Chapter 42: In the Defense Strength Test, I Produce an Insane Result

The method for the following Physical Defense Strength test was extremely primitive.

The attacker simply hits the examinee, and we see whether they can endure it.

That’s it.

There were several attack staff members with different physical attack powers, and it seemed the examinees could choose who would attack them.

Most people started with a slap from a young man to measure Physical Defense 10. Some female examinees even withdrew from the test.

Getting one-sidedly beaten wasn’t exactly fun for the examinees, but the venue was incredibly lively.

The cheers and jeers from the citizens on the city walls were even louder than during the physical attack test.

"Mr. Raiden, why are the cheers louder for the defense test?"

"Most of the attack staff are kind-hearted volunteers from the city. The majority of examinees are also locals. In other words, both the attackers and examinees are familiar faces to the audience. Seeing people they know punching and getting punched is just entertaining."

I see. That’s why they call out names and throw jeers around.

It’s like how fires and fights were the flowers of Edo — people love this kind of rough excitement.

"It’s not just that. Every examinee pushes themselves to their absolute limit. In the end, they take an attack that exceeds their defense, groan, and collapse. The citizens relieve their daily stress by watching that. Then they get moved by those who stand up despite the pain and gain courage from it. The sight of men drenched in agonized sweat taking attacks beyond their limits is beautiful!"

So that’s how it is.

In women’s pro wrestling too, the biggest cheers and applause come not when a move lands, but when a wrestler staggers back to their feet. Personally, I get more excited (in multiple ways) when there’s a low-angle shot of a downed wrestler’s ass or crotch, or when you see their chest heaving as they breathe heavily, or when their sweaty armpits are shown on screen.

Physical defense seemed to average around 20. It felt lower than physical attack power. Maybe people don’t train it as much? Or is attack power simply easier to train?

E’s 68 and Jarda’s 55 were considered excellent results, so the numbers really were quite low.

Still, those guys taking sword attacks half-naked and enduring them was seriously impressive.

I was hoping the vice-leader of the mercenary band "Three Spears of Light," Marvela, would also take the test topless, but women wrapped cloth around their chests or received blunt weapon attacks over their clothes.

Some people who hadn’t drawn much attention earlier scored over 50. Gatekeeper E’s colleague, Beat, got 72 points and was showered with cheers. According to commentator Raiden, he was the party’s dedicated tank — the so-called "wall" role.

Then it was my turn. This time, when my name was called, I properly stepped forward.

The venue buzzed. The expectations for me were clearly high.

Can’t be helped. Guess I’ll hype things up.

As a women’s pro wrestling fan, I had been watching with plenty of lewd eyes, but I also understood the overall flow of the event.

First match: Show the audience a lively rookie bout. They cheer for the fresh, promising newcomer who may lack polish but has a bright future.

Second and third matches feature veterans, and the main event is the champion’s title match. That’s the standard structure.

I thought I understood perfectly when to hype things up and how to do it.

Today’s status exam had the skill measurement as the main event.

Since I had already appeared as the promising new star in the first match (physical attack test) and got the crowd excited, in the second match I should go for unexpected comedy.

The examiner pointed at the attack staff and asked me:

"Sahar. From which number do you want to start?"

I raised my index finger and answered instantly.

"1."

Wooooah!

The crowd cheered enthusiastically, following the "just scream for now" mentality.

The examiner announced toward the city wall, "Number 1!"

A man in blue robes amplified his voice with magic and declared: "Sahar’s Physical Defense Strength 1 test will now begin!"

Wooooah...?

Question marks started appearing in the audience’s cheers.

Wooooah...?

Huh?

...?

People exchanged glances with their neighbors, their doubts growing.

...Silence.

The venue fell completely quiet.

The attack staff member for number 1 stepped forward.

It was...

A cute little loli!

"If I help out, I’ll get biscuit snacks, so I’ll do my best~!"

A blonde little girl who looked like a lower elementary school student, wearing a big, bright light-blue apron dress that resembled ethnic clothing.

Because everyone started from 10, this girl had been bored the whole time.

While others were taking their tests, she had been drawing pictures in the sand by herself.

What if she couldn’t help and didn’t get any snacks?

The loli trotted over, so I crouched down.

She looked determined, full of fighting spirit.

"Ei!"

Pat.

The loli’s round little hand gently tapped my cheek.

"GUAAAAAAAAAAH!"

I let out a huge scream, jumped backward with a boing, and then dramatically collapsed like a martial artist who had taken an alien’s self-destruct attack.

"O-Oh my! Sahar! Record: 0 points!"

....

...Silence.

The venue was ice cold.

What the hell? The mood is terrible.

In an indie pro wrestling promotion, if a little girl entered the ring and knocked out a muscular wrestler, it would be a huge hit.

D-Don’t tell me...

No, it’s clear now — this other world doesn’t have the "Uwaa, you’re so strong~♡" culture!

What do I do now? How long am I supposed to stay down here...?

Just as I was about to cry, I heard a familiar sound.

Boing, boing. The sound of large, soft things bouncing.

Is that Miss Rafilia?

"Masaharu-san."

It really was Rafilia. She had come to the venue to treat the injured, so she was going to help me.

But the examiner interrupted.

"Wait. He collapsed after taking an attack power 1 hit. He’s probably extremely specialized in attack with defense power close to zero. Touching him carelessly might injure him."

"I-Is that so... Masaharu-san..."

"You must not touch him. Leave him like this until the other participants’ tests are over."

"Y-Yes..."

...Eh?

They’re leaving me here?

I’m being abandoned?

How long do I have to stay collapsed in this embarrassing position?

Boing, boing.

The sound of large soft things bouncing grew distant. Rafilia really left. When I peeked with half-open eyes, I saw her big ass jiggling as she walked away. My erection was now so bad that I genuinely couldn’t stand up. I had no choice but to stay collapsed with my waist bent.

I actually wanted to quickly get up and also take a slap from the middle-school-girl-looking girl with attack power 5, but my test was already over...

"Next! Ifelasky! The horse girl of Margrant, Ifelasky! ...Ifelasky? What’s wrong? You’ll be disqualified."

She probably ran away because she hated pain.

That girl had been trembling ever since the physical defense test started and hadn’t even watched the others.

Because of me and Ifelasky, the entire venue had gone completely cold.

No — I was probably the biggest offender.

While I lay there, the tests continued, and my physical defense was officially recorded as the all-time lowest: 0.

Well, at least I got to look up at the female examinees from a low angle, so I was satisfied.

A rumor spread that in exchange for gaining 150 physical attack power through extreme attack specialization, my defense had become 0.

I screwed up...

I was supposed to be able to put up an amazing record for physical defense too...

Maybe I went too far with the prank because I already had the prize money for 1000 rounds of loli pussy secured.

I’ll seriously try my best in the next magic attack power test.

...Though I can’t use magic at all.

[A/N: Sorry for the late update guys!]