Vol.2 Chapter 85

Bogdan’s PoV

The clash of our spears echoed through the battlefield, a sharp, resonant note that cut through the ambient noise.

Renz

HP: 28%

Vlad

HP: 33%

I couldn’t say for sure how long we had been fighting, but our health bars were dangerously low. I had been matching his rhythm for the sake of the show match, pushing myself to keep up with his relentless pace, which was not as aggressive as I usually play.

He lunged again, not letting me catch a break. His spear strike techniques were fast and oddly familiar. They reassembled closely with my spear techniques but were more aggressive compared to mine. I’m quite curious as to where he learned to fight like that.

Knowing what to expect, I parried his attacks with practiced ease. Then, as quickly as it had begun, the exchange ended. We both stepped back, preparing for our next move— a recurring pattern in this duel.

In the lull of the moment, I decided to speak.

"Your form is good," I said, my voice calm and steady. "You've honed your skills in the art of the spear quite well."

“You’re not bad yourself. Still, I expected more from a former pro. I guess this is the best a retired old timer could do,” he taunted, a smirk playing on his lips.

This rude kid... It would be a world of difference if he wasn’t such a brat.

I took a deep breath, reminding myself to stay composed. He's only trying to provoke me into making mistakes. I'm not so inexperienced that I would get riled up by childish taunts.

“I'm only in my early thirties, you know. Besides, don't you know that with age comes wisdom? If you want, I could even make you my protégé.”

I had never taken on a protégé before, but watching the new Paragon team, brimming with talented protégés of the original members, made me envious. Now that I was retired from the pro scene, I had ample time on my hands and an opportunity to mentor someone. The idea was becoming more appealing by the day.

“Heh, what can a retiree like you possibly teach me?” Renz sneered, his confidence palpable.

He is really quite confident, so sure of himself. I couldn't entirely blame him; at his age, it's easy to fall into the trap of the Dunning-Kruger effect.

But despite his arrogance, I saw potential in him throughout his tournament run. He didn't win the entire competition purely by luck—he had the skills to back it up. Maybe, just maybe, he could achieve what I couldn't in my career.

I smiled. "You remind me of myself when I was younger, determined and full of confidence."

His curiosity was piqued. "What changed, though?"

I sighed, reflecting on the past. "I realized there are those with such extraordinary talent that, no matter what techniques you use, you can’t measure up to."

He nodded, a flicker of understanding crossing his face. "Yeah, I've heard about you. You were extremely famous in the early days of CoA. But I also heard Yuusha destroyed you in the first AC and never quite recovered from the devastating defeat."

I chuckled softly, the memory still vivid of the trashing I received from the legend herself. "That’s right, I’m way past my prime. But you’re different; you're young and full of potential. With the right guidance, you could easily surpass your average pros."

He seemed to ponder my words before responding. "Heh, I'll think about it if you can beat me in this duel," he said, taking up his stance, a clear challenge in his eyes.

I took up my stance in response. Hmm, it looks like I put on a show long enough. I also want to show off my skills, so It's time to get serious.

Sensing that I was ready, Renz charged quickly towards me. His spear raised high, a blur of motion against the horizon. I watched his approach, my heart steady and my mind clear. I could see through his strategy—the predictable ferocity of youth. As he closed the distance, I feinted a defensive strike, drawing him in.

The moment he lunged, I countered with a swift and precise movement, the culmination of decades of honed skill. Our spears collided with a resonant clang, the sound echoing across the battlefield.

TING*

The force of my counterattack caught him off guard. His eyes widened in surprise as he stumbled back, his balance disrupted. I could see the momentary panic in his eyes as he struggled to regain his footing. His grip on his spear loosened, and I seized the opportunity.

With a fluid motion, I twisted my spear, hooking it around his weapon. The maneuver was executed with the precision of decades of practice. I felt the resistance of his grip falter as I applied just the right amount of force. His spear wavered, and with a final, decisive twist, it was wrenched from his hands.

The weapon clattered to the ground with a sharp sound. Renz stood there, momentarily stunned, his eyes flicking from his fallen spear to me.

I didn’t let up. After disarming him, I moved with relentless precision. My spear struck true, delivering the finishing blow against his unguarded body.

KACHACK*

Renz

HP: 0%

"How... was that move even possible?" he muttered, his voice barely a whisper.

Then, as if suddenly realizing something, his eyes widened in awe. "Don’t tell me you’ve been holding back from the start?!" he exclaimed, disbelief etched across his face.

I ignored his question, as I had already let my actions speak for themselves.

“Think about it. I’ll send you a friend invite later. Contact me once you've made up your mind.”

Renz stood in stunned silence before dissolving into a cascade of shimmering blue light.

"Well, that’s that," I muttered. "Time to get the orb."

As I approached the glowing orb, I immediately channeled to break the barrier while pondering my next move. Since our haphazardly assembled All-Star team had lost its so-called captain, Tactical, it’s up to me to decide how to move about.

From what I could tell based on the notifications, only Murasame and I were still in the game. Hmm, did those two Paragon members lose on purpose? It seemed likely, given that they hadn’t used their main accounts, unlike Murasame and me. Despite their status as retired pros, I doubted they would lose if they had taken the match seriously.

Of course, I could be mistaken, especially considering that girl Novo—an anomaly among anomalies in this tournament for nonprofessional players under twenty. But even so, I couldn't imagine Murasame getting herself eliminated by anyone on our opponent’s side. And if she got serious, a 1v4 against this fledgling team would be child's play for her.

"Hmm, let's head to the middle orb after I take this one. I need to at least show the viewers I'm making an effort—it would be rude to our opponents otherwise."

After securing the orb, I set off toward the middle orb, deciding to figure things out as I went.

With the orb secure, I set off toward the center of the map. The grassy plains stretched out before me, a vast expanse of green rolling hills and meadows dotted with wildflowers swaying gently in the breeze. Each step I took was measured, and I was careful to conserve my stamina just in case I needed to fight again.

The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows and painting the landscape with a golden hue. The air was crisp, filled with the earthy scent of the plains mingled with the faint aroma of blooming flowers, a reminder of how detailed this VR world really is. As expected from the world’s most popular game.

The tranquility of the plains was a stark contrast to the intensity of the competition, and for a moment, I allowed myself to soak in the serene beauty around me.

After several minutes of alternating between jogging and walking to conserve my stamina, I finally arrived at the destination. I hid at the nearby tree to avoid giving my position out, just in case. What I saw upon arriving was quite unfathomable, to say the least.

There, vying for the middle orb, were two players going toe-to-toe with each other. It was Murasame clashing with Paradigm’s ace, Novo.

Contrary to my expectations of a one-sided battle, Novo was holding her own against the current strongest female player.

As Murasame charged forward, her eyes locked on her target, the air around her seemed to crackle with intensity. She closed the distance in the blink of an eye, and her sword raised high, ready to deliver a devastating blow. The slash was swift and precise, a blur of steel arcing through the air.

In a split second, Novo made a calculated move. She brought up one of her daggers with a fluid, almost dance-like motion. Instead of meeting the force head-on, she angled her weapon, using its edge to catch Murasame’s sword just before it made contact.

TING*

The clash of metal rang out, a sharp, resonant sound that echoed across the battlefield. Novo deftly redirected the slash, her dagger guiding Murasame’s sword away from her body. The momentum of the attack caused sparks to fly, illuminating the precision and skill of her deflection.

What a perfect move! Knowing that she could not dodge the slash or parry it because she lacked strength in her stats build, she instinctively decided to redirect the force and the momentum of that perfectly executed slash.

Murasame’s eyes widened for a fraction of a second, recognizing Novo’s expertly executed move. But she recovered quickly, her stance shifting as she prepared for the next strike. Novo, too, didn’t waste a moment. She used the momentum of the deflection to spin to the side, her feet barely touching the ground as she repositioned herself.

The exchange between the two skilled fighters stirred a memory deep within me, a wave of nostalgia washing over my very core.

"Y-Yuusha?" I muttered softly, the name slipping from my lips before I could stop myself.

Realizing my mistake, I immediately shook my head.

No, they're not the same. I could still recall Yuusha’s moves as clearly as if our battle had taken place just yesterday. Her style was marked by hunger and passion, each attack aggressive and relentless. All her dodges were flawlessly executed, leaving me with a sense of creeping despair.

Every time we crossed blades, it felt as if anything I did was futile; her overwhelming presence was in stark contrast to this girl, Novo, who fought with a passive and defensive approach. Despite the similarities in their techniques, they were distinctly different fighters.

That's pretty standard, though. Since Yuusha set the meta for dodging and counterattacking in the first AC, many attempted to mimic her movements despite her limited public video content. This girl, Novo, likely falls into the same group but stands out due to her exceptional talent, which allowed her to imitate Yuusha’s technique to near perfection.

But enough of that. The question now is, should I offer assistance to my teammate?

…No, I should stay on the sidelines for now. Murasame places a high value on honorable duels, and I’m certain she would despise me if I ignored her wishes and inserted myself into a battle where my presence isn’t necessary.

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Clarissa's PoV

I saw Novo’s familiar analyzing eyes locked onto Murasame as she made her move. With a swift flick of her wrist, she threw her left dagger.

Murasame raised her katana in a seamless motion, expertly parrying the incoming blade. The dagger ricocheted off the katana, spinning through the air.

In a display of impeccable skill, Novo caught the dagger mid-spin with a fluid and precise movement. Without missing a beat, she launched a follow-up attack, her dagger aiming for Murasame's midsection.

As if predicting the attack beforehand, Murasame sidestepped the attack with an almost effortless grace and then countered with a swift, powerful slash of her own.

The blade arced towards Novo, who twisted her body with agility and precision, dodging the attack by mere inches.

The two fighters continued their intense exchange, their weapons clashing and whirling in a blur of steel. Each attack was met with a parry, and each dodge countered with a strike.

Their battle left me in absolute awe. I’ve never seen anything remotely like this.

They're both so strong! Despite all the improvements I’ve made under Novo’s guidance, I couldn’t keep up with their movements at all!

“Holy, what are we seeing, folks!? It feels like we’re watching two pros duke it out, mano-a-mano! It’s even hard to follow their movements, let alone cast it live!” the caster exclaimed, echoing my thoughts.

"Is this fight for real?"

"Their fight is scripted, right? There's no way it’s not rehearsed beforehand with how flawlessly they move!"

"Of course, it’s scripted! It’s a show match for the fans, after all! Otherwise, Murasame would end it too quickly."

"That's right! I haven't seen any pro players last this long against Miss Aoi!"

"Both of them haven't even taken any damage with their perfect dodges and parries!"

"They must have practiced their moves beforehand!"

"That's absurd! Nobody knows who the All-Star will be up against, so they couldn't have practiced!"

"Maybe they know each other and are sparring partners?"

"Scripted or not, they're mesmerizing to watch! I can’t take my eyes off them!"

After another fierce exchange and a close-call dodge from Novo, the two fighters distanced themselves, both needing a moment to catch their breath. As a lull settled over their clash, they began to circle each other, eyes locked in a mixture of respect and determination.

The large screen overhead captured their faces in stark detail, highlighting every flicker of expression. It was then that something unusual caught my eye.

Novo seemed... happy.

Despite the intensity of the battle, she was smiling—a genuine smile that seemed out of place given the circumstances.

It’s like she was… enjoying her fight against Miss Aoi.

I couldn't believe what I was seeing. I had never seen Novo this genuinely happy before while fighting someone.

Seeing her unguarded expression and unadulterated joy left me with mixed feelings that I couldn’t quite comprehend. One thing I knew for sure was that I wanted to see more of that expression from her.

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Hana’s PoV

As the large screen in the special room for players displayed both combatants in the lull of their duel, my eyes instinctively fell onto my sister’s expression.

Sis is... Smiling? It’s been so long since I’ve seen her like that.

I watched her, captivated by what I saw. This was a side of my sister I seldom witnessed.

Since our father raised her this way, she has always been overcompetitive. She thrives on the thrill of competition and finds happiness in the heat of the fight, but lately, no one has been a match for her with how fast she was improving—until she fought this girl, that is.

My teammates seemed equally taken aback by the intensity of the fight. I’m sure they never expected Novo to be able to give my sister this much of a challenge.

"H-Hana, is that girl Senpai Aoi’s sparring partner perhaps?" Kaito suddenly asked.

"I don’t things so... not that I’m aware of at least. I’m pretty sure this is their first time fighting," I replied absentmindedly, my eyes glued to the duel between the two.

"But to last this long against your sister on their first match—she's not normal," Kaito said, his voice tinged with fear.

"That girl is..."

"Super scary,"

the twins chimed in, finishing each other’s sentence.

They were right. Being able to hold her own against my sister was extremely intimidating, to say the least. I felt fortunate we didn't have to face her ourselves in the tournament since I’m pretty sure she would have easily destroyed us in a battle with this level of skill.

----------------------------------------------------------

Gilligan's PoV

“This is insane, folks! Novo perfectly redirected the slash with her dagger to avoid taking the brunt of the blow! She did that against the 'Unseen Blade,' no less! Her split-second decision-making is on point! What a player!” the caster exclaimed after the exchange, his voice filled with awe.

"Looks like they're having fun~," Lua remarked with a light-hearted tone, smiling as she listened to the caster’s desperate attempt to explain the intricacies of the fight.

I glanced at Lua, my thoughts drifting. I knew she could only rely on the caster’s commentary due to her blindness, and I couldn't help but feel fortunate for my eyesight functioning properly, a privilege I never truly appreciated until I met her.

“Who do you think will win?” Lua suddenly asked, her voice directed at me.

Despite her lack of vision, she always knew where my focus lay. Her senses were incredibly sharp, almost intuitively so.

I pondered her question, my eyes still fixed on the screen, where the fierce battle between Novo and Murasame continued.

“I... I don't know. No matter what data I have on them, it's impossible to predict, considering how unprecedented their skills are,” I admitted, watching the intense duel unfold.

What surprised me most was that the girl could hold her own against Murasame. I had thought her win against Lua was just a fluke, but I had been proven wrong.

“I know, right~ Katherine is really one of a kind! Argh! I'm so jealous... I want to fight them both right now!” Lua exclaimed with frustration.

“There will be a time for that after we go pro,” I tried to console her, though the thought of it made my head throb. The preparations needed to face either of them in an official match would be daunting, to say the least.

“But that's too long! I want to fight them now,” she pouted.

I sighed, exasperated by her antics. "Please stop acting like a petulant child. Either way, battling them is not something I would like to experience.”

“What~ but fighting Katherine was the most fun I’ve ever had, though! You just don’t understand the joys of fighting the strong,” Lua declared.

“I certainly don’t. I can’t possibly comprehend what’s going through that head of yours. You battle maniac!” I retorted.

“Hmph! How rude! You understand me, right, Haeun?” Lua said, seeking an ally.

Haeun hesitated, clearly torn on what to say. It seemed like she didn’t want to disappoint Lua but couldn’t lie about her feelings.

“Uhm… honestly, I'm too scared to face either of those two...” she replied weakly.

“Hmph, Spoilsport,” Lua pouted to appear disappointed, even though I already knew she expected that answer from Haeun.

“How about you, Antonio? You understand, right?” Lua turned to her last would-be ally.

Antonio chuckled lightheartedly. “I certainly would love to have a sparring match with them, Miss Lua. I’m pretty sure I could learn a lot from them.”

“Good! At least some of you get it!” Lua exclaimed, visibly pleased she finally found a like-minded ally.

I let out a defeated sigh. It seems like more than one of my teammates is not right in the head.

----------------------------------

Arthur's PoV

“Whoa! What an intense fight! I’m not much of an e-sports fan, but is this what professional battles are like?” Tristan exclaimed in awe.

“This isn’t the norm. Murasame usually ends her fight pretty quickly. That girl, Novo, is just incredibly skilled to last this long, even though she’s constantly on the defensive,” I explained, marveling at Novo’s tenacity.

“Phew,” Tristan sighed, visibly relieved. “It would be a nightmare if everyone in the pro scene were as good as these two. This means we still have a shot at going pro.”

“Good luck with that. I’ll be sure to cheer you on,” I said, genuinely wishing him the best in his endeavor.

“Wait! Why are you talking like this doesn’t concern you? Aren’t you trying to go pro, too?” he asked, confusion etched on his face.

“Nope. Managing a top guild like ours is already hard enough. Going pro would mean dedicating every moment to training just to keep up with monsters like those two. I’m not talented enough for that,” I replied, feeling a bit overwhelmed at the thought.

“Why haven’t I heard about this?!” he exclaimed, completely shocked.

“You never asked,” I said while shrugging nonchalantly.

“Don’t give me that!” he retorted, a mix of frustration and betrayal.

I ignored him, returning my attention to the exhilarating fight before me. I was grateful to witness such a great duel between two highly skilled players live.

“Tsk!” Realizing I wouldn’t entertain him any longer, Tristan turned his attention to our two teammates. “How about you girls? Are you two going to go pro?”

“Not interested,” Astrid replied without hesitation.

Gwendolyn, however, seemed to deliberate for a moment. “…Hmm, well, I received an offer yesterday, but I haven’t decided if I’ll accept it yet…”

“What! Already! Why didn’t you mention getting an offer?!”

“…Because you never asked?” Gwendolyn replied innocently.

“Gah!” Tristan exclaimed, completely exasperated.

So, Gwendolyn's already got some eyes on her, huh? Well, there are no surprises there. She's our ace, after all, and her skills are the real deal. I'm sure whatever team she joins would be lucky to have someone as talented as her.

------------------------------------

Aria's PoV

I watched with bated breath as Katherine found herself cornered, Murasame’s relentless attacks pushing her to the brink. The tension of the fight was palpable, and I could even hear my heart pounding in my chest as I watched Katherine fight.

Capitalizing on the opportunity, Murasame swung her blade with such ferocity that it seemed to cut through the air itself. I realized Katherine had no choice—there was no room to sidestep, no time to parry. It was a perfectly executed slash from someone as skilled as Murasame, predicting her opponent’s next move, leaving Novo with no chance to dodge.

Just as I thought it would end in one hit due to the gap in stats, in one fluid motion, Katherine bent her knees and launched herself into a backward somersault. The sword passed just inches beneath her, so close that I instinctively held my breath.

The world seemed to slow down as Katherine flipped through the air and then landed gracefully on her feet, poised and ready for another exchange.

The crowd erupted in applause, and a wave of astonished admiration swept through the stands—it could even be heard inside this isolated room.

After pulling off such an incredible move, Katherine wasted no time, swiftly resetting her stance and locking eyes with Murasame, clearly reveling in the duel. It was a glimpse of her old self—intensely competitive and thrilled by the challenge of strong opponents.

“What a close call! Novo’s unexpected dodge was nothing short of spectacular!” the caster shouted, clearly impressed.

“Is that girl even human? How can she possibly move like that?” Blitz exclaimed, his shock evident as he watched the incredible scene unfold.

“It’s possible, considering players have enhanced abilities in VR. Still, executing moves like that in the heat of the moment requires mastery, good judgment, perfect balance, and proficiency,” Seer explained with expertise.

“I know that already! You don’t have to go all analytical on me—it was just an expression!” Blitz replied, exasperated by Seer’s detailed explanation.

“But with the huge gear gap, can Miss Yuusha win this fight?” Lucy asked, hoping for Katherine to win.

I understood her point. Given the significant stats disadvantage, even if Katherine managed to land a few hits, it wouldn’t be enough to bring Murasame’s HP to zero. On the other hand, just one critical hit from Murasame could end it. Katherine was at a considerable disadvantage in this fight. As it currently stands, none of them has even taken a single hit in this fight, mainly due to Murasame’s pure aggression, making Katherine unable to retaliate easily.

"Technically speaking, it’s impossible. The only way Miss Yuusha could overcome the substantial stats and gear gap disadvantage is if she had a significant advantage skill-wise against her opponent. But considering that both of them are on par with each other in terms of player skills, that’s unlikely to happen,” Seer gave his honest opinion.

“I-I see…” Lucy replied nervously, clearly deflated upon hearing Seer’s explanation.

“…I say it’s impossible, but I’ve seen Miss Yuusha achieve the impossible time and time again. She didn’t become a legend among CoA players for nothing. I wouldn’t count her out just yet,” Seer added.

I couldn’t agree more. If anyone can pull off a victory in this seemingly hopeless situation, it could only be her, my mentor.

-----------------------------------------

Aoi’s PoV

I locked eyes with Novo, tightening my grip around the hilt of my sword. She wasn't just good—she was exceptional, one of the strongest opponents I’d ever faced. The way she moved, the way she anticipated my strikes—it was as if she could see right through my most polished sword techniques. But instead of frustration, a thrill surged through me. This was the challenge I had been craving for so long.

I lunged forward, aiming my blade at her midsection. She sidestepped with an ease that spoke of unmatched agility. Without missing a beat, I followed up with a sweeping arc, hoping to catch her off guard. Novo responded by rolling to the side, narrowly avoiding my slash.

I could feel a grin spread across my face. I’m not usually this expressive, but I could not help it nor care to hide it. This was the most fun I’d had in as long as I could remember. I could sense that she felt the same way, judging from the grin plastered on her face as she narrowly dodged my recent attack.

We were kindred spirits, bound by our love for the thrill of an intense battle.

Suddenly, a pinging sound pierced the air, snapping me back to the present moment.

BEEP BEEP BEEP*

The ping was a reminder that the match would end in five minutes. The one who has the most acquired orb will win, but it doesn’t matter to either of us. What we both want is a conclusion for our duel.

She must have heard the timer, too, since she distanced herself to create some breathing room instead of capitalizing on the opening with a counterattack. Or perhaps she sensed that I was expecting her to counter and decided against it.

Her thought process is a mystery to me. She’s incredibly hard to read. Otherwise, I would’ve landed my hits long ago without any difficulty.

One thing I know for sure is that she wouldn’t want to end the match in a draw, either.

“I’ll use my weapon skill in the next clash,” I suddenly announced.

She seemed taken aback by my declaration but stayed silent nonetheless.

“I’m only telling you out of fairness,” I continued. “You have your ‘other’ staff, right? I’ll give you time to equip it and cast haste on yourself. Otherwise, you won’t be able to dodge my slashes or deal enough damage to win against me,” I suggested, covering my katana back into its sheathe to show my sincerity.

“…I’ll take you up on that offer,” she replied while unequipping her current staff, the dual orb she uses to support her carry.

I observed her calm demeanor as shimmering blue particles surrounded her weapon, gradually disintegrating it into nothingness. She seemed to completely trust my words, showing no sign of caution or suspicion of betrayal from me. Not that I would do it, as my honor was at stake, but her trust was a bit heartening.

In PVP, unequipping and reequipping weapons is usually not done since it takes no less than ten seconds: five seconds to dematerialize and unequip your current weapon and another five seconds to materialize the new one. It’s a critical window of vulnerability, where an opponent could easily exploit the opportunity while you’re unarmed and unable to move freely.

I was pulled out of my musings as the blue motes of light finally materialized the iconic staff she used to defeat Lua in their duel. Looking at it closely, I see that its length is carved from a dark wood that seems to absorb the light around it. At the top, an ominous reddish skull, hollowed-eyed and menacing, crowns the staff. The skull’s jaw is slightly open, as if frozen in a silent scream, adding to its eerie presence.

Enclosed within the skeletal jaw is a grey orb pulsing faintly with mystical energy used for chronomancy spells. It casts a dull, otherworldly glow, illuminating the hollows of the skull and giving it an even more sinister appearance.

I already knew about this unique staff and its reputation among the community and other pro players—it’s generally considered subpar for a Unique Weapon due to its heavy drawbacks. However, witnessing someone use it to its full potential is truly remarkable.

After equipping the staff, she immediately began to fully buff herself.

“Blood Curse,” she murmured in a barely audible voice.

Power surged through the staff, infusing her with dark energy that cracked ominously, instantly depleting her HP to five percent.

Novo

HP: 5%

She then activated the chronomancy orb to channel for a few seconds and then cast greater haste on herself.

A shimmering grey aura enveloped her, swirling around her form like a veil of spectral energy. The air around her seemed to hum with a heightened intensity. It was as if time itself was bending to her will, accelerating her movements.

She was fast enough as it is, but having haste buff on her, she'd be nearly impossible to hit. Not that I was worried—my weapon skill had never failed to hit its mark.

“I’m ready when you are,” she said curtly after casting all her buffs.

I nodded in acknowledgment, ready to bring the fight to a close. Wasting no time, I took up my stance and gently placed my right hand on the hilt of my sword.

I went deeper into the zone, analyzing every part of my opponent—her breathing, her minuscule movements, everything. Each subtle shift in her stance, each flicker of her eyes, became data for me to process. My focus sharpened, and the world around me faded into the background.

She seemed to mirror my concentration, her expression growing even more severe. It was clear she was doing the same, studying me with the same meticulous attention I was doing to her. Although unspoken, we both knew this fight would end in an instant.

Our eyes locked, and in that moment, time seemed to stand still. The tension between us was palpable, a coiled spring ready to snap. I could feel the adrenaline coursing through my veins, heightening my senses to their peak.

“Falling Rain Blossom,” I activated my weapon skill.

My weapon skill only lasts 1.5 seconds, but that's more than enough. Throughout our earlier battle, I’ve gathered data on her, pinpointing all her weak spots. I doubt she would be able to dodge my most prized move, especially if I target every vulnerability. It might be overkill, but I cannot underestimate her. She deserves my best, and that is what she will get.

With a sudden burst of speed due to the weapon skill’s speed multiplier, I launched myself forward, my blade slicing through the air with deadly precision. At the same time, time seemed to slow to a crawl as I activated the internal clock I’ve mastered through countless uses and practice in perfecting my art.

The first slash aimed for her left shoulder, a calculated strike meant to destabilize her. With the speed boost from the greater haste helping her, Novo moved like lightning, a swift sidestep that carried her out of my blade's path just in time.

Without losing momentum, I redirected my strike, the second slash sweeping horizontally toward her midsection, another weak point of hers. She bent backward in a fluid motion, the edge of my katana whispering past her abdomen as she avoided the blow with uncanny agility.

Determined to land a hit, I brought my blade down in a diagonal arc, the third slash targeting the vulnerable juncture between her neck and shoulder. She twisted her body expertly, the blade missing its mark by a hair's breadth, slicing through the air where she had stood just a moment before.

My final strike was relentlessly precise, a quick thrust aimed directly at her heart. In response, she spun away, her movements a seamless blend of grace and speed, evading my blade once more.

Impossible!

No matter how fast her reaction time was, dodging those slashes aimed at her weak points should have been impossible unless she knew exactly where they were coming from!

Unless... Don't tell me. She's been deceiving me since we started our duel. Those areas I struck weren't her weak points at all. She only made me believe they were by deliberately subduing her dodges whenever I targeted them.

She completely outplayed me, planning for this moment all along. As much as I am loath to admit it, I lost to her in a battle of wits. On top of it all, she has completely memorized most of my attack patterns within the limited time frame of our duel. This girl is a true prodigy. I should’ve gone all out and used my weapon skill from the beginning to even have a chance of outplaying her.

But there’s no time for regrets. I haven’t lost yet. I still have about 0.10 seconds left on my weapon skill buff. I can still turn this dire situation around.

Spurred by adrenaline and the unprecedented urgency of the situation, I pushed myself beyond the limits. I haven’t perfected it yet, but I feel I can do it now in the face of my current opponent.

With a final burst of determination, I executed a fifth slash, my blade moving faster than ever before. The air seemed to crackle around us as I aimed for her side, hoping to finally land a decisive blow. The sudden, unexpected attack seemed to catch her off guard, her eyes widening in surprise.

WHOOSH*

She managed to react, her body twisting away at the last possible moment. My blade almost connected, but she barely evaded the full impact.

I was dumbfounded by what had happened. But there was no time to dwell on it. I needed to mitigate the damage of her counterattack by dampening the blow. It would be challenging with the slow debuff penalty after using my weapon skill, but it was the best I could do in this situation.

I braced myself, every muscle tensed in anticipation, expecting her swift retaliation. My senses were heightened, my gaze locked onto her, ready to read and react to her next move.

But the counterattack I was expecting never came.

“It seems I wasn’t fast enough to dodge the last attack,” she muttered to herself in a barely audible voice.

It wasn't until she pointed it out that I noticed her right arm was slightly blurry, surrounded by motes of blue light. This indicated that she received damage from my last attack, which was just enough to diminish her HP completely.

Novo

HP: 0%

“I lost, but this was the most fun I’ve ever had. Good game,” she said wholeheartedly while giving me a captivating smile.

Her dazzling smile left me nearly speechless.

“…Good game,” I responded sincerely.

There was no falsehood in my words. I have never met anyone who can last long enough under my aggression the way she does.

I won, but it didn’t feel like a victory for me. It made me ponder for a bit. If she had higher damage stats on her character and had not needed to use her weapon skill at the cost of her health, would the results of our battle have been the same?

One thing was certain: she had earned all the respect I could possibly give, rightfully so. And I definitely want to fight her again.

“Let’s meet again at another tournament,” I suggested, my tone quite hopeful for a positive reply.

She seemed to hesitate a bit before finally replying.

“…Sorry, but that won’t be possible,” she replied with an unreadable expression before disappearing completely.

Alone on the battlefield, I was left wondering what she meant by that.