With a swing of Caiden's axe, the adventurer's sword was cut in half and he was thrown into the sky.

With this win, Caiden was now able to swiftly defeat all the challengers who accepted the challenge earlier without a single sweat running down his forehead. There at the stage, he stood with his back rod-straight despite the apparent heavy axe that he was carrying.

Cheers came from all over the place, cheering at him and shouting his name, Caiden Lionheart.

Even though the current "Challenge" Caiden and the adventurers were doing were not meant to entertain the people, they were still weren't able to resist the temptation to cheer for both the adventurers and Caiden. Because of this, the people felt like there was now some kind of festival taking place in this large s.p.a.ce in front of the guild.

Hearing the cheers of the people, Caiden showed a satisfied smile on his face. Even though he was disappointed that he wasn't able to fight someone that he can consider "Strong", the cheers of the people watching his mighty figure still left him with the feeling of satisfaction.

[ It looks like he already defeated everyone, huh? ] s.h.i.+ro muttered.

s.h.i.+ro is now currently watching far from the stage in front of the guild. With s.h.i.+ro's heighten senses, he was still able to clearly hear what the people and the group of the hero were saying despite the distance and the noise that's coming from the crowd.

[ What are you planning to do, Vlad-sama? ] asked Stella, his servant.

[ I actually want to try and fight them. They're the strongest people I met in this world so far, just to make sure, I want to test out my strength on them. ]

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[ The strongest in the world...? Vlad-sama? ]

That question made his head turn towards Stella.

( Now that I think about it, they only know my ident.i.ty as Vlad Alucard, not the real one. Should I tell them about the truth...? )

If Stella knew the fact that he was just got transported to this world just two days ago, she would not ask that question. Realizing this, s.h.i.+ro thought that it might be a good idea if he tells him about the truth now.

( But... Will their opinions of me change if I tell them the truth? )

Worry and concern swelled up inside s.h.i.+ro. The person the Vampire Brides believes they serve was the Vampire Prince, Vlad Alucard; not the 30-year-old worker s.h.i.+ro Kagayami. s.h.i.+ro thought that they might change their loyalty and thoughts about him.

With this thought inside his head, s.h.i.+ro decided to just keep his past a secret.

[ What I meant was in the city. They're the strongest people I met in this city so far. ]

[ Is that so? Then, are you also going to fight, Vlad-sama? ]

[ Do you feel I want to? ] s.h.i.+ro asked with a smile on his face.

[ Un... ] Stella nodded.

s.h.i.+ro was already expecting her to agree since he knows that his two Vampire Brides were able to feel his emotions.

[ Well then, if the strength of his level is still the same from the game, then there's no way he could deal a heavy blow to me. This might be a good test to see how my current body works. ]

s.h.i.+ro still does not entirely know how his body works. If he wants to see if all of his spells are working normally like in the game, then he will need some people to test them to. s.h.i.+ro thought that the hero's party would be the best choice since their the strongest and the most unlikely to die from fighting him.

[ So? Is there anyone left!? ]

The loud voice of Caiden resounded throughout the whole place.

Everyone who was cheering earlier was now quiet, and none was responding to his question.

No one was raising a hand or even saying a word.

( Well, I guess it's my turn now. ) muttering that word, s.h.i.+ro raised a hand.

~~~

Everyone was silent and none was saying a word, but the expression on their faces awed at the sight of s.h.i.+ro.

s.h.i.+ro then put down his hand and started to walk towards the stage. When s.h.i.+ro started to move, the noises started again. The shouts and baffled words: "A n.o.ble!?", "Can he seriously fight?", "Is he trying to put up a show?".

s.h.i.+ro tried to ignore all their chattings and continued to walk together with Stella, looking at Caiden who's in the middle of the stage.

[ Appraise. ]

( Appraisal: Result )

Name: Caiden Lionheart

Race: Human

Level: 63

Job cla.s.s: Berserker

Health: 2694/2694

( A level 63 berserker, huh...? Even if I'm weak against his cla.s.s, he still won't be a threat. )

The berserker cla.s.s has many skills and spells that can make them immune to debuffs, which mages specialize at, but with the level of 63, they can hardly have any skills or spells that will make them immune to debuffs.

( Also, his level doesn't even come close to the hero. ) s.h.i.+ro muttered.

s.h.i.+ro was now close to the stage and he can now see both the face of Caiden and the faces of the four people standing beside the stage, watching.

Caiden Lionheart - The structure of his body is large. He was tall, the tallest of all s.h.i.+ro has seen in the city so far. His hair was fiery red and his well-bred face has a fierce look on it.

After looking at the figure of Caiden, s.h.i.+ro finally turned his head to the four people behind him.

[ Appraisal. ] he muttered the word as he continued to walk.

( Appraisal: Result )

Name: Alicia Silverstone

Level: 54

Job Cla.s.s: Mage/ Summoner

Health: 1239/1239

( A mage and a summoner, huh? We have two same job cla.s.ses. )

s.h.i.+ro thought as he looked at the girl holding a large staff plated with gold and emerald. The girl was also looking at him with awe and amazement.

( Appraise: Result )

Name: Arthur Alexander

Level: 67

Job Cla.s.s: Swordsman

Health: 1674/1674

( An Ikemen, huh? )

Looking at the other male at the hero's party, the word 'Ikemen" is the first thing that came into s.h.i.+ro's mind.

His hair was long and blonde. He was probably the most good-looking guy he has seen in the city so far, aside from Carla.

( But what's with that look...? ) s.h.i.+ro muttered as he looked at his face.

The expression on the guy's face was full of anger and hatred towards s.h.i.+ro. This look on his face made s.h.i.+ro feel very uncomfortable. And so he decided to remove his eyes on him.

( Appraise: Result )

Name: Anna

Level: 43

Job Cla.s.s: Priest/Healer

Health: 894/894

( The weakest, huh? And probably the youngest... And her name is also the shortest... )

s.h.i.+ro was exchanging eyes with the fidgeting girl that has a very short structure. Like the Arthur guy, she has long blonde hair and a very well-bred face.

s.h.i.+ro removed his eyes, uninterested. Seeing this, the girl dropped her head and stopped fidgeting.

( Finally... )

He muttered as he looked at the structure of the girl that has the only black hair in the group.

[ Appraise. ]

( Appraise: Result )

Name: Tachibana Hana

Level: 97

( ...!? )

s.h.i.+ro showed a surprised look. The only stats he was shown was her name and her level. This has never happened in the game or in this world before, this was the first time his appraisal did not work properly, this made s.h.i.+ro surprised, but not as surprised as when he looked at the name of the hero.

( Tachibana Hana... She's definitely a j.a.panese. ) muttering the words inside his head, s.h.i.+ro was already on top of the stage before he knew it. Stella did not follow on top of the stage and just stood still below, together with the crowd of people.

s.h.i.+ro then removed his gaze on the hero and looked at the person in front of him and bowed.

Looking at his movement, Caiden was only but surprised.

[ For such a man to bow in front of his enemy... I'm surprised... ]

( Huh...? Everyone before me bowed before their matches, right? )

[ Again, my name is Caiden Lionheart. Can you also please tell me your name? ]

These words from Caiden made s.h.i.+ro surprised. He was now showing respect towards s.h.i.+ro which he has never shown to his enemies before. He also asked what was s.h.i.+ro's name which he also did not do before with any of the enemies he fought.

s.h.i.+ro thought that he definitely change his att.i.tude, different from the arrogant att.i.tude he showed to the others he fought.

[ My name is Vlad Alucard. I just arrived in this city the day before. It might just be a coincidence that you've all arrived in this city just after I was able to settle down, but nevertheless, it would be a great opportunity to fight and test my strength. ] s.h.i.+ro introduces himself in such way.

[ Oho~? Then, you're confident about your strength, huh? If you're able to fight with us, you'll just fight us because you want to test your strength...? ]

( That's not what I meant... )

[ Say, how about we make a bet? ]

[ A bet? ]

[ Yes. ] Caiden nodded with his large head.

[ Okay, then, what will we bet at? ]

[ Hmm... How about this: If I'm able to defeat you, you'll join our party and serve the kingdom? ]

( ... )

[ [ [ ... ] ] ]

Hearing the words of Caiden, everyone in the large s.p.a.ce turned silent.

[ How about it? In return, if I lose, I will do and give you anything you ask. ]

( ... ) s.h.i.+ro was still silent as he was surprised by the sudden request of his enemy.

[ Well? ]

( Well, it's not like I'm gonna lose so - )

[ Caiden! ]

Before s.h.i.+ro could give his answer, the voice of a man interrupted his timing.

[ What do you think you're doing!? ]

The voice came from the swordsman of the party, Arthur. With those words, he walked towards Caiden with an angry face.

[ You b.a.s.t.a.r.d Caiden! I know you were dumb, but inviting a stupid weak-looking n.o.ble in our party which the king himself had gathered is out of the question! ]

He shouted the words to Caiden. He then grabbed Caiden's spiked collar and stared at him with blood-red eyes.

Of course, Caiden did not falter and also turned a gaze at Arthur's eyes.

( What's with this guy... If I remember correctly, he was the guy who was looking at me with killing intent just earlier... His att.i.tude is ruining his Ikemen face... ) s.h.i.+ro thought.

And then after a pause, Caiden opened his mouth.

[ Will you accept him if he was a beautiful woman...? ] he mockingly said.

Hearing those mocking words, Arthur's eyes swelled up and his face made a twisted expression of hatred that completely destroyed his Ikemen looks.

[ You! ]

Shouting that word, Arthur readied a fist.

[ Stop that, Arthur! ]

The words came from Hana, the hero.

[ Arthur, Caiden's instincts and intuition are greater than anyone. I trust that he has a reason why he did that. Caiden? ]

[ Of course. ] Caiden nodded.

( Wha...!? Is that why he changed his att.i.tude towards me...? Did he sense my level...? ) s.h.i.+ro muttered inside his head in surprise.

[ Bu-But! We can't invite a weak house-stayed n.o.ble to our party! Look at that guy, he doesn't even look like he can fight! ]

( What an arrogant guy... He's getting in my nerves... At least the Caiden guy can show respect towards me and a little glimpse of it to the others he fought... ) s.h.i.+ro muttered.

As Arthur's words entered Caiden's ears, his eyes twitched in anger.

[ He's yet to show his abilities. ] Caiden muttered.

[ His yet to show his abilities!? How about I show it to you! I'll fight him in your place! ]

He now completely ignored everyone, turning and walking towards s.h.i.+ro.

He took out his glittering and s.h.i.+ning sword on his waist and pointed it towards s.h.i.+ro.

[ Stop this, Arthur! ] Caiden shouted.

Caiden then took a step but his shoulder was held tight by the hero.

[ Caiden, who do you think will win? ]

The hero asked.

[ Who I honestly think will win...? ]

[ Yes... ]

[ Then it's that Vlad guy, without a doubt... If Arthur angers him... He might even get killed. ]

[ He's that strong, huh...? ] Hana muttered with a serious look on her face.

[ That's right. That's why we need to stop Arthur. ]

[ No, let him fight. ]

[ ... ] looking at the very serious face of the hero, Caiden was not able to answer.

[ We'll try to stop their fight if it gets serious. ]

~~~

s.h.i.+ro and Arthur were now in close range with each other.

[ Ah...! That's right... How about we two make a bet. I think I saw a very pretty girl with you earlier... How about you give her to me if you lose? ] He whispered in a very quiet voice that only s.h.i.+ro was able to hear.

[ Do you know what you're saying...? ]

[ Of course. ] he answered with a mocking face.

( Haah... I think I finally get this guy... A perverted arrogant show-off, huh? )

[ Don't worry, I promise I will satisfy her in your place every night. ] he mockingly whispered in s.h.i.+ro's ears.

[ I'll murder you, you know? ]

( I can just think of him as an NPC... right...? )

[ Hahaha! What an arrogant guy! ] he said with a laugh.

[ I will definitely break all of your bones till you could barely walk. ] he whispered to s.h.i.+ro with a twisted look on his face.

[ Haah... No, I will break yours, and not in a nice way. ] s.h.i.+ro said with a sigh.

( I hope I'm allowed to do that... )

With their exchange of words finished, Arthur took a step back and pointed his swords towards s.h.i.+ro.

While s.h.i.+ro just stood still in his place.