Soon they reached their destination, a medium-sized arena covered by a majestic dome. Noah took a moment to survey the surroundings, eagerly awaiting the system's announcement of their next mission. However, to his disappointment, no announcement came, leaving him frustrated. Nevertheless, he refused to let it affect his focus.
Sunlight scattered through the dome, casting long shadows across the packed earth floor. These shadows offered potential blind spots and strategic advantages. Noah chose a longsword, its weight familiar and comforting in his grip. He positioned himself in a low guard stance, holding the cruciform guard high to deflect any potential attacks.
Across from him, Lilith mirrored his actions, but with a lighter weapon—a shortsword held in a reverse grip, its pointed tip aimed directly at Noah's chest. Her initial surprise at the guild leader's presence had transformed into a determined intensity, her amber eyes gleaming with resolve.
A fiery red lock of hair escaped her braid, dancing around her face as she shifted into a side stance, her body coiled like a spring.
The air crackled with nervous anticipation. Then, in perfect synchronization, they propelled themselves forward. Noah lunged, his longsword slicing through the air in a devastating diagonal slash, aiming to disarm Lilith. Anticipating his move, a smirk briefly appeared on her lips. Displaying remarkable agility, she dropped into a crouch, evading the blade effortlessly.
As she swiftly rose, her shortsword blurred in a figure-eight pattern, targeting Noah's exposed legs. He narrowly evaded her strike, his heart racing as her blade grazed past his shin, sending a shiver down his spine.
The dance had begun. Noah, with his reach advantage, focused on keeping Lilith at a distance. He swung his longsword in wide arcs, each swing brimming with controlled power. Lilith, on the other hand, moved like a whirlwind, her smaller frame allowing for swift pivots and dodges. She weaved in and out of Noah's attacks, searching for an opportunity to strike.
The resonating clash of metal on metal reverberated through the arena, accompanied by brief sparks illuminating their determined expressions.
Noah realized something. The longsword, while formidable, drained his stamina with each swing. He needed to find an opening quickly. And there it was—a chance he spotted. Bringing the longsword down in a heavy vertical strike, he deliberately slowed the blow at the last moment. Lilith, anticipating a full-powered swing, committed to a dodge, rolling to the side.
This proved to be her mistake. With a flick of his wrist, Noah redirected the longsword mid-swing, its tip aiming for Lilith's exposed back. However, she was no amateur. Sensing the shift in momentum, Lilith twisted in mid-air, her agility allowing her to raise the shortsword just in time to deflect the blow with a resounding clang.
The near miss left them both momentarily off-balance, their breaths heavy and labored. They circled each other, analyzing their opponent's next move. The tension in the arena was palpable, even Arion, an imposing figure leaning against the wall, seemed to hold his breath.
In awe of their extraordinary swordsmanship, Arion couldn't help but admire Noah and Lilith. The fact that they relied solely on their sword skills was commendable. If it weren't for the fact that they were here on an internship, Arion would have gladly extended an offer for them to join the prestigious Sun guild. Their potential was undeniable. However, he knew it was impossible.
A small guild like theirs couldn't attract true dragons; only the strongest of the strongest would capture their interest and secure their allegiance. It was a pity.
As Arion continued to watch the fight unfold, he saw it reach its climactic moment. Both Noah and Lilith unleashed their skills. With a swift and devastating strike, Noah employed the Fangs of Insanity, his sword engulfed in flames, shattering Lilith's sword that was surrounded by a gust of wind. Noah emerged victorious.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, night descended upon Sunhold city. The once bustling streets now glistened with the soft glow of streetlights and the distant twinkle of stars. The cityscape transformed, casting long shadows and creating an atmosphere of mystery and tranquility.
The residents of Sunhold prepared to embrace the calmness of the night, as the city's energy shifted from the vibrancy of the day to the quiet serenity of the evening.
°°°
Deep in contemplation of her mission and where the Jammer had gone, a woman found herself ensnared within the confines of a dimly lit alley.
"Excuse me, madam, did you venture here unaccompanied?"
Startled by the realization that she had unknowingly strayed into this foreboding path, the woman paused, her attention now fixated on the shadowy figure that materialized in front of her.
Bathed in the ethereal glow of the moon, a disheveled man stared at her with a malevolent gaze that sent shivers down her spine.
Behind him, a group of similarly dressed individuals, their sinister grins revealing their ill intentions, made their presence known.
"Hehehe, take a look at this. Just stand there, and the women come flocking to us."
"Gorgeous face, let's see... Ah, what a prize we've stumbled upon!"
"Shut up, you bastard. I've always despised you!"
The resentful subordinate relentlessly attacked the leader, fueled by his deep-seated hatred.
The leader, who had orchestrated the ambush, lost his composure and swung his fist, smashing his subordinate's head into the wall.
A sickening crunch filled the alley as skull and brain collided.
Even as he deteriorated into a pitiful state and his consciousness faded, hatred for her still twisted his face.
Then, the other subordinates, driven by their own ambitions, plunged their knives as well.
"You... you guys, why...?"
"If you die, I'll become the boss! So kindly die for me!"
"Now that I think about it, you broke my nose and teeth last time because I said something you didn't like, right?"
"I never liked you from the beginning. Just die right here!"
The leader's body was mutilated by the blades in the hands of his subordinates.
Despite putting up a fight and taking a few of them down, it wasn't enough to overcome the numerical disadvantage.
-Ding-ling-
The sound of a performance echoed as life slowly faded away.
But this was far from a requiem.
Those present were true to their desires, and a scene born out of desire didn't require the solemnity of a funeral.
"Your desire for me and your hatred towards those you've lived with in this filth... Which way does your desire lean now?"
Even with splatters of blood staining her white clothes, the jester didn't stop.
Amongst the blood-soaked blades pointed at each other, she maintained her bright smile and softly whispered her mission.
"Whichever it may be, don't hold back. Worry, concern... cast aside everything that brings vague anxiety, at least for this moment."
"Even if irreversible consequences arise from this moment, my performance will make you forget even that fear..."
With all restraints discarded, the audience, hungry for a cathartic release of their desires, surged forward.
How could the jester, whose role was to amplify the intensity of this moment, turn away and withdraw from this carnival?
It wouldn't a jester otherwise.