Sidestory: The demon

Deep in a dark forest, Surk was running as a huge demon was chasing after him.

"Help, anybody!"

As Surk was earlier exploring the forest, he heard a faint sound and headed in its direction. When he looked over to see what was making the sound, he saw a huge horned demon eating a deer. Unfortunately, the demon also saw him and ran after him. Surk tried to fight back but the demon grabbed his sword and easily broke it.

'Ah! He's getting closer!!', Surk desperately ran with all his might but he was gradually getting tired and his feet were starting to hurt.

"Waa!", Surk tripped over and fell. As he turned around, the demon grabbed his shoulders and pushed him against the ground. The demon shook him roughly and shouted at him.

"Let me go!", Surk tried to resist but he could do nothing as the demon overpowered him. The demon suddenly released one of his shoulders and prepared to punch him.

"Aaaah!!", Surk sprang from bed and collided his head against something.

Note: This was originally a part of chapter 10, but I took it out from the chapter since it would have been so obvious if I left it there.

Chapter 10: The prize

When Surk entered the room of the inn where both he and his master were staying, Surk saw his master standing near the door staring at him.

"Where have you been and you're drunk?! I was looking all over the stadium for you!", Caim noticed that Surk was a bit red on the face and was shaking a bit.

"S-sorry master!!", Surk was surprised to see Caim so angry as Surk went pale.

'Well...I guess it's okay...for today. He did win the competition for me...1000 gold! I can't wait for it', Caim smiled as he thought about this while Surk was horrified to see his master smile so suddenly.

"Hmm...I'll accept your apology. In exchange, you better get the prize money! Go to bed early since you'll be meeting with the king tomorrow.", Caim said as he helped his apprentice get to bed.

"Oh, I almost forgot. Congratulations! You did well today. And here's a gift from me. Don't open it yet until after you become a blacksmith tomorrow", Caim smiled.

"Thank you Master", Surk was touched since it was the very first time that Caim had given him something. He had never expected that Caim would give him something seeing that he was always stingy when it was about money.

Surk immediately fell asleep after that while Caim went out of the inn and headed to the shops in the city. The next day,

"Aaaah!!", Surk sprang from bed and collided his head against something.

"What did you do that for! I was trying to wake you up and you began screaming all of a sudden", Caim rubbed his chin where Surk had hit him.

"Ow, sorry master", Surk rubbed his forehead. 'It was all a dream...'

"Never mind it, just hurry and take a bath. We have to get to the stadium early today.", Caim said as he started changing.

After getting out of the bath, Surk saw his master holding something.

"You'll be wearing this today at the stadium. Don't bother looking for your clothes, I hid them."

"W-Wha? Where did you get that? I can't wear that!", Surk said in protest.

"I bought it last night just for you! You can't wear your usual rugged clothes, you're meeting the king! And you're my apprentice so you have to look decent!", Caim pushed the clothes towards Surk.

"But...", Surk tried to think of something but his master cut him off.

"Just wear it!"

"okay......", Surk could do nothing as he received it and wore them.

At the stadium, spectators and participants of the competition seated and waited for the announcer to start the awarding. A few moments later after the king sat on stage with the generals of the kingdom seating at both his sides, the announcer finally started the event,

"Let us welcome our majestic king, King Oraen of Rulik, along with the generals of our kingdom!", the stadium was immediately filled with roars and cheers from the crowd.

After a few moments as the crowd finally calmed down, the announcer continued,

"And now, after three days of intense combat, I present to you our champion, the swordsman Surk!", the crowd started to cheer but gradually faded as they saw the champion.

At the entrance to the stage, a long black haired person wearing a pure white robe walked slowly towards the king. The robe swayed as Surk's body moved. His hair flowed behind him as he walked.

"So...beautiful..."

The crowd was mesmerized at Surk's appearance. Surk's elegant movement, slim body and feminine face could be noticed even from afar. As Surk gracefully knelt before King Oraen, the crowd immediately cheered as if time was frozen earlier.

"Surk, go out with me!!"

"No, me!!"

"The hell, she's mine!!"

The crowd cheered and argued with each other. Among the crowd, Melik, Ryne, Elenor and Fay watched Surk.

"Surk...sure is popular...pfft", Melik tried his best not to laugh from the crowd's reactions.

"Yeah...he...pfft...sure is", Ryne said hearing Melik's comment.

"Hey! Don't laugh at him", Elenor said noticing that they were on the verge of laughing.

"Oh, we aren't", Fay said with a serious face. But after a moments later,

"pffHahaha!"

"Hahaha"

On stage, Surk could clearly hear what they were shouting.

'I knew it!! I should have definitely not worn this. But...I had no choice. This is so embarrassing!', Surk thought as he knelt and bowed before the king.

When the king and the generals observed Surk, they had a similar thought that came to mind, 'This small, frail looking girl is the champion?...But for a swordsman, she sure is beautiful!'

As King Oraen raised his hand, the crowd gradually calmed down and silently watched.

"Stand Surk. As king and on behalf of all the people in the kingdom Rulik, I congratulate you on winning this competition and as a reward for your efforts, here is your prize.", Oraen gestured his hand to the side and two knights carrying a small red chest came forth and slowly opened the chest.

"Furthermore, you are also awarded with a class advancement title of your profession. So do you wish to be officially recognized as a knight or general of the kingdom?", Oraen waited for Surk's answer as he watched him.

"No your majesty, I would like to become a blacksmith.", Surk gracefully answered the king.

"Oh, you wish to become a blacksmith? But becoming a general would suit you a lot better. Won't you reconsider it?", Oraen was surprised to hear Surk's answer.

"I'm sorry your majesty, but I would like to stay on the path of a blacksmith just like my master.", Surk smiled as he replied politely.

"I see. I can see that you have great resolution. Well then, as king of Rulik, I hereby grant Surk the title of blacksmith. You will now be recognized as an official blacksmith of the kingdom. I will also give referral to allow you to take the selection of becoming a master blacksmith in the neighboring kingdom, Galeon."

"Thank you so much your majesty.", Surk replied as he knelt before the king.

"Now that our champion has been rewarded, the king will be making a very special announcement so everyone play stay on your seats.", the announcer said as Surk struggled to receive the red chest full of gold from the two knights.

'Ugh...so heavy!', Surk's hands slightly shook as the chest was placed on his hands.

"Here, let me help", two hands grabbed the chest on the sides and the man lifted it off Surk's hands. Surk was surprised at this and turned to look who it was.

"Ah, Cruz!", Surk was surprised to see him there. Cruz was carrying the chest on top of one of his hands.

"Thanks for helping me. But why are you here?", Surk wondered why he was on stage with the king.

"Oh, I guess you didn't know. I'm a general. But before that, please take my seat. You should hear what the king has to say. It is important and you may be involved in it."

"Err...is it okay for me to sit here? I could just stand or sit somewhere else.", Surk replied noticing the other generals sitted there.

"It's fine. It's fine. In fact, I insist. The king is about to start his announcement", Cruz said as he stood beside Surk.

"Okay, thank you.", Surk sat elegantly as Cruz stood beside him. The crowd watched in envy as Surk sat beside the generals and as the king began his announcement.

Note: Next chapter will be posted next week.

Chapter 9: The Champion

The magician immediately casted a spell after he spoke. "Ice pillars!" four spikes of ice appeared from the ground aimed at where Surk was standing. Surk had no choice but to jump, which was what they were waiiting for.

Surk saw that both the mercenary and the warrior were waiting for him below. The mercenary swung his scythe aiming at Surk. The magician watching them expected it to be over with that attack. If a miracle happened and he evaded the attack, his other companion would attack.

Surk seeing the scythe headed towards him, twisted his body to barely dodge the scythe. When Surk landed, he glimpsed the mercenary swing his scythe again along with the warrior swinging his axe on his other side. Surk ran towards the warrior to dodge the scythe.

'Ugh...'

Surk got slashed on his arm dodging the scythe and used his sword to block the warrior's attack. Because of the force of the attack, Surk was forced off the floor and pushed a distance far from them forcing him to kneel. Surk grabbed his left arm which was bleeding. Before Surk could stand up, he got hit by hail on his side. Although the attack was weak, it still did a lot of damage to him with his current condition.

"You're tough surviving those attacks, but this is it for you." The magician raised his staff and pointed it at Surk.

"Tornado of Ice" A strong whirling tunnel of wind and snow headed to Surk. The three participants and spectators watched as the attack pass through leaving only a mist of snow in its path.

"It's our turn to battle now." the magician, mercenary, and warrior prepared themselves to battle. Just as they were about to attack each other, one of the spectators shouted: "How is she still standing after that attack!"

The three participants turned to look if it was true and was amazed to see the swordsman they attacked standing perfectly with snow clinging to his clothes and hair. Just then the sun slowly appeared from the clouds covering it and showering the stage with sunlight.

Surk sparkled with the ice on him and on his surroundings. The magician got momentarily distracted at the spectacle before him. As he regained his senses and was about to cast a spell, the swordsman had disappeared before him in the blink of an eye.

"Where?! Ugh!" The magician felt air leave his body as a strong force struck him in the stomach. As he doubled over trying to catch his breath, he heard the sound of weapons clashing behind him.

The warrior swung his axe aimed at Surk's upper body. However, Surk blocked the attack easily by plunging the tip of the sword on the ground and holding it steady with his body. The warrior was surprised by how his attack got easily blocked.

The mercenary who was nearby took the opportunity to attack while Surk was defending. He attacked quickly but was surprised as he missed. Surk had jumped with his sword and was aiming at attacking the mercenary, who couldnt dodge because of the momentum of his previous attack. Surk sliced through the handle of the scythe and quickly launched another attack. The mercenary got hit by 5 slashes simultanously and knelt as he struggled to stand up.

The magician who had been watching was shocked. 'That attack...That was a knight's special skill! How can a swordsman...Still, I can't let myself lose!' He started gathering his mana as he prepared to cast his strongest spell.

The warrior attacked Surk more desperately after seeing his mercenary companion defeated. Surk evaded the attacks seeing that getting a direct hit would be fatal for him since his body was gradually weakening. As the warrior was about to swing his axe from above, Surk saw the magician behind the warrior aim his staff at him and cast a spell.

"Lightning!"

A huge bolt of lightning headed toward Surk and the warrior. The warrior saw Surk run away from him and was about to go after him when he felt a huge surge of electricity hit his body. The warrior fell unconscious.

The magician cursed himself for missing and was about to cast another spell when he felt something sharp on his neck. As he turned his head, he saw that the swordsman was standing beside him. Feeling the sharp edge of the sword dig deeper on his neck, he surrendered.

The spectators had remained silent throughout the battle. After hearing the magician surrender, the crowd roared with cheers.

"The winner and champion of the competition is the swordsman, Surk!" The announcer yelled as the crowd continued to cheer.

"The prize will be awarded by the king tomorrow! There will also be a special announcement. So be sure to come back!"

Participants of the competition were being healed by clerics so none of the participants got severely injured.

'That was too hard! Ugh..my body is aching all over. I want to go sleep~ But before that... I better start looking for master.' Surk's injury had already been healed by a cleric but he still felt sore from the battle. As he looked around the crowd to search for Caim, he heard someone call him.

"Hey, Surk! Over here!" Surk saw a girl wearing a brown suit wave at her.

'Ah! It's Ryne' Surk headed towards her and saw Melik, Fay, and Elenor with her.

"Hi Surk, congrats on winning!" Ryne shook his hands.

"Yeah, you sure got them!" Melik grinned.

"Sorry Surk, I couldn't help you..." Elenor looked down.

"No, you did help me Elenor so you shouldn't say that." Surk held Elenor's hands and smiled. Elenor looked up and also smiled.

"Heh, flirting with each other even though you're both girls." Fay said as she stood over them. Melik and Ryne chuckled.

"W-Wha... I wasn't..." Surk stammered as Elenor blushed.

"So you're into girls? Why not have some fun with me?" Fay stood behind Surk, locked her arms around him as she pushed her chest on his back.

"W-What are you doing?! Besides, I'm not a girl. I'm a guy!" They were all surprised to hear this especially Elenor.

"You're a guy? That can't be. You have such a beautiful face even though you have a flat chest...Well, if you say you're a guy, why don't you let me check?" Fay grinned as she started to move her hands.

"No! Stop!" Surk struggled against her but she had a tight hold on him.

"Fay, I think it's about time you stopped teasing him." Ryne laid her hand on Fay's shoulder.

"Fine, fine and I was having so much fun." Fay released Surk.

"Surk, you okay? Fay was just kidding around."

"Y-yes..." Surk looked at Fay who was smiling.

"Anyway, to celebrate your victory, let's have a party later. You guys up for it?" Melik asked them, who agreed to it.

"Yeah, let's go!" Melik and Ryne went first with Elenor beside Surk, who was being dragged by Fay.

Meanwhile among the crowd, Caim was searching for his apprentice. "Where did he go? I saw him leave the stage but i lost track of him after that. He had better not left the stadium without me!"

At a pub on the southwestern side of the town, Eril, Surk and his friends were sitting on a table located on a corner at the pub. With the end of the competition, pubs all over the town were filled with people. It was the same at the pub they were at.

"This place sure is crowded", Ryne said as she saw that the pub was filled with people.

"Yeah, but don't mind it! We're here to celebrate so the more the merrier! Hahaha!", Melik laughed while the others smiled. They had ordered beer and were chatting to pass the time.

"So, Surk. What are ya gonna do with the prize money? You could buy a home, get new weapons, and still have a lot left. Of course, you could share some with me. I'll also give you a reward. Hehe", Fay winked at Surk.

"..." Surk could do nothing as Fay teased her.

"Don't mind her, Surk. She's just kidding around as usual. But I'm also curious. I did join the competition hoping to get the prize as well.", Ryne said.

"Umm...I...", Surk was hesitant to answer.

"Yes, tell us.", Melik also cheered in.

"I...won't be receiving...any of the money...", Surk watched the others as he said this.

"What?!!", Fay was the first to respond.

"What do you mean Surk? You did win the competition after all.", Ryne also asked what he meant when he said he wouldn't be receiving any.

"Err...my master wanted me to win the competition to get the prize money...", Surk responded.

"He can't do that!", Fay didn't want to believe that.

"He said it was for living and training expenses...", Surk said as he remembered what his master said.

"It's okay, we understand", Ryne said.

On the back of their minds, they were mostly thinking of one thing, 'What a greedy master!'

After they chatted and drank a bit more, they headed out of the pub.

"See you at the stadium tomorrow, Surk", Elenor said with a red face as she was a bit drunk along with the others.

"When ya get the prize money tomorrow, just run away with it! Hahaha...Oh!", Fay almost tripped over but was fortunately grabbed around the waist by Surk before she hit the ground.

"Thought I was gonna smack the floor, thanks. Here, i'll give ya a reward~", Fay was about to give Surk a kiss when Ryne and Elenor grabbed her hands and dragged her away as Fay struggled.

"We're a bit drunk so we should rest early. See you all tomorrow at the stadium.", Melik said as they separately went their own way.

Note: Next chapter will be posted next week. Only a few more chapters until the end of the volume...

Chapter 8: The three

With the signal given, the team battle started. Just like what Surk had thought, the team north of them attacked them first. Their two archers immediately targeted Elenor and shot arrows targeted at her. Elenor saw the arrows coming at her but she couldn't dodge them in time. Melik who saw the arrows wasn't able to react because he had concentrated on attacking the archers. In a blink, he saw Surk appear in front of Elenor with the arrows in his hand.

'How! He was near me...' Melik got lost in his thoughts for a moment but immediately recovered his attention on the battle, and ran towards the archers.

"T-thanks Surk" Elenor reddened as she said this.

"No need to thank me. We're teammates, right?" Surk smiled, and ran to help Melik.

'So cool~' Elenor stood up and regained her composure. Her expression became serious suddenly. She turned towards the opposing team and started casting a spell.

Fay was engaged in fighting against the female assassin who unnoticingly got near Ryne who shot arrows at the opposing team's magician. The magician got grazed by the arrow on the arm. But because they had a cleric, the wound got healed momentarily.

The assassin had a sharp jur bound on each of her hand. She slashed and lunged her blades as she continued to attack Fay, who had to block some of the attacks with her dagger.

"You're pretty good for just dodging." The assassin mocked Fay as she continued her attacks.

"Yeah, I am. But you haven't seen anything yet." Fay suddenly backstepped and threw daggers at the assassin. The assassin sidestepped and blocked the other daggers with her jurs.

"Heh. You mi" The assassin got hit with a dagger on her leg and backstepped. As the assassin was distracted by the sudden attack, Fay approached her from behind and attacked.

"Ah!" Fay missed and sliced through air only. The assassin had evaded Fay and lunged her jur as a counter attack. Because she was injured on the leg, the assassin only grazed Fay on her arm.

Fay threw daggers at the assassin as Fay backstepped. The assassin couldn't evade the daggers so she blocked them except for one which struck her shoulder.

Fay approached the assassin. "Guess you're not good at dodging."

The assassin grinned as she knelt. "I may not be as good as you. But it is still a tie." Fay wondered what she meant when she noticed that something was wrong with her body. Her body became heavy and she could barely hold the daggers on her hands. Her vision slightly blurred and she realized that she had been poisoned.

"Ugh..." Fay knelt to keep herself from falling over. The assassin she had fought earlier had fallen unconscious.

"Damn!" Fay also fell unconscious.

When the archers saw their attack fail and their opponent approach them, they prepared to attack the monk approaching them. Melik prepared himself to dodge the attack but before they could attack, he saw hale fall toward them. With the archers distracted, he threw a punch but it was blocked by a silver staff. The cleric had blocked his attack.

"Stone belt!" the opponent magician chanted as he continued to dodge Ryne's arrows. Ryne continued to shoot her arrows but it was clear that she was at a disadvantage. The magician had successfully attacked her earlier despite her attempts at preventing him from casting spells. Her right shoulder was bleeding and it was taking a lot of her strength to keep standing. She was running out of arrows but the magician was also in trouble.

He was clutching his sides which was bleeding and his legs had been scratched by arrows. Ryne grabbed one of her arrows and concentrated on her next attack as sweat ran down her head. She released the arrow and saw the magician point his staff at her.

"Wind fang!" the arrow struck his leg but the spell continued to approach her. Ryne attempted to run but her legs shook forcing her to kneel. The spell struck her as she tried to guard against it. It scratched her arms and forced her off the stage as she got blown away. The magician fell and was unable to continue due to exhaustion and injuries.

"Spark chains" Lightning in a straight line barely missed one of the archers while Surk lightly grazed the other archer on his arms. Melik continued to attack the cleric who had formed a barrier in front of him. Surk made a side slash to break the archer's bow when he sensed an arrow approaching him from the side. He backstepped and glanced toward Elenor. When he was about to wonder on what happened, he sensed the air growing cold. Surk immediately jumped off the ground and landed a few meters away from the archers.

"Blizzard" ice started to form around the archers' body restricting their movements. Their bows broke as a scythe sliced through them. Surk searched for Melik to see if he was fine only to find him and the cleric he was fighting with lying on the floor unconscious. A warrior holding a large double bladed axe on his shoulder was standing near them.

"Why don't you surrender? You're the only one left besides my team." a magician covered in a black hood said. Surk looked around and saw that he was the only one left besides the magician, the warrior, and the mercenary who was leaning against his scythe.

"I refuse..." Surk said softly as he watched them. 'That warrior defeated Melik so he has to be stronger than him. The magician seems to be the leader. He probably specializes in ice magic. I also have to be careful of that scythe...'

"Wow! That girl sure has guts." The spectators talked as they observes the battle. "Yeah, but it's impossible for her to win this battle."

"Since you refuse, you better prepare yourself" The reason they talked to Surk was that they wanted to conserve their energy and rest for a bit before they fought against each other. In case Surk didnt surrender, they planned to defeat him quickly like the other participants.

Note: Next chapter, which is the ending of the battle, will be posted next week.