Chapter One-Hundred and Ten: Shigure vs Drake. And I took that personally.
<span style="font-weight:400">Drake stood his ground looking at the teen begin to channel some sort of skill.
<span style="font-weight:400">He gave a nod to Theodore and Bjorn as they took Miss Braun away and removed themselves for the surroundings.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Is this really how you act when goaded by a stranger?” Drake asked, admitting that he had intentionally insulted the teen, “How in the world did you even be the leader of such arge group when you can’t even discern friend from foe.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Shigure lowered his stance and growled back, “Because it is you, who said it!”
<span style="font-weight:400">“What?” Drake said, confused.
<span style="font-weight:400">Bjorn spoke up next from behind in the crowd.
<span style="font-weight:400">“My bad! Might have said a few things about you to him! Don’t take it personally!” Bjorn shouted.
<span style="font-weight:400">Drake tilted his head in confusion not sure what exactly he could have even told the teen about him that would have him this upset.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I’m not sure I get what you mean?” Drake said honestly, his weight shifting to one leg as he crossed his earthen arm, his other gong to pick at his ear.
<span style="font-weight:400">“That! That’s what it is! Sir Bear has told me everything about you, everything I need to know! How you started the tutorial alone. How you went off on your own selfishly ignoring the plight of others within the tutorial!” Shigure shouted.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Oh no, here we go again. And he wants to say he hates anime but always monologues like he has main character syndrome….” a man wearing sses said, polishing a gun that reminded Drake of a certain vampire in a red cloak.
<span style="font-weight:400">“You’re mad I prioritized myself over others? In what world are strangers my responsibility over my own safety? If you haven’t noticed we are in a life-and-death situation. Not only that,” Drake said thumbing to the rest of his group, “I think I’ve gone out of my way to help others a fair amount.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“You could have done more! Sir Bear has told me of how you struck down a named monster! How you rampaged on the other side of the forest and captured an Outpost on your own! Do you… Do you know how many people we had to sacrifice for this outpost!? And you gained one on your own! Why did you not use that strength for others sooner?! The amount of life you could have saved could have been many times more!” Shigure continued his eyes thinning to points.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Listen here. I am not the moral authority and don’t owe it to you to confirm or affirm your morals. I do what I want when it suits me and when <em><span style="font-weight:400">I</em><span style="font-weight:400"> feel it’s right, my life, my decisions. I take whates with it, epting every consequence and loss. Learning from every mistake as best as I can and move forward, for me and those I hold dear. Even if that means killing someone to protect my own family or stepping on some shithead monster who thinks they can harm people close to me,” Drake scoffed, “So don’te at me with these anime protagonist lines of self-loathing and projecting your inadequacies onto me. You lost people either because they were weak, or you suck as a leader and didn’t n enough ahead, so enough of this guilt-tripping from some imaginary moral high ground, it’s getting old real fast. Especially when you can’t even back it up.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“You are going topare me to a fictional character?! This is real life, not some game or show! Real people died because youcked the empathy to help them when you could!”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Excuse me…? What the fuck do you know about my struggle. I may have jabbed at you and insulted your opinion on the matter with the criminal and leadership, but I never once assumed you didn’t struggle like anyone else who''s still standing here,” Drake growled, “And those fictional characters hold a very special ce in my heart, so watch your fucking mouth.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Then you’re a fool! Those shows are meant for children and imbeciles!” Shigure shot back.
<span style="font-weight:400">“<em><span style="font-weight:400">Ha! I like this kid, he certainly understands it!” </em><span style="font-weight:400">Natto chimed in.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Ok. No more talking. Thatstment, I took personally,” Drake said evenly, his eyes shing yellow.
<hr>
<span style="font-weight:400">Shigure lowered his stance, steadying himself against the ground as he eyed his opponent.
<span style="font-weight:400">The man before him, Shot, was an insult to everything he had gone through in the tutorial, and before.
<span style="font-weight:400">Being who he was, a Kenzo, he had to meet every expectation and more of his family and peers in every capacity. There was no failing, there was no less than.
<span style="font-weight:400">And this man had grantly gone against everything Shigure himself had gone through. He had ignored expectations and done anything and everything he wanted, not caring for anyone but himself.
<span style="font-weight:400">Shigure was disgusted. Throughout his entire life he was expected to live for the n, for everyone as a whole, it was his duty and his greatest pride.
<span style="font-weight:400">Helping his friends in school, helping his family during Kendo lessons, excelling in every area he could, and taking on more and more responsibility to prove to himself and everyone else that he was better, that he could go above and beyond.
<span style="font-weight:400">He had been the head of the Kendo Club, the center of every eye in his school when he won at the National Tournament as the youngestpetitor in years, shocking and awing his entire school. Even more so his parents who had said he was their pride and joy.
<span style="font-weight:400">But this man, he had done everything Shigure had done in the tutorial and more, all while following his own whims! It wasn’t fair, it wasn’t right! How was he any better than himself? How was he any more deserving of adoration from the number one in the tutorial over him?
<span style="font-weight:400">Shigure gripped his sword in anger and frustration. Taking a quick nce at Bear, the man who still hadn’t trusted him enough to even give his real name. The man who would not stop singing the praises of this man, Shot.
<span style="font-weight:400">Shigure had been calming down and internalizing his anger since that day Bear had returned saying that he would soon not be able to beat Shot. But, when the notification came a week ago of the Goblin King being in.
<span style="font-weight:400">His mental limit had been reached. A man he had never met had far surpassed him in contribution to the quest, and even Bear.
<span style="font-weight:400">When they both had seen the notification, Shigure was devastated, expecting Bear to be the same, but instead Bear was smiling. Even going as far as to say, ‘It was only a matter of time before he blew past me.” He, the number one in the tutorial. Bear was not frustrated or angered but expectant like it was only natural that the man passed him.
<span style="font-weight:400">Shigure wouldn’t have it. Not this man, not a man of his caliber, that had done nothing before the tutorial, not a man who yed the song to only his own desires. He was not a man of stature, not a man of rock-solid morals, not a man in Shigure’s eyes. He was nothing but a filthy degenerate.
<span style="font-weight:400">Shigure shouted using his skill before striking, using every resource avable to him from his skills. He was assured in his win, he was a one-on-one specialist, and his skills reflected it.
<span style="font-weight:400">“<em><span style="font-weight:400">Kenzo, Shigure! Kensei! Maeru!” </em><span style="font-weight:400">he announced activating his Shogun’s authority for a duel, increasing his attack by a full 100%.
<span style="font-weight:400">“<em><span style="font-weight:400">First Strike, Blood Moon Style, Ketsu Iai,”</em><span style="font-weight:400"> Shigure whispered his eyes trained on Drake.
<span style="font-weight:400">Leaping forward with thest word of his skill, Shigure drew his katana-o from his saya the ring of the metal leaving it sounding through the area.
<span style="font-weight:400">Shigure expected the battle to be finished immediately but was struck in sheer surprise when he saw Shot standing there, his hair changed to a radiant orange, his hand holding Shigure’s de in between his fingers, his expression even, as Shot’s eyes shifted from blue to green to yellow.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Ah, so you got a funny nickname too huh? And you’re pretty fast. Expected nothing less of someone above level 20,” Drake stated, as Shigure struggled to remove his de from Drake’s grip.
<span style="font-weight:400">Shigure’s eyes widened in surprise as he continued to struggle to wrench his de from Drake. The color of his arm painted in a fiery orange covered in a glow of deep blue.
<em><span style="font-weight:400">Shit! How can he be so strong?! I’m four levels above him! Does he have an Epic or higher ss?!</em><span style="font-weight:400"> Shigure cursed, his hand releasing his de to unsheathe his smaller daisho de, his Wakizashi.
<span style="font-weight:400">“<em><span style="font-weight:400">Fifth Strike, Blood Moon Style, Ketsushouku!” </em><span style="font-weight:400">Shigure shouted trying to use his smaller de to force Drake to release his primary de, his smaller de reddening with the skill.
<span style="font-weight:400">Although the strike was awkward from his position and with his wakizashi was able to force Shot to release his katana-o. Shigure’s skill cut upwards the sword aura screeching with power from the skill.
<span style="font-weight:400">Looking at the man who now stepped backward, his hair a brilliant yellow hue, his arm changing color with it, hearing Shot whistle slightly.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Wow, got some nice skills there. Are they part of your ss skills? Having that many individual skills would take up a lot of slots,” Drake mused, as he flicked his wrist while snapping his finger simultaneously, a staff appearing in front of the man which he grabbed and spun into position. A shard of ice forming from a white magic circle at his side.
<span style="font-weight:400">Shigure was again surprised, his eyes widening.
<span style="font-weight:400">“You’re a mage?! But how? You stopped my strike cold?!” Shigure growled, holding his two swords at the ready.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I’m just full of surprises, don’t you worry. Or well, you know, do,” Drakeughed, “Regardless, let me enjoy humiliating you a bit more.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“You’re nothing but a self-centered bastard! Why would Sir Bear ever say you were better than I!?” Shigure yelled, “You dare say you are going to humiliate me after trying to stand on your own ideals, mocking my own? You are a hypocrite!”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Only when it suits me! And I never said I wasn’t,” Drake sneered, the shard of ice vanishing as his hair turned ghostly white, the changing mes on his left arm no longer there, “<em><span style="font-weight:400">I am the storm that is approaching,” </em><span style="font-weight:400">Drake began chanting.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I won’t let you! <em><span style="font-weight:400">Eighth Strike, Blood Moon - Nitoryu no Ogi, Mugen no Chi no Mai!”</em><span style="font-weight:400"> Shigure screamed, both of his des lighting up in deep blood red as he surged forward chasing Shot. The man somehow deftly dodging each swing of his swords with a hair’s margin, only to continue casting his spell.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Why! Why are you so fast!” Shigure screamed his de striking downward as Shot lightly stepped to the side.
<span style="font-weight:400">“A good magician never reveals his secrets! And you seem to be struggling there, Sword Saint! Very secret technique-esque, just to notnd a single blow,” Drake answered, goading Shigure further before continuing his chant, “<em><span style="font-weight:400">Provoking, ck clouds in istion!”</em>
<span style="font-weight:400">Shigure continued to swing, struggling tond a blow, as his stamina began dropping from the prolonged expenditure of his skill. But Shot seemed to be in good spirits, as the yellow circle that was forming under Shot, began crackling and snapping further with each word he spoke.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Stop with your foolishness! Will you not even take me seriously!” Shigure spat, continuing to chase forward, beginning to swing more and more wildly as his emotions red.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Finally noticed? I told you! I’m going to put you in your ce. No one insults my heroes. Let the true meaning of fear and power be etched into your very being!” Shot howled, as his eyes shing again to yellow, and Shigure stiffening.
<span style="font-weight:400">Shigure suddenly couldn’t move, his breath stalling as he could barely feel his hands gripping his swords. As if everything had stopped, and his blood had gone cold, he felt Shot’s eyes on him.
<span style="font-weight:400">Never before had he felt this small under someone’s gaze, the feeling of vulnerability increasing as the slow realization washed over him that he was outssed.
<strong>[Hardened Body has been disabled. Loss of 50% defensive effectiveness]</strong>
<strong>[Shogun’s Authority has been disabled. Loss of 100% overall damage increase]</strong>
<em><span style="font-weight:400">What?!</em><span style="font-weight:400"> Shigure shouted internally, looking back at the eyes of the predator before him. Cold sweat pooling over his body as he shook struggling to move his body.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I have a nickname too apparently. Shall I share it?” Drake asked, evenly his eyes never leaving Shigure.
<span style="font-weight:400">“F-fu-fuck you!” Shigure managed to growl out of his clenched jaw.
<span style="font-weight:400">“It’s the Tyrant. Reap what you sow for challenging me!” Drake cackled, his arms spreading, “<em><span style="font-weight:400">I am the reimer of my name! Born in mes!” </em><span style="font-weight:400">Drake shouted the circle below him bursting to light as a thunderous crash sounded, the lightning forming intoshes of electricity reaching behind him, “<em><span style="font-weight:400">I have been blessed!” </em><span style="font-weight:400">Drake continued his figure being illuminated by the blinding light of the dense lightning magic behind him, “<em><span style="font-weight:400">My family crest is a demon of death!”</em><span style="font-weight:400"> he roared, the magic circle forming a huge Oni behind him, putting Shigure in awe, as he finally regained control of his body.
<span style="font-weight:400">The massive amount of mana and the size of the spell put Shigure to his knees.
<span style="font-weight:400">“It’s not fair….!” he screamed trying to reject the reality in front of him.
<span style="font-weight:400">“The world was never fair. And now. <em><span style="font-weight:400">You shall die,”</em><span style="font-weight:400"> Drake proimed, casting his spell. The figure of lightning magic changing into a dense spear of Mana in Drake’s left hand that he pointed right at Shigure’s face.
<span style="font-weight:400">Shigure looked up, his loss evident now. The reality hitting him as he contemted the regret in his heart for being so blind to think he was stronger.
<span style="font-weight:400">“There’s always someone stronger.. I became conceited. If only….” Shigure said evenly, his eyes looking into Shot’s, the eptance of his fate in on his face.
<span style="font-weight:400">Drake raised the spear of lightning high above his head, and Shigure closed his eyes, waiting for the inevitable. A snap was heard but the blow never came.
<span style="font-weight:400">After a few seconds, Shigure finally cracked his eyes open slowly, seeing Shot standing there, no longer the tyrant of death that he saw before closing his eyes.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Good, that’s what I wanted to hear. You got some good convictions kid, even in the face of an insurmountable opponent you epted your mistake and realized your shorings. Good stuff,” Drake said, moving his mask to the side revealing a smile, as he bent down to give Shigure a pat on the shoulder.
<span style="font-weight:400">“You aren’t going to kill me?” Shigure questioned.
<span style="font-weight:400">“No, of course not. Wouldn’t be a very good first impression, and I still need you to take care of all my people,” Drake said, Shigure visibly rxing with a sigh, “But. I still have to kick your ass for insulting anime,” Drakeughed, snapping his fingers next to Shigure’s head, the staff in Drake’s hands vanishing, reced by a single ring in the air and a small fireball that vanished as quickly as it appeared, “Clench your teeth kid!” Drake howled as heughed, his open hand moving to equip the ring on its way to Shigure’s face.
<span style="font-weight:400">Drake’s hair shimmering to red and forming into a fist that glowed red, covered by a blue glow just moments before impact.
<span style="font-weight:400">Shigure had one thought before he was struck.
<em><span style="font-weight:400">Fucking asshole…</em>