The dawn light gently filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow in the room. Hikaru stirred, slowly awakening to the new day. He stretched, feeling the lingering tension from the previous night’s conversation still woven into his muscles. The room was quiet, with only the faint sounds of Lydia preparing for the day. She was already up, methodically checking her gear and making sure everything was in order.
Hikaru took a moment to gather his thoughts, the weight of their upcoming mission pressing down on him. Lydia glanced over, and they exchanged a brief nod, both fully aware of the danger their mission brought without needing to say a word.
After getting ready, they made their way to the hotel lobby where Anne was waiting for them at a table in the restaurant. She greeted them with a warm smile and gestured for them to join her.
“Good morning,” Anne said, her tone cheerful despite the early hour. “Feeling better now, Lydia? You seemed unwell yesterday.”
Lydia smiled reassuringly. “Sorry about that. I just had a bit of a disagreement with something I ate. I’m feeling much better now.”
Hikaru and Lydia took their seats and ordered breakfast. As they waited for their food to arrive, Anne initiated a conversation.
“We’ll be heading to the skinwalker village after breakfast,” she began. “Hikaru, are you mentally prepared for today’s fight? I’m sorry that you’re the only one who has to fight in this mission while we can only support you from behind,” she said, wanting to ascertain his condition.
“Don’t worry, I’m always ready!” Hikaru replied confidently.
Anne nodded. “Remember, as we discussed last night, you can only use physical skills. Using anything else will result in an automatic loss,” she reminded him.
The waiter soon arrived with their breakfast, and they ate quickly, the gravity of their mission making the food taste almost secondary. As they finished their meal, Anne drained the last drop of ale from her glass and set it down with a thud, signaling it was time to leave.
“Let’s get going,” she said, standing up and shouldering her pack. “The sooner we reach the village, the better.”
Hikaru and Lydia followed her lead, their determination mirrored in their expressions. Together, they exited the hotel, ready to face whatever challenges awaited them in the mysterious and dangerous skinwalker village.
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As the sun climbed toward its zenith, Anne’s group set out toward the skinwalker village. The path wound through dense forest, the air thick with the scent of pine and the distant calls of unseen creatures. The atmosphere was tense, each member of the group lost in their own thoughts, preparing for the encounter ahead.
Suddenly, the rustle of leaves and the snap of twigs broke the silence. Three firefang canine-type beasts emerged from the underbrush, their breath tinged with hints of fire.The creatures moved with deadly grace, their presence imposing and threatening. Hikaru and Lydia immediately sprang into action, their weapons drawn and stances ready for battle.
Anne quickly raised her hand to signal them to stop. “Wait,” she said calmly. “They recognize me.”
The firefangs’ bodies began to shimmer, their forms blurring and shifting. Before their eyes, the beasts transformed into humanoid figures, their naked bodies covered by firefang pelts. The transformation was seamless, a display of unfamiliar ability that left the group momentarily stunned.
“Skinwalkers,” Hikaru muttered under his breath.
The lead skinwalker stepped forward, a sly grin on his lips. “Fancy seeing you here, Anne. What brings you to our territory?”
“Don’t play dumb,” Anne retorted. “Someone from your village stole the Cloak of Shadow again. We need to speak with your village head.”
The skinwalkers exchanged amused glances. “We really have no idea,” the lead skinwalker said with a mock-innocent tone, his grin widening. “But if you want to meet with the head, follow us.”
With that, the skinwalkers turned and led the group deeper into the forest, the path growing darker and more foreboding with each step. They walked until the group emerged from the dense forest into a clearing that revealed the skinwalker village. It was a small settlement with a population of fewer than a thousand people. The village had a rustic charm, with wooden houses and pathways that seemed to blend seamlessly with the natural surroundings. In the center of the village stood a small genesis tree, its branches spreading wide and casting a protective shadow over its surroundings.
Humans, beasts, beastmen, and skinwalkers moved about and mingled harmoniously, a stark contrast to what you typically find outside the village.
Anne, Hikaru, and Lydia followed the skinwalkers down the main path, which led directly to a large house at the end of the village. This house stood elevated, overseeing the entire village like a guardian. It was clear this was where the village head resided.
As they approached the house, Hikaru couldn’t help but feel a mix of anticipation and apprehension as the true test of his fighting prowess was imminent. Inside the modest wooden house, the atmosphere was tense yet respectful. Anne, with her determined gaze, faced the village head—a weathered elder with an air of authority.
“Chief Rorak,” Anne began, her voice steady yet assertive, “we’ve come about the Cloak of Shadow. It’s disappeared again, and this time, it’s the third occurrence.”
Chief Rorak nodded gravely, his eyes betraying a hint of concern. “Anne, we found it in the forest, near the outskirts,” he explained, while displaying the dark, shimmering cloak. “One of our villagers stumbled upon it.”
Anne frowned, her brows knitting together in frustration. “This can’t keep happening, Chief. It’s crucial to our trust and stability.”
Chief Rorak sighed deeply, his expression softening slightly. “You might not want to believe me, but I also didn’t want this to happen. But rules are rules, as you already know. According to our village tradition, disputes over such matters are settled through a duel. It’s the only fair way to determine the truth,” he said, feigning innocence.
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Anne’s jaw tightened, knowing she had no other choice. The duel was a serious affair, not just a test of physical skill but a trial of honor and justice in the village. She glanced back at Hikaru, silently entrusting him with the mission to win over the Cloak of Shadow for her.
Chief Rorak emerged from his house and headed toward the podium in the village square, while his aides gathered all the villagers who were currently in the village. With a solemn expression, Chief Rorak raised his hand, signaling for silence. Gradually, the bustling village square quieted as curious faces turned toward him.
“My fellow villagers,” Chief Rorak’s voice echoed through the clearing with a tone of authority. “Today, our honored guest Anne has initiated a trial to reclaim her Cloak of Shadow.”
He paused, letting his words sink in before continuing, “In accordance with our village’s custom, any items found in the forest belong to the one who picked them up. However, Anne claims her Cloak was stolen, not lost. As per our tradition, such disputes are settled through an unarmed duel to determine who is in the right. She has chosen a human as her representative.” He gestured toward Hikaru, who stood beside Anne with a focused demeanor. “Is there anyone among us willing to step forward to defend our village’s honor?”
The air was tense with anticipation as the villagers exchanged glances. After a moment of hesitation, an adult skinwalker stepped forward, his expression resolute. “I, Dylan, will defend our village’s honor,” he declared, his voice steady and unwavering.
Chief Rorak nodded approvingly. “Very well. Let it be known that Hikaru, champion of Anne, and Dylan, defender of our village, will meet in the arena.”
The villagers murmured among themselves as the stage was set for the duel, the weight of upholding their tradition and honor hanging heavily in the air. Hikaru stood on one side of the stone platform, having entrusted his unnecessary equipment to Lydia for safekeeping. On the opposite side stood Dylan, a Bamborean Lunarhowler skinwalker about a head taller than Hikaru, wearing only his Lunarhowler pelt. The referee took his place in the center of the stone platform, ready to oversee the duel.
As the referee initiated the match, Hikaru and Dylan closed in on each other in the middle of the ring. Hikaru assumed a Karate stance, a typical Bailey Military fighting posture, while Dylan adopted a boxing stance, his fists raised and ready.
They circled each other warily, the crowd silent with anticipation. Dylan made the first move, launching a quick jab at Hikaru with a chi-covered fist.
*Whoosh* Hikaru deflected the punch with a swift parry, countering with a low kick with his chi-covered leg aimed at Dylan’s left leg.
*Whoosh* Dylan dodged nimbly, his agility evident in his quick movements.
Hikaru pressed the attack, using a series of rapid strikes and kicks to keep Dylan on the defensive.
*Smack -Wham –Wham* Dylan absorbed the blows with surprising resilience, using his boxing skills to counter with powerful punches whenever he saw an opening.
*Bam –Pow* Dylan’s punches were faster and stronger, often overpowering Hikaru. But Hikaru, with his quick reflexes, persistently blocked the attacks using his chi-covered hands, weakening the impact of each blow on his head.
Dylan’s ferocity was apparent as he relentlessly attacked, his blows pushing Hikaru back. However, Hikaru’s tenacity shone through as he blocked and occasionally countered with a low kick to Dylan’s unguarded left leg, using his chi-covered limb.
*Thud – Wham* each counter from Hikaru was precise, targeting the same spot on Dylan’s left leg.
The duel was fierce, a test of skill and endurance. Dylan’s skinwalker abilities gave him an edge. However, Hikaru’s disciplined attacks, precise movements, and higher chi-reserve, as a result of being a human-lord and his regular training with Lydia, were evident, allowing him to persist despite Dylan’s superior physical attributes.
As Hikaru stepped back, Dylan pressed on with his relentless assault. But just as Dylan lunged forward, his left leg suddenly gave out, causing him to stumble and fall to the ground. Seizing the opportunity, Hikaru moved in swiftly, intent on delivering a decisive blow on the kneeling Dylan.
Before Hikaru could strike, a one meter sword made of chi materialized from Dylan’s right hand.
*Whoosh* Dylan quickly used it to slash at Hikaru, the blade slicing through the air towards him. Reacting with instinctive reflexes, Hikaru jumped backward, while blocking the attack with his chi-covered hands.
The blade cut deeply into Hikaru’s flesh, narrowly missing his bones as he managed to leap out of harm’s way just in time.
*Swish* Dylan followed with a flying slash attack using the chi-formed sword, despite still kneeling due to his injured left leg. Hikaru blocked it with his chi-covered hand once more, but this time the slash only did minimal damage, barely grazing the skin of his chi-covered hands.
Outside the battle platform, Lydia confronted Rorak, the village chief, her concern evident on her face. “Chief Rorak, how can Dylan use a sword like that?” she demanded, her voice tinged with worry.
Rorak sighed, his expression grave. “The sword Dylan wields is formed from his own chi. It is considered an extension of his abilities, not an external weapon,” he explained calmly, hoping to assuage Lydia’s concerns.
Lydia clenched her fists in frustration, her silence betraying her anger as she glanced back at the ongoing duel, where Hikaru faced off against Dylan.
Hikaru became more cautious and kept his distance as he realized he couldn’t block the chi-formed sword with his chi-covered hands. Fortunately for him, the sword vanished after delivering the flying slash attack, leaving both of them momentarily frozen in the tense silence of the arena.
‘Luckily, Dylan didn’t start off with that chi-formed sword, or I’d be in trouble. How am I supposed to beat him without any long-range physical attack skills? Do I risk closing the distance, knowing that sword could pop up again?’ Hikaru pondered to himself.
Dylan slowly got up, putting all his weight on his right leg. He was panting heavily after using one chi technique after another. Unlike physical fights on Earth, which can extend for a long time, physical fights in this world between regular orbies are usually faster due to the application of special skills that use chi, which is very draining.
As Dylan regained his footing, Hikaru observed his opponent carefully, looking for any signs of fatigue or openings. With Dylan panting heavily and favoring his right leg, Hikaru seized the moment. He feinted a charge, drawing Dylan’s attention, then swiftly sidestepped and closed the distance.
Using his agility and speed, Hikaru delivered a series of low kicks aimed at Dylan’s weakened left leg with his chi-covered leg.
*Wham –Whack* each strike was calculated, exploiting Dylan’s vulnerability.
Dylan attempted to block and counter, but his movements were slower now, his chi reserves drained from earlier attacks. Hikaru pressed on, driving Dylan back towards the edge of the platform.
Cornered and desperate, Dylan summoned another chi-formed sword from his right hand and slashed at Hikaru with renewed vigor.
[Phoenix Wings: Activate] (L1 Fire Sovereign innate skill)
[Phoenix Wings: Wing Protection] (L1 Fire Sovereign Innate Skill)
Hikaru blocked the blade with his phoenix wings, which were now completely gone after defending him and pushing Dylan back in the process.
Taking advantage of Dylan’s momentary imbalance due to having only one functioning leg, Hikaru countered with a swift push kick. The force of the kick caught Dylan off guard, causing him to lose his balance and tumble backward off the platform.
The referee, his expression reluctant yet decisive, declared Hikaru the victor as Dylan tumbled from the platform, eliciting gasps of surprise and disbelief from the villagers. Hikaru stood, chest heaving with adrenaline, as Anne and Lydia hurried forward to celebrate his hard-earned triumph.
After Hikaru’s victory was determined, Anne swiftly made her way over to Rorak, the village chief, determination etched on her face. She approached him with a firm and unwavering voice, demanding the return of her Cloak of Shadow. Reluctantly acknowledging the outcome of the duel, Rorak handed the cloak back to her, though his eyes betrayed a hint of resentment. Anne accepted it with a nod of thanks, directing her gratitude towards Hikaru.
“Thank you, Hikaru,” Anne said with genuine appreciation. “Because of you, I won’t have to explain to my master about the missing artifact.” Hikaru nodded in acknowledgment, relieved that their mission had been successful.
As they exchanged words of gratitude, Lydia stepped forward, handing his belongings back to him along with a healing potion. “Here, Hikaru,” she said with a small smile, “you fought well. This healing potion should help with any lingering wounds.”
Hikaru took the items gratefully, nodding his thanks to Lydia. The weight of the duel’s intensity began to lift, replaced by a sense of accomplishment and camaraderie among the group.
Meanwhile, unbeknownst to all, a familiar crow perched silently on one of the village rooftops, its keen eyes fixed unwaveringly on the intense duel unfolding between Hikaru and Dylan. From the first clash to the final decisive moment, the crow remained a silent observer, its presence hinting that someone related to Kaito had already discovered Hikaru’s unexplained fighting prowess, a secret Hikaru intended to keep hidden.