image [https://cdn.midjourney.com/aeba16b6-61f6-4115-b152-e5a86f1d4509/0_3.png]

"No more intruders. You heard my condition. State yours," Ludwing said. "

"It's simple. If I win, I'll kill you," Vincent promised. Inside, he wasn't so sure of himself. The Shaman's prophecy stated he either had to submit to Corvinus or die.

Ludwing smirked. "In your dreams. You called for a duel. I chose the weapons."

Shit… he'll choose a rapier or some fancy shit… Vincent panicked.

"I chose the noble art of Bartitsu."

"What?" Vincet slackjawed. “You want to go mano a mano?”

“Like gentlemen,” Ludwing nodded.

The choice played in Vincent’s favor. Yet why would Ludwing accept being at a disadvantage? When he tried to read the King's class and stats, Arcane Intuition showed only question marks.

"Try not to destroy the furniture," Ludwing's sidekick said, pushing a few objects next to the wall.

"I have perfect control over my abilities," Ludwing sneered. "Are you ready?"

Vincent stored his weapon and nodded. "Ready."

The duel will begin in ten seconds. Cheating on the rules will tag you as a Criminal, and the System will issue a Dead or Alive bounty on your head. Start!

Ludwing rushed at him, arm raised, palm opened, preparing a haymaker slap. Anticipating, Vincent readied himself to deliver a jab to the chin. He hit only air. The king’s slap threw him back, sliding onto the floor until he hit the door, breaking it.

"C'mon!" the minion complained.

"That's no furniture," Ludwing answered.

What the fuck? Vincent thought. He Strode into the King's back, delivering a hit to the kidney. Ludwing yawned, allowing Vincent to hit him repeatedly. Then, he stomped his foot back, aiming for Vincent's toes. Fortunately, the young man's instinct saved his bones from being crushed. The King's foot left an inch-deep indentation in the floor.

"You didn't look like a Body type," Vincent said, keeping his distance, his mind frantically searching for a solution.

"All my stats are maxed through hard work," Ludwing said. "Running a week without stopping to drink or to eat, breaking my bones on purpose… Surrender."

"Never," Vincent blurted, only to hit the wall and slide between a chair and a desk. Another slap that he didn't see coming. He grabbed the furniture and threw it at the King.

"That’s not allowed!" Ludwing wiggled his index. He stepped forward and engaged Vincent in a boxing and kicking match.

There was no flaw in the king's technique. He was going easy on Vincent, and that enraged the younger man. He tried to kick Ludwing's throat, then his balls, but Corvinus was the most slippery adversary he had ever fought. Even when Striding, the king anticipated Vincent's moves flawlessly.

"I'll give you a minute to think about it," Ludwing said, kicking Vincent in the gut, then walking to the desk to pour himself a drink. “Then, gloves come off.”

As he hit the wall again, Vincent felt bile gathering in his mouth. He spat it on the carpet on purpose, making the pale minion protest. Something was wrong. The King didn't move like a normal human. No matter how good a fighter was, they would have taken a hit or two. Corvinus had been untouched.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

There was only one explanation: Ludwing used some sort of magic. Vincent had to use magic, too… but he had none… The available funds were three tokens. Bolts were out because of the duel's rule. Imbuing light or darkness damage to his hits was his only option. Which one to choose? His mind was feverish under the pain, his ribs aching… Was light a counter to Ludwing? He certainly was a dark type of person.

Ultimately, he took Dark Damage because he had already trained Cloak of Darkness, hoping the new skill would unlock at a higher level. He was going to fight fire with fire. It was a long shot, but he had nothing to lose anymore…

You have acquired Dark Damage. Imbue into your attacks, including ranged ones (Active, Elite tier) +0.5% damage per skill level. Current damage: + 10% over base damage. Current skill level: 20. Consumes 10 MPs per hit.

Ludwing's voice reminded him the fight was still on. "Have you made up your mind?"

Saying a silent prayer, Vincent rose. There was only one more thing to do: increase his damage even more.

Name Buff changed. Velasco name selected. Blessing of the Raven: You now have +10 in Spirit. Your Dark Damage is increased by 10%. Darkness spells have an increased effect. Correction: Arcane Intuition and Blessing of the Raven unlock the Use of Dark Artifacts (normally restricted). Darkness spells have a doubled effect.

Dark Artifact detected: Sovereign's Ring of Supremacy, Unique. The ring you wear makes everything related to Dark or Shadow abilities perform a tier higher.

I'm an idiot! The prophecy wasn't about submitting to Corvinus. It was to embrace MY dark abilities.

The space around Vincent changed, a thin, dark fog filling the room. They were in a pocket universe; he knew it, but now, he could see it. Kiara and Brindabella were screaming at each other on one side of the room.

"I warned him!" the girl yelled. "I did everything in my power, but he's just dumb!"

Guess I should pay more attention to what Archetypes say…

Hubris was stretched on the floor, unconscious. Overlapping with Ludwing's body was a shadow, a human silhouette with a large beak. The Raven…

"You dare wear my name and power?" the shadow cawed.

"I wear my name. You dare cheat?" Vincent sneered back. It was clear the Archetype was enhancing Ludwing's body.

The shadow and Ludwing dashed at Vincent. The fight recommenced and was even more brutal, but now, Vincent could see what was happening. The Raven was twisting Ludwing's hits, stretching the man's members to parry or land hits.

"You fuckster!" Vincent smashed his fist on Ludwing's jaw. Both man and raven cawed, projected back, spitting blood and a tooth.

Vincent began to wear his adversary down, bit by bit. He was better at anticipating hits, even if twisted unnaturally. He accepted trading blows if it meant hurting the king.

Soon, the main problem revealed itself by examining the red, green, and blue lines Arcane Intuition showed over Ludwing's head. The king limped, with an eye swollen shut, but his Mana and Health were still three-quarters full. Thrice as much as Vincent. The only positive was the Stamina; he had plenty while Ludwing was low. If he avoided most hits, he could wear his foe down and—

Shaking his head, Vincent banished the thought. This was not a computer game. A lucky shot, an unknown spell, anything could turn the tables on him. He put himself in his adversary's shoes. What would he do if he was Ludwing, with more Mana but less Stamina? Wait until he fainted? No, he would use a devastating spell or strike as soon he'd noticed the opponent had become predictable.

Feigning a haymaker, Vincent teleported behind Ludwing in the middle of the motion. He grabbed the king’s neck in a vice, activating Iron Grip. He couldn't control the foe's arms and legs, and for a moment, he got elbowed in the ribs and stomped on his toes. Nevertheless, Vincent pulled Corvinus to the ground, choking him. No matter how much Ludwing struggled, he was slowly but inexorably dying.

"We'll… go… together…" Shifting his head in one of those twisted moves, Ludwing bit hard on Vincent's forearm.

The Raven has inflicted an incurable Curse on you. Your Mana has been corrupted. Time until ceased existence: 10 seconds.

Vincent squeezed harder, trying to break the trachea. He wanted to make sure Ludwing would die before he did. The poison was spreading in his body, burning. His senses began to dull, his muscles to weaken, except for the Iron Grip in his arms. The archetypes were screaming things he didn't care about. A second before the countdown finished, Ludwing's body became limp, and a blinding light engulfed them.