Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 173: The Master
At the referee’s signal, the match began.
The question of who held the advantage depended entirely on whether Silva had seen Lime’s previous matches or not.
If this was his first time seeing it, then even a veteran like Silva would have trouble completely defending against Lime’s attacks.
While I was thinking that over, Lime immediately used Invisibility.
Ever since evolving into a Silver Slime, its disappearing act had become far sharper.
The moment it vanished, even I lost track of it. But Silva, oddly enough, still seemed able to see and remained calm.
“Even facing it directly, it’s this hard to follow. Truly an interesting slime.”
Silva muttered this with ease after witnessing the invisibility.
Judging from his tone, it seemed he had already observed Lime’s battles.
If the surprise factor wouldn’t work, then Lime might actually be at a disadvantage.
Still, Lime pressed the attack regardless.
Silva, holding his wooden sword in a compact stance, swung as Lime charged.
Somehow, even though Lime was invisible and moving at high speed, the blow landed, knocking it back and forcing it visible.
In an instant, Lime’s invisibility was broken, and Silva looked as composed as ever.
I half thought the match was already decided—until…
“Effective hit for Silva: 1! Effective hits for Lime: 2!”
The referee’s call sent the crowd into an uproar.
Startled, I looked back to Silva’s side—where two split-off slimes were bouncing.
Apparently, Lime had split into multiple bodies right from the start of the match and attacked in a line formation.
The leading slime had been struck away by Silva’s sword, but the two behind had managed to land hits—earning Lime a two-to-one lead.
“I didn’t know it could even split… One more hit, and I lose, eh? Hohoho… Now this is getting exciting.”
Beads of sweat had formed on Silva’s forehead. Considering how little time had passed since the match began, it was clear this wasn’t fatigue—it was pressure.
For the first time, Silva showed unease. The audience, who had been convinced Lime would lose, suddenly shifted—now it seemed like Lime might actually win.
But Lime had already used its trump card: splitting. From here on, it had nothing left but trickery.
Its only option now was to combine splitting, invisibility, and high-speed movement to create confusion, and strike when an opening appeared.
Against most opponents, this would have guaranteed victory. But Silva was an unknown quantity…
“Then allow me to show a little of my true strength.”
A red, flame-like aura burst around Silva.
So it wasn’t just Lime who had been hiding a trump card.
The distance between them closed in a flash.
Lime tried to flee frantically, but Silva, faster still, caught up and struck.
Now it was tied at 2–2—match point for both.
Lime surely wanted to slow things down, but Silva pressed the attack mercilessly, chasing and cornering it.
Backed into a bad position, Lime had no choice but to flee, leaving its back exposed.
Silva smirked confidently, convinced of victory, and swung down his sword—
But suddenly, Silva lost his balance and fell.
Lime seized the opening without hesitation, turning and landing the finishing blow.
“…W-winner, Lime!”
Even the referee sounded bewildered. But a win was a win.
Luck had favored Lime in the final moment, but as they say—luck is part of strength.
“Silva, Lime—good work. That was close, Silva. Honestly, if you hadn’t lost your balance, I think the win would’ve been yours.”
“Indeed, had I not faltered, it may have been mine. But losing balance there was inevitable.”
Silva pointed to his own foot.
Looking down, I saw his shoe was caked in mud. When I hurried to inspect the spot where he fell, I found one patch of ground unusually boggy.
“Wait… Lime, did you make this mud?”
In answer, Lime bounced happily.
So this was magic? I never imagined it could use magic too…
“I see now. It deliberately let me land a blow, made me believe I had the advantage, then at the crucial moment struck as I grew overconfident. I’ve never fought such a clever monster before.”
“Being able to analyze your own defeat like that is incredible, Silva. Thank you for the thrilling match.”
“And thank you for the valuable experience. I’d like to watch the finals as well, if you don’t mind.”
“Of course. We’ll also be serving food after the tournament, so please enjoy that too. There’s a lot I’d love to ask you.”
“In that case, I’ll gladly stay and take my time.”
And so, the second semifinal ended with Lime’s victory.
The finals would be Mika vs. Lime.
It was a matchup no one could have predicted—making it all the more exciting.