"So you think you're a big shot, huh? Making me face my attacks with your cheap tricks... I'm not going to waste any more time with you!" bellowed Minwoo, pushing further into the attack.
"Those cheap tricks were enough to wound you, so I'd say I'm sticking to them. But you are right... This battle has gone on long enough, and I'm starting to get tired of looking at your face," said Ashley as he retreated from the attack by pulling away his gun abruptly.
Minwoo was caught off guard by the sudden change and was vulnerable to Ashley's follow-up attack, a direct punch into the abdomen. The Marquess coughed up blood as he flew across the dead area, slamming into a stone wall with enough power to destroy the surrounding bricks.
Minwoo continued to convulse blood as he stood up with the help of his blade.
"Despite boasting about being experienced, you are nothing when facing my punches," said Ashley, hopping down from the stone wall.
"Don't get too full of yourself because of a simple miscalculation, Hawkeye. I am not your brother, so I don't have the same mentality as him... What you are looking at is my body which adapted to your late brother's memories," coughed the imposter, trying his best to stand up.
"Oh, is that so? So you've admitted that you aren't my brother..." answered Ashley, with a small but sad smile.
"You knew that from the beginning, so there's no point for me to say it out loud."
"No, you are wrong. However, there's a point for you to reveal the truth... Because that means you have confirmed you aren't using my brother's dead body, just his leftover memories. But before we end this, I have one more question for you..."
"Fire away, Hawkeye. Because after yours, I've got one question for you too."
"What is your true name?"
Ashley saw the blood drain from the imposter's face when the question escaped his lips. The enemy's eyes darted about, trying to recall his name. He should have one... Right? Before absorbing the memories of Minwoo from the Dalles Family archives...
"Were you human? Or were you created by someone else?" questioned Ashley, waiting for a reply.
The imposter widened his eyes and started clawing his face angrily, trying to recall his original identity. However, the Marksman was unfazed since he knew that his wordplay tricks would eventually tear down the psyche of his opponent.
Without warning, the imposter's blade burst into a fury of black Elemental Energy. The enemy started to cry angrily as he raised the giant sword above his head. The surging beam of black Elemental Energy shot through the skies, parting the clouds.
"Feel the wrath of lies surging in my sword. This is the disdain and hatred from the God of Evil, Destruction, and Darkness. I will corrupt the world with sickness and death with this one swing. I will taint the world with filth and despair. No hope shall blossom anymore..."
The imposter's chant was causing his Elemental Energy to merge into the blade while the nearby greenery was turning black. Ashley backed up for fear of the attack but got ready with his next attack. Ashley raised his gun to aim at the opponent's head and placed a finger on the trigger.
"This is the final step! Rejoice! Hold your weapons high, for the waves are as tall as the stars. The Salt Sea Kingdom will never fall, for the King is here! The prayers of all sailors throughout time have been heard and answered. The storms will converge to my place as the King..."
"Twilight Encore: Final Cycle. Angra Mainyu's World Evil!" shouted the imposter as he slammed down the giant pillar of Darkness towards Ashley.
"Pride And Glory of the Brine King!" yelled Ashley as he pressed on the trigger, launching a bullet of Seawater Element towards the black beam.
The pushback was so tremendous that Ashley had to use both hands to keep the gun steady. A beam of aquamarine Elemental Energy followed the bullet. As it soared through the air, the shell separated into several parts and created a vast tsunami.
Then, as the spells clashed, it brought on disaster to the surrounding area. The stone walls were blown apart along with the surface part of the ground. Both Mages were in danger as the blast was still happening, engulfing everything in sight. The Headmaster wasn't going to be pleased...
Ashley was busy leaping from building to building while the imposter got engulfed by the tidal wave as if to allow death to consume him. The Marksman quickly pulled out the emblem of the Barren Pillars since his legs weren't strong enough anymore.
"As an honor of the First Seat Marksman, I grant myself the Guard!" yelled Ashley, throwing a shield from his eye.