The Invisible Force

(What the hell was that?! What is hitting me?!) Ryuma was confused by the sudden force that just hit his jaw a second ago. As he gets up, he tries to attack Vestine, the leader of the bandit called Flameborn who's been raiding Melistown.

But, once again the sudden force hit Ryuma in his face, making his nose bleed. But Ryuma for one was aware of it which is the reason he isn't falling down again. Ryuma had his guard up and leaped to the wall. As Ryuma thought, there was something that just tried to hit him as soon he leaped off the wall.

(I see, whatever that is, is invisible which is why I can't see it. Is it a magic? Or is that a Unique of this old man?!) At the same time, Ryuma's eyes are keeping up with Vestine's movement. Ryuma noticed that he was throwing something, but couldn't see it. But for one, he knows that it's not just one.

(A throwable weapon? If that's the case, I'll just perceive and evade it-) Ryuma's plan was to actually get around Vestine and come to a close range of him, but an unexpected happens as Ryuma felt the sharp object stubbing on his foot.

(This is... A nail? And I've stepped on quite a few of them too!) His plan was interrupted as soon his foot was stepped on a few invisible nails. Ryuma had no choice and jumped onto the table. Ryuma was on all fours on the table with the bleeding foot, looking at the potential spot that might have the nails on it.

But the god wasn't fair enough to give Ryuma the luxury to think as one of the minions got back up and tried to attack Ryuma from behind. Ryuma anticipated it and threw the guy to the floor.

"ARRGH!!! IT HURTS!!!" The minion who just got thrown by Ryuma fell on the floor full of invisible nails, making it a hellish and painful sensation to the guy. Even so, Ryuma didn't feel any shred of pity towards the guy, he then jumped off the table towards the minion on the floor.

Using him as the carpet that protects his foot from any more nails, Ryuma made his way to Vestine. Ryuma was ready to give Vestine a dropkick. And it hits, but the result isn't what Ryuma was expecting.

"Ooh~ That was hella of a blow mate. Now then, it's time for this old man to make a move..." Hearing the words, Ryuma was expecting anything as he was still in midair, waiting for Vestine to make his moves. But, Ryuma wasn't aware that Vestine had already made his moves.

The time moves in slow motion, and Ryuma slowly feels the burning sensation on his side. Then the hot sensation was followed up with an unknown force as it hit the part of his torso and sent him to the side.

(GAAHH!! I could see it... What is hitting me this time?!) Ryuma managed to get a foothold the moment he hit the wall. Instinctively running to the side, Ryuma realized that the wall he just left was hit by an unknown force, but he also noticed the burning marks on the wall made of wood.

(So he can turn the spell invisible too?!) As Ryuma is running, he doesn't notice one of the minions get back up and tackle him. Ryuma was left in quite the struggle as he noticed some of Vestine's minions get back up and dash towards him.

Ryuma gives a few knee blows to the minion that's currently holding him. But then Ryuma was given another unexpected physical trauma when he felt a burning sensation on his left arm. Ryuma instantly knew it was coming from Vestine himself. Seeing his arm burned by the invisible fire, and also the other minions that were about to hit him, Ryuma was left on edge.

...

Ryuma reminisces about the past, which is the one where he and Rudy had a conversation when training to defeat Ten's group.

"I noticed how you're fighting, Ryuma. You're definitely one of the strongest guys when it comes to close combat." Said Rudy watching the tape he has recorded of how Ryuma is fighting.

"Huh? Where is this coming from? Is that a pity word when you saw how that Hutogi guy defeated me in less than 1 second?"

"Haha, well, if I was gonna compare you and Hutogi, you're definitely the inferior one~"

"Huh? What was that?!" Ryuma jumped from his seat when he heard Rudy's words.

"Well, I'm not one to talk. I may be able to fight at a close distance. But I'm not specifically skilled in martial arts. You noticed the way I fought, I fused my way of fighting with my Unique. To use range attack while closing the distance on the enemy. Or disable part of the enemy's ability in a fight. That's the kind of fight I'm most comfortable at."

Rudy rip off his arm skin which is covering the mechanical part of his prosthetic arm. Revealing the robotic arm with the smirk on his face. The line on the prosthetic arms then shines as Rudy is showing off to Ryuma.

"You see, there were infinite ways to land a hit on your enemy. Be it by a kick or a fist. But, what if that enemy has already seen your movement? Think of me, who just watched your tape over and over. Could you win if we were to fight a second time?" Ryuma smirked as he answered Rudy's back.

"Huh? What is that question? Of course, I'll fight you knowing you've seen me fight like a creep. Even right now, if you'd like to do it. Because I'm confident..."

"Huh... Is that so..." Rudy dashed to Ryuma with the fist that's been gleaming with blue light a while ago. But that fist isn't meant for Ryuma, but for nothing as it hits the air as the explosion occurs right before Ryuma's ears.

"I also noticed how you're capable of learning from seeing people fight. Well, do your blood boil from seeing this?" When Rudy noticed it, Ryuma had a white smile down to his ears.

"Yeah... Let's say, you just spark an inspiration in my art..."