Proud to be a Sheep
Act II: Chapter 10
"UNBELIEVABLE! UNDEFEATED. UNSTOPPABLE. UNMATCHED! IT SEEMS LIKE WE HAVE A REMARKABLE BATCH THIS TIME AROUND! GIVE IT UP FOR YOUR WINNER, EIIIIIIIIINARRRRRRRRRR! "
The crowd's cheers and roars were loud enough to make my ears ring, especially my left ear, which sometimes muffles out noises that are way too loud. I once had fears of it being a sign of going deaf, but I soon stopped caring about it.
Each of Einar's wins was very convincing. It was either a quick and decisive match, or a complete beatdown. The crowd adored him. And why wouldn't they? Some people seem to think it was Einar's physical strength that was carrying him, or his artifact. Like a cheat code in human form. But Einar wasn't just strong; he was smart. Too smart. He could sniff out weaknesses like a bloodhound with a nose for insecurity.
It wasn't just his artifact that made him unbeatable—it was that uncanny instinct of his. Be it a weak spot or a flaw in the power of his opponent, he can find it very quickly, and act accordingly. He also never hesitated to go right for those spots and take the killing blow, no matter how much pain his enemy cried out. He's like me, but better.
Well, better than me without the drug, but with the drug? I guess we'll see.
"NEXT UP! A MATCH BETWEEN THE TACTITIAN AND THE BERSERKER! THE ARTIST AND THE BEAST! THE FLICKERING, QUICK THINKING, BLOOD DRAWING, ETSUKO NNNNNOOKORIIIIIIIIIIIII!"
Yep, that's me. You're probably wondering how I ended up in this situation. Artist by passion, fighter by unfortunate circumstance. The announcer sure made me sound cool, though. A small victory.
I walked out the gates, revealing myself as I walked to the stage's center. The people's cries and cheers were loud, but it wasn't out of support for me. They wanted to see the fight. They wanted to see me pull off another stupid trick to beat the guy I was facing. It was the tavern all over again.
"AND NOW, THE BEAST WILL FEAST! HIS HORNS WILL PIERCE THROUGH NOT ONLY THE HEARTS OF THE AUDIENCE, BUT ALSO HIS ENEMIES AS HE HUNTS DOWN HIS MEAL. GIVE IT UP FOR THE FIGHTING. CHARGING. RAGING. TANK. TAAIIIIIGAAAAAAAAAAAA!"
Taiga walked out his gate, his muscular body shining underneath the sun's glow, along with the horns hanging from his head. Like a devil, I thought. No, I don't see malice in his eyes, more so… confidence. Wearing a smile, most likely formed through the crowd's cheers, which I also received, but his was different. The cheers. They were… a warm, affectionate wave, full of admiration and love. Smiles and shining eyes filled the space, each sound a heartfelt tribute. It was more than celebration—it was a genuine connection, as if their collective energy lifted the person up. The atmosphere made me feel like a villain, kinda made me second-guess my life choices.
The Minotaur beast walking out his cave approached me, looking down at me with a smile revealing his razor-sharp teeth. This man was no devil, he was a beast, a pet. And the people owned him. "Ya' ready?" He asked, leaning in close, and wow, his breath—notes of death and bad decisions.
"As ready as I can be, I guess.." I didn't expect him to ask me a question, he looked too eager to fight to even care about anything else. But maybe that's exactly what led him to ask me that question. His face stands inches away, his face a rugged map of scars. His brow is furrowed, casting shadows over his eyes, burning with feral, animalistic rage. The lines etched into his face seemed like they came from torture. Was he a slave, like Tan and Echo? His jaw is clenched tight, lips pulled back in a slight snarl. He doesn't seem too old, maybe in his late teens or early twenties. I can feel the heat of his breath, as if he's a predator about to strike. His presence is overwhelming, the very essence of a dangerous and unstoppable force.
Lucky for me, I can't get overwhelmed.
He seems to only be wearing a Purify ring. A spell that allows it's users to clear all debuffs. Unlike Heal, which can heal it's wielder's injuries immediate all at once (but cannot remove debuffs), Purify can only heal it's wielder bit-by-bit.
"ARE THE EXAMINEES READY?" The crowd's cheer went along with the announcer's question. We both nodded and went to our corners. "NOW THEN. THE AUDIENCE NOW HAS 3 MINUTES TO VOTE FOR THE MAP THE TWO CONTESTANTS WILL FIGHT ON. DURING THAT TIME, THE CONTESTANTS ARE ALLOWED TO REVIEW THEIR GAME PLANS AND PREPARE. AND WITH THAT, THE 3 MINUTES STARTS NOW!!!"
There are 5 maps to choose from:
Shadowspire, a dark, maze-like fortress with narrow corridors, spiraling staircases, and dim lighting. It's perfect for those who favor stealth, ambush tactics, and strategic positioning. Snipers can exploit high vantage points, while agile players excel in quick, hit-and-run attacks. Unless I'm up against a sniper, this would be one of my favorite maps.
Silent Dunes, a vast desert map with rolling sand dunes and scattered ruins. The open spaces challenge ranged fighters to dominate from afar, but the real danger lies in the dunes themselves, where close-ranged, hand-to-hand fighters can use the terrain for ambushes. The shifting sands and hidden pathways create opportunities for brawlers to close the distance quickly. Silent Dunes rewards players who can adapt to both open combat and sudden, close-quarters encounters.
Frostkeep, an icy fortress with narrow corridors, frozen battlements, and tight indoor spaces. The map's design forces close-quarters combat, making it perfect for hand-to-hand fighters who thrive in brawls. Such as Taiga… It also features open courtyards where ranged players can engage from a distance, but the real action happens in the confined, icy halls where melee combat dominates. Frostkeep rewards players who excel in close combat and quick, aggressive tactics.
Nova Station, an outer-space army station, most likely inspired by one they already have. The map features tight corridors, zero-gravity sections, and interconnected rooms filled with high-tech machinery. Ranged players can control long sightlines in the station's central hub, while close-ranged, hand-to-hand fighters thrive in the narrow passageways and cramped maintenance tunnels. Zero-gravity areas allow for vertical combat, which makes fun confusing the opponents. Nova Station rewards players who can navigate confined spaces and adapt to the map's dynamic verticality and unpredictable encounters. I really like the idea and design of this map, except for how unpredictable it is, luck almost adds into the deciding factors of our fight. I'm not quite sure how to feel about that…
And finally, Ruins, my favorite map. An ancient, overgrown temple complex with crumbling structures, hidden tunnels, and dense foliage. The map combines open courtyards ideal for ranged combat with tight, enclosed chambers where hand-to-hand fighters can dominate. The overgrown vegetation provides ample cover for ambushes, and the uneven terrain creates opportunities for surprise attacks. Ruins rewards players who can blend stealth with sudden, explosive close-quarters combat, making it a perfect battleground for those who thrive in both ranged and melee engagements. The amount of traps and plans I've made for this map is exciting, to say the least.
With how the votes were going, it was clear they wanted us to duke it out at Taiga's favorite map, Silent Dunes.
"3 MINUTES ARE UPPPPP! THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR CASTING YOUR VOTES!" Taiga and I stared at each other, with him smiling, confident and hungry for prey, and me staring at him, knowing that if I want to make this guy despair and destroy his bravado, it'll have to be with the way I beat him. Gusts of wind filled with sand whirled around us. The caster changes his tone, into a darker, chilling whisper.
"As the final moments tick away, a heavy silence engulfs the desert. Remember the legends: 'In the Silent Dunes, the only water you'll find is the blood you shed.' Watch closely—this is where legends are made and battles are won in the heart of the storm."
I felt my balls quiver from his voice. Anyways, time to prep up I guess. I hid behind a small hill and I took out my pen, I then began drawing arrowheads and spearheads using obsidian. Lava was fairly easy to get, getting it here however, was a different kind of torture… Luckily, I could use Flicker to teleport the bucket in my direction all the way to the stadium without having to touch the case myself (albeit exhausting and draining). If only I had Loyalty, I would've been able to— *BOOGSH*
My thoughts were cut short as I heard a powerful impact hit the ground, it left a thunderous explosion followed by a deep, resonant rumble, letting me know how fucked I am if I get hit by that sonnovabitch. I quickly kept on drawing, even though I could hear the sounds of the impact coming closer and closer. Once I've had enough, I quickly used Flicker to get out of my current position.
Taiga punched through the wall of sand covering me, removing the hill that once acted as a shield from his sights and grumpy face. His grumpy face turned confused and frustrated, complaining at how "cowardly" I was fighting. Practical, is the word I'd use. He kept on shouting at me, telling me to come out and face him like a "man." I find it amusing how he, and many other people out there, equate bravery with stupidity, regardless, I was glad he was the latter.
I planted the arrow heads everywhere I went, creating multiple spiked traps for Taiga to step on. I brough out the gun I got from the armory. It was a simple pistol with a few rubber bullets given out as a freebie. Using the blood of a Nue, I created a long string and attached it to a make-shift bow. I fired multiple arrows at Taiga, who got cuts and bled through some of my arrows. Small victories. Tiny cuts. That was the strategy. Death by a thousand papercuts, delivered with precision.
Now he thinks I got a bow as a weapon.
He found out where I was shooting from. Thinking I need time to reload and load up my shots, he immediately charged in my direction, a blur of muscle and fury. Like a primal animal, he used both his hands and feet at a means to move. His arms dig into the ground with each stride, and with a powerful thrust, his clawed fingers rake through the earth for traction. His feet pound heavily, which caused his downfall. He fell right into the traps I planted, making my arrow heads stab his feet and hands.
He quickly backed off, now with bleeding limbs and cutted face. He backed off, retreating from the area of traps I've created. Sadly for him however, there is no escaping. The whole dune is my playground, whenever there's sand, there's a trap, and if you hide in a ruined building, you're cornered. As long as I have the blood of a Sigbin, I will always know where you are.
The journal's words popped into my head:
"An Aswang is a supernatural creature from Philippine folklore known for its shape-shifting abilities, allowing it to transform into various animals or humans. It can fly, possesses great strength and agility, and often feeds on blood or flesh. Aswangs may also become invisible, create illusions, and have heightened senses."
"A sigbin is a shadowy, elusive creature that walks backward and becomes invisible to most people. It drains the blood of its victims, not just through direct contact but also through their shadows, making it even more dangerous in the dark. With its heightened sense of smell, it tracks prey easily and moves with unnatural speed and agility. Its large, bat-like ears can whip out as weapons, and it gains extra power at night, thriving in the shadows."
These are the words said in the journal. Although it's a shame I can't use all of their abilities (due to fear of getting caught and running out of it), causing me to use other beasts' blood, it doesn't mean I'll lose. It also doesn't mean I can't use it in secret.
The moment Taiga stepped into my trap and got hit by my arrows was the moment he lost. Inside the obsidian weapons I made were the blood of an Aswang combined with Sigbin blood, injecting itself into Taiga as he got hit, which I can use to track down his location all the while indirectly sucking his blood.
Draining his blood is not a debuff though, since it's not a spell created with magic. It's an ability, one that's innate within the monster's genetic code. One that is being constantly used within his body, like a parasyte. Which means Purify won't help him. I won't drain him though, I know it's too needlessly heartless. I shouldn't have left it inside Ayson's eye either…
Using the Aswang's blood to track down where Taiga is, I seized the opportunity to end the match. I walked towards Taiga, who was hiding in a small ruin. He was on the second floor, crouched behind a window, watching me. He still had the eyes of a predator, he didn't lose hope. I liked that. After this match, I hoped to get to know him better, maybe even become friends. I drew Basilisk skin made out of the Nue's blood, scaled it, and used its scales as bullets. Now my bullets were tough enough to shoot through the walls Taiga was hiding behind.
I gave multiple warning shots, outlining the shape of Taiga's crouched body while he was hiding from me. Still no budge. I broke the stairs he could escape from, broke the walls so the window he was peeking through was bigger, and tried breaking his spirit. Which never happened.
Am I really that non-threatening? No one ever gets scared of me. It's very annoying, but, well, I guess that can also work to my advantage.
I waited, standing there without saying a word, waiting for Taiga to walk out on his own and admit defeat. I can tell with the Aswang's heightened senses that he's trying to slowly regenerate himself with Purify, but I'm not allowing him to. Whenever he heals his wounds, the line connecting my pen to his wound becomes clearer, but then when I suck out the exact same amount of blood he's recovered, it fades once again. Proving his spell useless.
I can use his blood later on, I thought. Usually, after a Sigbin sucks out the blood of it's victim, it simply digests it like food. But for me, it ends up right in my pen until it's filled. I didn't want any of the extra blood going to waste, so I brought a Storage ring with me in secret, covering it with a layer of Aswang skin activated with invicibility. It was the same one Tan used to bring out my old backpack. Although it's convenient, the downside of Storage is that not only does it have very limited repository, it also brings out the item in such a slow, flashy manner. It's no good in bringing things out quickly and efficiently, but very convenient in keeping things in. Just like my emotions. *que Unravel*
"Just surrender." I said before I won't be able to stop myself from singing the chorus. I wanted to sound terrifying and authoritative, but I just came off blank and emotionless. It's fine though, even without the Yellow Syringe, I don't think I'd do a very good job at threatening him.
But instead of surrendering, he leaps out of his hiding spot. Head first, charging into my direction. I Flickered out of the way of his impact, leaving behind a set of obsidian spikes for him to land on. I stared at him, bleeding more profusely now, tilting his head in every direction, thinking of ideas. Yet nothing can save him now.
Taiga, "the beast," looms before me, his massive, muscular form battered and bleeding. His eyes blaze with a fierce, vengeful glare as he growls— a deep, guttural rumble filled with pain and fury. Blood drips from his sharp claws and his formidable horns curve menacingly from his head. Despite his wounds, his growl is powerful, a raw, defiant expression of anger. I can see his body tensing, ready to unleash a one, final attack.
As if I'd fucking let him.
I shot his head with a rubber bullet and called it a day.
First was a moment of silence, then the crowd cheered and roared, some protested saying they wasted their money on Taiga. I dispersed the blood I injected in him, and allowed him to use his healing with Purify. I wasn't sure if it was working, so I took his ring and used it on him. I hope that was enough to negate any negative feelings he'd have towards me. I doubt it was tho…
The announcer came out of the very dusty sand storm, and stared at the two of us, Taiga, laying on the ground with his wounds slowly closing thanks to me who took his purify and is using it on him. I guess he was at a loss of words. The stage started to return to its original state, each speck of dust and sand gushing away into the sky. The ruined buildings turning into dust and flying along with the rest of the stage. It made my eyes water… So many fucking dust getting into my eye sockets. Once I've finished healing up my previous opponent, I took off the ring, placed it back in his finger, and walked off. I didn't want to bother with the announcer who was clearly flabbergasted at my victory, and I didn't want to stay and get watched by the audience, who might give me a stupd title like "The Benevolent Bruiser."
"ETSUKO! WHAT AN ARTIST! USING THE BLOOD OF HIS ENEMIES TO PAINT A HORRID PICTURE—LITERALLY! AND WHILE TAIGA IS A POWERFUL BEAST, ETSUKO IS THE STRONGER HUNTER!"