How Do We Play If This Boss Isn't Nerfed?-Chapter 44: Stamina Monster
On the arena stage, the battle between the two had reached a fever pitch.
As more and more of his attacks missed, Xiong Qihong grew even more furious.
With another roar, Xiong Qihong’s massive frame moved with a counterintuitive agility, his twin axes whistling through the air.
He was no longer using the wide, sweeping slashes from before.
One axe swept low to block Lin Ye’s retreat, while the other transformed into a black streak of light, aiming straight for his head!
A pincer attack from above and below, utterly vicious!
Lin Ye’s pupils contracted. He could feel it—after failing to hit his target for so long, this big guy’s attack pattern, driven by rage, had somehow become more cunning and deadly!
His opponent might not have been intelligent, but his combat instincts were still incredibly dangerous!
Several times, the axe blades scraped past his scalp and ankles.
The wind from the blades left fiery, stinging trails on his skin.
’And this is only the tenth-ranked fighter in the whole school.’
’It’s true what they say: you have to take things one step at a time.’
It had only been about a month since he’d acquired the system.
This past month of frantic improvement had certainly given him the right to challenge these so-called geniuses.
But the others’ two-plus years of hard training and accumulated experience weren’t for show, either.
Especially this Xiong Qihong before him; he was an anomaly among geniuses.
More importantly, while being suppressed in this fight, Lin Ye clearly identified his greatest weakness.
The combinations of his Staff Skill had always made his attacks unstoppable.
But now that his attacks were proving ineffective, Lin Ye clearly realized that his skill tree contained not a single ability related to evasion or movement!
’On the path of martial arts, offense, defense, evasion, and positioning are all indispensable.’
His evasions so far had relied solely on the raw nerve-response speed boosted by his stats.
There was no form, no system to it.
He... lacked a proper Body Technique!
’At the same time, is the offensive power of my Staff Skill really not enough for what’s to come?’
’Can the Staff Skill I’ve worked so hard on really not defeat an opponent like this?’
These thoughts flashed through his mind like lightning.
In that split second of distraction—
Lin Ye suddenly felt a fierce gust of wind assault his face!
His attention was so focused on Xiong Qihong’s two deadly great-axes that he’d forgotten: when the distance closed, his opponent’s body was just as lethal a weapon!
One of Xiong Qihong’s axes missed its mark, but he seamlessly followed the motion, raising a thigh as thick as a tree stump and launching a vicious front kick straight at Lin Ye’s chest!
It was too sudden!
The kick was completely outside of Lin Ye’s predictions!
He had no time to dodge and could only rely on combat instinct, crossing his arms in front of his chest!
THUD—!!!
A dull, heavy impact that made the heart of every person watching clench!
Lin Ye felt as if he’d been hit head-on by a large truck at full speed!
He was sent flying backward like a kite with its string cut, a human cannonball that slammed viciously against the edge of the arena, stopping just short of falling off.
"Pfft!"
Lin Ye half-knelt on the ground, a coppery sweetness flooding his throat as he coughed up a mouthful of blood.
Excruciating pain!
The agonizing pain from his chest and arms made his vision swim with black spots.
’Several ribs are broken. My upper arms... if not completely fractured, they’re at least cracked.’
"DIE!!!"
Xiong Qihong gave Lin Ye no chance to breathe. A huge shadow loomed over him, twin axes raised high, crashing down with the determination to tear everything apart!
At that critical moment, Lin Ye bit his tongue sharply. The intense pain instantly cleared his head. He used all his strength to execute an incredibly clumsy roll to the side.
BOOM!!!
The great-axes smashed into the spot where he had just been, blasting a deep crater in the stage’s composite floor and sending fragments flying!
Lin Ye struggled to his feet, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth.
His high endurance and sizable health bar allowed Lin Ye to recover.
Enduring the intense pain, Lin Ye found the perfect opportunity to counterattack.
He seized the moment when Xiong Qihong’s axes had fallen—his old strength spent and new strength not yet generated.
Instead of retreating, Lin Ye surged forward, closing the distance and gathering all his remaining strength into the staff in his hands.
’Heavy Staff Style... and [Charged Bash]!’
Lin Ye saw the opening as Xiong Qihong started to rise and immediately began to charge his attack.
’I can’t charge for long, but it’s better than a direct attack that won’t even break through his defense.’
In less than a second, Lin Ye saw the massive body begin to turn and rise violently.
’Any later and it’ll be too late!’
’Now!’
Lin Ye’s Spirit was completely focused. His staff drew the most domineering straight line, whistling through the air as it smashed viciously into the back of Xiong Qihong’s head!
No matter how high one’s defense, the back of the head is one of the body’s most fragile weak points!
Xiong Qihong’s huge body shuddered. He let out a pained grunt and staggered forward, nearly falling over.
He was utterly enraged!
"AAAAAHHH!"
Xiong Qihong completely descended into madness. He abandoned all technique, his twin axes becoming an out-of-control meat grinder, indiscriminately and furiously chopping at everything around him!
On the stage, axe-shadows flew and debris scattered everywhere!
The fight, at this point, had become incredibly ugly. There was none of the beauty of a duel between Martial Artists.
One was like a tireless, frenzied beast, madly venting its power.
The other was like a lone boat tossed in a storm, dragging an injured and exhausted body, dancing wildly on the razor’s edge of death.
But both of them displayed a tenacity that moved everyone watching!
Lin Ye had been kicked squarely in the chest, and now every breath brought stabbing, agonizing pain.
But still, he fought on!
And Xiong Qihong, under Lin Ye’s relentless, desperate attacks, was now covered in dark bruises and staff marks. His breathing grew heavier and heavier, like a worn-out bellows.
The Frenzy didn’t just grant power; it also drastically consumed stamina!
Time ticked by, second by second.
Ten minutes.
Twenty minutes.
Half an hour!
The entire training hall was utterly silent.
Everyone held their breath, their eyes glued to the two figures on the stage, both of whom were pushed to their absolute limits.
They were starting to find it hard to watch.
With every breath like a clap of thunder, sweat mixed with blood, staining Xiong Qihong’s bronze skin a dark red. The speed at which he swung his great-axes had slowed to a crawl.
Lin Ye’s state was even more wretched.
His black training uniform was soaked a dark red with blood, sticking to his body. His face was ashen. He was supporting his teetering body with nothing but sheer, astonishing willpower.
Finally!
The next time Xiong Qihong heaved his great-axes up, a muscle in his arm spasmed violently. The power of his Frenzy, which had been sustaining him, receded like a tide.
He could no longer lift them.
CLANG!
The two heavy Mountain Axes slipped from his grasp and fell to the floor with a deafening crash.
Xiong Qihong’s massive body swayed, and finally his legs gave out, and he plopped down onto the ground.
The bloodlust in his eyes faded, replaced by bewilderment and a sense of being wronged.
"Wuuu... WAAAAH—!!!"
"You’re a bully! A big bully!!"
The next second, like a child who had been terribly wronged, he burst into tears.
But Lin Ye remained standing.
The tip of his staff rested just before his opponent’s throat.
Silence.
No one said a word.
Until Principal Wang Zhengguo was the first to raise his hands and begin to clap.
A look of clear admiration was in his eyes.
’Chen Meng was right. This kid’s mindset and tenacity are something I’ve rarely seen in my entire teaching career.’
Immediately after, Zhang Yuqing was the second to clap, a strange light shimmering in her eyes as she looked at Lin Ye.
CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP—!!!
Instantly, thunderous applause filled the entire training hall!
Those top students who had previously been disdainful now looked at Lin Ye on the stage with expressions of awe and admiration.
And, of course, a deep-seated fear.
’That guy’s a monster of stamina!’
’A madman who fought three grueling battles without a break and still won them all!’
