"You with the bow, get to the next training section," Vimur ushered Shain away from the common testing area.
Ashton had given his lieutenants complete freedom over the selection process, and Vimur wasted no time exploiting his privileges and ushered Shian towards the combat section.
The applicants would have to face each other in a knockout tournament, but it was scheduled to be the next round. However, Vimur allowed Shian to skip a stage, stating he had already proven his worth.
In hindsight, Vimur intended to clear his doubts regarding Shian and being the brute he was, a spar was the only way he knew to accomplish his objective.
"Um... I appreciate the offer, but I would like to continue with the hiring process like the rest of us-" Upon noticing Vimur's stature, Shian tried wiggling out of the situation, but Vimurhad other plans.
"Hm, fine. You can leave now." Vimur said politely.
As Shian headed towards the others, Vimur grabbed the archer by the shoulders and pushed him towards the exit. The confused archer stared back at Vimur, unaware of what was happening.
"Sir-"
"Disobedience means immediate termination. As your superior, I asked you something, and you failed to deliver." Vimur said with a poker face, "As such, you are disqualified from further-"
"Vimur, can I have a word with you?" Laihud interrupted with a smile.
Laihud had noticed Vimur's weird obsession with Shian and decided to act before the brute did something troublesome. This incident wouldn't have been out of the ordinary if Shian was stronger than him, as Vimur had a habit of challenging stronger individuals to spars to test his mettle.
However, being a marksman, Shian was much weaker than he was, and the gap between their combat skills was evident to Laihud, so Vimur's strange behaviour was a bit concerning.
"What's wrong with you?" Laihud whispered, "Picking on the weak isn't something you'd do-"
"He isn't weak," Vimur calmly replied, "That fucker is hiding something! Think about it for a moment; there's a bounty on Reaper, and anyone could try to-"
"Vimur, what are you-"
"Shush! Don't interrupt me, and listen! Would there be a better opportunity than now to get closer to Reaper and blindside him later?"
Laihud opened his mouth to say something but then opted for silence. ONI officials had run countless extensive background checks on everybody present there.
However, if someone like the Metal sharks or the unknown cult truly intended to do, they could send someone undercover with some difficulties.
Laihud casually gazed back towards Shian and understood something weird was going on. The man was way too calm than he should have been in such a situation.
"Fine. Do what you have to but don't-"
"I won't overdo it," Vimur smiled, clasping Laihud's hands with his, "you have no idea how much I love you now!"
Laihud stood staring, flustered by Vimur's words, as he raced towards Shian.
***
'Goddamn it! My shitty luck never leaves my side!' Shian complained.
The news of the first sparring session spread across everyone like wildfire. Within moments hundreds of spectators had gathered inside the area while more eagerly watched on from the outside.
"You ready?" Vimur asked the archer while flexing his wrists.
The Ghosts cheered for their beloved lieutenant, but something was off. Unlike his previous brawls, he wasn't carrying his precious shield. It seemed it was giving the poor archer a handicap to make things fair.
However, Laihud knew better. Although Vimur primarily went into battles as a 'tank', he was an equally gifted martial artist. Though he did not like to show his skills, unlike his behaviour, he didn't like beating down anyone with his fists.
'The last time he used his fists, he couldn't restrain himself, and his opponent had to be rushed to the hospital.' Laihud remembered, 'God, I hope it doesn't get to that point this time.'
"I'm ready."
A simulation of a forest replaced the empty arena, and the crowd broke into cheers. It was the perfect setting for an archer as it had a lot of places for Shain to hide and attack without fearing Vimur's rampant attacks.
Shian drew an arrow from his quiver and nocked it onto his bowstring. He pulled the string back to his cheek, took aim, and without any hesitation, released the arrow.
The arrow whistled through the air and found its mark in a tree trunk near Vimur, who had been slowly approaching his opponent.
Having revealed the archer's location, Vimur, unperturbed, dashed toward Shian. He dodged to the left as Shian fired another arrow and then darted forward with a lightning-fast punch into the tree Shian was camping on. Shian leapt backwards to avoid the strike, narrowly missing it.
He quickly reached for another arrow, but before he could nock it, Vimur closed in and delivered a flurry of punches and kicks. Shian tried to keep his distance and fire arrows, but Vimur was too quick, too relentless.
The spectators gasped as they hadn't thought Vimur would go all-out since the beginning.
Shian knew he had to change his tactics. He waited until Vimur's guard was down and then lunged forward with his bow as if it were a staff and swung it at Vimur's legs, hoping to knock him off balance.
"Nice try," Vimur smirked, "but you're too weak."
"Overconfidence is a bitch." Shian revealed his crooked smile, Vimur realised something was off, but there was no time to react.
He leapt over the attack, but Shian had anticipated this and fired an arrow at Vimur's exposed back. The arrow struck true, but Vimur barely flinched. People did not call him a rhino for nothing. His thick hide cushioned the arrow's blow, and it hardly damaged him.
Unfortunately, the same couldn't be said for Shian.
Vimur spun around and caught the next arrow out of the air with his bare hand, throwing it back at Shian with deadly accuracy.
Shian was taken aback by the move, but he quickly regained his composure, dodging the arrow at the last possible second. He then fired another arrow at Vimur. This time, however, Vimur was ready, and he caught the arrow between his teeth and closed in on Shian.
"What the hell!?" Shian exclaimed.
Countless people had countered his arrows before, but it was the first time someone used their teeth to stop the attack. Vimur was an animal!
Shian didn't know what to do. He had never encountered a martial artist like Vimur before. He fired off another arrow, hoping to buy some time, but Vimur caught it in mid-air and snapped it in half.
"The more you panic, the easier it is for me to kick your butt." Vimur snarled.
Shain bit his tongue. With no more arrows left, Shian was forced to fight Vimur with his bow as a makeshift staff. Unlike him, Vimur didn't have a weapon. As long as he could outsmart the raging martial artist, he had a shot at victory.
The two combatants clashed, trading blows back and forth. Shian was a skilled archer but was no match for Vimur's martial arts prowess. Within moments it was clear that Vimur was toying with his opponent.
'Maybe I was wrong about him...'
In the end, Vimur emerged victorious, knocking Shian to the ground with a swift kick to the chest. As Shian lay there, gasping for breath, Vimur stood over him and extended a hand.
"Good fight," he said, helping Shian to his feet, "You're a worthy opponent."
Shian nodded, still catching his breath. "You too," he said, admiration in his voice, "I've never fought anyone like you before. So thank you for it."
Vimur smiled, "That's what makes it fun, isn't it?"
But before Shian could reply, his vision went dark. Something ominous was about to happen. He could feel it. Something was taking control over him... something sinister.