Chapter 215 (2/2)

“Begin!” The referee said, her eyes glinting as she looked at the two contestants.

Flexing his legs, Randidly launched himself at his opponent, his blood roaring through his ears. He would crush his opponent at any cost.

*****

The male spear attendant had a grave expression on his face, as he watched.

“You really…” He started, lamely, then shook his head and tried again. “You really aren’t that attractive. Why do you need that foul smelling disguise?”

Helen gave him a sharp glance that told him she would brutalize him in their next spar, and then looked away. “Fucking focus, it’s starting.”

Claptrap now had enough support from the Brewing Association, so he no longer needed them to work for his rapidly growing “Concessions” business. Instead, they came early to watch the Ghosthound’s matches. Since they knew that his first match would be on Stage C from the schedule, they got a pretty good seat for that area.

Which stage he was on would be determined basically by how much money the Style of the seeded individual had donated to the tournament, so the fact that the fight was on Stage C meant that this opponent was not the upper echelon of the opponents that Randidly would be facing. But still, she was a pampered child of a powerful Style, the type of opponent that couldn’t be underestimated.

As the referee called the beginning of the match, the Ghosthound made the first move, launching himself forward towards his opponent. The woman’s spear rose, its delicate point aiming for his throat, but the Ghosthound began attacking viciously.

Once, twice, three times, their spears crossed, attacks smashing into each other in quick succession.

The male spear attendant yawned.

Helen sat on the edge of her seat, clearly much more invested in the fight. The male spear attendant could only shake his head and turn to regard Teliph, who sat on his other side. He too was engrossed in the fight.

“...their level of skill…. Both of them, not just the Ghosthound…” Helen said, sucking in a breath.

“But unfortunately for her… that is where their similarities end.” Teliph said as he crossed his arms, making the male spear attendant wonder how he managed to see with his eyes covered by bandages.

The Ghosthound struck again, smashing his huge spear into the woman, and her face twisted into a look of pure hatred as his attack knocked her a meter backwards. Advancing quickly, the Ghosthound pressed his advantage, attacking before she could regain her center of gravity.

They weren’t even huge blows, those attacks. They were non-skill strikes. But it was clear that the Ghosthound’s physical specs far outstripped the womans. She hopped backwards, hoping to make space, but he continued to advance, that black obsidian spear smashing again and again against her guard.

Twisting her feet, Kishta moved with a strange animal grace, finally managing to create some distance. The Ghosthound raised his spear, his feet settling to follow with the absolutely haunting Spear Phantom’s Footwork, but then he hesitated.

”You...” Kishta's eyes were murderous, and it was easy for the male spear attendant to understand why. He shook his head sadly.

He too, when he first met the Ghosthound, thought that he would easily crush the man. But he was less spear user, more monster, with a growth rate that surpassed the imagination.

He should be more respectful, but the male spear attendant just found himself annoyed at this junior who took so long to realize a lesson he, himself, had already learned.

”You forced me to this... consider yourself proud!” Kishta yelled, her eyes glowing. The ground beneath hem began to rumble.

Randidly couldn’t help but roll his. He hoped every spoiled spear user wouldn’t be this cliche.