NOVEL NEXT 088. Chief Joti
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This was insane.
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The giant towered over Adam, staring down at him with smoldering eyes of expectation. His face was still ice cold, betraying nothing else. He clenched his fists together, his knuckled cracking, his muscles twitching to life.
Adam remained sitting down as the entire city grew quiet. His heart thundered within his chest, the sound of this heartbeat echoing in his mind. Could he really take on someone like Joti? Joti was no ordinary frost giant, he was a Chief of a clan, as well as a man soon to be a Helm. Yet, could he really give up such an opportunity? He clenched his fists together.
He leapt up onto his feet and then smiled at the giant. “Let’s do it,” he said excitedly, his own eyes beginning to twinkle.
The pair were led by Gotorsmith to the nearby raised arena. The arena was flat and covered with thick snow. Adam had to remain near the closest edge where the giants were seated since he was so much shorter.
Joti cracked his shoulders and then looked down towards the half-elf. He grabbed his greatsword and swung it into the air, the snow around him clearing.
‘Damn that was cool,’ Adam thought as he donned his shield. “I hope you don’t mind me using a shield, since you’ll have both of your hands full.”
“Do as you wish.”
Adam then drew his longsword, the gentle glow of the runes providing him gentle light. “Don’t go easy on me,” he said. “I want to see the difference between you and I.”
“I will not. Feel free to surrender if you are overwhelmed.”
“Right back at you.” Adam chuckled.
Gotorsmith raised his hands and glanced between the pair. “I will referee the match. I will step in if it becomes too icy. Are you ready?”
Joti bowed his head and Adam returned the bow. Joti muttered a small prayer and Adam widened his stance slightly and raised his blade higher as he readied himself.
Battle Order
D20 - 1 = 2 (3)
Samurai Spirit
3 -> 2
Attack
D20 + 10 = 15 (5)
D20 + 10 = 27 (17)
Hit!
3D6 + 9 = 25 (5, 5, 6)
25 damage!
Attack
D20 + 10 = 13 (3)
D20 + 10 = 22 (12)
Hit!
3D6 + 9 = 17 (1, 3, 4)
17 damage!
Onward Soar
1 -> 0
Attack
D20 + 10 = 21 (11)
D20 + 10 = 27 (17)
Hit!
3D6 + 9 = 16 (1, 1, 5)
16 damage!
Attack
D20 + 10 = 17 (7)
D20 + 10 = 18 (8)
Hit!
3D6 + 9 = 16 (1, 3, 3)
16 damage!
Health
238 -> 198
Adam was surprised as he bolted forward, fully expecting to go after the giant, but it seemed that whilst he had bad luck, Joti had worse luck.
“Don’t mind me drawing first blood!” Adam exclaimed as he charged forward. He swung viciously with his new blade, managing to slip through the defences of the giant, stepping aside from one of Joti’s might swings. His blade blurred as he struck the giant with his blade, winding the frost giant.
Joti stumbled backwards, for once revealing shock on his face. Adam stopped in his tracks in surprise, soon realising that it was a mistake. There was a shadow for a moment before he raised his shield and the greataxe struck it, causing him to stumble aside. Frost covered his shield, though he was too focused on his arm, which shook with pain. He gasped for air and raised his blade again, swiftly darting aside as he made to strike the giant.
Samurai Spirit
2 -> 1
Health
198 -> 203
Attack
D20 + 10 = 11 (1)
D20 + 10 = 24 (14)
Hit!
3D6 + 9 = 18 (2, 3, 4)
18 damage!
Attack
D20 + 10 = 30 (20)
D20 + 10 = 30 (20)
Hit!
3D6 + 10 = 31 (1, 1, 3, 4, 6, 6)
31 damage!
Health
203 -> 176
Adam inhaled deeply, trying to calm himself from the previous blow. ‘Relax, Adam, relax!’ He caught the greatsword with his blade and then slipped under the giant’s guard to strike him once quickly, before ducking under a swing. He slid aside and, as Joti turned to meet him, slashed upwards.
“Come on, Chi-” A spray of red covered the pair as his blade met giant flesh. Adam raised an arm to cover his face, trying to stop it from getting on his face, but found a greatsword striking his side as he was flung aside. Adam crashed into the snow before he spun aside and stood again, blade and shield at the ready.
Joti reached up to wipe some of the blood off his face. He stared down at his red, wet fingers, and then looked to Adam. He bowed his head to Adam, who returned the bow. Joti grabbed onto his blade with both hands and readied himself.
Adam wondered if he should take it easy, since he had been quite lucky in his attacks. Then he recalled that Joti was not holding back against him, and he was a Chief, the son of a Prince. He refused to show the giant such dishonour.
Samurai Spirit
1 -> 0
Health
176 -> 181
Attack
D20 + 10 = 13 (3)
D20 + 10 = 14 (4)
Miss!
Attack
D20 + 10 = 12 (2)
D20 + 10 = 13 (3)
Miss!
Health
181 -> 98
Tough Save
D20 + 7 = 26 (19)
Success!
Tough Save
D20 + 7 = 12 (5)
Failure!
Adam charged forward, swinging his blade like a savage beast. He was out for blood now, to show the proper respect to the Chief. Yet, in his wildness, he left himself vulnerable. He swung wide and then his vision went red as his helmet flew off and blood sprayed out in front of him.
“What?” Adam gasped aloud as he stumbled backwards, feeling the hot blood pour down his face. The heat expanded through his face and stung him with pain, his brow thundering with pain. The ice from the blade had formed around his face, but all he could feel was the dripping blood and the gaping wound.
“I have returned the favour,” Joti said, gripping his blade tightly, his eyes glaring deep into Adam’s.
Adam stepped back and wiped his face. ‘Jesus Christ!’ He could feel the searing pain of his wounded face. He looked up to Joti’s face, which had a deep gaping cut almost identical to his own. Adam’s heart pounded wildly as the adrenaline coursed through his veins. The heat within his core began to grow and a smile formed on his face. He bowed his head to Joti, who returned the bow.
Attack
D20 + 10 = 11 (1)
Miss!
Attack
D20 + 10 = 12 (22)
Hit!
3D6 + 9 = 21 (1, 5, 6)
21 damage!
Tough Spirit
1 -> 0
D6 + 8 = 11 (3)
Health
98 -> 109
Health
109 -> 67
Once again Adam charged forward, no longer circling around or sliding about like an eel, instead meeting the Chief head on. This was no longer a friendly sparring match of two civilised folk, but a fight between two bulls locking their horns against one another. Their blades clashed once before they wound up in unison and struck against one another’s bodies. Adam stumbled aside and Joti almost fell to one knee. The pair were panting with effort as the snow turned red beneath them.
“I’ll be honest, Joti… I don’t have much left in me.”
“I will return the honesty, and admit the same.”
“I don’t want to stop just yet.”
“Do not stop on my account.”
Adam couldn’t help but laugh, and then nodded. “Alright.” He forced himself onto his shaking legs, feeling his strength drain from him rapidly.
Attack
D20 + 10 = 19 (9)
Hit!
3D6 + 9 = 20 (2, 4, 5)
20 damage!
Attack
D20 + 10 = 26 (16)
Hit!
3D6 + 9 = 21 (3, 4, 5)
21 damage!
The pair raised their blades once more with shuddering arms. Adam roared out, trying to gather his strength as he struck down, narrowly dodging the greatsword which flung ahead. No, he didn’t narrowly dodge it. As Adam struck Joti, the giant’s eyes grew white and he flung the greatsword over him and into the crowd. Karasmith flew forward and struck it down with her own greataxe.
Joti stumbled aside and fell, and Adam stumbled backwards. He raised his blade up as Gotorsmith stepped forward to check on Joti. Adam sheathed his blade quickly and then dropped down beside the Chief.
Mana
44 -> 41
Spell
Cure Wounds
25 health restored!
He called a prayer out and then held onto the Chief’s face, watching as his gaping face wound began to stick together. Joti’s eyes flashed open, his gaze intense as he stared up at Adam.
“Good morning,” Adam joked.
“Good morning.” Joti sat up, reaching for his own face. Some blood continued to pour out for a moment before his wound completely closed, the blood flow stemming.
“Strong!” Gorotsmith roared. “I should have insisted you face me!” He laughed like a starving hyena, reaching down to smack Adam against his back.
“Well, maybe another time.” Adam dropped down onto his bottom and leaned back, still gasping for air. He looked down to see the heavy indent in his chain mail, taking shape of Joti’s blade.
The giants behind them began to holler and cheer, heavy drums beginning to play. Adam threw a look back towards the giants as they began their festivities. Karasmith walked over and assisted them up. Even Sera approached, eyeing Adam up.
“You’re strong,” Sera said.
Adam narrowed his eyes up at her. “Yeah, apparently so.”
“You were able to defeat the Chief, and you didn’t use your magic.”
“He didn’t use his magic either. I’m not sure it would be fairly close still.”
“Don’t you know third gate arcane and divine spells? Fourth gate arcane spells.”
“I do…” Adam replied back, awkwardly.
“If that’s the case, then I am uncertain even our chief will be able to keep up with you. Though his powers are great, they aren’t as varied as the abilities you possess.”
Adam rubbed his chin and then narrowed his eyes. ‘Joti is a powerful warrior, the son of Aksak. He’s not someone who is weak, and chances are, he is one of the strongest frost giants within his city.’ Adam swallowed.
“Are you alright?” Karasmith asked.
“Yeah, I’m fine. I just understand my place in the world a little more…” Adam rubbed his forehead.
“Can you heal yourself?” Sera asked, reaching down to pack some snow and then placed it on his face to stem the bleeding.
Mana
41 -> 40
Spell
Cure Wounds
3D6 + 7 = 16 (2, 2, 5)
Health
67 -> 83
Adam muttered a short prayer and healed himself. Though he was still feeling poorly, he could feel his face begin to form again. The red snow fell from his face.
“Let us eat breakfast,” Joti said, standing tall as he reached down to assist Adam up.
“Yeah,” Adam said, grabbing onto the Chief’s hand. “Having a good fight does work up an appetite.”
EXP Gained
Joti
+4,000
Otherworlder Bonus
+4000
EXP Total
8,000
Current EXP
21,470
Level up available!
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I am still going to post an extra chapter for each Patron! | Come join my Discord too!
Just letting you know that Adam did roll two natural 20s, and yes, Joti rolled two nautral 20s too. I don't know whose going to die tonight, but that's how it goes sometimes. This was an extremely close fight, considering that Joti missed about half of his attacks. I hope this fight tickles an itch for everyone!
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