Please don't give the enemy any information that could get in my way, Violet...
"A Just Guard, huh... You're impressive!"
"You're welcome."
In contrast to earlier, Huxley now tries to deal damage with regular punches and kicks. I don't force myself to Just Guard against those attacks; I dodge, deflect, and guard when necessary, prolonging the combat. However, standard defense still leaves me taking some damage, and I can't keep that up for long.
Still, this guy is surprisingly clever. After easily blocking his Straight Punch, he stopped aiming for reckless special moves. It's likely he plans to use all his remaining PP on healing recoveries. If this turns into a war of attrition, I'll be the one who loses. Should I taunt him a little?
"What's wrong? Your attacks aren't having any effect at all!"
"Damn it… Is it all just defense?"
Good, if I can keep pushing him, he'll definitely get flustered. And when that happens, he'll use that skill. That's the key.
A newly learned technique tends to make someone eager to test it out. He must be itching to show what it can do. Come on, use it! Skill: [Kenshin]!
"Sorry, Lenny, but it's time for me to finish this! Skill: [Kenshin]!"
"I've been waiting for that!"
Perfect, just as I calculated. He won't be able to master that skill. After all, it will lead to his defeat.
I pull scrap metal and gunpowder from the Ivy Item back and smash them together with a giant wrench. This is the first time I'm activating a skill in my life.
"Skill: [Invention]! Ivy Item, Grenade!"
"Wha—?!"
In an instant, the two Ivy Items transform into fist-sized bombs in my grasp. If they hit, Huxley's Life will be obliterated in a single blow. His durability has dropped that low.
The two seniors also seem to have caught on to my strategy.
"No way!"
"A one-shot kill by lowering his durability!"
[Kenshin] is a double-edged sword that sacrifices defense for a boost in attack power. Just because the opponent isn't pushing doesn't mean it's safe to use it recklessly.
Additionally, this grenade isn't something you'd typically use early on. I extracted materials from Violet, pouring my funds into them. It's essentially a pile of cash. It's not something that can be countered by cheap beginner gear.
All that's left is to launch this at Huxley. But from here on, it's all about sheer will, not strategy. The enemy is already on high alert, ready to dodge.
"That attack! I'll just use my acrobatics to avoid it—"
"No, you won't evade this!"
I dashed into Huxley's space and pulled the pin from the grenade at point-blank range. At this distance, evading any attack is impossible. I've positioned myself to ensure a direct hit.
However, the closer I get, the greater the risk of being caught in the explosion myself. I need to rely on the plan I set up beforehand.
"You! Are you trying to blow yourself up?!"
"No, I've got this!"
As the grenade detonated, a blinding light erupted. Within that brilliance, I pointed to the accessory on my chest.
Huxley's eyes widened in shock when he recognized it.
"Wha… the Flame Talisman?!"
Sorry, Huxley. I decided my strategy before the fight even began. For a tough opponent, self-detonation was the answer. So, when I purchased the materials, I also bought an accessory to mitigate fire damage. I could only wear two accessories: the cat ear band and this Flame Talisman.
The light from the grenade transformed into intense flames, engulfing everything around us. The thunderous sound and powerful shockwave marked an explosion of colossal proportions.
I was being blown away, barely clinging to life. The pain was excruciating, and I was battered and bruised. Yet, I refused to go down; I stood my ground.
Seeing this, Violet raised her fist in triumph. "I did it... We won!"
"No... not yet!"
As the blast subsided and smoke swirled around us, I glared into the haze. It wasn't over. My instinct told me so.
"Come on, Huxley! Let's settle this!"
"...Skill: [Grit]!"
"What?! A choice skill!"
Shaking off the swirling smoke, Huxley emerged from the aftermath of the explosion. He had only 1 point of life left, but he was back to fight me once more.
At the start of the game, I had selected three skills. Huxley's choices must have been [Acrobatics] and this [Grit].
Honestly, I didn't fully understand how [Grit] worked, but that didn't matter now.
"I'm ready for you, Huxley!"
Uncharacteristically fired up, I felt a surge of passion I hadn't experienced in a long time.
Huxley unleashed a powerful punch. If this turned into a speed contest, I wouldn't stand a chance. His fist would explode before I could swing my wrench.
But I was certain of one thing: Huxley wouldn't opt for a speed battle. His strikes came out slower than mine. A future that seemed impossible to anyone else was vividly clear to me.
I raised my wrench and, without thinking, unleashed a powerful attack on Huxley with all my strength and speed. In that instant, Huxley stood utterly still, completely defenseless against my strike. As he felt the life fade away, he posed one final question to me.
"How did you know I would endure with sheer willpower...?"
"Just a hunch."
"Ha, I admit defeat..."
Huxley sank to the ground, signaling the true end of the battle. I was exhausted.
Both guild members gaped, mouths agape in shock. Eventually, the guild master, Violet, turned to Will, who stood beside her.
"Wait, was that a low-level showdown?"
"That's what it seemed like..."
Both had fought valiantly, pushing their limits. It was a fair conclusion, and no one could complain. Yet, Ishura, the cat-eared blacksmith, looked unconvinced.
"Seriously, Huxley, are you stupid? Why didn't you attack?"
"You're the foolish one, Ishura."
She was referring to that last moment when Huxley, having superior speed, allowed my attack to hit him while unguarded. But Huxley was far from foolish; he had a solid reason for his actions. Violet and Will patiently explained this to us.
"It was a feint. Huxley likely anticipated that Lenny would use Just Guard. But Huxley didn't have the technique to break through it, so he deliberately shifted his timing and waited. The strategy was aimed at luring Lenny into an attack delay, then striking."
"But Lenny Boy was a step ahead. He anticipated that Huxley would take a defensive stance, so he struck with all his strength and speed, slamming the wrench down. The result was a one-sided defeat for Huxley, who stood there looking foolish."
The words flowed from my two seniors, leaving Ishura confused, tilting her head in bewilderment.
To help her understand, Ivy provided a clarification so clear even a kindergarten child could grasp it: "It's like rock-paper-scissors, Ishura! Lenny won the read!"
I, having gained the upper hand through skill and strategy, faced Huxley, who, despite being outmaneuvered, displayed unwavering courage until the end. Both of us employed all our command skills and made full use of our equipped items. From a technical standpoint, it was a battle that could hold its own against even seasoned players.
"The first wave of players consists of top-tier gamers who buy on release day. The second wave? They're just a group of casuals riding the hype," I noted.
"We can't afford to be complacent," my senior remarked, clearly fired up after watching our match.
Even beginners can spark excitement if they show determination. While I'm not typically one for high passion, I found this kind of battle refreshing.
I walked over to Will to put an end to the commotion.
As much as I regret having to say it, this duel is a high-stakes game involving the party members. They must pay the price for their defeat—that is the rule of this fight.
"You remember our promise, right?"
"Yeah..."
I replied with a smile, despite the bitter expression on Will's face.
"Then forget about it."
"W-What?!"
I had decided before the fight even began. This ridiculous game of pawns was nonsense. I intended to smash it to pieces.
I may be weak and a coward, but that is exactly why I refuse to let power dictate what I can have. The rules of the battle or the cost of defeat are irrelevant to me, caught up in this mess.
Violet stepped in to voice her disapproval of my high-handedness.
"Wait, Lenny! This is a chance to gain valuable members..."
"Shut up! I'm the one who's winning! I decide the rules here! No objections!"
I didn't want to hear it from someone who couldn't even keep Ivy in check and fell for the opponent's provocations. I let my dissatisfaction show, not bothering to hide it.
Being rebellious toward someone older isn't my style, but in this situation, I couldn't back down.
"Lenny… are you angry?"
"That may be the case," I conceded, feeling a surge of irritation. But more than that, I deeply loathed the idea of Ivy manipulating everything to her whim. It was frustrating to think that her whims could inconvenience Will and the others. My thoughts felt completely disjointed.
As the instigator of the situation, Ivy stepped forward, a knowing smile playing on her lips. "So this is the answer you've chosen, Lenny."
"Yeah, betting on someone's life is absurd. This has to be invalid. Do you have a problem with that?"
"Oh no, if this is the answer you've chosen, I'm completely satisfied!"
It seemed she had no objections to this outcome. Now it was all up to the guild master.
"Violet, do you oppose this?" I asked.
"No, I got caught up in the excitement of more members and lost my senses. Thanks to you, I've come back to reality. I appreciate it."
"Thank you as well."
As she admitted, it seemed Violet had finally regained her composure. From now on, I hoped she'd take her role as a senior member seriously. We depended on her to support the guild.
With our discussion concluded, I relayed the decision to Will. Naturally, I had no intention of accepting any party members, regardless of what he might say.
"This is how it stands. The bets are off. You didn't really think you could poach any members, did you?"
"Ah, I hadn't thought about that. But I was serious about taking the money," Will said as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a leather pouch. He retrieved a shining gold coin and handed it to me.
"Here is the promised 10,000G. Please take it."
"No, I don't need the money. This battle was nothing," I replied.
"No, you definitely won. I'm begging you to accept it. Please don't make me feel any more miserable."
If I refused his money, it would only further bruise his pride. To deny it out of mere stubbornness or pity would indeed be disrespectful. I thought about accepting the money as guild funds. But Violet must have seen through my intentions, as she interjected.
"Lenny, that money is yours. It's not for the guild; use it for something meaningful to you."
"Lenny will definitely put it to good use!"
This wasn't dirty money won from gambling. It was a special gift from Will, entrusted to me by Violet. I gripped the coin tightly, feeling its value in my hands.
"Thank you, Will and Violet! I will cherish and use it wisely!"
Will's demeanor can be sarcastic, but at his core, he seems like a genuinely good person. I must express my gratitude for his thoughtful gesture.
Violet watched Will with a satisfied grin, playfully poking his hat with her sword. "Well, Will, aren't you unusually kind today?"
"Shut it! I'm the party leader, after all. I know when to be serious," he shot back, trying to maintain his authority in front of the younger members. I couldn't help but feel reassured that accepting the payment had been the right choice.
Still, Will's juniors didn't seem the type to abandon their leader. Especially not Huxley, the fiery hothead; he'd never forget loyalty.