Chapter 43: Into the Red Wind (1)

Ssskk.

As I slipped my hand into the newly acquired gauntlet, its smooth texture wrapped around my fingers as if it were welcoming me.

A long glove made from a mysterious black leather whose origin I could not discern.

‘Champion Gladiator’s Gauntlet.’

I quietly nodded.

“Not bad.”

If it had been the B-rank gauntlet I was originally supposed to receive, it wouldn’t have felt this refined.

[Auxiliary Equipment] A battle gauntlet imbued with the proud soul of a champion. Specially blessed by mysterious powers.

Special: Increases strength by 10%, and grants special enhancement effects when combined with certain Destiny Cards.

Additional: Provides considerable enhancements when confronting Divine Power.

At last, proper equipment was starting to fall into my hands.

This was the kind of item a gladiator needed if they were to be raised right.

‘Yes, this is only the beginning.’

Of course, the reason I was able to obtain this as a reward was because I’d used my head, but—

“Your proposal was most interesting.”

It was also thanks to the Saint of Light and Darkness accepting my suggestion.

He was gazing at the gauntlet I wore, a twisted smile on his lips.

“With that, I hope you’ll deal a blow to those laughable Gods of the Surface. Two blows would be even better.”

……He truly despises the Gods of the Surface.

Well, to be honest, I would probably feel the same.

They said the Five Guardian Stars of Everlast lost their power and were sealed away because of the gods of the surface. The hostility is only natural.

That’s why the Saint of Light and Darkness went so far as to add this ‘additional effect.’

“I’ll put it to good use. Thanks, Saint of Light and Darkness.”

“You likely know this already, but some equipment passed down since ancient times reveals special effects when used together.”

“Ah, set effects?”

Of course, I know.

This ‘Champion Gladiator’s Gauntlet’ provides bonuses to gladiator-type Destiny Cards.

But when combined with other Champion Gladiator’s gear, it can unleash yet another effect.

‘I’ll be able to find them in time.’

Nodding to myself, I gripped my sword hilt tightly with my gloved hand.

The effects of the gauntlet applied immediately.

[Your hand is now protected from fierce swordplay.]

[Your equipped gear and Destiny Card are interacting.]

[The effect of your equipment is further enhanced!]

The feeling had certainly changed.

‘Not only is my strength up, but it feels like the grip of the sword fits perfectly into my hand.’

With proper battle gloves, whatever weapon you wielded would benefit from increased destructive power.

Not just swords, but spears or axes…

Even bows or crossbows would get the boost.

That was why, as a gladiator, I’d prioritized getting gauntlets over weapons.

And now—

‘Soon, I’ll have a chance to acquire a decent sword too.’

I ran through the plans in my head once more, then bid farewell to the Guardian Stars.

“Since I’ve become your representative, I might get in touch if the need arises, right?”

“Yes. But unlike the gods of the surface, we have lost most of our power, so even sending a thought to you will not be easy.”

“Hmm, I see? Then let’s consider no news as good news for both of us.”

The Saint of Light and Darkness let out a short laugh.

“But now that our fates are entwined, you and we are riding in the same boat.”

At that moment, a fierce wind began to blow at the edge of the dungeon.

Shuuuuuuu!

In the closed corridors of the underground, a powerful storm was rising, so strong it made my whole body tremble.

I knew exactly what this meant.

‘Permanent Dungeon End.’

As the gale began to push my body back, the Saint of Light and Darkness murmured in a low voice.

“Come to think of it, I never heard your name. Tell me, what is it?”

My name?

I frowned.

“What? I thought you said you knew everything about me?”

Earlier, the Saint of Light and Darkness had known exactly that Gilloshian was the scorned Third Prince.

So there’s no way he didn’t know my name.

“I know. But I do not know.”

“Huh?”

It seemed the Transcendent wasn’t asking for my ordinary name at this moment.

“I wish to know the name you know yourself by. Now, what is your name?”

“……!”

Not Gilloshian Vald.

Not the me of , but the me from that other world outside…

Now, strangely, the Saint of Light and Darkness was curious about that.

…….Ah.

Suddenly, a thought flashed through my mind.

‘A god, or a Transcendent on the same level, asking for a human’s true name. Yeah, I get what this is.’

Whoooooosh!

Feeling my body half-lifted by the raging tempest, I opened my mouth.

“I am…….”

Northeast Aurax.

At the foot of the cliff known as ‘Dark Cliff,’ a camp of tents both large and small had been set up.

And there—

Thwack! Thwack!

Split logs flew through the air.

Swinging an axe with powerful momentum was Karls Sillion, Imperial Knight of the Vald Magic Empire.

“……Hmm.”

True to his status as a 6-Star Knight of the Imperial Knights, his handling of the axe was remarkably skilled and precise.

Crack!

His swings landed with flawless accuracy at a steady rhythm.

‘This one’s a little too big to split in a single stroke.’

For particularly large logs, Karls would channel a little mana, splitting them cleanly in one powerful strike.

Thanks to that, a huge pile of firewood was stacking up at his left side at a rapid pace.

All the while, he did not sweat a single drop.

‘Feels like I’m loosening up my shoulders.’

A prodigy who, at twenty years old, had already reached the threshold of 6-Star. Chopping firewood like this wasn’t going to wear him out.

Still—

“……Hrrmph!”

Karls purposely opened his mouth and let out a strained sound as if struggling.

He even dabbed his forehead with a pre-wetted handkerchief from his back pocket for show.

Clang!

He went so far as to deliberately adjust the axe angle to swing and miss.

As he put on this little act, Karls sighed inwardly.

‘Pretending to be incompetent isn’t easy.’

He needed to blend in, appearing as ordinary as everyone else and drawing no attention.

So he was putting on a performance.

‘Rite of the Crimson Wind.’

Currently, Karls was right in the middle of that event.

“Hey! Rations team! What are you doing, not ready yet? Get moving!”

“Oi, weapon maintenance is done, come get your gear!”

“What about the water supply? Still not ready? Seriously, you southern yokels are always slow.”

The entire camp around Karls was bustling with noise.

Boys and girls, ages seventeen to nineteen.

Having just come of age, yet still soft and downy, the youth of Aurax.

They darted between tents, shouting orders and hauling supplies.

Not that there were no adults.

On the cliff above, several veteran mid-level officers of the Revolutionary Army stood watch.

They simply observed the camp in silence.

All tasks were carried out solely by the children.

‘Interesting.’

Karls took in the whole scene, observing closely.

The adults only set the goal; the kids had to do everything themselves, from preparations onward.

The purpose of this rite was simple.

‘Within the set time, each is to hunt a monster from their assigned hunting ground.’

Sounds simple, but for those who’d just reached around 4-Star, it could be dangerous.

So the youths formed teams in advance, made hunting preparations, and set out into the woods.

Soon, the teams would be assigned.

‘Tomorrow morning, the prey for each will be drawn by lot.’

Recalling this, Karls glanced behind him.

He was looking for the master who’d ordered him on this infiltration mission.

“……It should be about time to arrive.”

When they parted yesterday, Gilloshian had said he’d be right behind.

But still, not a word.

Staring into the dark, foreboding woods, Karls’ eyes trembled slightly.

“Could something have happened to His Highness……..”

“What? Who’s in trouble?”

“……!”

A sudden voice at his side nearly made Karls swing his axe in surprise.

But the one who appeared was grinning shamelessly.

“Hey, focus up. Focus.”

Then his expression turned fierce and curses began to spill out.

“Where do you get off slacking off here? Wanna die? Just because I don’t recognize your face you think I’ll let it slide?”

His gray hair was tied back tightly, and his dark face sneered. This guy’s name: Hekster Walt.

An assassin just at the start of 5-Star, and the youngest son of Border Guard Commander Montana Walt.

Among the youths gathered here, he was the clear ringleader.

‘I can’t let him get suspicious of my identity.’

Recalling this, Karls quietly readjusted his grip on the axe.

“Ah, I’ve barely ever done this kind of chopping before. It’s kinda tough?”

Hekster twisted his mouth, snickering.

“Yeah, sure. I bet. With that pretty face, when would you ever have swung an axe?”

“Haha….”

“But you know?”

“Hm?”

“If you keep slacking off like this, that pretty face might get an axe mark.”

“……Haha.”

“And—your cute little sister might end up with a different kind of mark. You get what I’m saying, right?”

Even as Hekster spewed filth, Karls kept his smiling expression—though the corner of his eye twitched.

‘En,’ as she was called, was busy sorting supplies with the other girls—gold-haired Tirvaen Sui.

She was posing as ‘Kal’s’ younger sister, only a year apart, and had a mysterious charm that drew the boys’ attention.

“Hm? What’s wrong? Ah…”

Hekster grinned wickedly, seeing Karls’ face stiffen.

The grin of someone who’d found something to exploit.

“Touchy about your little sister? Hey, relax, I’m just joking! Just a joke!”

Laughing like a madman, Hekster slapped Karls on the shoulder.

“We’re all just trying to work hard together, you know? Come on, relax. You think I’d actually do anything? So lighten up, all right?”

Yet there was still a cruel glint in his eyes.

“But your sister really is pretty, you know? Wonder what she’s like on the inside?”

“You bastard…!”

Unable to hold back at Hekster’s words about Tirvaen any longer, Karls reached for his sword hilt.

“Hey, Kal! I’m here!”

From behind the dense grass, a boy emerged.

Wearing tattered clothes and waving lazily as he strolled over—it was none other than the Empire’s Third Prince, Gilloshian.

‘Your Highness!’

His master had finally arrived, albeit late.

Hekster scowled and cocked his head.

“Who’s this pale wimp?”

Then, realizing the situation, he sneered.

“Wow, another one of your siblings? Seriously, your parents must be something else! Kekeke.”

But no matter what Hekster babbled, Karls silently watched Gilloshian.

He could sense something from his master’s gait as he walked over.

It had only been a day, but—

‘He’s grown stronger.’

As a Knight who’d walked the path of righteousness, Karls could sense it vividly.

If Gilloshian had been a clueless 1-Star trainee just yesterday—

‘Now he’s definitely reached 2-Star.’

Maybe even 3-Star!

Was such a thing even possible?

How could he have grown so quickly…?

These thoughts tangled Karls’ mind as Gilloshian approached.

“Man, I’m starving. Kal, you got anything to eat?”

Playing the role of a brother with shameless ease, the Third Prince stepped between the two.

Then he calmly turned his head, staring hard at Hekster, and said,

“What are you looking at, ugly? Lower your eyes, will you?”