Chapter 29: The First Style

The crowd is gathered around the two fighters tense and excited talk fills the air. More and more people are joining the crowd this is the first time many of the lifestyle players will get to see a fight up close. Thousand Styles Miles sends her a PVP battle request. Tempest accepts the request and a red banner appears overhead. At the same time, several smaller guilds stop their preparation to join in. Any guild will want information on strong players especially since they can recruit them.

The system starts a countdown from ten, "Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, ready, set, RO'battle."

Tempest believes she will have the advantage after all unlike Thousand Styles Miles. Who is an unimpressive average human? She is a Hill Barbarian. Barbarians are stronger and faster than normal humans. Thousand Styles Miles is using a sword and shield. He takes his stance shield up in front of him and sword raised ready to attack.

Tempest rushes forward even reduces to level five she believes herself plenty strong enough to defeat Thousand Styles Miles. he swings his shield at Tempest. Tempests' blade crashes into the shield and a loud rattle can be heard from the impact. The crowd gaps in excitement. A smart eyed merchant wishes he could make people gamble on the fight.

Tempest attacks again, right upswing. This is meant to push the shield into the path of its owner sword. Thousand Styles Miles Twists his body following with the momentum of his shield. The lack of recoil causes Tempest to move further forward than she anticipated. Taking advantage of Thousand Styles Miles slashes at her arm. A damage value appearing above her head. Immediately Thousand Styles returns to his stance. His shield raised covering most of him and his sword ready to strike.

Tempest grabs at her arm seeing the blood she smiles. She really loves Odyessy the sensation is thrilling. Her warm blood dripping from the cut. Tempest says, "It seems you have some skill." Thousand Styles Miles smacks the back of his shield as his response. Tempest moves towards him slowly this time slashing him to gauge distance.

The next series of attacks from Tempest is fast and concentrated. She strikes where he should be weak, Thousand Styles Miles responds coldly his shield blocking every attack. The shield hits in the forearm, shin, inner arm it's an odd and effective way to fight. Tempest is glad she receives no damage every time she is blocked by his shield interrupting her attack. Tempest steps forward to attack again this time her thigh bumps into Thousand Styles Miles Shield. He had leapt forward the moment she stepped up to attack. He then rushes her with his shoulder knocking into her. Tempest tries to swing her sword but her arm is blocked by Thousand Styles Miles. Tempest growing frustrated at being blocked at every angle tries a leg sweep. Thousand Styles Miles goes on one knee protecting his flank with his shield.

Tempest's leg sweeps right into his bended knee. Tempest yells out loud the sharp sting is followed by a system announcement.

[Winner Thousand Styles Miles]

Everyone is shocked nobody understood what just happened. The fight should have gone on for a few minutes instead of less than one. More unbelievably than that is the fact that Thousand Styles Miles defeated Tempest. Violentcia is very proud of her skills. The only person who can beat is Tempest. This would mean that Thousand Styles Miles is stronger than her.

Violentcia steps forward in disbelief helping up Tempest who had almost a full bar of health. As Tempest tries to grab at Violentcia she is unable to raise her arms. The crowd went from cheering to silent only a few people understand what happened not even the author knows.

Tempest look at her heads up display. She sees she has a new status affecting her body. She hovers over the effect and an image of her body comes up it is glowing red. She is also losing health at one per minute. Tempest asks, "Whats strain damage?"

Violentcia shakes her head not knowing how to answer. Arty eyes go wide, she is brimming with joy and sends the video to Liliana. Arty has not understood why Liliana is so fascinated by the boy. They look at Thousand Styles Miles all with expecting eyes. Thousand Styles Miles snickers and says, "Unfortunately it's a trade secret." The ladies hold their breath even Arty doesn't know a trade secret. The greatest experts all yearn to learn a trade secret. Trade secrets are how the major solar powers maintain power. It is said that even the weak of solar power has ten to twenty trade secrets. Gained over a hundred years of VRMMORPG effort.

Violentcia quickly looks at the warden to heal Tempest. Arty without even looking at Tempest heals her. She is waiting on a reply from Liliana Arty only came with because Liliana is busy with her Undead Queen class change. Tempest stands in front of Thousand Styles Miles her head held low fist tightened. She is furious at having lost without even understanding how it happened. Even Violentcia has a similar look on her. Everyone working for THousand Styles Miles pats themselves on the back for their leader's good work. They even start to throw out words at the female party.

Thousand Styles Miles lifts his right silencing them all. He works up to Tempest and says, " Don't worry I also needed that I hope we can work together from now on." Thousand Styles Miles knows a little about command and so decided to go an easier route than have them hate him. This way at least he should be able to enjoy their company before Liliana summons him. Unconsciously he turns around vaguely he can see a spirit outline of Liliana that makes him shudder.

Tempest holds out her hand for a hands shake. One of the group comes running towards Thousand Styles Miles holding a sheet of paper. Thousand Styles Miles read the piece of paper it has the insignia of his company. In the real world, he gets angry when he sees an order mandating the death of six players he has never heard of. First, on the list is the leader of the party a Naga named SKY Ocean Hunter, secondly, a human male named Tyr, a half-giant wizard called Tatiana, a Blood-elf called Lux, an Arkenian called Nineth Immortal, A Soul Guardian called Styx and Frey a gifted Sprite.

Thousand Styles Miles says, "Rainbow who the hell are these people." Rainbow points at the co-signer on the paper that has been circulated around the affiliated players. Thousand Styles Miles then says, " Bring SoulStealer here right now I don't care what he is doing." While Thousand Styles Miles tries to control his rage. A call comes in from Liliana...

Lilianas' voice is sweet and sultry dripping excitement, "Hey handsome..." She makes sure to say each word slowly. On the other side, Thousand Styles Miles is sweating buckets. She is a dominating figure, since he met her she has constantly pressured him and bullied him. Somehow his mad father has managed to get them engaged. As the heir to the Baron fortune, he can't say no. To make matters worse her family is way more powerful than his. He doesn't even understand how the engagement happened her family should not have agreed to this.

Thousand Styles Miles, "Hey Uhm you..." He is hesitant to show affection to her since she already manhandles him whenever she likes. Even his recent move is orchestrated by her..."sweetie. if we can keep this short I'm a little busy." He needs to keep her happy for his own sake. Being a person born into wealth. He has spent his life around others like him. However she is deadly, wickedness is a normal part of attitude. He can be hurtful and mean but she is naturally cruel to those she sees as beneath her.

Liliana says, "Tsk! Those children your playing with are only dragging you down. You are a lion in a field of pigs make sure to not get any mud on yourself, my dear." Her voice had gone from sweet to cutting in a moment. The change reminds I'm of Liliana in his memory. He shivers rubbing the back of his neck.

Thousand Styles Miles says, " Alright have fun, I should be there soon anyway."

Liliana says, "You fucken better..." Even the click of the voice chat ending sounded ominous. Liliana hopes he can hurry so she can give him a gift as a Death Prophet she will need at least four Wraith Generals to properly grow her class. She stands from the small wooden chair she was sitting at heading outside. The wooden cabin door opens up to a field of the dead. An entire town devoid of life, every single, player, NPC and living entity is dead. Liliana smiles after having harvested enough souls she can make her first Wraith General.

Tyr gets a message from the outside world

-----From Doctor Naomi----

Your sister has woken up ahead of schedule. We would like you to arrange an appointment as soon as possible. We have much to discuss...

----END OF MESSAGE---

At the same time, the message arrives another system message goes off one Tyr has been hoping for.

---OVERWATCH SYSTEM ANNOUNCEMENT---

OMEGA PATCH WILL PUSHED PLAYERS WILL BE DISCONNECTED FOR FIVE MINUTES

---CANTOS INDUSTRIES THANKS YOU---

[Author note: Thousand Styles Miles 'cheated' the reasons he chose fair duel mode as opposed to deathmatch. Is because it assigned limbs individual damage boxes if managed to damage them enough to cause a global body effect similar to fatigue. The sensation presents itself as muscle strain. This is only possible because they are both low level and her items are muted. Low-level entities don't have high ENOUGH defence. Oh no I forgot the fat best friend trope no wonder no one is reading my book]