Chapter 6: Crimson Blitz

Time left until tournament starts was 5 minutes now.

The waiting room was filled with people, and the atmosphere was tense. The tournament board has been hanged on the curved wall between exits to the arena's pit. This has caused some of the participants to try to scare their opponents, which made the already tense atmosphere even worse.

Only few didn't feel the tension.

One of them was a man ranked fourth in the last tournament. He was tall, muscular man wearing iron armor and two-handed sword on his back. He had short dark hair and a beard, which was braided. He was one of the few people that tried to fight night demons, however the fear he experienced at the showdown was something that broke him. From then onwards he fought to get rid of it. Since he experienced fear of the demons, he didn't feel any pressure from the tournament. He was standing alone in the corner. His name was Garoth.

Second person was a woman. She was rather tall, with long cyan hair tied at the back of her head. She wore normal leather armor and had two guns at her waist. She was one of the people who saw Rantarox's defeat and wanted to fight the person who defeated him. Altrought she couldn't see his face, she was sure he will show up at the tournament. After all, everyone that strong would like to make a name for themselves. However she coulldn't feer the pressure not because of confidence, but because of the guys hitting on her. While she was happily chatting with them, she thought of how she would kill each one of them out in the pit. Her name was Viricide.

Third was the current champion. He had two swords lined up across his back and was wearing leather vest, long breeches and knee-high polished pair of boots. On his hands was also a pair of leather gloves. His equipment was well-preserved. He was chatting with people that went to talk to him. He took that for granted, as he was the current champion after all. However his time in the City of Beginners was nearing it's end, and this would make the last tournament he takes part in. He was talking about the adventures he would have after he got out of here. He was called Lark.

All three of them were mindful of another person, who was bent on hitting scarecrow in the corner. Not because of some amazing speed he displayed, but because of pressure he was giving off. That and his unique race.

The aforementioned person was an Asyrian. He wasn't a standard race like the three – who were: Breijan, a human of the mountains; Dark Elf and a Half-Elf respectively. Right now the person was hitting the scarecrow with his unique combination of katana and a hand-shield, seemingly without any experience. However what the three noticed were round bands around his gloves and boots, which in their eyes were undoubtely weights. They had no idea what they were for, however the man continued his training. He had very long, crimson hair tied by a string matching the colour of his boots.

When the three came to the waiting room, he was already there, hitting the scarecrow. First to come was Viricide, so she knew the most about the man out of them. At first he was moving clumsily. However as the time passed, he seemed to have got used to something and his movements were much more fluid. After that happened, he seemed to smile.

Viricide was intrigued by the man. Not only because of his amazing looks, but also because the man in question was actually her brother.

Viricide's name in real world was Clare, and she was living with her brother, Sebastian, who took care of the money for three years now so that she would be able to study and then go to a good university. However, luck smiled to both of them when Sebastian's lottery ticket he bought to celebrate her exam score turned to be a winner's one.

After that she hid the fact that they won from him and on his 22nd birthday ordered two VRGs so that they could play together later on. She actually saw in action before, which made her blood boil. She decided that she would go down the path of a gunner, imagining herself and her brother together breaking trought hordes of monsters in some ancient dungeon.

That's why she signed up for the tournament. To not be a deadweight. To become strong.

Meanwhile Neriehem was getting used to fighting with 15 bars in each band. So far it was his limit, which still enabled swift enough movements. That would soon end, however he gladly handicapped himself to not reveal who he really is – the savior, as he was labeled as one by the local church.

Soon final five minutes passed. There entered the herald, who started to announce the fighters who were to come out inside the pit. The atmosphere tensed to the maximum. Now everybody stood or sat silent. Neriehem stopped hitting the scarecrow at the same moment as herald came and equipped his chest piece and scarf before heading towards the rest of the players.

This time, for convenience's sake, eventual deaths were unpunished. The loser would revive at the special platform for fallen gladiators once his opponent left the ring. From there they could either leave the arena or watch the rest of tournament. The winners were healed after the battle and left trought either of the gates leading into the pit.

Soon enough was Neriehem's turn. He quickly made his way towards the exit he was supposed to come out from. As he was making his way towards the pit, he heard louder and louder cheers of the audience. Then his way was blocked by a metal gate, closed for now. It seemed that for the sake of making the audience happy, first fights happened one after another. They were craving for blood right now, and because it was the City of Begginers, the fighters changed constantly. As well as the audience, where a part of it came here only to find out how the battle system worked here.

Finally the fight ended. It was a boring one, between two people blindly swinging their weapons at each other. Even the commentator sighed with relief when it was already over.

- AAAAND HERE'S THE END! WHEW, LADIES AND GENTELMAN, I'M SORRY FOR WHAT YOU HAD TO BEAR. THIS WAS THE MOST BORING FIGHT I HAVE EVER SEEN SO FAR, AND BELIEVE ME THAT IS AN ARCHEVEMENT FOR THOSE TWO IN IT'S OWN CATEGORY! HOWEVER, UPCOMING MATCHUP SEEMS TO BE FAR MORE INTERESTING! IT WILL BE A BATTLE BETWEEN ARCHER AND A SWORDSMAN! LET ME PRESENT YOU, FROM THE SOUTH GATE, THE SELF-PROCLAMED DEADLY BOW HAWKEN! LET US SEE, IF HIS ARROWS WILL SING DEATH FOR HIS OPPONENT, NERIEHEM THE CRIMSON BLITZ! LOOK AT HIM, HIS WILL TO FIGHT IS SO STRONG THAT IT SEEMINGLY SET HIM ON FIRE! NOW, LET US WELCOME BOTH FIGHTERS!

- YEEEAAAAAAHHH!

- THAT'S WHAT WE WERE WAITING FOR!

- SHOW US HOW YOU KILLED RANTAROX!

Neriehem was greeted by already familiar sight of thousands pairs of eyes looking at him. However this time nobody was mocking him. The roles reversed, and this time he came from the position of audience's support. However soon he was suprised by information which appeared before him.

You have received new title: Crimson Blitz.This title is the award for showing etraordinary skill during the duel agains Rantarox in the City of Beginners. The audience loved it.In regard to the title received, your skill Blitz has been changed to Crimson Blitz permamently.

Skill Name:Skill Rank:Skill Level:Skill Experience:Crimson BlitzBegginer10%Skill awarded to the owner of Crimson Blitz title. Now besides giving only increase to movement speed, increases attack speed and reaction speed to match it.

Your every movements leaves crimson red lines behind.

You can only use this skill when above 30% of stamina.

With higher skill level more effects will be added.

Cost: 10% max stamina / second

Note: Costs will lower with increased proficiency and training.

Neriehem was suprised. Out of nowhere his precious skill got upgraded from escape version to a battle version. It matched his way of using the skill for extreme offence. He was really glad now that he signed up for this tournament. It awarded him with something amazing.

Meanwhile his opponent was shocked that he has been paired against someone that renowed.

Of course he heard about Rantarox's duel against Neriehem. However he thought that those were overly-exaggerated rumors. Only to see how he was wrong. The public really loved Neriehem for easy victory against their idol. That made them favour Neriehem in his stead. Some of them even went as far as to claim he is the rumored Savior and as the evidence they told of how he bested Rantarox and soon after that killed thousands of demons roaming trought the city. Of course they had no idea it was the truth, however this shows the power of fame.

Hawken had troubles sorting his thoughts. He had no faith in victory.

- LET THE BLOOOOOODBATH BEGIIIIIIIN! - shouted the announcer and arena erupted with cheers. However Neriehem didn't move, giving his oppontn a chance to ready himself. There was no point in attacking confused opponent. Neriehem took the chance to experience fighting handicapped, to prepare for the night. He didn't want to let any of possible battle experience go to waste.

Hawken seeing that Neriehem was disregarding him as a worthy opponent got angry. He quickly forgot the fear he felt before and without any signal started shooting arrows at Neriehem.

The man in question however calmly unsheathed his sword and started deflecting arrows one by one, be it with his katana or his shield. He also started walking towards Hawken.

The archer could see that and started retreating. He noticed that Neriehem was slower then him, which built up his confidence a little. However he was a novice fighter. He focused completely on his opponent, forgetting about his surroundings.

And his situation was dire. He was retreating behind, right towards the edge of the pit. Neriehem knew that the moment Hawken hits the wall will be the moment to dash at him and finish it with the use of his newly aquired skill. He griefed over the loss of levels he had before, however the new version seemed to be much stronger so he didn't mind it at all.

Then came the desired moment. Hawken, caught up in aiming his arrows finally bymped into the wall what distracted him. At the same moment using the moment he created Neriehem used Crimson Blitz.

At once he felt the diffrence. The burden of weights decreased, making his body lighter. He also started seeing everything in slow motion, but felt he could move without any delay. He immediately rushed for the killing blow on the archer and cut his head off. As he built up giant momentum, he couldn't stop before crashing into the wall. So he ran up on it and jumped off, somersaulting to the middle of the pit, landing gracefully. He cancelled the skill and arena broke in cheers.

- THAT WAS AMAZING!

- YOU'RE THE BEST!

- THAT'S WHAT I CAME HERE FOR!

Neriehem however only turned back and headed towards the exit. On the way down he met with Lark. The current champion was pale as he watched seemingly burning victor coming back from the pit. He felt chill running down his spine as he watched in horror his future opponent. Finally he let out single question.

- How did you become so strong?

Neriehem stopped next to him, thinking on the answer.

- I have faced thousands of demons. As the one who knows what the true fear is, and the one who bested it, nobody here is my opponent. But I am still not strong enough. I can feel it – Neriehem looked into Lark's eyes. - That's why I'm going to train even harder. For that reason, I have ordered these weights – Neriehem said, while showing his armbands and anklebands. - Each one of them is unbeliveably heavy. I'm strong because I have the determination to overcome it all – after saying that Neriehem started walking again. - I will show everyone that there's no such a thing as impossible. If you want to reach me – at that point Neriehem turned to frozen Lark – join me today's night. Show me your determination! - After saying that Neriehem faced forward.

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He couldn't see the determination which lit the eyes of the swordsman.

* * *

Two hours passed since the first battle of the tournament started. Neriehem fought 6 battles and was the favorite of the audience. Between battles he was adjusting the burden placed on him because of weights. Thansk to them he has increased his strenght by now and didn't feel so slow.

- Neriehem versus Viricide! Viricide, please go to the left entrance. Neriehem to the right – announced herold.

Both fighters went to their exits. Soon enough they emerged from the exits.

- AAAAAAAND HERE THEY COME! LADIES AND GENTELMEN, THIS PAIR HAS SHOWN US REALLY OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE SO FAR! HEADHUNTER VIRICIDE WITH HER PRECISE AIM TAKING DOWN EVERY ENEMY SO FAR WHILE DANCING AROUND THE PIT! AND NOW SHE'S GOING TO FACE THE ONE AND ONLY CRIMSON BLITZ! WILL HER GUNS, AGILITY AND ACCURACY SAVE HER FROM THE FATE OF THE LOSER? OR WILL STRENGTH OF TRADITION PASSED DOWN TO THE WARRIORS OF THE SWORD PREVAIL?! LET US WELCOOOOOOOME THE FIRST FIGHTER OF THE SEMI-FINAL!!!

- MASSACRE HER NERIEHEM!

- GIVE US ANOTHER HEADSHOT, VIRICIDE!

- YOU'RE THE BEST!

The cheers were overhelming even for Neriehem. The tournament was reaching it's climax by now, and the fights got more and more exciting. It was nothing of the mindless whacking at each other now, the ones who fought were either trained in real life, or talented – like Neriehem.

- LET THE FIGHT BEGIIIIIN!! - screamed announcer and another wave of cheers erupted.

However both fighters didn't waste time and started moving. Viricide leaped to the side and pulled out her guns. She was using metallic pistols. Neriehem had no idea how strong was it's firepower, however he didn't want to find out.

The moment Viricide started to aim, Neriehem started jumping to the side constantly moving towards his opponent, making it harder to aim at him. When he was close, Viricide jumped sideways and started running backwards along the wall. Neriehem made a giant cloud of sand to hide in, and Viricide dropped the idea of shooting at him, instead turning around and running to the opposite side of the pit.

However as she was reaching the middle of the arena, Neriehem appeared before her. He actually ran up on the wall and jumped to the middle, predicting where she would go. After he got out of the sand cloud, he confirmed his suspicion.

- Guess that's about it – he summed up swinging his blade at her.

- Yeah, but it won't end as you expect it to – replied Viricide, leaning backwards and aiming for his head with both of her guns.

Seeing that Neriehem covered his head with his shield. Just in time. He felt two shots hitting it, however he didn't feel any response from his attack. He missed. After he uncovered his head enough to see around him, Viricide dissapeared.

- Checkmate – she said from behind him.

- 'Goddamn... Crimson Blitz!' - thought Neriehem as he heard the sound of shooting pistols. The skill reached level 3 thanks to his experience of using the weaker version. Under the effect of heightened movement, he barely dodged the bullets, as they grazed his skull, bringing his HP down to 70%. After that using the momentum of the dodge, he spinned around and slashed her in two halves horizontally. That was when he heard her say:

- Haha, as expected of my older bro! You're really strong, huh...?

These words stunned him. He felt dusgust at himself for not recognising his own little sister. The audience was cheering at the sight of such a heated battle, however he didn't hear any of it. He didn't even notice Lark looking at him strangely as he was making his way down.

When he arrived, he was given a letter by the herold, who said it was from Viricide. Neriehem quickly went to the table, opened it and started to read.

Dear brother

By the time you read this, our duel must be over.

I'm sorry for not telling you who I am in-game, however I didn't want you to let me win. I know you would. I wanted to face against you as your equal and see how strong I am compared to you. It seems I still have a long way to go. But don't worry, I will catch up to you. And I won't weight you down!

Your dearest sister

Clare

- 'She really knows me well... and she knows how to cheer me up even better! I've got to thank her somehow. Anyway, time to go now' – thought Neriehem, as he heard the his name being announced. He quickly made his way to the arena, focused on the battle before him. By now he ignored the announcer, focusing on the battle before him.

That's because he was fighting fully weighted down.

- 'This is going to be difficult, I really crossed the border now. Hell, I might even lose now... Wait. I can't lose here. Not when Clare is watching me. I owe it her.'

- AAAAAAND NOW! THE FINAL MATCH OF THE DAY STARTS!

Everybody cheered. However none of the fighters made any move. For now they watched each other carefully. However Lark was the one to make the first move. He rushed at Neriehem, keeping both of his swords low and together. When he got close enough, he slashed horizontally at Neriehem, who barely dodged. However this wasn't the end.

Lark wasn't champion trought luck. He trained diligently at the sword dojo since he was little. His favourite combination was two indentical swords. And that's what he was using right now. His greatest offence at the same time was his greatest defence.

In the meantime Neriehem was busy dodging the attacks. He was barely making it with all the weight on him, however he was somehow managing this. It was because Clare, no, Viricide was watching. He couldn't let himself get hit even once this match. This is what he promised himself.

Neriehem continued dodging for some time before he felt that he got much lighter compared to before. His physical stats growth was astounding compared to other players. That is all because of his race's special trait as well as his hellish training method. And tonight he was going to take it up for another step.

Of course he didn't only increase his stats. If it was the only reason for his strenght, he would be half as strong has he is right now. That's because during fights under very heavy burden he kept searching for ways to get rid of useless movement. It's very well known that for reaching the pinnacle of martial arts, the practicioneers trained in order to get rid of it. Altrought his methods were harsh, Neriehem was doing the same.

The reason for that is his discovery about the way to minimize costs of skills. It all started when he found out that by using terrain to hide his otherwise easy to spot body, the upkeep cost would decrease. He concluded that he could lower the cost of his other skills, and mainly Blitz – now Crimson Blitz – as this was his main source of strength.

That is why when he felt that he was ready to face the night while burdened, he stopped only dodging. He quickly took over the flow of the battle under his control and after quick exchange he pierced Lark's heart. The defeated man looked over in shock, but then he understood what happened and smiled at his defeat. Then his body fell on the ground and dissapeared into dust.

After that came award ceremony. Neriehem quickly got bored of never-ending talks and asked to skip it. He added that he is going to relinquish the title of champion, so all this talk is going to be for naught anyway. That seemed to shup up the arena's chief as he simply handed over the prize money. Neriehem thanked for his consideration and left, announcing that he hereby relinquishes the title of City of Beginners' Arena's Champion.

He wanted to meet up with Viricide really bad.

* * *

When he found her, she was heading to the gunners' range. He was about to stop her, when somebody caught his shoulder.

- I will join you this night – said Lark.

- That's fine, I wouldn't mind even if thousands of you were to join. That's your choice, as long as you don't get in my way. Now excuse me, I have to go no...

- I want to join too – said someone else, coming closer. When Neriehem looked at him, he saw that the one who said it was Garoth.

- Garoth, was it? I already said that I don't mind anybody joining as long as they don't get in my way. But I really am in hurry, so leave me alone okay? Maybe find some baackalley so that you won't be overwhelmed by sheer amount of demons. That's what I plan to do later on as well. Now, if you'd excuse me... - said Neriehem as he quickly left them to catch up with Viricide.

- Wait up! - he shouted. She immediately stopped and turned around. On her face was palced forced smile.

- Hey there big brother, you're really strong huh? I really need to train a lot before reaching your strength. Speaking of which, how did you get so strong?

- So you really think of that, huh... Well I trained with weights on for ten days straight with 4 hours of sleep every day. That's why I wasn't logging out for so long.

- Oh, I see...

- But you shouldn't do that to those extremes. I found a faster way, but for that you need a certain amount of strength. And willpower.

- Really? What's that? Please, tell me. Tell me! - she begged him, finally abandoning the smile and showing serious expression with her eyes lit with determination.

- Come with me during the night. I'm going to hunt those demons. Last time it gave me tremendous increase to the stats, and it should give it you too. If you manage to get trought the first encounter, you will be fine. It's mostly the fear that they insist in us that makes them strong.

- R-really? That's great!

- Yeah. You know, I think that to increase your training efficiency you should get yourself made identical weights as I have. This way you will be able to control how heavy they are, increasing the burden the stronger you will get.

- All right, lead the way.

And so the siblings went around the shops ordering necessary items, as well as ammunition for Viricide. Neriehem got his equipment repaired in the meantime, and both of them were ready for the night to come.

As NPCs were used to going to their houses at nighttime, they didn't mind it at all when guards were ordering everybody go to inside. Players however rebelled, saying that they saw the bodies of slain demons dissapearing into smoke as the sunlight shone of them. However guards insisted that nothing is too sure and that danger was still around. Hearing that, most of the players – especially weak ones – listened to them and headed to safety.

Some however stayed on the streets, wanting to prove that it's safe.

They were all wrong.

The EndPrevious ChapterNext Chapter

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Wow, I spent whole day writing and ended up with only 2 chapters.

Originally I planned to make some extra to post them regularly, however your reactions made me abandon the thought and post it right away! Feel your power! :grin:

All right, that was a joke. However, I really plan on making releases of the chapters regular someday. However it won't be soon I feel. To do that I will have to write at least three extra just to be on a safe side.

Well then, I hope you will bear with the randomness until then!