‘Impossible! Impossible!’ John thought with a look of exhaustion as Henry fought on equal footing. ‘How? When? How did this trash become so powerful? Where does he get this strength from?’
Henry too was nearly exhausted from defending; his arms and legs were sore. He was sure at least one of his ribs was broken. Yet he did his best to deal with the onslaught. Wheezing, he touched his lips feeling the droplets of blood, before vomiting more blood onto the sandy floor.
‘How are you still fighting? Why can’t this vermin die already!’ John screamed frustratedly.
Seeing his uncle distracted during his rant, Henry used his strength to hurl himself forward, shooting forward. His axe swiftly cut at his uncle’s right arm before he could react.
“Argh!” John screamed as his forearm separated from his elbow.
Seeing the blood spatter against the arena walls drove the crowd into a frenzy. The crowd applauded the underdog’s performance.
Enraged at the crowd for cheering on his bastard nephew, and himself for being distracted, John charged forward like a rabid bear.
Rip! Rip! Rip!
Cracking sounds rang out as the force pushed Henry backward. Looking down, Henry saw his armor had split down the middle. It was clear his armor could not take another frontal attack.
Recognizing his advantage, John seized the moment and dashed forward again, unleashing a barrage of attacks, each stronger and more ferocious than the previous.
Pow! Pow! Pow!
The last sword strike struck Henry’s sides, dropping him to a knee. Henry heaved, as he stared at his uncle who lorded above him like a monster.
“This is it. I admit you fought bravely, for a mudblood,” he laughed.
Henry, still breathing heavily, looked at his uncle vehemently.
He stretched out his right arm and made a waving motion.
“Good riddance!” he said swinging his sword down like a guillotine…
… As the sword came down Henry rolled to the left. And sliced at his uncle’s Achilles’ heel.
“Argh,” John screamed a second time as the axe slammed into the back of his food.
“Why can’t you die already?” John growled.
“Come now, don’t tell me you were hurt by trash now?" Henry taunted as blood spurted from his mouth. Casting [Arrowhead], Henry quickly created space between him and his uncle.
John easily blocked the arrows with his sword. Groaning, he looked at his one arm and limped toward his nephew.
Henry kept spamming [Arrowhead] from a distance. When his mana points were near empty, he cast [Erosion] trapping his uncle 12 feet underground. Canceling his spell caused the hole to quickly fill in with sand and dirt, burying his uncle alive. With his uncle submerged, he slouched to the ground to recover his mana.
“Kill him,” yelled the crowd.
Despite the crowds’ suggestions, Henry rested against the arena wall. However, he knew his time was limited, as he watched the hole tremor.
“Grrhhh!”
John growled as he flew out of the hole. The powerful, jump shattered his already fractured left heel. Even with the injuries, he was still more than capable of killing his nephew. “I wanted to end this quickly and painlessly for you. Now, I’ll take my time torturing you, piece by piece, until you beg me to kill me.”
Zoom!
John bolted forward, even on one foot, his speed was formattable. Sword out front, he aimed to pierce Henry through the head.
Henry, who had already sensed the attack, dodged it with a hair breath.
But before Henry could move again, John’s knee was near his head.
Henry crossed his arms and took the brunt of the attack,
Bang!
The knee slammed into Henry’s head with explosive force sending him rolling three feet away. Henry’s wrists bones fractured from the impact, and he winced in pain.
Again, John dashed out towards him, but this time Henry sidestepped and activated [Fash Slash], sending his axe into his uncle's stomach as he descended.
Crash!
John, who was still in mid-air, saw the axe coming towards his stomach and with no way to counter it, sacrificed his bloody stump of an arm.
Blood and visceral splashed out and soaked coliseum walls. Blood gushed out his arm nonstop like an open faucet.
Blam!
Henry’s axe slammed into John’s jaw while he was lightheaded from blood loss.
John was dumbstruck by the sudden double attack, he stared forward, only to see that Henry had disappeared, “Where?” He turned around with a dumbfounded look only to receive another hit.
Blam!
Henry activated [Fast Slash] and blinded his uncle in the eye he scared earlier. He quickly added the two Skill Points he’d been saving to [Fast Slash].
Blam! Blam! Blam!
Henry’s increased axe speed whacked away at John. Henry's movements mirrored the precision and rhythm of his days in the forest, his axe a blur of motion as formidable as when he felled mighty timber. Each strike aimed at John was delivered with a purpose, guiding the inevitable fall of a tree. Henry jumped from side-to-side setting knocking away John. He controlled each swing, anticipating the inevitable moment of victory.
‘I have one chance to use the skill before it goes on cooldown,’ Henry thought about how to use the skill most effectively in ten seconds.
Pow!
John stumbled, nearly falling over from the last hit. “Oh, is your spell over, pity. You might have one, if you use that spell another 20 more times. Now, it’s my turn…”
Grab!
Henry quickly sidestepped but John was faster and grabbed Henry’s axe and threw it across the coliseum.
“What are you going to do without your weapon?” John smiled amused, like a predator playing with its play.
Henry stared forward back. He didn’t show it, but his spells and skills were on cooldown. Moreover, without his weapon he was defenseless.
The crowd too could tell the match was reaching the climax. Both fighters were injured and looked unable to last much longer.
Back on the floor, John cornered Henry. Grabbing lifting him by the next, he attempted to crush his neck, at the same time, Henry punched and kicked to no avail.
“Little mouse, continue to struggle it’s fun for me,” John laughed clutching Henry’s neck.
Henry gasped and coughed, as he hung by his neck.
“Little mouse, this is where your life will end,” John smiled.
Yet, to John’s surprise, his nephew looked angry, not scared.
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Henry’s mind raced as he thought of a solution, he had a minute left before he cast [Arrowhead], but at most, he’d get one shot off. But it all came down to his plummeting HP. There was a .02 difference between his HP and cooldown with Arrowhead.
John continued to clench Henry’s throat and laugh, watching his nephew’s feet dangle off the ground.
“Goodbye,” John uttered as he saw Henry’s HP tick down to 2.
Just, before Henry’s HP dropped to 0, he made a finger gun and pointed at John’s one good eye and cast [Arrowhead].
The bullet sliced through John’s right eye like a hot knife through butter.
“Argh!” John screamed in pain, reflexively releasing Henry.
Free, Henry gasped for breath once again. And ran to his axe.
“Where are you mudblood!” John bellowed. “When I catch you again, I’ll rip you in two! Traveler, say your last rites because I’ll murder you for real after we leave here!
Blinded, John searched for Henry with his arm and stump extended. He listened to his nephew’s wheezing and deep breathing.
Henry gripping his axe tightly, went on the offensive. Henry swung cutting John’s flesh with the precision of a blacksmith, the accuracy of a tanner, and the finesse of a carpenter.
“Argh!” John yelled like a wounded animal.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
“Never talk shit about me or family again! Henry said, pummeling his ogre of an uncle to the ground.
When the crowd saw, John being knocked to the crowd, they rose and celebrated. Never before had they seen a gladiatorial match as thrilling as this. The compelling family drama being played out before them was too exciting to blink. The underdog, the halfling, the homesteader, the crafter had done the impossible.
Despite his exhaustion, his cracked ribs, and his fractured arms, Henry kept swinging away at his uncle releasing spells and skill after their cooldowns. It was an unrelenting onslaught. With a single HP left, summoned all his strength to keep whittling away.
Crack! Crack! Crack!
Henry’s axe cracked John’s jaw. His uncle’s bruised head looked like turning a purplish brown. Blood oozed out of John’s arm, head, and foot.
The gruesome scene drove the HGTV ratings higher and sent the forums into overdrive. They cheered seeing the desperation and exhaustion on Henry’s face as he kept swinging. Soon an inspirational meme circulated the forum, “When life seems impossible, keep swinging”
Henry kept swinging as he felt exhaustion consuming his body. With one last hit, his body toppled to the ground.
Plop!
The audience hushed, seeing both men collapsing to the floor. It was a show of respect to both men who gave it their all. After a moment of silence, the coliseum lit up in raucous applause.
Hearing the cheers, Henry smiled, then closed his eyes to sleep. His eyes closed just after a new message appeared on his screen.
System Message:
Congratulations you have reached Level 63. You have 1 Stat Points.
System Message:
Congratulations you have reached Level 64. You have 1 Stat Points.
“Huh? These were the last words he uttered before falling asleep.
“Son!” Both Lindsey and David shouted out at the same time as they ran towards Henry who was sprawled on the coliseum floor. Lindsey quickly cast [Greater Heal], wrapping Henry in a golden hue. As the healing light enveloped him, the cracked ribs mended, the fractured bones knitted together.
Slowly, Henry awoke to see his parents and Heather surrounding him. Their caring eyes filled him with a warmth that contrasted sharply with the cold brutality of the arena. and the exhaustion that had threatened to consume him faded away under the loving gaze of his family.
The spell’s warm comforting embrace gently aroused him. “Mom, Dad... Heather,” Henry whispered, his voice hoarse but filled with relief. He tried to sit up, but his father gently pushed him back down.
“Rest now, son. You've done more than enough today,” David said, pride evident in his voice. The worry that had etched deep lines into his face began to smooth as he saw his son's condition improving.
Lindsey, still maintaining the spell, frowned at Henry, her eyes were still a reservoir of tears. “Why did you put yourself in so much danger?” she cried, her eyes sparkling with tears of joy and relief. “Next time let your parents handle it.”
Heather, who sat quietly with Henry’s head in her lap, gently kissed his forehead. The kiss was reassuring and grounding.
Yet, Henry could tell she was still uneasy about learning the truth of this world. Her parents were not playing HG, and she worried about her parents’ safety. Tonight, he’d encourage her to log out and visit to Louisville to see her family.
As the healing light faded, the sounds of the coliseum came rushing back. The cheers, the adulation from the crowd, it was all for him. Henry looked around, taking in the faces of the crowd, the damage done to the arena, and his family. A mix of emotions welled up inside him: triumph, exhaustion, but above all, a sense of justice. This was a world where might equaled right, where strength was synonymous with justice.
While resting he looked at his stats. By defeating his uncle, he leveled twice and gained seven skill points. He quickly added a skill point to earth magic, one-handed axe, cleave, bash, fast slash, growl, and polymorph skills. He also added a stat point to strength and agility.
As he was helped to his feet by his family, he saw the Bearington patriarch observe him with a stern demeanor. Stepping forward, he towered over the coliseum, his presence commanded silence. Even the rowdiest of spectators quieted down. The king and five major clan patriarchs’ expressions were a mix of curiosity as they too awaited the Bearington patriarch’s pronouncement.
Henry, supported by his family, met the patriarch's gaze. Despite his exhaustion and the ordeal, he had just endured, his eyes were clear. Seeing his grandson resolve, the Bearington patriarch grinned, uncharacteristic of the man known for his stoicism.
“Ladies and gentlemen, respected Travelers, denizens of the kingdom, and distinguished guests,” the Bearington patriarch began, his voice booming across the coliseum, “Today, we have witnessed not just a fight, but a testament to the spirit, courage, resilience, and determination.”
The crowd hung on to his every word, the silence so profound that one could hear the fluttering of a flag in the distance.
“Henry,” he continued, addressing him directly, causing a hush to fall even deeper, “you have shown the valor of a Bearkin warrior.”
The king nodded in agreement, and murmurs of approval rippled through the ranks of the other patriarchs.
“In recognition of your victory,” the patriarch paused, letting the suspense build, “I hereby declare you a full member of the Bearington Clan with all rights and privileges. Welcome home, grandson.”
A gasp swept through the crowd, followed by an uproar of cheers and applause. To attain the full familial status of a major clan was an honor bestowed upon only those who passed rites of passage. It was an acknowledgment of one's character and martial achievements.
System Message:
Congratulations, you have been branded with the mark of the Bearington Clan., You are the first player to join a Bearkin Clan, and 5th to join a Legendary Family. Rewards: +5 fame, +10 gold.
Henry had just finished reading his newest system message when a searing pain erupted from his chest. Hidden under his fur, he knew the system implanted a tattoo on his skin. As quick as the pain came it ended and his status screen opened.
Name: Henry Bearington Brown
SKILL NAME
SKILL LEVEL
Race: Human/Bearkin
Earth Magic
54
Class: Artisan
Two-Handed Axe
15
Sub Class: Druidcraft
Lumberjack
81
Titles: Pioneer/ Baron/ Clan 4th Grade
Analyze
76
Level: 64 (54,124/54,124)
Surveyor
52
HP: 5,412/5,412
Field Dress
14
MP: 627/627
Woodworking
101
STR: 81
Cooking
16
AGI: 75
Leatherworking
72
VIT: 66
Tailoring
60
INT: 33
Forging
74
WILL: 19
Smelting
66
CON: 82
Toolsmith
75
Charm: 9
Architecture
15
Free Attribute Points: 0
Wagoner
6
Free Skill Points: 2
One Handed Axe
57
Fame: 35
Cleave
50
RACIAL SKILLS:
Bash
51
Oversized Weapons
Fast Slash
41
Nature Affinity
Growl
34
SPELLS:
Druid Grove
8
Rock Wall
Polymorph
54
Erosion
Fletching
5
Arrowhead
Herbalism
9
Rock Dome
Track
9
Afterward, the king stepped forward, offering their congratulations, each acknowledging Henry's prowess to bring down a much stronger opponent. Using Henry as an example, he encouraged the citizens to defeat the stronger Lion King. Finally, the king congratulated the Bearington patriarch for showcasing the honor of the Bearington clan.
As the cheers continued, a clan massager approached Henry, extending a hand, “Congratulations on your victory, Master Henry. When you arrive at the estate please visit the mansion, the patriarch wishes to see you.”
Henry nodded, and soon left the coliseum with his family by his side. As he neared the exit, he saw Kenai and the Bearkin Player Alliance leaders waiting on him.
Kenai extended his head, and asked, “Hey, can you spare a moment to talk to us?”