Feng Ye crashed into a bookshelf. The impact sent papers, books, and wood to scatter to the floor. A sharp ache spread through his ribs, but he forced himself up immediately.
He couldn't stay there.
Across the room, the guild branch leader stood in place. He didn't bother following up as he didn't view Feng Ye and Anne as a threat.
No blood fell from his wound. Instead, it seemed that the wound sealed himself instantly.
Feng Ye breathed heavily.
Anne cast a healing spell quickly. A warm green glow wrapped Feng Ye's body.
Panting, Feng Ye was on his feet quickly. He felt the warm glow give him some energy.
His eyes darkened. He had suspicions before, however, this may confirm it. The branch leader's word choice, his brass knuckles, the symbols, and the pulsing energy he felt when exchanging blows all led to one conclusion.
He was an Otherworlder.
At the corner of the room, the cloaked mercenary, the observer, remained still. His posture was relaxed, but his gaze never left the fight.
Anne glared at him vigilantly. "Are you just going to stand there?"
The cloaked man chuckled softly. "Need me to intervene?"
The guild branch leader snorts contemptuously. "No, stay out of this."
The cloaked man shrugged.
Feng Ye observed the guild branch leader. The guild branch leader was observing him as well.
Suddenly, the guild branch leader's smile widened.
"Perhaps, we may be more alike than I realized."
Feng Ye's stomach tightened. He knew immediately what his enemy was referring to.
That comment wasn't random. It was a probe.
The momentary change in Feng Ye's expression when the Branch Leader said the word "buff" had given him away.
The branch leader caught it.
"Let's keep playing." The branch leader mocked.
His knuckles pulsed as the carvings on his knuckles emitted a brighter glow.
The room shook as the guild branch leader charged forward.
His speed had increased again.
Feng Ye gritted his teeth.
The man was already strong before.
Now, he was even faster. Feng Ye knew he had fallen leeward.
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
Feng Ye's daggers clashed against the glowing brass knuckles.
Each impact sent shockwaves rippling through the office.
Feng Ye dodged, twisted, and countered.
The branch leader adapted quickly.
Every exchange seemed to make him faster. He was adjusting to Feng Ye's rhythm very quickly.
BANG! Another large exchange occurred. Using the impact of the exchange, Feng Ye jumped backward.
Feng Ye couldn't keep fighting this way. He would lose. Losing meant death.
His daggers weren't enough. His movements weren't enough. He was being pushed into a corner.
Anne saw it too. She opened her mouth, ready to step in.
However, Feng Ye's hand shot up.
"No."
A decision was made.
Feng Ye's expression sharpened as he firmed his resolve. He exhaled.
Then, he dropped his daggers. The two daggers clattered onto the floor.
The guild branch leader's eyes narrowed slightly.
Then, Feng Ye reached into his inventory.
Anne's eyes widened with shock.
"Spatial skill!" Anne exclaimed in a shocked tone.
"That's incredibly rare." The observer muttered. His gaze sharpened.
The guild branch leader's grin grew even wider.
Feng Ye's hand wrapped around a handle.
A blood-red blade appeared by his side. It shimmered and had a bloody glow. A low hum Ye's arm. Feng Ye gripped the hilt tightly with his right hand.
The familiar odd thoughts whispered in Feng Ye's mind once again. "Kill…. Kill. Kill. Kill."
The guild branch leader laughed loudly.
"I knew it!" he roared. "Spatial skill? I am now interested…" He looked at the blood-red blade that Feng Ye held with a greedy gaze.
He lunged forward.
Feng Ye ignored the voice in his head. It was a suggestive murmur, however, with enough willpower, it can be ignored.
His left hand also held the hilt. He tightened his grip and forced himself to control the sword. The temptation to strike immediately was very strong.
However, he forced himself to breathe. He was the wielder. He will not let himself lose control.
The branch leader swung a fist at him. Feng Ye immediately parried the fist. A new set of exchanges was about to begin.
Everything was on the line now.
The branch leader's brass knuckles collided with the blood-red blade. A violent shockwave erupted, sending papers and broken furniture flying across the office.
Feng Ye stood firm. He didn't budge. He could feel the impact throughout his entire body.
The blade hummed. It pulsed in his grasp. A low vibration ran up his arms.
Sensing the change, the branch leader stepped backward after the exchange.
His expression contained only greed and curiosity.
"Where did you get that blade…?"
Feng Ye didn't answer and remained silent. The murmurs continued to whisper in his mind.
Seeing that Feng Ye did not answer, the branch leader clenched his fists. At this point, the brass knuckles radiated with life and pulsed consistently like a heartbeat.
His brass-knuckled fist shot forward for another punch.
Feng Ye sidestepped and swung the blade horizontally.
His blade sliced the air aiming for the branch leader's torso. The branch leader's other fist managed to block most of the blade.
A small gash formed on his skin. It sealed quickly and no blood was seen.
`Regeneration again. Crazy cheat.` Feng Ye's mind raced. He knew that his opponent was an otherworlder.
The branch leader grinned as they continued to exchange. The sound of metal colliding continuously echoed throughout the office.
"What's wrong?" He laughed. "That sword seems a little demanding!"
Feng Ye didn't respond but continued to sidestep blows while seizing opportunities to slash his opponent.
He moved quickly. Using a blade felt much better than two shabby daggers.
He dashed forward and slashed his blade in a fluid arc.
The branch leader reacted immediately. His knuckles connected to the blade.
BANG!
The collision caused another small shockwave.
The two went for another round. Feng Ye once again swung his blade.
The branch leader threw another counterpunch. This time, Feng Ye adjusted mid-movement.
He twisted his blade midway. The edge clashed against the knuckles which redirected the force.
The branch leader staggered this time.
Feng Ye didn't lose this opportunity. He struck again with a precise slash aimed at the shoulder joint.
A deep cut formed. This time, the wound didn't close immediately. This time, blood dripped from the wound.
The branch leader's expression darkened as he grimaced. Immediately, he took a few steps back to put distance between them.
The cloaked man in the corner's gaze sharpened.
Anne held her breath.
The blade pulsed again glowing brighter as this time, the branch leader's blood coated the blade.
The blade vibrated intensely. Feng Ye felt the change. Energy surged up his arms and into his chest.
The murmur now became more pronounced. Feng Ye could hear the words urging him to kill more clearly than before. His senses also sharpened.
His body felt lighter.
He could read the branch leader's movements clearer than before.
For the first time, he was on the winning side.