I immediately back step to create bit of distance from instructor Zirk. This is to widen my field of vision to anticipate his movement. Suddenly, instructor Zirk shorten the gap by a short dash and thrust his dagger in my chest. I know my instructor Zirk has higher speed than mine but I didn’t expect it to be very fast. I can’t even barely dodged it.

As expected of an instructor in this training hall. He is much stronger and faster than any prey I have encountered.

“A hunter must always respect the prowess of his prey and never underestimate its capability, huh.” I mumbled.

“What’s wrong Venri? Getting cold feet?” Instructor Zirk mocked.

“Of course not. I was just admiring how this fight will go on from now on.” I reply.

“Good. Now, here I go.”

Just like before, he instantly dash like an arrow into my direction but I can see you clearly now.

“Mimicry No. 48: Sidewinder”

The family of hunters, Jaegers, have a strange philosophy that, “Humans are just compilation of different species of fauna but are just hidden deep among their various talents”. To uncover this hidden talent of humans, the first hunter of Jaeger family observed and mimicked the behaviour and talents of every animals and insects he found along the way. It is then passed down to the heir of the family and expanded the discovery but not one of the past heirs was able to mimic completely the discovery of the first hunter. Well, no one except Ark. He was able to tap the essence of the animal kingdom and brought to it increase his hunting prowess. Too bad he was born in this era.

Zirk’s POV

“What?!” I exclaimed.

There is a not one but three wounds in my body after that encounter. I did never dream that this beginner was be able to wound me. Maybe I did really underestimate him just because his just a kid and on top of that he is just a beginner. But then when I looked at his eyes, a chilling presence bit my soul. I, Zirk the Slayer, felt fear to this kid?

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“This is great, Venri!! I never would have thought you can wound me not only once but thrice and on top to that, consecutively. I never have an enemy that was able to achieve this feat.” I yelled at Venri with exhilaration.

“You praise me so much. “ I replied while laughing lightly.

How long did passed when I am excited with a duel? Well, whatever. I’ll go all out now. This statement really embarrass me that I call myself a legendary. I can’t even gauge my opponent’s prowess in a single glance. I should abdicate my position as a legendary after I teach this kid all the skills I know. And maybe go to a journey to retrain myself.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

“Mimicry No. 34: Wolf Spider”

Just how it sounds, mimicking wolf spider is just a simple dash and stab action at a glance. Unknown to others, mimicking a wolf spider is very dangerous to body due to excessive muscle workout. It is not surprising that it may tore apart your muscle fibers and ligament upon mimicry. Good thing this is Virtual World, it would be able to use my techniques without obstruction.

“This is really exciting!!” Instructor Zirk exclaimed.

“Here, take this!! Ora ora ora ora!!.” Instructor Zirk aggressively lunge at me.

Instructor Zirk is getting stronger and stronger as duel goes on. If I prolong this duel any longer, it may spell mu defeat.

“I think it’s time to end this duel.” I mumbled.

“Your attacks are becoming sloppy. Are you tired? Then, stand still and received this!!” instructor Zirk yelled as he cross-slash and turn his dagger thrust it to my chest. But sorry, Instructor Zirk. It is my win.

“Mimicry No. 46: Boa Constrictor.”

I grabbed this protruding arm that was used to stab me. I circle around his back while holding his arm and lock it on his back. And mimicking a boa, I tangled his body with mine to stopped him from moving and constricting his whole body.

“Mimicry No. 31: Black widow.”

Similar to a prey captured in a web, I struck his neck with dagger copying the spider’s bite to end its prey.

[System: Duel end.]

[You win.]

I loosen and withdraw my dagger from my instructor’s neck. Then, I bow to my instructor to show respect.

“Thank you for the duel!!”

“It is nothing. It was for me to know your strengths and weakness. I never thought you were much stronger.” Instructor Zirk praised me.

“It was just luck sir.” I humble myself.

Of course, it was just luck. There were many problems when I was executing my techniques. One of it was my low stats. When I was executing the techniques earlier there some dissonance and now I figured that it was due to my beginner stats. I maybe have high SPD but it was not enough to completely execute it. I guess I needed to level up and increase my stats.

“Well, let’s leave as that. We still have to see your excellence in [BOW]. Are you ready?”

Oh, yeah. I forgot about the bow. I was to absorbed in the duel earlier.

“I’m ready sir!!” I replied excitedly.