35 Chapter 32 - Hero Class Adventures...

Maybe I gloated too much? Oh, well. It was true...

"O-okay... Can I s-see your card?"

"Oh, yeah. Here."

I hand her my card. She grabs it and cast magic onto it.

"C-congratulations... You have r-ranked up to gold 2!"

Cheers rang throughout the building. Those behind me congratulated me as well; however, all I could do is sit and look at her.

"Umm... Sorry but why gold 2?"

"Huh?! D-do you want a higher rank?"

"What? No, I mean, why gold 2? Shouldn't I be in gold 3?"

"Oh, that... If you brought in the egg alone, yes; however, you brought in a black dragon. The dragon boasted you to gold 2. Ranking up through the sub ranks is easy..."

"Oh, okay. Thank you!"

I turn around.

"And thank you all too!"

Cheers erupted again.

"Oh! Here is your payment. One gold for your quest. Now for your dragon... Will fifty gold work?"

I'm not good at how this money works, but fifty golden coins do sound nice. I don't need cash, but the gold itself might be useful.

"Yeah. Thanks!"

I grabbed the money and started to move to the guild's board when someone stopped me.

"Hey, there. Heard, you killed a black dragon. Is that true?"

A male in full golden armor approaches me. As he gets closer, he removes his helmet, showing short blond hair and brown eyes.

"Yes, what about it?"

Once he was in front of me, he extends his hand.

"My name is Rikichi. I'm the hero rank who you might have been hearing. Nice to meet you."

Everyone in the background starts making noise.

"No way! It's him! Why is he talking to a measly gold 2?!"

"OMG!! He's so handsome! Do you think I can get him to marry me?"

"Darn! I want to be in that guy's shoes! He doesn't deserve it!"

'Wow... What a fun crowd.'

I am a little reluctant to shake his hand, but I do it anyway.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Akuma."

He smiles at me.

"So Akuma. I have some urge... Could you spare time for a dual?"

The crowd erupts again.

"The hero rank wants to duel a gold 2?!"

"Oh, man! I kind of feel bad for that dude. He's going to get rekt."

"Hah! Serves you right. Go die from the hands of a true master."

'Again, wow... Got to love this crowd.'

Right before I was about to answer, someone rushes to us.

"Rikichi! What is this about a duel!? Didn't I tell you that we're only here to gather people for the quest!"

"Ah. Sorry, sorry. He is too tempting not to fight, though. I have to fight him!"

"Rikichi!"

The person who came to us was a female, about 30 cm shorter than Rikichi. She looks at him with her cheeks puffed out. Those around us begin to get excited once again.

"No way! It that another hero rank adventure!"

"It has to be! And wow! She is looking good."

"Awe... I wanted to see this duel..."

'Okay. Crowd, please go away. Your annoying now.'

Let's get this over with...

"Um... If I can interject. I wouldn't mind dueling you, Rikichi. If your lady allows it, that is."

"Haha! See, I got his permission. Everything should be good now!"

"Rikichi! Our mission, though. Aren't you forget..."

Rikichi walks pass the female and grabs my shoulder.

"So, Akuma. How about we duel at the dueling ground right away! Are you free?"

"S-sure... Let's go."

"Haha! Just what I like!"

"Grrr... Rikichi!!!"

The female cheeks puff out even more and start yelling at Rikichi.

"Don't worry! We'll be done shortly."

Rikichi pushes me out the door, leaving the female and the crowd alone.

...

After a bit of walking (or what felt as being dragged), we made it to an arena looking building.

"We're here!"

We enter the building. Once inside, a female at a desk stops us.

"Excuse me! The arena is close right, n..."

She stops mid-sentence. She looks at Rikichi up and down.

"Y-your a hero rank adventure!? Can I h-help you?"

"Ah, yes. I would like to partake in a duel with this fine gentleman. Would you allow me to? Oh, any spectators are welcome to watch!"

"Yes! Your welcome to use this arena! Let me just inform someone. You may enter and start preparing."

He nods to the female and then turns to me.

"Okay, Akuma! Let's go!"

I nod to him and begin to follow him inside. Once inside, we began to prepare for our duel.

Twenty minutes pass. The arena, which was once empty, is now full of spectators. I even notice the female from earlier at the ground level. She runs towards Rikichi.

"Rikichi! How could you! Even after everything I said. I told you that our mission was..."

"It's okay! It just a little duel, and look! There are so many people here that we can advertise and search at the same time! After the duel, we can announce the quest. Shouldn't be that hard."

"Rikichi..."

"Anyway! Akuma, are you ready?"

"Oh. Umm, sure. Let's go!"

We take the stage and walk to the center of the arena. We distance our selves by about 5 meters. Then, a middle-aged man walks up.

"Attention! The duel between Rikichi, a hero rank, and Akuma, a gold two, will now begin!"

The audience erupts in cheers and applauds. Most of them are cheering for Rikichi, but I don't mind.

"Akuma! Are you ready?"

"Ready as I'll ever be."

"Nice!"

The announcer comes back on.

"They are both ready! This official duel will now begin in 3... 2... 1... Fight!"

The official (?) duel now begins between Rikichi and me. The audience roars as the announcer says 'fight.'

"Alright! Let's do this!"

I smile. I think fights like this are what I like most about this new world. Nevertheless, I can't say I'm not happy about being challenged.

Get ready, Rikichi! Here I come!