Skilled Opponents

Jarvis spotted Bo and To destroying another bird. The birds were odd looking, always coming in various colors.

These enemy birds were attacking the messenger ones. Bo and To were working hard to defend the messenger birds. Jarvis was moving closer to their origins.

Staff bolted through the forest, its hooves backing a rhythmic sound as they hit the floor.

In a few moments he entered a clearing. There was an individual with a canvas in front of them. With a few strokes of their brush a colorful bird flew off the canvas. After completing this bird they stopped painting, "So you're the one who is killing my pieces..."

Jarvis replied, "And you're the one who is killing the messenger birds."

The figure twirled their paintbrush, "Interesting, to think there is someone with a quest to go against ours."

Jarvis hopped off Staff, "You can say that, I'm afraid I am going to stop you here though."

The figure laughed gently, "Is that so? Well I guess we will have to see the outcome. First, may I catch your name?"

Jarvis sighed, "Why do people like asking for names without giving their's first?"

The figure held up a hand in a apologetic manner, "My apologies then. The name is Fossil, renowned painter across A World's Legacy."

Jarvis raised an eyebrow, "Renowned painter? Well guess that's my honor then. You may call me Jarvis."

Fossil nodded, "Very well Jarvis. Let's see how you fare..."

Fossil rapidly painted a picture, their arm moving extremely quickly. Jarvis sent Staff to electrocute them, however a colorful lion sprang from the canvas. It looked like an ordinary lion, except that the colors were... exotic.

The lion had a lime green body, a pink mane around its neck. Blue lines covered its body in strange patterns. It roared, sounding just like an actual lion.

It charged at staff, claws extended. Staff's horn crackled and a bolt of lightning shot towards it. The lion turned sharply and the bolt narrowly missed. The lion leapt and bit into Staff's neck.

Staff made a sound of pain before sending a current of electricity through its fur. The lion was forced to let go and retreat. Fossil commented as they painted, "An interesting one you have. A deer that wields electricity? How unique..."

Jarvis sent Bo and To to attack Fossil. However several of the previous colorful birds flew to protect them. Jarvis was willing to gamble on an idea. He pulled out his instrument and began to play [Bird's Song].

Bo and To grew faster and began to explode the enemy birds into splatters of paint. However watching closely Jarvis knew his gamble paid off. [Bird's Song] could also buff enemy birds. For it buffed all bird creatures. However the enemy birds weren't... birds. They were paintings. Meaning they wouldn't receive the benefits from [Bird's Song].

Fossil saw their birds being destroyed at a rapid pace. The battle between Staff and the lion was at a stalemate. Staff was unable to attack the lion, who was unable to get close to Staff due to the lightning.

Fossil quickly painted, colors flowed together and a creature began to form on their canvas. With a final stroke the creature became animated and leapt off the canvas.

It was a large colorful spider. Colored pink with strange yellow patterns covering its body. It quickly shot a yellow web at Bo and To. The two birds quickly dodged the web, only to see more coming for them.

Jarvis saw this situation and began to quickly think. Fossil could paint more creatures, making him on the losing side in mere minutes. Which wasn't good. He didn't have any good offensive tames to turn around the offensive. The World Carrying Tortoise wasn't meant for an offensive battle. Worse case scenario Jarvis could use the Tortoise's extreme defense to plan his next attack, but he couldn't do that now.

Mantid could be useful, but his armor hadn't improved much since the Golem. Meaning he wasn't properly equipped for a battle just yet. The Man-Eaters were meant to eat flesh, not paint. Donk could help, if he hadn't reached all his max active tame slots. Finally we wasn't sure if Seeth would be of any help.

Jarvis felt sad, oh how he missed Whitelash.

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Wrock looked over the edge of a cliff. There a train of carriages was stopped. He watched as someone quickly dispatched the guards without care of their surroundings.

It was a terrible place for a supply route. The road had cliffs on either side, incredibly easy to attack from range. While it kept it somewhat hidden from outside view, it had barely any way to defend itself.

Wrock knew he wouldn't survive the fall if he jumped from this height. However when he saw a carriage full of grain he hesitated, perhaps maybe he could survive the fall? Wrock pondered the choice for a moment later before deciding that he should just go for it.

He angled his jump and leapt, the fall would be heart wrenching for an ordinary person. While Wrock wasn't ordinary, he didn't like the fall.

He landed into the cart of grain, the cart broke into pieces and some of the grain scattered. Wrock lifted himself up with a groan, "Honestly... not the best idea I ever had."

He suffered a little fall damage, it wasn't life threatening. However it proved that the cart barely broke his fall.

Wrock got up and dusted the grain off him. The surroundings NPCs watched in shock. A spare guard lifted his weapon at Wrock, "You! Prepare to die!"

Wrock quickly lifted his hands in defense, "Calm yourself! I fell from the cliff, I was lucky that this cart of grain stopped my fall. I mean no harm!"

The guard stopped his attack and eyed him warily, "Nonsense, your with the other attacker!"

Wrock shook his head, "No, if anything I'm on your side. I caught wind of this supply route being attacked and came to help. The city needs this."

The guard lowered his weapon, "Then... prove it."

Wrock waved away the guards concerns, "Let me deal with the attacker, call the other men back."

Wrock loosened his shoulders as he approached the attacking individual. He had to admit that they were quite skilled. They moved quickly yet rhythmically between the attacks, like a casual wind blowing between a gate's links.

Their fists aimed true, intending to incapacitate the opponents in the shortest time. However Wrock already saw one flaw, they were hasty.

The figure knocked away the surrounding guards and watched as Wrock approached, "Who might you be?"

"Many things sometimes, I think today I am the guy who is stopping you." Wrock joked.

The figure raised their hands into a stance, "A bold claim."

"Let's see about that yeah?"

The figure bolted towards Wrock. A speed unnatural to what seemed to be their class. They jumped and aimed a kick towards Wrock's face.

Wrock tilted his head the the kick sailed past. The figure landed, turned, and threw a fist towards Wrock. With a turn and a grab Wrock lifted the figure up and tossed them away, "How odd, you fight the guards with such vigor. Yet the moment you fight be you lose your skill? I assume your underestimating me. That's not a wise choice."

The figure twisted midair and landed, "I agree, I haven't come across a skilled opponent."

The figure charged forward again. When reaching the right range they threw another punch. Wrock blocked this and threw his own. The figure grabbed the hand and pulled him while simultaneously leaning back, a kick aimed towards their head.

Wrock received the kick and took a little damage. The figure let go of his hand for the full recoil of the kick landing to take place. Retracting their leg they threw another kick.

Wrock spun and dodged the kick, he kicked towards the figure's abdomen. The kick was blocked but it threw the figure off balance.

The figure fell, but quickly rolled to recover.

They proceeded to exchange blows, between blocking or dodging. Attacking and missing. The fight extended and Wrock grew happy. It was a good fight, his opponent was not only highly skilled. They were also extremely talented! The way that they quickly adapted reminded him of his own ability.

As he dodged another blow Wrock warned, "I'm going to start using skills!"

Wrock threw a punch towards their chest. The figure guarded against the blow. However this punch carried Wrock's [Monstrous Strength] skill!

The blow sent them back, a cut forming on their arms. Since this was the first blow that actually landed Wrock's accessory finally activated. Dealing extra damage and causing the Bleed effect.

The figure inspected the gash on their arms. They then loosened their arms and cracked their neck. Patting their chest they complimented, "You, you're a skilled one. I am Tempered Steel. I shall take you on with everything I have!"

Wrock grinned, "The name's Wrock, likewise I shall be fighting with what I have. Now... come!"