5 Chapter 5: A Fight Against Who?

(From this chapter, the Point of View will be changed to the character which stats are shown earlier.)

[Vahn Triaster]

[XXXXXXXX][XXXXXXXXXX][XXXXXXXXX][XXXXXXXXXX][XXXXXXXXXX][XXXXXXXXXX][XXXXXXX]

2 weeks later.

As the sweet fragrance of wine entered my nose. I drank the wine which I invested my money. The fruity and sweet flavor burst inside my tongue. And that is how I knew that this wine is worth all of that resources. As I drank the second cup, my assistant's voice rang inside the room.

[*Master, the weekly report has been updated *]

I have been waiting for this announcement to come. As the number of participants left will trigger the next phase of program 2. I ordered my assistant, Lisa to show me the result of the participants this week. Yellow-colored strings flew in front of me. I could see the strings forming into characters, from characters forming into words, and from words forming into sentences.

Just by looking at the report, I don't know whether to cry in response or to be happy instead. Cry due to the participants that have been reduced to only 6 people. Tiny compared to the participants who passed the first program. And happy due to three of them having exquisite stats. If they continued to progress at this speed, their power could easily overwhelm the power of my soldier in a year.

The required number for the second phase to activate is only six people. Although, earlier I predicted that the second phase will only start after three more months due to the numbers of participants. But a lot of participants were actually very weak that they have been trimmed to only 6 people.

"Lisa, start the second phase of the second program."

[*Understood master. *]

For this phase, both sides must fight against wooden dolls which were created by their stats. This is truly the face-off with one's self, as this fight requires the participants to use their whole arsenal to the fullest potential and for the participants to get creative. Failure in doing so would no doubt resulting in their death. The dolls are going to be controlled by a cold-headed AI. So getting controlled by one's emotion will lead to defeat as well.

As I thought about the upcoming challenge for these 6 participants. My face quickly bloomed a smile, expecting for intense fights. I will personally watch each of their fights through a camera. I personally think that the top three's fights will be exceptionally amazing. Since their ability to adapt to battles is outstanding. Still, I hope none of them disappoints me.

[Lylie]

[Strength: 25][Agility: 44][Stamina: 29][Wisdom: 9][Health: 29][Dexterity: 17][Magic: 1]

If I'm not mistaken, the fight against the Goblin Chieftain was two weeks ago right? Let me tell you, that fight was the hardest fight fought. Because for the last two missions, the monsters were just too weak. Last week I faced an animal-headed group of monsters. Their only difference with the Goblins is that they have bigger strength and bigger body. That was it, the fight against them was pitifully easy that the fight against the Goblin Chieftain looked like a dream.

That was why I face them head-on to train my Dexterity and my instinct at the same time. As fighting 10 of them was a bit harder than fighting the group of Goblins. At that fight, I think that using the Active Version of Superior Breathing is overkill. As the backlash of using that skill was actually very large.

{Superior Breathing: Active Version}

{Agility+50, Strength+50, Faints after 3 second if stamina is below 100}

{Now you can make your muscle even more powerful! But the cost of using this skill is very high.}

Using that skill will instantly knock me unconscious. That's why I decided to only use that skill when I'm very desperate. If used correctly, Superior Breathing: Active Version could be the best, hidden trump card. The enemy won't expect a burst of power at the last moment of the fight. I also decided to never use my attribute stats to raise my wisdom. When the fifth mission arrived. I decided to raise my wisdom by 1 point. That results in my body reacting a tad slower than my mind. Making an easy battle to become harder.

If you're wondering what I am doing right now, I can only tell you that this is a part of my training. I swear, jumping from tree to tree using only my hands might help me at running away. And this can also improve my Dexterity.

Not long after that, a mechanical voice rang.

[*Doll Fight will begin shortly.]

Doll fight? What is that. Does it require me to control a doll and fight another doll? Or does it require me to fight against dolls. I'm pretty sure it's the latter since using dolls to fight is probably more suited to mages, not a fighter type like me.

[*Would you wish to hear the detailed information of Doll Fight? *]

"I do."

I was expecting to fight against some OP level boss but the next thing the system said completely lit up a fiery gaze in my eyes.

[*The system will create a wooden doll with the participant's stats when the participant entered the room. The wooden doll will use the fighting technique that the participant has used based on the last three waves. *]

"So, it's simply a fight against myself?"

[*It is so. *]

As soon as I heard that, the system blindfolded me and pulled me again somewhere. Of course, without telling me. These lead to me spewing some hate-filled words to the heartless system. I sometimes wish for the system to have emotions. If the system had emotion, then it would probably be a good partner to vent my emotions.

As the blindfold covering me was removed. I could see that I have been transferred to a 10X10 meter room with nothing inside of it except the two daggers I've been using.

{New Quest: Doll Smasher}

{Now, you are being forced to face yourself. Would you be able to hold your ground and beat yourself at this round?}

{Clear Condition: Destroy the wooden doll}

{Clear Reward: Level up(1), Attribute Points(10)}

{Tip: Think outside the box.}

Across the room, roots seeped out of the gaps on the floor. Gradually forming a humanoid figure which looked very strong. Of course, I have expected for the doll to be strong. If it was not, then it was an insult to my whole existence as the doll was created by my own stats. I tried to be calm but ultimately failed as the bones in my fingers started to crack.

[*Doll fight, start*]

As soon as the mechanical voice ended, the doll which looked harmless came in front of me in just mere seconds. I now knew how I looked like in the eyes of my enemies. I quickly raised my dagger in response, making a loud metallic noise in the whole room. The doll then followed it up with several slashes aiming to my vital points, I struggled to dodge as the doll was just too fast. I felt cold sweat running at my back as the slashes almost hit my body.

I tried to fight back against the doll but everything I did seemed to be useless as the doll blocked each and every single one of them, even attacking while defending at the same time.

If I tried to attack from the rear, the doll will move its body slightly and parried my dagger. While also attacking me with the other dagger. Just now, I felt a little proud of myself for being this formidable. Just look at how it attacks! The attacks are very fast yet were very deadly as well. I tried to attack it once again yet the same thing happened again. The doll parried my dagger and attacked me again.

As slashes were being exchanged. My brain is spinning at its highest capacity. If the doll was made using the techniques I have, then doesn't that mean it has my skills?! Or does it only copy my stats? Let's just observe the doll for a while.

A few minutes passed and I could feel my body getting tired. Just what is this doll made of!? I have observed it and I can conclude that the other party doesn't have my skills. I can use that to gain victory, but I need to make a gap to attack.

By the time I've finished adoring my s… I mean my opponent. I tried to parry his slashes harder to make the doll's hand even further away. When I succeeded, I quickly used Hand of Fury to stab it. At that moment, I knew that I made a mistake as the doll used the Hand of Fury as well. He caught me off guard and hit some slashes. Making a red (-7) flying in my vision.

I quickly stepped back to distance my self with the doll. Yet the doll kept on chasing me, making it hard for me to think. The doll was just too amazing! Now I felt bad to my enemies. I have to think of a plan, quickly at that.

To beat myself, I have to make use of my weakness. But what is just my weakness! I tried to think of any of my weakness yet I couldn't think of anything. That's why I decided to once again observe the doll for the opening on my body.

A couple of minutes passed by and I only noticed a little gap on my defenses. When I am attacking from the front and follow it up to attack from the rear, my thighs are open to attacks. But now, I may have understood the real function of the mission. Which is to improve your techniques by fighting against yourself.

I quickly corrected myself and found that it was a bit easier to move just like this. I have decided to pardon my enemy for a while. Its n-not because I want to i-improve or anything so don't misunderstand!

As I corrected a couple of mistakes again. My body has been tired to the point that doing flexible moves will make it ache so bad. So I decided to end my opponent. I quickly slashed at the point where my gaps are shown, dealing (-4) damage. I continued attacking the doll until it was almost dead. When the last hit was supposed to kill the enemy. Something strange happened.

The doll was suddenly gone from my sight. As I felt something cold slashing against my neck, I quickly activated the Active Breathing. The short version of my skill. I quickly distanced myself as my heart was filled with regret. I actually have to be knocked unconscious at this fight! I then quickly threw both of my daggers at the doll which has stopped moving. Dealing the last bits of damage. I think that the doll used this skill at the end because, at the fight with the Goblin Chieftain, I awakened the skill right when I almost died. strings of blue also entered the corner of my vision but I didn't have time to see any of that because I was knocked out also instantly.