Following his directions, I looked into the distance, and sure enough, amidst the throng of people, I spotted several distinguished figures standing in high positions, dressed in fine clothes.
"A savior swordsman, a radiant mage, an unerring elven archer, a resurrected saintess, and a swordsman who annihilates everything... It sounds like the main character team from those games you often recommend to me."
I glanced at him: "So you're a swordsman?"
"Yeah! Pretty cool, isn't it!" With his arms behind his head, Hiro grinned, showing off his white teeth. "Even though I don't know how to use regular knives, the title 'Destroy Everything' is really cool! I love it!"
"It's already ridiculous enough that a warrior is being asked to play the role of a swordsman."
"I don't care!"
Forget it, I would never do something so shameful anyway.
"But isn't doing this just diverting our already limited manpower?" This question still lingered in my mind, and I couldn't help but want to confide in my friend and seek his approval. "What if we can't withstand it later?"
But for his best friend, who was only focused on fighting, this was obviously a pointless and uninteresting topic: "For me, the most important things are who my opponent is in the next battle, whether it will be exciting enough, and whether I will give it my all. The rest," he tapped his head and shook his head, "is already outside my domain of knowledge."
This topic is impossible to discuss.
But then he changed the subject: "However, starting yesterday afternoon, the city lord also introduced corresponding measures, saying that the main competition of this year's event will be counted based on the number of monsters hunted, and the eight people with the best performances will compete in a final one-on-one battle, while the rest will receive some compensation. The entry ticket is monster materials hunted outside the city, in any form, any kind of material will do, as long as you can prove that you have the ability to survive and the strength to kill monsters, you can participate."
"Isn't this just pushing everyone into danger?" Hikari raised her voice in surprise.
"Indeed, some people chose to back down or try to stay on the sidelines and pick up the scraps, but many more who had no hope in the first place chose to step forward. I went to observe, and this time they're not even restricting mages from participating. They've said they want to replicate the format from back then, and they're allowing members to form teams, only requiring that the team's surviving members be between two and five at the end of the competition..."
"Is it like we can count the entire team's score as the two people who were pushed out? Or rather..."
I didn't voice the terrible possibility, but Hiro understood what I meant.
He nodded, his eyes dark: "Yes, although I can't imagine who would do something so unlucky and boring... I hope not. Otherwise, even if I never get a chance to face them, I'll definitely teach that bastard who so casually disregards other people's lives a lesson in how to behave properly!"
He spat, then suddenly turned to stare at me, remaining silent for a long while before a fierce flame ignited in his eyes.
I sensed something was wrong and took two steps to the side to avoid it, but I didn't expect Hiro to have anticipated this. He hooked his arm and pulled me back, wrapping his arms around my neck to prevent me from moving: "Hey bro, how about teaming up with me this time? I was just worried about not finding anyone suitable to hang out with, and you just happened to be here."
"No, I'm worried about where to find help. What if they actually destroy the whole city? That would be a huge joke."
I tried to pry open his circle, but after a long time I could only move it a fraction of an inch. Hikari, on the other hand, reached out and, before I could even touch him, he immediately let go as if he had been electrocuted, and then stared at my face for a long time with lingering fear.
"Ahem, just to prevent you from misunderstanding." He tilted his head, explaining, seemingly confused. Then he added, "Well, let the big shots worry about those things. I'm just a nobody going with the flow; as long as I have enough fighting ability, that's enough. Besides… right, I remember you audited my classes before. Although you weren't as good as me, you still managed to…" Under the threatening look in my eyes, he abruptly changed the subject. "Okay, fine, let's not talk about that."
"So, you really won't accompany me to the competition? Before this competition ends, you can even ask me to recognize you as my godfather! This is my only request in this lifetime, godfather!"
"No way, where would I get someone as big as you..."
I still wanted to chat with my long-lost friend for a bit, but my senses suddenly detected a familiar fluctuation not far away.
Before I could even take a closer look, a pair of icy hands had already placed on my shoulders from behind, pinning me to the spot—seriously, why do you guys always like to use me as a hand gripper to show off? Do you really think I'll just be too lazy to resist forever?—at the same time, a cold and hard voice followed: "He will be teaming up with me."
"Don't mess with my people."
Very good, Ms. Miyuki, thank you for your less-than-perfect help.
I'm already numb from the look Hikari gave me.
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