The Red Lotus Lounge (13)

Benedict stumbled back, his mana halberd clashing against his opponent's hammer.

He was sweating profusely, his muscles aching from the constant barrage of blows. He had been fighting this thug for what felt like hours, and he was no closer to defeating him.

"Come on, kid, show me what you've got," Daniel sneered, swinging his hammer at him once again.

"I thought you were supposed to be some kind of hero. Didn't you come here to rescue your friends?"

Benedict gritted his teeth, channeling more mana into his halberd. He swung it around in a wide arc, trying to catch Daniel with his range advantage. But the thug was too quick for him, dodging out of the way and bringing his hammer down on Benedict's arm.

The kid cried out in pain, feeling the bones in his arm snap under the force of the blow. He stumbled back, clutching his injured arm.

"Is that all you've got?" Daniel laughed, extending his rope and wrapping it around Benedict's neck.