HBWnovel Chapter 342 It's Pointless
Chapter 342 It's Pointless
Back in the arena, the air crackled with tension. Sir Cedric, the Knight Captain, felt the oppressive weight of Akun's power like a physical force pushing down on him. Taking a deep, ragged breath, he managed to choke out a response.
"V-very well," he rasped, his voice barely audible above the roaring silence of the crowd. "If that's what you desire, sir Akun, then I, Sir Cedric, Knight Captain of the Royal knights, will not disappoint."
A satisfied smile tugged at Akun's lips. "Excellent," he declared, his voice echoing in the vast arena. "However, before we commence this little... exhibition, there's one more condition I'd like to propose."
Sir Cedric, who had already drawn his sword with trembling hands, froze at Akun's words. His brow furrowed in suspicion. "Another condition?" he questioned, his voice laced with a hint of anger. "What more trickery do you have in store?"
Akun's smile widened. He gestured downwards with a single, elegant finger, pointing directly at the ground beneath Sir Cedric's feet. "Think of it as a handicap," he explained. "To even the playing field, if you will."
A tense silence descended upon the arena as Akun continued. "I will give you a chance to unleash fifty attacks upon me. Fifty blows, that I will not defend against. And during this time, I will not move from this very spot."
A collective gasp rippled through the crowd. Fifty attacks? Against a being who had effortlessly created the barrier that encased the arena? It seemed pointless.
"However," Akun continued, his voice turning colder, "if you fail to defeat me within those fifty attacks, then the tables will turn. I will unleash five attacks, of my choosing. Should you be lucky enough to survive all five, then you, Knight Captain, will be the winner of our little exhibition."
Sir Cedric stared at Akun, skeptically. Was he truly so arrogant? Did he genuinely believe he could defeat a seasoned knight with just five moves? "Presumptuous, aren't you, sir Akun?" Sir Cedric spat, his voice laced with a mixture of anger and disbelief. "You think you can defeat me with a mere five strikes?"@@@@
"Seems your enthusiasm requires tempering, Knight Captain," Akun spoke in a voice devoid of warmth. "If you intend to inflict any damage within these fifty attacks, you'll need more than just brute force."
A wry smile twisted Akun's lips as he gazed down at the defeated expression clouding Sir Cedric's face. The true test had only just begun.
Sir Cedric, fueled by hope and rage, attacked fiercely in the arena. His sword moved quickly and gracefully, following the Skyfall Sword Style.
"Second Form: Raging Torrent!" he roared, his voice strained with exertion. The attack, a series of brutal overhead chops, rained down upon Akun in a relentless assault. Sparks erupted with each clang as Sir Cedric's blade connected with Akun's white trench coat, shredding fabric but unable to leave a scratch on his flesh.
"Third Form: Whirling Storm!" Sir Cedric yelled, transitioning seamlessly into the next technique. With a rapid spin, he unleashed a whirlwind of horizontal slashes, aiming to sever Akun at the waist. Again, sparks danced in the air, The blade glanced harmlessly off Akun's body, singeing the edges of his white tunic.
"Is this all you can do with this swordsmanship you so pride yourself in?" Akun taunted, his voice filled with icy indifference. "Your frantic movements are amusing, but ultimately pointless."
Undeterred, Sir Cedric pressed his attack. He lunged forward with a powerful thrust, aiming for Akun's heart with the piercing technique known as "Fourth Form: Skyward Spike." With a sickening crunch, the tip of Sir Cedric's blade met its mark – or so he thought. A shower of sparks erupted, not from Akun's chest, but from Akun's hand as he stopped the blade mere moments before impact.
Akun flicked his finger, making Sir Cedric stagger back with a grunt. The knight captain stumbled, breathing heavily, sweat dripping from his brow. He felt powerless as his attacks seemed futile, each clang reminding him of his weakness. Despite this, he kept on fighting.
"Fifth Form: Twin Moons!" he declared, desperation lacing his voice. With a final burst of strength, he executed a complex maneuver, his blade flashing in a figure-eight pattern aimed at both of Akun's exposed forearms. It was a desperate attempt, a desperate attack with his aura blade.