Chapter 150: Duels

Vicky's victory over one of the mercenaries had not been received well by the rest of the members. The Black Sand mercenaries were a proud and battle-hardened group, and having one of their own defeated publicly was a blow to their collective ego. Cachellos, their leader, couldn't just let it go and decided to call for another match.

However, Alan politely declined the request, explaining, "Unfortunately, that's as much as she can do for now. Maybe you can challenge her again after next round."

But the scar-faced man wouldn't accept a refusal, especially after the embarrassing defeat they had just witnessed. He had a new target in mind: Alan himself.

"I heard you defeated Marcus... I want to see if it's real or just a rumor?"

Alan tried to deflect the challenge, starting to explain, "Defeat the Blood Patriot leader Actually..." However, before he could finish his sentence, Daniel jumped in, confirming the rumor with enthusiasm. "Yes, he did, alright! It's not a rumor!" Daniel's eagerness to defend Alan's reputation was clear.

Sensing that there was no way out, Alan finally acquiesced, recognizing that declining would only lead to further confrontation. "Alright, just for teaching purposes, 3 contact hits," he conceded, setting the conditions for the duel.

Cachello decided to send one of his top fighters, Fin Maddox, to face off against Alan. Fin was a battle-hardened veteran who had advanced his job class from a warrior to a Barbarian, gaining extra explosive power and strength. What was interesting, however, was that he was more proficient with blunt weapons than swords. This choice by the mercenary leader raised questions to Alan, as it seemed either Cachello was underestimating him or testing his abilities.

Confident and ready for the challenge, Alan took his sword stance and faced the burly Barbarian. "I am ready," he declared, his focus unwavering.

Without hesitation, Fin charged at Alan with a powerful strike that created a terrifying sound as it cut through the air. Such a strike from a Barbarian had the potential to inflict high damage. However, Alan, with remarkable agility, casually dodged the attack with a simple one-two step and executed a beautiful counter, landing a hit on his opponent.

During this brief pause in the fight, Alan took a moment to address the spectators. "Remember, fear is the number one enemy," he stated, emphasizing the importance of maintaining composure in a battle.

This comment only fueled the Barbarian's anger. He began to unleash an active skill, generating a flurry of sword swings. Unfortunately for him, this skill was not as effective with sword weapons, and Alan, with his high agility, skillfully dodged each swing. Once the combo attack finished, Alan seized the opportunity to land his second hit.

Alan's next lesson came in the form of timing. He demonstrated the importance of not rushing and instead carefully observing one's opponent. With the Barbarian still seething with anger and letting out a loud scream, Alan charged in with his "Lunge Strike," delivering the third and final hit further emphasis his lesson on timing, and not be carless like the opponent.

In a surprising turn of events, Fin Maddox was defeated by Alan's finesse and tactical prowess, leaving all the watching players in awe of the skill they had just witnessed. Alan had successfully used this sparring match as a teaching moment, imparting valuable lessons on maintaining composure, timing, and effective combat techniques to the crowd.

The Barbarian's anger continued to escalate until it reached its peak, but Cachellos, the mercenary leader, intervened and managed to calm him down. With a subtle smile, Cachellos turned his attention to Alan and commented, "It appears you really did defeat Marcus. Now, you will face me."

Alan let out a deep sigh and replied, "Alright, as long as you agree to the three-contact hit rule."

The Hispanic man seemed somewhat disappointed but understood and accepted the terms. He had no intention of using Alan's sword; instead, he drew his two menacing blades. Both weapons were high-damage superior items, but with the three-hit rule, this choice didn't appear unfair to the spectators.

For this match, Alan equipped his steel shield on his other arm, adopting a more defensive stance. "I am ready," he announced, his focus unwavering as he prepared to face the formidable opponent before him.

Cachellos came at Alan with unmatched aggression, and his dual blades sliced through the air with terrifying force. Every swing of his blades seemed like it could shatter stone, and the onlookers couldn't help but gasp in awe and trepidation.

Alan, however, remained laser-focused, reacting to each strike with precise blocks and parries using his steel sword and shield. It was an impressive display of defense, considering the fierce attack by the mercenary leader.

Cachellos, a seasoned warrior with superior skills, boasted not only a higher level but also an extensive experience. The man apparently also has the same [sword weapon (master]] like Alan, and what truly set him apart was his mastery of dual-wielding, enhanced by the unique skill [Ambidextrous]. This skill granted him a significant advantage in terms of speed, control, and power when using two weapons simultaneously.

Despite the odds stacked against him, Alan's determination and the minor speed boost from his [sword instructor] title allowed him to keep up with Cachellos. He fought with everything he had, block by block, parry by parry, even as the impact of each collision sent reverberations down his arms.

The ferocious duel continued, the sound of clashing steel filling the air as both combatants pushed their limits. The deck was enveloped in anticipation, and the suspense grew with every clash of their weapons. The question on everyone's mind was whether Alan's resilience and strategic approach could overcome Cachellos's raw power and superior abilities.

As the intense battle raged on, it was clear to all observers that Alan was gradually being cornered by Cachellos' relentless assault. Despite the incredible moves he displayed, Alan didn't appear to panic at all. Instead, as he got into the rhythm of the fight, he began to provide valuable lessons to those watching.

"Facing a stronger opponent," Alan shouted between strikes, "your best strategy is retreat!"

CLANK! CLANK!

He continued, "If you can't run, concentrate fully on your defense until your allies arrive!"

CLANK! CLANK!

Annoyed with the lesson, Cachellos unleashed an active skill, a powerful strike aimed directly at Alan's neck. Alan quickly raised his sword in a defensive move. Although he couldn't fully parry the attack, he managed to deflect it slightly off course, causing it to hit his shoulder instead.

One hit!

Despite the blood and searing pain in his shoulder, Alan took a few steps back, seizing the opportunity to underscore his teachings.

"If you have no choice than to fight," he proclaimed, "then always watch your vital from lethal attack."

The crowd watched in astonishment as the battle became a fascinating blend of combat and instruction. Alan's presence on the battlefield was not just about winning; it was also about sharing knowledge and wisdom, turning a fierce confrontation into a valuable learning experience for all those witnessing it.

The intense fight raged on, with Alan showcasing his impressive defensive techniques, using blocks, parries, and evasive maneuvers effectively against his aggressive opponent. However, as Alan had anticipated, Cachellos still had a slight edge over him.

While Alan had three years of experience in the Apocalypse Game, the scarred-faced mercenary had been a renowned fighter for over a decade, engaging in real-life battles every day. His moves were as deadly as his stats. Additionally, the level 50 veteran had access to advanced skills that significantly boosted his combat abilities.

Alan realized that winning against the strongest player of New York server was unlikely, especially given his extreme fatigue. He hadn't slept for nearly three days, making the odds insurmountable.

Cachellos eventually landed two final strikes on Alan after an additional 10 minutes of intense combat. All the while, Alan managed to impart valuable lessons.

"Thank you for the instruction today," Alan said as he received his last blow, and then casually continuing with his sword lessons to the other players.

It was undoubtedly a victory for Cachellos, yet he couldn't shake the feeling that he hadn't really won. He noticed that the players were now gleaming in respect to this teacher even more than before.

Unbeknownst to Alan, Cachellos retreated to his cabin and made a phone call to report the day's events.