Once the last spicy wings are eaten, there is nothing else holding us back. Us being Matylda, Wiktor and I. I still feel a little nervous about this, but given the reassurance by the others I have no reason not to believe that I'll be able to pull this off.

Wiktor even changed into an outfit not entirely dissimilar to mine in the tavern's backroom. Well, maybe calling it a change is a bit much. He slipped on a leather vest over his usual casual outfit and he girded a sword belt with a simple but serviceable sword, not dissimilar to my own, on top. It is enough to make him look like a dangerous duelist instead of a no good hoodlum instead though.

According to him this is mostly about making the right impression. This is why he organized several more people as a following of sorts. A musician from one of the other local taverns among others, which on its own is enough to draw a few more spectators.

We will have an audience for our duel it seems instead of just some witnesses. Apparently Wiktor really is serious about using this occasion to build my reputation.

I'm not entirely certain how I'm supposed to feel about this turn of events.

Together we head out of town, following a path that leads away from the urbanized area and through the fields and paddies of the nearest farms until it eventually enters the forest.

The forest isn't as dense around here as it is where Fox welcomed me into this world, but it still is a little spooky this late at night, before the dawn of morning. That we are heading to a place called hangman's hill isn't exactly helping either.

My suspicions that this might be the place where the city's executioner plies his trade is soon confirmed. As we enter a large clearing the ground starts to rise. And atop the small hill we are climbing a sort of gallows awaits us. It isn't anything fancy either. There is no grand platform with trap doors or some such thing. No, the gallows is just a rough wooden frame across which a rope can be slung. Thankfully no dead body dangles from it right now. Some graves, and not the well kept kind I have seen at the graveyard either, close by suggest that the place sees use every once in a while at least though.

I shiver and rub my arms as we proceed. Is it getting colder? Oh! There is even mist rising from the ground all around us! Yes, this place is quite spooky. And even as I think this thought my [Danger Sense] improves a little. It is as if there is movement in the mist. Movement that can't quite be explained by a breeze that doesn't exist anyway. Scratch that! This place isn't spooky. It's haunted! I decide to voice my concerns.

“This place is bad. Someone should do something about it. Maybe an exorcism? At the very least the graves should be properly blessed.”

Some of the others look a little concerned too. Matylda is rubbing her arms too as she nods. Even Wiktor looks a little on edge. He keeps going though, cutting through the mist step by step. He even sounds a little tense as he speaks up.

“I wish you the best of luck finding a cleric willing to do it. Most won't even consider it. And not just because the lord won't spring for it. Besides, the whole thing will be over once morning comes around and the sun crests the horizon.”

The bard tagging along with us decides to add in some more details from a few steps behind me.

“And most people won't even think about coming here before sunrise. In fact capital punishment is usually carried out around noon.”

I frown, narrow my eyes and bare my teeth at a spot where the mist seems to be gathering. Only to blink in surprise the next moment, when the fog disperses again, while I get the feeling that my [Intimidate] skill just improved a little. Ha! I guess ghosts are just people too. Angry, badly traumatized and full of resentment but in the end still only people. I can feel anger bubbling to the surface inside myself too.

“I probably ought to punch that asshole in the face out of principle for making us come here at this time of the day or rather night.”

Wiktor snorts, but shakes his head.

“Not during the duel. Behavior like that is very much frowned upon. You just don't draw first blood with your fist during a sword fight.”

The others chuckle. My own mind races though, as I try to come up with a plan to humiliate the jackass anyway. I look around as Wiktor finally stops still a good ways below the gallows, at a spot with some moderately smooth terrain. He looks around and marches a little this way and that. Finally he nods in satisfaction.

“This spot should do. And it should catch the first rays of the rising sun nicely too.”

I look around too, but in the end I have to trust his judgment. In my eyes the place looks as good as any. There is something else on my mind though.

“It looks like it might be a while, before the other party shows up. How about some practice swings before they do?”

Wiktor's brows furrow a little, but in the end he relents and nods.

“Fine. Any chance you'll hit another level up anytime soon?”

I shake my head and turn to address Matylda, while I draw my sword in a carefully measured motion. I don't want to make myself look anymore the fool than I actually am for going along with this scheme.

“Give us a little warning, should the others show up without us noticing.”

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She simply nods and shifts her attention back the way we have come.

Then with my words in hand I'm already about to face Wiktor, when something else occurs to me. I stop once more to talk to the bard instead.

“How about a calming little tune? Something likely to call forth pleasant memories of warm summer evenings? Something that might soothe the unquiet spirits at least a little?”

He stretches his fingers and looks for a place to sit down besides the spot we have picked.

“Might as well give it a try.”

A moment later he starts playing a tune that alternates between pleasantly melancholic and very lively passages.

Good. As far as I'm concerned the stage is set. Wiktor, who has drawn his own sword by now seems satisfied as well. He flashes me a grin.

“Got to appreciate the art of presentation. The way you go about doing things is about as important as the things you are doing.”

He shifts to a ready stance and raises his sword.

“Lets give this a try. Maybe you can earn a few more skill levels that will come in handy. You better expect your opponent to try and tip the scales in their favor too.”

I take a deep breath and mirror his stance, which is, of course, much better than my none stance. Apparently it is good enough to earn me another skill.

[*Ding!* You have unlocked the Blades general skill at Level 1!]

Very curious. Can I level this one up at the same time as my [Melee Weapons] skill? I guess I'll have to find out and there really is only one way to do that. Without delay I go on the offensive.

Even just this one skill level already makes a considerable difference. My thrusts and slashes so far have always been a little clumsy. More so in the beginning than later on, but now I'm actually beginning to show some grace for once, as I don't overextend myself in a too powerful thrust.

[*Ding!* Hit! Wiktor's Health reduced by 0!]

Of course Wiktor parries the attack easily anyway. Most curious that the parried attack still counts as a hit though. The ring of steel on steel clashes a little with the bard's tune.

Wiktor doesn't counter, which my opponent most certainly would. Instead he frowns ever so slightly. At the same time this gives me the time needed to acknowledge the divine whispers brushing through my mind like a pleasant breeze.

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

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

Well, that would resolve that question. I can level up both skills at once. I'm pretty certain that my strength increased a little too, due to my [Blades] skill leveling up. Adding all of this up my attacks should hit considerably harder now. I'm not sure I want to put that to the test though. Not against Wiktor and not right now anyway.

Wiktor's line of though seems to follow a similar line as mine. He bites his lips slightly. Then he provides instructions.

“You lack experience. That much is obvious. Otherwise that wasn't bad though. Anyway, it's my turn now. Please, do try to block this one.”

Before I can reply or question him, he attacks. It isn't a terribly powerful attack. He is clearly holding back. He is telegraphing, probably on purpose, too. I still have my work cut out for me. Again the sound of steel hitting steel rings out through the mist.

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

It seems the block was good. The attack still counts as a hit though. At least my defense was up to the task. Before I can fully recover from the block though another divine whisper startles me. All the more as it's followed by a third in quick succession.

[*Ding!* You have unlocked the Block general skill at Level 1!]

[*Ding!* Your skill Blades has leveled up to level 3!]

Wiktor grins at me. The look of surprise on my face is most certainly not lost on him.

“Oh yes! You are making good progress. Lets try to unlock another skill, yes? This one will be harder though. I want you to properly parry my next attack. For that you can't just black edge on edge as before. You should really try to avoid that whenever possible. Your blade will suffer with every attack blocked. Pick up a shield for that purpose eventually. Anyway, push my blade aside this time. The flat of your blade against mine, please.”

I grin as he gets back into position. It seems I'm getting some on the spot fencing lessons here. Well, I really need them. In the long run they most certainly won't be free lessons though. I'm sure Wiktor will ask for something in return. Not right now, but when it fits him and his needs.

Despite my rapidly progressing skills I'm hard pressed to do as he asked me to. Properly parrying really is harder than just dumbly blocking. In the end I'm only successful because he is still holding back. Well, I'll deal with that whenever the time comes.

Our blades make a very different sound this time around as the edge of mine slides along that of his, as I push his weapon aside with a little more force than strictly necessary. It is a painful screech and there are even some sparks sent flying.

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

Wiktor seems satisfied anyway, and so am I as the next divine whisper touches my mind.

[*Ding!* You have unlocked the Parry general skill at Level 1!]

Both my [Blades] and [Melee Weapons] skill progress a little too, but their growth isn't rewarded with a divine whisper this time around.

Wiktor resumes his ready stance.

“Very good. Your defenses are coming along nicely too. Lets try again. One more block, please.”

Without delay he goes for another attack. He is still holding back, but not quite as much as before. Our blades ring out once again as I block like he demanded.

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

Once again my efforts are rewarded by several divine whispers in quick succession. And once again my [Melee Weapons] skill improves without earning a notice of its won.

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

[*Ding!* Your skill Blades has leveled up to level 4!]

As we resume our ready stances, Matylda calls out to us.

“You might want to quit. I think we are getting company.”