1 Chapter 48: Heh

Everyone returned to what they were doing before. Carrying on with their business as if what just happened never ever did happened at all. I twisted my tongue as I said that in my mind.

I dismissed my soulblade and asked the friendliest-looking Adventurer nearby about what happened. He was a lad, a little younger than me.

"Um, excuse me," I said politely. "Do you mind telling me what's that all about?"

"Sure," he replied amiably and told me what he knew.

So, here's the short version of the story. Dude walks up to Sigrid, demanding that she stops taking hunting requests. Claims she had been over-hunting and leaving almost none for the rest of them. Sigrid refuses. He insists. She resists. End of story.

I had previously heard from Rando that she used to be a Gold-Ranker and how her entire party members got killed on the job, leaving her as the sole survivor. And that she had been alone since - doing solo jobs and taking requests that require little to no personal interaction. It must've been torturous for her; living years with a survivor's guilt. Having everyone avoid you like bad juju merely because of the fact that you made it out alive while everybody else hadn't.

I know what you're expecting me to do: Rescue the Ice Queen from her Kingdom of Isolation.

Yeah, no thanks. Though I could sympathize, I simply can't. Won't. Ignoring the consideration that there isn't any merit for me to do so, it would also mean getting more involved with her, which I would like to avoid at all costs. Never know when someone might decide to investigate me for hanging around someone as infamous as her, considering that I might be killed simply for the fact that I am a Transcender. It might've been a decade since the incident Telara told me about - where alleged Transcenders are hunted down and slaughtered. I'm sorry folks, but her emotional well-being just isn't worth my life.

"I see… Thanks for letting me know," I offered my hand.

He clasped my hand and shook it once, "No problem, man."

Me and Lia resumed our activities, scanning across the request boards when suddenly Lia tapped on my shoulders.

"Mike, look at this!" she pointed at one of the posters, looking slightly different than the usual format of requests.

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Medical Staff Wanted: Sanca Town

Summary: Looking for Healers to serve as medics in a local tournament for a few days

Requirements: Healers

Rewards: Negotiable - Refer to counter for details

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"That's great, Lia! Let's head up to ask Jenny about the details."

I turned and saw her frowning slightly, uneasiness apparent on her soft features.

I lifted an eyebrow and inquired, "There's a problem?"

"Nothing… It's just that… The requirements for the job…"

Ah, I get it.

"Don't worry about it, I'll still tag along anyway."

"But…"

"Lia," my tone grew a little serious, "It's a waste not to take on a job specific to your skillset, especially with your abilities. You should do it. Don't let me drag you down."

She listened to me silently, still looking hesitant. I felt a gentle breeze on my soul upon seeing her helpless expression.

"Besides," I brightened up, "By travelling around more often, we might potentially find out a few clues regarding the whereabouts of Ellariel's home. And even if there weren't any, I still would've went with you. After all we're partners, aren't we?" I gave her a thumbs up and smiled.

She expression loosened up and she replied with a smile of her own. We set off to the counter to inquire the details from Jenny.

"The annual Sanca's Martial Tournament, eh?" Jenny said with interest.

I focused on my eyes on her, "You know about it?"

"You don't?" she sounded incredulous.

Me and Lia both shrugged.

"Please enlighten our ignorant selves, O' venerable clerk," I jested.

She snorted, "If that's what you wish of me, then I shall convey it to you O' humble Adventurer.

"Right, the annual Sanca's Martial Tournament is-"

"Basically a tournament where people dish out against each other in a one-on-one ladder match until a victor is decided?" I said.

"Yeah, pretty much," she eyed me coldly, having being interrupted by me.

"Sorry, sorry. Could you tell me more about it?"

"Only if you don't cut me off again."

"Promise."

"Alright. The first Sanca's Martial Tournament was actually conducted around thirty years ago by a few parties of Adventurers who happened to be there for the same request. What the request was, nobody actually remembers. They had apparently gotten into a dispute and decided to settle it by deciding who's the strongest amongst them all via the tournament, a suggestion made by one of the Adventurers. The result was a very entertaining fight which made the townsfolk there decide to host the tournament every year since. It was purely for fun at first, but as the tournament steadily grow in popularity, a revolutionary idea suddenly came to them. And so they decided to build a stadium, charge admission and ticket fees, and set up food stalls - significantly boosting the town's economy per annum. Of course, other towns had tried mimicking the same concept after noticing the booming success. But they were too late. The Sanca's Martial Tournament's name had already spread far and wide, latching themselves into the heart and soul of every martial enthusiast," Jenny narrated zealishly.

Me and Lia looked at each other and blinked. We turned back to Jenny.

"Uhh, you sure know a lot about it," I commented.

"Of course, I've been coming to see the tournament every year since I was little, " she said, spoken in the same manner as someone who had never missed a single Sunday church in their life.

"But don't you have work? Didn't you just start?" Lia asked innocently.

"Heh," Jenny snorted and we both immediately understood her intentions.