Chapter 62 Fight Ring

As the guild leader Wara was in the midst of delivering his speech, the 13 new applicants, who had previously been huddled together in a group, suddenly sprang into action.

 They quickly converged in front of Wara, forming a straight and orderly line, each person standing shoulder to shoulder with their fellow adventurers. The sight was impressive, with each participant standing firm and tall, their backs straight and their eyes fixed forward, showcasing their discipline and commitment to the guild.

 Wara paused for a moment, taking in the sight of the proud and determined individuals before him, before continuing with his speech.

David was on the verge of rising from his seat and joining the group of adventurers when Owen interceded. Placing his hand firmly on David's shoulder, Owen subtly shook his head from side to side, indicating that David should not proceed.

David took a quick look around and understood right away what was going on. The gesture was unmistakable one that David immediately understood. The gesture, while subtle, carried a great deal of weight.

Suzuka didn't flinch from her spot, she was comfortable and could hear the guild leader just fine from there. 

The leader of the guild approached the group of adventurers who were standing in a line, his eyes scanning over each of them carefully. He stroked his chin thoughtfully as he took in the sight of their appearance. 

In a steady and composed tone, he addressed the group with a simple yet loaded question, "And, what is this?" 

His piercing gaze lingered on each adventurer in turn, as if searching for the true reason behind their visit.

The first man in the line answered in a well-disciplined manner, "Sir! We formed the line for you, we are ready to proceed with the interview, sir!"

Wara slowly walked from the first man in the line to the last and back then said, "Good, that saves me a lot of time."

 The first man in line says, "Thank you, sir!" 

Wara asked, "So, you want to be an adventurer, Yeah?! You're here to ask permission to join my guild? Yeah?"

 Everyone in line shouter. "Sir, yes, sir!" While the rest of the adventurers scattered in the room were sitting in silence and doing nothing. 

Wara said, "Sir, yes, sir... huh... I don't like the 'sir' part, how about we change it to 'wof' instead and try again? Eyh?" 

Without hesitation, the lineup shouted unanimously, "Wof, yes, wof."

The guild leader pointed his finger toward the door and said, "Good job, puppies. Now! Get the fuck out of my sight!"

The first man in the lineup started to argue, "Wof, I mean, sir. Why? We did what you told us to, what is wrong?"

Wara walked really close up to this man and said in his face, "Who da fak you think you are! You're supposed to be an adventurer, a mercenary, a strong individual! I should be the one asking for you to join my guild, and here you are, wiggling your tale like a goddamn puppy! I need Adventurers, not ass lickers. Pathetic, did you think this is some royal army you signing on? Did you think you will get a pair of shining armor, do nothing and look pretty then get paid? No! This is where adventurers risk their lives to achieve goals, get rich, explore, discover, make connections, drink booze, and have fun. Working hard and making a difference. I need people tough as nails, not some obedient lap dogs to push around. Now! Get the fuck out of here!"

All of the 13 men walked out the door with their heads held down, not only they failed the interview but also lost the gold they paid for the license fee.

Only 10 people remain in the room for the interview. Right after the last person walks out the door and closes it, the adventurer by the name of Owen stands up and says, "Hey! Boss, that was a bit harsh. You could just say 'you're not fit' and send them off."

Wara replied, "I don't care about some Royal Knight dropouts, they would run and leave you on the first sign of trouble. Forget about them, did you finish the interview?"

"Boss, we've got nine strong prospects," Owen said, approaching Wara. As he drew near, he whispered, "Check out the woman at the bench press. Get this, Olivia and Thomas vouched for her. And wait, there's more. She's a magic box user with a 2-star rating, with potential for advancement. Plus, she's obviously been through some intense adventures. She's the real deal."

Wara glanced briefly at Suzuka before turning to Owen and saying, "So Thomas and Olivia, interesting. Lisanna mentioned her earlier, and she said an interesting person wanted to join. As I can see the rest are just renewing their licenses, right? What about the kid next to the woman?"

Owen stated, "Boss, that's David, the kid that was snooping around the guild trying to join since last year. Remember the kid that pestered Lisanna to ignore his age and let him join? The kid shows promise, he sure has a lot of gut that's for sure, a bit wimpy but he pulls through when needed. He's not a pushover and is apparently good with a sword."

Wara fixed his gaze on the young man and turned to Owen, inquiring, "Oh yeah, him. Got guts? More specific?"

Owen said, "I heard this: last week he was flirting with Olivia, and now he's trying his luck with her girlfriend. Seems like he wants a good time with two women. Sure, picking up two women doesn't sound like something big but, we are talking about Olivia here. To top that, he tries to pick her girlfriend too. That takes guts, boss."

Wara looked at Owen and remarked, "More like big balls than guts." Wara continued, "When Olivia finds out he's gonna lose them though. Are you sure he is an asset to my guild?"

Owen suggested, "Although he won't embark on challenging missions, he'll consistently handle easier ones. Helen appears to be formidable. David excels with his sword. Why not evaluate their abilities yourself through a brief battle? That way you can judge for yourself. Personally, I would vouch for both of them."

Wara nodded and said, "That is not a bad idea, Okay, you show the others out and I will finish here." Wara addressed the room, "David, Helen, with me. The rest go with Owen."

Wara confidently strode through the door leading to the outdoors, while Owen headed back to the main room where the Quest Coordinators were stationed. David and Suzuka were close on his heels. The fighting grounds were surrounded by tall brick walls, ensuring privacy for those within. The ground beneath their feet was sandy and packed tight, serving as the perfect surface for a heated duel.

This was the fight ring, where adventurers could showcase their strength and skills in combat. Wara stepped confidently into the center of the ring, turning to address the others. "This is where we can test our might," he declared.

Wara continues speaking, "I need to assess your abilities, David. To start, I'd like us to have a sparring match. Select a weapon of your choice from the barrel over there, and don't hold back. I want to see everything you've got. Show me your strength, speed, and technique. Let's see how you handle yourself in combat."

David nodded with a smile and responded, "Of course, I'd be delighted! I've been looking forward to a friendly duel against you, Mister Viking."

As the two men continued their conversation, Suzuka sat on a nearby box and leaned her back against the wall. The day was coming close to an end, the sun was a few hours away from setting. 

Suzuka appeared to be a mixture of boredom, hunger, tiredness, sleepiness, and exhaustion from her long and arduous journey. 

Despite her weariness, she was content to simply observe the conversation and rest her weary body, as she was used to the ups and downs.

Wara assumed a fighting stance the instant David stepped into the ring, brandishing a sword. Both combatants were now prepared to begin the duel. Wara's muscles were taut and tense, his eyes fixed on David, who was equally poised and alert, his sword at the ready.

 The two warriors stood in silence, each waiting for the other to make the first move. Wara lunged forward, his sword flashing in the sun. David was ready, his own sword held tightly in his grip as he braced for the impact.

 Wara's strike was powerful, and David struggled to keep his balance as the force of the blow nearly disarmed him. But he managed to recover, planting his feet firmly on the ground and regaining his stance.

"You stopped that? Ho, not bad," Wara said with a smirk, admiring David's skill.

But David had no time to talk. Wara swung his sword again, this time with even more force. David was caught off guard and was sent reeling, his sword arm knocked aside as he desperately tried to defend himself. The two warriors clashed, steel ringing against steel as they battled. 

Despite Wara's strength, David was no pushover. He fought with a fierce determination, parrying each of Wara's strikes and looking for an opening to counterattack. Wara was relentless, his sword flashing through the air as he pressed the attack, but David held his ground, his skill and training allowing him to keep pace with the powerful warrior.

Finally, with a roar, David made his move. He feinted to the left, drawing Wara's attention, and then struck from the right, his sword finding its mark. Wara stumbled, his guard dropping for just a moment, and David seized the opportunity, driving his sword toward Wara's chest.

The guild leader calmly stepped forward, his hand extended. With lightning-fast reflexes, he caught David's blade in his bare hand, stopping the fight with ease.

"I think that's enough," the guild leader said, his voice filled with authority. "I saw what I needed. You may return to the quest coordinator and wait for your adventurer's license."

David expressed his gratitude towards the guild leader, "I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to become a part of this prestigious guild. I promise to uphold its values and bring honor to its name with my actions and achievements. Before I go, I have a request to make. May I have the privilege of witnessing your duel with her?"

 The guild leader replied, "Sure, I don't see why not."

David stepped outside the ring with a grateful smile, having just completed his turn in the demonstration. Wara, the guild leader, signaled for the next participant, Suzuka, to step forward.

 To normal people, the fight between David and Wara was nothing short of spectacular, but for Suzuka, it was a mere warm-up compared to the grueling training sessions she underwent with Bill the minotaur. 

As Suzuka stepped into the ring, she declared confidently, "I will be using my sword in this match." Her hand rested firmly on the hilt of the weapon, a symbol of her readiness.

 Wara simply replied, "Of course, that's perfectly fine." 

Wara assumed a battle-ready stance and fixed his gaze on the woman standing opposite him. Unlike most sword masters, Suzuka did not employ flashy or complex techniques. Instead, she fought in the simple yet effective manner taught to her by her mentor, Bill. She kept her center of gravity low, with her knees bent and her body leaning forward, her sword drawn and ready to strike.

Wara had faced numerous opponents and creatures in combat, but he couldn't help but feel a sense of unease as he assessed Suzuka's unorthodox and seemingly vulnerable stance. Her form was full of gaps and weaknesses that would be easy to exploit, but at the same time, Wara knew that even the slightest misstep on his part would result in his swift demise.

Despite her rough exterior, Wara could sense a fierce and cunning beast lurking within Suzuka. He recognized the way she fought, full of raw power and instinct. Her stance was simple yet deadly, a reflection of her innate talent for combat. Wara couldn't help but feel a familiar sense.