Defeating the Female Bandit

 To the shock of the observers, instead of a slightly uneven match like they had expected, it was already a miracle for a single Genesis Core expert to hold their own against a Genesis Lake expert, they had used their Soul Sense to look at the cultivation realm of the two fighters, the said Genesis Core was even able to be in an advantage, or so it seems.

 "H-how?" one of his subordinates stuttered, and the city lord couldn't blame him. To see something that defied common sense and logic is... shocking to say the least.

 "Should we help him?" one of his men sends a message, one he replies immediately. 

 "Not yet, focused on dealing with our current opponents first, then we can go help him deal with the bandit," the city lord told his men, before looking at his own with a twisted smile.

 With one of the other bandits at the walls, fighting with another expert, he could deal with the sole Genesis Lake expert, one who is a lot weaker than him.

 The bandit seemed to realize his current predicament and began a hasty retreat. But the city lord didn't become one by making a lot of mistakes. Without even a care, he flew towards the Genesis Lake expert before engaging him in battle.

 The bandit, realizing running away would deteriorate their current position, steeled himself and engaged the powerful city lord. This seems to kickstart the battle, the Genesis Lake experts battling one another while the weaker experts clash near the walls.

-x-

 The female bandit looked at the young man with an open mouth. One of her attacks, usually enough to bisect her opponents in half, didn't even do much, the attack done by the man was as strong, if not stronger than her own.

 The fact she was stopped by a Genesis Core expert of all people makes her feel humiliated, her dignity being trampled upon. The fact she actually lost the first engagement only makes things worse.

 She calmed herself. Losing her sight on the more important thing will only make things worse in hindsight. Right now, she needs to be at her best, mentally and physically, lest she make mistakes that her current opponent will take advantage of.

 Ryker remained calm. Even if he didn't beat the bandit, the city would have won handily. He had checked on every top-tier combatant of both the city defenders and the bandits, and the two people sent to block the city lord were enough to finish the job.

 But with one occupied by him, the remaining one will not be enough to handle the might of the city lord. However, he still should block her from joining in. The best-case scenario would be winning the fight and killing or suppressing the bandit.

 He gripped the hilt of this sword, ready for the second engagement. And not a moment too soon. The female bandit had swung her claymore, the heavier blade pushing him back despite his successful block.

 He slightly grits his teeth, the impact of the blade is enough to be jarring for his arm, though only temporary, his mastery of Law of Life allowed him to heal said injuries with ease.

 He then returned the favor, his blade almost piercing her neck if not for her quick reflexes. She instinctively steps back, Ryker imitating her maneuver.

 The two then continued their clash, sword against bigger sword. The subsequent clashes caused the surrounding area to undergo even more destruction as the buildings around them turned from rubbles to even smaller rubbles.

-x-

 The bandit launched another slash, followed by a spike emerging from underneath him. Yet Ryker wasn't one to be on the defensive, blocking the former while evading the latter before going on the offense.

 With the plethora of Paths he had mastered, he possessed countless means to counterattack and take his opponent by surprise. 

 Yet, only his lightning-based techniques and sword-based techniques are the ones that could harm the woman, his other techniques are either too weak or not the offensive kind.

 He didn't let such restriction stop him, however, as he used Engulfing Lightning Body before moving in close, followed by a powerful lightning-infused sword slash. 

 The bandit blocked the attack but was sent flying in the process, Ryker pouring more qi than usual to strengthen the attack by a lot. 

 The bandit quickly recovered, her pride was even more damaged than her body. After all, if it was known to the other powerful bandits that she was defeated by a mere Genesis Core insect, her prestige among them would be gone.

 As she mulled over her option, Ryker didn't let out his attack, getting close enough before unleashing several Lightning Spears, a weaker version of Lightning Spirit Spears.

 The bandit raised a wall of earth, before making it stronger by infusing it with her qi. Unfortunately for her, the defense could barely hold against his attack, the numerous spears clashing with the wall for a brief moment before the wall broke, causing an explosion that sent her flying.

 Ryker took the chance to move in closer before unleashing another technique he had learned, "Lightning God Fist!" 

 Even though she was sent flying, she was not too badly injured, the most she suffered during their clash a mere scratches. Yet, she knew if the attack hit her, she would be done for. Injured at best, a corpse at worse.

 She used her claymore to block the attack, the result being she was sent flying further into the woods, Ryker following her flying form.

 She stopped, though not of her own volition, a boulder stopping her from flying further before the ground helped stop her momentum.

 After causing a new crater to form inside the woods, she groggily stood up, her hand on her back while her other hand kept on holding the claymore, refusing to let go of her weapon.

 As she tried to steady herself, her eyes looking for her foe, she didn't notice a shadow moving towards her. The consequences of that are severe, at least to her.

 Ryker emerged from the shadow, appearing right behind her. Before she could realize his presence, Ryker put his hand on her shoulder, creating a powerful lightning that shocked her entire body.

 The bandit convulsed, her body twitching as she was personally shown how high level of electricity could affect a human. After he was done, he also chopped her neck, making sure she was unconscious.

 As her body fell to the ground, Ryker pulled her hair before walking towards a safer area, dragging her body through the forest floor.