#72
72. Tournament (3)
Aaron said nothing.
Edith said.
“Prosecutor and Changsu have different roles. It’s not about strength, it’s about formation.”
“It’s a formation issue. It could be.”
Belquist limped out of the arena.
And I drank the water that was placed on the display stand. Belquist’s crooked upper body straightened as if the paralysis was over. Belquist continued.
“I want to ask. Does the theory hold true even for Changsoo who can’t play his role?”
“What do you mean?”
Edith narrowed her eyes.
Belquist smiled coldly and continued.
“I also watched the seniors fight in the gap of time and space. It was very interesting. But there was one person who didn’t fit in. Do you really need Changsoo that much? Enough to put up with such a shortcoming? I think differently.”
Belquist’s gaze turned to Aaron.
“Don’t you feel the limit, senpai?”
no smile on face
Belquist was speaking from the bottom of his heart.
“…”
Aaron bit his lip and lowered his head.
Jenna frowned.
“Don’t be ridiculous! Aaron is doing great.”
“You don’t know because the young lady is so talented. Sometimes vague consolation is stronger.”
“what…….”
“quietly.”
Two of them fell silent at my words. I looked at Aaron.
Aaron was looking at the floor with his eyes thinking about something. Aaron’s right hand, full of his strength, was stained white.
“Yes, as you said, spears are not necessary. Other formations can be used if a skilled swordsman joins.”
“brother…….”
“But that’s when the swordsman is stronger than Changsoo. Do you think you’ll be more helpful than Aaron?”
“I didn’t even mention it if I wasn’t confident. Accept the challenge.”
Belquist pulled out his sword.
Then he stared at Aaron with burning eyes.
‘Has the time come soon?’
I noticed that Aaron was working harder than usual.
I knew that if I continued like this, it would end in a bad way. Whether it collapses on its own or collapses in the mission. In order to overcome this, a minimum opportunity was needed.
I told Belquist.
“Are you sure you’re confident enough? Aaron has been here much longer than you. If you’ve taken on the challenge with little self-confidence, I’ll have no choice but to revise my evaluation.”
“Don’t worry. If I lose, I’ll go to the 2nd party without saying a word. I won’t break my promise.”
Belquist touched the blade of the sword with his hand.
Blood flowed lightly on his index finger.
“You decide, Aaron. I won’t say anything if you refuse.”
In terms of efficiency, Aaron was better.
It is true that it is not necessary to have a window, but it is good to have one. Also, Aaron practiced formation in party 1 for a long time and has been working with us.
Even if the gap is widening, it is not yet.
For the time being, he should be able to play an active role as a member of the 1st party.
But Aaron shook his head with a heavy expression and said to me.
“Could you give me five minutes?”
“Yes.”
Aaron closed his eyes.
short break time.
Nerissa left the training center without looking back after leaving the arena. Jenna convinced Aaron that there was no need to force a fight, and Iolka joined in. Aaron didn’t respond.
The second party, led by Edith, was having a serious talk.
Belquist sat down in the corner of the training ground and touched his sword.
and after 5 minutes.
“I’ve decided, brother.”
“What are you going to do?”
“…I’ll do it.”
“If you lose, you won’t be able to return to the 1st party. You must be prepared to say that.”
“yes.”
Aaron straightened his spear and walked to the arena.
Belquist grinned.
“I waited for that answer.”
Belquist immediately rose from his seat.
When the two went up to the training ground, the door closed with a loud sound.
‘He left my hand.’
When things go like this, I can’t even write a way.
I said.
“The person who won this duel will join the 1st party. Do you agree?”
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“I agree.”
“I agree.”
A duel message came to mind.
[‘Belquist (★★)’ challenges ‘Aaron (★★)’ to a duel!]
[‘Aaron (★★)’ challenges ‘Belquist (★★)’ to a duel!]
[Both sides agree to a duel.]
[Mutual agreement duel!]
[Do you agree?]
[Yes / No]
Again, Amkenna touched yes.
There was a clunk, and the door to the training ground was locked. Now, no one could enter the arena until the decision was made.
“He’s gone, Aaron. I told you it was fine.”
“You decide.”
“I know. But what if I lose? That oppa is quite strong.”
“You can win as long as you practice.”
The weapon skill levels of both sides are tied at 4.
In addition, Belquist has several passives that Aaron does not have.
But Aaron had more strengths than that. It was a difference in experience.
Belquist hasn’t been here for a long time.
Unlike Aaron, who has fought enemies in a wide range of situations, he has not experienced the boss stage himself.
Crucially, Belquist had no experience fighting spearmen and weapons like Roderick or Aaron. On the other hand, Aaron faced me hundreds of times.
Swords and spears have different fighting styles.
No matter how smart Belquist was, he couldn’t get used to the spear from the beginning.
After a while, it would be dangerous for Belquist to gain experience, but at this point, Aaron had the upper hand in the duel.
‘As long as I do as I normally do.’
Belquist lowered his sword.
Aaron held the spear long. The posture of bending the knee while holding the spear with both hands was the basic ceremony of standard spearmanship.
“Begin.”
As I finished my words, Aaron stabbed his spear.
A move that has been practiced hundreds of thousands of times. The stabbing was as natural as flowing water and swift. The spearhead, which moved in an instant, stole the flesh from his shoulder before Belquist had time to react.
Blood splattered and stained the iron fence.
“Go fast.”
Belquist laughed.
Aaron grabbed the spear without answering.
The stabs rushed at Belquist.
There is no sway in the posture. Only small movements of his forepaws every time he retrieves his spear blade.
The spear blades shot out at a speed as if they were splitting into several pieces. Every time the stabs came and went, a light pagong sound rang out.
Belquist’s whole body began to be engraved with minor scars.
Usher exclaimed excitedly.
“That’s right! Show bitterness to the cheeky newcomer!”
A stab aimed at the left rib was dodged by Belquist.
puck!
In an instant, the spearhead bent and struck his side. Belquist’s expression twisted.
The second pattern of spearmanship was swinging.
“You look good, son! You’ve got all the forms. When you come into our party, you start by washing the dishes!”
Usher booed.
In response to Aaron’s onslaught, Belquist was in a hurry to block vital points without being able to counterattack.
‘Difference in range.’
The difference between the range of the spear and the sword is close to 1m.
Every time Belquist approaches to attack, Aaron backs away little by little and blocks the approach. And then they pushed forward again.
The situation seemed one-sided.
“You’re not like my brother.”
Jenna bit her thumb.
“What are you talking about? They keep pushing.
“No, sister. Take a good look. You’re less injured than the first time.”
“Come to think of it…….”
Aaron’s eyebrows curled slightly.
The hand that retrieved and released the spear increased the speed, but at some point, the number of spears hitting Belquist’s body noticeably decreased. Edith said as if it were absurd.
“Did you notice already?”
Aaron’s technique is sophisticated but honest at the same time.
Once identified, it had the disadvantage of being easy to destroy.
Also, Belquist’s keen eye was exceptional. It was evident that he had strong observational skills, as he had been able to grasp Nerissa’s leveling attacks within minutes. I will soon learn my mind’s eye or similar skills.
But there are more problems than that.
Aaron’s spearmanship is obvious, but Belquist’s speed of adaptation is too fast. No matter how good your eyesight was, it shouldn’t have happened.
“That’s no fun.”
Belquist said in a subdued voice.
In the meantime, Aaron’s spear flew several times, but Belquist avoided or parried them all. From a certain moment, Aaron’s attack was not working.
“Are you kidding me?”
Anger flashed in Belquist’s eyes.
The blade swung and hit the window pole hard. Aaron said as he retrieved the spearhead.
“I have no intention of joking around.”
“Then why are you looking after me? Are you easy on me? I know that the first party fights with the mindset of killing the opponent in Dalian. But this time it’s different.”
Belquist pointed the tip of his sword at Aaron.
“Why don’t you attack the vitals?”
Aaron held the spear firmly without answering.
‘You’ve become weak.’
I sighed quietly.
The reason why Aaron’s offensive was quickly broken is simple. Because Aaron doesn’t attack his opponent’s head, neck, or heart.
head, neck and heart.
Combining these three areas creates a large safe zone that covers the left side of the upper body. No matter how excellent Aaron’s spearmanship was and Belquist’s inability to adapt, there was no way he couldn’t defend himself if he figured it out.
“Aaron.”
“yes.”
“Since when did you start arguing about killing and saving. Are you strong enough to take care of your opponent?”
Aaron didn’t come out that way against me and Jenna.
Rather, he desperately wielded and stabbed his spear to target vital points. I also recommended it. It’s ridiculous to ban attacks on vital points while pursuing real-life training.
But now it was clearly different.
Belquist did not miss that unnaturalness.
“but…….”
“Show all your skills. Don’t let me down.”
“You say so.”
Belquist grinned.
“All right.”
Aaron hardened his eyes as if he was determined.
I could see strength going into the hand holding the spear.
“Do not resent me even if I die.”
“Of course.”
A quick, heavy thrust was fired.
The heart this time. It was the perfect dead end.
Belquist grinned and straightened his sword.
And after 10 minutes
“I’m a little dizzy from the blood.”
Belquist murmured.
His whole body was stabbed and full of cuts. A drop of her blood ran down Belquist’s cheek.
“Anyway, I won.”
Belquist pointed his sword at Aaron’s neck.
Aaron was standing in the corner of the arena.
Compared to Belquist, there were few wounds, but the spear was thrown far away.
‘Aaron lost.’
The crowd was quiet.
Usher and Jenna, who had been cheering Aaron hard, were also looking at the two without words.
Until the second half, Aaron seemed to have an advantage. Aaron’s spearmanship, which attacked vital points freely, was much sharper than before. Belquist just stood there with his posture lowered. His wounds were getting bigger and bigger, and it looked like he was going to collapse any second.
But as Aaron was about to finish, Belquist suddenly rushed in.
Belquist, who avoided three stabs and two swings as if he knew, burrowed into Aaron’s arms and threw the spear out of his hand. And that was it.
“Nonsense. Obviously Aaron had the advantage!”
Usher, who came to his senses belatedly, glared at Belquist.
“What kind of trick did you do! Did you use a cowardly move?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“That, that we can’t know…”
“It doesn’t look good.”
Roderick shook his head.
Usher gritted his teeth without answering.
At the same time, a message announcing the end of the duel surfaced.
[‘Belquist (★★)’ won the duel!]
