My SSS-Rank Grim Reaper System-Chapter 53: Registration

The routine had become... comfortable.

Too comfortable, Alex thought as he stared at the Guild’s notice board.

Three weeks in Coral Port. Daily missions. Training. Meals with the team. Mrs. Thorne’s cookies. An almost... normal life.

Almost.

Because every night, when he closed his eyes, the Fragment whispered. And every morning, he woke wondering how much longer he could resist.

He needed distraction. He needed purpose. He needed— 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

"Interested?"

Alex turned. Captain Sera was behind him, studying the same poster that had caught his attention.

CORAL PORT MONTHLY TOURNAMENT!

50-Year Tradition - Everyone Welcome

64 Participants - Single Elimination

Prize: 5,000 Crowns + Rare Magic Item

Average Participant Level: 40

Register Now!

"Just looking," Alex said.

Sera crossed her arms, that sharp gaze that always seemed to see too much.

"Not as prestigious as the Novice Tournament."

Alex tensed slightly. She knew. Of course she knew who he really was.

"But," Sera continued as if she hadn’t noticed his reaction, "it’s excellent training. Real competition without the Temple’s politics. Without the massive stakes. Just adventurers testing their skills."

She stepped closer, lowered her voice.

"And if someone—hypothetically speaking—wanted to measure their growth without attracting undue attention, they could register under an alias. Wear a hood. Keep a low profile."

Alex looked at her. "Are you suggesting I participate?"

"I’m suggesting," Sera smiled slightly, "that a young adventurer named ’Night’ with a skeleton companion named ’Shade’ might benefit from tournament experience."

She winked, then walked away.

Alex looked at the poster again.

Maybe she was right.

---

[APARTMENT - THAT NIGHT]

"Tournament?" Raven raised an eyebrow, reading the copy of the poster Alex had brought. "Seriously?"

They were gathered around the table—Alex, Raven, Emily, and Grim (80cm form sitting on a chair with three stacked cushions to reach the proper height).

"It’s good practice," Alex said defensively. "And the prize is decent."

"The prize is okay," Raven agreed. "But it’s public. Risk of recognition."

"That’s why I’d use an alias," Alex replied. "Different name, hood up, different strategy from what I used in the Novice Tournament."

"What kind of different strategy?" Emily asked, genuinely curious.

Alex considered. "In the Novice Tournament, I relied heavily on Grim. Let him do most of the heavy lifting while I coordinated from behind."

He looked at Grim, who watched him with steady red lights.

"This time, I want to fight more directly. Sword and basic skills. Grim as support instead of main force."

"Why the change?" Raven asked.

"Because I need to be more than just ’the guy with the powerful skeleton’," Alex admitted. "If Grim ever can’t fight, or if we’re separated, I need to be able to hold my own."

Silence fell.

Then Grim spoke, voice small but firm.

"Master. Is. Right. Must. Be. Strong. Alone. Too."

"It’s not that I don’t trust you," Alex quickly clarified.

"I. Know. That’s. Why. I. Support. Decision."

Emily smiled. "Then it’s decided. You register tomorrow."

"Names," Raven said. "You need a proper alias. Something memorable but not too flashy."

"’Night’," Alex suggested. "Simple. Goes with Nightshade."

"And I’ll be ’Shade’," Grim added with what sounded like enthusiasm.

"Works," Raven agreed. "You two compete. Emily and I support from the crowd."

"Wait," Emily said. "Why aren’t you participating?"

Raven gestured at herself—black hair with bright crimson highlights, emerald eyes that literally glowed in dim light, gothic appearance that screamed "Fragment bearer."

"I’m a walking billboard that says ’LOOK AT ME’. If I participate, someone will definitely make the connection to Fallen Citadel. Fragment 3 isn’t exactly subtle."

"Valid point," Emily admitted.

"Besides," Raven smiled, "I’d rather observe. I can study other competitors. See what techniques they use. Maybe learn something."

Alex nodded. "Then it’s decided. I register tomorrow as ’Night’. Grim is ’Shade’. You two cheer us on from the crowd."

"And," Raven added, expression turning serious, "if anyone recognizes you, we abort immediately. No unnecessary risks."

"Agreed."

---

[NEXT DAY - REGISTRATION DESK]

The registration desk was in the Guild District, run by a young man with a clipboard and a bored expression.

"Name," he said without looking up.

"Night," Alex replied, deep hood hiding most of his face.

"Last name?"

"Just Night."

The registrar looked up, raised an eyebrow. "Mysterious. Fine. Companion?"

"Shade." Alex pointed at Grim (80cm form) on his shoulder, also wearing a tiny hood Emily had sewn the night before.

The registrar studied Grim for a moment. "Skeleton? Interesting. Approximate level?"

"Thirty-five," Alex lied. Grim was technically level 70 in Awakened form, but no one needed to know that.

"And you?"

"Thirty-eight." Also a lie—he was technically level 38, but he’d been hiding his true power for weeks.

"Fine." The registrar wrote it down. "Participant number 47. First round tomorrow, 10 AM. East District Arena. Don’t be late."

He handed over a cloth armband with "47" stamped on it.

"Next."

Alex walked away, finding Raven and Emily waiting nearby.

"Done?" Raven asked.

"Done. I’m number 47."

"Nervous?" Emily asked.

Alex considered. "A little. But also... excited. It’s been a while since I’ve had a proper fight where I can really measure my progress."

"Avoid showing everything," Raven warned. "Especially the Fragment. Any necromancy use beyond basic and people will start asking questions."

"I know. Plan is: sword, physical skills, basic coordination with Grim. Nothing flashy."

"And if you face someone too strong?"

"Then I surrender," Alex said simply. "Not worth risking exposure for a minor tournament win."

Raven nodded, satisfied. "Good. Then tomorrow, we watch."

---

[TOURNAMENT DAY - EAST DISTRICT ARENA - 9:30 AM]

The arena was considerably smaller than the massive stadium where the Novice Tournament had been held—capacity for maybe 2,000 people—but every seat was full.

Apparently the Monthly Tournament was a big local event.

Alex arrived early, dressed in simple leather armor, deep hood, sword at his hip. Grim (80cm, also hooded) rode on his shoulder, tiny scythe sheathed.

They blended in with other competitors in the waiting area. Alex kept his head down, avoiding conversation.

He studied the competition discreetly.

Mostly levels 35-45. Some looked veteran—scars, worn but well-maintained gear. Others clearly novices—shiny equipment, obvious nervousness.

A large man with a war hammer (level 52, by Alex’s instinct) was surrounded by a group—apparently a local favorite.

"That’s Toran," someone nearby whispered. "Three-time tournament champion. Level 52, Earth Dragon companion. No one’s beaten him in six months."

Alex noted that mentally.

Then he heard a familiar voice.

"Over there!"

He turned—Raven and Emily in the stands, waving. They’d gotten seats with a good view.

Alex nodded slightly, returning his attention to the arena.

The referee—a large man with a voice that could wake the dead—climbed to the central platform.

"WELCOME! TO THE FIFTY-SECOND ANNUAL CORAL PORT MONTHLY TOURNAMENT!"

The crowd roared.

"SIXTY-FOUR BRAVE COMPETITORS HAVE ENTERED! THIRTY-TWO BATTLES IN ROUND ONE! THE RULES ARE SIMPLE: SURRENDER, KNOCKOUT, OR REFEREE’S DECISION!"

Dramatic pause.

"LET THE COMBAT BEGIN!"

The crowd exploded with joy.

Alex felt adrenaline starting to flow.

He’d forgotten this—the excitement. The anticipation. The pure test of skill.

He smiled under his hood.

Finally, some action.

This was going to be interesting.

---

[FIRST ROUND - ALEX VS JORAS]

"COMPETITOR 47, NIGHT, VERSUS COMPETITOR 22, JORAS!"

Alex entered the arena.

His opponent was already there—a young man, maybe 25, with a spear and shield. His companion was a gray Wolf, level 37.

[Joras - Level 35]

[Green Wolf - Level 37]

Not particularly intimidating.

The referee confirmed both were ready.

"BEGIN!"

Joras charged immediately, spear thrusting.

Alex didn’t use magic. Didn’t use the Fragment. Just... fought.

He drew his sword, blocked the spear thrust, deflected.

The Wolf flanked, trying to bite Alex’s leg—

Grim (80cm) leaped from Alex’s shoulder, landing on the Wolf’s head.

"Surprise!"

Tiny bony hands covered the Wolf’s eyes.

The Wolf shook its head wildly, trying to dislodge the small skeleton.

Alex exploited the distraction—kicked Joras’s shield, broke his balance, pressed with his sword.

Joras retreated, trying to recover stance—

Alex didn’t give him the chance. Strike after strike, he pushed back, until—

CLANG.

He disarmed Joras with a wrist twist, the spear flying.

Alex’s sword at Joras’s throat.

"Surrender?"

Joras raised his hands. "I surrender!"

"WINNER: NIGHT!"

The crowd applauded politely—a quick but clean victory.

Alex helped Joras up. "Good fight."

"You too. That skeleton is fast."

Grim (still clinging to the Wolf’s head) finally let go, landing with a small thud.

"Victory. Together."

Three minutes total.

Alex returned to the waiting area, satisfied.

First victory without using anything supernatural. Just sword skill and basic coordination.

Exactly what he needed to prove.

---