Dekan's Grandfather Fishes

"Is this beast planning to win the championship without playing a single game?"

Many viewers saw through Dekan's strategy.

Dekan's direct combat skills are indeed not strong.

But what makes him truly terrifying is that his underhanded tactics are impossible to guard against.

This might be beneficial for Dekan's opponents.

Getting to the competition venue smoothly is already half the battle won.

"It's safe to say that Mr. Dekan truly lives up to his reputation as the most talked-about player; we look forward to his performance in the next match..."

The host was still trying to smooth things over, hoping to get to the second match smoothly...

A few minutes later.

After a brief and successful interview, Dekan returned to his team's VIP box.

"So tired."

The first thing Dekan did upon returning was to lean back on the sofa.

It's like having just experienced a thrilling battle and finally returning in triumph.

Croix on the left smiled helplessly.

Cornelia on the right was secretly chuckling.

Cat Teacher realized that times had changed.

These two people seem to have changed too.

"You two just keep spoiling him! As a teacher, I can't stand it anymore! Alice, you have to talk to him! Isn't he ruining the reputation of the Norton Kingdom?!"

The Cat Teacher didn't even want to stay with the three of them for a moment, and jumped over to Mie's side.

"Huh? Isn't winning all that matters? I just want to go up and give a speech as the champion's national representative. Dekan has even prepared my lines for me!"

Alice said with anticipation.

"... Meow."

Cat Teacher was speechless for a moment.

It discovered that this princess was indeed too easily fooled.

After all, the more obvious a person's desires are, the easier it is for Dekan to manipulate them...

"You can only use your first-encounter kill once, so you'll have to take out at least two of your remaining three opponents off the field?"

Mie was actually quite skeptical that Dekan could really win by default all the way to the final.

"Off-field strategies are also a form of early-game elimination. My opponents will definitely be extra cautious from now on, so I'll have to play honestly for the next three rounds."

Dekan sighed.

For the remainder of the game, Dekan watched the remaining three matches attentively.

These are all his opponents from the same half of the bracket.

Only one of them can ultimately advance to the finals.

The second match was between a Tier 7 mage and a Tier 7 summoner.

In terms of strength, there is not much difference.

However, this mage has too much experience fighting in the Shadow World, and even frequently battles the brutal Resurrection Cultist.

There were even instances of people escaping from the hands of bishops of the Resurrection Church.

Its survivability alone is comparable to that of an eighth-tier being.

Unsurprisingly, the mage named Belica from the Northern Nations defeated her opponent.

She will also be Dekan's opponent in the quarterfinals the day after tomorrow.

Coincidentally, this Belica is a Card Crafter and also the head of a branch of the Card Maker Association in the Northern Nations.

When she was making things difficult for Dekan and other Card Crafter in the Northern Nations, she helped the Northern Nations deliberately obstruct Dekan's review process within the association.

Looking at the results displayed on the screen, Dekan rested his chin on his hand, lost in thought.

"Dekan, what a small world! But if you want to defeat her head-on, you'll have to use all your trump cards, meow?"

"Cat Teacher asked."

Since Dekan has said he'll stop using off-field tactics...

Therefore, if Dekan wants to face Belica in Phantom Canyon and beat her, it will be more difficult than defeating his opponent in the first match.

"No, I'm already studying our opponents for the last two matches."

Dekan said calmly.

Cat Teacher: "Where's Belica, meow?!"

Dekan, as if he were dealing with Cat Teacher, pulled out a file about Belica and tossed it to the Cat Teacher.

Cat Teacher is preparing to check if Dekan has any cards that can single-handedly counter Belica, creating an absolute counter.

However, all I saw in Dekan's profile of Belica was a circled line in the past experiences section—

[Cautious and suspicious personality]

"Dekan Meow... you..."

Cat Teacher stared blankly at Dekan and asked.

However, Dekan did not respond.

He was seriously considering how to play the last two games.

Tomorrow's matches will be the second half of the round of 16 in the other half of the bracket.

However, you can basically guess the outcome of the matches in that half of the bracket without even watching them.

Because there was a young Imperial Sword Saint named Adair, who was said to possess the strength of a quasi-bishop, making him an outstanding figure even among the eighth rank.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, this player will sweep through the other half of the bracket to advance to the finals.

He will also be Dekan's final opponent.

As for Dekan's penultimate opponent...

The third match could be described as exciting, or it could be described as unremarkable. It featured two evenly matched opponents who fought to the very last moment to determine the winner.

In the fourth match that just ended, Alger, an eighth-tier paladin from the Sun God Church, almost instantly killed his opponent.

He is currently the youngest Saint Knight Captain in the Sun God Church, and also Judith's successor after stepping down.

They are also among the favorites to win this competition.

In the championship predictions, the Painful Bishop Dekan is first, the Imperial Sword Saint Adair is second, and the Paladin Commander Alger is third.

The differences between the three are not significant.

There were even occasional periods when the odds of Imperial Sword Saint Adair winning were higher than those of Dekan.

However, if the Saint Knight Captain were to face the Imperial Sword Saint, although the Imperial Sword Saint would have a greater chance of winning, the actual outcome would be uncertain.

Both of these eighth-tier opponents are difficult to deal with.

While being interviewed in the venue, Saint Knight Captain Ajer was asked by the host who he most wanted to face as an opponent.

He suddenly drew his sword and pointed it towards the VIP section where Dekan was.

He remained silent.

However, the aggressiveness in his sharp eyes was already at its peak.

Alger acted as if he had a deep-seated grudge against Dekan.

Moreover, he seemed to be not only staring at Dekan, but also shifting his gaze to Croix next to Dekan.

The hostility in their eyes intensified.

"Oh? That's interesting."

Dekan couldn't help but cover his mouth and laugh.

At first, Dekan didn't realize why Alger was hostile towards him.

I understood instantly.

This guy had a crush on the former Captain of the Knights Judith, but before he could express his feelings, Judith was tricked into becoming an idol and ended up with Croix.

Croix frowned as well, clearly annoyed with Alger.

Dekan patted Croix on the shoulder and said:

"Don't worry, bro, I can mess with this hothead all I want. I won't let anyone interfere with your relationship."

Croix nodded in relief.

This kind of psychological warfare against opponents is best left to Dekan, who is an expert in the field.

Finally, there was a group interview with the four winning players of the day, where they answered questions from various reporters.

When leaving.

Dekan glanced at the mage Belica beside him and smiled slightly, seemingly intentionally or unintentionally.

This sent a shiver down Belica's spine, making her as wary as a hedgehog.

She felt that the other person's gaze was as if they were eyeing a snack on a plate.

I couldn't help but feel afraid.

The guy she used to bully in the Card Maker Association back then has now become a formidable figure.

And let's set aside both old and new grudges for now.

She felt that Dekan's previous strategy for dealing with opponents was appropriate.

Whether I can survive to two days from now is a question...

With this anxious mindset.

Belica didn't even sleep that night.

So, the next day, they began to investigate the movements of Dekan and his group.

However, the result was...

This group of people seemed to be thoroughly enjoying their vacation.

Dekan seemed to have no intention of sabotaging her off the field.

Nevertheless, she remained vigilant until the start of the match, closely monitoring Dekan.

Until late at night.

Before Dekan and his group returned to the mansion, Dekan called Croix aside and took a detour.

"It's finally here..."

Belica was terrified; she didn't know whether she should continue following them.

I thought about it.

She decided to continue observing.

After all, the Royal Capital's barrier is so secure.

Even if Dekan discovered it, he couldn't possibly take direct action against her.

If we don't follow her, she might not even know how she was tricked tomorrow.

However, just as Belica once again spotted Dekan and Croix.

They were talking to a figure wearing a cloak.

The figure then seemed to take out a stamp and show it to them.

Similarly, Dekan also produced a seal.

"Babble--!"

Belica covered her mouth, her eyes filled with terror, as if she had seen the most horrible thing in the world.

She won't admit her mistake!

That's Bishop's Token!

She had once encountered a bishop who possessed such a seal; the despairing power he exuded still terrified her to this day.

The cloaked figure held the Frenzy Bishop's Token, while Dekan held a mark she had never seen before.

If it's a new mark besides the few known bishops...

That can only mean...

"Waaah..."

Belica cried out in fear, but desperately used magic to block out the surrounding sounds.

She discovered a shocking secret.

The Bishop of Pain – It's Not a Rumor!

Dekan is indeed from the Resurrection Church!

Just as Belica's hands were trembling as she took out the Video Crystal to record it...

Dekan suddenly turned around and looked in her direction.

At this moment, Dekan's pupils had completely transformed into golden demonic eyes, like a monarch of an unknown dark world.

That's definitely not human!

In an instant, as if by instinct, Belica fled with all her might, like a madwoman.

Several tens of seconds passed.

Croix confirmed that she could no longer sense Belica's Magic Power and signaled to Dekan that she had left.

"Haha! The next match is going to be interesting."

Dekan finally couldn't help but laugh.

Croix shrugged helplessly.

As a seasoned, experienced seventh-tier mage, Belica naturally didn't think she could be completely countered by the newly promoted seventh-tier Croix.

However, she was unaware that Croix's Magic Power growth potential was SS, and that Croix herself had honed her Magic Power control to the extreme.

Belica ran home, crying and trembling.

She huddled in a corner, trembling, her head in her hands.

I feel like my life could end at any moment...

She cried like that for almost half the night.

She discovered that no one had caught up with her and that she was still alive.

She finally calmed down and thought about it.

Fortunately, she had a disguise spell on her at the time, so the other party probably didn't realize it was her.

But.

She wasn't sure if Dekan had genuinely failed to notice her, or if he had already discovered her but simply couldn't make a move and was waiting for an opportunity after a Hero Festival.

And what exactly is the Bishop of Frenzy plotting with the Bishop of Pain?

Will this Hero Festival lead to great turmoil?

Belica felt increasingly terrified the more she thought about it.

It felt as if death could come knocking at any moment.

She dared not rush to expose Dekan, because she had no evidence. Doing so would only make her look like a lunatic and completely expose herself to Dekan.

Then it's really over.

She doesn't know anymore.

What should we do next...?

On the day of the quarterfinals.

This time.

Dekan and his opponent, Belica, both successfully arrived at the stadium.

After exchanging friendly greetings, it was finally time to enter Phantom Canyon.

Dekan appeared perfectly normal, and his attitude towards his opponents was extremely polite and elegant.

The audience couldn't help but sigh, "Dekan is finally willing to play properly!"

But...

Something seems off about Belica's mental state...

Her dark circles were very heavy, her eyes were bloodshot, and she trembled uncontrollably when she saw Dekan's smile.

Belica was already thinking of running away.

But the more she realized her current state, the more worried she became about exposing herself to Dekan.

Then a vicious cycle begins.

Her mental state has been really bad these past two days.

Although she had considered withdrawing from the competition.

However, she was worried that withdrawing from the match might reveal some information to Dekan.

So I mustered up the courage to come, but I never expected my body to be so uncooperative.

Fortunately, Dekan wouldn't do anything to her in public.

However.

Just before entering the Shadow World.

She suddenly saw Dekan reveal a strange smile.

Dekan's lips seemed to be moving as if he were silently saying, "Did you see that?"

In that instant, it felt as if Belica's feet and the top of her head were being pierced by ice picks.

Welcome to Phantom Canyon 2.0.

Generally speaking, simulated duels do not pose a life-threatening risk.

[The terrain is mountainous, and the pain sensation is 1/4 of the real pain.]

[If you surrender voluntarily in Phantom Canyon or lose consciousness completely and cannot recover, you will be teleported out of Phantom Canyon.]

[Surrender does not require a declaration; it can be done through thought.]

[Pain perception has a limit and will not cause permanent damage to duelists.]

[When mana is depleted, continuing to consume mana will result in a protective loss, and you will be removed from Phantom Canyon.]

The duelists start at a distance of 20 meters.

[The duel will officially begin in 30 seconds. Please prepare yourself.]

The instant you enter the Shadow World.

Belica had already lost all will to fight.

She wanted to cry, but could only desperately hold back her tears.

"Please, please let me go... I don't know anything..."

Belica looked at Dekan in the distance and pleaded.

However, Dekan simply tilted his head in confusion and asked:

"What are you talking about? Are you referring to the time when the Northern Nations deliberately used underhanded tactics to obstruct the review of my top-tier Card Crafter?"

"Yes... yes... you're right, we were wrong... please forgive me, let me go... I was just being instructed..."

Immediately, the entire venue and audience erupted in uproar.

Belica at the Hero Festival.

In front of everyone.

They admitted to something incredible...

Meanwhile, many high-ranking officials from the Northern Nations...

His face turned ashen.