I Became a Swordsmanship Genius in the Game

Chapter 19. A Nightmare Surfaced.

Hyunwoo recalled the existence of ‘sponsors’.

Sponsors could support gladiators they favored through sponsorship.

It was a system where they provided mana stones or items and received a corresponding reward in return.

That reward could be for simple fandom or amusement, or it could be to enhance their own prestige.

It varied depending on each individual's circumstances.

The reason Hyunwoo hadn't immediately thought of sponsors was because he was still just a Bronze gladiator, and he hadn't expected someone who claimed to be a sponsor to appear.

‘It’s probably because I’m a Rookie.’

Hyunwoo looked at the being who had called him.

The one who had proposed the sponsorship was wearing clothes adorned with all sorts of jewels.

A person with the power to enjoy luxury and pleasure in the Demon World.

He seemed to be a demon.

“I am Baron Shaohr. I would like to sponsor you personally. Are you interested?”

As expected, the other party was a demon.

After all, in the Demon World, the term ‘demon’ referred to the noble class.

A demon had appeared before him.

If Hyunwoo had been a clueless Bronze Rookie, he might have gotten excited at the name ‘demon’ and readily accepted his proposal.

‘He’s a guy trying to scratch a lottery ticket.’

Looking at his rank, he was a Baron.

Occasionally, low-ranking demons would hit the jackpot by sponsoring a Bronze gladiator, and the demon in front of him seemed to be aiming for that.

Because the success of a sponsored gladiator was a good way to enhance the sponsor’s prestige.

“No response.”

As the demon’s brow slowly furrowed, Hyunwoo immediately opened his mouth.

“I appreciate the offer, but I must decline the sponsorship.”

“What? You’re declining?”

As if he hadn't even considered rejection, the demon’s face immediately crumpled.

“I am not looking for sponsorship yet.”

“Ah, ah. You. You’re human, right. It seems you don’t know what sponsorship is.”

“No, I do.”

“You do?”

“I know very well.”

“Ha, and yet you decline a sponsorship? Do you perhaps have another sponsor?”

It seemed to be a rare occurrence for a Bronze to decline sponsorship, as the demon repeatedly asked.

‘What a clingy guy.’

Demons didn’t particularly like overlapping sponsorships.

In other words, if I accepted a sponsorship now, I might miss out on a better sponsor.

Getting on the wrong side of a demon would make things very tiresome here.

I carefully considered what to say so as not to offend him, and then opened my mouth.

“I don’t. I just don’t think I’m skilled enough to receive someone’s sponsorship yet.”

At those words, the demon stared at Hyunwoo.

An unreadable gaze.

Because of that, I became nervous.

‘Still, it’s foolish to get a sponsor when my value is at its lowest.’

I was an unscratched lottery ticket.

And a lottery ticket that was a guaranteed win.

Finally, the demon opened his mouth.

“Your skills aren't to your satisfaction, you say… Or is it that I am not to your satisfaction?”

Surprisingly, it was a question that hit the nail on the head.

But I couldn't very well say, ‘Yes, do you really think a piece of shit lowest-ranking demon like a Baron would be to my liking?’.

Hyunwoo bowed his head deeply.

“Not at all. How could a Bronze nobody like me dare to be picky about a sponsor? I am merely concerned that I might tarnish Baron Shaohr’s reputation.”

At Hyunwoo’s smooth tongue, the demon let out a small laugh and opened his mouth.

“You have a way with words. Alright. I guess it can’t be helped.”

“Farewell!”

Hyunwoo kept his head bowed low until the Baron had completely disappeared.

There was no guarantee that the guy was a clean-cut demon without any grudges.

Soon, when his presence could no longer be felt, I carefully straightened my back.

‘Phew… That was a close call.’

I didn't know when a guy pretending to be a gentleman would suddenly change.

Because that’s what demons are.

It was best to avoid getting involved as much as possible.

Hyunwoo quickly left the spot.

Of course, there were demons who would smash Hyunwoo’s head in for feeling bad after something like this, but….

He had clearly memorized the faces of those who were that violent.

If it had been one of them, he wouldn't have just bowed his head but would have prostrated himself flat on the ground while declining.

“They’re no different from a bunch of gangsters….”

As Hyunwoo was cursing and heading back to his lodging, the Baron approached him again from a distance.

“Ah. Right, right.”

…Did he hear me?

Hyunwoo gave an awkward smile, gauging the approaching Baron’s expression.

“Did you forget something…?”

“Take this. I forgot to give it to you.”

“Yes, sir!”

Fortunately, it seemed he hadn't heard my muttering.

Hyunwoo bowed at a right angle and respectfully received what the Baron handed him with both hands.

A small business card.

On the card was engraved the location of his domain.

“If you change your mind, find me through an Administrator.”

“It would be an honor.”

Perhaps because he liked my attitude of refusal, the Baron left a follow-up.

He was a remarkably clingy fellow.

Hyunwoo stood in place with his head bowed for a long time.

“……”

A moment later, Hyunwoo straightened his back and fidgeted with the business card in his hand.

‘Other guys will start sticking to me from now on.’

Now was the time to raise my value, not to get a sponsor.

I had no intention of selling myself for a cheap price.

If I became stronger, the problem of sponsorship would take care of itself, so there was no need to decide now.

Hyunwoo roughly crumpled the business card into his clothes and headed for his lodging.

* * *

Three days had passed.

The swordsmanship, the sword, and the survival items were all being prepared well, but there was one item I couldn't obtain.

A magic scroll that could inflict an effective blow on the Black Whale.

‘A lightning scroll… Where can I get one of those?’

I tried to get one somehow with my Rookie status, but it was not enough.

I needed several lightning scrolls, but I couldn't get a single one.

Instead of the scrolls, Hyunwoo looked at the pile of business cards in the corner of his lodging.

In the meantime, word about Hyunwoo, the Rookie, seemed to have spread among the sponsors, and quite a few demons came in person or sent their minions.

Of course, the answer was a refusal to all of them.

Hyunwoo, who had taken his eyes off the business cards, let out a sigh.

‘…Should I seriously consider getting a sponsor?’

My resolve to get a sponsor only after I became stronger was rendered meaningless, as I couldn't think of any other way to solve the current situation than sponsorship.

A lightning scroll.

It was an essential item for hunting the Black Whale.

I had to get it for the hunt.

And the more, the better.

Because the success rate increased with the number of scrolls I had.

The problem was not only how to get them, but also that they were too expensive.

After paying the remaining balance for the weapon, I had less than 500 mana stones left.

‘No matter how I try to find a cheap way to get them… I don’t have enough mana stones.’

The amount of mana stones I had now was far from enough.

As Hyunwoo was racking his brains, the door of the lodging burst open.

Van, who naturally approached him, put down a plate of food.

Clatter—

“Eat.”

Hyunwoo looked up and stared at Van.

‘Should I borrow some from Van? I think we’ve gotten a bit closer….’

The Orc, feeling Hyunwoo’s gaze, opened his mouth.

“Is there something you want to say?”

“By any chance….”

As Hyunwoo hesitated, the Orc prompted him.

“Speak freely. The higher-ups also told me to accommodate you as much as possible.”

‘Oh!’

It seemed there was a possibility of borrowing mana stones.

As Hyunwoo, who had gained courage, was about to open his mouth, Van was faster.

“I’ll grant you anything except borrowing mana stones. Speak.”

“…Never mind.”

“You can say anything.”

“I said never mind… Just go, go.”

“What a dull fellow.”

This bastard… Is he a mind reader or something?

I couldn't even attempt to borrow mana stones before being shut down.

As Hyunwoo stared at Van, he clicked his tongue and left the lodging.

“……”

After Van left, Hyunwoo pondered for a long time in the silent lodging.

It was hopeless.

I just couldn't think of a way….

As his gaze wandered around, something caught his eye.

‘…A sponsor’s business card.’

It wasn't that I had finally decided to get a sponsor.

Looking at the business card, an idea flashed in my mind.

A usable method came to mind.

“Van—!”

Hyunwoo called Van again.

He must have been nearby, as he came back quickly.

“What is it? You just had a meal.”

“A black market merchant! Call a black market merchant for me.”

“Use the market. Although we tacitly allow gladiators to use black market merchants, the Arena doesn’t like it. Especially since you’re a Rookie.”

In other words, it wasn’t illegal, but it was an exploit.

It was nice that Van was worried about his reputation, but there was no choice right now.

“I need something that’s not sold in the market.”

“…You’re not trying to buy something strange, are you?”

The guy's eyes darted between my lower body and the room, as if he was thinking of something.

What are you thinking, you bastard.

…That kind of thing could be obtained easily enough in the market.

Hyunwoo shook his head.

“It’s an item needed for a match.”

“Hmm… It seems you’re not in heat yet.”

“Stop with the nonsense and call the guy who came last time. Was his name Pierre?”

“The Goblin?”

“Yeah, that guy.”

“Since you say you’re getting something needed for a match, I’ll bring him.”

Van nodded and left the lodging.

‘If I’m going to do this, a gullible-looking guy would be better.’

It was also convenient since we had met once before, and it seemed like I could easily deceive him.

Tap, tap—

Hyunwoo smiled, tapping his fingers on the business cards the sponsors had given him.

* * *

Lately, Pierre had been feeling that his business was not going well.

No gladiator was looking for him at all.

‘The last transaction I had was… with that arrogant human.’

A horrible transaction, even in retrospect.

He must have been jinxed since then.

But today, he smelled a big score.

The Orc had visited him after a long time.

“You’re summoned.”

“Yes—! Pierre, at your service, ready to go anywhere, anytime!”

“A black market merchant who just scuttles around in rat holes, I suppose.”

“……”

This Orc bastard was someone he disliked every time they met.

But without an Administrator, he couldn't even enter the Arena. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ novelfire(.)net

Pierre quickly wiped the unpleasant expression off his face, rubbed his palms together, and bowed his head.

“Hehe… It is only because you, Master Grogue, open the rat holes that I can enter, is it not? By any chance, is there any information about the client…?”

“It’s the one who recently became a Rookie.”

“A Ro-Rookie!? Why would a Rookie call for me of all people…?”

“You don’t want to go, I see? Then I’ll find another black market merchant….”

“N-No, sir! I’ll get ready and go right away!”

His heart began to pound with the premonition of a big score after a long time.

A big shot was looking for him.

‘A Rookie!’

A Rookie was at least a gladiator who had achieved a ‘feat’ in the Arena.

Naturally, there was a high probability that they had a lot of mana stones.

A transaction with them was like scratching a lottery ticket that was a guaranteed win.

Pierre, unable to hide his joy, immediately headed for the lodging the Orc had told him about.

‘Impressive…! It’s clean, as befits a Rookie’s lodging.’

What kind of amazing person would be here?

Pierre knocked on the door with a fluttering heart.

Knock, knock—

“I heard you were looking for me—”

“Oh, come in.”

He hadn't even finished speaking when the other party cut him off.

Pierre felt a strange emotion, thinking that this Rookie was quite an impatient person.

‘But something… about that voice is familiar?’

A confident and weary tone, as if ordering a subordinate.

A faint sense of anxiety welled up from the familiar déjà vu.

Pierre carefully opened the door.

Creeak—

Inside the empty room, there was only a bed.

And sitting on it was clearly….

A human.

A human was sitting on the bed, looking at Pierre.

“You’re here?”

“……”

He realized the source of the anxiety that had been creeping up on him.

‘Th-Th-This guy is…!’

Looking at the grinning human in front of him, the nightmare of the items he had sold for a pittance in the past resurfaced.