Episode 62. One Hundred Foot Ritual (4)
100 steps (百步) ceremony.
This was an event that started in the 10th class and has been held without missing a single one for the past 41 years.
An unusually large-scale ceremony presided over by the sword master during the events of the cradle.
Also, for the existing jockeys, the Baekbo ceremony was a ceremony to find out the level of newcomers and a process of selecting those who might become competitors in the future.
In addition, the small bet on the outcome of the 100-step ceremony was a small entertainment that could not be missed for the existing jockeys.
“How many paces will it go?”
“I bet 1,000 points that it won’t be 3 steps.”
“Then I get 2,000 points for 4 steps.”
“Still, the rest of the kids look pretty good, so I think it’ll be 5 steps?”
“Four and a half steps!”
The jockeys began predicting the outcome of the 50th ceremonies based on the existing records of the 100 steps ceremony.
The highest record ever was nine steps, set 35 years ago.
And the best record in nearly 10 years was 8 steps, set two years ago.
So when everyone was talking about the 50th record within 8 steps.
“Eight steps.”
The bettors’ mouths fell shut at the sudden, clear voice.
It is only natural that those who were slightly surprised turned their heads.
The voice that surprised everyone was none other than the area where 49 units were gathered.
Among them, it was from a girl who sat at the very front.
A well-known celebrity to the 49th class as well as other jockeys.
‘Thearesia Winchester?’
‘What’s with him?’
The surprise of the audience was all the greater because she usually did not get involved in things like this.
But her words were not over.
“100,000 points for taking eight or more steps.”
“… … ?!”
In the gaze of the audience looking at her, there was a feeling of ‘Do you know what you are talking about?’
Even so, she didn’t care and just looked at the stadium.
It was then.
“Look 8… You say something interesting, Thearesia.”
A voice seemed slightly displeased with Thearesia’s story.
The epicenter was the 48th section, a man who seemed to be on the border between a young man and a boy sitting in the first row.
Dark blonde hair cut short.
Dark eyebrows and black eyes.
He was a handsome man with distinct features and thick lines.
The sudden interruption caused the audience to observe the situation with interest.
He had to do that too.
If Thearesia represented the 49th class, then that man was the representative of the 48th class and their center.
All eyes that had been focused on Thearesia were focused on him this time.
In the midst of paying attention to how he will come out.
“You say eight steps so easily.”
The man was clearly a little displeased.
Even so, the atmosphere seemed to agree to a certain extent.
maybe that was natural.
Two years ago.
Because he was the one who took 8 steps in that stadium.
He was well qualified to say that after eight steps.
To this, Thearesia briefly denied it.
“It wasn’t easy. I said it because I thought it through and thought it could happen.”
“… … .”
“And I didn’t say 8 paces. They said more than eight steps.”
The man’s eyebrows twitched at Thearesia’s clear, clear reply.
A hardened voice came from him.
“That’s right, 100,000 points for 8 steps or more.”
“yes.”
“That bet, I take it. I’d bet no more than 8 steps. step!”
“… … .”
“Raise the stake to 500,000 points. Will you accept it?”
Thearesia moved her gaze to the arena for a moment at the provocative tone.
Her eyes could not be separated from the dark-haired boy who was staring straight at the blade.
Staring at the glass like that, Thearesia nodded.
“Take it.”
* * *
Yuri’s eyes, looking at the sword master, gained strength.
‘Baekba Ritual.’
A simple ritual to break through the terrible momentum and head for the sword master.
I don’t know the exact reason why the sword master, who is said to be the absolute ruler of the world, is playing with such a house.
But Duran said.
The Baekbo Ritual is a test the sword master puts on them.
‘test? you’re welcome!’
Yuri’s thoughts on this were different.
His fists clenched tightly.
Kuduk-.
‘This… It’s an opportunity.’
Usually, a challenge to the sword master requires risking one’s life.
The so-called sword usurpation, a life-and-death challenge.
So far, the only one who has survived the challenge is Johann Redner, who is unyielding.
And he thought that there would be no chance to challenge the sword lord except to seize the sword seat.
But there was.
‘Even though it’s not a direct fight with the sword master, it’s an opportunity to get a glimpse of the power of the world’s strongest being.’
The Baekbo ceremony was an opportunity to challenge the sword master without risking one’s life.
Realizing that fact, Yuri looked up at the sword master.
‘Go over there… 100 steps.’
The distance between the lines is about 70 cm.
In other words, the distance from the sword master was about 70m.
However, the distance that Yuri felt was much farther than that.
‘Is this only 100 steps?’
Sword Master didn’t do anything and just sat with his chin resting.
Even so, he was suppressing himself with overwhelming force.
His whole body felt heavy, as if he were tied to heavy iron bars.
‘If this is the case even beyond a hundred paces, if you approach the inside… … .’
Perhaps a terrible momentum awaits you.
Yuri bit her lip.
‘Can I really reach that far?’
he was so worried
But the trouble didn’t last long.
‘hahahaha!’
Yuri laughed inwardly.
‘Yuri Holland… You stupid and weak bastard.’
The moment he cursed himself, a scene unfolded in front of him.
The space of a hundred steps that exists between the glass and the sword blade.
In that desolate space, people’s illusions were created.
One person, two people, three people… … .
The welcome of the people who appeared little by little has increased enormously before I knew it.
Because I was only looking at the Sword Master.
People who can only see their backs from the glass seats.
Yuri recognized who they were.
‘Those who were aiming for the usurpation of the sword.’
They were the numerous people who had challenged the sword master before him.
They were walking towards the sword master.
Some only take 90 steps.
Some 60 steps.
Another 50 paces inside.
Countless people headed for the sword master, but some stopped in frustration.
Someone else was still moving towards the sword master.
And in the welcome of such a crowd.
Right in the lead, there was a small, one-legged old man who was walking ahead of everyone else.
‘John Redner.’
Decades since the usurpation of the throne.
During that long period of time, the person who reached the closest to the sword master at a distance of 100 steps would definitely be him.
‘Even such old man John is still struggling to reach the Sword Master… I was already worrying about when it would arrive.’
It’s like worrying without even trying yet.
Isn’t it really pathetic?
Yuri smiled lightly.
he’s far away
I stared intently at the vision of the dwarf old man approaching the Sword Master.
‘Inspired… … .’
A sword blade that looks like it’s wrapped in hellfire because it’s surrounded by red energy.
The back of a challenger who walks steadfastly toward him, even if his whole body is burned.
In response, Yuri slowly warmed up.
‘Wait a minute… I’ll catch up soon.’
It probably won’t take that long.
Yuri, who made a promise to herself, took the first step towards the sword master.
Wooddeuk-.
Even though the removed foot didn’t even touch the ground, the pressure from all sides increased.
It’s as if he won’t let you step out.
However, Yuri silently stepped on the ground.
thud-.
‘one.’
1 step.
I only moved a distance of about 70cm, but the pressure increased almost twice.
At this, Yuri burst out laughing.
‘It’s crazy.’
That much in just one step?
Then, how much pressure do you have to endure to get to the distance where the sword can reach the sword master?
The corner of Yuri’s mouth twitched at the force that oppressed her whole body.
‘It’s fun.’
Yuri decided.
I decided to test my limits here today.
‘indeed… How many steps do you think my current ability is?’
With that thought in mind, he raised his leg again.
Then the pressing pressure increased again.
Wooddeuk-.
Yuri straightened her back and resisted the pressure.
and went forward
* * *
hee hee hee hee-.
Gunther took a deep breath under the pressure.
But the pressure was never relieved.
‘Mana… … !’
The moment when he finally came to his senses after waking up the mana sleeping in the core and injecting power into his body.
Full-.
Gunther’s head turned at the sound he heard from close by.
There, the rider who had been crawling on the floor a while ago was lying there.
Seeing as there was no movement, he seemed to have passed out.
The same thing happened all around Gunther.
Fluttering- Fluttering-.
The white walk ceremony begins, and those who somehow endured at first.
After that, the jockeys who had been crawling on the floor and holding out lost consciousness and collapsed.
“Keuhehehehe-!”
“Also, help… … .”
After a little more time passed, those who were half-bent also propped up on the ground with both arms, just like those who fainted a moment ago.
Judging by their appearance, it was likely that they would soon join those who had fainted.
Filter and filter like that.
In the end, only those who stand on their own two feet are left.
The number seemed to be a little over 30 people.
Of course, not all of them were fine.
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More than half of the 30 people had pale complexions, as if they were going to collapse at any moment.
Only very few people are standing still, even if they look burdensome.
Even though they had heard the contents of the test to face the Sword Master, no one dared to step forward.
Because it was too much for me to just stand there.
‘This is the sword master’s power… … .’
When he actually faced the strength of the Sword Master, which he had only heard about, he clearly realized how that reputation came about.
‘It’s the power to take down countless people at once from a distance, just with momentum.’
So Gunter couldn’t help but question.
Will he be able to move towards the Sword Master?
No, I already knew it in my head.
‘This is a test. We must move forward.’
But my body didn’t move.
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Murray knew this was a test, but the fear of the Sword Master held him back.
‘We must move!’
When he’s just repeating that to himself.
Jerk-.
Small footsteps were heard.
But the sound echoed in Gunther’s ears like thunder.
At this, Gunter’s gaze naturally turned to the direction of the sound.
And he could see
The profile of someone who took a step alone among countless people who had fallen.
‘That guy… … ?’
Although he could only see his side profile, that long black hair belonged to someone he was very familiar with.
‘It’s that guy!’
A boy who confronted himself on the black line.
Gunther looked at the side of him as if possessed.
And it wasn’t just Gunther.
All the riders of the 50th class, who had been standing still until then, were staring at the side profile of Yuri as he took the first step.
and that moment.
Wooddeuk-.
thud-.
Yuri succeeded in taking another step.
second step.
Two steps taken alone when others are not doing anything.
Because of that, what the 50th generation now sees is not the profile of Yuri, but the back.
The figure from the back caused a strange wave in the hearts of those who followed it with their eyes.
The same was true for Gunther.
‘why… … .’
It’s just two steps.
I’m only taking two steps first.
“why?”
Does that guy’s back feel so far away?
It’s only two steps away!
And that fact made Gunther move.
‘… I will not fall behind.’
Zie-.
Gunther removed his leg and stepped forward.
And that was the beginning.
Gunter Irons.
Poppy.
Arin Helga.
The three followed Yuri and took a step.
The others started to move in pursuit of those three.