"No, that just means I'll have to go all out," Bloodthorne grinned.
The elf's golden armor, made of scales that clung to its body, tightened as various symbols began to glow. Mr. Haruki observed this with furrowed brows.
"Not only can you use arcane, but you can also use runes?" Mr. Haruki expressed genuine surprise.
The elf stretched out its hand, and a magnificent golden spear manifested. It pointed the tip at Mr. Haruki, who watched with a smug expression.
*Swish*
In an instant—a move too fast for Zilong to track—the elf lunged at Mr. Haruki with a slash. Mr. Haruki sidestepped, narrowly avoiding the blow.
*Boom*
A huge explosion erupted behind them where the attack landed, sending charred wood, splinters, and rubble flying in all directions. Mr. Haruki chuckled.
---
[Author's note: From now on, I will refer to the elf by his name, Bloodthorne. Keep that in mind. 🙁]
---
"Don't think that attack will work," Mr. Haruki taunted with a smirk. "Well... since you want to go all out, don't expect me to hold back." As he spoke, the ground beneath their feet seemed to shift.
Bloodthorne charged toward Haruki, who responded by dashing forward like a bolt of blue lightning. The battle was overwhelming for Zilong; the way they moved, the way they fought—he couldn't tell who was winning because everything happened so fast.
Mr. Haruki moved like a war god, his body twisting and turning at unnatural angles, adapting fluidly to Bloodthorne's fighting style. His movements aligned with the principles of water—flowing, shifting, and adapting—embodied in every move. The watery whip in his hand cracked through the air at great speed, aiming for all of Bloodthorne's vital spots.
Both fighters cut through the air and tore up the ground beneath them. The force of their blows shook the earth, and the very air seemed to crackle with energy.
As the two broke apart, Mr. Haruki stood firm while Bloodthorne looked exhausted. He panted, wiping blood from his lips. "You... how are you faster now?!" he shouted angrily at Haruki, who wore a wicked grin.
"Well... I told you I was holding back. Even now, I'm still holding back," Haruki shrugged.
"Let me try, young master," a voice sounded behind Zilong. He whipped his head around and saw a tall figure stepping onto the battlefield. Mr. Haruki watched this new development incredulously; this was a serious battle, yet they treated it like a game, a joke.
Bloodthorne contemplated for a moment, then nodded. "...I'm bored anyway."
Mr. Haruki now stood opposite the figure, who radiated an aura of calm composure that he could not understand. This new opponent seemed much wiser than Bloodthorne and hadn't even removed his cloak.
Mr. Haruki remained on guard, watching the figure cautiously.
Suddenly, a huge gash appeared on Haruki's chest. He groaned and stumbled back a few steps.
This time, there was no speed, no roar—nothing. The wound just appeared out of nowhere.
"ARRGH!" Haruki stumbled again.
"Space? You can use space?" Mr. Haruki asked, his eyes wide with shock.
"Yes, I can," the figure replied emotionlessly as another gash appeared on Mr. Haruki's bruised body.
Zilong couldn't comprehend what was happening. Mr. Haruki's runes shone brighter than ever, so bright that Zilong had to close his eyes against the radiant light.
Mr. Haruki had activated his art.
Then he saw the cloaked figure dashing toward him...
[Drop Sword Art: Spatial Strike]
It all happened in a flash, the clash generating enough heat that the sparks hung in mid-air, frozen in place. Haruki and the cloaked figure stood still.
*Swish swish swish*
There were cuts all over Mr. Haruki's body, as if he had been struck multiple times. The cloaked figure's sword shattered in two. That brief clash felt like the longest fight so far, but Zilong couldn't see what had happened.
As the figure's robes fell apart, it became clear that Mr. Haruki had managed to land his own blows. The figure's body was covered in pitch-black scales that seemed to absorb the moonlight, giving it a sinister appearance.
The figure looked at Mr. Haruki and delivered a swift kick to his face. Mr. Haruki staggered and fell, looking at the elf in shock.
"Space..."
Zilong watched in horror as the cloaked figure had already defeated Mr. Haruki in such a short time—the same Mr. Haruki who had been holding back against Bloodthorne.
"Huh, you actually lasted a few minutes," the cloaked figure scoffed.
Zilong watched all this, his mind a storm of emotions. Seeing Mr. Haruki on the ground, he realized that age had finally caught up with the old warrior. His body could no longer wield its power as it once had.
*Boom*
Zilong's eyes widened as Bloodthorne sent a fireball that pierced Mr. Haruki's stomach, creating a gaping hole.
His mind went blank. He watched in shock as Mr. Haruki, the former Seeker, collapsed to the ground, blood pooling beneath him.
Zilong rushed to Mr. Haruki, stopping just inches away, tears streaming down his face.
"Why—why did you do this?" Zilong asked tearfully, looking at Bloodthorne, who stood a few meters away, his hand still outstretched.
"Young master, we need to go. The sun is rising," the cloaked figure said, looking at Bloodthorne.
A gaping hole in space appeared, and the cloaked figure entered it hurriedly. Bloodthorne looked at Zilong.
"For fun," he smiled.
..
"Wow, that's an uninteresting agenda."
...
Everyone turned to see who had spoken, their eyes widening in surprise.
There, Mr. Haruki sat atop a rock, holding a bowl of jollof rice, looking at them.
"Wait… what? How?"
They all stared, stunned. Zilong was in complete shock.