Seeker 285

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Chapter 285. Gelzer's Calculations

"Are both sides ready? Alright then, begin!"

The third party's leader lowered their arm, and raised overhead, signaling the start.

In response to the signal to start the game, Gelzer sprinted ahead.

Following him, the three party members also began to run.

(It's a bit of a technical situation, but it's fine. It won't be interesting without a bit of competition. I'll remind these small fry they're no match for me.)

Gelzer kicked the ground forcefully, running like the wind, keeping an eye on where he was about to trample.

The town of Beltrint, which would become the hunting ground for monster extermination, and its surroundings, were roughly a circular plain about 1.5 kilometers in diameter.

The town surrounded by city walls was roughly in the middle, with fields and pasturelands extending around it.

Outside this plain was an undeveloped forest area, but no monster shadows were visible.

(In this match, the first thing to crush should be the Hill Giants. Ogre extermination doesn't even count as a warm-up. Well, those incompetents may not even understand that.)

In Gelzer's field of view were numerous Ogres roaming the fields, pasturelands, and a few Hill Giants.

Gelzer focused on the Hill Giants as his targets, prioritizing his hunting strategy.

Crushing dozens of Ogres would be just right for a warm-up.

There were 2 Hill Giants visible in locations reachable from outside the plain, both positioned far away with an "obstacle" to overcome.

(They can wait. First, let's enter the town.)

Inside the town of Beltrint, within the walls, Gelzer could vaguely see Hill Giants on top of the walls and residences, but it wasn't clear how many there were.

But he estimated at least two.

(Well, it's a solid victory if I crush three.)

Gelzer grinned confidently.

He was always filled with confidence. After all, he had undergone a Limit Break.

He encountered the Limit Break trial about half a year ago.

By chance, he was forcibly translocated alone to a "Dungeon".

The teleportation magic circle that forced him there was one-way.

He faced danger for about half a month in the Dungeon.

But when he successfully escaped the Dungeon, overcoming numerous hardships, he gained a power far more formidable.

The difference in strength with other adventurers was clear.

Already blessed with skills, he eventually became confident in his own strength.

If there were awakeners stronger than himself, they would be nothing less than the legendary figures known as the Eight Heroes.

It was arrogant, but to some extent, there was a reason for it.

However, this "match" was not one where victory or defeat was determined solely by strength.

Certainly, strength was an advantage, but even with strength, if the attack strategy was wrong, there was no guarantee that he wouldn't be left behind by that brat.

(No, I won't lose. But in the unlikely event that happens—I'll just say they were unlucky. Hehehe.)

Still, Gelzer didn't lose his confidence and composure.

When the time came, he believed he could use his trump card.

Attacking other adventurers was strictly forbidden.

This was not only a rule of the game but also an unspoken rule among adventurers.

Exceptions would be inevitable when it came to protecting oneself, and even then, it was a formality.

In reality, as long as one could silence everyone present, rules wouldn't matter.

As long as the dangerous opponents didn't find out, rules were irrelevant.

In any case, those 2 beauties—the cheeky girl dressed in black and the girl in a wizard outfit—were destined to be Gelzer's.

At least, Gelzer convinced of that.

Power was everything.

With power, all desires could be fulfilled as one wished.

"Hehehe, looking forward to tonight—hey, get out of the way! [Double Slash]!"

Gelzer effortlessly knocked down the group of Ogres blocking his way with his axe.

His skillful double attack had enough power to crush an Ogre with a single blow.

Furthermore, his companions—whom Gelzer saw more as tools than allies—attacked other Ogres, turning them into magic stones.

The 2 adventurers, like hyenas relying on Gelzer's might, were obedient and easy to handle.

They wouldn't complain even if he gave them a slightly approving look, making Gelzer feel good.

The archer who had recently approached Gelzer was also convenient in various ways.

Both as an adventurer and as a woman.

Although unexpectedly shrewd about not letting Gelzer touch her, knowing that she was under his control and could be taken at any time made the situation not unpleasant.

"Now, you small fries, do your best to keep up! You'll only realize the difference in power!"

Having swiftly dealt with the four Ogres blocking the way, Gelzer's group continued running toward the town of Beltrint.

Of course, they didn't forget to pick up magic stones.

But, at that moment.

When Gelzer glanced to his right, a black figure sprinting at an unimaginable speed caught his eye.

"What...!?"

At an unbelievable speed, the figure racing ahead was that cheeky girl dressed in black whom Gelzer desired.

Incredibly, her sprinting speed surpassed Gelzer's by far.

With agility akin to a wild beast, she swiftly traversed the pasturelands.

(Impossible...! Is it [Quickness]!? No, even if it is—)

Too fast.

Gelzer couldn't fathom how she achieved such speed.

It seemed that while Gelzer's group had started running immediately, those kids had begun with the use of support magic.

"You fool, a bad move," Gelzer scoffed, but being overtaken so easily left him bewildered.

According to the rules of this match, the party that initially engages with a monster gets the priority to defeat that monster.

If the black-dressed girl engages with the Hill Giant first, Gelzer's group won't be able to touch that Hill Giant.

Challenging a Hill Giant alone as an adventurer would be suicidal, but if the black-dressed girl holds her ground until her companions arrive, there won't be a significant problem.

In this match, being the one to "go first" holds a crucial meaning.

(No, but—haha, incompetence is incompetence.)

Gelzer looked in the direction the black-dressed girl headed and chuckled inwardly.

The black-dressed girl was heading towards where the Hill Giant was visible in the distance.

From that perspective, it seemed like a tactically correct move.

But Gelzer knew there was a significant pitfall there.

(What an idiot! She doesn't see the river!)

Before reaching the Hill Giant, there was a wide river in front of them.

The river crossed Beltrint town from left to right, dividing the surrounding terrain into two.

Trying to ford the river in a place without a bridge would significantly slow them down.

Despite appearing as a detour, going through the town with a bridge would undoubtedly be faster.

At least, that's how Gelzer judged it.

"Alright, let's mock their earnest plan. First, let's go beat the Hill Giant ahead of that black-dressed girl!"

Gelzer instructed his companions that way and dashed towards the town of Beltrint.