"You had a roof above your head while I got kicked out. You were given a blade and taught how to use it from start to finish by a loving parent while I had to pry my weapon from my target's cold dead hands. You sharpened your sword by the finest blacksmith of all of Campania."
"I had to find knives stuck into dead people to get by and continue my missions. I saw people get killed from simple things like stepping on others' shoes. There's the difference between you and I, so don't dare place your righteous crap onto me!"
"I'm fighting you because you are an enemy of the Arks. Because you have decided to put on my dead brother's face and bore your fangs at me! Is it fun to parade yourself with someone else's face to incite fights? Is that why you decided to fight me?"
"My reason for fighting you is because I need to in the name of justice and heroism. You took the lives of my comrade, so I shall fight you to curb any more lives from leaving this world via your rifle," answered Minwoo, pointing his sword at Ashley.
"Are you kidding me?! You are fighting me because I've killed people? Then what does that make you some saint?! Don't talk as if you are any better than me! What crap are you talking about, blabbering about justice and heroes?! There's no such thing as a heroic battle!"
"Battles aren't meant to be heroic or just... It's a cruel thing to do because it isn't fun or exciting. It's ugly, painful, and filled with despair. I don't want to fight you because you've got my brother's face on your head."
"But I've got no choice because you will kill more people who have nothing to do with the conflict at hand. It is only my duty to do so, not because I'd like it or enjoy it. So I respect your resolve to fight me but only to a minimal extent."
"I cannot fathom killing others with the means of heroism; it's just too dumb for me. The next thing I know, you'll say that you are a hero of justice."
"At least it's better than being a puppet to another person."
"I never said I was following orders against my will... However, I agree with my boss to dispose of you because I saw the destruction your group caused to the civilians. Look at the dolls' actions, attacking innocent people and causing chaos. I cannot allow these things to continue."
"Show me a peaceful approach if it's strong enough to quell the conflict. But for now, I will have to rely on skills as a combatant to defeat you. Because one thing is for sure... You lack the resolve to put an end to me. That has always been your weak point."
"Your reluctance was your downfall."
Ashley jumped around, got himself into the air, and fired off his Original Spell at the imposter.
"Trying to get to higher ground, huh? That won't work on me..." said Minwoo as he launched himself from the ground and up into the air.
"My eyes, I activate thee. Pierce all fragile hearts... Lynx Eyes!" called out Ashley as he met Minwoo at eye level.
"My blade is my body, and it shall echo through the Darkness... Call of the Void, Twilight Encore!" shouted Minwoo as he held up his blade to get ready to slash Ashley.
What the?! How is that possible?! Minwoo never had any powers, so what in the world was that?! The White Rat had always boasted about not relying on Magecraft, yet this person was freely using it as if he had been a Mage all along!
But Ashley quickly calmed himself down as he got ready to unleash his attack, figuring it must be another Mage using Minwoo's face to taunt him. The blade that Minwoo held onto exploded into a black pillar of Elemental Energy with red outlines.
"Round Eight..."
"Fourth Cycle..."
"Octadic Lakes!" finished Ashley, unleashing eight bullets at Minwoo.
"Eclipse Of the Damned!" shouted Minwoo as he lowered his blade, unleashing a colossal beam of Elemental Energy towards the right flying bullets.
As the beam slammed down onto the ground, the bullets danced around, leaving streams of Water Elemental Energy in its wake, surrounding the shaft with water explosions. The area shook, causing the nearby buildings to crumble down as the two men landed back onto land.
"I don't know who you are, but you're getting on my nerves for continuing this battle. But, unfortunately, I haven't got the luxury to continue this useless fight with you, so I will make it quick."
"Either leave this place, or I will make you leave this realm for good," warned the Marksman, holding his gun up.