Ranking Match (5)

Whoosh.

Another arrow passed besides me. I am getting used to speed of arrows. It is quiet stupid to think that an archer will run out of arrows. They at the least carry around 100s of them! There is no way this cheap trick will work. I will run out of stamina before that.

Whoosh.

Another Arrow dodged. I don't think deflecting with sword will work. If that was possible I would done already. I will take damage in least or my weapon will broke. He is F-Rank! Every arrows strengthen by his mana will show the same strength.

Whoosh.

This continues for 10 arrows and I am finally getting used to speed. He also increased his attack speed but I am able to dodge it somehow without using Quick Draw though not with price as cuts where form all over on my uniform.

I pull my shoulder slightly and an arrow passed by. I took a deep breath and ran.

Quick Draw.

An arrow can be seen moving toward as I was running toward him. I jump sidewise as I ran to dodge but it still made a cut in my arm but balance become unstable but I still didn't stop and another arrow greeted me. I barely dodged and now I am 5m away from him.

I throw a nail toward him that he didn't expect. He lowered his bow and dodged my nail but I was already in front of him. I slashed at his bow and it flew away. I again swing my sword but this time at his neck. He fell on his butt and my sword tip stops at his neck.

"Winner: Ethan."

I also fell on my butt as I move back. I withdraw multiple potions and inject it in my neck. My whole body was in pain! I was kissing my teeth to suppress the groan of pain. I took a deep breath and wait for potion to take effect.

"Want me to help you?"

A voice fell on my ear. I raise my head stiffly and meet eyes with professor who was also acting as a referee. He has black hair and bulky build.

"How?"

A syringe rolled on the ground and stuck my foot. I raise my head and look at him with shock. Interfering with students is strictly forbidden, if known he will receive penalty for sure and worst case he will be thrown out. Did he lose his mind?!

"It's not free, you know. You need to pay for it."

"How much?"

I like corruption!

"Ten times of original."

"That won't work you know. Twice."

There is no way I am going to give him more than that. It's mid- quality portion, It is worth of 50SP. I won't be able pay more than twice. If not for situation, I won't buy it even at original price and work my way with low-rank potion.

"Five Times."

"Twice. No more or less."

"Tch, How poor. Fine. Give me after the match."

I hurriedly pick it up and thrust it in my neck. A cool feeling spread in my body and a moan almost release from my mouth. I didn't think that a rank difference can be that big. I almost got addicted to this feeling of healing. There is also pain low-level neutralizing effect that is not available in low-rank one.

My ear didn't grow back but it's not a problem as I can get healed by that pervert professor.

He waited for me to heal and called other challenger. This time Rank 495 is only left. I don't have confidence but well, things will work out somehow.

It didn't take long for my opponent to come. He has a slender yet muscular figure and was holding a great sword in his one hand. He was looking at me with a grin. Humph! Did he not know what happen to last people? He will be also going through same thing.

"Start."

Both of us dash toward each other. As distance between us reached to a meter, we both swing our sword at each other.

Crunch.

Sword clash and I fell a bone cracking sound in my body, My eyes widen as I was thrown back. A pain spread from my wrist it didn't take long for me figured out that my wrist has been broken!

I can't understand it. There is no way a single strike enough to break my wrist. If that was to happen than it would have happen in first fight. I bend my body and skit on the floor. He came from my side and slash downward. I spin around planning to attack him but suddenly something hit me on my waist.

"Aggh."

A cough of blood release from my mouth and flew forward. My sight caught of his figure with his leg stretched forward. My vision blur and I hit the ground and toss forward. What the hell? There is no way difference will be that great!

My eyes were fluttering blinking continuously. I can feel a hot blood tracing from my eyebrows. My head hit ground too hard. I didn't even get chance to strengthen it with mana. Last attack was too much of a surprise for me!

Sound of walking fell on my ear, I raised my head and see him moving toward me slowly and every time my eyes blink he was closer than before.

"Wondering something?"

I want to say 'a lot' but I was holding blood on my mouth.

"What if I told you in last match you didn't win because of your strength but because we want to?"

My eyes widen but I didn't raise my head. I want to ask him what he means by that. But I can't. Not now I have one chance.

Crunch.

Something heavy fell on my feet and another bone cracking sound fell by my body. I bite my lips too hard to suppress my scream. Blood was already fill in my mouth making my jaw swell.

"I can't hear your scream, I wonder why? Is this your pride?"

He smirked as he look down.

A hand clenched on his throat and lifted him up. I was on my knees and whole body was itching with pain.

"You're just a trash. You should have just crawl on ground like a bug ."

Something inside me burst as his words fell in my ear. I spit whole blood inside my mouth at his face.

"Ptuu."

He backed off and from the sound. It look like blood also leak in his mouth but it doesn't matter as I use my one leg and jump forward holding my sword with both hand, stabbing downward.

He swings his sword with one hand; blindly and horizontally. It dug into my ribs but I still move forward and stab it down.

My sword was stopped in air and I lose consciousness.