Festival Tournament

The final day of the Tempest Grand Festival began with excitement hanging in the air like static. The streets were alive with anticipation as adventurers, nobles, and spectators alike gathered for the main attractions: the tournament and the official opening of the Labyrinth. Today promised to be an unforgettable experience, packed with thrilling battles and the unveiling of Tempest's legendary dungeon.

The Tournament: An International Event

The grand arena, specially constructed for the festival, stood as a massive coliseum in the heart of Tempest. Its magical barriers shimmered faintly, designed to protect the spectators while ensuring the safety of the fighters. The arena was packed with a crowd buzzing with energy—adventurers, monsters, nobles, and kings from all nations were seated in tiered rows, eager to witness the matches.

Flags from every participating nation fluttered in the wind, adding a sense of unity to the tournament. Each nation had sent its best fighters to compete, and the event was divided into three categories: Group C (C-ranked adventurers), Group B (B-ranked adventurers), and Group A (A-ranked adventurers).

Opening Ceremony

Rimuru stood on a raised platform, addressing the audience with his usual charismatic smile. Shion, Shuna, and Milim stood beside him, while Veldora loomed in the background, pretending to act important.

Rimuru: "Welcome, everyone, to the final day of the Tempest Grand Festival! Today, you'll see some of the finest warriors from around the world compete in a test of strength, skill, and spirit! Let's cheer for every participant as they give their all!"

The crowd erupted into cheers, their enthusiasm shaking the arena.

Milim (grinning): "This is going to be awesome! I can't wait to see them fight!"

Veldora: "Hmph. If I were competing, this tournament would be over in seconds."

Shion (crossing her arms): "Let's see if anyone's brave enough to challenge me in the final round."

Rimuru: "Let's just make sure you don't break them, Shion…"

The Tournament Begins

Group C: Rising Adventurers

The first matches featured C-ranked adventurers—newer fighters with determination and potential. Their fights were raw and less polished but no less entertaining. The audience cheered as fighters displayed surprising ingenuity and courage.

One fighter, a beastkin from Blumund, used a unique combination of agility and claws to overpower his opponents, earning the crowd's admiration. Another, a young mage from Englesia, showcased her skill in fire magic, narrowly defeating her opponent in a fiery duel.

Spectator 1: "These kids are impressive! They might just be A-ranked someday!"

Spectator 2: "That beastkin has the instincts of a predator. He'll go far."

After intense rounds, the beastkin emerged victorious, earning his spot in the final battle royale.

Group B: Skilled Fighters

The B-ranked adventurers displayed more refined techniques and tactics. Their battles were faster, more intense, and often ended with narrow victories. A swordsman from Dwargon used his heavy blade to dominate his matches, while a human archer from Sarion wowed the crowd with pinpoint precision, landing impossible shots even in the chaos of melee combat.

King Gazel: "That swordsman… He's one of ours. Dwargon's pride."

Queen Elmesia: "The archer has impressive control. She's as graceful as she is deadly."

After several breathtaking matches, the archer claimed victory, her skill and agility proving too much for her final opponent.

Group A: Elite Adventurers

The final group consisted of A-ranked adventurers—seasoned warriors and mages who had seen countless battles. Their matches were intense, with power and strategy on full display.

A knight from the Western Nations, clad in shining armor, became a crowd favorite for his unwavering bravery and powerful swordsmanship. However, the star of this group was a mysterious masked fighter from Sarion, whose dual-wielding sword style and speed were mesmerizing.

Milim (excitedly): "That masked one is so fast!"

Rimuru: "Sarion sent their best. This is going to be tough to beat."

In the final match, the masked fighter defeated the knight with a dazzling display of skill, earning her place in the battle royale.

The Battle Royale

The three winners from each group—the beastkin, the archer, and the masked fighter—faced off in a no-holds-barred battle royale. The fight was chaotic and exhilarating, with the crowd roaring as the fighters pushed themselves to their limits.

The beastkin's ferocity and the archer's precision forced the masked fighter to reveal her ultimate technique: Dancing Blades, a storm of sword strikes that overwhelmed both opponents. The masked fighter stood victorious, earning the right to challenge one of Rimuru's generals.

After much deliberation, the masked fighter chose to challenge Benimaru, known as one of Rimuru's strongest generals. The fight was to be a sword duel.

The masked challenger stood in the center of the arena, her twin swords gleaming under the sunlight. Her movements were poised and confident, and the crowd was abuzz with excitement.

Benimaru, dressed in his crimson combat robes, entered the arena, his katana Crimson Lotus resting casually on his shoulder. His calm yet commanding presence immediately silenced the crowd. His crimson hair seemed to glow faintly, and his golden eyes sparkled with a mix of amusement and determination.

Benimaru: "So, you've chosen me, huh? I hope you're ready. I won't go easy on you."

Masked Fighter: "I wouldn't want you to. I've come here to fight the best, and you're one of the best Tempest has to offer."

The Fight Begins

The referee raised his hand and shouted, "Begin!"

The two combatants wasted no time. They closed the distance between them in an instant, engaging in a furious exchange of blows.

Opening Moves: Testing the Waters

The challenger's twin swords danced in her hands like silver streams of light. She attacked with rapid slashes, aiming to overwhelm Benimaru with speed. Benimaru countered with ease, his single blade meeting her attacks with precise parries and deflections.

Masked Fighter: "Not bad. Your defense is solid."

Benimaru (grinning): "You're fast, but speed alone won't cut it against me."

Benimaru suddenly switched to offense, launching a series of powerful, sweeping strikes. Each swing of his katana carried a controlled ferocity, forcing the challenger to backpedal and block. Her twin swords crossed to absorb the impact, but the sheer force of his blows made her arms tremble.

Escalation: Footwork and Strategy

The masked fighter shifted tactics, using intricate footwork to evade Benimaru's strikes. She weaved around him, looking for openings to counterattack. Her movements were almost snake-like, fluid and unpredictable.

Milim (from the stands): "Whoa! She's fast! Benimaru better step it up!"

Shion: "She's skilled, but Benimaru hasn't even gotten serious yet."

The masked fighter lunged forward with a feint, pretending to aim for Benimaru's shoulder but quickly shifting her blade to strike at his side. Benimaru smirked, sidestepping the feint and bringing his katana down in a swift arc. The masked fighter barely managed to block, the force of the clash sending sparks flying.

Benimaru: "Clever, but you'll need to do better than that."

Mid-Fight: Special Techniques Unleashed

Realizing that standard techniques wouldn't be enough, the masked fighter unleashed her signature move: Dancing Blades. Her twin swords seemed to multiply as she created a storm of slashes from every angle, a whirlwind of steel aimed at overwhelming Benimaru.

Spectator: "Is that… magic? Or pure skill?!"

Benimaru's eyes narrowed. He activated one of his signature techniques, Flame Veil, surrounding himself with a fiery aura that burned away the incoming slashes. His katana glowed with heat as he countered her flurry with precise, blazing strikes.

Benimaru: "Not bad. But let's see how you handle this!"

He unleashed Crimson Slash, a powerful arc of flame that surged toward the masked fighter. She dodged with incredible agility, leaping high into the air. Mid-air, she crossed her swords and launched a counterattack: Crescent Divide, two crescent-shaped energy waves that raced toward Benimaru.

Benimaru smirked, cutting through the waves with a single swing of his katana.

Benimaru: "Impressive, but you'll need more than fancy tricks to beat me."

The Crowd's Reaction

The audience was on the edge of their seats, watching the intense battle unfold.

King Gazel: "That masked fighter… her technique is remarkable. But Benimaru has the advantage of experience."

Queen Elmesia: "Still, she's holding her own. It's rare to see someone push him like this."

Veldora (eating teriyaki): "Meh, I'd take them both down in one move. But this is fun to watch!"

Both fighters were now giving their all. The masked fighter activated her ultimate technique, Phantom Storm, creating a vortex of energy that distorted the air around her. She moved with blinding speed, her attacks coming from every direction.

Benimaru, unfazed, unleashed his own ultimate move: Infernal Surge. His katana became wreathed in intense flames as he countered her assault head-on. The two clashed in the center of the arena, their energies colliding in a brilliant explosion of light and heat.

Benimaru: "You're strong. Stronger than I expected. But this is where it ends!"

He channeled all his power into one final attack: Crimson Lotus Strike, a devastating series of fiery slashes that engulfed the arena in flames. The masked fighter tried to counter with her own ultimate move, but the sheer force of Benimaru's attack overwhelmed her.

The Aftermath

As the dust settled, the masked fighter was on one knee, breathing heavily, her swords trembling in her hands. Benimaru stood tall, his katana pointed at her throat.

Benimaru: "You've got talent. Keep honing it, and you might just give me a real challenge next time."

The masked fighter lowered her swords and bowed. "Thank you for the fight. I've learned a lot."

The crowd erupted into applause, cheering for both fighters.

Rimuru: "That was incredible! Let's hear it for our challenger and Benimaru!"

The masked fighter left the arena with her head held high, earning the respect of everyone present. Meanwhile, Benimaru sheathed his katana and walked back to his comrades, grinning.

Milim: "You were amazing, Benimaru!

Benimaru (laughing)

The tournament ended on a high note, leaving everyone in awe of the skill and power on display. It was a fitting conclusion to the Tempest Grand Festival's final day.