Chapter Start
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"So please, entertain me!"

Dropping the unusually large buster sword onto the wooden floor, he kept his toothy grin.

I can't move. I couldn't.

My [ Awareness ] is telling me not to.

I think it's telling me that I'd lose...

"Not gonna make the first move?" He asked. Uh oh. "Then I'll do it myself! You should get ready, pal! This'll hurt, a lot!" In one swift movement, his figure appeared in front of me.

My heart sank. It's these moments that I realized that I could only do so much with my abilities.

Ah, fuck it! Men aren't born, Take! They're made!

"Grand Slice!" He yelled, whirling his sword with both hands in an upward motion.

I had a split second to snap out of it and move outside the range of his swing.

"Woah! Nice dodge!" He praised. Is this guy for real?

Quickly shifting the blade's direction, he came down with a diagonal slash. I had to block it this time.

I grabbed the foot of a nearby chair and effortlessly swung the whole thing towards the sword's way. Not only that this parried his buster sword, but it also caused the recoiled force to backfire at him.

"What in the...? He said, temporarily stunned.

I used that moment to weave and land a strike to his side. He winced, but it did nothing more than distract.

Still, it didn't stop me from throwing a flurry of attacks.

I have to wear him out...!

I threw my fist towards his left shoulder, knocking him off balance to the weight of his sword and stumble back.

I performed this cycle two times, he seemed winded. This is fine, just tire him out until he can't fight anymore.

I turn my body as my hands touch the wooden floors and used my foot to sweep him off the ground.

Now for the finishing blow..!

I reeled my fist again as I aimed for his chest. Just before I could hit him, I was knocked back by a powerful surge of energy.

"You did well, stranger... You are... One of the first opponents to give me a good fight!" I heard his voice from the smoke cloud.

Suddenly, I felt my whole body shake. It's not normal. It was afraid. But I still don't realize it yet.

"But it's me who's going to win!" He yelled, releasing another wave of pure energy.

I'm gonna die...

I thought as the smoke cleared and there I saw him, with a sinister grin on his face.

His shadow loomed over me.

My face paled as I watched him run towards me with that ridiculously oversized sword of his.

He swings, I really couldn't move. My body would not let me do so.

It pained me to think that this might be the end, and oh such a pathetic end it was.

Before the blade even reaches for me, a pillar of frost bursts out of the floors, encasing the sword in ice.

And yes, I did not look away nor flinch.

If I am to die, I must face death like a man.

But it still made me want to let out the glass of water I had half an hour ago.

Still scary, nonetheless.

"Aww, here she is." He groaned playfully, removing his grip from the sword's handle.

"Oh, be quiet. We're here to find another party member, not get banned in another establishment. A guildhall of all places!" I heard a feminine voice from behind the man.

I took the liberty of knowing who it was by leaning towards the right for a little bit.

There I saw, a woman who looks to be the same age as me. Long, white hair and a really pale complexion. But something stood out.

Those ears...

She's probably an elf or something.

"Well, I guess I found a pretty good candidate." He laughed.

"And I would appreciate it if you stop scaring him shitless." She sneered at the guy and began to walk towards me.

"Are you kidding? The guy didn't even flinch! He's either tough as nails or scared as crap!" He continued to cackle even more. It's unsettling.

"Hmph. Hey. Are you alright, human? Are you hurt?" She bent down to my level.

I shake my head.

"Just peachy, you,?" I replied, making a giggle escape her lips.

"I'm quite fine, thank you for asking."

Her voice is soothing.

"But enough about that, I apologize for my supposed partner's psyche. He tends to be bipolar for some odd reasons." She explained, sticking a thumb from behind.

"It's no problem. I would've appreciated it more if you stopped making sounds as you try to kill me." I turn towards the man.

"Ah, sorry. Just getting hyped up alone gets me really excited. Especially if the opponent is strong. I'm the one and only, Ras Dimitri, nice to meet you." He stuck his hand out.

"It's a... a pleasure as well." I stuck my hand out as well and wholeheartedly accepted his handshake.

"Now that you two have made up, I should introduce myself. My name is Aithel Ezera. I am pleased to meet someone who can stand against this partner of mine." She smiles.

"Ain't this nice? Just a few minutes, ago I was going ham on ya. Now, look at where we are. Talking like normal and responsible humans." He said with a grin.

"I'm pretty sure.. you're not human." Aithel shot a glare.

"Please, don't do that again," I begged.

"No promises!" He laughed, sheathing his sword to his back.

The three of us looked at each other. Then at the inside of the guildhall. It was trashed, broken down and almost ready to fall apart.

"So, what now?" Shawn asked.

"Aw hell." I dropped my shoulders, staring at the big hole on the floor.

"Hm, no worries. I'll just fix this for you." Eleanor assured me, raising her wooden staff.

"I shall fix this mess in no time." She wasted no time and shot another smile at me.

Before dropping the butt of her staff to the ground-

Scene End
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Chapter End