Once the guard approves of the idea everything happens really fast. Two boats are made ready. One is anchored out in the river, maybe a dozen paces or a little more from the riverbank. The spectators should be able to see everything without straining their eyes after all. The other one will take us over to it.

The guard stops us briefly before we board the boat though. When he speaks up, he does so loud enough for everyone around us to hear him.

“No weapons! No blades, no nothing. I don't want this to get any more messy than it has to be. The moment one of you lands in the drink the fight is over. Am I clear?”

My opponent nods and so do I. We reply almost in unison.

“Yes.”

“Clear like crystal.”

The guard seems satisfied and steps back.

In the background more bets are being placed. Damn, maybe I should have placed one myself? I certainly wouldn't mind a few more coins. Never mind. I probably shouldn't overdo it. I already earned enough for a meal and for a room for the night.

I should aim for a few more level ups for my skills instead. Should I soak up a few hits? It might help add some tension to the fight. In all likelihood the only way I'll loose this fight is if I end up in the river for some reason. I'll have to watch myself.

At the same time I can't help but marvel at the way this escalates. Is this really just by chance? Or is this fate? Are there higher powers at work? No, probably not. Fox mentioned that they can't intervene as they please. I guess the same is true, at least in a way, for all other gods and goddesses. They have to act through their clerics instead. Well, I guess this means that I'm just this lucky, for better or for worse.

In the end I just step on the boat that will take us to the other one anchored out on the river. I try to act cool, even as I can feel several people us identification skills on me, but I don't drop my guard. I keep an eye both on my opponent and the fishermen rowing us to our destination. Well, at least the fishermen seem to be greatly enjoying the whole affair. I take careful note of the boat's movement in the river's current too. As I do I can feel my [Perception] improve a little once again.

I jump over onto the other boat the moment we draw alongside it and my opponent follows suit. This sets our stage for the fight rocking quite a bit. Enough so in fact that the divine whisper that follows right after doesn't surprise me in the slightest.

[*Ding!* Your skill Balance has leveled up to level 5!]

If anything, it serves to put a confident smirk on my face. Very good. One step closer to the next level up. I'm not entirely sure, but it will probably take just one or two more.

Now we are here, on a boat out on the river. The fishermen are already retreating back to shore, as not to get in the way. Two lamps, one at the bow, the other at the stern, provide a little additional light, as the sun is already nearing the horizon.

A few planks have been haphazardly been thrown over the benches where the rowers would usually sit to provide a platform for our fight. There is a lot of give to them, and the boat keeps rocking with every move, even if just a little, too.

A slightly bigger boat with a flat bottom would probably make for a better stage. Or at least for a more stable one. I suspect that the spectators are quite alright with the possibility that one of us might end up in the water.

I take up position at one end, the one that is usually the stern, while the drunk river boatman takes up position at the other. I take the chance to flash him another confident smirk.

“Say, you big oaf, you know how to swim, right?”

His face darkens at the casual insult. It probably is due to the alcohol. In all likelihood he wouldn't react the same way if he had a clear head.. In fact, if he were able to think ahead a little we most certainly wouldn't be in this position.

“And why would I tell you of all people?”

I shrug casually and keep going in a lighthearted and slightly condescending tone. I want to keep him angry and hotheaded after all.

“Oh, I just want to know if I have to dive in after you to save your sorry ass should you end up in the drink.”

Oh yes, that certainly keeps him from thinking straight. I can hear him grind his teeth from all the way over here. Oh my, that is not a very healthy habit. Just like getting drunk during the day. Yeah, no reason to show too much compassion. I just have to do my best not to outright kill the moron. I better make sure this isn't over too soon either. The spectators aren't here for a quick fight after all. No, they want some entertainment.

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A familiar voice calls out from the shoreline. It is Sylwia.

“Ready? Fight!”

Well, it seems we are done waiting and talking. The drunkard starts off with an attempt to send me into the river. With a big step he shifts his weight, rocking the boat in the process.

I'm tempted to go along with his idea and add my own momentum to the shift to unbalance him instead. I decide against it though. This would be too quick. Instead I lean in the opposite direction as the boat rocks about, just enough to not be off balance.

Then, as soon as the boat stops moving too much, I launch a probing attack. This too rocks the boat again, but by far not as much. After all I probably weight only about half as much as my opponent, even with all my gear. I go for a light probing jab. One not aimed for any vital spots.

He doesn't even try to dodge it. Instead he counters with a powerful hook of his own. Both of our attacks connect at about the same time.

[*Ding!* Hit! Joel's Health reduced by 5!]

[*Ding!* You have been hit! Health reduced by 0!]

[*Ding!* Your skill Clothes has leveled up to level 5!]

Oh, I'm getting close! So very close! I'm exhilarated. On one hand because I'm growing ever closer to my next level up. It isn't just my [Clothes] armor skill that levels up. My [Brawling] skill improves a little too. On the other hand because his hook didn't stagger me in the slightest. That the damage I dealt him is rather low doesn't worry me either. I pulled that punch after all.

His, Joel's, eyes grow wide in realization. Yes, now he understands that he is in deep trouble. That much can pierce even his drunken haze. Yet he still seems unwilling to just give up.

He does realize that the only reason he isn't sitting on his ass right now is because I went easy on him, right? Well, maybe that would be giving him too much credit. I might just have to get a little more serious. Just as well.

As I retreat a little he goes for a repeat of his opening move. Except he steps it up a little this time around. A serious of quick jumps, back and forth, left and right, without him moving much overall, sets the boat rocking again.

I don't get sent flying into the river, but I have to focus on maintaining my balance for a moment or two. He uses the time bought this way to land another solid hit while I'm to preoccupied to retaliate.

[*Ding!* You have been hit! Health reduced by 0!]

I soak up the hit this time too, without being any worse for wear. My [Clothes] skill keeps improving little by little. Death by a thousand cuts it seems is not a viable strategy against an opponent with superior defense. The realization might seem trivial, but it certainly is something I need to keep in mind for future fights.

Joel the drunkard really doesn't seem to be the most imaginative brawler. No, never mind, he probably isn't all that imaginative in general. In this case that is to my advantage. As he makes the boat rock again this time around I'm ready for it and the attack that follows. The only effect it has this time is, that my [Balance] skill keeps improving ever so slightly.

This time I'm ready to retaliate. And I don't pull this punch either, even though I don't aim for an especially vulnerable spot.

[*Ding!* Hit! Joel's Health reduced by 27!]

He has no such qualms it appears. His hook comes in low, aiming straight for my side, just as I have to drop my defense to throw my own punch.

[*Ding!* You have been hit! Critical Hit! Health reduced by 17!]

I stumble back a step. Oh yes, I definitely felt that one.

He isn't doing any better though. His left eye is quickly starting to swell shut and a trickle of blood is coming from his nose. He seems to have a little trouble remaining standing too, yet he still seems unwilling to give up.

The crowd at the shoreline certainly seems to appreciate the show though. The cheering and hollering leave little doubt in that regard.

Damn it. Another hit like the one I just landed might put him out of his misery and that is something I really want to avoid. I don't want a reputation as a coldblooded killer. Not yet and most certainly not under these circumstances.

It is time to go for the other option. Time to get him wet. Considering his state it will be hard enough already to keep him from drowning. I certainly can't trust him to stay afloat on his own, given the way he is already swaying.

I don't give him time to recover and get any more bright ideas. It's time to end this before he can get himself killed. I mimic his own approach. A quick jump sets the boat rocking again. After wards I keep shifting my weight to build more momentum and rock it ever harder.

His eyes grow wide as he realizes what I'm doing. Despite that he isn't able to properly counter. His dilated pupils suggest a concussion on top of everything else. He tries to keep his balance, but in the end he fails.

Once again the crowd erupts in groans as well as cheering and hollering as he goes over the side of the boat. I watch him hit the water.

Sylwia calls out at the shoreline, loud enough for everyone to hear.

“We have a winner!”

That is about as long as I dare wait. Then I dive in after the damnable fool. I'm lucky, or rather, he is. The current of the river is pretty weak here. I mange to grab him by the back of his pants before he can be carried off or sink and deeper. With some effort I pull him back to the surface.

My desired reward is quick to follow.

[*Ding!* Your skill Swimming has leveled up to level 2!]

Almost immediately another divine whisper follows, this time accompanied by the most welcome clatter of dice.

[*Ding!* Your class Scoundrel leveled up to level 3!]

[*Clatter!* Your Health increased by 2!]

My aching side gets better right away and my mental fatigue fades too, as my health and my Mana recover. Now, if only this damnable fool would stop struggling, as I keep his head above water while I drag him back towards the riverbank.