Chapter 146 - Daniel Blyth (1/2)

Though crossbows could be used, it isn't much effective without ranger skills in a PvP. Ward failed to block the first shot as he didn't expect it, but the second one he easily blocked with his shield. He knew he could do block as many arrows as possible, but even the blocks would make him lose a small bit of HP and every bit was important in a PvP match like this.

He couldn't let Balthazar continue like this and he began to move away to evade from the shots. He concentrated more on improving his strength and vitality not his agility. So, he couldn't completely evade an arrow if the player firing them was too close and had to resort blocking it. This was a common thing among tanks, and he wouldn't care about it usually, but with his new opponent, he really didn't want to lose any HP.

He quickly realized that his opponent could always stay at enough distance for him to tire him down with arrows and the best option for him is close quarters combat. He initially maintained a distance as he was concerned that Balthazar might gain first advantage by use of his invulnerability skill. In the arena, the skills would usually be reseted after each match. This, he was sure that Dormant Blade would have the invulnerability skill.

Right now, it felt like he was going to get the first advantage anyways and it would be best to start a close combat so that he would also be able to deal some damage. So, he began to run towards Balthazar while blocking any arrows that came towards him. In a few seconds, he was within two metres distance of Balthazar, when Balthazar also equipped back his axe.

Balthazar equipped the axe as he ran to meet Ward. Ward started the fight with swinging his shield, followed by the sword, in quick succession. Both of those had a larger size than Balthazar's axe and that gave him a longer range. So, Balthazar had to side-step and evade. Balthazar kept doing the same for a few seconds.

As he saw that Balthazar's range was shorter, he got more confident and aggressive. This was exactly the thing that Balthazar was hoping to see. He wanted to fight a close combat intensive fight to show the use of an axe and buckler.

He started hacking at the shield with his axe and countered any sword attacks with his shield. Usually anytime a shield was used to block or deflect an attack, the attack would still deal the blocking player a little damage unless a shield counter is done. But with the horned buckler, he needed to make a proper deflect and with a flick of his wrist, Balthazar could have the horns of the buckler land a strike on his opponent sword arm. Thus, each block of his would cause more damage to his opponent unless the opponent had practiced sword play and had the conscience and skill to retract his sword arm in time.

Due to this style of his, Balthazar was able to deal damage in both blocks and attacks with his axe causing Ward to suffer almost double damage compared to him. Ward also noticed it soon and was seriously thinking about his options as he started to retreat. He went back a few metres back before he stopped.

”What happened? I thought that we could have a good fight with both of us having a weapon in one hand and a shield in the other,” said Balthazar mockingly as stood still and waved his axe and shield.

”Don't be so shameless. That thing is both a weapon and a shield,” said Ward looking at the horned buckler in his opponent's hand.

”So, you think this is a disadvantage?” asked Balthazar waving his shield. ”Okay! For you, I am willing to forego the shield,” said Balthazar as he put it back in his bag and pulled out another axe in his left hand.

”This ok?” asked Balthazar waving the second axe.

”Another Black Iron weapon? Don't regret it when you lose,” said Ward as he rushed back at him in anger. He was confident that his damage rate would get higher compared to Balthazar now that Balthazar didn't have a shield as he had higher strength.

”This is going to be fun,” said Balthazar as he rushed at Ward. He understood why Ward would be glad that he put away his shield, but he still would have an advantage. He held both the axes just below the axe head. Holding an axe at that position would enable him to use the axes to block and even grab the opponent's hand between the axe head and his hand.

This time, he moved towards the left hand of Ward on which the big shield was equipped. It was quite apparent to the spectators and even Ward. Ward also stepped to his left and tried to bash Dormant Blade with it. But Balthazar who hoping for this side stepped avoid the shield, blocked the swing of the sword with an axe head and immediately jumped back right in front of Ward such that there was hardly in inch of space between their head.

Ward tried to pull back but noticed that his shield hand was clasped between the head of the axe and Dormant Blade's hand. Balthazar rotated the axe and held it upside down and tilted his wrist so that Wards wrist would be held between his wrist and the axe.

The spectators couldn't see any of this. They only saw Balthazar jumping in front of Ward for some reason and Ward who had higher strength could easily push, knock him down with the shield. It was considered a stupid move from their perspective.

Ward was the only one who realized that things weren't that simple. In fact, he was a bit afraid as he tried to pull his hand out and realized that it wasn't to his advantage at all. First, he couldn't pull out his hand from the hold which implied that Dormant Blade had higher strength than him. Second, he was too close to Balthazar and he remembered the manner in which Dormant Blade kept Walt subdued in the first fight.

He swung his sword at Dormant Blade's head desperately. He knew that he had to act fast and strong to break away even though he was aware of the fact that Dormant Blade could block it with his axe. Luckily, Dormant Blade wasn't looking at his sword arm and directed the axe in his free hand towards the shield arm.

”You didn't forget my invulnerability skill did you?” whispered Dormant Blade as he struck the wrist of his shield hand. That was a strong blow both at physical and mental level. With the activation of void state, the sword simply deflected off Dormant Blade's body even though Ward put all his strength behind the attack.

With shield hand of his opponent crippled, Balthazar released his hold on it and aimed for Ward's neck with one hand while the other went for the sword arm effectively crippling them both. He also kicked at one of Ward's legs causing him to stumble and fall. Dormant blade didn't miss the chance and followed up with attacking his legs and then hacked at his opponent till he won the fight.

”You see, that guy is quite adept and has strong skills. Ward wasn't cautious without reason,” said Walt to Epoch.

”Hmm, I agree. I still don't understand a few things that happened, but even I learnt a few things. Moreover, he seemed to be very well practiced with axes and had a strong advantage at this stage, but we need to see if he can maintain at higher levels,” said Epoch nodding his head as he replayed the video. ”You know who he is?” he asked looking at Walt. Epoch understood that with that level of skill, the player would be a strong asset if he managed poach him.

”No. He was brought here by Slaine. He also seems to be a member of Crimson Realm,” said Walt pointing at Slaine who was seated in the spectator arena.

”You know that guy?” asked Epock looking at Slaine.