Chapter 344 Deciding Match 6 (1/2)

”Woah, so damn close… I thought I was dead.”

Joey frantically fled to his group. Fortunately for him, he wasn't hurt as badly as Randolf was. But he was covered in blood from head to toe. For a Thief with low defense, even a scratch from Rosen could leave him screaming for his life.

But, even so, Joey didn't feel great. His right arm had been broken and right now, it was twisted to the side in a strange way. Although he screamed in pain, he continued to put up a smile.

”Everything as you expected, Sir. Woah, that old dude is so much stronger than those mercenaries we fought in Paphield.”

”You don't say.”

Rhode shot a glance at Joey before shaking his head.

”Go get treated. Take care of yourself. And…”

”I'm here, Leader. Is it Anne's turn?”

Anne hopped out and raised her right arm like a little child asking for a toy from her father. Then, before Rhode could answer, she leaped onto the arena in a scuttle.

”Don't worry, Leader. Anne will complete this mission!”

Anne gestured and shifted her attention to her opponent. Rhode frowned and at this moment, Gillian appeared beside him.

”Is this fine, Master?”

”We shall see the situation. Rosen isn't as strong now and he even missed his attack on a newbie like Joey. It seems like there shouldn't be any huge problems for Anne. If there's any danger, I will get her to admit defeat straightaway.”

”Miss Anne seems to not heed your instructions at times though.”

”…”

Rhode raised his brows as Gillian made sense. In fact, there were many instances when Anne disobeyed his orders and acted on her own accord, which led to her injuries. Besides, he sensed that Anne seemed to hold a special attachment to Starlight and was even willing to sacrifice herself. If she were a player, he would definitely praise and recognise her for her affections. However, this wasn't the game and the dead couldn't be revived. Therefore, Anne's behavior gave Rhode a headache. As an important force in Starlight, he wished to polish and groom her. After all, it was necessary to have a solid, main tanker.

However, her reckless behaviour gave Rhode a huge headache. Although it was the duty of a Shield Warrior to protect others, her own safety was equally important too. Even though Rhode gave her stern punishments for acting on her own accord, she always promised to not commit the same mistakes again with her watery, puppy eyes. However, she would forget everything about her promise whenever she was enraged.

It seemed that lecturing wouldn't work too well on a person like Anne, who relied on her instincts to survive.

”All in all, I will observe and if there are any signs… I will get her to back down.”

”Huhuhu, didn't you tell Rosen that he will be dead before you face him? Are you really going to swallow those words?”

”Doesn't matter. It's just honor, and I don't care. I'll just swallow them.”

Rhode sneered and turned to the arena.

”Gillian, there are two kinds of people in this world: victor and loser. Glory and honor do not mean anything to me. All I need is to win. Only the victor has the rights to ask for everything and the loser only has to kneel on the ground. What do glory and honor even do in my path to fulfill my goals?”

Rhode groaned and shifted his attention to the audience.

”Just like these guys. No matter how loudly they yell, they can't change the results of our victory. The ones that can change are ourselves. No matter if we win in cheers or hisses, it doesn't matter to me at all.”

Rhode sulked and clenched his fists.

”Gillian, you should get prepared too. Be careful, don't get discovered by others.”

”I understand, Master. I'll get going now…”

Gillian lifted the hem of her skirt and bowed dramatically with an adorable smile.

Boom!

Anne plunged her shield to the ground.

”Yo, old man, you ready? Anne is here to defeat you.”

”Hmph. Arrogant, little girl.”

Rosen breathed faintly as he scrutinised Anne's frame. Although Rhode's methods were scheming, Rosen had to admit that they were effective, where he had even considered backing down from the arena after his attack missed Joey. However, this thought only emerged for a split second. He wouldn't behave like that scheming and shameless young man.

If you're a man, you should face your challenges fair and square!

That was Rosen's way of doing things and he wouldn't give up until the end. Also, didn't Rhode mention that Rosen would be defeated even before they faced each other? If that were the case, Rosen had decide to hang on all the way until Rhode fought him and see if he had anything else to say!

Rosen shifted his attention to Anne before extending his arms and clashing his shields together to release an ear-deafening sound.

”Come on!”

The battle began.

Anne was nowhere polite towards him as she lifted her shield with one hand and snarled as she charged forward. The sound of wind whizzed by her shield as she leapt and brandished an arc in midair.

Boom!

Rosen knitted his brows and held his shield up for the clash. The immense impact numbed his arms and not only that, but he also felt that this intensity was beyond him, which left him rather dizzy for a split second.

I can't release my powers? And I'm feeling dizzy?

Rosen was baffled. Then, he recalled the green mist that was released from Joey's broken dagger.

Could it be that I'm affected by it?!

Despicable and shameless!

Rosen sulked and struck out his right shield. Anne backed off immediately and at the same time, Rosen brandished his left shield.

Amongst everyone who fought against him, Anne was the only one who confronted him bravely. He didn't hold back because he wished to quickly finish her and settle his feud with that despicable young man.

Rosen released a devastating move which instantly exposed the difference in strength between them.

Storm Shielding: a violent whirlwind on the plains which no one could resist. It rose from his left shield and struck out at Anne.

She retreated instantly. Then, she held her shield with both hands and smashed towards the ground.

But Rosen's left shield had arrived just in time.

Their shields collided, but the powerful whirlwind overpowered her grip. She gritted her teeth and hung on strongly.

”Heyah!”

Anne let out a snarl and sprung over Rosen. She brandished her shield.