Ex rank talent Awakening: 100\% Dodge rate-Chapter 33 - : THE FALLEN HERO

The fourth stamina regeneration bottle, the fifth, the sixth, the tenth—Dual Blade kept drinking potions, the taste now familiar on his tongue. The effects of the potions were diminishing bit by bit, mental fatigue already reaching the limit tolerable by the human body.

[System Warning]

[Your mental state is at risk of getting damaged!! Player is demanded to log out immediately!!]

[Stamina regeneration potions no longer have effects on the player and will cause damage if continued to be used!!]

[...]

Notifications upon notifications were released by the system to Dual Blade. He, of course, rejected them, pressing on. Alas, it was not enough. He was overwhelmed, his stamina bottling out, unable to lift a finger. Dual Blade knelt down, surrounded by monsters willing to devour him.

The world was silent, everyone staring and watching, eager to know the fate of the man who refused to give up. Some hoped for a miracle, that Dual Blade would rise victorious. Some were already consoling him, offering support for his hard-fought battle. Some remained neutral, simply enjoying the show. But if there was one thing everyone could agree on, it was the undeniable willpower and perseverance that Dual Blade had shown.

Having accepted his fate, Dual Blade stared into Abyss's eyes, refusing to look away from the one who bested him.

"It seems there is still some willpower and fighting spirit within you," Abyss said before walking toward Dual Blade. Then, using his right foot, he kicked Dual Blade's face, taking even more HP from his already meager health bar. Dual Blade fell flat on the ground, unable to stand, his stamina completely drained. He clenched his hands tightly, angry and annoyed at his own carelessness.

Abyss, however, was clearly enjoying himself. He walked calmly and softly toward the beaten Dual Blade, and then it happened. Abyss raised his leg and placed his foot on Dual Blade's face.

"Is this what you amount to? The Big Six guilds?" Abyss mocked. "The only worthwhile guilds are the ones created by Nemesis and probably the one created by Scarlett. The rest are just trash, sucking off the success of others."

Dual Blade heard every word, his blood boiling with rage, but he could do nothing. He was too weak, too powerless to retaliate.

"Alright, this has gone on for too long. Devour him," Abyss commanded his undead.

The undead obeyed, tearing into Dual Blade until he lost every single point of health and died.

For most spectators, the atmosphere was one of sadness and solemnity.

"Mummy, that man is a bad man and very cruel," a young boy cried, sympathizing with Dual Blade's loss as if Abyss had just killed his hero.

"It's alright, honey. He will grow back stronger," his mother comforted him.

Dual Blade had lost the battle, but in doing so, he had won the hearts of countless people. His will, his desire to push forward, his refusal to surrender—it was truly admirable.

[Battle Ended]

[Winner of the Battle: Abyss]

[Advances to the Next Round]

Abyss was teleported out of the arena after the system notification.

Dual Blade, the defeated man who had won people's hearts, was feeling downcast. A notification appeared on his interface. Checking it, he saw messages—mostly encouragement from his guild members, rallying around him, reassuring him. Strangely, only a few pointed out that his loss was an embarrassment.

Then, he checked the group chat of the Big Six guild masters. Just like his guild, it was filled with encouragement—Gold Goblin and Odin, as expected, being the most vocal.

But there was one message that resonated with him, one that stirred his heart.

A single comment from Nemesis.

"Disappointing."

That was all.

Dual Blade clenched his hands tightly after reading it. A surge of frustration welled up within him.

"To think I continue to remain petty in his eyes," Dual Blade muttered to himself.

Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath, his mind already racing with ways to improve. His heart burned with a new challenge—he would prove Nemesis wrong.

[Sixth round]

[Players being chosen at random]

[Nemesis of Dark Star Guild vs. Dan of Immortal Guild]

[Battleground randomly being selected]

[Randomizing]

[Poseidon's Arena]

[Contesting players are to prepare]

Nemesis, not even bothering to prepare in any way, ensured his mask was well-fitted. Soon, he and his opponent, Dan, were teleported to the battleground.

Poseidon's Arena—a platform supported by pillars elongating from the deep sea. The platform was wide, like an arena for gladiatorial combat, placed in the middle of the ocean like an oil rig.

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"You are Nemesis. I will be having your arrogant head today," Dan said cockily.

Dan, guild master of the Immortal Guild, had accomplished several successes and ensured he alone dominated the gaming world for several years. His guild, Immortal, was renowned across multiple games, always dominating the gaming world they were created in. And this game should be no different, Dan strongly believed. His talent, SS-rank Super Regeneration, was a strong reason for his confidence.

"You know, to save yourself the stress of disgracing yourself like your counterpart, you can just give up early and allow me to zero your health. I promise I will be fast and soft about causing you pain," Dan said, his arrogance knowing no bounds.

"Don't compare me to some trash who couldn't qualify. Besides, even if I stand still and do nothing, you still wouldn't be able to hurt me once," Nemesis replied lazily.

"We shall see to that. I will make sure you suffer the most excruciating pain ever," Dan continued.

"You talk too much. Let's get over with it and stop pissing me off by your actions," Nemesis said, clearly annoyed.

Dan was about to retaliate but was interrupted by the system.

[Begin]

Dan ran, holding a whip, his favorite weapon used since time immemorial. He swung the whip at Nemesis, but Nemesis dodged it while using the least minimum movement, walking slowly and calmly towards Dan.

Dan's face held a frown after seeing his miss. Well, putting that behind him and calling it a fluke, he attacked once more, swinging his whip downward. To this, Nemesis just moved a slight step to the left, dodging the attack, his movement continuing, not a change in his walking speed.

Dan was starting to feel irked by it and decided to go all out, bringing out his second whip and then attacking with both whips. He had a smile on his face, strongly believing in his own strength, but well—to his dismay, nothing changed. Unhurriedly and calmly, Nemesis continued his walk toward Dan, unbothered, dodging the attack with just slight movements and rotations.

"The hell is going on? Why can't I hit him!?" was the only thing on Dan's mind.

The rhythm of Nemesis's walking was beginning to add pressure on him. The closer Nemesis got, the more panicked and worried Dan became. Soon, Dan started attacking with no pattern, clearly panicked. He attacked Nemesis without a plan, just swinging his whips in irregular movements.

'Let it hit just once.' Dan hoped, fear crawling on him like countless ants, seeking to devour him.

Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap...

Nemesis walked calmly until he stood in front of Dan.

Dan stared at Nemesis, both parties looking the other eye to eye.

"Well, you clearly surprised me. I will give you that. I panicked—so unprofessional of me. But that will be it. I'm getting serious now, and I will clearly crush you here and now," Dan said, still looking into Nemesis's eyes through the mask.

"Like I said before, you talk too much," Nemesis said, sending Dan flying with a kick.

Dan hit the supporting platform of the arena, preventing him from falling into the water. The arena had a ring-like platform that prevented the fall of the competitors—except in extreme situations.

Dan, standing up from the dent after the attack, looked at Nemesis, clearly annoyed. He ran toward Nemesis, swinging his whips while activating a skill.

"Flame Envelope," he said.

Flames enveloped the whips, burning brightly the moment the skill was activated.

Afterward, Dan attacked Nemesis. Of course, Nemesis's dodge was with minimal effort before walking close to Dan and sending him flying.

Dan flew once more, hitting another barricade.

Standing up again, embarrassment written all over his face, Dan attacked once more but was sent flying again.

It continued—back and forth.

Dan rushing toward the walking Nemesis.

Dan getting sent flying.

Dan rushing again.

Dan flying again.

Dan felt angry over it. His HP was still intact, his health regeneration doing its job. But it wasn't about his health right now.

Dan felt bitter.

He was being toyed with like a fool by Nemesis.

"I hate you, coward! Fight me properly like a man and stop trying to act cool, you idiot! I bet your parents never even taught you proper manners! I will, of course, correct that for you in your parents' stead—"

Dan froze.

Gold Goblin sighed.

"He's dead," Gold Goblin muttered. "Did he just literally dig his own grave with his own hands? Wow, some people can't just be wise."

The rule that Gold Goblin and the rest figured out while training with Nemesis:

You do not say anything negative about Nemesis or Scarlett's parents.

You pay dearly for it.

And Dan was about to experience it firsthand.

"Seriously, such failed parents, unable to properly educate their—"

Dan couldn't finish his sentence.

Because he couldn't feel the lower part of his jaw.

In shock, he looked around.

And in horror, he saw it.

The lower part of his jaw was in Nemesis's hands.

"Like I said," Nemesis spoke, his voice carrying nothing but anger.

"You talk too much."