Chapter 353 353. HER

A figure exited the black smoke created by the explosion and proceeded to smash through many buildings in the area. The force carrying the figure on a linear path even after crossing the width of more than 10 buildings.

This figure was obviously Noah, and only one word could explain how he felt on the inside.

Defeated.

His opponent was witty, that explosive trap proved that she had more experience in battle than he did. But it also proved that she had items that could aid her in battle.

He eventually arrived at a building that was strong enough to stop his movements, but it was a dome-shaped structure and his violent entry caused a large portion of its glass build to crumble.

Noah found himself in a court but didn't even spare it a glance, since five arrows most likely laced with poison or were explosives shot towards him, surprising Noah at how fast the lady had covered the distance he crossed.

Quickly standing from his sitting position, Noah dashed leftward, escaping the arrows, but found more flying towards him.

He dodged the next wave but found more heading for him, so he sprinted out of the court. And it was a good thing he did since the building went up in flames a moment after.

Noah cursed at that sight, and although he was already on the move, he squinted his eyes in hopes of finding the lady, and he did. But running towards her would leave him in the open, and she had already shown how versatile she was with a bow.

'She's a monster,' Noah thought realizing that he would need to lay low, or would be hunted down by her.

His figure sped past many streets, but he never left the general area of her position. She was the first person his level to leave him in a battle that long. He hoped to finish it, and come out victorious. But was also excited.

"Damn," Noah exhaled finding safety in a one-story building. The walls of the place barely looked like they were holding up, but he was okay with them. He would only be staying there for a short time after all.

He only needed to clear his head and think of his next plans.

"She's amazing," Noah admitted recalling her display of sheer prowess. Probably better than even his guild-mates.

She had even achieved something no expert his level had achieved. She had not only forced the fight to drag on that long, she had practically dominated him.

Unfortunately, he had to be unable to utilize the fullness of his power for that to occur. But it was impressive nonetheless.

Her identity had gained more importance now that he could see her technique in display, but also her mastery of the bow.

'So this is what she meant,' Noah thought recalling Elder Sarah's speech about experience and power. Even with his power, Noah found himself unable to touch her since she knew her limits and also her strengths too well, and she was using the terrain to her advantage.

Such prowess could only be gained after many battles, not even his speed learning could bypass that requirement.

"Can I even win," Noah wondered, his situation feeling surreal. A person his level was making him consider his chances of winning.

That realization made him wonder if every expert he had fought were capable of unleashing such on him, only that he had never given them the time to study him enough.

Something sided with that consideration, and his respect for cultivators increased even more.

'I never knew a bow could be so useful,' Noah thought carefully scanning the street outside for any signs of her figure. He didn't want to be caught off guard again.

'I have nothing that can directly bring me victory without breaking the no mana rule or drawing unwanted attention to myself.' he concluded.

Her offensive and defensive were well balanced.

As long as she could see him coming she would always be able to stop him, and even the environment of their battle didn't help.

And If by some chance he managed to get past her firing range, he still didn't fully understand how her martial art worked. He didn't want to find himself struggling against her offensive.

The existence of explosives put Noah in a tough spot. He wasn't the least bit scared of the explosions, but the fact that he would need to heal each time.

So far he had spent a few 30k worth of SE healing all the injuries he had sustained. If things continued he would run out of SE faster than he thought.

"Do I really have no way of winning?" A sigh of disappointment escaped his lips, even if he knew the answer to that.

He would need to get reckless to even reach her and even then he wasn't sure how things would play out.

Clicking his tongue in annoyance, Noah burst out of the building, and less than five second out of his hiding spot, he felt his body come in contact with a mental wave, and instantly knew who it was, or who they were.

A plan started to form in his mind at that point even if he didn't like it, he figured he could need the help of his guild-mates.

"What are the odds that we'd meet again," William's voice reached his ears before the others, and a smile couldn't help but shine on his face.

"I hope you aren't here to eliminate us," Williams added while the figures of the trio appeared in Noah's sight.

"Not at all," Noah replied halting his rapid steps a few meters from the trio.

​ "We've barely found anyone, I guess this place is big enough to hide all of us. I think some took that order too seriously," Williams joked seeing that Noah lacked hostility. But all three took note of how bad he looked.

"It is what it is. I see you're searching for prey. I might have something of interest for you," Noah explained removing his mask to speak to them.

"What do you even mean about that," Liam chipped in; when his eyes suddenly sharpened, and he raised his right hand to grab hold of a speeding projectile aimed at the right side of his head.

Confusion appeared on the experts face when he found that he had caught an arrow.

"I meant her," Noah announced performing a side step to dodge three speeding arrows. He narrowed his eyes to gain visuals of the lady, and he could swear their gazes locked for a moment, before her evident fury broke free of it and she sent more arrows at them.

Fortunately this time all four of them knew exactly where she was, and were already prepared.