Chapter 131 (2/2)

A skill set. A complete one, one that was accompanied by a very powerful image. Its effect was obvious, so much so that even he could recognize it relatively quickly. For a moment Randidly considered using a spell, but then he pushed that down, his mouth quirking up into a grin. He would not be able to live with himself if he was walking upon this path, only to willingly leave it.

“Then let’s see which of our images can carry us farther.” Randidly whispered, his feet moving in a strange, profound way. Of all the things Shal had seen of his, he had only received a compliment on one of them; that in terms of running away, he could be considered to have talent. This was the Spear Phantom, the warrior who could perfectly control his positioning in battle.

Randidly moved to the side and Tartet followed, roaring and accelerating. Again, Randidly slid out of the way, and Tartet was forced to twist and leap in a new direction. But Randidly was already dodging, moving out of the path of those wild spears. Now Tartet was roaring aloud, his eyes scrunched and furious.

They twisted and turned, one constantly following the other, their speed slowly increasing. Strangely, Tartet managed to maintain his momentum, slowly building in intensity until his tendons and muscles strained and thrummed, throwing him back and forth, turning on a dime.

But Randidly was even more impressive, and he felt it, or at least the edges of it. The utility of these steps, in controlling this space that he could use to trick an opponent. Tartet wasn’t an opponent that was pay attention to feints, but in that moment, Randidly felt those steps too, the infinite possibilities, the steps leading in 1000 different paths. First Haste, then Empower, and now Mana Strengthening, he used all of his combat skills, pushing his speed further and further, leading Tartet on a wild chase.

It was obvious to Randidly that Tartet couldn’t handle the speed for much longer. Their was a hair of hesitation during the turn where there wasn’t before, as his opponent struggled to keep his feet while they danced back and forth. But Randidly’s stamina and mana depleted just as rapidly, limiting how long he could continue like this.

Or it would, if not for…

His expression remaining placid, even as his fury burned hot and proud in his chest, he drew 300 Stamina from the rings on his fingers, upping the speed a little bit more, appearing behind Tartet and finally attacking with a Phantom Thrust.

For a second, Randidly thought that the attack would hit his opponent without a hitch. But then Tartet spun weirdly, causing the attack to only inflict a flesh wound, and also positioning himself with one spear held high and angled downward, the other low and angled upwards.

Before he could react, those spears snapped forward, like the jaws of a wolf, one ripping a gash in Randidly’s thigh, the other digging a deep hole in his shoulder. Just as quick, they pulled back into that position, and then sprung forward, that hunger that pervaded his spear style howling, wanting more.

But Randidly had already activated Phantom Half-Step several times in a row during that split second, teleporting himself some distance away. He had teleported himself so far away that he was off the stage, and tumbled into the crowd.

His fall knocked some individuals over, splattering them with his blood. They yelled first in shock, and then in anger, and regained their feet and rushed towards him, spears raised. They were like bottom feeders, avoiding the strong, but content to attack the weak. Randidly didn’t spare them a glance, instead, he was staring at Tartet.

After Randidly retreated rapidly backwards, Tartet sneered down at him, and then turned away. With a clear dismissal, Tartet walked cautiously towards Dian.

The disappointment in Randidly’s chest was hot and fresh, and strangely familiar. It was the same feeling he had gotten when he had conceded the match against Donnyton’s Classers. It was the bitter truth that his spear skills were not enough alone for him to win here. Although he truly had some talent when it came to dodging, using Spear Phantom’s Footwork, his spear work hadn’t come together enough for him to inflict damage with his attacks. He simply would walk into traps in that way.

The spear users around him surged closer, thrusting out with their weapons, their faces gleeful and vindictive. Still Randidly ignored them, his pulse pounding in his ears.

He had wanted this to go differently. He had wanted his spear arts to slowly grow through battle, becoming peerless in a single day. Idiocy.

His fists clenched. This was a lot like the Donnyton challenges all over again, but he had been even more harsh on his inclusion of moves. Another difference was that when it came down to it… The only thing holding him back was his pride, not fear of killing. So this challenge would turn out very, very differently, that Randidly swore.

With blazing eyes, Randidly activated Agony, which smashed outward, turning those gleeful faces into stunned and stupefied expressions. A dozen Phantom Thrusts ripped out, killing the briefly stunned spear users around him.

Some of the others were able to withstand the pain, but they still looked at Randidly with fearful expressions. Dropping all pretenses, Randidly drew several potions, one Health, one Mana, and three Stamina, and drank them all, putting him much closer to an optimal condition. His flesh slowly closed, the bleeding ceasing. Blood continued to pound wildly in his ears. The Aether in his chest was furiously pulsing now.

“Fine,” Randidly growled, hopping back up onto the platform. “Let’s play for keeps.”