Koutei

"A... favor?" I was confused, what could I help her with? I was worthless, there wasn't anything I could possibly do...

I stayed quiet while she bandaged my hand, not wanting to say anything. Eventually, I changed my mind and ended up speaking. "I'm sorry for making you hear that..." My mood still hadn't really changed, the same thoughts were rushing through my head. I held back more tears as I thought about what I was considering before.

As I was mumbling to myself, Kat came running up to me. I looked up at her, tears still lining my face. I noticed she was looking at my hand, and quickly placed my other hand on top of it to cover it. "K-k-kat... I..." I kept stuttering and was at a loss for words. I didn't know what to say. I turned my head away in shame. Wait, no... it wasn't shame. It couldn't have been. In the mood I was currently in, I didn't care about shame or anything else for that matter. But if it wasn't shame, it was something else...

I chuckled when I heard Archer scream, knowing I sorta had the effect on people. "Well, you learn them through training. It takes a few steps. First is knowing how to do it, second is being a high enough level and third is practicing until you get the technique perfect." I looked down at her sword. She has the same type of weapon as me so she can learn the same skills as me... "I guess I could teach you one if you'd like."

I was travelling through the plains when I noticed a player killing some mobs. Huh, is that Archer? I walked up behind her as she finished killing a boar. "Don't you think you should try and learn a few sword skills?" I called out, revealing my presence.

I felt my body trembling as I watched Archer strike Kat. As I saw Archer's blade collide with Kat's body, I was overcome with emotion. I quickly stood up and ran off, disappearing into the shadows in an instant. I turned into an alley where I was all alone. "Damn it!" I choked, punching the wall with all my strength. Tears flooded down my face, making dripping noises as they hit the ground. Weak...weak...weak...I was so weak. Was it too much to ask to be strong? I realised it as I watched Archer, a lower level player, defeat Kat, a player who defeated me 3 times like it was nothing. I wasn'

I smiled as I watched them ready themselves for the duel. The fact that it was First-Strike Mode means that if Archer gets lucky, Kat could lose. On the other hand, I also get to see Kat fight from the sidelines this time. It was certainly going to be interesting. I could feel the tension in the air. I guess I couldn't feel it before due to the adrenaline. They were both about to go head to head and they were pumped. Archer seemed scared, though she had a good reason to be. At least she was showing spirit, I could see how determined she was. The same could be said about Kat, she had a fierc

I chuckled when I heard her say that. "I wouldn't mind watching. Just don't go too hard on her, Kat." I said, knowing Archer was a lower level than I was and that I didn't stand a chance against Kat. I was still kinda bummed about my losing streak I just went on. First, a half-loss duel where I only hit her twice and then not one but two first-strike duels where I lost before even having a chance to attack. Stronger? Yeah right. If anything I felt weaker than I've ever been. Has making friends made me soft? Do I really rely on then instead of my own strength? Have I lost confidence in my

I focused as the timer went down to 0. The duel started and Kat charged at me with a sword skill once more. I was too worried to dodge after what happened last time, so I attempted to parry instead. I swung my sword at hers as she approached. Our weapons clashed and I could feel her strength as she forced the attack. I couldn't hold it back and ended up letting go of my sword as it dropped to my side. Her attack continued its path and she struck me with a clean hit. I fell to the ground once more. "Haha, you're so strong Kat." The duel had ended with an instant loss once again. "Remin

"I'm not." I relied cheekily. "Sure, I'd be happy to go again. Though I doubt it will change much."

The timer hit zero. I felt sweat dripping from my head as the duel started. Kat charged at me. I tried to dodge to the side. I leaped to my left and her blade just missed me. I thought I was safe but she unexpectedly turned and continued her attack, slashing me with a clean hit. I got knocked to the ground by the force of the attack. The duel had ended just as I thought it would. "Wow." I said as I sat there on the ground. "That was quick."

After accepting the challenge, the timer began counting down. I spun my sword in my hand to get a feel for it. "You sure you can handle me?" I called out in a sarcastic tone. I had a pretty good idea of how this was gonna end and it doesn't involve me winning. Nevertheless, I prepared to try my hardest. I need to get stronger and fighting is the best way to do it.

Another duel, huh? "Sure, not like I have anything better to do." This time around would be in First Strike mode. HP doesn't matter so Kat being a higher level than me doesn't mean much. Still, there's that crazy speed to worry about... If I falter for even a second it will mean losing... "Let's do this." I said with a look of confidence on my face.

I laughed. "Nah, it ain't luck, it's clearly a difference in skill. You're really good." She passed me a Health Potion. "Thanks." I used it and my HP was restored to full.

No! I quickly activated another sword skill to stop her but she was too fast. Her blade met its target and my HP dropped once more. HP: 7/15 My HP had dropped to half so I had lost the duel. I sheathed my sword and walked up to Kat. "Wow, that was amazing. You beat me while only taking 2 hits. Nice going."

Gah! That dealt 2 hits so I'm not only 1 hit from losing! Oh well, gotta keep trying. "Slant!" HP: 8/15

After sustaining the damage I noticed she was about to make another move. I had to stop her. "Not this time." I said confidently. I dived for my sword and quickly got up, readying a sword skill I haven't used yet to close the gap between me and Kat. "Rage Spike!" I dashed towards her and swung my blade. HP: 10/15

I didn't recover from my last attack in time to dodge and the attack hit me point blanc. I was stunned again so I couldn't counter... HP: 11/15

I blocked with my sword but she pushed harder and went straight through my block, damaging my arm. "I forgot what this felt like, it's been that long." I noticed the cooldown for my 2-hit attack had reached 0 again so I countered. "Vertical Strike!" HP: 12/15

Her rapier was millimetres from my face when I knocked it away with my <> sword. That was close... I attacked her again. "Horizontal!" HP: 13/15

"Heh, maybe we're just scared." I called out as I blocked the attack. "Vertical!" I swung my sword in a vertical trajectory. HP: 13/15

I blocked both hits with quick sword play. "Uppercut!" I swung my sword up at Kat. HP: 13/15

Her attack was somewhat predictable and I easily side-stepped it. I unleashed another attack. "Slant!" I slashed in a diagonal. HP: 13/15

I was ready for the stun attack this time and leaped backwards out of its range to dodge. "Sonic Leap!" I used a sword skill to leap to Kat and then slash in an uppercut. HP: 13/15

I ducked and weaved, Kat's rapier ever so slightly missing me. I spun around and unleashed a sword skill behind her. The cooldown for my strongest skill was complete. "Vertical Strike!" I slashed once and then readjusted my course and slashed again. HP: 13/15