Shadow Palm Strikes

"Impressive strength for someone so young,"

As he avoided the spear Luka couldn't help but exclaim with some amazement and even envy. He couldn't help but compare this kid to himself and he immediately knew that he wasn't this strong when he was this kid's age.

'Perhaps this kid could go further than me in the martial path and even cultivate chi and join the big shots of the martial world!'

Thinking of that possibility, Luka couldn't accept being inferior so he decided maliciously. 'I'll just kill him here and end his bright future. So what if you are talented? So what if you have potential? It's your misfortune for meeting me!'

Seeing the spear that kept swinging at him Luka was further pissed off cause it was actually his spear this kid took. An embarrassing thing for every fighter. The more he thought of it the angrier he became. "Don't be too arrogant kid, do you think I have no way of dealing with you?!" He roared.

Luka suddenly took a distance from Yamato far out of the spear's range then summoned two daggers from his spatial ring. Brandishing one in each hand he stopped dodging and suddenly went on an offensive for the first time since Yamato snatched his spear.

Yamato was glad that the man was running towards him, this way he can finally hit him since he stopped escaping. The reason for Yamato's confidence comes from the length of his weapon. He reasoned that since he has the longer reach he has the advantage.

However reality was different. The moment Yamato thrust at him, Luka tilted his head to the side, letting the spear fly past, then slid into Yamato's personal space and thrust his dagger.

Yamato's eyes went wide in shock. This close to him the length of the spear became a disadvantage after all such a long weapon is not good at defending at close quarters, his only option was to jump back.

He jumped back.

Luka already expected that that's what Yamato would do and quickly followed, sticking close to him to prevent him from utilizing the length of the spear to his advantage.

Yamato wanted to use his movement skill to move to the side and get some space between them but just as he wanted to kick off the ground he felt danger, like a ghost breathing on his neck.

The hair at the back of his hands stood straight and goosebumps covered his skin. He knew for certain that the moment Luka closes the distance again he'd be dead meat.

His spear will not be able to block the dagger, yet he cannot jump back again or move fast enough as he just landed and was unsteady on his feet. His gauntlets will also not help him because they are occupied holding the spear. The world seemed to slow as Yamato's mind raced fast looking for a solution out of this situation that looked like a checkmate.

It was a split second decision, just as it seemed like death was inevitable, it suddenly hit him. The problem is the spear! Why didn't I think of it earlier? The answer to his problem was so obvious that he looked down on himself. If he had thought of it a few seconds later he'd surely end up dead but luckily he thought of a way before it was too late.

Just in time Yamato tossed the spear at his opponent without hesitation. Luka was caught off guard as he saw the spear hurtling towards him. But he's a veteran, he didn't hesitate for a second as he slid down to avoid the spear then rose up and continued towards Yamato.

Still his certain kill scenario was destroyed because of that spear which delayed him for a moment and also made Yamato less vulnerable to close quarters combat.

When Luka reached Yamato and started attacking with the daggers Yamato successfully blocked the attacks with his gauntlets and even had the opening to throw a punch back.

Luka avoided the punch by stepping two steps back then flipped backwards a few time. He tossed out a dagger in the air during each flip before landing on the ground.

Yamato twisted his body this way and that to avoid the daggers. Dodging stones thrown by his master daily, this could be said to be nothing to him. Yet he wasn't happy as Luka had landed at the right place then picked up his spear.

"Hmph, really impressive," he sneered at Yamato. "But it ends here, call it your pride for forcing this grandmaster's most powerful move. Mountain Flood!"

After Luka said that he suddenly disappeared making Yamato tense up and looked around in apprehension, trying to find the man. But like a ghost the man was no where to be seen. Before he knew it the man has appeared right in front of him and was swinging down his spear.

Yamato quickly lifted his gauntlets to block. Heavy! The moment the spear collided with his hand, Yamato felt like a mountain has dropped on him. His whole body trembled and he was sent flying... No blown away by the attack!

Yamato crashed against a tree which snapped in half. He rolled on the forest floor a few times before coming to a stop.

Yamato tried to get up but he couldn't. His whole body ached with pain, his mind was hazy and his head felt heavy. It was with great difficulty that he could even lift his head. He noticed a figure slowly making his way to him before his head fell back, his strength exhausted.

"Not dead yet? No wonder they call you armor," Luka walked over to him and stepped on his chest. "You fought very well, better than anyone will expect but this ends here,"

Yamato saw the man lift his spear and felt intense fear grip him. He was unwilling to die like this! He still has many regrets concerning his parents, he still hasn't fought enough battles, he still hasn't repaid his master for her kindness, his name has not yet resounded all over the realm. How could he die like this?

However just because he's unwilling didn't mean anything would change. Luka naturally noticed the look in Yamato's eyes, having seen it countless times from people that he had killed. He sneered then lifted the spear higher.

Just as he was about to thrust down, a bright light illuminated the night for a brief second. Before he could react a blast hit Luka straight on the chest sending him flying away. Then a figure cloaked in darkness appeared before Yamato. That's the last thing Yamato saw before his vision went dark.

xxx

"What a terrible kid!" A man muttered as he walked in the middle of the forest. That man is Saldo.

Saldo looked up at the bright moon in the sky and sighed. He wanted to kill Yamato to get back his face but that seem harder than he expected. After the kid ran out of the house he had quickly chased after him but who knew that he'd soon lose track of the kid as if he disappeared out of thin air.

Even trying to track his trail led him in circles. The fact that the kid was very good at concealment was out of his expectation. Saldo was mad. 'How's this possible? I am a mercenary, how can I fail to track a little kid? A country bumpkin little kid?!'

Saldo felt humiliated and spew out profanities to ease his anger. Finally he sighed as he realized he could only return empty handed and wanted to return, it was at that moment that the sound of a battle reached his ears. Feeling excitement and hope, he hurried there.

The place the battle came from was quite some distance from his position so it took about ten minutes to arrive there despite running all the way.

Yet what he saw as he arrived shocked him greatly. Luka was sent flying by a sword light attack, he went flying and collided with a tree, he didn't get up. The kid Saldo was looking for lay prone on the ground, covered in blood, he looked to be in a very bad shape.

A man in a dark robe with its hood pulled down over his head and was further cloaked in darkness walked towards the kid. The dark man lifted the kid and draped him over his shoulder then turned around to leave.

"Don't think about it!" Saldo shouted. He'd been angry, but now he found a place to vent it out. Naturally he won't let it go.

Saldo rushed towards the man and swung down his sword with all his strength and speed to bare, intending to severe the man's head. His figure blurred and appeared in front of the man, the sword descended quietly. But the man only blocked the sword with two fingers.

"What?!" Saldo trembled. He drew back from the dark robed man then slashed down from the side. The man was holding Yamato on his shoulder so Saldo attacked from there to make it difficult for the man to block.

However the man did not block but lifted his leg and kicked out. Before his sword could reach the man, Saldo was kicked in the chest and sent flying. He crashed into some bushes but rolled to his feet and ran back.

The dark man was already walking away. "Stop there!" Saldo roared.

Surprisingly the man stopped and looked back at him over his shoulder. "Give it up, you are not my opponent," he said softly.

"Don't be so sure, Astral fusion!"

Saldo's body broke into pieces of light and flew to his Astral sword that floated in the air as if someone held it up. With a bright flash of light Saldo transformed into a long sword that floated in the air. This technique is the result of combining his body with his Astral weapon.

As one understands their Astral weapon more the more they are able to use it for a few tricks. These tricks are very powerful as they unlock the hidden powers of the Astral weapon, so this move was Saldo's trump card. His absolute killing move!

The sword that looked like his ordinary Astral sword grew even bigger till it was five meters long, and as wide as a door. After growing bigger the sword didn't waste anytime and shot towards the dark robed man.

Seeing the giant sword flying at him even the dark robed man that was overbearing so far felt threatened. However he was not worried.

"To make me use this move," he muttered.

The black robed man just lifted his hand and waved. A giant black hand made of black mist and shadows appeared in the air and struck out. As if swatting a fly it sent the sword flying away. The sword turned into a streak of light as it shot away, disappearing into the sky from the sheer force it was knocked away.

The dark man watched the sky for a moment then turned and left.

Long after the man left Luka sighed in relief and rose to his feet. Phew. Just now he really thought he'll die and was playing dead even though he wasn't that hurt after all that sword light had hit his Astral cuirass not his bare chest.

After thanking his fortune he looked at the direction the dark robed man left towards with both fear and excitement.

That Palm technique was no doubt Shadow Palm. There's only one person that uses the Shadow Palm! Unexpectedly after searching everywhere we'd meet him like this! But what is that guy's relationship with that kid? Seems we have a lot of work to do. Luka took out his phone and made a call.

"Found any leads?" Soon Elizabeth's voice came from the phone. She might have asked that question but she didn't sound hopeful.

Luke smiled mischievously. "I have something better,"

"What is it? Did you find someone that know of him?"

"No boss, we found him,"

The phone was silent for a long time then. "This is not a time for jokes Luka, if you mess with me again I'll deduct your pay!"

"This... damn it boss I am being serious.. !" Luke tried to explain but she'd already hung up. He could only kick a stone away in anger.

'Am I really that untrustworthy?' He thought bitterly.

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Author's note; Asking for support..