Leveling up the World

Chapter 345: Fighting Pain

Chapter 345: Fighting Pain

The arena battles went on. Unlike the first day, only a few challengers had managed to win their fights. Most of them were already touted as potential champions. As for the rest, they exchanged blows, displaying weapons and techniques that fascinated the crowd and amused the nobles. Of the two-hundred and fifty-six fights, however, seven drew the greatest attention. One of those fights was Dallions, and despite his best efforts, it remained evenly matched.

Pain races throughout his body as the cuts hed received kept growing like cracks on a dry waterbed. Nil had been right when hed said that the daggers Elvira had were different from histheir damage potential was significantly greater, not to mention that the agony created had almost brought him to the ground. Even Luxs efforts were unable to numb the pain, just somewhat reduce it. Meanwhile, Dallions opponent didnt seem in the least affected. The wounds were there, Dallion could see them, spreading along her arms, but for some reason they didnt seem to cause her pain in the least.

Just pick me up! The armadil shouted from the ground. Ill be able to take a few hits.

No, Dallion hissed.

Given Elivras weapons, that wasnt a guarantee. Besides, even if it were, using a shield now would only make it more difficult. Even the whip blade he was holding felt ten times heavier than before. According to Nil, that was a side effect of her daggers. If so, Dallion would only be able to take a few strikes more. The issue was that carving skills and acrobatics were a terrifying combination.

Keep her guessing, Nil advised. Shift between close and ranged attack.

Almost on cue, Elvira rushed forward. Creating five instances, Dallion retreated, twisting the whip blade around himself. One of the instances slashed the forearm of his opponent. That was the one he chose to keep as reality.

Good. Keep it up.

Why doesnt she feel pain? Dallion asked. If this was a skill she had, Spike surely would have shared it when Dallion was at the guildhall. Still, there was no denying the fact. Is that a skill?

Not unless she can do magic, Nil replied. Rather, shes probably using a magic item of some sort.

There were too many metal objects on Elivira to be able to be able to tell for certain, not to mention there was no guarantee that the item was made of metal.

Seeing his hesitation, Elvira charged at him again, leaping in the air and attacking from above. Dallion responded by combining guard and acrobatic skills. Alas, that time none of his instances remained unscathed. With the speed of a woodpecker, Elvira pierced through the thick leather of his right holster boot, effectively ripping off Dallion. In the process, she had received another wound, but that didnt matter in the least.

Damn it! This was the worst possible outcome. To add insult to injury, Dallion was almost certain that she had no idea that the kaleidervisto in the boot was actually healing him. As far as she was concerned, Elivra probably wanted to limit his mobility, which she had done as well.

Things were looking bad for Dallion. In his desperation, however, an idea was born. It wasnt the best idea, but it was the only one that had the potential to turn the battle around.

Which of you are magic? Dallion asked, using his music skill to add as much boasting and agreeableness as possible.

Elvira paused. She couldnt understand the question, and it would have been difficult for her to do so, since it wasnt addressed to her or any other person at the arena. Rather, it was meant for the items on her.

Whats it to you? a sharp female voice asked.

Why? Had enough? a jackal-like voice laughed.

Seems like, another replied.

That means there were three magic items. Not as many as Dallion thought thered be. He already knew that two of them were the daggerslikely they were the ones with the jackal voices. That means the female voice had to belong to the protective item.

I dont want to hurt you, Dallion continued, adding a heavy dose of fear.

You wont, Elvira replied, missing the point completely.

If you dont fall off, Ill have to.

Taking this as a provocation, Elvira charged forward. Dallion had no choice but to react by spin-twisting his weapon as he prepared to engage in close combat again. While doing so, though, he continued to try and pinpoint the magic item.

Elvira didnt have any necklace or earrings, and as far as he could tell, she didnt seem to be wearing any rings on her hands either. Where then? It had to be in contact with her skin, so it couldnt be hidden in a pouch somewhere. Maybe it was in her boot? Holster boots were common, considering there was a name for them, but if that was the case, how should he proceed to remove it?

The left daggers, one of the chain links on the ground shouted, its voice full of resentment. All three of them are magic!

All three of them? That was unexpected. Dallion knew that his opponent had several more daggers in her belt, but had assumed them to be normal. Clearly, some were, but not all. It also made sense that she would resort to using her pain nullifying weapon. When Elivra had recognized the effects of Dallions weapon, and mistaken them to be similar to her own, she must have quickly taken the appropriate countermeasures, which means pain nullification.

Two daggerstwo targets. Which was Dallion supposed to go for?

My daggers indestructible, he thought loudly. If theres a clash, who do you think will win?

Eilvira reached Dallion, engaging in her methodical attack. Two daggers against a dagger and a whip blade. In close proximity Elvira had the clear advantage, but then the most unusual thing happened. As Dallion moved to parry one of the daggers with his own, his opponents weapon flinched. It was barely noticeable, lasting a fraction of a second, but Dallion noticed. For that single instant, the dagger slipped in Elviras hand. Dallion had been in similar situations many times back on Earth when playing video gameswhen the controller would slip after hours of play, leading to a game over and the inevitable rage quit that followed.

As the tip of the blade tore through Dallions shirt, it made Elviura loosen her grip. That was the moment Dallion was waiting for, striking her hand with his knee. Normally, that would have little effect, but in the present circumstances, Elivra let go of the weapon. It only happened for a moment, but that moment was enough for pain to hit her like a ton of bricks.

Dallion felt the sensation explode within her, ringing like a chorus of bells. Taking advantage, he spun around, landing a sidekick, then following up with an attack with the whip blade. Before the sharp metal fragments managed to reach her, however, they froze mid-air.

Dallion Darude wins! someone shouted from the stand.

The announcement came as a surprise, causing both Dallion and Elvira to leap back and look in the direction of the countess. As a further surprise, the noble was looking directly at them. A simple nod on her part said everything that was necessarythe fight had been deemed over and Dallion declared the victor.

Bow, Nil said.

After a moments hesitation, Dallion did. A smile formed on the countess face, after which she directed her attention to one of the remaining battles. Almost instantly glowing symbols appeared around Elvira and Dallion, along with the warm sensation of healing.

Show off, Nil grumbled. Just so you know, it takes more effort to have the symbols be visible than for the actual spell to work.

All part of the show, I guess.

Mages and the festivalintolerable on their own, but when combined, they create a headache of epic proportions. The worst part is that its looking more and more like this will become the new standard. Having real fights is far more spectacular than people hitting each other with wooden sticks. Mark my words from next year, the countess would have convinced the academy to send a mage or two as part of the event.

I dont see that as a bad thing

Thats because you dont know better, the echo grumbled.

Congratulations, the mercenary approached Dallion. You werent that bad.

Thanks. You werent"

Luck played an important part, of course. Even with your weapons, you wouldnt have won if my hand hadnt slipped.

I guess youre right.

Thinking about it, she wasnt incorrect. Rather, everything that passed for luck was just the end result of Dallions ability to converse with items. He had heard that treating an item, or area, badly could result in mishaps, but up till now never had he imagined that the opposite could be possible as well. Intimidating a dagger into slipping was definitely a first, not to mention overpowered as heck. And that wasnt even considering that Dallion could use his music skills to target items in a far more subtle way than before. Even if a person was wearing blocker items, their clothes and gear werent. With enough conviction and manipulation, Dallion could even make people trip on their shoelacesif people had shoelaces in this worldand no one would suspect a thing.

Still, youre not as bad as they say. Elivra gave him the proper recognition. The emotions within her indicated that she was more impressed that she was letting on.

I plan to get better.

You must if youre to win the next fight. Its only guildies and champions from here on. Wildcards tend to fizzle out in the first round. Externally backed, like me, last a few rounds longer.

In other words, the difficult part was yet to start. Funny how often Dallion kept hearing that, and at the same time, it was true. In the world of awakened it was all about leaps to progress further. Things that had seemed impossible half a year ago seemed trivial now. No doubt after another year, Dallion would look back and wish he had to face todays challenges.

Any advice you can give?

Dont rely on tricks.

You relied on tricks as well.

And I lost. You could have too if luck was on my side.

Shes right, dear boy. Your strategy was sound, but it did rely exclusively on your weapons, namely on the abilities of your familiars. Without those, you would have lost.

Wasnt the point to make the best use of the gear at my disposal? Dallion asked.

Skills at your disposal, Nil corrected. But even so, what is your answer if youre deprived of your items? Elvira let go of a dagger for less than a second, and that cost her the fight. What if that had been you? Could you have won this fight if it werent for Nox? Or how about Lux? Youre reached a point at which relying on your greatest strength has become your greatest weakness.

That sounded way too philosophical for Dallion, but he got the point. His current battles had become an intricate chain of gear and ability combinations that, when working together, brought him victory. Break one thing in that chain and winning was no longer ensured.

Can I give you a piece of advice? Dallion asked as he made his way to the remnant of his boots on the ground.

Go ahead. The woman crossed her arms.

Treat your weapons better. Especially your chains. For someone relying on them in battle, you really neglect them a lot.

After he took his boot, Dallion went to the chains on the ground and picked them up. True to his word, he repaired both segments that hed broken during the battle.

You really kept your promise, one of the guardians noted in utter surprise. It was almost sad what they must have gone through to get to such a state.

I try to, Dallion replied.

Good job, Gen said from Dallions realm. You just got another achievement. Two, rather.

Two? Getting one was impressive enough given that he was in the real world, but twothat was more than Dallion could hope for.

Items Ally, Gen continued. As youd expect, it boosts your empathy by two.

Nice. And the other?

Nox.

Nox?

Hes a level four now, and that comes with something newthe ability to challenge guardians directly.