SWNOVELXO Chapter 64
Chapter 64. The Two from the U.S. Branch
“Onii-chan, what’s that building!”
“Yanagi-kun, there’s something cool over there too!”
“Alright, let’s check it out later.”
Despite my halfhearted response, the girls nod with bright smiles, laughing gleefully.
I wish they’d calm down a bit, but telling excited travelers to tone it down would just be boorish.
By the way, I’m moving separately from the rest of the group, with Hattori-san and Ao tagging along for some reason.
After our transfer yesterday, I explained that there’s a fourteen-hour time difference between the U.S. and Japan. When we arrived, it was already late at night. We stayed in a pre-booked hotel and are now out exploring the city after getting a night’s rest.
These two, full of energy, are darting around excitedly, but before sightseeing, there’s something we must do today.
We need to visit the venue for the world tournament and register our weapons.
I want to keep my abilities hidden until the very last moment against the Absolute One. I’ll aim for a 50.1% win rate over 50%. The audience may criticize me, but I couldn’t care less. My goal is to defeat the Absolute One. I’m not here for victory or a fair fight. Dirty tricks? Bring them on!
“Wow! They’re selling such delicious-looking sweets!”
“There’s an eating contest happening over there!”
…Maybe I should stop them.
The two are stunningly beautiful girls, no exaggeration.
With model-like looks and smiles that charm everyone, it’s only natural that some misguided party animals would approach them.
“Hey there, missy! How about hanging out with us—”
“Huh? Onii-chan, these guys just collapsed out of nowhere. Should we help them?”
“Leave them. They probably had a wild party last night and passed out drunk.”
“Oh, okay then.”
I directed a killing intent at the partiers trying to hit on Ao, knocking them unconscious.
Seriously, hitting on a middle schooler? Get lost, you creeps!
“Hey, green hair—”
Next, I karate-chopped another idiot trying to hit on Hattori-san, knocking him out cold.
By the time we reached our destination, unconscious bodies littered the streets, leaving passersby puzzled as they stared at the people sprawled on the ground.
“Whoa, we’re here!”
“This is…”
“Yup! This is the venue for the world tournament!”
The venue is a massive dome-shaped structure.
It might be 1.5 times the size of the underground space at the Special Operations Headquarters.
“Let’s go inside, Onii-chan! I wonder what it looks like!”
My little sister grabbed my arm and pulled me along.
I wish she’d slow down a bit… but I guess it’s to be expected after Mom’s guidance. She’s destined to be a fine yandere someday.
Walking straight inside, we saw the arena where the matches would take place. As expected from the outside, the interior was also vast, capable of seating 60,000 people.
Considering Tokyo Dome holds about 46,000, this is 1.3 times larger by simple math.
“Wow, amazing! Onii-chan, you’re going to fight in a place like this!”
Even though the matches haven’t started yet, my palms were sweating, and my heart was pounding.
Wait, seriously? I’m fighting in a place like this?
And to top it off, it’ll be televised nationwide, broadcasting my every move.
Honestly, it might be less stressful to skip the tournament and go straight to defeating the Absolute One. Could I find them in the city? Nah, that’d be a no-go.
I let out a sigh, pressing my temple with my left hand, and headed to the reception desk to register my weapon.
The reception desk was to the left of the entrance; I must’ve missed it due to nerves.
“Here, please use this.”
“Understood. On the day, please present this card to exchange it for the registered item. Don’t forget to bring it.”
“Got it.”
I submitted the registration form and received a card.
The number was “4.” Let’s call it lucky number 4. No arguments allowed.
As I stared blankly at the card, someone suddenly called out to me.
“Hey, isn’t that Hattori?”
“Huh? Oh, Lyle-san! And next to you is Mana-san? Are you two participating in the world tournament?”
“This idiot is the only one participating. You know I’m useless in combat.”
It seemed they were acquaintances of Hattori-san.
A tall, brown-haired man stood beside a petite, blonde woman.
“Are they friends of yours, Hattori-san?”
“Yup. We’ve worked together on joint missions a few times. They’re ability users from the U.S. branch.”
“Hey! Are you the newbie?”
“Yes. I’ve been here for about a month.”
When I answered, Lyle-san? grinned mischievously, exuding a slightly hostile aura.
“Well then, how about a little lesson from your senior in combat?”
“Hey, knock it off! Yanagi-kun needs to prepare for the tournament, so don’t mess with him!”
“Oh? So he’s the one… Mana!”
“Sigh… You’ve got bad taste, you know? Though I admit, I’m a little curious about this rookie from Japan.”
The blonde beauty looked at me with piercing eyes.
Her pupils, which had turned blue at some point, made me feel as if I were being seen through.
“You… shouldn’t participate in the tournament.”
“Huh?”
Her sudden comment left me confused, and I gave a foolish response.
Can you blame me? A complete stranger had just told me not to participate in the tournament. It was so baffling that my mind went blank.
“Hey, don’t keep it vague. What’s the number?”
The brown-haired Lyle-san grinned as he asked.
Mana-san hesitated for a moment but soon opened her mouth.
“…One hundred.”
“What? Did I mishear something?”
“You didn’t. That boy’s combat power is undeniably one hundred.”
“…”
Lyle-san’s face went blank, and he suddenly grabbed me by the collar.
“Hey, are you messing with me?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about!”
Well, okay, I kinda do.
Most likely, Mana-san has the ability to quantify others’ strength. She must’ve checked mine and found it to be just one hundred. That’s probably my natural, unenhanced combat power.
And now, Lyle-san, furious that a weakling like me is in this tournament, is taking it out on me.
“Lyle-san. If you lay another hand on Yanagi-san, I’ll crush you myself.”
Great. Now Hattori-san is mad too.
No need to make that scary face. Look at Ao. She’s so unconcerned she’s dozing on a bench. Maybe you could take a page from her book… Wait, why is she sleeping?! Your brother’s in trouble here!
“Tch! Looks like Kongou’s gone soft, letting a weakling like you into the squad. Let’s go, Mana. This is a waste of time.”
“Alright, alright… Sorry about him. But really, you should reconsider participating. It might leave deep emotional scars.”
With that, the two from the U.S. branch left the dome. As they exited, Lyle-san added.
“Doesn’t it embarrass you to be protected by a girl?”
His words annoyed me, but I held back for now.
“Geez, what’s with that guy! Yanagi-san, you’ve got to crush him in the tournament!”
“Haha, that might be a bit difficult.”
Crush him? I’ll end it so fast he won’t even have time to react.
He’ll be utterly humiliated, turning bright red with embarrassment.
“Mm… Huh? Is it over?”
And Ao, you’re getting some discipline later.
“…What?”