Julian was turned into light particles, sending him out of the game. Emery and the others thought it meant Julian wouldn't make it into the elite class. After all, he had the lowest point to start with, without the extra 10.000 points he would not make it. Their dream of entering the elite class together had been ruined.
Emery was frustrated with the situation, as his grip on the sword hilt was tightened even more. Turning his head towards the smirking sword-wielding acolyte, something inside Emery seemed to break as he began to ferociously attack the acolyte.
Swing after swing, Emery continuously swung his weapons, as he poured all his feelings into the slashes. In response, the acolyte deflected, parried and blocked the slashes again and again. He even managed to injure Emery.
Emery caught a glimpse of Thrax, who was violently fighting against the other acolytes like a wild animal. Fortunately Klea came to the rescue. As much as Emery really wanted to help them, he knew he couldn't do so, if he couldn't kill this acolyte in front of him.
The acolyte sent a heavy swing towards him, Emery barely able to parry with both his sword and dagger, even so, he still got pushed. The opponent's strength and speed were superior to his, this was probably an elite acolyte chosen mainly for his combat skills and battle powers. He wouldn't be able to overpower the acolyte before him without any strategy.
Taking a deep breath and calming his raging heart, Emery casted the [Infusion] spell on his two weapons. The battle then continued, as Emery began concentrating on the technique he had learnt from the combat puppets.
Clank! Clank!
The long reach and terrific power of the broadsword against the versatility and flexibility of sword and dagger. If he decided to fight against heavy broadsword directly with his current weapons, Emery would definitely fall into a disadvantageous situation sooner or later. Therefore, he decisively changed his approach.
He casted [Shadow Mist] and focused on his mobility as his means of attacks. By doing so. Emery wouldn't face the broadsword's advantage of strength. Instead, he would exhibit the advantages his weapons had. Within seconds, multiple mirror images of Emery quickly appeared around the sword-wielding acolyte, making him confused and distracted.
Clank! Clank!
"This is it! This is more like it! An acolyte who possesses several element spells and a decent swordsman! You deserve to fight me, Orycon!"
Emery ignored the blabbering and concentrated fully, as he couldn't be distracted now. His mind didn't even think about his friends' current situation. After all, the fastest way to help them was to defeat this acolyte named Orycon.
'How to defeat him the fastest?'
Emery fought against Orycon, trading clash after clash, it looked like his decision to take advantage of his mobility was working. However, it wasn't fast and decisive enough. Seeing the sword and dagger couldn't do the work that well, Emery tried to change his tactic again.
He quickly casted [Blink] and reappeared behind Orycon. This time, Emery substituted the dagger in his hand to another sword. Currently, he was holding a longsword in both hands. Immediately after, Emery swung his swords toward Orycon with a solemn look on his face.
While the swords descended on Orycon, sparkling luster appeared on the swords' surface as Emery used the [Heroic Slash] skill technique.
Alas, despite the diversion of mirror images, the battle-hardened Orycon could easily guess Emery's aim when he saw Emery casted his [Blink] spell. Turning his head around and seeing the two incoming swords, Orycon let out a sneer as he swung his broadsword.
"Fool! How dare you use strength against me!"
CLANK!!!
Loud piercing sound resounded as the two swords hit the broadsword. Seeing that his attempt failed, Emery didn't become discouraged, as he hurriedly jumped back to evade Orycon's counterattack.
While still making use of [Shadow Mist]'s mirror images, Emery flickered around Orycon and launched the heavy [Heroic Slash] technique on his opponent. However, this time he no longer tried to find an opening in Orycon's defense. Instead, he swung his swords as hard as he could and struck as much as possible.
CLANK! CLANK! CLANK!
Emery pushed himself beyond his limit, as he used the [Immortal Gate] technique to its maximum. He utilized multiple battle art techniques and the [Blink] spell without restraint. As a result, pain began to wreck over his body and Emery felt his entire body slowly burning. Even so, Emery still delivered his slashes with even more fierceness.
CLANK! CLANK!
Orycon was puzzled when he realized the slashes became heavier each time they hit his broadsword. The clash between the three weapons continued until finally, Emey jumped high and swung both of the swords downward with all the power he could muster.
CRAACKKK!!!
Both weapons in their hands couldn't handle the stress due to continuous contact anymore. Hence, the three weapons all broke apart at the same time. This was exactly the plan Emery had been trying to achieve.
Because all the weapons obtained during the game were practically identical, he was betting that clashing the broadsword with his two swords ceaselessly would definitely break both weapons. Finally, his efforts bore fruit.
As the plan paid off and the two of them lost their weapons, the moment Emery had been waiting for had come.
Orycon was still stunned by the sudden loss of his weapon, when Emery casted [Blink] one last time and used the [Hidden Blade] skill. As if a streak of shadow passed by, Emery appeared behind Orycon and thrusted the dagger he had previously taken out.
SPLATT!
The blade successfully pierced through the acolyte's back. Orycon woke up from his stunned state due to the pain. Realizing his current situation, he growled and struggled to get away. But there was no way Emery would let this opportunity go.
When Orycon tried to attack Emery with his fist, hoping the punch would make Emery retreat. Alas, Emery swiftly shifted his head, successfully evading the fist. While doing so, Emery pulled back his dagger and sent it towards Orycon again, this time aiming at the acolyte's neck.
Blood splattered, the dagger cut Orycon's neck, but he was still alive. It looked like Orycon managed to move his body at the last second, causing the resulting wound to be less deep.
Orycon grimaced in pain while gritting his teeth when the dagger cut through his flesh. When Emery swung his dagger one last time, trying to end his life, the travelling dagger stopped in the air as Emery's arm was grabbed by Orycon.
"Urgh... good move! I... admit defeat! But... you.. are going… down with… me."
Emery could tell Orycon still had one last move up his sleeve, so he immediately tried to get away. However, Orycon unexpectedly used all his remaining strength to hold on to Emery's arm.
Orycon's eyes turned shining bright as he raised his other arm to the air and casted [Call of Thunder]. Immediately, streaks of lightning appeared in the sky. And then, a lighting strike descended and struck Orycon's raised arm.
BOOOM!!!
The lightning currents quickly rushed to Emery's arm, he felt a powerful jolt coursing through all his veins. The two figures immediately flung back as the lightning struck them. Emery's body was swiftly thrown 10 meters away and fell to the ground. He lay motionless, as half of his body was charred. If it wasn't for [Granite Skin], Emery would've certainly died.
[Congratulation you have defeated an elite acolyte]
[You receive 5000 points]
[Your total points 20000 points]
[You are now rank 15]
[60 participants left in the game]
A notification informing him he had killed an elite appeared on the symbol, but at this moment Emery was on the brink of death. A figure of the girl quickly approached Emery. One could clearly see the shocked expression on her face as the girl put Emery on her lap and called him, "Emery!"