"Ready."
Kazuki lunged forward, his new onyx spear in hand. Raising his weapon, he brought it down as if he were chopping wood. The ground beneath Priam's feet compressed as he blocked. Enhanced by Micro II, the hoplite's strength was formidable.
Trapped between the ground and the enemy's spear, Priam grimaced as he saw the hoplite prepare a knee strike. Turning his own spear clockwise, Priam guided the enemy's away and blocked the knee with the shaft of Prosse. The force propelled him backward, and his feet dug trenches to absorb the kinetic energy. Even before he looked up, his Domain warned him that Kazuki was coming back for an attack. Dodging the charge with a hoplite-inspired footwork, Priam struck. [Hoplite Slash].
Lvl Up: [Hoplite Slash] lvl 4
STR 3
Kazuki blocked, a knowing smile on his lips. "Feels like I've seen that move before."
"It's yours," replied Priam, taking the initiative with a combo.
A piercing thrust was deflected and transford by a pirouette into an oblique slash. Kazuki stepped back, and the grass exploded as Prosse hit the ground. The cloud of dust and dirt obstructed all vision, but his Domain warned him: a rock was hurtling toward him. Priam tilted his head, avoiding the projectile before leaping. His overclocked muscles shattered the ground beneath his feet as he reached Kazuki. Anchored firmly, the hoplite endured a second [Hoplite Slash].
The clash of weapons echoed in the clearing, bringing smiles to the fighters' faces. With a quick wrist movent demonstrating great dexterity, Kazuki coiled his spear around Priam's and ripped it away with a twist. Prosse flew behind the hoplite Champion and planted itself in the ground.
"Losing your weapon is losing your life," warned Kazuki before counterattacking.
Priam grimaced before evading a series of rapid attacks. While retreating, he sought a way to retrieve his spear, but Kazuki was everywhere. Using his superior technique, the hoplite created openings in Priam's retreat. In a deadly dance, both fighters gave their all, one attacking, the other evading.
Lvl Up: [Battle Flow] lvl 19
PERC 1
DEXT 2
Aware of the threat, the Homo Elysian activated Micro at full throttle. Awakening his limitless endurance, Priam decided to leverage his physical advantage. Overclocking a dozen muscles, he waited for the enemy's spear to be slightly offset by an attack before advancing.
Lvl Up: [Battle Footwork] lvl 10
AGI 2
DEXT 1
Kazuki instantly raised his weapon, but the hoplite had underestimated Priam's speed. The onyx spear bit into his thigh, failing to penetrate the tough muscle before Priam entered the hoplite's guard. His thick blood quickly coagulated, refusing to nourish the grass.
In close quarters, Priam punched the hoplite in the chest. Kazuki absorbed the blow by jumping backward, landing twenty ters away. The hoplite's anatomy was more protected than a human's, and his rival rely spat out a bit of blood. Priam wasn't fooled with Micro II, Kazuki's directed vitality would soon repair the damage.
The crucial thing was that he had repelled his opponent. Priam advanced, retrieved Prosse, and assud a fighting stance.
Kazuki gave him a smile before leaping. The two spears clashed, resonating in the clearing. With a fluid movent, Priam feinted, diverting Kazuki's attention, then delivered a kick. Kazuki chose to absorb it and return an elbow strike.
The two combatants briefly separated, catching their breath. Priam wiped the blood from his jaw, smiling. He had less technique, but his attributes were superior. His constitution was so high that it was less dangerous to hit a concrete block than one of his bones. Judging by Kazuki's grimace, his elbow hadn't enjoyed the experience.
The hoplite raised his onyx spear, and Priam growled. His rival wouldn't make the sa mistake again. The two opponents silently charged at each other. Neither was foolish enough to waste oxygen by shouting.
The exchanges between the two rivals intensified as their destructive blows created cascades of sparks, illuminating the duel zone. Kazuki focused on grappling, demonstrating the subtleties of the spear technique. The shaft was a formidable weapon when wielded with agility and dexterity. Focused, Priam and his system learned. The match was, above all, a lesson.
Minutes passed, and Priam gained confidence. Kazuki was an intelligent teacher who knew how to instill confidence in his students. The blows beca more violent, promising an imminent resolution. Without making any glaring mistakes, the hoplite left a few openings for Priam.
Suddenly, the long-awaited mont arrived. In the midst of a brutal exchange, Kazuki swung his spear like an axe. Priam blocked the attack, advancing while Kazuki retreated. As Prosse was perpendicular to the enemy's spear, Priam slid it forward. The tip of Kazuki's weapon rose as Prosse approached the hoplite.
With a quick movent, Priam turned his spear, bringing the tip downward. Kazuki leaned backward to protect his neck and avoid being slashed. That wasn't Priam's goal. Prosse continued its circular arc, its shaft still holding the enemy's spear. As its tip approached the ground, Priam shifted it with a shoulder twist. The weapon slipped between the hoplite's legs and pressed under his left knee.
Priam only needed to lift his spear like a lever. Pushed upward by Prosse, Kazuki's leg rose. Priam pressed on the chest of his off-balance opponent to make him fall. Clearing the enemy spear, Priam pointed Prosse at his rival.
You have gained the skill: [Spear Grappling - Rare].
[Spear Grappling] - A spear is a polearm typically designed for thrusting. But you can't solve all your problems with the sharp end. In close-quarters combat, the shaft allows for grappling maneuvers that will send your opponent to the ground.
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When you're this close to your foe, your breath should be enough to defeat them. A month without brushing your teeth, aren't you ashad?
STR 1
AGI 2
"You got it," guessed Kazuki. The spearmaster could sll that kind of thing.
"Thanks to you," smiled Priam, swinging his weapon aside and leaning forward. Extending his hand, he helped Kazuki to his feet. Priam harbored no illusions. The hoplite had seen through his act and had only allowed the charade so that he would gain the skill.
"Well executed. You have all the ingredients to unlock Mastery now. What you need is to gather them in a fluid style. You'll train with my soldiers; it'll do them good to face soone like you."
"Okay."
Kazuki nodded before hesitating. Looking around, he quickly contracted certain muscles under his skin. Priam's Domain spotted the movents, and his system translated the coded language.
"Rose and Myuri are starting to ask questions about Sphinx. She's been missing for too long."
Priam clenched his fists before nodding imperceptibly. It was ti to accelerate things.
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