## Chapter 786 – Kingdom Martial Arts Tournament

That day, as soon as I got home, my wives strongly requested that I perform the moonwalk for a full hour to entertain them.

It wasn’t just anything; everyone was amazed.

To be honest, the bizarre Heavenly Demon Topblade or Heavenly Demon B-boying are extremely niche, but the moonwalk is something everyone can enjoy.

There’s a reason Michael Jackson was called the Emperor.

The audience was completely swept up in madness, going absolutely wild, but my wives are used to me. They’ve developed some immunity, so they were able to enjoy it.

* * *

And so, the day of the semi-finals dawned.

There are only two matches today, so there’s plenty of time.

So, I lay in the waiting room, killing time and looking over the bracket. It seems I’m fighting a guy named Islethro this time. I don’t know who he is, and I don’t care.

More importantly, my match is scheduled for the second slot.

The first match today is between that young genius from the Royal Knights and another contestant. So, naturally, I’ll probably end up fighting him in the finals.

「Royal Knights, Elder Knight Harun Gosbelt」

“Hmm.”

Elder Knight, huh.

First of all, the rules of this martial arts tournament clearly state that participants must be under 30 years old. In other words, it’s a stage where young talents compete. That’s why everyone I’ve fought so far seems to be in their 20s.

Anyway, an Elder Knight.

According to the Royal Knights’ organization, after a War Knight, who is a full-fledged knight doing their part, comes an Ace Knight. And above them is the Elder Knight, a company commander-level field commander.

From my perspective as a former soldier, a company commander is just a diamond-three, most frustrating disappointment of a commander, but the Royal Knights gradually raise their ranks, starting from raw recruits… Ah, Company Commander, you fucking bastard, how the hell are we supposed to do that with just the 1st Platoon, you moron!!! Wow, just thinking about the company commander pisses me off.

Anyway.

Of course, skill is essential to get promoted here. Well, background is important too, but they don’t promote a scrub just because they have a good background. Karin told me, so it’s definitely true.

So, in the Royal Knights, to be an Elder Knight at such a young age that you can participate in the tournament?

Considering his age, that’s a pretty high position.

Karin said that you need achievements to get promoted. Anyway, considering that Karin’s classmate… Jeniel? That bitch’s rank was Elder Knight, this Harun guy’s skills must be certain.

It’s also possible that he’s skilled enough to compete with higher ranks, but he’s an Elder Knight because of his age and experience.

I just hope he doesn’t disappoint me.

The knight I crushed was called a genius, so I believe he has that much skill. It’s the finals, after all, so he should at least be stronger than Sorgal.

“The match is about to begin!! Please come out!!”
“Hehehe, I understand.”

ㅡSreung.

I immediately drew my sword and went outside.

ㅡWooooaaaaaaah!!!

As soon as I went out, a roar of cheers greeted me. It’s even louder than yesterday. I can feel it clearly. Now, no one in this capital will not know my name. After seeing that crazy shit I pulled off in front of them so many times, they’d have to be insane not to remember.

In addition, the reputation of the Brass Celestial Angel Order has also soared. After the tournament, everyone will probably flock to the Grand Temple to apply for membership.

Saintess Kadia will be pleased.

“In the 1st corner!!!! I don’t even know what this title is!!! The Heavenly Dancer and Howling Warrior!! The Paladin of the Brass Celestial Angel Order and the Highest Jumping Warrior!! And the Conqueror of the Clouds Who Jumps High and Walks the Sky!!! Kim Katteu is here!!!!! He’s the first contestant in history to get a new title every time he wins!!!”

I haven’t even stepped onto the arena yet, and they’re introducing me like that. Of course, the audience was burning with excitement just from that.

ㅡWhoosh!

I immediately jumped over the stairs and onto the arena.

ㅡSwoosh, swoosh. Swoosh.

I turned around and moonwalked towards the center.

“It’s Heavenly Michael Jackson, dezaaaaaaaat!!!”

ㅡKyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!
ㅡHeavenly steps!! It’s like walking on clouds!!!
ㅡWooooaaaaaaah!!!!
ㅡUgh, ugh! Ughaaaaaaa!!!!!!! Help me!!!! I feel like I can’t breathe!!
ㅡI’m going to faint because he’s so cool!!!!!
ㅡHe’s a magician! He’s a magician!! He’s a magician, I tell you!!!!
ㅡAh! Yesterday was shocking, but today I’m terrified of accepting it!!! This world must be wrong!!!
ㅡWooooooo!!!
ㅡHooray!!!

As expected, the reaction is explosive, a frenzy.

After reaching the center of the arena, I turned around again and looked at the other side.

“The entrance is nothing short of amazing!!!! I wonder where you can learn something like that!!! Anyway!!! In the 2nd corner!!! The warrior who came with a letter of recommendation from Baron Morsol, Islethro is here!!!”

ㅡWaaaah!
ㅡOooooh!!
ㅡYeeeaaah!!

A warrior wearing black armor trudged up from the other side. His weapon is a greatsword that looks quite expensive.

Soon it was time for introductions.

“Greetings. Paladin Kim Katteu.”

I announced my name first.

“Islethro.”

A very serious voice.
I don’t know how strong he is.

Anyway, he seems to be the taciturn type, so I was about to signal the start, but he crossed his arms and said.

“…Martial arts tournament.”

So what.

“Everyone is fighting while showing off their best skills, but I don’t understand why you’re turning the tournament into a playground. Entertaining the audience with flashy dances is something a clown would do.”
“Hehehe, are you saying I’m a clown? You’re giving me some harsh criticism? I hope you’re as skilled as you’re talking. Otherwise, I won’t be able to focus on the battle instead of dancing, will I?”

This bastard is running his mouth as soon as he sees my face.

“It’s rotten. Those who have devoted themselves to martial arts have entered the tournament with great ambitions. Ignoring that is not a good thing. Do you think this is something a Paladin should do?”
“We just have different meanings in this tournament.”

I just thought the opponent’s skills were inferior to mine, but I never degraded or ignored the tournament.

Didn’t I say?

Dance is martial arts.
Martial arts is martial arts.

I always do my best.

“Don’t you think everyone has different thoughts? You arrogant gentleman?”
“Huh.”

He snorted as if he was dumbfounded.

“Okay. You’re good at fighting, and you’re confident in your skills. Honestly, I don’t think I’ll win. But I want to properly teach you the pride of a warrior.”
“You’re talking as if I don’t have any pride.”

I immediately put my hands together, smiled kindly, and proselytized to him.

“Don’t be too obsessed with the tournament and fighting. Delusion is in your heart, so if you purify your mind and body by returning to the god Verde, you can become stronger.”
“…”

Ignoring me!
This bastard is dead meat!!!

“Then now!!! The last match of the semi-finals!!!!! Let’s begin!!!!!!!!”

And so, the semi-final began.

ㅡPaaat!!!

I don’t need to hold back, do I?
Then I’ll go all out from the start.

ㅡKukwakakakakakang!!!

Overwhelming advance.

Instead of shooting like a cannonball by using the usual Heavenly Demon Divine Steps, I charge with the momentum of a steroid-fueled Rudolph, dragging a destructive tank of a monstrous Santa Claus weighing over a ton, sprinting through the harsh snowfield.

“Kㅡhahahahahahahaha!!!!”

It was a destructive charge, but the speed was by no means light. Rather, it was as swift as it was heavy, making it fatal and incomparable to anything else.

“What!!”

In the blink of an eye, I closed the distance with him to zero.

“Behold my prideㅡ!!!!”
“Keueut…!”

In that state, I lift Vygale and strike down with all my might!!!

ㅡSwaeeeeeeeeeeeeeek!!!

The moment he tried to defend with his greatsword and the moment my sword fell happened almost simultaneously.

ㅡKwaaaaaaaang!!!

A more violent destructive sound than ever before.

ㅡPachangchang!

The greatsword that blocked my attack shattered, and his body flew to the other side of the arena.

“Gyaaaaaaaaaaak!!!”

I finished it in just one second.
Ring out.

“A, an instant victoryyyyyyyy!!!!! Such an anticlimactic semi-final!!!! Islethro, who showed off his amazing skills and made it to the top, was ringed out in just one second!!!!!”

The weaker the bastard, the better he talks.

“If you want to talk rudely to someone, you should build up your skills first, you son of a bitch.”

I didn’t use sword energy or explode the mana in my body, so you could say that I held back, but he still couldn’t take my strike.

Am I really the strongest in my age group?

It’s so anticlimactic.

“With this, tomorrow!! The Elder Knight of the Royal Knights, Harun Gosbelt, who showed incredible skills!!! And the Paladin Kim Katteu, who won overwhelmingly in this place, will face off!!!! There has never been such a highly anticipated big match!!! Who will be the winner!!!”

Showed incredible skills, huh.

“Can he do as well as I can right now.”

I went down the arena that way.

“It will be revealed tomorrow evening!!!!!!”

Let’s go home.

* * *

“Katteu! Tomorrow is the final match!!”

As soon as I went inside, Claudia almost flew over and clung to me.

“Did you see? Me finishing it in one hit?”
“It was the best! You’re the coolest, Katteu!”
“Hehehe, I’ll be even cooler tomorrow.”

I naturally put my arms around her waist and declared.

“Look forward to it.”

Nothing can stop me now. The supreme ruler. The ultimate beyond the heavens. It has been proven in this tournament that Heavenly Demon Kim Katteu never loses.

“I’ll smash everything!!!”
“Kyaa!”

The strongest warrior, Kim Katteu, will descend tomorrow!!!

* * *

The air was cold, perhaps because it was almost sunset. Even though it’s winter, it felt warm during the day. As expected, it gets cold around this time.

Today is the last day of the martial arts tournament, so the stalls around the Grand Arena were more active than ever.

I went to the waiting room in the morning, put down my luggage, changed my clothes, and hid my identity by wearing a mask and hood. I spent time playing with my wives until now.

There were already a lot of products with Kim Katteu’s name and appearance, so I had no choice but to buy them all. In particular, wooden sculptures of my appearance were being sold in large quantities, so it was quite fun.

There is no concept of portrait rights in this world yet.

“So today, I have to finish it.”

The sun is setting.

Even so, the main arena of the Grand Arena was brighter than during the day. This is because the lighting was created with various magic spells. Rather, it was easier to focus on the finals than doing it during the day.

And so, the time came.

I went up to the arena.
The final match starts now.

“Now!! From now on!!! The long-awaited final match of the Kingdom Martial Arts Tournament begins!!!!! This tournament was truly legendary! Both players who advanced to the finals showed overwhelming skills and defeated their opponents!!!”

The frenzied host shouts.

“But at this moment!! Their victory or defeat will be decided!!! The winner will be awarded by Princess Einpel Gainsha Karga, who has watched this tournament from beginning to end!!! And the Sword Master himself!!! Wooaaaaaaah!! Applause applause!!!”

The prize is quite tempting.
The list of prizes for the winner alone was incredibly long.

As I stood in the center of the arena, my opponent walked up from the other side.

ㅡYoung.

That was my first impression.

Just by looking at him, he’s definitely younger than me. Maybe in his early twenties? His hair color, which seemed to be a combination of light green and dark blue, was impressive, and it was cut almost like a two-block.

He’s about 20cm shorter than me.
He was small, but… his body is full of muscles.

ㅡTsupat!

He sent me a look.
His bright yellow eyes seemed to glow for a moment.

“Hoo.”

ㅡAt the same time.

“Not bad for a brat.”

I can feel his spirit.
He seems pretty strong?

“In the 1st corner!!! Elder Knight Harun Gosbelt of the Royal Knights!!! He is a knight who advanced to the finals at super speed with overwhelming force!!!”

But to properly assess his skills, I’ll have to cross swords with him.

He was called a genius.

I’ll see for myself what the skills of a young knight called a genius in the Royal Knights are.

“In the 2nd corner!!! The man who has recorded the first time in history over and over again!!! This is almost like calling him the first human being, the extraordinary Paladin, Kim Katteu!!!!”