Chapter 197
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Chapter 197: Take It to the Basement
"You wish to join our guild as well?"
Elena blinked in surprise.
"Might I inquire your name?"
"Just call me Lvzi."
Lvzi beckoned to Army Lady behind her, then promptly linked arms with the golden-haired maiden when she approached.
"I’m Army Lady’s dearest friend," she declared, "and it took me forever to track her down."
At these words, goosebumps rose on the blonde girl’s skin as she struggled to free her trapped arm.
Yet Lvzi clung with surprising strength – extracting the limb without causing injury seemed impossible.
"We’re the best of sisters, aren’t we, Army Lady?"
Lvzi batted her eyelashes playfully before resting her head against Army Lady’s shoulder in a show of exaggerated affection.
"Indeed… of course."
Though nodding with practiced smile, Army Lady fought the urge to grimace as she attempted to push the green-haired girl away with her left hand. This backstory Mother had invented – that Lvzi was her former adventuring companion and closest confidante – felt unnecessarily elaborate.
"My, what an intimate pair you make,"
Elena observed with amusement.
"With such a recommendation, we can dispense with ability tests."
The registration process proceeded smoothly until reaching the level designation—
"Cl-Class B?!"
Elena’s ever-present professional composure shattered, her eyes widening in genuine astonishment.
"You can’t be serious, Miss Lvzi!"
The surrounding adventurers who’d been eavesdropping erupted in uproar.
"Class B? Pull the other one!"
"Look at her! Some slip of a girl claiming Class B? Preposterous!"
"Tch – figures she’d know that Army Lady. A murderer and a terrible liar – truly birds of a feather."
"Enough!"
A muscular archer with sword at his hip finally interjected, his voice cutting through the jeers.
"What if someone did die? I’d applaud anyone who took out scum like Sylvestre! You’re spouting baseless accusations!"
"Bachelor Rogge…"
The three mockers faltered upon recognizing the speaker.
Rogge stood among the guild’s twenty-odd Class C Adventurers, his combat prowess placing him comfortably within the top ranks.
"Bachelor" was his moniker, earned not merely for remaining single into his thirties, but for his consistent preference for solo missions.
Yet among the three mockers stood a fellow Class C Adventurer, their ringleader, who sneered derisively at Rogge.
"Playing the white knight? Could it be you’ve taken a fancy to these wenches?"
His gaze traveled insolently over Army Lady and Lvzi, tongue clicking appreciatively.
"Though credit where it’s due – these two are proper lookers. Put every Brothel girl to shame."
Brothel?
The term gave the two ants pause, conjuring unpleasant associations in their minds.
Their expressions darkened in perfect unison.
"Does the guild permit duels?"
Lvzi inquired of Elena.
"Certainly not," came the crisp reply. "Brawling in town lands you in the patrol’s custody."
A meaningful pause followed as Elena’s eyes flicked toward the trio.
"Though sanctioned sparring between adventurers is… permissible."
"Oh ho! Challenging us?" The lead adventurer cracked his knuckles, wearing an infuriating grin.
"Let’s see what this ‘Class B’ posturing amounts to."
"Should both parties consent," Elena interjected smoothly, "the guild maintains a dedicated basement arena for such… engagements."
She studied Lvzi with undisguised curiosity. This slip of a girl – barely fifteen winters old – a genuine Class B? Even Class C would be remarkable enough…
…
With terms agreed, the procession descended – Elena, Lvzi and Army Lady followed by their three provocateurs and a trail of spectacle-hungry adventurers.
"Can you manage this properly?"
"Whatever do you mean?"
Throughout their descent, Lvzi maintained her vise-like grip on the blonde’s arm, their whispered exchange lost in the general clamor.
"You know precisely what – restrain your strength. No accidental fatalities."
"Tehee~ So little faith? Leave everything to me!"
If they were to maintain their Class B human disguise, flamboyance served better than restraint. A decisive victory now would forestall future annoyances.
The basement arena proved sparse – weapon racks lining the walls, the stone floor cratered and scarred from countless prior clashes.
"Combatants to your positions."
The lead male adventurer strode to the opposite side.
Lvzi finally released Army Lady and moved to the other flank.
"The other two should come as well."
She pointed at the remaining pair.
"What?"
The two froze momentarily before anger flashed across their faces.
"You intend to take on all three of us?"
"Precisely."
"How dare you humiliate us like this…"
Their expressions darkened with fury.
"Let me make one thing clear—I’m a genuine Class B. Even if all three of you come at me together, it still wouldn’t pose much of a challenge."
"Such arrogance!"
The two seethed with rage, their gazes shifting toward Elena.
"Is this acceptable? You alone against all three of them?"
Elena couldn’t resist asking for confirmation.
Lvzi responded with a firm nod.
With that, the two men took their positions opposite her.
Once both sides were prepared, Elena gave a decisive nod.
"Then—let the battle commence!"
No sooner had the words left her mouth than the two melee adventurers—one wielding a massive axe, the other a longsword—lunged forward eagerly. Behind them, the archer drew his bowstring taut, taking careful aim at Lvzi.
Only as they closed in did Lvzi finally unsheathe her blade.
With a swift motion, she deflected the axe-wielder’s strike. The overzealous adventurer staggered backward from the sheer force of the impact before tumbling unceremoniously to the ground.
Meanwhile, the second attacker—the Class C Adventurer among them—brought his sword down in a sweeping arc.
A faint glow enveloped his blade, signaling the activation of a skill that enhanced both speed and power.
Yet Lvzi merely sidestepped with effortless grace, evading the strike entirely.
When the difference in attributes was this vast, landing a hit bordered on impossible—unless one possessed abysmal combat instincts.
After dodging the Class C Adventurer’s subsequent swings as though toying with a child, Lvzi’s sword flashed out, striking his weapon with pinpoint accuracy.
A metallic clang rang out as the sword was wrenched from his grip, embedding itself at an angle in the earth.
His face contorted with humiliation. Fists clenched, he charged recklessly at Lvzi—only to abruptly reach into his coat mid-stride and fling his arm outward.
A thick cloud of white powder exploded into the air.
