The sparring match between Tiona and Bete began in the courtyard of the Loki Familia headquarters. The clash drew a crowd, even luring away the guards stationed at the gates. Among the spectators, Altair stood at the forefront, watching alongside Finn.
"Tiona and Bete—one is a legendary Level 6 top-tier adventurer, and the other is a Level 5 advanced adventurer. Both are core members of the Loki Familia. A duel between such powerful adventurers is bound to be thrilling!"
"Indeed," Finn nodded in agreement. "High-level adventurers rarely engage in combat lightly since they represent their Familia's ultimate strength. A fight usually signals a significant event."
Others in the crowd found it amusing that Altair and Finn were casually providing commentary during the battle.
"Alright," Altair continued, "We can see Bete standing in place, looking relaxed. As a Level 6 adventurer, Bete's stats give him an overwhelming advantage over Tiona."
"However," Altair added, "Tiona doesn't seem fazed. While she's at a slight disadvantage in personal stats as a Level 5 adventurer, she has the edge in weaponry. Her dual-bladed greatsword offers greater range. As the saying goes, 'The longer the reach, the stronger the advantage.' If your weapon can strike first, you control the fight!"
The crowd nodded enthusiastically at Altair's analysis.
"Now, Tiona has taken the initiative! She charges forward, wielding her twin-bladed greatsword!"
"Bete remains calm," Altair narrated. "As the defender, he's poised to evade Tiona's assault. With the advantage of his Level 6 stats, he can easily dodge her attacks!"
Bete, listening to Altair's commentary, felt smug. That's right. It's just Tiona. Watch me dodge!
"HAH!" Tiona roared, charging forward with a fierce shout that momentarily stunned Bete.
What?! Why can't I move?! Bete's mind raced.
Tiona's combination of Forward Charge and Soul-Shaking Roar caught Bete off guard. The surprise stun left him unable to react as Tiona gripped her sword with both hands and unleashed her signature move: Dance of Broken Wings.
Unlike in games, real battles don't allow enemies to remain stationary during such attacks. Tiona's greatsword swept across Bete, striking him with the flat side of the blade and sending him flying.
For a friendly spar, there was no need to use the blade's edge. A solid blow with the flat side sufficed.
Bete crashed into a nearby flower bed, smashing it to pieces. He lay there, stunned, staring at the sky. What just happened? Why couldn't I move? And how did I get sent flying?
But Tiona wasn't done. She followed up with the second phase of her Dance of Broken Wings, aiming another strike at Bete. Sensing the danger, Bete scrambled to his feet and leapt away, narrowly avoiding the attack. The price of his escape? Another shattered flower bed.
"Damn it! Was that really necessary?!" Bete yelled, glaring at the ruined flower bed. He turned his wide eyes to Tiona, suspecting she might be trying to flatten him entirely. Then, his gaze shifted to Altair.
Say something! Explain my skills! I don't even have time to think!
Altair noticed Bete's desperate look and immediately resumed commentary.
"Ah, it seems Bete underestimated Tiona at the start. She managed to catch him off guard with her Forward Charge and Soul-Shaking Roar combo. Forward Charge allows her to close the distance quickly, while Soul-Shaking Roar stuns her opponents. This unexpected combo left Bete defenseless!"
"Now," Altair continued, "Bete is struggling to deal with Tiona's relentless attacks, making it difficult for him to counter."
Finn chimed in, adding to the analysis. "Indeed, unless Bete uses his Wolf's Breath technique, it'll be nearly impossible for him to turn the tide."
As Finn finished speaking, Bete suddenly felt the world around him go silent. Time seemed to slow, and he was hit with a sense of déjà vu.
This... This is it! Bete's eyes widened in realization. Just like back in the dungeon! This guy's commentary really does work!
He instinctively inhaled deeply, pulling in air at such a rapid pace that it seemed to condense into mist. With each deep breath, his heartbeat grew more intense, the sound and sensation of its powerful thumping palpable even to him.
Thump-thump, thump-thump...
The blood, pumped vigorously by his heart, surged through his veins, delivering strength to every corner of Bete's body.
Though it wasn't as explosive as the legendary Shura Kick, this strength was undeniable. So this is Wolf's Breath? Incredible!
As the technique took hold, Bete's perception of the world returned to normal. His speed returned, the sounds around him normalized, but his heart continued its relentless, powerful rhythm.
"Heh, heh... My turn!"
Bete, who had been forced back by Tiona's greatsword, suddenly surged forward with a burst of speed. Dodging Tiona's attack, he shifted to her side in an instant and launched a powerful kick aimed directly at her.
However, Tiona didn't panic. Instead, she unleashed the third phase of her Dance of Broken Wings—not targeting Bete but slamming it into the ground!
As her sword struck the ground, the impact was like an explosion. The earth beneath her shattered outward like a cannon blast, with Tiona at the epicenter. Bete, who had been in close range mid-kick, was caught by the force and sent flying.
"What?!" Bete exclaimed, stunned by the sheer destructive power of Tiona's attack.
Among the spectators, Ais also reacted with surprise. As Bete was flung through the air, a light seemed to flicker in her eyes. She felt a surge of powerful energy stirring within her—a sensation she hadn't felt since her time in the dungeon.
Yes… this is it! Just like Altair said—the strongest strike. This must be the moment!
Ais's right hand instinctively gripped the hilt of her sword at her waist. Her gaze fixed on Bete, now airborne, as a faint white line appeared in her vision.
The line seemed to connect her to Bete, glowing faintly. If I step onto that path, she thought, I can achieve it—that strongest strike!
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