"Don't be proud of picking up a bargain! You're just reaping Ivan's hard work!"
Even though Horvast Trion's approach to this match was absolutely shameless, Ketis had to applaud his ingenuity.
Instead of choosing to fight like a typical brainless swordsman, Horvast made an accurate prediction of her physical condition and altered his loadout as a result!
There was nothing wrong about exploiting someone's weakness. It happened all the time in real battles. Ketis just felt a bit sour because she was on the receiving end of this treatment this time!
When confronted with such a massive tower shield, Ketis knew that the best way to overcome this challenge was to outmaneuver her opponent and attack his unprotected sides.
This was why no one brought any tower shields in the single personal combat tournament up until now. While it had some tactical use in group combat, in a solo duel it was too easy for enemies to outflank its carrier!
Yet this time, Ketis did not have the ability to circle around Horvast's guard. She couldn't even run with all of the weight pressing down on her injured and overstrained body!
The only way for her to overcome her opponent was to attack him head-on, which also happened to be exactly what Horvast intended!
She looked at Shiva and tried to figure out whether she could evoke the power of Annihilation. Just thinking about it made her head hurt!
"Can you do it, Sharpie?"
…Swish… swish…
Her sword intent behaved like a deflated balloon. Even though it played a major role in allowing her to fight like a true sword initiate yesterday, it had clearly overdrafted its capabilities!
Her confidence flagged. Her weariness constantly increased with each second that passed while she was carrying all of her equipment. The combination of physical and mental weariness constantly depleted her condition and continually sapped her will to fight.
[Commence the match!]
No one moved. Ketis blinked for a time before she realized that she was in the rare position of being the lighter of the two combatants.
Previously, every opponent she faced beforehand carried lighter equipment than her. This time, her weight-saving measures along with Horvast's choice of equipment caused her to be the one who had to take the initiative this time!
Despite Horvast's wild boasts, he treated Ketis extremely seriously this time. Even if he gambled on her lack of recovery, he did not wish to make a move and bear more risks.
If Ketis kept standing, then she would forfeit the match by default. She had no choice but to approach.
Her steps were slow and hesitant. The more she looked at the shield, the more she felt as if she was tasked with accomplishing an impossible mission.
How the hell was she supposed to overcome this wall when she only retained a fraction of her combat power?
She knew that as long as she exposed her weakness, Horvast would definitely pounce and finish her off once her body started to droop!
"No! I can't think like this! A true Swordmaiden never folds this easily!"
She wasn't willing to accept defeat so quickly! She still had some fight left in her! As her determination surged, so did her will. As her will started to revive, Sharpie became a bit more energetic!
"So it's like this!"
Even as Ketis resisted the impulses that persuaded her to give up, she carefully sensed the changes in her mind. Even though she was unable to perceive as much as Ves, she still noticed that her willpower had a very strong effect on her condition.
Even the most desperate weaklings could unleash a surprising degree of strength when their willpower peaked!
Willpower also played a central role in enabling expert pilots to channel so much strength!
"My flesh may be weak, but my will is unyielding!"
Ketis purposefully aroused the same feelings and emotion as yesterday. Whatever she was doing was working. Her body felt a bit less weary than before and she felt as if she could put up an actual fight this time!
Swish swish swish!
Even Sharpie became a bit more energetic than before!
However, even as she drew upon her willpower, Ketis felt she couldn't sustain this state for long.
Nothing came for free. Even willpower had a price!
As her steps accelerated a bit, she looked down on Shiva yet again. She winced.
"Maybe I brought the wrong weapon."
Right now, her unyielding will was most compatible with the Swordmaiden Sword Style and her obsession for sharpness.
That meant she was in the right state to empower her greatsword!
Shiva was different. Due to Venerable Trey Walinski's influence, the heirloom weapon was only supposed to channel the Annihilator Sword Style!
"Damnit. How will I solve this problem?"