Extra's Fate

He was tough.

The Flaming Gang leader was really a force to be reckoned with.

Not only could he predict my teleportation skill but also possessed a body strong enough to capitalize on this knowledge.

As soon as I would use my skill, he would immediately swing his dagger with lighting speed, almost giving me no time to react.

"You've been using that spell for quite a lot, what is your mana capacity?"

Not only that, but he also kept talking throughout the entire fight, trying to unnerve and distract me.

It was so damn annoying…

Clank…

At one point, our weapons met with a resounding clash and although I felt that my strength was superior, I could not overpower him.

One moment, I was pressing him, the next he somehow managed to shift the momentum entirely and use my own momentum against me, nearly disarming me in the process.

It was honestly an eye-opening experience.

For the first time since coming to this world I truly felt the difference between my and my opponent's capabilities.

Although weaker, his battle experience and tactical prowess far exceeded my own.

This was… humbling.

"You have some nerve ignoring your opponent, boy!"

Momentarily distracted, I barely managed to block the man's next strike, feeling the impact reverberate through my hand.

My muscles burnt from the force, but I hoped that the Bloody Emblem would help them recover quickly.

I tried to counterattack by kicking his shin but he effortlessly stepped back and then swiftly moved behind me, grabbing my arm and twisting it painfully.

『 Shadow Step 』

Luckily, I managed to escape from his grasp before his dagger could find its mark.

I reappeared a few feet away, in a shadow of a column, panting as I steadied myself.

The gang leader's mocking laughter echoed in the room.

"You are like a cockroach…"

He taunted, twirling his dagger with practiced ease.

"Eventually, your mana will run dry, and then you'll be at my mercy."

Ignoring his words, I focused on my breathing.

Mana? What mana?

This body doesn't possess any mana reserves to speak of.

I glanced around, my eyes landing on the various objects scattered throughout the room.

There had to be something I could use to turn the tide.

My gaze locked onto a chandelier hanging precariously from the ceiling.

An idea began to form.

"What's the matter? Out of tricks?"

He sneered, advancing towards me.

I smirked, feigning exhaustion.

"Not quite."

With a burst of energy, I lunged forward, aiming my sword at his chest.

He parried my attack effortlessly, his dagger flashing in the dim light. Our blades clashed repeatedly, each impact sending vibrations through my arms.

His smirk grew wider with every passing second, clearly enjoying the upper hand he held over me.

As we exchanged blows, I maneuvered us closer to the chandelier.

The leader's eyes flickered with curiosity, likely wondering what I was planning. When I was close enough, I activated my skill once more.

『 Shadow Step 』

In an instant, I disappeared, reappearing in the shadow cast by the chandelier.

Using the momentum, I swung my sword at the chain holding the structure.

Clank…

The metal links snapped, and the heavy fixture plummeted toward the ground.

The gang leader's eyes widened in surprise as he looked up, but he was quick to react.

With a swift roll, he dodged the falling chandelier, but it was exactly the distraction I needed.

As he recovered from his evasive maneuver, I reappeared behind him, my sword aimed at his back.

He barely managed to twist away, but my blade still found purchase, slicing through his side.

He grunted in pain, his movements becoming slightly sluggish.

I pressed the advantage, my strikes growing faster and more precise. He was no longer smirking, his face now a mask of concentration and pain.

"You think you can defeat me with tricks and luck?"

He spat, blood dripping from his wound.

I didn't respond, focusing all my energy on the fight.

My muscles screamed in protest and my breathing was ragged, but I couldn't afford to falter now.

With a final, desperate effort, I unleashed a flurry of strikes, each one driving him back further.

He was on the defensive, struggling to keep up with my relentless assault.

Finally, I saw an opening.

I feinted left, then spun to the right, my sword cutting a deadly arc.

The blade met its mark, slicing through his neck in one swift motion.

The gang leader's eyes widened in shock, his hands instinctively reaching for his severed throat.

Blood spurted out in a gruesome spray, and he collapsed to the floor, lifeless.

Huff… Huff…

My chest heaved with exhaustion. Unknowingly, my eyes gazed at my trembling arms.

Those last few minutes…

Those sword strikes…

They weren't something I did out of experience or skill.

… It was pure instinct.

'Sword Genius'

I muttered under my breath.

It was probably Ash's unique trait that allowed me to wield the sword as if I had been practicing with it for months, a few years even.

Even though the bandit was far more experienced than me, he incorrectly read my last move, which resulted in his death.

This was… intriguing.

❖ You've killed a Lv. 12 Gang Leader…

» +4 Perception