122 Chapter 122: Pride Comes Before a Fall (1/2)

”I wasn't asking for your name or affiliation!” Franklin bellowed in fury.

”If that's the case, then why are you asking who I am?” I shot back, irritated.

Franklin didn't respond to that. Instead, he staggered to his feet and immediately attacked, taking me by surprise.

”The Divine Art of the Franklin Clan: the 64 Consecutive Strikes!”

”What…?”

I wasn't even given any time to muster a retort. Franklin's sword flashed from every conceivable angle, penetrating my defenses and piercing into me. His blade cut through my flesh like hot knife through butter, sending several sprays of blood into the air and splattering them over the smooth, marble floor. Yeah, the floor of the arena was made from marble. Go figure.

I staggered back, hard-pressed to keep up with his blows. As I expected, Aquarius was too heavy and unwieldy to defend adequately against a fast and nimble opponent. Additionally, Franklin wasn't giving me enough time to even breathe. His attacks mercilessly came one after another in an onslaught of thrusts and slashes that flowed like a violent river.

”Wow, now this is impressive,” I murmured, impressed that Franklin was actually turning the tables on me. ”You should have fought like this from the start…ouch!”

Another strike landed, the thrust leaving a scrape on my cheek. I could feel warm blood trickle down my face.

Yet, I could swear that the blade was so sharp that it was practically cutting me without even touching my flesh.

However, the omni-directional attacks seemed to fade away after a while. Panting heavily, I staggered backward, only to see Franklin readying for what seemed to be the final strike of his technique. Unlike all the other attacks from earlier, this was a single, heavy blow. Copious amounts of white mana flowed into his blade, illuminating it with blinding holy light.

Instinctively, I hastily jumped back to put as much distance between us as possible. Unfortunately, I didn't realize that my action was futile.

”The 64th Strike: Conclusive Execution!” Franklin bellowed, swinging his glowing sword down in a final, vicious attack.

”What the…?” I choked in surprise as a bright flash of light leaped from his blade and crossed the distance in an instant, catching me full on the chest. His previous attacks had all been up close and personal, so I didn't expect the final strike of this particular technique to be a long-ranged beam. Not to mention, its ferocious speed far exceeded anything I had anticipated. The tremendous impact knocked the wind out of me and sent me flying, blood spurting from my mouth.

I finally slammed into the wall behind me, the impact cracking the concrete.

This single strike is several dozen times more powerful than all the other attacks he used earlier! I realized, recalling every one of Franklin's techniques that he executed when using the pathetic ornamental sword from before.

”Kneel,” Franklin ordered as he stepped in front of me, his sword flashing toward my throat. ”And weep. Weep and beg for mercy, and I may spare your miserable life. You have no chance of winning.”

”Who are you talking to?” I asked as I whirled around behind him, swinging Aquarius for a lethal strike.

”Wh…what?! When did you get behind me?” Franklin demanded as he quickly spun around. Stupid of me. I shouldn't have spoken up, but given his skills and reflexes, I knew he would have reacted in time anyway, even if I had remained silent. To his credit, he managed to intercept my attack.

”While you were talking to yourself,” I replied, pulling my blade back and jumping several meters away. ”The match's not over yet.”

”Then I'll finish it!” Franklin screamed defiantly. ”Franklin Style: Royal Flash!”

Before I knew what had just happened, a giant burst of white light blasted from his blade and slammed into me.

”GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!”

Yes, that was me.

I smashed into the wall behind me, which was actually quite far away, so you could probably estimate just how powerful that single attack was.

”Ugh…”

Forcing myself to my knees, I heaved painfully as blood dripped from my wounds all over my body. Behind me, the golden plaster that layered the wall was falling around me in flakes. We were demolishing the very expensive room in our fight, but right now that was probably the least of my worries.

”Royal Strike!” Franklin bellowed as he descended upon me, his sword shrieking through the air and crying for blood. Reluctant to oblige the bloodthirsty katana, I rolled away and barely avoided his attack. His deadly blade left a crater in the ground where I was kneeling just seconds ago. I watched the destruction with wide eyes as I hopped backward.

”Not yet!”

Franklin twisted around with his sword, relentless in his pursuit. With a determined roar, he swung the katana in my direction even as I desperately retreated.

”Franklin Style: Divine Judgement!”

It was the same attack as the one he used earlier, only that this time it was several dozen times more powerful.

And I couldn't avoid his attack in time.

The brilliant burst of white light rammed into me and exploded. Pain and blood burst across my entire body, but I bit down on my tongue to stop myself from howling out.

I was thrown like a helpless and broken rag doll across the room. Crashing onto the ground heavily, I bounced feebly several times before finally coming to a stop. I lay unmoving, facedown in a pool of my own blood.

”It's over.” Franklin turned to Stuart and bowed triumphantly. ”I have won this match.”

”What are you talking about?” I asked as I got to my feet unsteadily. ”I admit that you're strong, but you still haven't defeated me yet. Don't decide things on your own.” I sighed reluctantly. ”Man, I really didn't want to use this, but…”

A golden light flashed all across me as golden streams of mana swirled around my body and created a huge whirlwind that swept across the room. I had finally completed my summoning spell that I had been trying to cast while Franklin pummeled me. The reason why I didn't summon any other Constellation spirits was because I was saving up my mana and casting process for this guy.

”I can't believe you've forced me to get a little serious,” I complained. The strong currents of mana whipped around me, throwing my hair and remnants of my suit into disarray.

”W…what are you doing?” Franklin cried out. Stupid question. Obviously I was summoning something. I could tell that he was beginning to feel scared. Desperately, he assumed another sword stance and pointed his Ye Mo at me. ”Franklin's Full Hand: Royal Flush Deck Out!”

Who names his techniques? I wondered curiously. However, before I could even begin to consider any possibilities, a massive white burst of mana hurtled across the room toward me, destroying everything in its path.

Needless to say, another enormous explosion ensued.

”Hah…hah…” Franklin panted, staring triumphantly at the devastated and empty scene before him. He began crowing. ”I did it! I…really did it! I finally won!”

”Didn't I already tell you to stop deciding things on your own?” I snapped from behind him.

”What…?” He spun around, completely taken aback. ”Impossible! I just killed you! I just killed…!”

”Watch your step,” I advised as I pointed downward.

Leo emerged from under Franklin, tossing him into the air. Franklin fumbled helplessly in the air, wailing and flailing with his sword in futility.