Flashy Adventurer System : Show Off to Get Stronger! - Chapter 680

Chapter 680: A Surgeon and an Actor
An awkward silence settled over the grand halls where the Heroes’ Banquet was taking place.

However, to Scarlet, this was expected.

After all, this had been the way of things for centuries, becoming a long-standing tradition.

In the first round of challenges, even with the privilege of choosing first, the Yon Augennians would always pass, as though they were declaring to the world that they were the top region, the ones to be challenged.

“I understand. Since our friends from the Yon Augenn region have chosen not to challenge anyone, we will now move on to the tenth-ranked region, Valenzia. Ladies and gentlemen of Valenzia, you may select an opponent from any other region.”

What Scarlet hadn’t anticipated was that, much like the Yon Augennians, the Valenzians remained silent, showing no intention of challenging anyone.

Seeing this, the youngsters from other regions sneered in disdain, believing that the backwater rats from Valenzia were scared.

Little did they know, this was all staged by none other than the leader of the youths: Shye Crowley of the Black Dawn.

“I-I see, it seems our friends from Valenzia are also not eager to participate in the first round. In that case, let’s move on to the ninth-ranked region. Young Kreborians, do you have anyone you’d like to challenge?”

Scarlet did her best to inject some energy into the otherwise dull first round.

Thankfully, the young contenders from the Krebori Region were an enthusiastic group, and they already had their sights set on a target long before the event even happened: the Valenzians.

“Thank you for this opportunity, Moderator Scarlet. I, Kenji Ashton of Krebori, wish to challenge that young man from Valenzia.”

At last, a challenge was made, and as anticipated, the Valenzians immediately became the target of the Kreborians.

The young man who was challenged had a naturally frowning face, appearing to be the most competent duelist of the Valenzian bunch, especially since he seemed to be a scout.

Well, it was somewhat true. Ian was indeed amongst the strongest duelists of Shye’s little crew.

Moreover, scouts were well-known to be menaces in duels.

This, however, appeared to be part of the Kreborians’ strategy to assert their dominance.

They believed that by defeating the strongest of the Valenzian youths, the rest would lose morale, leading to humiliating losses, one after the other, in the upcoming sparring matches.

Such a scene would delight the Kreborians, who had long been determined to prove their superiority over the Valenzians.

The youngsters from Krebori believed they shouldn’t be grouped with the backwater rats.

Although they might be somewhat inferior to the Yon Augennians and the other youths in the top five regions, they were confident in their ability to compete against those from regions ranked just above them.

And that like everyone else from other regions, the Valenzians were nothing to them.

…Standing up from his seat, Ian spoke stutteringly:

“H-Hmph. So, you challenge me, Ian Izanagi of Valenzia, huh? U-Unfortunately, I must decline your challenge, as I consider it a complete waste of time to engage in a fight when there is nothing to gain.”

Upon hearing the response from one of the youths he had brought, Belford frowned.

He couldn’t comprehend why Ian would reject the challenge.

It felt as though… as though he were genuinely afraid to fight the Kreborian, especially given the way he stuttered in his reply.

Little did the Valenzian director know, Shye was inwardly applauding Ian’s performance.

His close friend, despite the seemingly grumpy demeanor, executed his instructions flawlessly.

‘Hahaha! Impeccable acting skills, Ian!’

Uncertain about who would be challenged first, Shye called everyone to his room just before the event and held a huddle, where he thoroughly explained how they would extract maximum benefits from their opponents.

His plan was so devious that the innocent young lady from the Kusanagi Clan couldn’t help but gasp after nearly every sentence he spoke.

Of course, Shye conducted everything behind Belford’s back, unsure whether the old man would support his extortion schemes.

It was better to be safe than sorry.

After all, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Once the world recognized their group’s true power, it would be difficult to persuade others to make mind-boggling bets with them again.

“Hmph! Nothing to gain? Isn’t it a blessing for you to learn new skills from someone from a more advanced region?” Kenji, the Kreborian challenger, shot back, clearly unconvinced by Ian’s words and dismissing them as nothing more than excuses from a coward.

“Say what you want. I, Ian Izanagi, am not afraid of anyone! I simply value my time and only take action when there’s something to gain. It’s unfortunate that betting is not allowed; otherwise, I would be tempted to agree. That’s all—please respect my decision.” Ian replied, seemingly making more excuses.

Upon hearing Ian’s words, Kenji suddenly burst into laughter, convinced that the Valenzians were truly foolish.

Bets were allowed, after all, and now that Ian had made a statement he couldn’t take back, the Kreborian challenger felt that Ian had trapped himself like a fool.

“Hahahahaha!, is that what you were after all along? Why didn’t you mention it sooner? Bets are allowed and always have been. I guess this is your region’s first time, so it’s understandable that you might not know. I’ll overlook your ignorance this time. What would you like to bet on? Money? Items? Just name it. I, Kenji Ashton, will match your terms without hesitation.”

The exchange between the two young men clearly revealed who the “smarter” one was, leaving the youths from the other regions chuckling and shaking their heads in amusement at the foolish Valenzian scout.

Unbeknownst to them, Ian was also inwardly chuckling, applauding himself for a job well done.

His job wasn’t done yet, though.

He needed to make them agree to an outrageous bet while pretending he was just bluffing to get Kenji to back down.

“H-Hmph! F-Fine. H-H-How about five hundred thousand gold coins?! Can you handle that?! Also, I’ll throw in five unique-tier skill books and three adamantite-tier accessories. What do you say?!”