Chapter 73: Something you deserve

Chapter 73: Something you deserve

Who are you? Bella asked, stepping between them. I didnt see you taking the trials.

Does it matter? Im challenging him. And I did take the trial, thank you very much. You just missed it because you werent paying attention.

Bella shot a look at Chance, who shook his head. I didnt see her taking it either.

She is indeed one of the participants that have been approved to make it to the next stage, Jerrin said, but there was a small frown on his face. This is a sanctioned challenge. You may refuse it if you wish, but that comes with the forfeiture of any supplies you would have earned.

Ill fight. Im not giving my stuff up that easily, but I could have sworn I didnt see her doing the test. Did anyone else?

The other cultivators shuffled their feet and cast their glances to the side. Nobody answered the question. Chance shrugged and handed his case of pills to Bella.

Could you hold onto that for a little? I dont want it to get damaged while Im fighting.

If youre sure. Something feels off to me, though, Bella said. She shot Jerrin a sharp glance. Not the most above-board way to do things that Ive seen.

Im afraid it all falls within the rules of what is legal, Jerrin said apologetically. The cultivator hasnt done anything that would give us cause to intercede. Would everyone please back up to give these two some room? If you get injured while they fight, youll have only yourself to blame.

The other cultivators all retreated to their chairs, leaving Chance and the cloaked girl alone in the center of the square. Jerrin moved off to the side, remaining close enough to officiate the match but keeping enough distance to avoid getting hit by stray attacks.

This match will go until one party either admits defeat or is unable to continue, Jerrin said. Are you both prepared?

Chance drew a deep breath and let it out slowly. With it went the stress of all the eyes on him and the imminent fight. A small grin pulled the corners of his lips up. The only emotions remaining in him were excitement and joy.

Lets do this. Ill be treating you like a cultivator this time, miss.

The girl narrowed her eyes in response. She shifted her weight, lowering into a fighting stance and raising her hands like a brawler without breaking eye contact with Chance.

Begin! Jerrin called.

Chances bracelet snapped outward, forming into an urumi and expanding before the last notes of Jerrins voice had faded away. The girl threw herself to the side, but she wasnt fast enough to avoid the sudden attack. The blades carved through her cloak and scraped along something metal on her back with a loud screech.

She stumbled, and Chance was upon her. His knee flashed up, driving into her nose with a loud crunch. To Chances surprise, the strike didnt faze her in the slightest. She lunged for him and he spun, redirecting and sending the girl stumbling to the side.

His urumi whistled back into its sword form and he swayed, watching her movements carefully. Showing no signs of any strategy, she charged him again, holding her arms wide in an attempt to grab him in a bear hug.

Chance threw himself into a roll, going straight between her legs and slashing his urumi as he rose up behind her. Another loud screech rang out. He bobbed, dodging another reckless attack, then wove a leg between hers and hooked one of her legs while thrusting his shoulder into her stomach.

She slammed into the ground with a heavy thud. Chances instincts made him roll with her instead of following the attack up. He tumbled across the muddy ground and spun, raising his urumi just before a throwing knife clanged into it. The weapon spun off to the side and landed in the mud beside him.

Nope. No idea whats going on, Chance admitted.

Little shit, James said. He cracked his neck and raised his sword. The girl stepped up beside him. Her arms whirred as her hands split apart and two long blades emerged from her wrists. This is my construct, Tamara. Usually, people dont get to see the puppetmaster fight. You should be honored.

Chances gaze flicked down to his urumi. Cheap trick. I know a puppetmaster, and you arent him. It's a shame. You seemed like a decent enough guy.

"We'll see about that. And it's not my fault you're gullible. I'll be taking those pills of yours while we're at this. I can put them to better use than you can."

Chance opened his third eye. Strands of karma erupted all around James, but not a single one was connected to Tamara. Evidently, she wasnt even a monster. She was just a very humanoid looking weapon.

James grunted. Well see about that. Ive given you enough time to surrender. Your blood is on your hands.

He and Tamara charged forward as one. Golden mist swelled around Chance and his grin widened as Essence thumped through his body, invigorating every single cell. He threw himself forward, sliding straight between the two, hooking his finger onto a strand of Karma as he passed by.

Chance landed in a hand stand, then vaulted to his feet with a laugh. A golden fist materialized in the air beside James and slammed into his cheek, sending the man reeling. James hit the ground hard as the fist slammed into his stomach again. A heavily armored man materialized from the mist, rearing back to strike him again.

Tamara slammed into it, her blades tearing through the Essence and shredding it to pieces. James staggered to his feet and wiped a trickle of blood from his nose, glaring furiously at Chance.

What do you cultivate?

Chance laughed again. He pulled his urumi from the ground and flicked it, sending mud splattering everywhere as it whistled back into its resting position. Something you deserve.

James snarled. Tamara blurred toward Chance, moving faster than she had before. But things were different this time she wasnt a human. Chance hadnt been going easy, but he had no desires to kill another cultivator that really didnt deserve it. A robot, on the other hand, was an entirely different story.

Essence poured into Chances urumi, empowering it. Golden mist whirled around him, forming into a rough cloak behind his back as he lunged, thrusting the blade straight at her neck. His body contorted and he leaned back, allowing Tamaras arm blades to whistle harmlessly above his nose.

His urumi carved through her neck and bit deep into her metallic chest, slicing along her body effortlessly with the aid of the Essence coursing through it. Chance spun, slamming his knee into Tamaras chest and sending the construct rolling across the ground.

It creaked, starting to rise, and his urumi whistled through the air once more, even as James charged at him. The urumi split Tamara clean in two. Her arms fell to the sides as the top half of her body pitched backward, crashing into the mud.

Chance lowered his center of mass and staggered forward, driving his shoulder into Jamess stomach. The air burst from the mans lungs in a grunt and he staggered back, only to find Chances elbow slamming into the back of his head.

Blows rained down on James and he dropped his sword, desperately trying to defend himself. Every time he went to block, Chances fists were somewhere else. And, when he did manage to stop the flailing hands, a knee slammed straight into his solar plexus.

James choked on blood pouring into his throat from his nose. His eyes shot over to his fallen sword and he lunged for it and straight into a kick. His head snapped back and he skidded across the mud, sliding up to his sword.

His fingers twitched as he reached out for it. Then his hand flopped to the mud and he moved no more beyond the instinctual faint, ragged gasps for air. Chance swayed in place, watching James for any signs of another trick.

One participant is no longer able to continue the fight, Jerrin said, unable to mask the awe in his voice. This challenge is over.