Chapter 144: Winner and non-winner

As I dashed toward Limahlat at high speed, I created a low-lying mist, and soon a fog began to form on the arena's surface. Eventually, I was completely hidden within the mist, fully camouflaged. Limahlat widened her eyes, scanning her surroundings, as if trying to predict where I would strike. After all, her hands were still free, and she could still fight back.

Like a lightning bolt, I emerged from the mist and swung my sword toward Limahlat. Given the proximity and the unexpectedness of the attack, her reflexes were naturally insufficient, and my sword cut through her shoulder, slicing through her armor. Then, I quickly disappeared back into the mist, simultaneously strengthening the earth that held Limahlat, using my Kaizer power to sink her even deeper.

Limahlat's eyes darted around rapidly, but I had completely vanished in the mist. With the air element, I was silent and swift, almost like a shadow. I swung my sword, approaching Limahlat once more, and launched another attack. She noticed at the last second and tried to raise her spear, but my sword had already cut deep.

A look of surprise appeared on Limahlat's face, and just as she was about to counterattack, I vanished into the mist again.

My movements were uninterrupted, and I was nearly invisible in the fog. A short while later, I appeared again and swung my sword toward Limahlat's other arm. This time, her reflexes were quicker, and she blocked my strike with her spear, but she still lost her balance.

The mist was an advantage; she knew I could strike from anywhere, but she couldn't predict from which direction, but if I had tried this tactic in my previous matches things could have been different.

I retreated into the mist again, watching Limahlat. She was trying to plant her feet on solid ground and carefully observing her surroundings. But I intended to keep exploiting this advantage. Using the air, I increased my speed and emerged behind her this time. As I prepared to strike, my sword gleamed with blue flames.

My attack sped toward Limahlat's back, but just as I was about to land the blow, she quickly pulled back her spear, clashing with my sword. The sound that echoed through the arena showed the intensity of the collision.

Before pulling back again, I melded once more into the mist. This game was starting to weigh on her; her strength and focus were gradually waning. Limahlat was searching for me with an almost crazed fury. Again, I attacked from an unexpected direction, landing another strike. This cycle continued: emerge from the mist, attack, then disappear again.

"Arthur!" Limahlat shouted, her voice filled with rage. It was a challenge, but I wasn't going to play by her rules. Limahlat was strong, but this time, speed and intelligence would win the day. I was directing the fight with agility and strategy. I didn't know how much longer she could hold out, but this constant barrage would wear her down, eventually.

The interesting thing was that even I couldn't follow my attacks with my eyes, while Limahlat was able to fight back! It was a clear indication of how unbelievably good a fighter she was.

However, this plan was suitable for defeating her. I had watched many of Limahlat's matches, and our encounter confirmed one thing: Limahlat had resistance, especially against magic made of elements like fire and earth, but that resistance wasn't infinite. A sufficiently powerful fire could burn her, but the fire needed to be very strong. That's why I was trying to defeat her with sword techniques.

If it had been anyone else in this place, I would have already turned my opponent to ashes with a massive fireball.

As I once again disappeared into the mist, I could feel Limahlat's strength and anger slowly depleting. Her movements were becoming sluggish, and she was having trouble focusing. She was often forced into defense against my attacks, weakening with each blow. This time, I wanted to push the game a little further.

I glided through the mist at high speed again, but this time I intended not just to strike, but to deliver the final blow. Limahlat's armor was cracked in several places, and she was injured, yet she still resisted. She was standing with the honor of a warrior, trying to hold her ground. But no matter how strong she was, as long as I kept up my strategy, she wasn't unbeatable.

Stay updated with m-v l|-NovelFire.net

This time, I decided to make a different move. With my air power, I briefly lifted my sword off the ground, letting it float in the air. Meanwhile, I circled around Limahlat rapidly, trying to divert her attention elsewhere. Then, I increased my speed, suddenly launching a punch.

Limahlat blocked my fist at the last moment, but at that exact instant, I sent my sword hurtling down from above, using my air element. The blade's tip gleamed with blue flames, and this time, my target was her head.

Limahlat's focus was still grounded, but by the time she noticed the attack from above, it was too late. My sword struck her helmet with great force, shattering a large part of it, and blood began to stream down her head. Yet, she remained standing, still strong. She staggered slightly, but hadn't completely given up.

She tried to retaliate by swinging her spear at me, but I had already vanished into the mist again. Sёarch* The nôᴠel Fire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Relying on her warrior instincts, she continued to search for me, but the time had come to end this game. I paused for a moment in the mist, took a deep breath, and gathered all my strength. With my Kaizer power, I hardened the ground even further, immobilizing Limahlat's feet completely. Already tired and wounded, Limahlat was now nearly helpless.

Just as I was about to make my ultimate move, I felt a hesitation inside me. Limahlat was the daughter of a very powerful person, and she herself was a strong warrior. I didn't want to make an unnecessary enemy out of her. Besides, I wanted to maintain good relations with the demon race, and there was no reason to cause her unnecessary suffering, but I had to win this fight.

Limahlat was already injured and far from her strongest. If I defeated her this way, she might later claim that I had beaten her dishonorably and refuse to accept the loss because of her warrior's pride. That's why I dispersed the mist and withdrew the earth that had immobilized her.

When the fog starts to clear, Limahlat looked at me with a surprised expression. "A warrior as honorable and strong as you should only lose by fighting," I said.

Under Limahlat's astonished gaze, the mist fully cleared. For a brief moment, our eyes met. She was exhausted, blood from her wounds staining her armor and her face, but there was still a fire of battle in her eyes. She had the honor and pride of a warrior, and I knew she deserved to fight with all our strength, regardless of my own interests.

When I released the earth, Limahlat staggered, planting her feet firmly on the ground. She grasped her spear once again and began walking toward me with heavy steps. Each footfall shook the ground, and echoes filled the arena. "I'm giving you a chance to reclaim your honor," I said, raising my sword in the air. "I won't hide behind the mist anymore."

Limahlat roared and swung her spear toward me with all her might. I quickly retreated, but the spear, wielded with tremendous force, shattered the arena's floor. As I pulled back, I used my air element to increase my speed and rushed toward Limahlat. My sword, gleaming with light, moved swiftly toward her, but she had regained her reflexes.

She countered my sword with her spear, causing a thunderous clash that reverberated throughout the arena.

The attacks intensified. Faced with Limahlat's strength and endurance, I had to move strategically. Using my air element, I increased my speed with each passing moment, circling around her and launching attacks while evading her massive spear. However, every encounter left destruction in the arena. Each swing of Limahlat's spear tore the ground apart, creating large cracks around us.

Despite this, I didn't remain idle. Every time I slashed my sword, it left deep cuts, weakening her armor and resistance.

With a high leap, I launched myself into the air, using my powers to dive toward the ground at great speed. Limahlat swung her spear, but before she could hit me, I changed direction mid-air and slipped behind her. I accelerated and aimed my sword at her back, but at the last moment, she spun around and blocked my strike with her spear.

Her warrior instincts had saved her, and I must admit, she was performing far better than I expected. She should truly be proud of herself as a warrior.

Both of us were now exhausted, but this fight had become a matter of honor. Limahlat swung her spear once more with all her strength, and I quickly dropped to the ground, rolling to dodge just in time. As I leaped over the large crack that had formed in the arena, I took a deep breath and decided to make one last strike.

I could see in Limahlat's eyes that the battle was nearing its end, but she would never accept defeat. Using my air element, I propelled myself toward her at full speed. This time, I aimed my sword directly at her spear. When our weapons collided, there was an explosion of energy, and both of us were thrown back.

She crashed to the ground, the sound of her armor ringing out, but I, too, had to take several steps back.

But this would be the final blow. Limahlat was breathing heavily, yet still resisting. Amid the ruins of the arena, we had fought to the limits of our abilities. Once more, I raised my sword and walked toward her. This battle would end by granting honor and strength to the one who deserved it.

"Be proud of yourself, Limahlat. Of all the opponents I've faced, I admired you the most. You have the heart of a true warrior," I said as I transferred my sword to my left hand.

In one swift and sudden motion, I drove my sword into Limahlat's abdomen and caught her by the back with my right hand, ensuring she couldn't escape. My sword pierced through her firm abdominal muscles and immediately exited from her lower back. I pulled my sword back and gently laid Limahlat on the ground.

Limahlat's eyes were wide open and she looked at me as if she still hadn't fully processed the defeat. As I did, I sensed a dark and ominous aura coming toward me. Glancing into the crowd, I saw a man, likely Limahlat's father, glaring at me with fury. I gave him a slight nod, not mockingly, but with a respectful expression.

"The winner is Arthur Connan!!!"