"Heh, if you say so." Time mocked with a smirk, his eyes glinting mischievously. Time raised his arm, the fabric of his sleeve billowing in the air, and pointed theatrically towards the announcer's booth. The announcer's voice echoed through the arena, building anticipation, "Alright! Guess this is happening, huh?! The final showdown, a free-for-all between the finalists! Who will come out on top?! The swordsman, the overcomer, or the overwhelmer?!"
As the crowd roared with excitement, Time's grin widened. He's a battle-hungry bastard through and through. I shifted my gaze to my left and saw Kayuga dig his heels into the ground. In a split second, the arena was feeling the power power as he drew his sword, the gleaming blade catching the light. With unparalleled speed, he dashed towards me, his sword poised for a lethal strike.
Reacting instinctively, I placed my arms behind me, bending backward and extending my right leg with precision. The air whistled as Kayuga's sword sliced through the space where my neck had been just moments before. Seizing the opportunity, I landed a swift blow to his chin with my sole, causing him to flip in mid-air. A spray of blood escaped from his mouth, and a small red welt marked the impact.
As I gracefully finished my flip and stood back up, Kayuga somersaulted multiple times in the air, showcasing an impressive display of acrobatics. In a swift motion, he extended his foot, expertly recovering himself. With a strong grip on his sword handle, he held it like a throwing spear and hurled it with all his might in my direction, the blade slicing through the air like a deadly projectile. I swiftly raised my cross arm guard soon thereafter, attempting to shield myself from the impending danger. The resounding impact of the thrown sword against my guard was jarring; it landed in the perfect spot, right in the middle. The force behind it was formidable, breaking through the barrier of my defense and cracking my bone upon impact. It became painfully clear that attempting to block had been a grave mistake.
Seizing the advantage, Kayuga, undeterred by my defensive effort, executed a right straight punch with incredible power. The motion created another intense air current, amplifying the already charged atmosphere. In a matter of seconds, he soared right in front of me, his agility defying what his stats said. The mastery of his techniques are above even the Blaze Dragon! With an agile maneuver, he effortlessly snatched the sword from my guard with his right hand, a move that inflicted a more profound pain than the initial slash.
Switching the katana to his left hand, Kayuga's palm faced the sky as he maintained an unyielding grip on the weapon. I instinctively staggered backward, attempting to create distance, but the force exerted by him pulling out the sword took its toll, leaving me off balance. His voice echoed through the arena as he declared, "Raijuku Family Technique #6: Celestial Lotus Separation!" This is bad!
Doing at least something, I adjusted my guard, positioning my arms perpendicular to one another diagonally, strategically blocking most of my vital areas. However, Kayuga's skill was evident as he sliced his sword upward to my left, effortlessly cutting through my skin. My guard proved futile against the precision of his strike, and the air itself seemed to resist his blade. The force behind the attack was staggering, shattering my defense. The air current generated reached extraordinary heights, even piercing the clouds above. Kayuga's movements became significantly faster, culminating in his technique that surpassed his stats — he activated Flash already!
In the aftermath of the intense exchange, I realized just because I have a bit of higher stats against somebody, doesn't mean I can go easy on them. I swiftly swiped both of my arms left and right, clearing the blood that adorned them. In a display of controlled strength, I flexed my muscles, a makeshift attempt to staunch the bleeding and regain composure.
Meanwhile, Kayuga, recognizing the need for a strategic retreat, sheathed his sword and forcefully pushed his left leg against the ground, creating a calculated distance between us. However, my resolve hardened – I wouldn't allow him a moment of respite. With a burst of speed, I lunged forward, grabbing hold of his tie with my right arm. With a smirk, I questioned him, "Ever been slammed before?" My arm rose skyward, holding him aloft for a fleeting moment before I bellowed, "Hard Slam!"
In a decisive motion, I threw my arm downward, my upper body following suit. Kayuga descended face-first, the impact poised to deliver significant damage. The force of the slam caused his face to collide with the material beneath, the distinct sound of impact echoing through the arena. Cracks appeared on the surface, and blood immediately streamed down his nose, leaving a visible mark of the powerful maneuver. Undeterred, Kayuga quickly seized the ground with his right hand, gripping a handful of rubble. With a swift motion, he hurled it backward towards me, aiming for my face. Reacting with agility, I swiped away the debris, but as I redirected my focus, I realized Kayuga had maneuvered himself swiftly to the side of Time, ready for the next phase of the intense confrontation.
Kayuga, undeterred by the blood oozing from his left nostril, defiantly put his thumb up against it, blowing out more blood with a mix of determination and frustration. Meanwhile, Time stood in a nonchalant posture, displaying only a passing interest in the unfolding spectacle. In a burst of frustration, Kayuga directed his ire towards Time, demanding, "Are you going to do something, Time?!" Time, with a carefree demeanor, casually glanced at him and replied, "No, haha. You finish him." A sense of injustice simmered within me; the announcer had declared a free-for-all, yet this was a two versus one. Well, not like I blamed them, I did call them out.
Amidst the charged atmosphere, a spectator's heckle pierced through the air, "Destroy him, Kayuga! Are you going to fail the family yet again?!" The voice echoed with a mix of expectation and mockery, highlighting the weight of family expectations that bore down on Kayuga's shoulders. My eyes caught sight of a tall man in a traditional brown Japanese kimono on the second floor, positioned to my upper left. You don't see that in America often. The heckle seemed to further fuel Kayuga's fury. As my gaze shifted back towards him, his face bore the marks of intense displeasure. Loki's earlier observations about his family situation echoed in my mind. He was right. The arena wasn't just witnessing a physical battle; it was Kayuga fighting against his familial expectations.
In response to the heckling, Kayuga's frustration boiled over, and he shouted, "Stay out of this, dad, you old geezer! I'll show you..." His movements became deliberate; he stretched his left leg outward while his right bent, creating a dynamic stance. His hand rested assertively on top of his sword, in a drawing stance that hinted at impending action. Under his breath, he muttered, "Raijuku Family Technique #4: Flashing Blitz Pierce!"
The atmosphere crackled with anticipation as Kayuga swiftly transitioned, changing his stance in a sudden, unpredictable manner. The sword emerged from its sheath, held close to his chest similar to a rapier stance as he dashed forward with astonishing speed. The arena seemed to blur as he spun in mid-air, creating a whirlwind effect that hinted at the impending intensity of his attack. In the final moments of the acrobatic display, he assumed a superman pose, suspended off the ground, sword extended in a thrusting motion.
Stolen story; please report.
As the whirlwind of motion and technique culminated, Kayuga directed the pointed tip of his sword with precision, aiming directly at my solar plexus.
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Soul: 220 (-20)
Skills:
Lvl. 1 Speed Booster - Increase your speed by 150% for three seconds. 20 soul to use, one minute cooldown. (Activated) The one minute cooldown has commenced.
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I need to use the skill. I placed my hand right where the blade would make contact, allowing my open palm to clash with the oncoming sword. You keep surprising me. Despite the excruciating pain, I maintained my resolve. My hand, now completely pierced, bore the brunt of the attack, the blade penetrating even through the bone. Yet, miraculously, my hand had successfully halted the sword's progression. I grasped the blade firmly, causing more blood to spurt out but preventing any further movement.
Kayuga, realizing the deadlock, attempted to pull the sword out, but my grip remained unyielding. Through the pain, I remarked, "That was good, Kayuga. Your dad would be proud." Despite the intense struggle and pain, there was a note of genuine admiration in my voice.
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Soul: 200 (-20)
Skills:
Lvl. 1 Strength Booster - Increase your strength by 150% for three seconds. 20 soul to use, one minute cooldown. (Activated) The one minute cooldown has commenced.
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I raised my left arm, bending the elbow as I clenched my fist tightly, preparing for the imminent strike. It was clear; Kayuga wouldn't be able to dodge this one. Ready to deliver a devastating punch to his face, my focus intensified. Recognizing the futility of retrieving the stuck sword, Kayuga wisely released his grip, opting to back up hastily. However, he seemed to overlook a crucial detail – I was still faster than him. With a burst of speed, I closed the distance, delivering a powerful punch directly into Kayuga's face before he could retreat far enough. The impact carried the weight of his previous injuries, intensifying the damage. He soared backward from the force, colliding with the wall in a spread-eagle position. Briefly, his eyes began to roll back, but with a stupidly tough effort, he pushed his elbows back, landing back on the battlefield.
Despite the considerable blow, Kayuga's resilience was evident. His eyes refocused, and he bellowed, "This is not the end!!" seizing the moment to assert his unwavering pride. In a display of sportsmanship, I grabbed the deadly sword and tossed it back to him. The weapon landed a few meters in front of him, embedding itself in the ground—that sword was deadly even without him.
Intriguingly, he spoke softly, revealing a mysterious technique, "Raijuku Family Secret Technique: Self Suggestion." What is that technique? As he walked forward, he began chanting, "I will win." repeatedly. Oh, it's literally just self suggestion. Bending down, he picked up the sword with a fierce grip, holding it in front of him with both hands. The intensity of his grasp caused the sword handle to start shattering.
Resheathing the sword, he proclaimed loudly for all to hear, "Raijuku Family Ultimate Technique: Flash.. x50!" With a dramatic lean forward, he launched into motion. Drawing the sword in a swift motion, he aimed for my neck in a slashing arc. However, with quick reflexes, I managed to intercept the lethal trajectory, punching the sword away. Kayuga sheathed and unsheathed the sword with a speed that defied even my eye. Even as I attempted to intercept with a punch, his swift motion allowed him to slice my forearm before I could fully react. Another quick draw resulted in a slash across my left forearm. I was just a hair slower than him.
Attempting to create distance, I dashed backward, but Kayuga pursued without drawing his sword. Realizing that evasion alone wouldn't suffice against his technique, I sprinted along the side of the arena, strategically putting my back against the wall. This defensive move meant he couldn't approach from behind, forcing him to face me head-on. Two attacks came simultaneously from my left and right, and I skillfully used my forearms to push them off. Despite my efforts in blocking and parrying the next twenty or so strikes, the cumulative damage took a toll. The storm of sword slashes was overwhelming, and I began to sense the need for a strategic shift. I couldn't simply weather this relentless assault. Feeling the pressure, I started to weave, narrowly avoiding some close calls. A blade whizzed by my nose, and another narrowly missed my ear. What skill can I use to win?! I decided to stand still, bracing for the next strike.
As the sword descended, my body contorted in an unusual and almost unnatural way. The Guaranteed Dodge proc'd successfully, creating a split-second opening. Capitalizing on this brief window, I seized the opportunity, whispering to myself, "Now... die!"
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Soul: 210 (-10)
Skills:
Lvl. 1 Triple Strike - Attack three times in succession with enhanced speed and strength. 10 soul to use, thirty second cooldown. (Activated) The thirty second cooldown has commenced.
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As the intense battle reached its climax, two more sword slashes descended from the front. I deftly punched those away. With one punch left, I directed it towards Kayuga, catching him off guard. He staggered, momentarily thrown off by the unexpected surge in my strength. Seizing the opportunity, I shifted my pivot foot and delivered a powerful punch to his gut. Saliva sprayed from his mouth, and he curled downward, his sword spiraling into the air. It became evident that he was in the midst of a slash when my punch disrupted his attack.
Responding swiftly, I leaped into the air, grabbing the sword mid-flight. Kayuga, now on one knee, displayed signs of submission. Landing gracefully, I held the sword poised on top of his right shoulder, asking with authority, "Do you surrender?" He gurgled some more blood, his admission coming out in a defeated tone, ".. I surrender." The disappointment echoed throughout the arena, particularly from his father. The announcer's voice cut through the tension, "The Red Samurai surrendered, now it's a final one versus one! This is intense, everyone!"
Flipping the sword around, I gestured it in front of him, offering my perspective, "Don't listen to your father. He's an a*****e. You're so strong that it scared me." Despite his surrender, there was a subtle graciousness in his dismissive response, "Mind your own business." Without further ado, he walked past me and headed toward the exit. The concession marked the end of the match, and though he surrendered, Kayuga could have continued if it were a fight to the death.
As Kayuga exited the arena, a tangible silence settled, marking the transition to the final one-on-one confrontation. My attention shifted back to Time, who, for the first time, displayed a visible sign of exertion as beads of sweat trickled down his face. Seizing the opportunity, I confronted him, asking pointedly, "Still think this is unfair?" Time, unfazed by the challenge, withdrew his hands from his pockets and mirrored my claw-like stance. A subtle acknowledgment crossed his features as he admitted, "You've earned my respect; you're the strongest next to me. It won't stop you from losing, though." Undeterred, I assumed a boxing stance, pacing myself for the impending clash.
I disclosed my motivation, "This is for Adalard."
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Quest 10: Number One
Beat Time and win the Gifted Tournament!
Requirements:
Beat Time.
Recommendations:
N/A
Rewards:
5000 points
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