STEEL AGAINST THE STORM

Duke's anger exploded as he charged at the thug, his sword swinging with full force. The thug barely managed to block, stumbling back from the sheer strength behind Duke's strikes.

"Damn it…! He's too strong!" the thug thought, gritting his teeth.

But Duke didn't let up. He kept pressing forward, his sword slicing through the cold air with relentless aggression.

"Hey, hey! Gimme a break!" the thug shouted, his voice filled with panic. Why do I have to deal with this maniac?!

Duke's attacks were merciless, forcing the thug to stay on the defensive. Meanwhile, Jack was holding his own against his opponent.

"His movements… they were sloppy before, but now he's actually keeping up with me!" Jack's opponent thought, sweat dripping down his forehead.

"Shit… there's no way I can keep up with him!"

Duke smirked, his eyes burning with fury. "What happened to your attitude? Weren't you the one who said you were gonna kill me?"

"Heyyy! If you're done playing around, get over here and help me!" Duke's opponent screamed in fear, dodging another brutal swing.

"I'm still struggling with this one!" Jack's opponent shouted back.

"Same here!" Vance's opponent growled.

Duke's blade came down with crushing force, knocking the thug's sword right out of his hands.

"AAAAAHHHHH!" The thug clutched his bleeding hands, stumbling back in agony.

"Hey! Stop! Don't kill me!" he begged.

Duke didn't listen. He punched him hard in the stomach, making the thug double over and scream in pain.

"I've made my decision," Duke said coldly. "You're not just thugs who rob people… you kill them. You're monsters."

The thug fell to his knees, his face pale with terror. "Please… I'm sorry! Don't kill me!"

Duke raised his sword, aiming for the thug's neck.

Just as he swung—

BOOM!

A powerful shockwave of wind blasted through the battlefield, throwing Duke backward as if he were nothing. It felt exactly like the force Stain had used against him.

Duke's body crashed hard against the snowy ground, sliding several feet before coming to a stop.

"What… was that…?" he thought, his vision spinning.

"Duke!!!" Jack screamed, his eyes widening in shock.

Duke's opponent, still clutching his bleeding hands, turned toward a massive man covered in tattoos who had just stepped onto the battlefield.

"B-Boss…!" the thug stammered.

The leader of the gang glared at him with disgust. "Shut up. You couldn't even handle one damn job."

"H-He's really strong," the thug said, his voice trembling.

The leader ignored him and locked eyes with Duke. A sinister smirk spread across his face.

"Kid, today's your last day. After I finish you off, that other brat is next."

Without another word, the gang leader lunged forward, his swords gleaming in the dim light. He moved fast—faster than Duke expected for someone his size.

Duke gritted his teeth and forced himself to his feet. His body ached from the shockwave, but he had no time to hesitate.

"He's charging straight at me…!"

Duke clenched his sword tighter, preparing for impact.

Duke blocked the attack, his arms trembling from the sheer force behind it. He could feel the leader's overwhelming strength.

"This guy... Fighting him won't be easy. And he can use Kendra energy too," Duke thought, gritting his teeth.

Meanwhile, Jack was still locked in battle with his opponent, their swords clashing relentlessly.

"Hah! Struggling already?" Jack's opponent sneered. "You and your friend are doomed! Our boss is a real monster—he'll tear that guy apart in no time!"

Jack smirked despite the sweat dripping down his face. "A monster, huh?" He dodged a swing and countered with a quick strike. "What kind of monster needs cheap traps and sends his dogs ahead to bark before showing up?"

Jack's opponent growled, his face twisting in anger.

Bastard!" Jack's opponent snarled, his face twisting with rage. He charged forward recklessly, swinging his sword with all his strength.

Jack smirked and sidestepped effortlessly, his blade flashing as he sliced across his opponent's arm.

"Your movements are getting sloppy," Jack said, his voice calm.

"AAAHHHH!" The thug screamed in pain, his sword clattering to the ground. He clutched his wounded arm, his breaths ragged.

Jack's opponent reached for his sword, desperation in his eyes.

Jack stomped down on his fingers, crushing them under his boot.

"AAAHHHH!" the thug screamed in agony.

Without hesitation, Jack slashed his other hand, drawing another pained scream.

"You've lost," Jack said coldly, watching as the thug collapsed.

He exhaled and turned toward Duke. I need to help him… his opponent is tough.

Just as he took a step forward—

SHING!

A sudden blade swung from behind, and Jack barely had time to react. He twisted, eyes widening as he saw Duke's first opponent lunging at him.

He tried to dodge, but it was too late.

The blade cut across his stomach, slicing through his armor. Though it absorbed some of the impact, a sharp pain shot through his body.

"Shit…!" Jack gasped, staggering back, clutching his wound.

"Heh… not so fast, kiddo," Duke's first opponent sneered, standing over him with a wicked grin.

Duke's eyes widened as he saw Jack wounded on the ground.

"JACK!!!" he shouted, panic surging through him.

The gang leader smirked. "Hey, kid. Focus on me—or you're dying first!" He let out a cruel laugh. "Hahaha!"

Duke gritted his teeth, his mind racing as he clashed swords with the leader. I have to do something!

"No way… I have to finish this fast, or Jack will die!"

He pushed his limits, his muscles burning as he struggled to break free.

The leader sneered. "You're going to watch your friend die right in front of your eyes! Hehehe… nothing you can do about it!"

Jack lay on the cold ground, his vision fading. Is this it? Is it over for me…?

Duke's first opponent loomed over him, a wicked grin spreading across his face.

"Hehehe… you're dead, kid." He raised his sword high, the blade gleaming as he prepared to strike.

"Please... don't die, Duke," Jack gasped, his voice weak.

Duke's first opponent smirked as he swung his sword down, ready to end Jack's life.

"NOOO!!!" Duke screamed.

Then—CLANG!

The attack was blocked.

"What the—?!" the thug stuttered, eyes widening in shock.

A familiar voice broke the tension.

"You did great, holding on this long," said Frederick.

Duke's breath caught. It was him.

Jack's attacker stumbled back, eyes filled with disbelief. "H-How are you alive—?!"

Before he could finish, Frederick's blade flashed, slicing through him in an instant.

Meanwhile, Vance stood tall, his sword dripping with blood as his opponent collapsed to the ground.

He exhaled sharply, scanning the battlefield. The driver was safe.

"Stay down," Vance muttered, kicking away the thug's weapon before turning his attention back to the fight.

"Sir Frederick… you're alive… I'm glad," Jack said weakly, wincing in pain.

Frederick glanced at him and nodded. "Vance, help him—treat his wounds. I'm going to Duke."

Now, the only battle left was between Duke and the gang leader.

"How the hell is he still alive?!" the gang boss snarled before charging at Duke with both swords.

Duke gritted his teeth, blocking the attack with all his strength. I just have to hold on a little longer… Sir Frederick will handle the rest.

The gang boss's mind raced. Damn it! I have to kill him and get out of here!

Frederick was already closing in fast.

I should use Tempest Strike again… the boss thought. I've already used it once, but maybe… just one more time…

His eyes flicked between Duke and Frederick.

Should I use it on the brat and escape?

I have to use it on the brat… the gang leader thought, smirking.

He raised his hand, energy swirling violently around his palm.

The shockwave exploded outward—

But before it could reach Duke—

BAM!

Frederick suddenly leaped in, delivering a brutal kick to the boss's face, sending him crashing to the ground.

Frederick landed smoothly, standing between Duke and the gang leader. He smirked.

"I'll take it from here.

Hehehe… Hey, how did you survive that explosion?" the gang leader asked as he got back on his feet.

Frederick smirked. "What's the point of asking? You're going to die anyway."

The gang leader wiped the blood from his lip and chuckled. "You sure are confident. How about we settle this in one decisive clash—using our Kendra energy?"

He narrowed his eyes. "I know you can use it too."

Frederick's smirk widened. "Bring it on."

He glanced at Duke. "Stay back."

Both of them took their positions.

Frederick gripped his sword in one hand, while his other hand crackled with Kendra energy. His face was dead serious.

Meanwhile, the gang leader grinned, lowering both swords and raising his hands, gathering energy.

"Hehehe… I'm putting everything I have into this one."

Duke watched closely, his heart pounding.

"Now… BRING IT ON!!!" the gang leader roared.

Frederick **exploded forward**, charging with full speed.

"Heh… Rushing toward your own death?" the gang leader sneered.

He slammed his hands forward. **"Double-Handed Tempest Strike!"**

A **massive shockwave** tore through the air, **ripping apart everything in its path.** Trees **snapped like twigs**, snow **blasted away**, and the ground **shook violently.**

But in that very instant—

**SLASH!**

Frederick's blade **cut clean through.**

"AAAAAHHHH!" The gang leader screamed, **staggering back, blood spraying from a deep slash.**

"H-Huh…? But… how…?" he gasped, his eyes wide with disbelief.

"Why… why didn't you get blown away?!" the gang leader gasped, struggling to stay on his feet.

Frederick exhaled, his expression calm. "Your attack landed, but only at **20% of its full power**."

"W-What?!" the gang leader's eyes widened in disbelief.

Frederick smirked. "I used **Wind Shelter**—a wind barrier that absorbs **70 to 80 percent** of any impact. That's how I survived the explosion earlier, too."

He stepped forward, his sword still dripping with blood.

"Your attacks barely affected me."

The gang leader's confidence shattered as fear crept into his face.

Additional information

### **Wind Shelter**

Wind Shelter is a defensive Kendra energy technique that allows the user to create a barrier of wind to absorb incoming attacks. By manipulating Kendra energy, the user generates a protective field around themselves, reducing the force of impacts and shielding against physical and energy-based assaults.

### **How It Works:**

1. **Energy Expansion:** The user channels Kendra energy outward, forming a swirling barrier of wind around their body or a specific area.

2. **Impact Absorption:** The wind layer acts as a cushion, dispersing and weakening the force of incoming attacks.

3. **Energy Drain:** Since the technique absorbs a large portion of the damage, it consumes a significant amount of Kendra energy, limiting its repeated use.

4. **Dissipation:** After absorbing a set amount of impact, the Wind Shelter fades, requiring the user to either reactivate it or rely on other defenses.

**Strengths & Weaknesses:**

✅ **Strengths:**

- Reduces 70-80% of impact damage, making it highly effective against strong attacks.

- Can protect both the user and nearby allies.

- Works against both melee and ranged attacks, including arrows and shockwaves.

❌ **Weaknesses:**

- Drains 50% of the user's Kendra energy upon activation, making it a high-risk move.

- It does not make the user invincible—stronger attacks can still break through.

- Requires focus and control, meaning the user can't attack while maintaining it.

### **Tempest Strike vs. Wind Shelter**

- **Tempest Strike** is an offensive technique, creating shockwaves to knock back enemies.

- **Wind Shelter** is a defensive technique, absorbing incoming damage with a barrier of wind.

- **If Wind Shelter is used against Tempest Strike,** it will reduce the impact but won't fully negate it, depending on the strength of both techniques.