Chapter 52 : Dreg (2)

"Ragna? Shall we fight?"

Ragna stared at the young man in front of him with caution. The fact that he could escape from his perception was something out of ordinary. If not for the mistake he did at the last moment, Ragna would never have noticed him.

"Who are you? What do you want?" Ragna asked coldly.

"Me? I'm just a passing thief. Though, I'm not a normal one at that. I only want one thing, and that's the contribution points from that place," Dreg said while pointing at the Ruin with his eyes.

"I found it first"

"Doesn't matter," Dreg replied almost instantly.

Ragna frowned, he was unwilling to fight with this man he had just met. Based on his equipment alone, he was qualified to be called an elite among elites. Ragna wasn't sure that he could beat him in a one on one fight. Players aren't as simple as monsters, after all.

However, when there was no room for discussion, power became the only thing to rely upon!

Ragna quickly sprang into action by speeding toward Dreg.

"Then don't blame me for being merciless!" He shouted while preparing the chant for his spell.

Dreg's eyes glittered. He was already following Ragna ever since the fight between him and the first wave of Crane's group. Although there was a lot of distance between them, he had watched the fight with great clarity.

Naturally, he knew how strong Ragna was. That was also the reason why he didn't act at that time. He was unwilling to offend him as someone who had terrifying talent.

However, deep inside, he was itching for a battle! That was the true attitude of an exceptional player! That feeling when you encounter a

strong enemy and couldn't resist the urge to spar!

Now that he saw an opportunity, he naturally wouldn't miss it. Obviously, the contribution points he could gain from the discovery of the Strange Ruin held a significant part of it.

'Let's see how strong you are,' muttered Dreg inwardly while brandishing both of his daggers. The dagger was pure black in color and there was no light coming out from it. It was as if it could absorb the light in its surroundings. The dagger was actually a rare weapon that was ranked a whole realm higher than his armor, the two-handed dagger, Twin Night!

Ragna was also a bit shaken when he saw Dreg's weapon. He knew that it was a rare dagger capable of removing any sound and light when attacking. For a profession like thieves, having this kind of weapon was akin to sprouting wings for a tiger.

However, who was Ragna? He wouldn't cower in front of anyone. In fact, his blood was boiling in the same manner as Dreg did. They were both a battle maniac!

Before Dreg could reach him, his Earth Spike had finished casting. With a droning sound, the ground right in front of Dreg shook, revealing a sharp spike completely made of earth. Ragna had chosen the best timing for this spell. He chose the moment right when Dreg's foot was about to step, rendering him unable to change his direction.

Shua!

Suddenly, Dreg's body vanished into wisps of shadows. He instantly reappeared beside Ragna's earth spike, completely avoiding the attack.

Unscathed, he continued his charge. They weren't far apart by now, it would only take them two to three seconds at most to clash. Obviously, it wouldn't be enough for Ragna to cast another spell.

Maybe, he could cast another Earth Spike, but Dreg could just dodge it like before.

Nonetheless, he still started his chant. There was no way that someone could interrupt him unless the situation needed his full concentration. And that was when he was using the Essence Manipulation.

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Seeing Ragna who was bold enough to start chanting for another spell, Dreg didn't panic. Based on his understanding, the spell Ragna was casting was Boulder Smash. He would undoubtedly dodge his attack first and then counterattack with the spell at a point-blank range.

Dreg sneered, this kind of development was already predicted by him. His body suddenly turned into a shadow, splitting into three clones which were separated by a bit of distance from each other.

Shadow Doppelganger!

At this stage of the game, thieves weren't able to create a clone to confuse their enemy. Not to mention two, even if he could only create one image, that would already be astonishing.

To have this kind of skill, it seemed like Dreg had a hidden profession, or at least a fortuitous encounter himself.

Ragna backed up a bit. Due to Dreg using Shadow Doppelganger, his assault was halted by a moment, enabling Ragna to open a bit distance between them.

"You can't run!" Dreg shouted, his three bodies suddenly turned darker. Their speed increased dramatically, shortening the distance by almost in an instant.

Ragna's eyes widened, his hand quickly turned into a fist, which was shining with Crimson color. Seeing that Dreg was already in front of him, it was now the time for a close-combat.

BANG! BANG!

Ragna's fists parried both of Dreg's daggers. Seeing the scene in front of him, Dreg couldn't help but be shocked. How could Ragna be bold to parry his attack!? It must be understood that an Agile-Mage like how he presumed Ragna would be, had a paper-like health. He had accepted the fact that Ragna was a freak and his stats was also spread to Strength, explaining his terrifying physical attack.

But to also have a considerable amount of Endurance? Brother, how greedy do you want to be?!

BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!

All three of Dreg's clones were unable to hit Ragna. They were all either dodged or parried by him. It made Dreg a bit shocked, but he already saw Ragna's astonishing battle-sense and had made enough preparation for it.

'4... 5... It should be coming by now!" Dreg thought inwardly. 5 seconds have passed since Ragna started chanting.

He quickly moved his clones in a way to surround Ragna. His clones and real body circled Ragna in a triangular formation. A black rune and a dark glint appeared in the Twin Night he held. He was launching his strongest attack, Despotic Stab!

'33% Chance, let's see whether it's me or you who'll die!'

It was at this moment that Ragna unleashed his spell. Dreg only felt that the ground beneath his feet suddenly turned soft. The spell Ragna cast wasn't Boulder Smash, but it was actually Quagmire!

His movement was greatly hindered by the Quagmire. Especially because he wasn't the least bit prepared for it. However, it only took him a moment to stabilize himself. For a veteran player like him, this kind of spell could only slow him, not stop him.

"A puny Quagmire! It seems like I thought too highly of you!" Dreg exclaimed. The Quagmire wasn't able to disrupt his attack, and Ragna was still in the same predicament as before.

But what Ragna did next shock him to the core. Ragna was actually closing his eyes!

Dreg was surprised to see Ragna's reaction. Because of the distance that separated him before, he only knew that Ragna could deflect a magic attack using his skill. He had no knowledge whatsoever regarding how terrifying Ragna's Essence Manipulation was!

After closing his eyes, Ragna could sense all the essences in his surrounding. He could sense which was Dreg's real body!

It was the one who was in front of him!

The crimson colored glow in his hand hadn't disappeared yet. Facing Dreg's real body, he quickly readied his stance in preparation to receive Dreg's attack.

All of the clones were in a swinging motion of the Despotic Stab. But the clones were unable to inflict any real damage, that's why Ragna chose to ignore them.

'SHIT! How could he choose the right one!'

Dreg cursed inwardly. This fellow's luck is just too godly! However... that was still not enough to kill him!

Dreg's pupils turned purple and his body slightly trembled. Ragna who was right in front of him naturally could perceive it. There's something strange happening!

It was at this moment that he could see the essences in Dreg's real body vanished. It suddenly turned into a mere clone!

He quickly turned around but he was shocked to see that the one he thought was a clone had become Dreg's real body!

It was all too late! The Despotic Stab was already right in front of him!

Clenching his teeth, Ragna could only do a desperate measure. He activated his Essence Manipulation again. While trying his hardest to dodge the attack, he also swung his fist to counterattack at the same time!

'If I can't dodge, then I won't let you come out unharmed too!'

BAM!

Both of the attacks hit each other. While Ragna was suffering from the Despotic Stab, Dreg was also thrown from the full force of Crimson Claw Strike. A bloody gash could be seen in his chest, Ragna's health had instantly dropped into the red bar because of this attack only.

If it wasn't because of his instantaneous reaction from the Essence Manipulation, the attack would trigger Critical Hit, instantly killing him!

Obviously, Dreg was nowhere near okay. He was a pure Agility-Strength thief, his health was mediocre from the start. It was only because of his high level and the Azure Mantis Set that he was able to hold against Ragna's attack, leaving him also in the red bar.

Dreg slowly got up from the ground. Because of the Quagmire, he wasn't able to do the task quickly.

'Wait... don't tell me that the reason he cast Quagmire was to...,' Dreg suddenly realized something. He unconsciously trembled from the idea that he just thought. He frantically looked around for Ragna while still being submerged in the Quagmire. Unfortunately, he was met with the figure of Ragna pointing his palm toward him.

Just from the magical undulation he emitted, it was clear that the spell had finished chanting.

Checkmate.