Chapter 24 - Duel

They walked outside of the streets while the street lamps illuminated the area. Mael was in his fighting stance and the crowd was cheering for his opponent.

Francis! Francis! Francis!

The crowd cheered, then Francis smiled like a greedy person.

He raised his hands and then he said, "Silence!"

They became silent then he said, "If you want to step down from our duel and concede, then you can go away not being harmed, child! I will give you your last chance!" he blurted out.

"Stop talking nonsense! Come at me if you want!" Kael said to Francis.

"Bastard child! You dare!" he blurted out.

Ha!!!!

Francis launched his attack. He draws his sword and then initiated a skill.

[Bastard slash]

Francis slashed with all his might. Kael attacked too but he ducks at the right time.

[Gentle fist]

Kael copied Belmund's moves and strikes at his shoulders.

Francis stepped back a little but he's not hurt at all. Kael retreats a few steps and Francis smashed his sword in his direction.

[Ground slam]

Francis smashed the ground with his feet.

The dirt blew all over the place and Francis can't see clearly. In the dust, he saw a mirage of a child so he strikes it. But in his dismay, all he slashed was thin air.

He then saw upcoming punches from the dust from his left.

[Hard fist]

Three punches launched to his face and he was stunned. Kael then sweeps his feet and then Francis stumbled. He crawls to the ground and then he grabs his sword.

"How dare you!" Francis bellowed.

[Might of perseverance!]

Francis initiated a skill.

This warrior buff skill will give him plus 10 points on speed and strength for a ten second period.

[Sword slam]

He dashed towards Kael then slammed his sword.

If you were hit, you will receive three times the damage of the sword and then stunned for a second.

Kael evades but he was struck by the dirt and stones.

Huk!

He was struck in the shoulders and his left foot. He rolled over and Francis didn't even give him time to breathe. Francis again slammed his sword to him.

Kael made some distance and then gathered his force. With what the situation has transpired, he needs to be wise.

Francis again launched his attacks and swings horizontally. Kael retreats to evade his strike and he dashed forwards.

He punched him on the face with a "[Hard fist]", and then a "[Gentle fist]" on the stomach.

Guhk!

Francis let out a shriek as he felt his face.

"How dare you! Don't underestimate me kid!" he shouted.

Kael gestures for him to attack while hopping three times.

Francis attacks but he felt that his buff has ended. He was moving slower this time and Kael has the upper hand.

He moved angrily and he swung his sword rapidly. Kael was dodging then he tackled his sword, aiming for his sword to be disarmed.

Without a hint of hesitation, he jumped forward and then grabbed his sword and flicked it upwards.

Francis was shocked that his sword has flung towards the sky. Kael then launched his flurry of attacks.

Kael punched his face and then turns to execute a roundhouse kick. His kick was blocked by Francis then he moved back.

"You really wanna die, huh? So be it!" he said as he began to fight back.

Francis launched his attacks and Kael deflects it with [Gentle fists]. His mana release was slow, but it will take effect later on.

Kael dodged his punch then he punched him with [Hard fist] on his belly. Francis bellowed but Kael released [Gentle fists] on the other side of his belly.

"What are you doing silly boy? Do you think that will take me down? Huh?" he said to Kael.

Kael estimated that he has great Vitality and the effects of [Gentle fist] were minimal in his case.

"Well I'm gonna switch to aura instead" Kael said confidently.

Ha!!!

He punched him but, his hands are blocked by Francis. The fists were locked by Francis so Kael had no choice but to copy Belmund's [One-inch punch].

[One-inch punch]

He initiates a skill and then released the [Force]. With all the force that he had gathered, he had tripled the damage of his punch.

Francis was blown to the ground and he rolled on the dust three times. Kael punched and kicked him several times in great force. Kael approached him but he was blown near his sword.

"Ha! Ha! You're finished now!" he said as he dashed forwards.

[Rage slash]

He shouted while assaulting Kael. He swings his sword faster than before and Kael was evading it in just hair's breadth. This skill can only be used when the warrior was suffering great pain and this skill will be activated.

Haaaaahhhh!!!

He shouted like never before. Kael deflects his swings with [Gentle fists] and sometimes lands a few punches.

"What is wrong? Kid? You won't last long if you react like that!" Francis bellowed.

"You can't defeat me with just halfbaked attacks, Old man," Kael said to him.

"Making me lose my focus, eh? Let's see if you can last long!" Francis shouted to him.

"Whether you win or lose, it doesn't matter. Because you're gonna lose for sure! Hahahaha!" Francis chuckled.

Kael felt irritated, he didn't meet such a boastful person as boastful like him. His dignity and pride were on the line. Kael began to understand his opponent, he had no idea what his current opponent can do.

"Chains release!"

He released his chains, then wrapped it on his arms. He gathered aura in the process.

"Get your face ready, Francis! I will beat you up for sure!" Kael shouted at him.

He dashed, then Francis swings his sword.

[Bastard slash]

Kael blocked with his arms and then slides it. He slams his right arm to his enemy's face with all his force.

Bang!

He released his chains from his arms, then whips Francis with his chains.

Ting!

The sword sounded as their weapons met. Kael retracted his chains, then wrapped it in his arms. Francis then approached him and he slashed with his sword.

Kael blocks it with his chains as he steps back from his enemy.

"What's the problem? You said you're gonna beat the crap out of me, eh?" Francis intimidated.

"You wanna taste my chains so badly then so be it!" Kael replied.

He released his chains, then whipped him rapidly.

"Rapid slash! Chains edition!" Kael shouted.

Ting! Ting! Ting! Ting! Ting! Ting!

Francis barely defended from his flurry of blows and his plated armor had been caving-in from his attacks.

"Stop! I said stop!" the mysterious man said to Kael.

Kael stopped and then Francis collapsed to the ground.

"Health potion! Quick!" he said to Kael.

Kael then passed the health potion to him and then he helped Francis to drink it.

Kuhuk! Kuhuk!

Francis coughed up, then he opened his eyes.

"Did I lose!?" he asked.

"Yep, badly!" replied the man to him.

"No! I can still fight!" Francis said to him.

"Where is he?" he asked.

"He left just a while ago. Maybe he's asleep now" he said to Francis.

Kael went upstairs whistling and then slept in his room. He had a tiring day but he felt accomplished.

"Tomorrow is another day," he said.