Volume 58 Chapter 8.2: Weed & Bard Ray, (2)

All the discussion boards were filled with speculation about who would come out on top.

It was a historical event that would determine the future course of the continent.

- The variable is that it's been a long time since Weed-nim appeared.

- What if... Could he have quit Royal Road?

- Nah. No way. That makes me anxious.

- What if he got in some sort of accident?

- Official rumors say that the Grass Porridge Goddess gave birth to her daughter...

- He married a goddess. I respect that.

- When he wakes up, the goddess is sleeping under the same blanket. What kind of life is that?

- If there is heaven, I bet the residents there are going on a strike saying, "Why does it seem more happy over there?"

- If I was him, I would never lose my smile even if I lose to Bard Ray.

- I have lived in the same neighborhood as Weed-hyung since I was young. He stole so much bread from me. I met the goddess and her daughter around the corner the other day. I bet he's in heaven right now. If it was me, I would never come back to Royal Road.

Thousands of posts talked about whether their battle would happen.

Weed heard of the news at one of the hunting grounds.

"Bard Ray's challenge."

He did feel that he had to fight him eventually. The players would not allow him to slip.

As the man who established the Arpen Empire, it was his duty to accept the challenge.

"My concern is that the chance of me losing is rather high."

He did not recover from the time of relaxation at the island.

After some contemplation, Weed made an official statement.

- I will gladly accept Bard Ray's challenge.

27 days from now.

Let us have a match at Morata's Coliseum on the memorial day of the Kaybern War.

The shantytown area where Kaybern descended to the ground.

There is a Great Landmark, a massive coliseum that can hold up to 80,000 players.

He stated the duel to take place in a space made for combat and performances.

Bard Ray replied within the hour.

- I appreciate that you accepted my challenge. I will be waiting.

***

Weed bought himself a bit of time and trained at the dungeons.

< You have leveled up. >

The growth of a warrior.

He honed his combat skills and became stronger one level at a time.

He engraved the Savior skills into his muscle memory.

< Power of Courage >

< Song of Hope >

< Furious Retaliation >

< Blessing Salvation >

The Savior skills not only empowered himself but also his comrades in the vicinity.

He also possessed a massive AOE skill that he could unfortunately use only against villains.

Bard Ray having spent so much time hunting had erased his infamy.

"Power of Courage. This is an empowering skill against murderers. That's a shame."

He had gained 23 levels in 27 days.

Weed level was now 769.

Bard Ray was said to have exceeded level 800.

"I will get to know just how much stronger he has become when we begin the fight. He hadn't shown his all against Carlise..."

A smile of excitement dressed his lips. The battle against Bard Ray was going to be a blast.

***

- Woah. Wahhh!

- Fight to your heart's content! Let's have the best day of our lives!

- For victory!

- I have waited for this day!

The coliseum was filled with people all the way to the stairs from the day before the event.

Bard Ray came early in the morning and waited in the middle of the coliseum.

'I don't want any staring contest. I'm waiting. Come whenever.'

He had lived for this day and was only grateful for having a chance to fight.

If Weed did not accept his challenge or quit Royal Road, he would have felt lost even after conquering the continent.

- Grrrraak!

Weed appeared just before noon riding on Wyvern3.

That moment, the entire coliseum echoed with the shouting of the crowd!

The sounds of the people were intense, almost deafening.

Wyvern3 circled the inside of the coliseum majestically and landed before Bard Ray.

Weed spoke as his feet touched the ground.

"It's been a while, God Warrior Bard Ray."

"Emperor of Arpen. I am standing here to righteously recover my title."

"I believe the people still refer to you as the God Warrior."

"Memory of defeat does not befit a God Warrior. After today, they will call me the best."

"That won't happen without my consent."

Wyvern3 raised dust as it took flight once again.

Weed and Bard Ray glanced at each other.

'I heard he was deep in the life of combat. Indeed he seems different. A rough but sharp warrior? Something like that.'

'Weed. I guess he did not depart Royal Road after all. I can see his confidence. He will be much stronger than the last time.'

Weed carefully inspected Bard Ray's equipment.

Before uniting the continent, he was able to identify just about any equipment, its attributes, traits and even the market price. Now he was nowhere at that level, but he could still notice the quality of the equipment or popular traits.

'The armor and boots are the Transcendent Set. Level requirement 880. He did not take them out for the fight against Carlise. I didn't think his level could reach that far...'

There was a saying that the player level mattered most in a one on one fight.

It was not just a simple case of higher stats. The achievements and skill proficiencies from a longer time in hunting; he would have acquired even physical power as an Ironblood Warrior.

'No. Level 880 would have been certainly doable for me. That kind of level is difficult to achieve in the straight and honest way without the help of my Undead.'

Upon inspecting again, he noticed that Bard Ray was equipped with the Belt of Harmony.

It reduced the level requirement of other equipment by 5%.

'Even then, it means his level is likely over 830.'

Bard Ray's sword was engraved with a figure of a demon.

Succumbed demon!

Possessing a demon sword meant he put the demon in submission and unlocked all its powers.

Bard Ray also scouted his opponent.

'His sword, his armor. I don't recognize any of them. Not even a rumor. They must be extraordinary. I'm likely against the odds in terms of quality of equipment.'

During his prime in the Hermes Guild, he never thought once about being surpassed in equipment. It was a different story compared to Weed who completed numerous quests and claimed the dragon's lair.

'This will not be easy.'

Their eyes clashed and the air around them tightened.

Shrrrrng!

Bard Ray first drew his Succumbed Demon Sword.

Weed also drew almost simultaneously, showing the Loa Sword.

He had obtained a better magical sword from the dragon's lair, but this one was comfortable and also for another reason.

In one hand was the sword and in the other was an axe!

His Strength had reached a point where he could now dual wield weapons.

It was a perfect combination allowing both attack and defense as needed in hunting as a warrior.

Whirl!

The two did not move.

10 seconds, 20 seconds.

They weren't looking for an opening.

They had already analyzed one another through video footage and other mediums, and the moment the fight breaks out, they would have to act spontaneously.

T-tap!

Weed was the first to move.

"Sword Cloning Technique!"

As he became a Savior, the power of his sword skills increased drastically.

Over a 100 clones formed and flew towards Bard Ray.

"Roaring Earth Pillar!"

Bard Ray's response was to strike down on the ground with his demon sword.

It was a simple but powerful warrior skill.

Countless pillars surged into the sky and exploded. Over half of the sword clones were penetrated and disappeared.

'Even Bahamorg could not be pushed back with just clones.'

Even though it was a secret sword technique, it was better suited for confusing the enemy or against a crowd.

Weed caused a distraction with the clones and aimed for the rear.

"Sword of Brilliance Technique!"

The Loa Sword was shrouded with light as he swung it firmly. At the same time, he dashed forward as he slashed upwards with the axe in his right hand.

"Sky Slash!"

***

At KMC Media, Oh Joo Wan, Shin Hye Min and Do Chan Mi were commentating on the battle between Weed and Bard Ray.

- Weed is the first to be on the offensive. He starts with his Sword Cloning Technique!

- It is a secret sword technique. Much more powerful than those used by the average player...

- Bard Ray is also retaliating with a massive skill of his own!

The commentators brought up the heat right from the beginning.

A battle between Weed and Bard Ray was difficult to predict even with their experience and they could not turn their eyes away even for a second with all the viewers watching the event.

- Weed caught Bard Ray's rear. Sword attack... No. He also strikes with his axe. He is attacking with both hands.

- Bard Ray swings backwards and deflects the attack. He took some damage, but it doesn't seem that deep.

The screen showed Bard Ray kick off the ground and pounce right back.Clang-clang-clang!

Bard Ray's sword was stopped by Weed's defense.

Weed turned away most of the attacks with the Loa Sword and offset Bard Ray's balance.

Swaaash!

With each opening, the axe came down fiercely to destroy its enemy!

- This is insane. He has mastered the sword and axe. It is already hard using just one, but he is using them in combination!

- It looks like Weed is dominating in weapon mastery.

- Incredible. Controlling the distance and executing each movement perfectly is truly breath-taking like a storm.

Oh Joo Wan was fervently watching the stream.

There were many occasions where he was too bored from talking about the Continent of Magic.

After the dragon incident, not too many worthy events occurred and he had never seen such a spectacular match before.

Weed executed a flurry of 100 consecutive attacks and backed away.

'His defense is high.'

Some irregular attacks did succeed.

The Loa Sword and the Dragonslayer Axe hammered Bard Ray's body but did not have any effect.

'It's like the weapons are just bouncing off. It feels like I'm knocking on a wall of steel.'

Bard Ray was an Ironblood Warrior even back when he fought against Kaybern and acquired the skill Dragon Skin as a combat achievement.

It had reached the master level and even without armor, his base defense was outstanding.

'It will be tricky to deal with.'

Weed felt with the early trade that his opponent was tough. In turn, it meant that the fight would be even more enjoyable.

- Wow!

- You're the best, Weed-nim!

- Bard Ray fights well. Indeed he is the God Warrior!

- Awesome. This really is the duel between the God of War and the God Warrior.

The colosseum was occupied by the shouting of the spectators.

Weed and Bard Ray on the other hand had no attention to spare for their surroundings.

< The Ironblood Body trait recovers from wounds on its own.

2,863 health points will be recovered per second. >

Bard Ray did lose on the early exchange. Though it was coupled with combat skills, it was a trade of basic weapon mastery.

'Weed. His sword technique may be extraordinary, but so is mine. I continued to train by slaying monsters.'

Bard Ray never once was pushed back by anything.

No matter how bloody the fight, he always pulled through on his job.

He fought without being intimidated against powerful and dangerous monsters and after becoming an Ironblood Warrior, he lost any hesitance.

He believed there was no end to the improvement of his combat skills and he proved it in the fight against Carlise, but it wasn't enough against Weed.

'He prepared a special strategy. Dual wielding sword and axe. He is a tough opponent with just his sword.'

After the face-off, he felt he was beyond wielding the two weapons. Weed cut his rhythm with the sword and axe, limiting Bard Ray's movements and seemed to act as if he was reading his mind.

'To see that he is capable of such weapon mastery.'

This was on another level compared to when he copied the singularity attack.

'His attacks make my body numb.'

He was shocked mentally but not to the degree that it would affect his performance.

He learned how to fight against monsters more powerful than himself.

Similarly, Weed's overall combat abilities did not exceed his own.

'I can see that he boosted Strength with Sculptural Destruction. Each light swing is a heavy blow. Still, my physical ability is superior.'

The transcendent level of defense and the combat achievements and stats he accumulated proved it.

'I am at the pinnacle of warriors. I beat more competitors than I can count since the start of Royal Road.'

Bard Ray's eyes lit up.

Weed realized too that his opponent would not be intimidated so easily.

'His eyes seem like he considers me prey.'

He had planned to take the lead by dual wielding, but it had little effect.

'I spent over two months practicing it.'