Broken stood firm before Orion, who was now openly challenging him to a duel. He took a quick moment to check his status.
[Name: Orion]
[Level: 208]
[Strength: 745 | Agility: ??? | Intelligence: 756 | Constitution: ??? | Stamina: ???]
Level 208 with balanced Strength and Intelligence stats?!
From that combination alone, it was clear that Orion was a melee magic type, blending physical and magical attacks—most likely a sword mage or something similar.
But seriously, this young lord had the backing to support his arrogance. Just look at those balanced Strength and Intelligence stats; that alone showed he hadn’t trained casually.
And at such a young age, too. Level 208 was impressive-extraordinary, even. Perhaps it was that very achievement that made him a bit arrogant. No, not a bit… Orion was truly arrogant. Orion was openly underestimating Broken, a fellow noble-a Baron in the Dissidia Kingdom who had done more than his share for this city. This young lord was overdue for a lesson, the hard way.
Broken also noticed Viscount Sean’s lack of response; he remained seated with his drink, watching the unfolding scene as if it were a stage play, even as his own children were directly involved in this standoff.
What was the Viscount thinking?
The reputation of Viscount Sean, Lord of Deadbay City, was actually quite good-known for defending the interests of the city’s people, and he had even joined the frontline during the recent battle to defend the city. Yet all of this made little difference to Broken, who was inwardly enjoying the thrill of being challenged like this. There was something satisfying about delivering a blow to someone’s ego with precision, right in their face.
Was it possible he’d developed a taste for something extreme? No, not really. He simply enjoyed a good fight. He had grown into someone who relished challenges and the clash of a hard-fought battle.
“I need a more interesting wager,” Broken said. “Give me something that’s actually worth my time if I’m going to take you on. I mean, this should be an interesting fight, don’t you think?” Orion smirked. “Are you sure you’re prepared for the wager I have in mind if I win?”
Broken bowed slightly, smiling. “Please… I’m sure the people of Deadbay would love to see firsthand just how powerful their future leader is.”
Orion’s expression turned serious as he gestured toward Ivana. “If I win, you leave Ivana alone. She belongs to Deadbay.”
At that, all eyes shifted to Ivana, who looked suddenly stunned, glancing nervously toward Elincia beside her.
Broken, without needing to turn to see where Orion was pointing, understood his intent.
“She isn’t some prize for your petty wagers,” Broken replied. “And that statement only makes me more eager to start this duel.”
Viscount Sean, who had been seated in his chair, suddenly rose to his feet, drawing everyone’s attention. He moved with a light and jovial air, smiling as he approached the center of the room.
“It is truly a delight to see the youth of this city filled with such ambition,” Sean said. “Especially when the proud son of Deadbay City seeks to prove himself before his people.” ƒree𝑤ebnσvel.com
“Father…” Orion muttered, casting a glance his way.
“Lord Broken,” Sean continued, giving a small bow. “I have an interesting proposition for this duel. Should you prevail against my son, I will grant you his service.”
“Father?!” Orion exclaimed.
“A duel is hardly engaging without something meaningful on the line, wouldn’t you agree?” Sean said. “The greater the stakes, the more thrilling the fight.”
“But to serve him?! Why should I?” Orion retorted.
There was a brief pause as Orion clenched his fists, his gaze locking onto Broken. “I won’t lose, so any bet is meaningless to me.”
Sean turned back to Broken with a calm smile.
“I am confident that Orion will be a worthy opponent for you, Lord Broken. But are you prepared to offer something equally compelling if my son wins? For instance, you could cede all the accolades from yesterday’s victory to us-including the Legendary Item you received from the Crow Guardian. Now that would be an intriguing wager, wouldn’t you agree?” Broken remained silent, carefully considering Sean’s offer. If he won, Orion would be bound to serve him a potential asset, given Orion’s impressive battle skills. Orion as a Knight, possibly even as a Knight Commander, could be a powerful ally.
But for Viscount Sean to wager his own son… What exactly was he thinking?
Broken turned to Sean. “Lord Sean, you’ve certainly made an extraordinary offer,” he said, a slight smile on his lips. “It’s not something I can refuse. I find it more than acceptable on my end.”
[Quest Notification: You’ve received a new quest from Viscount Sean.]
[Duel with Orion – Risk it All]
[Rating: A]
[You have been challenged to a duel by Orion, son of Viscount Sean. If you succeed in defeating him, he will owe you his services. However, if you lose, you must surrender all the accolades and rewards from your last battle to Viscount Sean. Best of luck! May the best
duelist win!]
[Clear Conditions: Win the duel against Orion.]
[Clear Rewards: Orion will be bound to serve you.]
[Quest Failure: All recognition and rewards from the last battle, including the Legendary Item, will be forfeited to Viscount Sean.]
Viscount Sean, Broken, and Orion proceeded outside the Town Hall, where an arena awaited, with rows of seats quickly filling as people gathered to witness the duel. The arena was spacious, with the audience positioned at a safe distance-but considering the scale of Broken’s potential area damage, even this space might be at risk if he went all out.
Broken and Orion climbed into the arena, followed closely by Viscount Sean, while the crowd buzzed with excitement, eager to witness this unexpected clash.
“Can you tell me,” Broken said, “under what conditions one can be said to have won this
duel?”
Viscount Sean replied, “The fight ends when one of you yields to the other.”
“So, does that mean killing your opponent also counts as victory? Interesting,” Broken commented.
“Better shut your mouth,” Orion snarled. “Because right now, I’m more than willing to kill
you.”
Sean merely shrugged. “Have fun.” With that, he left the arena, leaving them to the fight. Broken calmly equipped his Invincible Paragon armor and drew his Wavebreaker Spear. Orion scoffed, watching him prepare. “A warrior who hides behind armor doesn’t deserve the title of ‘fighter.’ You’re nothing but a coward afraid of getting hurt.”
Broken raised an eyebrow. “In a real battle, you can’t whine and beg your enemy to take off
their armor, can you?”
Orion gritted his teeth at Broken’s taunt, his grip tightening around his sword. With a fierce shout, he swung his blade, channeling all his force into the strike.
“Blazing Phoenix Slash!”
“Oh,” Broken muttered, “calling out skill names during an attack? Quite an unusual way to
fight.”
As Orion’s sword sliced through the air, a massive blaze erupted from the slash. A gigantic phoenix of fire shot forth, racing across the arena toward Broken. The roaring flames were immense, as if they could incinerate anything in their path.
Orion dashed forward within the fiery attack, merging with the phoenix’s fierce energy. His
lips curved into a confident smirk, certain of his impending victory. “You won’t even have the chance to retaliate, Broken,” he declared.