The Final Bandit

. . .

Akiol had arrived at Red Bush, walking into the town hall.

Walking up to the receptionist he said, "Here to turn in the bounty of Titan."

There was a different receptionist this time, looking shocked they asked, "I assume you have something to prove this?"

Akiol then pulled out the Charged Shield.

"This should do right?"

The receptionist nodded, "It will, give me one moment."

The receptionist went through some papers. Akiol didn't know what was written on them, but he didn't care much.

The receptionist looked back up to Akiol. "The bounty has been deposited, also there was this letter meant to be handed to you."

Accepting the letter he thanked the receptionist. Finding a quiet corner he opened the letter.

-I know your hunting my old friends. I also know you're after me next. I do not wish to be hunted down the rest of my life. So, every midnight I shall be on a hill. I will only do this for a week however.

-Awaiting your arrival, Mantis.

The letter was from the final bandit of the three. This saved Akiol some time, however it was still several hours before midnight in-game.

Having nothing to do Akiol did the small quests around the village. Helping people out and doing tasks to make the villagers lives more peaceful. It didn't provide any experience, due to Akiol's higher level, but it was a pleasing experience for him.

Once he helped everyone in Red Bush he had teleported to Yellow Stalk and did the same. He had time to kill after all, and he didn't want to be caught up in another quest.

Once he had completed all the small tasks in Yellow Stalk a notification appeared.

[The People's Benefactor: Greatly improves favorability with common folk. Not effective to some of high status.]

Akiol had indeed seen the change the title brought him. The villagers greeted him as he walked past, and the grumpy older people's attitude had improved towards him. This gave a warm feeling in Akiol. He spent the rest of his time socializing with the villagers.

. . .

The moon was glowing brightly, on a hill stood a figure with a scarf basking in the moonlight.

Akiol had climbed the hill eventually coming face to face with Mantis.

"Looks like you finally arrived, just as I had thought you didn't get my message." Mantis greeted.

"Afraid I only got it today. I didn't want to keep you waiting, so here I am." Akiol replied.

"Shall we begin?"

Akiol nodded and took a stance.

"Then I won't be going easy on you."

With that the name status changed above Mantis.

The increase of level was a surprise to Akiol, he had assumed that Mantis's level would be the same as the other two bandits. It was too late to do anything now though.

Mantis took a stance, a red glow surrounding him. Akiol activated [Aura Boost: Speed] to match the power up. The two watched each other's moves carefully.

This comparison of stances was not to Akiol's taste. From his world the first strike should lead to confuse your opponent. So he closed the distance and opened his attack with a feint. Fully committing to the second and actual swing.

Mantis blocked with ease, their two swords locked in a cross shape in front of them. Mantis then spun intending to elbow Akiol's head.

Akiol ducked, and backed off. Mantis didn't intend to let Akiol go however as he charged towards him.

The two clashed their swords, it was a skillful battle. The swords clashing, feints and counter-attacks. The sight was beautiful, it almost looked staged.

Mantis had tripped once causing them to lose their balance. With this Akiol had almost killed Mantis, but a strange magic stopped his attack. Such an opening came and went so swiftly. Akiol could only do his best to continue the fight.

The battle went on for forty seconds before they both backed off. Akiol had little time on his aura boost and he didn't have enough mana to use it again.

Mantis was very skilled with the sword. The only thing keeping Akiol from winning was that he couldn't use some of the sword techniques he learned from his world. The most powerful and skilled ones requires a certain amount of strength and speed.

Akiol had already gotten used to his weaker body, he could wield a sword just fine. Using any specifics maneuvers was incredibly challenging however.

When he had learned most of his skills with the sword he was far stronger than his avatar in-game. Most of his sword skills he was currently using came from experience, not what he was taught.

This meant two things. First he would get much more stronger in the future than ordinary players. Since he would be able to use the techniques once he gained more strength. Second, he was far weaker than he would like to admit. While he could still best average players, he doubted he could win easily against the professional player. Even if at all.

Akiol did have an idea for this however. If he could increase his speed by using the remaining time he had on the buff, he could possibly execute one of the more easier to do sword techniques. The one he was going to use was already in mind.

The move was called {Apparition Strike}, by using a certain level of speed he could create the illusion of a strike whilst hiding the true one.

Akiol sprinted towards Mantis, as soon as he got in swinging range he used the remaining time on his buff for a final swing.

Mantis saw the swing clearly, it was almost as if their opponent had depended on the final boost of speed to catch them unaware.

Mantis blocked the strike, but was shocked to see the sword disappear as soon as it touched their blade. It was too late to do anything however. For Akiol's blade had decapitated Mantis's head.

To pay respects to the opponent he deemed a worthy adversary, he did the sword salute from his world. By holding his sword in a reverse grip and placing the pommel in his hand, he bowed towards the enemy.

As he stood at the bottom of the hill, the wind blew and scattered the glowing dust that originated from Mantis's corpse.

This battle served as fuel for the determination Akiol had to get stronger.