– Pov: Iris Thornclaw –
Blades clash in a furious onslaught of slashes and strikes, causing sparks to fly all over as I parry my opponent’s rapid assault. Each of our moves are aimed to extinguish the other’s life or to protect ours. A single mistake on either side could easily cost anything and everything.
This masked woman is extremely deadly.
We finally break apart with the both of us panting quite heavily. Not only was our exchange exhausting, but my class’s unique characteristics have put an extra strain on me as well in exchange for the power I’m granted, a real double-edged sword if you will.
I glance towards my enemy, and even with her face hidden I can tell that she’s struggling just as much as I do to catch her breath.
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Her magical robe is now in tatters, revealing an even smaller figure than what she appeared as thus far once the artifact’s effect was dispelled due to the damage it sustained. These invaders even have height distorting gear… I don’t know about the male, but I have to admit that this woman is incredibly lethal in everything she does.
She should be a couple levels below me based on her raw physical prowess, but she somehow managed to make up for it thus far with sheer talent, fearlessness and experience.
My enemy is a real genius of the sword.
I absolutely love it.
“Hehehe…! Good! You’re amazing, easily one of the most talented people I’ve ever seen, small one,” I say as a jovial grin erupts on my lips. “It’s been years since I had so much damn fun…”
“You’re amazing yourself, cursed one. Also, you’re barely an inch taller than me, so how about you use your bird brain and think of something better to mock me with?” She shoots back with a sharp tone but I can tell that she is similarly high on the exhilaration this exchange has brought the both of us.
“Heh! An inch is all that matters.” I quip.
As much as I hate to admit it, there’s something satisfying about seeing another short woman who’s similar in prowess as I am. I’ve spent my life in the army being mocked for my height until I grew strong enough to shut up anyone who dared attempt to bully me.
Seeing this girl who is even smaller and thinner than me, but just as fierce and incredibly skilled stirs something like a distant feeling of kinship within me, though I’d never admit to it out loud.
“…If you say so. I’m happy with my body, and the opposite gender seems to favor my physical form quite heavily as well.” She says with a sly edge to her voice.
She is clearly happy about the admiration she is receiving from that man whom I almost killed. “Your little boytoy? He’s so weak that you can do anything you want to him, huh? I’ve been somewhat of a man-hater myself thanks to my late father’s actions, but maybe I could get one of those weaklings for myself as well…” I tease, though there’s a spark of genuine curiosity in my voice.
I’m trying to get under her skin, but part of me wonders what it would be like to have someone like that- someone who treats me like a real, beautiful lady, unlike how the degenerate, perverted members of my squad did, who lay dead at my feet now.
I’ve been on the fence about it, but I’ve decided; I’m extremely overjoyed about their demise.
“You’d be surprised… It somewhat pains me to say this, but with his rate of growth, he’ll wipe the floor with either of us in a couple of months.”
“Hah! I didn’t know you were a comedian as well. He didn’t even realize I was about to kill him when I have no assassin spells so I only utilized my Agility stat, and you’re saying he’ll beat me in a duel soon? Please… It took me two decades of constant training and fighting to get to where I am.” I’m quick to dismiss her jest.
She shrugs; “well, you’ve been warned. Maybe if the two of us will go at him together we’ll still stand a small chance, though that won’t be possible since you will be receiving your nameless tombstone in the army’s cemetery by the end of the day. Or will they just toss your corpse into a mass grave and be done with it?
After all, you are something like a dishonored, borderline-criminal soldier, aren’t you?”
“I’m innocent and I will die on this hill. Those two deserved what came for them.” I quickly defend myself, and ignore her mocking “hehe, but of course…” response.
I can’t ignore that something about the way she talks about him doesn’t sit right with me. There’s no way someone that weak could outgrow either of us in just a few months, no matter how talented he might be. Still, there’s a nagging doubt that I can’t quite shake…
“I don’t believe you, but it doesn’t really matter. I’ll kill you and then go slaughter him as well. If he really is such a genius, then I just have to destroy him now.” I say, pushing my doubts aside.
“I don’t think so, cursed one.” She denies the possibility of me ever harming that man in a firm tone as she takes up her stance again, her posture radiating sheer killing intent.
“It seems I’ll have to apologize for calling you a stupid fangirl of that eastern clan. You’re actually one of them, huh? Even your crimson armor screams of their handiwork.” I observe, though her spells have already given her away with their distinct eastern flavor.
“Wow, you have such sharp eyes. Maybe you should become a scout instead. Your small frame could be advantageous there to remain unseen.” she snaps back with an almost audible smirk.
“Kekeke. Are you trying to compensate for your midget stature with your sharp tongue, bitch?” I sneer.
“What about you, Child of Agony? Was it mommy or daddy, or did the two of them work in tandem?” Her voice is cold, and her insult is cutting deeper than I’d like to admit.