1,000,000 Karma: My Reward Is a Quiet Life-Chapter 75: In Darkness, a Heart

[Auto-Reflex] [Muscle Hardening]

Even letting his hand move on its own to optimally defend himself while simultaneously toughening his body, there was only so much that could be done.

"Ngh–"

Slashes came in a horizontal line across his pecs, along with one to his shoulder blades, and another to his leg. It was only thanks to fortifying his body that the elusive dagger didn’t cut any deeper than it did.

’He’s raising his speed even more? No, something’s different–it’s not just about being fast,’ he attempted to analyze.

The speed of a thought was too slow in the battle of milliseconds, as he immediately sensed an omni-directional assault again. This time, he didn’t hesitate, clapping his hands together to form a dome of stone around his position.

"Haah..."

Relinquishing [Tintri], he gave his mind and body a much needed breather. He’d trained his body extensively to handle it, though it still wasn’t without its own cost.

["Stamina" Proficiency +1] [112/999]

["Mage" Proficiency +1] [95/999]

"WOAH, WOAH, WOAH! BLINK AND YOU’LL MISS IT...WELL, DON’T BLINK AND YOU’LL STILL MISS IT! WHAT SPEED FROM OUR COMPETITORS! WHAT’S NOAH UP TO?!"

Inside the dome, Noah used the spare time to recover his lost stamina, but more importantly, to think. He checked his arms and chest, leaking blood from the cuts, though only sparse amounts from the skin-deep wounds.

’Fast, but my reinforcement is good to mitigate the damage. He could’ve targeted my vitals, but maybe he knew I’d be defending myself there? Either way, the speed he moved just now was something else,’ Noah analyzed.

Every moment counted as he could only imagine what the rogue was up to beyond the stone that separated them.

’Teleportation? No, I could still feel his movements, even if I couldn’t exactly follow them...Just what is it, exactly?’ He wondered.

While he racked his brain, the hairs on his body stood as the presence of the veteran at hunting humans was felt. For a moment, he wondered if somehow, he left an opening in the protective dome, though quickly learned his error–

’Shadows,’ he realized.

The enclosed space left complete darkness, essentially acting as a doorway directly in for the follower of Serash. He snapped his fingers, summoning a fireball into his hand to cast away as much of the darkness as he could, but it was too late–

Like a phantom given life, the assassin emerged, invading his protective bubble with haunting intent. He felt it then; the cold, merciless soul laid behind the eyes of the mysterious man.

[Tintri] 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

As the dagger closed in, Noah countered–

From the perspective of the audience, all they saw within the burning battlegrounds was the lonesome dome, unable to make out what was happening between the competitors.

It was seconds at most of chilling silence, crawling on at a snail’s pace as those that watched clutched their hands anxiously.

That was, until, the sphere completely shattered–

From blasts of lightning scattering at the behest of the rookie, Noah slid back, as the assassin pulled away in much the same fashion.

"WHAT HAPPENED INSIDE THAT DOME?! LOOK...THEY’VE BOTH BEEN HIT! BUT...IS NOAH HURT MORE?!"

Noah exhaled as blood dripped from a light gash to the side of his neck, ignoring it as he kept his eyes locked on the swift killer. The left arm of the self-proclaimed "retired" assassin was left bloodied and crooked, the sleeve once covering it burnt away from a direct hit of lightning.

At his feet, he pushed the ground upward, launching himself as he ran his hand over his axe, infusing the blade with lightning. It was a complete innovation, born from the intensity of the bout–

[Mega-Chop]

He swung the elemental-infused axe, casting the swing down with the guidance of lightning crashing down towards the assassin. It forced Van’s movements as the assassin spun around, slipping back to halt his own approach as the line of electricity cut across the arena.

As Noah landed, he was immediately met halfway by his opponent, evading a swipe towards his neck. While ducking, he swung for the veteran’s knees, only for the nimble figure to backflip out of range.

’It’s like trying to hit a fly with a bat,’ Noah thought.

Using the timing of the assassin’s landing, he sent a quick bolt in the way of his enemy. Van’s feet were inches from the ground, while the spear of electricity closed in merely inches away–

The assassin flipped again.

A complete defiance of the laws of physics.

"I CAN’T LOOK AWAY! IT’S A BATTLE OF INCHES...ONE MISTAKE, AND IT’S OVER FOR EITHER COMPETITOR!" The announcer gasped while the crowd chimed in.

["Replay"--the innate ability possessed by Van. Any set of movements made within the last minute are able to be repeated automatically, forwarded up to ten times the original speed.

The maximum set of movements able to be Replayed is up to five seconds, with the shortest movements able to be amplified to greater speeds."]

Noah was pressured this time, slipping back as a swipe of the dagger came towards his chest. He evaded it, only to find the assassin pressing persistently, performing the exact same motion–

It came faster this time–completely subverting his reflexes.

The sharpened blade left a laceration on his torso, though the pain was surpassed by his confusion. An attempt at a counterattack left him watching the assassin slide back as if being guided by wind.

’Yeah, I thought so–it’s not just some kind of speed enchantment. It’s the exact same moves, down to the finest detail,’ Noah analyzed.

[Download]

Witnessing the movements of his opponent up until now programmed the "database" of Van’s patterns into his brain. When looking at Van, his vision was supplemented as though viewing the world with admin privileges–he saw every possible outcome in which the assassin could take.

The retired killer felt something off in the unblinking look from the rookie, ’Did he figure out my ability? If he did, he’s a real genius. Either way, knowing about it doesn’t equal being able to do anything about it.’

"Tell me something, Van," Noah spoke calmly as they seemed to have found themselves at a crossroads. "Do you regret the life you’ve led?"