[The Enemy(Epic)(Passive Skill) is one-handed swordsmanship that focuses on high speed and strength. The less stamina the user has, the more speed and strength the user acquires. The sword's damage and weight accurately respond to the user's strengthened stats. Based on the user's experience and level, more skills will be unlocked.]
BANG!
As SWalker swung his blade, he cut the wind open, creating a sharp wave of gusts! The two arrows closest to him had been split in half! He didn't stop on that, either.
Dashing in Jake's direction, he pinpointed the location of Jake's arrows with his perception skill.
'Your teleportation has obvious weaknesses! So long as I destroy those arrows or position myself accordingly between them, I'll be able to reach you faster than you think! I can snatch back the control of this duel!' SWalker thought.
Because of his new plan and strength, he didn't run straight at Jake.
While Jake didn't know what exactly SWalker had thought of, the outsiders had a much easier time figuring out the swordsman's scheme to defeat Jake.
The serious newbie players diligently studied this battle.
Meanwhile, Jake was baited into SWalker's flow.
'I have more arrows to always create a space,' Jake thought. 'He seems faster. This is a real test of our swordsmanship, Wukong!'
With that said, Jake split his weapon into twin short swords and raced at the swordsman.
Their blades met in a loud clash.
In a brief test of strength, where two of them pushed their entire strength and weight at each other, Jake and SWalker deeply probed into each other's eyes before separating and swinging their weapons again.
Each stroke of their swords had seemingly made them more reckless, as despite a single mistake being enough to cost them their efforts, these two only sped up during their clashes.
'He's following a simple pattern! I can effortlessly break it!' SWalker thought. He'd noticed that pattern while in his Knight Mode, but the new surge of strength and speed compelled him to fight Jake head-on.
Now that he clearly understood that Jake still had enough gears to match his new stats, SWalker didn't let this new skill get to his head. He waited for that perfect moment to disturb Jake's swordsmanship.
It happened when Jake swung his left twin sword to complete his pattern...
'That's it... that's the gap!' SWalker widely swept his sword, tearing through the gap in Jake's stance and leaving a vast and deep laceration on his leather armor and chest!
Jake widened his eyes.
Drops of his blood swirled before him, and he could see them well as he was highly drunk on adrenaline.
He was also in that zone.
And his Joker Mask was still emphasizing his smile.
'He's smiling... even now?' SWalker thought. 'It must be because he can escape... but he does not recognize that I can catch up to him!'
SWalker was partially correct.
Jake smiled widely because he was learning so much more about swordsmanship and archery. Such a demanding opponent would accelerate his growth and inspire him more than anything else!
That said, Jake also had a reason to not feel any despair.
He hadn't felt hopeless yet.
Despite knowing that a single mistake could cost him this battle, Jake also understood that it could not be the case—because his endurance was more than unique! He didn't have blood but a god's wine.
His endurance was much higher than all those players and instructors gathered here could have ever imagined!
Jake disappeared and reappeared as far as possible from SWalker.
Alas, the swordsman was on his tail and only needed two seconds to reach his side. It was because SWalker's perception wasn't normal. He could have sensed mana wavering around the arrow before Jake had teleported to it, meaning he could feel more of Jake's flow!
He was growing a lot in that battle.
Sensing the threat on his neck, Jake ducked.
He then dug his swords into the ground and raised his leg to create more space. Forced to dodge the kick, SWalker took a step back.
"Archer!"
"Exactly! Archer has to fight a mage, too! Come on! Don't go down now, Archer!"
Those cheers were a sight to behold.
Viktor was the most overwhelmed by it. How long had it been since someone cheered for an archer? He couldn't remember even a day when people would applaud archery and so fervently comment on it... he didn't show anything on his face, but his heart was boiling.
He was pretty red from emotions, too.
The battle, however, was on such an important point that no one had time to look at him.
Jake and SWalker were in such a zone that they didn't hear the crowd's cheers.
They only had each other in their eyes.
SWalker thought, 'So heavy... you've become so heavy, my partner.' It'd be difficult for him to lift his sword over his head, as it had become that strong with The Enemy's buff.
If SWalker were to undo it, he'd lose all his strength.
'I joked to myself that I'd pick up Excalibur in this fantasy world and convince my parents of its wealth and prestige, but I never would have thought that I'd make Excalibur myself. It's my greatest honor to have you as my partner,' SWalker thought as he stared at his sword. 'Last Dance.'
Across him, Jake stood with his bow elongated.
It had become so huge that it was like a small tree standing beside him.
It was even bigger than its basic version.
Jake turned it so huge that he entered his Formless Soldier Form and released the strongest arrow the current him(the one burdened with stamina, mana, and health losses) could.
He nocked an arrow.
SWalker exerted as much strength as he could.
He lifted his weapon and held it diagonally—one-handed.
It all boiled down to this clash.
Jake let the arrow go.
It flew and whistled like a morning bird.
SWalker screamed. He raised his sword over his head and waited for the arrow to come at him. Once it was within reach, he slashed his weapon down, intent on destroying the arrow.
That arrow, however, had a different arrow point.
It was blunt.
SWalker's arm shivered as a jolt of electricity went through his dominant hand. It rolled up to his shoulder, draping him in numbness.
He couldn't squeeze his hand, let alone wield a weapon.
His sword clanged at his feet.
"It's my loss," SWalker said with a faint smile.
Jake nodded. "It's been a great duel."
SWalker logged out as he saw that Jake didn't want to finish him.
Logging out in a duel meant an obvious loss.
A one-hour penalty was also applied.
[You have defeated SWalker.]
With that win, everyone's eyes fell on Jake.
The entire training grounds stared at him.