The Ashen Dominion
Chapter 63 - Provocation [2]

Chapter 63: 63 - Provocation [2]

(Damian’s POV)

"..."

I was silent. My mouth hung open as I watched Kaiser and his opponent exchange attacks.

(He doesn’t remember Lagoras’ name.)

TING— TWHACK!

THUD! THUNK—!!

His opponent slashed diagonally, but Kaiser easily blocked it with his small shield—then he countered with a kick, though it was blocked too without much effort.

TING! CLANG! TANG—!!

THUD! THAK—!

Kaiser’s opponent is on the aggressive side, he attacks and attacks continuously. While Kaiser himself maneuvers through his barrage, and whenever he sees a chance—

SWOOSH!

He would go in and counter!

TWHACK!

But because he got a short sword as a weapon... his opponent didn’t have any problem blocking his attempts as well with his big shield.

And right now, based on my observation... they’re in a stalemate.

’In short... nobody has the upper hand in this fight!’

I continued watching and analyzing Kaiser’s match. I’m cheering for him, yes.

But currently, I’m trying to adapt their moves and techniques—taking notes of some things.

I’m trying to get stronger...

"He’s so cool."

I muttered unconsciously after seeing Kaiser—who’s much younger and smaller than me—fight like that against a veteran adult fighter.

*****

(Kaiser’s POV)

TANG—!

"Tsk!"

I clicked my tongue in annoyance. My sword was blocked again by Lagoras.

In exchange for speed because of the weight of his equipment—he has greater reach and defense than me.

Bam-

Anyway, I lightly jumped back after attacking him to prevent him from launching a counter. I can see his face all annoyed, he was too slow to catch up.

Then, as I stood a few meters away from him...

’I need to do something about his shield.’

I thought of that, thinking of a plan to get rid of it.

Lagoras’ shield is circular and it can cover his whole torso, but unlike mine... His is mostly made of wood.

My buckler is small, but there’s a big metal plate in the middle of it and more wrapping the edges.

In durability, mine is better. Also, he probably used his shield for a long time now, it’s already beat up.

And so, with all that in mind—I fixed my stance once more and brought my attention back to Lagoras.

He’s panting now, sweat is already forming on his face.

Opening my mouth...

"Tired already? Want me to give you a cane, old man?"

I asked that. And at that—

"SHUT UP!!!"

BAM!

Lagoras rushed at me again, I smiled at that sight.

I raised my sword up in the air with both my hands, and when he entered my reach—

"HAAAAAAAA!!!"

SWISH—!

I slashed down as fast and as hard as I can!

Lagoras was rushing at me in a straight line, he had been doing this since earlier. I bet the reason for that is he’s having a hard time moving around.

And because of that, I was able to predict where he was coming. I swung down in advance, and if either of us stopped—Lagoras’ head will be split open.

"...!!!"

I saw his eyes widen like they were going to pop, and desperately... he tried to raise his circular shield.

TAK—!!

He was lucky and got it up on time, he blocked my attack. But because of the force and his unpreparedness, his shield was pushed back and it slammed onto his forehead.

’Lol.’

"GARGH!!!"

Lagoras groaned in pain. Then, gritting his teeth, he countered with a horizontal slash—aiming at my left thigh.

TINK!

I quickly brought down my left arm and blocked it with my buckler, though—it only got deflected a bit down, it will still hit me on my knee!

Bam—

I kicked off the ground and jumped to avoid that from happening, Lagoras’ blade hit nothing. And as both my feet are in the air—

THUD!

I forcefully stretched them out and performed a double side kick straight to Lagoras’ shield!

TOK!

"GAH?!"

It was pushed back violently and slammed against his forehead once more, making him bleed this time!

I heard his shield crack too!

’Get fucked, bitch!’

Meanwhile, me—I was able to get a few distances between us because of what I did just now.

Tap—

I landed a couple steps away, and as soon as I did...

"Should’ve held your shield more firmly."

I said that.

"Ugh..."

Lagoras frowned as he wiped off the blood dripping on his cheek with his left arm. He looks really pissed.

But instead of running at me again, he tried to keep calm, catching his breath and recovering his stamina.

Well...

’If that’s the case—’

"THEN I’LL MOVE FIRST THIS TIME!!!"

BAM!

I leaped forward, and because my body is light and we’re not far away from each other, I reached Lagoras in a split second!

CLANG!

I slashed down, but he was able to parry it with his blade. Though, I actually didn’t care, this attack is just a decoy anyway.

TWHACK—!!

I punched out with my buckler and struck his shield in the middle.

CRACK!!

A huge hole appeared in it.

"...!!!"

Lagoras’ eyes widened again, he looks really stupid with that face.

Bam!

He retreated in panic... but I already predicted that.

Through the hole in his shield, I can see his left hand holding a handle. I leaned forward to get close to him, and before he could get further back...

PHUCK—

I thrust my short sword forward and stabbed his left hand!

"GAAARGH!!!"

Thud!

Lagoras unconsciously threw his shield away because of the pain, my weapon flung away too as it got caught in the hole of his shield.

So now, all I have is my buckler... while Lagoras still has his sword. I was still at an advantage.

And realizing this—

"I’LL FUCKING KILL YOU!!!"

FWOOSH!

He dashed at me for who-knows-how-many times now. Rage can be seen through his teary eyes.

"YOU FUCKING IDIOT JUST LOST YOUR WEAPON...!"

He shouted as he got near, then—

"DIEEEEEEEE!!!"

SWOOSH!

He swung diagonally down from his top right, aiming to cut my neck!

"Too slow."

TAK!

I just raised my buckler and stopped it.

Lagoras is too tired to launch strong and fast attacks now.

Bam!

I lightly jumped back. But not wanting me to get away—

"YOU’RE NOT GOING ANYWHERE!!!"

FWISH!

Lagoras followed, both his hands holding his sword, already raised in the air. And seeing that...

"Heh."

I smiled.

’Just as I expected from you, you’re so predictable.’

And with that in mind—

Fwip—

I grabbed the javelin on my back, I held it firmly. Looking straight at Lagoras... I can see his angered face slowly transitioning to shock.

"Bye."

I calmly said.

PHUK—

Then I threw the javelin point-blank straight to his face!

SPLASH!

Blood splattered all over me as the sharp metal tip of the javelin stabbed through his brain and head. He was hit between his brows.

And in the next moment...

THUD!

SHIIIK—

His ragdoll body fell face-first on the ground, the javelin drilled through even more.

’Great, now more than half of it is covered with his blood. Disgusting.’

I thought as I stood in front of Lagoras’ lifeless body, looking at him with a slight frown.

"..."

It was silent. But not long—

"WHOOOOOOOOOOOOAHH!!!"

"WHAT THE FUCK?!!"

"HOLY SHIT!!!"

It was shattered by the loud shouts of the crowd. The spectators was shocked, they were cheering for me or literally just screaming.

"KAISER!!!"

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHA—!!! I WON THE BET!!!"

"THAT WAS AMAZING, KID!!!"

"YOU’RE AWESOME!!!"

I just ignored them for now.

"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN—KAISER WON ONCE MORE!!! HE DEFEATED SOMEONE WITH FIVE WINS UNDER THEM, AND NOW—HE HAS ACHIEVED FOUR VICTORIES!!!"

Then finally snapping out of his stupor, the announcer exclaimed that as loud as he could.

A mischievous smile appeared on my face.

Fwip—

I pulled out the javelin from Lagoras’ head, now it was really covered in blood. All of it.

And after that, I raised it in the air.

"YEAAAAAAHHH!!!"

"WHOOOOOAAA!!!"

"I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO YOUR FUTURE FIGHTS!!!"

The cheering got louder. And once I made sure almost everyone is looking at me—

PHUK!

I stabbed the javelin back into Lagoras’ dead body, piercing from his nape through his throat!

GASP!

I heard gasping when I did that, some laughed, and some cheered even more.

"Hup...!"

I inhaled deeply... Then from the bottom of my lungs—

"I CHALLENGE THE RISING STAR OF THE SILVER RANK—EDMAR!!!"

I shouted that!

"...!"

My voice was so loud that the audience was forced to shut their mouths. Also, my skill, [Intimidation]—is leaking.

But that’s fine, it’s actually good timing. And so, I made its output as strong as I can!

SWOOSH~

The air around me changed.

And at that moment—

"W-WHAT’S THIS?!! KAISER... HE JUST CHALLENGED SOMEONE FROM THE SILVER RANK!!!"

The announcer went and declared that.

"WILL HIS FIFTH WIN BE AGAINST THE RISING STAR—EDMAR?!!"

He added, hyping the crowd up after reading the situation.

"I WOULD WATCH THAT!!!"

"ME TOO!"

"HE SHOULD ACCEPT IF HE’S NOT A COWARD!"

"YEAH!"

"NO WAY HE’LL BACK OUT AGAINST A COPPER RANK!!!"

And it actually worked. I was impressed.

Anyway, hearing what they are shouting... I smiled again.

"I’ll be waiting for your response, mister rising star."

I whispered to myself.