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Over the Infinite Chapter 26 Part 1

 

Volume 3 Prologue “After the Battle”

 

-1-

 

Our rookie battle ended, scattering various influences in all directions.

Afterwards, the old man told us that it had served as a catalyst for advancing the stagnant (War Arms) strategy, and the response from our peers was positive.

Lilika was full of praise, and Kuro was in tears. I didn’t quite understand what touched her so deeply.

 

Although we lost the rookie battle, we received high praise from many quarters.

The video of the match sold incredibly well, and in tandem, our Trial conquest videos were also increasing in sales… apparently.

Unfortunately, since the Trial videos were bought in bulk by the Guild and the rookie battles had a fixed remuneration, it didn’t affect our finances much.

Still, we weren’t wasteful with luxuries like frivolous entertainment, so we weren’t struggling financially. That’s definitely a good thing, not just sour grapes.

 

Guild staff mentioned that there might be many who clear this month’s Trial.

It’s hard to believe we had such a large impact, but apparently, the number of clearers did increase right after.

 

Although we failed the trial, the next one will come soon, and Yuki doesn’t seem too worried.

He says that the halt in her masculinization is a significant relief.

 

『Yes, that alone has greatly reduced the anxiety and other emotions I usually feel. 』

It’s barely noticeable unless mentioned, but her speech and behavior seem slightly more gentle.

His core personality hasn’t changed, so I guess even if her game brain turns female, that part will stay the same.

It seems like he was like that even in her previous life as a girl.

 

More pressing is the last message left by the Dungeon Master.

Despite multiple attempts to contact him after that, there has been no response.

I’d like to believe he’s just too busy to reply and not running away.

 

「So, it’s about time you told us. 」

 

After the Time Attack event that started the week after the rookie battle, Yuki started the conversation during our reflection meeting at the usual Guild Hall cafeteria, which has almost become our regular spot.

It’s a café now since lunchtime has ended.

 

「About next week’s Masochism Convention, right? We still have some tickets for attendees, so it’s fine. 」

「No, not that… Don’t worry about the tickets. 」

 

A Masochism Convention, huh? What kind of den of vice will the venue turn into? Definitely not something I want to attend.

 

「I want to know about ‘Miyumi’.

I missed asking about her after the closing ceremony, and then got buried in paperwork, but it’s time to ask. Unless it’s a bad idea? The way the Dungeon Master talked, she sounds like the fourth person. 」

「Yeah, it’s not a secret or anything, let’s talk. 」

 

Back when I was Tsuna Watanabe… Well, I’m still Tsuna Watanabe.

 

In my previous life in Japan, there was a somewhat odd girl, Miyumi Okamoto, a junior by one year.

She was an annoying girl who wouldn’t stop talking about her ponytail as her charm point. Considering her name ‘Miyumi’ and my personal message, she’s the only possibility.

In this world, it’s not unusual for names from past lives to remain in the system.

After all, I remained Tsuna, and Yuki’s case is similar. I don’t know about Sarges.

 

「Uh, explaining her is tricky, but Miyumi is probably a tomato. 」

「? 」

「I see, so she’s from a race of evolved vegetables. As expected of the Labyrinth City. It’s profound. 」

 

No, that’s not it.

It seems likely, but still.

 

「Ah, the junior you talked about that time? 」

「Yes. Her name in the previous life was Okamoto Miyumi… I guess it’s okay to say it. She was a pain.

I think she reincarnated just like us. 」

「So, she’s not a vegetable person? 」

 

Tomatoes and her are inseparably linked, but what kind of powerful race is that? Do they transform or something?

Do they grow tails…? Or is that overthinking it?

 

「Tomato is a nickname, a moniker. Don’t you have something like that too? Yuki, you’re called ‘Rabbit’ and such. 」

「On bulletin boards, I’m referred to as ‘Pervert’ or ‘Exhibitionist’, is that similar? 」

 

Well, isn’t that a bit different?

 

「Something more unique to the person. 」

「It’s okay to be called Rabbit, but the (Beast Ear Parade) master is also a rabbit, so it gets confusing. 」

 

In the streets, when you say rabbit, it’s them.

Despite no character overlap, it’s amazing how they get confused.

 

「Maybe it’s like ‘Naked-Sarges’ that I saw on a board. I thought it was clever. 」

「Yeah, like that. 」

 

That’s a terrible nickname, but what he’s called now doesn’t bother me.

In fact, it seems rather mild.

 

「So, is Tomato the fourth person? 」

「Probably. Honestly, I don’t really want to meet her, but knowing someone from a past life makes me curious. 」

「What was she like? 」

「I hope she’s different now, but she was annoying. 」

 

Just remembering her ‘kyaha’ laugh makes me want to punch her.

 

「It wasn’t just Tsuna who thought that way? 」

「No, it was a common perception among our high school club members. She often ended up as a practice target for wrestling moves.

I don’t remember her face now, but I do remember Lettuce, one of the club members, using her for practicing the Indian Deathlock. 」

 

By the way, I used her for practicing the Reverse Indian Deathlock afterwards.

A continuous deathlock from both sides. She was well-suited for those painful and understated techniques.

 

「Wait, she was a high school girl, right? And Tsuna, are all your friends named after vegetables? 」

「It’s just that everyone’s nicknames became salad-related because of my influence.

As for wrestling, it was fine. She wore gym clothes, and her flat physique meant it wasn’t at all erotic.

When she was being put in a hold, she would yell out something like ‘Ooogoooahhh!!’ 」

「Um, is that the problem here? 」

「That sounds like a quite effective technique. Does it hurt? 」

「Originally, the Indian… the technique comes from the tortures of a tribe by that name. It’s understated in appearance, but painful.

There are leg joint techniques where you apply it to a face-down or a face-up opponent… 」

 

「No, let’s not talk about wrestling techniques right now. Sarges, you can try it later. We’re not getting anywhere with this. So, this Tomato person… 」

 

「You’re Tsuna Watanabe. 」

 

Just as Yuki was getting frustrated with the conversation being repeatedly sidetracked, another interruption came. They called me by name, so they must be looking for me.

Approaching our table were two muscular men, bare-chested and masked.

 

Past lunchtime, the cafeteria, now a café for the general public, still had such characters around. It’s unsettling how this is not an uncommon sight at the Guild Hall.

The everyday patrons, like a salaryman sipping coffee at the counter, paid them no mind.

 

「Uh, are you guys from (Muscle Brothers)? 」

 

Yuki asked with a displeased expression, but the (Bronze Muscle Brothers) had come to invite us to their clan a few times before.

They didn’t just invite me, but Sarges and Yuki too.

I really don’t want to see a muscular Yuki, so I wish they’d stop.

 

「No, don’t lump us with those vulgar types. That’s insulting. 」

「Insulting indeed. 」

「Ah, sorry about that. 」

 

I mean, even if they aren’t those guys, these two are pretty extreme themselves, so why are you apologizing? They’re bare-chested and masked.

 

「Watanabe-kun. 」

「Tsuna Watanabe-kun. 」

「Yes, what is it? 」

「We are from a clan called <Wrestlers>, belonging to the Arena Guild. We’ve come to invite you. 」

 

So, they’re from a different guild, an Arena Guild.

Aside from the Labyrinth Guild, there are many guilds in the Labyrinth City.

Guilds are basically mutual aid associations, formed by people in the same trade or profession.

In the Labyrinth City, this includes the Agriculture Guild, the Clothing Guild, and even a Fisheries Guild despite there being no sea. The Smithing Guild, directly related to adventurers, is also separate.

The Arena Guild specializes in competitions held in the arena, distinct from the Labyrinth Guild.

 

「Our specialty isn’t the Labyrinth Guild, but it’s possible to belong to multiple guilds. We would like you to join us in wrestling. 」

「As for the Labyrinth Guild, we don’t mind which clan you join, as long as it’s not the (Muscle Brothers). 」

「Y-you specialize in pro wrestling? 」

 

There are various competitions held in the arena, including fighting monsters and athletic events, not just martial arts.

There must be clans like theirs specializing in wrestling.

 

「No, I’m not interested. 」

「Why not! The arm dragging you showed in the Trial was an excellent technique. 」

「The transition to a smooth flowing choke was superb, even though it was missed by the weapon attack. 」

「I’m not interested. 」

 

Why, indeed.

Why would I come all the way to the Labyrinth City to wrestle?

I’m supposed to be a professional adventurer, not a wrestler. That completely lacks any fantasy element.

Besides, my class is different. Grappling is effective against humans, but it has limitations against monsters.

 

「I might consider occasionally participating in matches, but I’m not interested in joining a clan. 」

 

My main goal is conquering the Infinite Corridor.

If it’s a Labyrinth Guild clan with that as a primary objective, maybe, but why should I join a wrestling-focused clan?

I might have considered it when I first arrived here, but now I can make a living doing this. It suits me.

 

「Besides, if it’s about fighting, this guy is your man. Sarges. He’s mainly a striker, but his combat skills are top-notch.

He loves the back-and-forth of moves like in wrestling. 」

 

He doesn’t seem to be very good at grappling, but he can take a hit, and he’s skilled in striking.

He even has a record of performing a Flying Body Press on an active B+ rank adventurer.

 

「No, that’s impossible. He is indeed strong, but he’s been banned from wrestling organizations. 」

「He’s trouble. Our clan would be wiped out. 」

 

What did he do?

 

「After getting pummeled and excited, he timed it perfectly and used ((Purge)) during a live broadcast.

The match didn’t have high ratings, but he exposed something on live TV across Labyrinth City that should never have been shown. It’s still legendary. 」

「Please spare me. 」

「No, it wasn’t that much. 」

「We’re not praising you!! 」

「Sarges, what did you do? 」

 

So, the reason for Sarges’ ((Full Purge)) being banned has come to light.

Not that I wanted to know.