I was filled with wrath, yet at the same time, I was filled with bliss. It was difficult to explain how it felt when I activated [The Zone] it was a mixture of clarity and haziness. My mind felt clear, yet felt foggy, filled to the brim with thoughts, devoid of thoughts. It was a satisfying contradiction that brought my mind to the height of pleasure, much better than any orgasm I could experience during sex.
Before I knew it, I was directly infront of Dorian and engaging in barbaric hand-to-hand combat with him. He was still using his Rapier, but since I was this close and all up in his face recklessly, Dorian had no choice but to throw it away and meet me with his own fists.
My fighting style was brutal, animalistic and lethal. While his was refined, calculated and purposeful. He had a much weaker body than mine and couldn't withstand much attacks, while I had a stronger one and could withstand more attacks. It was a ruthless and beautiful display.
However, I was still at a huge disadvantage. This was mainly due to the fact that my body was heavily wounded and I was missing an arm. He could exploit that very easily, so i have to watch out for it. But can I even do it in this state? Right now, the only thing on my mind was kill, even at the cost of my own life. This is why, even though [The Zone] is extremely useful, it's also detrimental to me. To my mental state. The fighting style was too reckless.
After exchanging a few blows, we both punched each other square in the face simultaneously, sending both of us hulring back. I managed to land on my feet, so did Dorian. His wounds were already healing thanks to that Sloth, my eyes narrowed in anger.
"....Cheater."
Dorian laughed.
"Cheating? You are sounding more and more like a sore loser, mongrel. Im gonna enjoy crushing you."
That use of "mongrel" was really pissing me off. His condescending, arrogant and superior attitude is getting on my nerves. I was able to hold it in earlier, but that was when I was the one provoking him. However, right now, he has turned the tables on me. Still, it's fruitless.
Trying to provoke a provoker was a fool's errand.
I smirked, my tone aggravating.
"Sore loser, huh? Says the one cowardly hiding behind his little healing sloth. And you are saying that Isabella belongs to you? God's, how delusional can you be? She isn't into pathetic cowards like you."
Dorian's eyebrows twitched. He didn't say anything else and lunged forward. The sloth, meanwhile, curled up and clung to it's masters back, to not fall.
'Just as I thought.'
I already had a few guesses from the beginning of our confrontation, but this basically confirms it. Dorian's curse is that he is very emotional, or something similar. He falls for the most basic provocation and can be very impulsive. Sure, he is skilled, talented and very dangerous. But what's the point if he can't even hold himself together?
By the moment Dorian reached me, I had already deactivated [The Zone] So that I'll have a clear mind. If I had it active, I'll be targeting Dorian himself, not the sloth. Right now, I didn't need barbaric strength to win this battle, what I need is rationality. This fight will be decided by the one who is able to stay the most rational, since we have curses and abilities that can make us irrational.
With [Probability Pryer] I saw the exact move he would make.
"Dorian will Summon his Rapier and stab the left side of my chest, 100%...."
I smiled, as I watched light shimmer at the palm of his hand while rushing forward, the light transforming into a sliver Rapier. By the time he was mere inches away from me, he had the Rapier pointed directly towards my heart, ready to push without hesitation and stab me.
But by the time he did, I had already rolled away with ease. Without giving Dorian time to react, I grabbed a rock and augmented it with the barely stored fury I had left from using [The Zone] earlier. Before sending it whistling through the air towards the Sloth.
**Whsshhhhhh!!**
The sloth comically widened it's eyes, trying to duck, but as you would expect from a sloth. It's movements were too slow, too lazy. In the end, the rock which was traveling through the air at an absurd speed, crashed into the skull of the sloth, causing it's grip on Dorian to loosen and drop to the ground, a gaping hole at the side of it's head done by the rock.
The rock, however, didn't stop. It continued hurling through the air, until it hit a nearby tree. It went right through the brain of the sloth, the wet squishing sound was audible. By the time it fell, the sloth was already dead. The healing effects gone.
Dorian stared down at the corpse of the sloth in shock. Then, he turned and faced me, his expression twisting into one of pure anger and hatred.
"M–mongrel!! You....how dare you kill my most loyal servant?"
He stood back up and turned to face me, the sharp edge of the Rapier pointed towards me. I was very pleased by his reaction. It was a sign that he was on the brink of losing control. That at any minute, he will be overcome by an overwhelming amount of emotions—amplified by his curse— it would become unbearable and would eventually cause Dorian to end up losing control, to become more reckless and unrestrained.
That would make him more predictable and easy to deal with. Just like I wanted.
"What do you mean? Shouldn't you be thanking me? It's unbecoming of a man like you to rely on a wild animals healing to fight a mongrel like me, right? So, I was just doing you a favor. Helping you out, making sure that your inevitable win over me is honorable by you're standards."
My tone was dripping with mockery, sarcasm and barely concealed amusement. This fight has been much more fun than I expected. Toying with this fool had it's perks. I never thought i will enjoy fighting someone so much, but you never know. Life really is unpredictable.
Dorian seethed at my tone.
"Yeah....I'll make it honorable, alright."
Then, he rushed forward. This time, even at a close distance, he didn't bother dismissing his Rapier. His movements were fueled by anger and nothing else. His earlier refined techniques, calculated and purposeful moves were gone. Replaced by a feral intensity. Since I had nothing to lose....
I activated [The Zone] and met his intensity with a wildness of my own.
We both clashed, exchanging blow after blow. We both were learning from each other, understanding patterns and following them, but at the same time, following nothing but our instincts in this fight. I was lost in the thrill of it, while he was lost in the anger of it all. Such created a spectacle.
I was learning too. Even though my rationality was jeopardized by [The Zone] Ability, i was subconsciously learning how to fight from Dorian. Mimicking his own moves that I have seen before, using them against him and adapting. It was such a satisfying feeling that I couldn't put it to words. This technique.....I was stealing it for myself. Just a portion of it, but I was copying it and making my own.
After a few blows being exchanged, I grabbed his Rapier and then shattered it with just my one remaining fist. Then, using it, I punched Dorian in the face. Making him stumble back. I didn't waste a second and kicked his side, grabbed his collar simultaneously and upper-cutted his jaw.
Dorian was growing weaker, while I was growing stronger. The more angrier I get, the stronger I get. This passive blessing ability didn't have much of an effect during the earlier stages of the battle, but now it's very potent. Not to mention, my physical attributes were being greatly enhanced during this fight too. Making me stronger and stronger with each strain I feel in my muscles.
For Dorian, however, things were dire. He was already physically weaker than me, but now it's gotten worse. He had no back-up anymore and the healing Sloth of his was gone. Plus, his reseveres of innate spirit was running dry much faster than me, since he already used up most of it just to keep the animals under his control. Meanwhile, I didn't have such a worry.
All I was focusing on was just killing this bastard.
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Stumbling back from the attack to my jaw, I jumped back and stared at the mongrel in diablief. Just how? Just how was a mere homeless man like him so strong? What is his blessing, exactly? That look on his face....
'He's almost like a monster wearing human skin.'
I felt terrified for my life. My innate spirit was running out, I cannot keep the wild animals from fighting Isabella now any longer, either. Otherwise, I won't be able to win this fight. But when I release them, Isabella would be free and that bitch would come join this mongrel....When that happens, im as good as over.
My emotions were all over the place due to [Over-sentimental Soul] curse. This man knew how to exploit it very well, but it was also on me for not hiding it well enough.
'What do I do? Do I beg them to spare me? Ask to join their team...?'
No. From that look on his face, he isn't gonna spare me. He is gonna kill me. This guy is truly a demon. This is the type of men Isabella is into? Is she really like that? I have no choice. To fight him, I need to really go out. I must admit it, he is a formidable foe, even with a brutally battered body and a single arm. He still gives me the creeps.
Enduring a punch to the cut, I took a deep exhale and exclaimed.
"Recall!"
As I said that, I felt a sudden rush of innate spirit into my body, as if a heavy burden has finally been lifted. A crooked smile appeared on my face.
".....Im gonna fight you to the death, mongrel. I will take you with me to the grave."
With the resolve made, I had rushed forward and began attacking him with the same animalistic fighting technique he used. I have been watching him, after all. I have grasped the essence of it.
I heard him respond with the same aggravating tone.
"Finally getting brave, huh? We will see who's gonna be put inside a grave."
The brutal clash continued.....
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On the other side....
I had just used another explosion. I have been saving some innate spirit, but this time, my body was truly at it's limit. Using three of those air explosions in the span of a few hours has been nothing short of taxing on my body. All i wanted to do was lie down and take a nap. That's all. Maybe have some water too, I feel like I'm about to die from it.
But no, I can't.
I have to stop these animals. I have already killed a few, but still more than twenty remained and there just seemed more coming for back-up. It's impossible. I cant win. I need to wait until....
My eyes widened as I saw something.
'What...?'
The bodies of the animals were shimmering a bright glow. Then, they vanished into thin air, leaving behind no trace. I stood there, stunned into place for a few seconds. Then, my body fell to the ground, enjoying the comfortable sensation of the grass beneath my body.
"Did he do it?"
I mumbled. I couldn't help but wonder. What happend on Morgan's end? Did he win? Or did he lose and Dorian recalled his servants? Or maybe he recalled it to save innate spirit, since Morgan was giving him such a good fight? There were alot of possibilities, I wanted to go help him, but I knew I'll just be a burden. Atleast, when in this state.
'I should focus on stopping the bleeding...'
I reluctantly sat up, then turned my head towards where Morgan and Dorian should be. I had faith in Morgan. I was sure he will be able to win, even if I was worried.
Taking a breath and calming myself, I stood back up.
"All I can do is wait. Everything will be decided soon..."