Chapter 76: Noah versus Arthur

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Noah's boots crunched on the forest floor as he emerged from a thicket, the echoes of his steps filling the quietude. Weak sunlight filtered through the dense canopy above, casting a dappled glow that revealed a mesmerizing sight. Half-hidden behind a curtain of vines, the skeletal remains of a once-majestic structure stood in solemn stillness.

Moss-covered stones, colossal and forgotten, lay strewn like discarded playthings. Crumbling arches hinted at doorways leading to nowhere, while empty window frames stared blankly, devoid of life. Nature, ever the reclaimer, had woven its enchantment around the ruins. Wisteria, in full bloom, cascaded from lofty points, its vibrant purple flowers contrasting against the gray stones.

Ivy clung tenaciously to the walls, its tendrils stretching like eager fingers. Upon the remnants of a flat roof, a solitary sapling had taken root, its leaves yearning for the feeble rays of sunlight.

The air hung heavy with the scent of damp earth and decaying wood. An eerie silence weighed upon the surroundings, occasionally interrupted by the rustle of leaves or the distant chirping of a hidden bird. Everywhere, the weight of history was palpable, a whisper that lingered on the breeze.

Questions arose about the grand purpose this building had once served, the footsteps that had traversed its halls, and the stories that these very stones held captive. A shiver traced down Noah's spine, a blend of awe and unease. This was a place where time had forgotten its march, leaving behind a haunting beauty and an enigmatic riddle.

"No need to dwell on the origin of this island," he muttered, shaking his head.

Noah activated his Presence Detection ability, scanning the area within a 30-meter radius. At first, there was no sign of any foreign presence. Just as he was about to cancel the skill, a blip appeared on his radar. Someone was approaching, and fast. A mischievous smile crept across Noah's face as he realized that his first prey had arrived.

Soon, the trees parted, revealing the approaching figure. Noah's surprise mirrored that of the newcomer.

"Arthur?" he exclaimed, disbelief lacing his voice.

"Noah?" Arthur echoed, a wide smile plastered on his face that didn't quite reach his eyes. Internally, alarm bells were blaring. The pre-assigned roles for this encounter were a mystery, and if Noah had landed the villain role, things were about to get complicated.

The smile faltered on Noah's face as he watched Arthur's charade. A slow, chilling grin spread across his own features, the kind that sent shivers down Arthur's spine and confirmed his worst fears. Without wasting another moment, Arthur bolted. He'd hoped to create a diversion with a prepped light bomb, a blinding flash that would grant him an escape.

"Ah, right!" he called back over his shoulder, a touch too forced.

"Completely forgot, urgent business! See you around, buddy!"

The light bomb detonated with a resounding boom, momentarily engulfing the forest in a blinding white light. Arthur used the opportunity to disappear into the undergrowth, pushing himself to his limits. He'd almost convinced himself he'd bought some distance, but then... there he was. Noah. Standing before him like a phantom, a single, chilling question hanging in the air.

"Leaving so soon, friend?" Noah's voice was deceptively calm, but the glint in his golden eyes spoke volumes of a predator stalking its prey. A primal fear gripped Arthur. Fast. That was the only word echoing in his mind. Fast wasn't enough.

With a subtle smile, he unsheathed his sword.

"Let the games begin," he declared. He could vent his previous grievance on this man, he had been annoying since they first meeting, also he would confirm form this fight if he was worth roping in as useful tool.

Across from Noah, Arthur who had no idea what running through his friend's head mirrored his action, a determined glint in his eyes. He might be weaker, but he wouldn't go down without a fight. He had faith in his swordsmanship, and 75 points were worth the risk.

"Take care of me, then," he replied, a defiant grin twisting his features.

Clangs! Clangs!

Steel sang its deadly song as their blades clashed in a flurry of sparks. Gone were the displays of flashy skills, replaced by the raw, fundamental dance of swordsmanship. Sweat beaded on their brows, turning into rivulets that traced paths down their faces as they parried and riposted, each clang and scrape a testament to years of honed reflexes and muscle memory.

Arthur, fueled by a desperate hope and a flicker of defiance that burned bright in his eyes, fought with a ferocity that belied his initial fear. He pushed himself to the limit, his movements precise and controlled despite the tremor in his hands. But Noah was a prodigy, a natural predator in his element.

His strokes were effortless, yet imbued with a deadly grace that seemed to anticipate Arthur's every move, pushing him back with each exchange.

Despite the clear disparity in strength, it was a thrilling fight. Both men reveled in the pure challenge, the rhythmic clash of metal a symphony to their trained ears. The dappled sunlight filtering through the forest canopy seemed to slow down as they dueled, the world around them fading away until all that existed was the dance of their blades and the primal instinct to survive.

As the duel wore on, however, the tide began to turn. The exertion gnawed at Arthur's strength, a bead of sweat tracing its way down his eye and stinging his vision. His movements grew sluggish, openings appearing in his defense like flickering candle flames in the growing twilight.

Noah seized his opportunity with the predatory instincts of a lion stalking its prey. With a swift maneuver that seemed to blur the lines between human and weapon, he disarmed Arthur. The blond's blade clattered to the forest floor with a final, mournful ring.

Arthur sank to his knees, panting heavily, defeat etched on his face, but a flicker of something else lingered in his eyes - a grudging respect for the opponent who had bested him.

Noah lowered his own sword, the tip tracing a thoughtful line in the dirt. A hint of respect, unexpected yet genuine, glimmered in his eyes. This wasn't just a simple victory; it was a display of remarkable skill from his opponent, a testament to the fighting spirit that burned bright even in the face of overwhelming odds.

"You fought well, Arthur, more than I expected," he acknowledged, his voice devoid of malice, a simple statement of fact.

Arthur, catching his breath in ragged gasps, managed a weak smile.

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"You weren't so bad yourself," he conceded, the initial resentment replaced by a newfound admiration for the formidable warrior before him.

The system chimed once more, confirming Noah's victory and awarding him the promised gold coins. But a more valuable reward, it seemed, was the newfound respect forged between the two. Arthur wasn't bad, and Noah decided to observe his character for a while before deciding whether to genuinely become his friend or simply use him as a tool he could dispose of at any moment.