Farjard

Adam's sight was locked onto Umbrul, his teeth gritting, their body obscured with the gigantic coal-black tower shield their left arm gripped.

Accompanied by a pitch black spear that neared the shield in length.

'Level 23 eh?' Adam thought.

Time to see how much his new skills helped.

Or, perhaps, how much he still lacked.

The announcer declared the start of the battle, a breeze brushing passed him, Adam sprinted forward.

His knees slightly bent, Umbrul neared, his steps slow, but even.

Breaking through the shield would be no easy task.

With the range afforded by Umbrul's spear, trying to snake around him would not be possible.

He had to break through his defense, or face a dead end.

Adam blitzed forward, cleaving with his halberd their weapon's connected as Umbrul's spear struck his descending halberd.

Adam, his feet sunken in the sand barely wavered, upon the impact.

Umbrul using his tower shield as a weight was able to remain stable, for all of half a second, as the second blow bent him back slightly.

Seething, Umbrul struck out his arm with the tower shield.

Seeking to protect himself, Adam swept his halberd into the incoming shield.

Adam took a step back upon the collision.

Taking a deep breath, Adam his foot thrown forward, smashed into the sand, targeted Umbrul's shield.

Though his halberd was quick to be defended against, he struck out again.

A series of blows fell upon the shield, rattling it.

Umbrul's brow furrowed, his foot falling back, he had slightly retreated.

Unlike his considerable strength, Adam knew he did not have absurd endurance.

Committing to an overhead strike, he chopped down at the tower shield.

However, Umbrul was quick to deflect the halberd, causing Adam to stumble back a few steps.

Swiftly, he advanced, pushing out his halberd at Umbrul's spear, trying to pierce Umbrul's body, by depriving him of his weapon.

Umbrul's eyes slightly widening, he cleaved up with his spear, which Adam forced back.

Nearing Umbrul, Adam was able to weave into his range.

Umbrul's eyes glinting, he smacked his shield out.

The shield crashed against the haft of Adam's halberd, in an impromptu defense he had formed.

His spear drawing an arc an the air, was forcefully brought down upon the shield.

A shrill sound echoed, when a tiny crack appeared upon the shield's center.

Adam sighed, relieved, before his eyes again sharpened, his focus amplified.

Smashing his halberd out, he struck at the crack.

Each time Umbrul defended, the crack expanded.

Umbrul observing the crack that had formed in it, lunged forward with his spear.

Adam noticed that Umbrul's sweat was drenching his face.

Each offensive move Umbrul struck out with, became weaker with each consecutive strike.

Which forced Adam back a couple of steps.

Panting, Umbrul barked, his eyes glued to Adam: "You, you aren't bad. But, you must be crushed"

"Good to hear." Adam remarked.

Striding forward, his eyes hawked to the shield, impressed was a large crack resembling a web.

'It would not withstand many blows now.' Adam noted.

Lunging into Umbrul's range, Adam slammed his foot out on the shield.

Which trembled as a piece of metal fell to the sand.

To produce distance, Umbrul jabbed his spear which Adam countered through twisting his body, wrapping his arms around the spear, Adams halberd under his arm.

Brows raised, Umbrul questioned: "What are you doing-"

Feet to the ground, Adam pushed the spear towards Umbrul's shield.

His gaze narrowed, Umbrul's arm strained, resisted.

Slowly however, the spear struck the shield.

Immediately Adam pulling his halberd out unleashed a volley of strikes, as the spear and shield of Umbrul were in proximity.

A few solid strikes fell upon the shield, more metal crashing to the ground.

But, swiftly, Umbrul's space was defended well again, as his spear, held tightly was beside him.

Adam falling back to get away, examined Umbrul.

His shoulders were slumped, face soaked in sweat, his chest heaving.

Umbrul's shield on the edge of breaking, Adam smiled, and pounced forward.

Gnashing his teeth, Umbrul screamed, his shield at his front, his spear extended a foot beyond his shield, he blitzed at Adam.

Adam dived forward, his fist wrapping the haft of the halberd tightly, the blade met the tip of Umbrul's spear.

Fatigued, Umbrul started to bring his spear back, but Adam, possessing more energy, willed the entirety of his strength into his arm, struck the shield.

Bursting, the shield fell to pieces, off of Umbrul's hand, into the sand.

Shocked, Umbrul placed his now free hand onto the haft of his spear.

Veins scampering down his arm, his teeth pressed tightly together, Umbrul advanced towards Adam.

Smirking, sweat pooling to his chin from his long hair, Adam exhaled as his halberd met Umbrul's spear.

Umbrul, no longer carrying the shield, way more force was able to be put into driving the spear forward.

Adam was thrown back a few feet, his head dipping into the sand.

Unlike Adam who was now on the floor of the arena, only the tip of Umbrul's spear had a crack, one foot having staggered back.

Adam shaking off the disorientation of the collision, pushed himself off the ground.

Plucking the halberd that was encased in sand, he charged, his helm tilted.

Umbrul cursed, his arms dropped

Exhaling unsteadily, he switched into a defensive stance with the spear, his guard shakily reformed.

Adam regaining the close proximity, slammed his halberd down, like a meteor at Umbrul's torso.

Umbrul lifting his spear moved to block, his arm's snapped back, upon meeting the halberd.

Slipping out of his grasp, Umbrul's spear crashed and sunk into the sand.

Weaponless, Adam belted his halberd towards Umbrul.

Churning through air, Adam's arm extended, a mild current forming, the blade of the halberd met Umbrul's neck.

Eyes glazed, and face soaked, Umbrul mused, falling to his knees: "Guess winning against my wife, wasn't a fluke."

His head straight, Umbrul asked: "Take my head, for my wife has tried to take yours."

Shaking his head, scoffing, Adam lifted his foot.

Launching it forward, he aimed for Umbrul's head.

Umbrul, confused seeing a silver blur nearing him, muttered: "Wait-" As the kick landed.

A giant impression formed in the sand, as Umbrul crashed to the ground.

'Killing was not on the agenda.' Adam thought.

Bellowing through the fighting pit, the rising sound of the audience's celebration was overwhelming.

However, the welcomed sound of the system echoed in his ears through the cheers.

A moment passed, and the shriek of the announcer resounded: "Adam's streak, now at 5, seems to be unbreakable, as he takes down Umbrul Farjard!"

Adjusting his helmet, encouraged upon the victory, he entered the passageway leading out of the arena.

Scrutinizing the notification in his vision, as he walked, his lips curled up.

'That's more like it.' Adam mused.