Chapter 145 - Axe man - II (2/2)

His mind went blank with shock for an instant before he realized his position and started firing frost bolts. But Balthazar didn't care is those hit him when he was so close. He blocked a couple of them with his buckler and one of them even hit him squarely on his chest. He didn't care. The only thing important to grab a hold of the mage.

Mages mostly wore cloth armor and though it was low weight, one of its biggest disadvantages was that it could easily be grabbed by an opponent. Balthazar simply used that to his advantage as he grabbed Purple Destruction's armor and pulled him close to strike at his head with the axe. It was always best to deliver a strong blow to the head to stun a monster or a player.

Destruction who wore a complete cloth armor wasn't able to avoid the blow being stunned by Balthazar effectively. Balthazar wasn't one to lose his chance and proceeded to cripple his opponent's limbs as soon as he got the chance. Once, in his hands, the mage being a low defense clothe armored player was killed in half a minute despite his attempts to escape. Balthazar let all the spells that the mage had cast in these 30 seconds to hit him but never let him get out of range.

The fight showed all the spectators that the Axe Man had high speed and moderate defense. It even showed them that the guy had some kind of invulnerablility skill that he could use in a dire situation.

”At least, we know that he focused mostly on speed and would have low strength due to it. But his equipment seems to be quite good, might be top class,” thought Ward. ”It was a good plan to have you test it before I fought,” he said to Walt who had already joined them in the spectator area.

”It was a good fight. We now know a few things that we could expect from him now,” he messaged to Purple Destruction to comfort him.

”I will go to fight him, now. I will get back all those combat points and more,” said Ward as he got out of the spectator area.

”Finally, decided to step up, huh?” asked Slaine. ”You guys better contact Epoch. Ward might not have it easy too. By the way, does he have enough combat points to bet enough to get back those from the previous losses?” he questioned the others of Ward's team among the spectators who continued to glare at him without saying anything.

”Ok. Up for some bets?” he asked but there was still no response from the others. ”I guess I won't be able to get anything else from these guys,” thought Slaine as he let it be.

Ward was already down at the arena. ”I bet 450 combat points. I am going to take back all that you took,” he said in an angry tone. He also told his teammates to bet with Slaine to take back the points that they lost, but they weren't sure and decided to spare themselves some points.

”You wan't to bet 400 combat points? Fine. Why would I deny such a generous gift?” said Balthazar sarcastically as he started the countdown. As the fight started, Ward slowly moved towards Balthazar who didn't move an inch. Balthazar had no idea about Ward other than the fact that he was a tank and carried a sword and a big round shield that was about 3 feet wide. It would be hard to evade any of the moves of the shield.

His only option was to make more strikes to get into what would be considered his personal space and quickly take care of him, if intended to keep the momentum. He had the walrus throwing knives which he could use. He only wanted to use them to get close to the shield guardian.

Golden Ward who was approaching him slowly and cautiously saw him put the axe onto this belt. He was sure that his opponent would use some kind of trick or skill than is unexpected. So, he kept his shield in front of his body covering everything except the head and legs. He kept his head low and kept peeking above it.

”Damn! Does he really need to move like that?” asked a player beside Slaine and the members of Foedus Rex.

”Epoch! When did you come here?” asked Walt who noticed that the player whom he thought was mocking them to be one of them.

”Destruction told me to get myself here. That some player challenged us and defeated him already,” replied Epoch.

”Ya, he defeated me too. He is quite powerful skills,” said Walt.

”What is so strong to have Ward be so cautious?” asked Epoch.

”Actually, we only know about an invulnerability skill. All his attacks were manual mode attacks and not actual skills,” said Walt and he also began to explain how it all started.

In the arena, Balthazar was getting bored of waiting for Ward to get close. ”You going to come to me anytime soon?” he asked. ”You can't attack me from a distance like that mage.”

”Why don't you come close,” said Ward. He was now sure that his opponent was waiting for him to come close to spring some kind of trap on him.

”Ok,” said Balthazar contrary to his expectations and started to walk towards him. ”Was he just fooling around with me?” thought Ward as he saw Balthazar simply walk without a weapon in his hand.

”You know what?” said Balthazar suddenly stopping after a few steps. ”I don't need to get close to attack you,” he said pulling out Walrus trowing knife and flung it towards Ward's head. Ward who heard his words put his head out to check what his opponent would do, but immediately lifted his shield a bit higher to cover his head out of instinct causing the knife to strike the shield with a clanging sound. The next second he felt an arrow strike his feet.

”What the hell?” exclaimed Ward as he looked at Balthazar finding him holding a crossbow in his hand. ”You! Didn't you say that you wanted a close combat,” shouted Golden Ward his eyes almost bulging out.

”Really?” asked Balthazar rolling his eyes. ”You think you get to say that after you sent that mage over?” he continued as he fired another arrow.