Alert: Rhy has started a duel with Adventurer Avon

His body was crouched down, his whole body low to the ground and tensed with the kind of mastery that only comes from years of practice. His spear was jutting out from his back.

'Alert: Rhy has started a duel with Adventurer Avon - duel rules will now be applied. If your Hp drops below 1 you will not be killed and stepping outside the ring will constitute a loss. Killing your opponent will result in loss of respiratory organs'

So this means that if I kill him I die. That sucks but I guess it fits with my goals so that means I can't use lightning rush.

I stepped forward with my sword dipping in my hand. The heavy tip pointing at the ground. Then His front foot twisted in the ground, his entire body moving in one fluid movement like a stream cutting through the forest. His eyes gleaming with excitement. He jolted forward, his entire body lurching forward. His spear swung forward, scraping the ground dust flying up behind him and into my face. Then with expert precision he started thrusting the spear into the cloud of dust piercing where I stood. I dashed round my feet scraping in the dust behind him as I raised my sword. His face turned a wide grin forming as he thrusted the end of his spear back, the blunt end shooting towards me. I managed to deflect it and started to attack again but his spear again twirled round to my head, I managed to jump back avoiding his attack. My feet sliding in the ground again. I charged forward unleashing a flurry of attacks pushing him back but every hit was blocked by his overwhelming skill and technique. It was clear he had devoted his entire life, his existence to honing his craft. It was like a field of about five meters around him. That cylinder was his domain. It was his impregnable fortress. After a back and forth of attacks and blocks parries and counter attacks I finally managed to knick his cheek with my blade. A small trail of blood trickling down his cheek.

'Alert: Skill activated - "boiling blood" '

His blood started to bubble burning his cheek he raised his left hand wiping off the blood but it was too late I was already right next to him my sword pressed up against his cheek.

"Wow Rhy that was dirty."

"Oh come on, you were happy to fling dirt in my eyes."

"I guess we're just a couple of cheaters ey."

"Well one of us has a sword pressed to his chest."

"Hmm I would check again."

He was behind me? How? How could I not see him? Feel him? Was this teleportation? I doubt he can use it again since it's probably got a cooldown like my replenish skill and the wyvern wing. I swung my hand out my wrist hitting his spear. Then spinning round I faced him once more. He then pointed his spear down to the floor, the tip igniting. Flames lapping up the spear head. He then pointed his burning spear at my face shooting forward the flames like a blur in front of me. I looked up.

'Alert: Skill activated - "Lightning rush" '

I was above him at least two meters above him as he tried to figure out where I was. His head darted around the field. Until again he cracked a smile staring up at me. His spear aimed at my chest thrusting into the air. I managed to grab a hold of the flat side pushing myself to the side. Landing on the floor, the ground crunching under my feet.

"Hey Rhy?"

"Yeah?"

"I just figured out what I'm going to ask if I win"

"Yea I had a similar idea."

"I'm going to ask for a.." He was smiling, I feel so happy I know what he wants and I want it too we both spoke

"I want a rematch"

Our faces were covered in sweat as we screamed. My face felt so light. I was smiling. Had I forgotten how to smile? Just who was this kid? Why did I feel so happy fighting him? Fights should be life and death. So why? Why was I having so much damn fun?!

We charged at each other again and again fighting in an endless lock of blades, our weapons clanging well into the day, sparks and sounds clattering off the objects as sweat poured from us. I am so tired, my arms feel like they're going to fall off, so why? Why? Why do I not want this to end ever? This is amazing. This is the most fun I've had in years. Our eyes were locked in an intense battle. Time was nothing to us. It could've been days, months even years and neither one of us would've noticed let alone cared.

"Rhy I'm sorry but this is it"

"What? You quitting?"

"No but this is my final move, my last chance. I suggest you step out of the ring because this attack will cover the entire field. If this doesn't work I'll be out of energy and I'll have nothing left and the victory will be yours. Although for your sake I really hope you step out."

He plunged his spear into the ground, a golden light making a cylinder around the field covering about ten meters off the ground.

"ONE BILLION ARROWS RISE FROM THE GROUND AND PIERCE MY ENEMIES! HOLY BATTLEGROUND!"

The cylinder exploded with brilliant light; everything was eviscerated by every speck of dirt.

"Damn it Rhy, why didn't you step out?"

"Well why would I do that?"

I drifted down from above my wings disappearing as I fell to the ground.

"Wings? What the hell are you?"

"The winner clearly."

The dark sky peered around the sky as we lay on the dirt.

"Man I'm beat! So Rhy what's your request? And please don't say a rematch because I think I'd die."

"No nothing like that? I just got here and I'm looking for someone to clear B-ranked gates with me."

"That's all? After that battle? I would've done that even without the bet. I thought you wanted all my money or something."

"Nah I got plenty of that. It's good to have you on board."

"Alright I'll step out first to make this win official"

"Good. wouldn't want you cheating me now would we?"

"So I assume you're the leader of this party but is there anyone else?"

"Umm actually I am not there's um my master" my voice got low now. I sounded so lame.

"Master? What exactly are you, a royal knight?"

"No, I am a summon."

"Wow, wasn't expecting that, so is your master any stronger?"

"Not even a little. Come on, I'll introduce you to the human."