How many minutes had passed?
1 minute?
3 minutes?
Perhaps even 10 minutes had passed.
Yet the duel didn't seem anywhere close to concluding.
'Damn it, damn it, damn it!'
Veins began to show on Ian's forehead, along with a film of sweat covering his whole face.
His old body has reached its physical limit from the prolonged, intense combat.
'I can't waste any more time!'
It was for Riley's safety.
And considering his condition, allowing the fight to drag on any longer would be dangerous.
'The next strike... I'll finish it with the next strike.'
Ian tightened his grip on his sword.
He was preparing himself for a perilous gamble.
If he lost, his life might be at risk, but there was no other choice.
'No risk, no reward!'
Ian focused his gaze and dashed forward with a different stance than before.
The hooded man noticed Ian's desperation, and reacted without any hesitation.
"Kuuk?!"
In the end, Ian's decision turned out to be a mistake.
The enemy had already anticipated that move.
Ian's sword parted the empty air, and the hooded man managed to slip through his defenses and attack from behind.
'Fuck!'
Would this be where his life ended?
Ian's sweat dripped in the air.
At that moment, Ian felt as if the world had stopped.
Perhaps it was a flashback? Ian's brain acknowledged his upcoming demise and began to show his past.
The days working as a mercenary...
Retiring and working in the Iphelleta House...
Meeting Riley.
It was a life rife with danger and excitement.
'Young Master, forgive me...'
Ian apologised, for he would die before fulfilling his duty to Riley.
Ian had given up on his life.
"...!'
Woosh!
A dagger flew from an unknown corner and drove itself into the hooded man's shoulder.
"Kuk?!"
The hooded man was startled.
That dagger just now belonged to his comrade.
Was there a traitor?
...Then who?
Even before that... How could a third party who could neither be seen nor detected manage to hit him with a dagger?
That was something even his superior could not do.
'...An opening!'
Ian did not miss the brief moment, and his eyes glinted with hope.
The deciding factor between a winner and a loser was paper-thin difference when it came to a duel between two masters.
That moment changed the flow of combat.
"...Uck!"
Instantly.