chapter 54- Preliminaries (Part 2)
"You know, you've made quite a name for yourself with all those unconventional achievements of yours. A few players though you were a wolf disguised in sheep clothing, I guess does rumors where anything more then just rumors."
"..."
"Cat got your tongue? Let's just finish this, the sooner the better."
Lexx stretch his hand while holding into his sword and launched himself at Mylo. Mylo had less then half of his hp left, he couldn't make use of potions in the tournament since they where disabled and he made sure to unequip his bracelet as not to waste his remaining skill count in such a place.
During Lexx's speech, Mylo made numerous scenarios that would help him win this fight. Most if not all where of him losing, he had only one option at his disposal, even then it was a fifty-fifty chance of prevailing his current ordeal.
As the sword approached him, Mylo stretch out his left hand and dug his palm into the thrusted sword as it ripped away at his muscles. Next, he decisively pressed his fingers along the sharp edge, strongly holding into the sword.
[You have been dealt 345 damage]
"W-What are you doing?"
With the other hand, Mylo struck his opponent dominant arm with his rapier. The attack called for Lexx to pull out his sword and withdraw to the back. Instead, his hand let go of the sword. His arm flailing impotently as he leaped back.
[You have dealt 670 damage]
[You have inflicted the 'Thorns' effect. Right arm of your opponent has been maimed]
"WHA-"
Then, at that moment. When his opponent was at it most confused state, as if he was following a set of rhythmic patterns. He threw his buckler off his hand, hitting Lexx straight into his eyes. While his opponent was temporarily distraught from the sudden hit, arcing down into a upper slash, then a downward slash and to top it all off, he swirled around his entire body to lend a final horizontal cut. No wasted movements, each motion designed to naturally switch between the next. Each strike would complement into one another in order to create the most optimal blow.
[You have dealt 98 damage]
[You have unequipped 'Leather Buckler']
[You have dealt 634 damage]
[You have dealt 642 damage]
[You have inflicted the 'Blight' effect]
[You have dealt 723 damage]
The entire fight had taken less than ten seconds. Lexx, couldn't believe what happened. A while ago he was dominating his opponent and the next he was collapsing from all the strikes he received. He then remember the saying of his teacher; 'Listen to me, disciple. Be careful when pushing people too far or giving them to much time to plan ahead. As in the most unexpected moments they will eventually corner you instead'. He now understood why he kept religiously mentioning that specific quote to him and regretted not understanding it sooner.
He laid in place, dumbfounded by the unexpected message Infront of him.
[You have died]
[You will be transported outside the tournament ground. Thank you for participating!]
Before being exited from the stage, he took one last glance at Mylo without uttering a single word. It then occurred to him that this man wasn't a wolf in sheep clothing but rather a tiger acting like a docile cat. After a few moments, Lexx vanished in millions of blue particles as to indicate his loss.
Mylo stumbled and fell into the concrete arena, he then joined both hands close to his face and slapped both his cheeks. Not believing in what happened just now, he slapped his face a few more times to check whether he was dreaming or not.
"Did I really just do that? Everything happened so fast... everything felt so natural... everything felt so... amazing."
[Congratulations, you have won the first round of the preliminaries.]
[You will be transported to the second round. in 3, 2, 1,...]
And just like that, Mylo was face to face against his second opponent. He quickly brought himself back to reality and prepared himself for his second face off.
***
-Inside the spectators quarters-
"Kya~, Zaros~!"
"Whoa! How strong is he!"
"Look at him destroying his opponents, its only been a few minutes since the start of the event and he has already dealt with eight participants."
"He was just lucky to get weaklings, but he want be as lucky as before. Look at his opponents."
"Is that Eric Brim, the vice-leader of Law Keeper? This is going to be interesting. A Berserker against a Monk. "
"This is going to be an intense clash."
***
-Inside a certain arena-
"HAHAHAHA~, if it isn't Eric! I did not expect to see you so soon. How's Edward been? I haven't spoken to him since that incident."
"Shut that filthy mouth of yours! Having you pronounce Edward's name only dirties it."
"Oh my~, why would you say such harsh words. Him and I used to always hang out, aren't we friends?"
"FRIENDS?! WHAT KIND OF PERSON WOULD DO SUCH A THING TO HIS OWN FRIEND!"
"My~, this was all in the past~. Shouldn't we let bygones be bygones."
"YOU!... Ha~. This isn't my decision to make."
"You're right, you're right. HAHAHAHA!"
"I'll make sure to defeat you today, as to honor my guild masters long cherished wish."
"How touching, what a loyal man you are. You remind me of my dog, Putch. What a cute little fellow he is."
"ZAROS!!!!"
"HAHAHAHAHA!"
***