Free Web NovelChapter 69: Spar To Remember (2)
Tension hung thick in the air as Shinon and Falken squared off, their eyes locked in an intense gaze. They had been on the brink of engaging in a fierce fight, their weapons at the ready, but before the clash could ensue, Marcus stepped forward, his commanding presence demanding attention.
"Stop!" Marcus’s voice rang out, cutting through the charged atmosphere. He strode purposefully towards the two combatants, his eyes shifting between them, a calculated gleam of mischief dancing in his gaze. "Hold your blades."
Shinon and Falken hesitated, their expressions filled with confusion and anticipation. For a moment, Shinon thought he’d get caught, and then all hell would break loose.
"What is the meaning of this, Marcus?" Shinon’s voice brimmed with suspicion, his grip tightening on his knife.
Marcus smirked, relishing the opportunity to sow further discord. "Shinon, I’ve seen your craftsmanship firsthand, your skills as a blacksmith. I’ve witnessed the finesse and power behind the knives you create.
I can’t help but wonder if you’ve tampered with your blade, giving yourself an unfair advantage over Falken here."
Shinon’s brow furrowed, his eyes narrowing. He couldn’t help but wonder if Marcus was somehow spying on him. It wouldn’t surprise him in the least if that were the case. But for now, he was cornered and would have to do as Marcus said.
Falken, however, wore a smug grin, sensing an opportunity to gain the upper hand.
"I knew it!" he exclaimed, his voice laced with triumph. "You’ve been cheating all along, Shinon. Your knives are nothing more than trickery and deception." ƒгeewёbnovel.com
"First of all, I don’t even know you, so stop blabbering nonsense," Shinon replied, holding out his blade and laughing at Falken’s accusations. "Besides, you speak of cheating, Falken, but it is you who relies on attacking an unprepared enemy to secure victory."
Marcus raised a hand, silencing their bickering.
"Enough," he commanded, his voice ringing with authority. "If you both believe in your skills, then you should have no qualms about exchanging your blades."
The suggestion hung in the air, a challenge laced with intrigue. Shinon’s grip on his knife loosened. Marcus had unknowingly made his life a lot easier. However, he couldn’t let him know that, or he’d devise a different excuse to sabotage him.
’Now I got to act as if he has demanded my soul from me. That’s easy.’
Marcus thought there had to be a reason why Shinon was using a visibly low-quality blade instead of the other ones he had created. That was the only reason he demanded them to swap the blades, thinking he’d be stripping away any advantage that Shinon might have.
After all, Marcus wanted Falken to teach Shinon a lesson for being so smug before him. Yes, he was that kind of petty man who wanted everyone to obey him without fail. And whenever someone like Shinon raised their head, he would crush them brutally.
After a moment of contemplation, Shinon made his decision. He reluctantly extended his hand, offering his blade to Falken. The act felt akin to relinquishing a piece of himself, his craftsmanship placed in the hands of his rival.
Falken’s lips curled into a malicious smile as he accepted Shinon’s knife, his fingers gripping the hilt with a newfound sense of power. His eyes gleamed with anticipation, revelling in his perceived advantage over his opponent.
"Now, the playing field is level," Marcus declared, his voice dripping with satisfaction. "Let the true test of skill commence."
As Shinon and Falken prepared to resume their fight, their weapons swapped, and a mixture of determination and apprehension filled the area. The stakes had been raised, and they both understood the gravity of the situation.
With a nod of acknowledgement, Shinon tightened his grip around the hilt of Falken’s blade, feeling the unfamiliar weight and balance in his hand.
It was clear someone had tampered with the knife Shinon had created, as the one in his hand felt oddly strange. He took a moment to acquaint himself with its nuances, adjusting his stance to accommodate its unique properties.
’The handle is too thick... maybe it’s a blade Tom created.’ Shinon thought. ’Smart move, Marcus, having Tom craft a knife eerily similar to mine. Unfortunately, your tricks won’t save your sorry ass this time.’
Across from him, Falken clutched Shinon’s knife, a wicked grin etched across his face. He relished the opportunity to wield a weapon crafted by his rival, believing it would give him an edge in their duel. His fingers traced the intricate design on the hilt, his anticipation growing.
Marcus observed the scene with avid interest. His eyes flitted between the two combatants, eager to witness the unfolding drama. He had intentionally planted the seed of doubt within Shinon’s mind, hoping it would tip the scales in Falken’s favour. But the outcome remained uncertain.
The room brimmed with palpable tension as Shinon and Falken circled each other, their movements cautious yet poised for action. Shinon’s mind raced, searching for the optimal strategy to compensate for the unfamiliar blade in his hand.
He relied on his years of combat training to compensate for the experience Falken possessed. Hoping it would be more than enough to overcome the challenge before him.
As the first clash erupted, metal met metal with a resounding clang. Shinon’s muscles reacted instinctively, adjusting his grip and compensating for the subtle differences in weight and balance. He adapted swiftly, unleashing a series of precise strikes, exploiting every opening he could find.
Falken, on the other hand, initially faltered, grappling with the unfamiliarity of Shinon’s blade. His movements lacked the finesse and fluidity he had grown accustomed to. The once-confident smirk on his face wavered, replaced by a flicker of uncertainty.
"I see you’re not smiling anymore," Shinon whispered as the two men locked their blades. "Do you need me to hold back a bit?"
"Shut... your... trap!" Falken replied before suddenly kicking Shinon, who easily dodged the attack by sidestepping and smacking his head instead.
"Too slow, buddy, too slow."
