Chapter 165 - The Ark Of Li Ling

"Why your hands?"

"Because I'm the best at hand-to-hand combat. I don't wield a weapon. I don't have to."

"Funny, you never told me that."

"I don't dare to tell anyone about my strength. It's not a gift, it's a curse."

The next thing by the Umbra was a flurry of water attacks. They were utterly useless against the Viscountess.

"Use what you have. Those bound by frivolous rules are weak, unable to defy the odds. And those who do not use their pawns to the utmost are fools."

"But are my pawns powerful enough to beat the opponent?"

"That's for you to decide. Your strategy. Your game. Don't let the game manipulate you. Manipulate the game. No point having a thousand weapons when you don't even know how to use a single one."

Her reaction and moves were smooth, even if it was up against an otherwordly being. The Umbra used water blasts, spikes, and chains to secure the higher ground against the Viscountess. All of it, even trying to drown Ling with a water bubble around her head was futile.

"Why are you so intent to learn to snipe? None of us are doing it."

"All of them know how to use a gun! Why can't I learn that?"

"Don't let your difference get a hold of you. Grab it and use it to your advantage. Not all have to learn to snipe or fence."

She used her head to headbutt the Umbra, effectively destroying the Umbra's concentration. And all Ling had to do was punch or kick through the water. Even when the Umbra conjured up a water shield, the Viscountess merely passed through it, like it was nothing.

Another punch allowed the Viscountess to go upside down and lock the Umbra's neck using her legs.

"What the hell are you?!" asked the Umbra, shakily.

"A human who can use Pankration to its greatest," replied the Viscountess.

As she caught the Umbra without a warning, she threw an earth-racking punch right at the Umbra's abdomen. The Viscountess's punch, once again, passed through the water barrier.

Not only the punch's shockwave could felt by everyone in the room, but it was also powerful enough to go right through the Umbra. Her fist was covered in blood.

"So what if you can't snipe? What if you aren't good at fencing? What if you can't do poison drinks? Or act like a proper lady?"

"But everyone can do those! So...Why am I forced to learn such an old technique?"

The Viscountess pulled her arm out and made a solid beeline to the Umbra's eyes.

"Because having a weapon means that you would be dependant on it. Once your weapon breaks or you run out of bullets, the battle weighs favorably on your enemy's side."

"At least I would have an edge on the modern battlefield! We don't have to be so old-schooled."

"And when the fruits of advancement are taken away, you are back to square one. And what did humans use in ancient times?"

"But I want to be like the rest..."

Viscountess Ling then gouged out the Umbra's eyes without mercy. This is much to the horror of Vernice.

"You are the master of hand-to-hand combat out of the Five Kings. Use that proudly. Flaunt it without shame. Because that's what makes you special. There's no need for you to be like the rest."

"But...But.." sobbed the young Li.

Leonard smiled as her daughter began to tear up. The mother placed a hand on her child's head, ruffling her hair.

"That's what makes you a true Ling. Your name, 'Li', is part of the phrase, 'Mei Li'. That means pretty in Chinese. But you don't have to be pretty. 'Li' can mean powerful, or strength. It directly means power. And that's what I want you to strive for. Being a pretty face on the battlefield is nothing."

"But being strong when life gets you beaten... Being strong in the face of death and despair..."

The young mother hugged her child with warmth.

"Is the proudest thing you can ever do for me."

The Umbra lied there, defeated. Limp and lifeless, the Viscountess regained her sanity and looked at what she had done.

"It's alright, you did what you had to..." comforted Vernice, attempting to talk to Li Ling.

"The Umbra won't die just yet," warned Z.

"Stop it! That's enough for her!" yelled Vernice.

"Silence!" boomed the Ice Mage.

"It was her choice to defend us. Her choice when she assaulted the enemy. So now, do it properly. Finish off your enemy without letting it resurface. That's how you win a battle."

But Ling was undeterred as she focused on the task on hand. Picking the Umbra up, she annihilated its neck by using Mavislin's feathers.