[Infinity Arena Main Tournament Group E – Match 9]
[Battlefield: Duel Corridor]
[vs Acid Gaming’s Reaper (Assassin)]
“Hmm.”
The moment I saw the selected battlefield, the corners of my mouth curved upwards.
Of all places, the Duel Corridor.
It’s a location devoid of complex structures or gimmicks, where one can solely measure raw power. And since we’ve chosen the same Class, everything now hinges purely on my ability.
This time, the Chain Scythe won’t work. Even against the Mist Mage, there were perilous moments, so against an Assassin—no explanation needed.
There’s no need to unnecessarily forfeit a hard-earned victory.
I discarded the uncertain skills altogether.
It’s better to trust myself than waste points on ineffective means. As the countdown ended, my vision went dark, then returned to reveal the sight of a long corridor stretching endlessly.
[Battle has begun.]
The Duel Corridor’s defining feature is that you can see your opponent the moment the battle starts.
This makes hiding behind obstacles impossible, and scouting tactics ineffective. It’s a true battlefield of men where the sole focus is on fierce combat with your opponent.
The moment the fight started, Reaper and I charged at each other with all our might.
At the precise moment our distances closed sufficiently:
As if by mutual agreement, we saluted each other with a deep respect before engaging.
Ting—Ting!
As I blocked the flying daggers, I retaliated by throwing my own.
A sinister black smoke wafted from the daggers that struck the ground—thanks to the potent venom I had embedded within.
“Your weapons are the same as mine—dual daggers. Your preferred opening would then be… a fake attack with the left hand targeting the lower half.”
And I was correct.
Reaper struck first due to my small size. Though it seemed like my left eye was the target, the other hand secretly aimed for my thigh.
I couldn’t evade all of it, so I had to deflect it.
Our blades locked into a binding state. Here it became clear that Reaper’s strength might edge over mine. I couldn’t push the blade away easily.
If I can’t win, then there’s no point in fighting.
I twisted my blade to target the wrist. Blood flowed from both of our arms.
A brief glance. Reaper’s gaze flickered downward.
Before I even thought, I instinctively tilted my head.
Right where my jaw had been, Reaper’s daggers lunged with sharp precision. Both daggers exploited the split-second distraction.
Their strikes were relentless, like the venomous fangs of a spider.
Rather than attempting a messy block, I stepped back a few paces. With gained distance, I immediately hurled another throwing dagger. Reaper effortlessly deflected it with their dagger. But from the shadow of the landing blade, thorn-like protrusions emerged.
First blood to me.
“Hnnngh…”
The fight between daggers is inevitably brutal.
Both wielding short weapons, our close-quarter battles lacked any possibility of perfect defense, and with the proximity, the speed of the attacks was terrifying.
Even worse, both of us wielded dual daggers.
The hand that should focus purely on defense was now occupied with an offensive weapon. The exchange of relentless attacks resulted in copious bloodshed.
My dagger grazed beneath Reaper’s chin. A scarlet streak appeared across my forward-leaning shoulder. Both of our single arms locked in a grappling position with each other. Unwilling to let go, I pushed forward with my blade embedded deeply.
Reaper responded with a counterattack.
My dagger pierced into Reaper’s clavicle, while Reaper’s dagger impaled my right shoulder.
Deep-embedded daggers cannot be readily retrieved. Given the need to evade the next attacks, both Reaper and I simultaneously broke away. We plucked the daggers stuck in our bodies and readied them for combat once more.
[Remaining Health: 34.8%]
The exchanged daggers tore at each other.
My dagger pierced my own body. Reaper’s dagger struck their own flesh. We fought more aggressively this time, abandoning defense entirely if it meant inflicting greater damage.
I carved into Reaper’s ankle and slashed their calf. Meanwhile, Reaper left cuts across my cheek and the back of my neck.
Just as our daggers were about to clash again, both of us simultaneously vanished into the shadows, avoiding the direct confrontation.
It turns out our attempts to dodge were mirrored, leading to the same outcome. Absurdly, I chuckled.
“Good. Enjoyable. You are indeed strong.”
Blood freely flowed from numerous wounds covering my body. My clothes, already shredded in places, were drenched, the cooling blood at turns cold and warm.
Could I be the only one sensing the faint metallic scent of blood?
Reaper momentarily relaxed their stance, perhaps feeling safe at a perceived distance. Warily watching for an opportunity, Reaper’s dagger came flying toward me.
Understanding the gesture, I returned Reaper’s dagger.
After each of us reclaimed our original daggers, further words were unnecessary. This engagement would leave one of us dead.
Though our health bars remain hidden from each other, neither of us were in good condition.
[Remaining Health: 13.1%]
Wavering wasn’t an option.
Through the blood-smeared form, I approached Reaper. The high syncretization ratio left nowhere untouched by pain yet, paradoxically, I felt an inner calm.
Swordsmanship, which defined my life, is essentially a combat art.
Though it’s called a martial art of etiquette, it boils down to a sport where weapons aim for human flesh.
Hours of practice with wooden swords often left no part of me unbruised.
Thus, it felt strangely comforting.
The inferno-like pain enveloping my entire body.
This fiery struggle for victory reminded me—it felt like a return to familiar times.
Each cell awakened, resonating with this long-forgotten sensation.
“Been a while… this feeling.”
As my foe approached nearer and nearer, Reaper struck first once again.
Like in fighting where natural weight classes confer an advantage, Reaper’s reach due to longer arms made them naturally suited for initiating attacks.
But I could see it all—clearly, as if time itself had slowed down.
The way Reaper’s eyes skimmed my wrist, the muscles in their back tensely coiled, ready to strike.
I understood their intent and made a split-second judgment.
I gave in.
[Remaining Health: 8.5%]
My wrist’s artery was sliced open, beginning a relentless, unstoppable bleed. However, this allowed me to drive further inward where Reaper aimed for my heart.
I bent my waist sharply to evade. Leaping backward in a break-dancing maneuver, I touched the ground with my good arm, flipping my body around.
With a floating sensation, my heel connected with Reaper’s jaw.
The critical blow worked; the slight blackout confirmed it. As Reaper tumbled, I wrapped my legs around them.
Reaper’s neck became lodged between my thighs. Trying to stab with my dagger, I realized my wrist had been slashed again.
One of my arms was completely useless—though at this point, does it even matter?
“Ahah.”
Using my intact thigh to tightly secure Reaper’s neck, I sharply twisted my body and waist.
Crack. I heard the bone snap. Both Reaper and I collapsed in a heap to the ground. My lower abdomen bore the brunt of a heavy pressure.
[Remaining Health: 0.6%]
I don’t know. I lacked the will to lift my head. Moving might accelerate the bleeding and lead to certain death. Blood still spurted freely from my wrist.
If Reaper had survived, my defeat would’ve been certain. As my vision darkened, nearing death, I instinctively opened my eyes when the pain suddenly ceased.
In front of me floated a glowing blue system message.
[Victory.]
[You have cleared the main phase of the Infinity Arena. You have earned the number 1 seed for Group E.]
*
[Author: Gawol]
[Title: What a shame]
[Upvotes: 223]
The agreement is null since I won.
While reading the comments, I was genuinely surprised.
I didn’t realize so many people were curious about my face!
Was there anyone here with ill intentions?
[Comments]
– Tenlian, you’re letting me off because you’re stronger.
└ Yeah, I’d have killed you if you weren’t.
└ Lol, true.
[Author: Gawol]
[Title: Forgot about the agreement for a bit]
[Upvotes: 790]
Thank you for congratulating me.
I’m really happy.
I don’t know who my opponent in the Round of 16 will be, but I’ll try my best.
[Comments]
– Were you more excited about the trolling aspect than winning the Round of 16?
└ Of course not.
└ Criticism is something I think is harmful.
[Author: Gawol]
[Title: Waiting for SpeakingPigeon and CoolShot]
SpeakingPigeon, let’s fry mint chocolate for dinner.
CoolShot, let’s add some pine needles on top!
I believe you both will keep your promises.
However, if you don’t…
Know that I will come to you, tears in my eyes, within the game.
You both share the same in-game nickname, according to your past posts.
I mean what I say.
I’ll give you exactly three days.
[Comments]
– Lololololololololol.
[Author: SpeakingPigeon]
[Title: Delicious Mint Chocolate Fried Rice]
[Author: CoolShot]
[Title: Please take one last look]
[Author: CoolShot]
[Title: I vow never to talk without thinking again]
[Author: CoolShot]
[Title: Mint Chocolate and Pine Needle Certification]
