I Became a Swordsmanship Genius in the Game

Chapter 26. The Arena Master's Test

At the highest point of the Bellatus Arena.

In a neat office that spoke to the owner's personality, a man was receiving a report.

The ruler of not only the arena but the entire region of 'Bellatus', a demon with three horns.

Lionel Bellatus.

He looked at the executive before him with a bored expression.

"Are you dissatisfied that I made the human a Super Rookie?"

"How could someone like me possibly be dissatisfied with Lord Lionel's decision..."

"The other executives must have many complaints as well. Am I wrong?"

"......"

The executive bowed his head with a helpless expression.

'Super Rookie' was a gladiator who would become the face of the arena.

No matter how great an achievement the human had accomplished, the majority of the executives were of the opinion that it was not right for him to become a 'Super Rookie' with just two matches.

However.

The executive knew well from past experience that he should not speak carelessly at times like these.

Lionel Bellatus was one who made decisions.

Not one who sought understanding from others.

"I just. Became a little interested."

"...Yes?"

The executive showed a surprised expression, as he had never expected the word 'interest' to come from Lionel's mouth.

Lionel's indifference was equal to everyone.

It was the first time he had shown interest in a mere gladiator.

"Do you need another reason?"

"N-No, sir! Then, what should we give as the Super Rookie reward...?"

The Super Rookie was a special management target as they were the face of the arena.

Therefore, when one became a Super Rookie, it was customary to be given a special item befitting the title.

The executive had guessed it would be the same this time, but the words that came from Lionel's mouth were beyond his expectations.

"The Request Center."

"......"

"How many gladiators who went out to the Request Center this month died?"

The executive's eyes darted― at the unexpected question.

However, he was soon able to recall the answer and reply.

"About 90."

"Have the dead gladiators' equipment been disposed of?"

"No, sir. We have just finished sorting them and were preparing to hand them over to the auction house."

Lionel, after receiving the list of equipment to be sent to the auction house, nodded and said.

"Send this list to the boy."

"Shall I send the list, not the equipment?"

"That will be the reward for the Super Rookie. Let him choose himself."

The gladiators were the property of the arena, and naturally, their belongings were also the arena's.

The gladiators who died at the Request Center ranged from Silver to Gold.

Among the dead gladiators' equipment, there was a variety of items, from trash to useful things.

Of course, there were some items with special properties among them, but...

It was nearly impossible to pick one out just by looking at the names of several hundred items belonging to dozens of gladiators.

Most of them were not suitable as a 'Super Rookie' reward.

The executive nodded, understanding Lionel's intention.

This should be enough to quell the executives' complaints.

"How many should I let him choose?"

"One should be enough."

"I understand. I will deliver it as is."

Just one.

The smiling executive bowed his head and left Lionel's office.

Lionel, left alone, muttered to himself.

"Hyunwoo, is it..."

When he had heard that a gladiator had broken the Trap Time Attack record by an unprecedented margin.

He had felt a slight interest in the fact that the new record holder was a human, but he had quickly lost interest.

However, when he heard the news that the gladiator had snuffed out the Black Whale's life, even Lionel was surprised.

It was that unbelievable.

He became curious whether the human's eccentricities were mere 'luck' or real skill.

'I'm curious to see what choice he'll make this time.'

This Super Rookie reward was also for that purpose.

A test of the human's discerning eye.

If he were to choose the correct answer this time as well.

'Even if it's just luck, if it repeats three times, it's no longer luck.'

Hyunwoo, a human that even the indifferent Lionel couldn't help but watch with anticipation.

Lionel was looking forward to Hyunwoo's choice.

***

⌜Rookie -> Super Rookie

Effect: Skill proficiency increase within the arena by 100%.⌟

The title had changed from 'Rookie' to 'Super Rookie.'

Hyunwoo checked the effects of the 'Super Rookie' title and immediately returned to his quarters.

Van was in the quarters.

"Huh? You're back soon. I thought you were going out on a request."

"I don't have the request I want yet. But... didn't you come here for something?"

"How did you know?"

"I said I might be gone on a long-term request, but you were waiting for me."

"You're quick on the uptake. That's right. I was waiting to give you something."

"What is it?"

It was obviously the Super Rookie reward.

As the Orc placed a small box on the table in front of the sofa, Hyunwoo approached.

"Congratulations."

"I guess I became a Super Rookie, huh?"

"...How did you know?"

"I just had a feeling."

Hiding his inner thought, 'The system told me,' Hyunwoo carefully opened the box.

Instead of the expected reward, there was a badge inside.

A winged badge.

It was the symbol of a Super Rookie.

Hyunwoo naturally picked up the badge and pinned it next to his existing badge.

Van, seeing this, muttered.

"To think a Super Rookie would come from among the gladiators I manage..."

He seemed quite moved, as if it was a significant moment for him.

Hyunwoo chuckled― at his unexpected side and thought about the 'Super Rookie' title.

'The word is a bit ridiculous, but its symbolism is quite significant.'

'Rookie' meant a gladiator the arena was keeping an eye on.

To have now become a 'Super Rookie' was equivalent to the arena actively investing in him.

To them, a Super Rookie was a product with high marketability.

Van, who had been looking moved for a moment, handed him a thick booklet.

"Take it. You can choose one item you want from here."

"Huh...? This is..."

"They said you should choose the Super Rookie reward yourself."

Hyunwoo focused on the booklet.

The open booklet contained a list of hundreds of items.

"...I get to choose from here?"

"That's right. You can choose one item from there. I took a quick look myself... but there were too many, so I couldn't make heads or tails of it."

Hyunwoo carefully examined the list in the booklet from top to bottom.

'Weapons and armor, and consumables. And even miscellaneous items... what's the criteria?'

There were over a hundred types.

There were items from a trash level to a somewhat useful level.

Originally, the 'Super Rookie' reward was not delivered in this way.

Clearly, if it was different from usual, there must be a reason.

"Did they say anything else when they gave you this?"

"I didn't hear anything else in particular."

"Useless."

"......"

Van seemed to have no clue. Read full story at NoveIꜰire.net

He scratched the back of his head with an awkward expression, but he didn't pay much attention.

The reason he had brought him here in the first place was because he had no connections in the arena.

Hyunwoo took his eyes off Van and thought about the Super Rookie's reward.

'The Super Rookie's reward. No, what is the process of deciding a Super Rookie?'

He belatedly recalled that it was the master of the arena who decided the existence of a 'Super Rookie.'

Lionel Bellatus.

'He must have decided on the reward too.'

This peculiar method of reward was also undoubtedly Lionel's decision.

That was how much absolute power he wielded here in the 'Bellatus Arena.'

Hyunwoo recalled Lionel's personality.

'Indifferent, ruthless, and...'

Greedy.

At first glance, the personality of greed, which seemed to be the exact opposite of indifference, didn't make sense, but there was a reason for this.

'He's indifferent to trash, but greedy for talent.'

Therefore, he came to the conclusion that this was a test he was giving him.

A test of whether the gladiator named Hyunwoo was trash or talent.

It was strange to make such a judgment based on a mere item, but what could he do.

That was the kind of person Lionel was.

Hyunwoo looked at the booklet with a different perspective.

He had figured out the creator of this reward-disguised test, and he had also figured out the intention behind it.

Getting the correct answer was not a difficult task.

It was a problem with hundreds of item names without any explanation, but picking out the best item among them was a very easy task for him, the developer.

He could find the correct answer right away.

⌜Black Cloud Sword

A sword whose entire blade is made of an ore called 'Black Cloud.'

It has no special abilities, but its hardness is among the best in the Demon World.⌟

A valuable and good weapon whose price was in a different league from the other equipment.

If he chose this, he would pass Lionel's test and receive his attention.

An item that was clearly the 'correct answer' he wanted.

Therefore, Hyunwoo chose the 'wrong answer' without hesitation.

"Boots of Nightmare. Pass this on for me."

"...Are you sure you chose correctly? The name itself doesn't sound good... the ones with ordinary names might be better."

Van tried to dissuade him with a worried expression.

If it was an item with an ordinary name, there was a high probability that it wouldn't be a dud.

And, as he was worried, it was true that he had chosen an item that 'looked' like a 'dud.'

Because receiving Lionel's attention was not a good thing.

'I have to leave the arena someday, and if I get his attention, my plans could go awry.'

If he got unnecessarily entangled in the arena, he might not be able to move in time.

Hyunwoo, having made up his mind, handed the booklet back to Van.

"Don't worry. It's more useful than you think."

"It looks like a cursed item... well, alright. It's your choice anyway."

Van nodded and left the quarters.

Hyunwoo, mulling over his last words, let out a small laugh.

'A cursed item... how did he know?'

He had a surprisingly sharp side.

⌜Boots of Nightmare

Boots that present the wearer with endless nightmares when they fall asleep wearing them.

Status: Cursed⌟

A completely useless item.

However, once the curse was lifted, it became a very useful item.

Footsteps of the Abyss.

A smile naturally appeared on Hyunwoo's face as he recalled the true form of the 'Boots of Nightmare.'

The curses placed on items were made with complex conditions, so dispelling them was very difficult.

However, since he knew all the methods, it was no problem at all.

'I'm lucky. Every item I get is a jackpot.'

Hyunwoo sat down on the sofa and recalled the abilities of the 'Footsteps of the Abyss.'

⌜Footsteps of the Abyss

A posthumous work created by the Demon World's Lich 'Gregory' during his lifetime. The masterpiece of Gregory's life, who was sensitive to noise.

Darkness envelops the user wearing the shoes, completely concealing their presence.⌟

From the description alone, it seemed like an item no different from silent slippers, but it was a much more amazing item than that.

The effect of hiding one's presence was so outstanding that it was considered a must-have item for users who wanted to play as an assassin.

'It'll have many uses.'

It was an item that would be useful in the 'Sylvester' region, where he planned to go through a request right away.