A Dance with Death

Kieran's frustration was evident in the growing intensity of his attacks. He was done playing around, ready to finish this.

And that's exactly what I needed.

Then, with a sudden burst of speed, Kieran executed a technique I hadn't seen before—his blade flickered like a shadow, striking from multiple angles at once.

It was almost impossible to track, let alone counter.

Pain exploded in my side as one of his strikes slipped past my defenses and cut deep into my abdomen.

[Status Update: HP 10/100]

Shadow Strike!

Even as I gasped in pain, that name appeared in my mind. My cursed skill was ready to act, and I knew it.

[Skill Activated: Skill Mimicry]

[Cost: -10 Mana Points]

[Skill Mimicry has been used successfully]

[Skill Acquired: Shadow Strike]

I had what I needed. Now, it was my turn to fight back.

The pain was excruciating, but I forced myself to push through it.

Kieran's Shadow Strike had torn through my stomach, leaving me bleeding and gasping for air.

My vision blurred momentarily, and I could feel the blood soaking through my clothes. But I couldn't stop now—not when I had a chance to turn this fight around.

[Status Update: HP 9/100]

I clenched my teeth, forcing my mind to focus.

The skill I had just copied—Shadow Strike—hovered in my consciousness, ready to be unleashed.

I quickly glanced at its details, while coughing out blood, as Kieran smiled with an air of satisfaction.

---

Skill Name: Shadow Strike

Skill Type: Combat

Mana Cost: Medium

Cooldown: 10 seconds

Effect: Executes a fast, shadowy strike from a concealed position, bypassing the opponent's defenses. Increases damage and critical hit chance. Mastery increases strike count.

Limitations: Requires a hidden or obscured position to initiate effectively.

---

This skill looked powerful, alright. But using it would most likely take every ounce of strength I had left.

If I failed, it would be the end of me.

Kieran, seeing me falter, stepped forward with a predatory grin. "It's over," he said. "You should've stayed hidden. Now you'll pay for your arrogance of crossing our Ironbrand Guild."

He raised his blade, preparing for the final blow, but I wasn't about to let him have the last word.

With a surge of desperation-fueled determination, I activated Shadow Strike, and poured all of my mana, feeling the skill's effects flow through me as if it had always been mine.

[Skill Activated: Shadow Strike]

[Mana consumed: -50 mana points.]

The world seemed to slow down as I moved instinctively.

I was not hidden or in a obscured position. Yet the alley was naturally dark, allowing me to effectively perform this skill.

My blade flickered like a shadow, mirroring Kieran's earlier attack but with even greater precision.

I could see the surprise flash in his eyes as I closed the distance between us as my movements were a blur of speed and intent.

Kieran barely had time to react. He swung his sword to block, but it was too late—my blade was already past his guard.

The edge of my sword sliced into his side, drawing a deep, crimson line across his torso.

For a moment, time seemed to freeze.

Kieran stumbled back with a look of disbelief on his face as he clutched his wound.

Blood seeped through his fingers, staining the ground below.

I could see the shock in his eyes, the realization that he had underestimated me.

But the victory came at a cost.

As the adrenaline began to fade, the pain of my own bleeding abdomen surged back with a vengeance.

[Status Update: HP 8/100]

My legs wobbled, barely able to support my weight. I staggered backward, struggling to keep my balance as the world tilted around me.

Kieran's gaze never left mine.

His face twisted from disbelief to something darker—hatred.

He wasn't done yet, but neither was I.

I gripped my sword tighter, preparing for whatever came next, even as my vision started to tunnel.

"You… you're not getting away," Kieran spat. Even now, his voice was thick with pain and fury.

He took a shaky step forward, his hand still pressed against his wound, but his resolve remained unbroken.

I could barely stand, let alone fight, but I knew I had to end this now.

With one last burst of energy, I raised my blade, ready to strike again if he came any closer.

But before either of us could make a move, Kieran's strength finally gave out.

He collapsed to one knee with the fight draining out of him along with the blood from his wound. His sword slipped from his hand, clattering to the ground.

The alley was deathly quiet.

Tension hung in the air like a suffocating fog.

I didn't lower my guard, not yet.

Kieran might have been down, but I couldn't afford to take any chances.

For a moment, we just stared at each other—two warriors on the brink of death, locked in a silent standoff.

Then, with a pained grunt, Kieran fell forward, unconscious, while his body hit the ground with a dull thud.

It was over.

I had won, but the victory felt hollow.

My body screamed in agony, and I could feel my strength fading fast.

[Status Update: HP 7/100]

I needed to get out of here, to find help before it was too late.