**
[Red's POV]
Do you guys play games? Yes? Well back in the 2010s, a new genre of video games emerged called 'Soul' Games. What are they? You might ask. They are incredibly difficult games to clear due to the bosses and normal Monsters setting out to kill you in every way possible. Anything you do carelessly will result in your death. But there's always a way or another to beat the game.
So why am I talking about 'Soul' Games? Because I'm the victim of getting slaughtered by these insane bosses. My opponent in front of me looks like one of the bosses in those games.
The seven giant swords were all floating and pointed at me. I looked at the situation, calmly. To be honest, there wasn't really any way I can get out of this. The only way I could do it was to use Stix's skill again. But using it one time already drains most of the stamina in my body already. So now what?
As I was thinking, Arthur didn't give me a chance to have a break and launch all 7 swords straight to my face at a fast speed.
"BLUE, MIMICRY LIST NOW!"
The large swords flew closer and closer, aiming for my head.
Reading through the skill list, I forced myself to look at every skill available that would be best suited for this situation or I'm dead.
And then I found it.
"This____"
- Boom!!
**
The sword all clashed with its target, causing an explosion. With an attack like that, the person is sure to be mutilated. That was everyone's thought when the swords landed on Red. Some shrieked, some screamed, and some shouted. King Darius watched in horror as his disciple got killed right in front of him because of him. He gripped the chair handle so tightly that it starts to crack. Clenching his teeth to hold in his anger while producing enough bloodlust, some of the other noble starts to shiver and faint.
Queen Molly shrieks at the sight of the attack, afraid to see what or who was left behind after the attack.
Princess Seren, on the other sight, averts her eyes, not wanting to take part in the death of her Father's disciple. She couldn't even apologize to him for the way she behaved.
The audience was quiet as they weren't sure what to feel at this point. There was a mix of emotions in the current situation. Some were worried, some were sympathetic, some nervous, and others angry, However, Lionel was the only one, watching the match closely between the Sword Saint and the Outsider. Noticing Arthur's expression, he knew something was amiss. Arthur's expression shows confusion.
At the corner of the arena, the swords were not recalled. It was still materialized and they were pierced against something.
[Mimicry]: [Absolute Defence] + [Water Shield]
Usage: 1/1 --> 0/1
[Absolute Defence] + [Water Shield]
Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
Buff Skill
Used to increase max defense stats by 5 folds. The water shield acts as a layer of shield stacked with the effects of [Absolute Defence].
A sphere filled with water was covering Red's body, as the giant sword pierced against it. However, none of the swords managed to reach Red. He sustains no injury whatsoever.
"Grrk!!" Arthur grunts, as he increases the aura output so that the giant blade would have enough power to impel through the water shield completely.
Red on the other hand, already finishes his preparation for the next attack.
[*Stix Unequipped*]
[*Fang Equipped*]
With Fang appearing on his hands already in the default long sword form, Red proceeds with the 2nd step of his attack. Holding the sword on his forehead, he takes a breath slowly and steadily. Observing the flow of motion or his aura. He then points the sword parallel to his eye and aimed it at the swords.
[Mimicry]: [Mydran Sword Technique: Canon]
Usage: 1/1 --> 0/1
Single Target, AOE Secondary Target
With a total mastery of Aura combined with Mydarn's Swordsmanship. A Single thrust is all it takes to rip a hole through everything like a canon.
While it is a single target skill, depending on the usage by the user, it can do extra damage to its surrounding especially the back of the target.
Combo: 1
Status Effect: Bleeding
"!!!"
Both Father and daughter stood up from their seats looking at the attack.
"That god damn brat HAHAHAAHHA." King Darius stared in awe, laughing at what Red just did. King Darius' very own technique that he spent 7 years developing and researching before reaching his current stage. Red managed to copy everything off it after just experiencing it once.
The Footwork, the aura needed for execution, the position where the sword is supposed to be, and the motion of the aura needed to launch the attack. He managed to copy every last detail down to its very minute details.
"Father, I thought you didn't teach your disciple the swordsmanship of Mydarn? How did he manage to execute your technique perfectly." Princess Seren asked while still awed by the technique's execution.
"He has a mimicry skill. But It never occurred to me how precise and accurate it was when copying it." King Darius rep[lied, stroking his beard.
That one skill, punctured a hole in all 7 swords, breaking them all at once.
"URGH!" Arthur screamed in pain as his aura was suddenly destroyed and disappeared. That attack itself took a lot of stamina out of Arthur. But he was a prodigy, all he needed to do was to catch his breath and the sword aura would refill his stamina. Though Red doesn't know the fact that a quick retreat was all he need to return to his prime form, he knew one thing. That attack made an impact on him even though it was a minor one. Without hesitation, he bolts straight for Arthur and started swinging his sword. Arthur was caught by surprise at the sudden increase in speed and returned back some hits of his own.
**
[Arthur's POV]
He was losing previously, wasn't he? So what is this strength now? He's moving at a completely different speed. My opponent known as Red dashed ahead toward my face, I took my sword and halt. The moment he touched the range of my sword, I started cutting furiously in that direction.
However, he managed to block all my attacks with a.....dagger? Just how does he do it?
Getting annoyed, I tried hasting the process of getting him eliminated by increasing each swing with more power and speed. But I was careless, his dagger changed into a long sword and he managed to redirect my sword up in the air. Now my body was defenseless and open. I was going to shield my body with my sword but again I underestimated him as I thought he would continue using his sword to attack me. He would need to be at least twice as fast as me to bring his sword down to my chest and pierce it.
But because of my arrogance, I paid it dearly. He managed to pierce my body. However, it wasn't a sword that pierced me but the spear he was holding onto earlier, touching my chest and entering inside my body.
Hmm, so this is what getting stabbed felt like huh? The spear also release a bunch of aura on the tip, and it also started freezing my body, similar to how my leg was stuck earlier on.
Enough is enough. I kicked the spear on the spearhead above. The spear dragged across my chest, causing it to bleed but I didn't care. It's past playing time.
Closing my eyes, I became one with the sword, concentrating on my aura, surroundings, and my opponent's action. I didn't need flashy moves. The simple movement was enough to crush all my enemies. I just need to focus.
My eyes face forward as I went to the most basic stance. Now my turn now.
**
Arthur's eyes were now fixated on Red. It was like some sick psychological game, as the pressure of the competition starts to weigh in on Red. He wasn't nervous in front of the audience. He was just scared that he disappointed his Master in this world. Without even blinking his eyes, the Sword Saint made the most ordinary swing of a sword, anyone has ever seen. Red stayed vigilant as he knew whatever the Saint did, would not be for no reason. And true enough, with his aura sensing, he experienced it. 2 delayed invisible slashes aimed at Red. He dodges both of them and dashes forward to Arthur with Fang, slashing him vertically. Arthur took one step to the left and return his own vertical slashes.
But this was the mysterious part. Arthur's slash was slow, but there were afterimages that reflected the image of half a moon in that one slash. Red tried shielding it with Fang. Arthur's sword clashes with Red's sword. Just when Red thought that the attack was over, his chest was suddenly cut in a straight line. And another cut diagonally to his shoulder.
"What the_____" Red exclaimed before dropping to the ground. His body was bleeding profusely.
He retreats back again, holding his body up as the blood mixed together with his sweat, drips down from his body to the ground.
"F*ck." He cursed at himself, while still keeping an eye on Arthur.
Arthur still in his stance, started walking over to Red and asked "How long are you going to stay under that mask?' before lifting his sword again and_____
- Skinkkthhhh!!!