NOVEL NEXT Chapter 40
[Infinity Arena Main Event Group E – Match 9]
[Battlefield: Arena of Duel]
[vs Acid Gaming Ripper (Assassin)]
“Ha.”
The moment I saw the selected battlefield, the corners of my mouth lifted.
Of all places, it had to be the Arena of Duel.
A location that allows pure skill to be tested without any complex structure or gimmicks.
Since we both chose the same class, it was all in my hands.
This time, the Chain Scythe wouldn’t work.
There were several perilous moments against the Fog Sorceress, so using an Assassin was a whole different ballgame.
I wouldn’t just give away my hard-earned victory for free.
I boldly abandoned any uncertain skills.
Rather than investing points in something that wouldn’t work, it was better to trust myself.
As the scheduled time passed, my vision darkened, and when it returned, the long corridor was revealed.
[The battle has begun.]
The biggest feature of the ‘Arena of Duel’ is that you can see your opponent as soon as it starts.
Thus, there’s no hiding behind obstacles. Naturally, scouting is also void.
It’s all about engaging in a bloody battle with the opponent—a true battlefield for men.
As soon as combat began, Ripper and I charged at each other with full force.
Just as the distance closed, we exchanged a moment of ‘respect,’ as if promised.
Ting—Ping!
As I deflected the flying dagger, I threw my own throwing knife with my other hand.
Black smoke billowed from the knife that fell to the ground.
It was thanks to the generous dose of poison buried within.
‘We both brought the same double daggers, right? Then my preferred opening was… a left fake or low attack.’
It was the right move.
Being shorter meant Ripper swung their weapon first.
It looked like they were aiming for my left eye, but their opposite hand prepared to target my thigh in secret.
I couldn’t dodge everything, so I had to deflect.
We fell into a binding state, colliding blades against each other.
Having lost the advantage of strength, I could hardly push away their blade.
I wouldn’t engage in a fight I couldn’t win.
As I twisted my blade to aim for their wrist, blood flowed from our arms.
A quick glance. Ripper’s gaze darted briefly downward.
Without needing to think, I jerked my head back.
Where my chin had been was now a sharp shadow pointed like a spike.
Two daggers lurked, seeking the gap in my distraction.
The merciless blades looked like venomous fangs of a spider.
Instead of clumsily blocking, I took a couple of steps back.
The moment I secured some distance, I immediately threw the knife.
As if it was a matter of course, Ripper batted away my dagger. But from the blade’s shadow stuck in the ground, spikes emerged.
That was my first point.
“Phew…”
Fighting with daggers is invariably brutal.
In close-quarters combat with short weapons, perfect defense is impossible, and with the short distance, attacks come fast.
Moreover, both of us were using two daggers each.
With weapons in hand, defending was impossible.
The attacks flowed without pause, and we bled profusely.
My dagger grazed beneath Ripper’s chin.
A crimson line appeared on my shoulder while we eyed each other from our binding state.
Not wanting to relent, I boldly thrust my blade in.
Ripper also retaliated, albeit forcefully.
My dagger lodged in their collarbone, while theirs pierced through my right shoulder.
With daggers stuck deep inside, recovering them quickly was impossible.
Both of us had to evade the next attack. In sync, Ripper and I extracted our blades from each other.
[Remaining Health: 34.8%]
The swapped daggers tore into each other.
My dagger stabbed into my body, while Ripper’s stabbed into theirs.
We fought even more aggressively than before. The more damage we could inflict, the more defense was boldly disregarded.
I hit Ripper’s ankle and sliced their calf.
In the meantime, Ripper created wounds on my cheek and neck.
Just as our daggers were about to clash, the two assassins vanished into the shadows simultaneously.
Trying to throw each other off guard led us both to the same conclusion.
I couldn’t help but chuckle at the absurdity.
“It’s good. It’s fun. You definitely know your stuff, and you’re definitely strong.”
Blood streamed from my body.
My torn clothes were already soaked, the cold, cooling blood either hot or cold.
The faint metallic smell of blood lingered. Was it just me who sensed it?
Maybe thinking there was a safe distance, Ripper relaxed their stance for a moment.
I was on high alert, but then my previous dagger was casually tossed in my direction.
I could guess what they meant. I returned Ripper’s dagger.
Once I grabbed my original dagger, words were no longer necessary.
If we engaged again, one of us would die.
Though we couldn’t see each other’s health bars, neither of us was in top shape.
[Remaining Health: 13.1%]
No hesitation.
I dragged my blood-soaked body towards Ripper.
Every inch of me hurt, but my mind became oddly calm.
The swordsmanship I dedicated my life to was fundamentally a duel.
Though it’s called a honorable martial art, it’s ultimately a sport of aligning weapons onto bodies.
After hitting the wooden sword for hours each day, finding a fine spot felt impossible.
That’s why it felt good, rather.
This sensation of pain, as if every inch of my body was ablaze.
This moment of sacrificing my body for victory.
It felt like going back to that time—every single cell in my body seemed to awaken.
‘It’s been a while, this feeling.’
The enemy’s figure had drawing closer.
This time, it was Ripper who took the initiative to attack.
Much like how inherent weight classes grant overwhelming advantages in combat sports, Ripper, with longer arms than mine, had the upperhand.
But I could see it. Time felt like it slowed down.
The gaze trailing along my wrist before attack, the muscles coiling to pull back at any moment.
Having pierced through all intention, I could make my judgment.
I’ll let you have it.
[Remaining Health: 8.5%]
The arteries in my wrist were cut deep, and the bleeding wouldn’t stop.
In return, I plunged deeper, while Ripper sought my heart.
I bent back dramatically to evade.
Tumbling backward, I managed to save my uninjured hand by hitting the ground.
My upside-down field of view soared above.
With a feeling of weightlessness, Ripper’s chin met my heel.
It was the moment where our gamble paid off. Thanks to the precise hit, a short moment of dizziness ensued.
As our bodies collapsed, I wrapped my legs around Ripper’s body.
Ripper’s neck found itself between my thighs.
I aimed to stab with the dagger… but it seemed they had already cut my wrist.
My arm wouldn’t move correctly. Well, what’s that matter now?
“Aha.”
With Ripper’s neck firmly trapped between my thighs, I twisted my body and waist dramatically.
Crack. The sound of breaking bones echoed as we both collapsed onto the floor.
Something pressed down around my lower abdomen, adding discomfort.
[Remaining Health: 0.6%]
I didn’t know. I couldn’t muster the strength to lift my head.
I felt that moving even a little would cause even more blood loss, leading to death.
Even now, the amount of blood cascading from my wrist was alarming.
If Ripper was still alive, it would mean my defeat.
As darkness closed in with death looming, just as I was about to close my eyes, the sudden absence of pain brought me back to consciousness.
In front of me, a blue glowing system message appeared.
[You have emerged victorious.]
[You have passed the group stage of the Infinity Arena Main Event.]
[You have been granted the first seed for Group E in the winner’s bracket.]
—
*
—
[Author: Gawol]
[Title: What a shame!]
[Upvotes: 223]
Since I won, the promises are now null and void.
I was truly surprised by the top comments.
I had no idea so many people were curious about my face.
You didn’t harbor any grudges, right?
[Comments]
– Tenryeon, don’t get cocky just because you think you’re stronger than me.
└ If I was weaker, I would’ve come to kill you right away, haha.
└ For real, lol.
—
[Author: Gawol]
[Title: I momentarily forgot due to the promises.]
[Upvotes: 790]
Thank you for congratulating me on my victory.
I’m very happy too.
I don’t know who my next opponent in the round of 16 will be, but I’ll do my best then too.
[Comments]
– Were you more excited to throw tantrums than to win in the round of 16?
└ Of course not.
└ I think scheming is bad.
– Ugh.
—
[Author: Gawol]
[Title: Talking Pigeon and Kamikaze Shooter, I’m waiting for you!]
Talking Pigeon, you should fry mint chocolate rice!
Kamikaze Shooter, you’re supposed to add pine needle snot on top!
I trust you’ll uphold your promises.
However, if, by any chance, those promises aren’t fulfilled…
I’ll go find you in the game with tears in my eyes.
I noticed you both have the same in-game nicknames from your previous posts, right?
I’m serious about this.
I’ll give you exactly three days.
—
[Comments]
– Hahahahahaha!
—
[Author: Talking Pigeon]
[Title: Delicious Mint Chocolate Fried Rice]
—
[Author: Kamikaze Shooter]
[Title: Please give me just one chance.]
—
[Author: Kamikaze Shooter]
[Title: I won’t speak carelessly ever again.]
—
[Author: Kamikaze Shooter]
[Title: Mint Chocolate Pine Needle Snot Confirmation]