Chapter 118 Spar with Ryuu.

Bell woke up early, feeling a bit tense and rigid from the actions yesterday. He wanted to move his body a bit, maybe work up a sweat and have a quick bath at the lake to loosen his body up.

Groggily walking to the forest, his eyes still adjusting to the bright light of the morning, he stretched his body, yawning as he walked.

Suddenly, he was yanked to the side. He tried to scream, but someone covered his mouth. He flailed, trying to get away, but a familiar voice made him relax. "Bell, stay low. You don't want to interrupt this." It was Hermes. Bell then got a good look at who was holding him down, seeing the familiar face of Asfi.

"I'm gonna let go now; keep your voice down." Asfi slowly removed her palm from Bell's mouth. She then continued, "I placed an artifact that would mask our sound, but we can never be too careful... When it comes to the Gaé bulg."

Bell was a bit confused; his eyes were filled with question marks. 'Gaé bulg? Why?' But his question was soon answered as Hermes, with a playful smile, pointed at the front, at August and Ryuu who were facing each other with their weapons drawn.

"The two of them are gonna spar. Now, I suggest you keep your eyes peeled on this one, young Bell... It's not every day that you get to see two high-level adventurers go at it." Hermes chuckled.

Bell could feel his body becoming energized, gone was the tiredness he felt after a not-so-great sleep. His whole focus was now on the spar that would be happening. Hermes saw this and smiled; well, he can't blame him. He too is also excited to see this. The god put his attention back on the two, and with a small smile, he muttered, "They're starting."

Bell's eyes gleamed as he saw the two get into their stances, one with his spear, and the other, dual-wielding her weapons. He kept his concentration at the max, not wanting to miss anything from the two. Like Hermes said, it was not every day that he could get to see two high-level adventurers duking it out.

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August could sense four individuals inside his mana dome, three if you exclude Ryuu, who was standing in front of him. Well, it was not like he cared if people wanted to watch.

He kept his eyes on Ryuu; he could see that the elf was relaxed and composed. For him, that was a good sign; after all, it showed confidence—something he could respect. His gaze looked down at her feet; her left was her lead, slightly bending to the ground, while her right was straightened up. His gaze moved up, seeing her carrying two weapons, with the wooden sword at the back while her katana-like blade was in her left hand at the front.

'Dual wielding, prioritizing speed and agility... No opening whatsoever, but her stance leans on the offensive... She wants to make the first move.' August gauged Ryuu's stance in a matter of seconds after seeing it. He knew then and there that the elf was an offensive fighter, someone who's like him. 'Well, if she wants to make the first move... Let's give her an opening.' He shifted his left leg to the side, opening his middle for an attack, while he positioned his spear at an angle to the right, giving her enough time to attack if she'll take it.

Ryuu's eyes sharpened because of the shift in August's stance. It was obvious, and for the elf, it was nothing short of a provocation. 'He's looking down on me.' Ryuu thought as she gripped her two weapons tightly. 'Very well... If you want me to attack... So be it!'

Like a laser, Ryuu dashed towards August, her weapon glowing green as she willed her mana into it. It was almost instantaneous how she moved.

August's eyes widened for a bit. 'Fast!' he thought. He didn't expect this sort of speed coming from a level 4. He shifted his stance a bit, preparing himself to receive the blow. But at the moment he positioned his spear to block Ryuu's attack, the elf vanished from his sight.

August's mana dome picked up Ryuu on his left, where his spear was farthest from his body. 'And skilled too.' He smiled; for him, this was a pleasant surprise. Because right now, he actually has to take this a bit seriously.

Ryuu could see the wide-open side of August; she quickly slashed her sword filled with her mana. But a resounding clang made her eyes widen; she could feel her left hand shook as her blade met the body of August's spear.

She expected this, of course; he was, after all, someone whose level was higher than hers. So she already had a back-up plan in case her initial opening strike was blocked. She spun to the right, using her other weapon to strike at August's chest, moving so quickly that it seemed like a blur.

But not for August; he took a step forwards, dodging the weapon but letting Ryuu's hand hit him on the chest, with no damage received due to her not generating enough momentum.

But the move trapped her; the next thing she knew, she felt a heavy blow at her side as August's fist connected with her ribs. She didn't even see the blow coming.

She jumped back, trying to get away from August, while he stayed, giving the elf space. As she landed, she kneeled to the ground; the blow took more out of her than she expected.

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Bell had his mouth agape; it was too fast for him to see, a literal blink-and-you'll-miss-it moment. The two of them moved at an extremely fast pace, exchanging offense within a snap.

But it was clear to see who'll be winning with that exchange alone. "Miss Ryuu..." Bell muttered worryingly, as his eyes stared at the elf on her knees, clutching her side.

"I wouldn't count Leon out just yet," Asfi spoke with her eyes glued to the fight. 'Though I doubt she'll win, she might actually make Kaizer go serious if she goes all out.' She thought to herself, assessing the situation. She knew Ryuu didn't stand a chance here, but maybe she could make August actually make an effort.

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Ryuu stood up; she could still feel the pain on her side, but she chose to ignore it. Her eyes moved from side to side, trying to find something to exploit in her attack. She saw multiple openings, but after the first exchange, she knew it was futile for her to take it. August was just plain faster than her.

She changed her stance from her usual offensive approach to a more balanced style. She shifted her lead leg to the right and crouched her body down, gaining a more refined center of gravity in the process. 'I can't face him blow for blow. I need to be smarter in my approach.' she thought to herself as her eyes scanned August's body.

August nodded in approval. 'She's flexible and adaptive... I can clearly see the experience she has in anti-personnel combat...' His eyes then gleamed as a smile crept up on his face. 'Let's go on the offensive this time.'

Ryuu could feel the air shift; she knew it. 'He's coming!' She prepared herself, willing her mana to burst forth as it enveloped her whole body, providing her with a protective layer. But within a fraction of a second, August was now in front of her. She followed her instinct that was screaming at her. She tilted her head to the side, just in time to dodge the butt of August's spear.

She could feel a sharp pain on her cheeks, even with her being prepared, she was still grazed by that attack. And now she didn't have time to relax, as August followed it up with a kick to her ankles.

She jumped up, dodging it at the last second, her mind filled with the singular thought to counter, but before she could act, August was already a step ahead of her.

August twisted his wrist, his spear cutting through the air and heading for the back of the elf's head. Ryuu hurriedly placed her two weapons to block the attack; their weapons clashed, making the air blow all over, the force sending Ryuu flying forward as August let her pass by. He then grabbed her at the back of her hood and slammed her to the ground.

Ryuu, though agile enough, moved her feet beneath her as she backflipped mid-throw. The ground cracked beneath her feet; she could feel her bones rattling on impact. She gritted her teeth and forced her knees to move, jumping the very moment she landed and delivering a kick straight for his head, feeling her muscles straining at this forceful movement.

August smiled; not only was Ryuu able to stop him from slamming her to the ground, but she also made a counter. August tilted his head, dodging the kick, feeling the air brush past him. But his eyes widened when he saw the wooden sword heading towards his face, where he placed it to dodge.

"Gotcha!" Ryuu exclaimed, excited about the blow landing. But like a bad joke, August twisted his whole body, dodging the blow by a hair's width. He then carried his momentum as he delivered a spinning heel kick straight at Ryuu's abdomen.

As soon as the kick landed, August grimaced. "Fuck!" he cursed. 'I put too much force into that one.' He forgot to hold his strength down to a level 4, all because Ryuu almost got him. He unconsciously reacted on instinct, forgetting that he was fighting someone 2 levels below him.

He cringed as he watched Ryuu's body crash through the trees and bounce to the ground. He ran towards her to help, but jumped back when he saw the look in her eyes. She wasn't done yet.

"Isn't this quite enough?" August muttered as he saw blood trickling down Ryuu's lips. "This was only supposed to be a light spar."

Ryuu wiped the blood off her lips, then nodded as she sheathed both of her weapons. "Your strength is commendable; I honestly thought I got you right there." She then grimaced as she felt dizzy, the adrenaline now easing up now that the spar is over.

August appeared beside her, catching her before she fell. He scratched the back of his head and awkwardly laughed. "You almost did because of it; I forgot to hold back. You're strong, Miss Ryuu." He then looked at her seriously. "It makes me wonder... Why you're still at level 4."

Ryuu had a dark look on her face when August asked that question, which she tried to hide, but the young adventurer was able to pick it up. 'Personal stuff huh?' he thought to himself.

Ryuu pushed August softly, signaling that she could now stand on her own two feet. She then bowed at August and muttered at an unreadable voice. "Thanks for the spar." She then walked away, her direction to the east, away from the camp.

"Yeah, thanks..." August watched as Ryuu's figure vanished into the forest. Curious about why the elf is holding herself back. Because August could sense it, she could have actually leveled up; the question is, why didn't she.

"Well, it's not like it's any of my problem, but I wonder... What would have happened if the two of us are actually on the same level?" he muttered silently to himself as he looked at the side. "You three can come out now... Lord Hermes."

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The bush at the side shook as if it were panicking, then the three figures popped their heads, with Hermes smiling awkwardly towards August, while the others looked shyly at the ground.

"Well, looks like we've been caught." Hermes chuckled playfully, acting as if he was caught doing a terrible act. "Well anyway, thanks for the show young August!" He then walked away as if nothing happened. Asfi followed her god, but not before bowing apologetically at August.

"Lord Hermes!" August called, that talk last night still fresh in his mind, but Hermes ignored him and instead ran away faster.

He wanted to give chase, but Beowulf vibrated in his hands. He looked at the spear, remembering what he said to him, that god cannot be trusted. He closed his eyes and massaged the bridge of his nose; he sighed frustratingly. He really wanted to talk with Hermes, to know what he is hiding, but at the same time, he knew that Beowulf is right.

"Uhmmm..." a voice made August look at the front, seeing Bell. "Good morning, Mr. August." He saw the white-haired adventurer, bowing awkwardly at him.

A smile crept onto his face. He had heard so much about Bell, the record holder, the fastest mortal to reach level two; this, of course, had made him curious about him. "Yo! Bell, right?"

"Y-YES SIR!!!" Bell didn't understand why, but he suddenly felt a large pressure coming out of August.

"Why don't you spar with me." August smiled viciously, as he aimed his spear at Bell.

"C-come again?" Bell heard it, but hearing and processing the information are two distinctly different things. All he knew is that the smile on August's face was scary...

"Spar with me." August repeated, the smile on his face sending shivers down Bell's spine.

"WHAT?!!"

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August returned back to camp, feeling a tad bit disappointed, he expected so much more from Bell, especially after hearing that he was the record holder, beating even him and Ais. He walked sighing, and on his shoulders, he carried an unconscious, and battered Bell, who from the looks of it, was beaten black and blue, his mouth was frothing, while his face was filled with bruises.

Denki, who had just woken up and was still a bit groggy, exited the tent and saw August returning with Bell on his shoulders. His eyes widened as questions filled his head. 'Was there another attack? Did Moldo's gang attack Bell again?' He rushed in a panic towards his captain, the drowsiness vanishing from his body. "Captain! What happened? Who-"

August sighed and passed Bell to Denki. "I should have held back more." He then walked like nothing happened.

Denki, with Bell now in his arms, looked at his captain, then back at Bell, then back at August... Then it clicked. "Eh?" He shuddered at the thought, reestablishing in his mind just how scary August can be. He looked at Bell and offered a silent prayer. "My apologies, Bell..." He signed as he followed August's back. "Look at the bright side, you at least get to experience the Heracles familia welcoming without being a m-" he stopped midway realizing that it isn't really a positive.

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***

Chapter 118 is now complete. How are you all enjoying the story so far?

Well, sorry about that, didn't think I'll be missing Wednesday, to be honest I was too hangover to even get out of my bed, much less write. Again Monday might be a little iffy for me as well, so expect new chapter at Friday next year.... Or Wednesday next year if I'm able and not a hangover mess.

Sorry about the dad jokes.

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Have a good day, everyone. Love y'all.