, you really do train hard. You never came out, not even once.” Jackal tapped the wall with his fingers and smiled. “That’s why I fought yesterday’s match. I figured you’d come out to watch if it were a Four Heavenly Kings match.”

“Hold on. You fought the Spirit Summoner because of me? Because I might leave my room to spectate?”

“That’s correct. I had a rough time too, rushing off right after the match, ignoring all the interviews.”

There was a hint of pride in his voice.

What is with this guy?

To think he fought a Four Heavenly King just to see Kai’s face.

As if reading Kai’s thoughts, Jackal said, “Honestly, I was planning to fight Katherine sometime this month as the arena was starting to feel boring. So I was going to gather points quickly and fight her, but...”

Jackal stared intently at Kai. More precisely, he stared at Kai’s helmet, as if seeing through the face beneath it.

“You appeared.”

“... And? Wouldn’t fighting the Undefeated Empress be far more exciting than fighting me?”

“Of course not. No matter how incredible Katherine is, she’s still just the number one in the arena rankings. On the other hand...” Trailing off, Jackal let out a low laugh. “I'm really looking forward to the match we'll have in a week. I’ll see you then.”

A thought occurred to him as he watched Jackal hurriedly say goodbye and leave.

That guy... Has he figured out who I am?

He must have let something slip yesterday. That’s probably how Jackal had noticed. The only relief was that he didn’t seem intent on spreading it around, as the arena wouldn’t have been this quiet if Banish’s true identity as Kai had been revealed.

“He’s got some sharp eyes.”

No one, not even Katherine, who had met him in person, had ever figured it out. And yet, the fact that he had discovered Kai’s true identity meant his senses were far from ordinary.

“Looks like I’ll be graduating sooner than expected.”

If Kai won the match against Jackal, his rank points would exceed 2,500, and what came after that was obvious.

Whoever wins here is headed for the Champion Match.

Katherine wouldn’t let a rare prey like this slip through her fingers.

***

Kai secluded himself in his room for another week. Of course, his kind of seclusion was quite different from that of most others.

“Hm.”

During that time, he projected hologram displays across the wide wall of his room and analyzed every one of Jackal’s match videos.

The phrase No Color really does suit him.

There was nothing distinctive about his fighting style. He didn’t even have a pattern.

This is exactly why I came to the arena.

No patterns, no defining features. A perfect void.

Kai rewatched dozens of Jackal’s matches but couldn’t find a single weakness. The more he watched, the more Jackal’s fighting style seemed to blur into something almost devoid of presence. That was the kind of fighter Jackal was.

Knock knock.

At the sound of someone knocking on his room door, Kai turned off the display. When he opened the door, a familiar attendant greeted him with a smiling face and a bow. It was Radin, the attendant who had provided Kai with this room.

"Banish, it’s time to head to the waiting room."

"Let’s go."

The roar of the crowd could be heard loudly from the waiting room.

As Kai took his seat, Radin looked toward the arena and said, "Banish, did you know we expanded the spectator stands before the match between Kane and Jackal?"

"Yes."

"At the time, we thought it would be a while before those new seats ever filled up, but it only took a week to prove us wrong."

"Are there a lot of people here today?"

"Can’t you hear? It’s madness out there."

Radin's lips curled into a smile, looking very pleased. He bowed deeply in gratitude.

"It’s all thanks to you, Banish. Thank you for bringing our arena into its second golden age."

"Even if it wasn’t me, the arena would’ve done well eventually."

"No. That’s not true," Radin spoke firmly. "We know best. Our arena’s revenue was falling by the day, and because we had to cut back on fight money, many players turned their backs on us. And the root cause of all of it was the lack of new players joining."

A situation where no new players came in and only old players remained was the very reason many games failed.

"You are the one who confronted and solved the very issue we had been struggling with."

Kai had proven that it was possible to rise to the top even without being a long-time veteran, and demonstrated what countless players had shaken their heads at, convinced it was impossible.

"As a side note, I really like the arena’s new slogan."

Radin’s eyes turned toward a poster on the waiting room wall. It showed the back of the Undefeated Empress, Katherine, with a bold caption written in striking font:

[Challenge. Triumph. Your era will begin.]

It would have been laughed at if it had been hung just a few weeks ago, but not anymore.

"The number of new players exploded after you broke all the records and rose to 2,000 points. Dozens have already broken into the 1,000 point range. Naturally, the audience has grown too."

"You’re receiving the reward for all your hard work."

When Kai said that, Radin smiled brightly and checked his watch. "Oh dear, only ten minutes left. I’ll get going now."

"Alright."

"I sincerely wish you victory. I’m a big fan, Banish. Please win."

Kai nodded in response to Radin who clenched his fists tightly and cheered him on. "Of course."

No fighter entered a match with the goal of losing. At least, not one who hoped to break into the 2,000 point tier.

"Phew..."

Once Radin left and the door closed, silence filled the waiting room. Kai drew his sword and laid it across his lap.

From some point in time, every time he closed his eyes and rested the blade on his knees, his mind felt calm. In that state, Kai reflected on his past days.

Just a handful of times, really.

Looking back, Kai hadn't actually trained a lot in MID Online. The first was at the Training Grounds of the Dawn, the second with the white bearded master in the sea, and the third was training with Bach at the Palace of Rashion.

This is the fourth.

Of all the training sessions he had undergone, this one had lasted the longest, taught him the most, and forced him to let go of the most.

Jackal, and then Katherine.

The summit was close.

But first, one step at a time.

Kai opened his eyes, ready to take that step. His clear eyes gleamed as he sheathed his sword and stepped into the arena.

"Woohoooo!"

"Banish! Banish!"

"Jackal! Jackal!"

"A showdown between a guy who uses extremely boring techniques and a flashy imitator, huh..."

"Literally a battle of no color versus all color. Exciting."

Receiving a passionate welcome from the crowd, Kai looked at Jackal, who had arrived first and was waiting.

"You’re here."

"It’s time, after all."

"I couldn’t sleep all week. I was too excited." Jackal, who had been fidgeting with the hilt of his sword, continued, "Do you know why I left in such a hurry a week ago?"

"I don’t know, needed to use the bathroom?"

"Hah, of course not."

Shing.

Jackal’s sword slightly slid out of its sheath.

"I left because if we talked any longer, I felt like I’d draw my sword right there."

"That’s not a great reason."

"Yes, I agree. It wouldn’t have been very fun. No mood or tension either." Taking a deep breath, Jackal pushed the sword back into its sheath and said, "From my perspective, it feels like I’m fighting in a Champion Match."

"How did you know?"

"In the arena, all masks and helmets are rented out for free."

"Ah..."

Realizing what his mistake had been, Kai let out a quiet sigh.

At the same time, the announcer finished their introductions, and the two of them took a few steps back from each other.

"Please go easy on me."

Jackal bowed politely, and Kai nodded in return.

As Kai looked up at the holographic numbers slowly descending through the air, he thought, It was quite a long time.

His training in the Duel Arena had been fun, fruitful, and fulfilling.

It would’ve been nice to have a little more time to learn...

But against someone as skilled as Jackal, that was impossible. The time for learning was over. Now it was time to prove to himself what he had learned.

Kai looked at Jackal, who was darting toward him as soon as the match began, and said, “Supernova.”

Then, heat began to radiate from his body, hot enough to overpower the fiery atmosphere of the crowd.