Bloody Abuse

"Positioning is useless..." Tang Hao murmured to himself. With a fierce determination, he activated Iron Body and charged towards Total Darkness.

Iron Body is a skill of the Brawler class. For a Rogue to use it, the skill must be crafted onto a weapon. Although it's only level 1 and doesn't add much defence, what Tang Hao sought was its super armour effect.

Using Iron Body, Delilo quickly closed the distance. Just as Total Darkness was about to unleash Ground Shattering Wave Sword to break his super armour, Tang Hao swiftly flicked his mouse, releasing Needle Shot.

Unexpectedly, Liu Hao only feigned the move and didn't actually cast Ground Shattering Wave Sword.

The duel between experts involves predicting each other's moves. Tang Hao acted decisively, seizing the attack range and not giving Total Darkness any chance to chant. He raised his hand and used Sand Toss.

Liu Hao didn't dare ignore this skill. Although Sand Toss deals low damage, it has a blinding effect. Without vision, he couldn't use the True Eye of the Evil King for predictions.

Total Darkness rolled backwards, yellow sand flying overhead.

Seeing Sand Toss miss, Tang Hao was satisfied. He never expected Sand Toss to hit; he only used it to seize the offensive and control the battle rhythm. Delilo waved his hand, throwing out Paralyzing Needle, similar to Needle Shot but with a paralysis effect.

The Rogue class is known for its underhanded tactics, but Tang Hao's playstyle was forthright. He didn't hide throwing the needle but did it right in front of you.

Tang Hao was confident. Even if Liu Hao could react in such a short time, he wouldn't be able to dodge.

However, just as the Paralyzing Needle was about to pierce Total Darkness's chest, a spiral wave surged from Total Darkness's short sword. The strong suction force altered the needle's trajectory, making it miss and land on the ground.

"Ghost Imprint Pearl... can be used this way?" Pan Lin exclaimed from the commentary booth.

"Ghost Imprint Pearl is a chanted skill. During the chant, a spiral wave gathers on the short sword, generating centrifugal force and strong suction," Li Yibo explained. "Moreover, the skill's effect is to attract and slow enemies, so using the suction to alter the needle's trajectory is a feasible tactic."

Tang Hao was frustrated. The release speed of his Paralyzing Needle was breakneck, yet Liu Hao had already chanted Ghost Imprint Pearl in the brief moment when he used Sand Toss. Did Liu Hao predict he would use Paralyzing Needle?

Is his prediction that accurate?

Frustration aside, the match had to continue. Total Darkness threw out Ghost Imprint Pearl, the spherical wave slowly advancing towards Delilo. Due to its slow speed, Tang Hao easily dodged it. But the next moment, he saw Total Darkness's short sword engulfed in flames.

Did he chant Flame Wave Sword while I was positioning? Tang Hao had no choice but to flick his mouse, throwing a brick at Total Darkness. Indeed, this would make him cancel the skill.

But Total Darkness continued chanting. Just before the brick hit, Bellflower swung forward, the blazing sword deflecting the brick and igniting everything in front.

Delilo couldn't dodge in time and took the full brunt of Flame Wave Sword.

"So fast at chanting!" Tang Hao marvelled internally, realising he had miscalculated Total Darkness's chanting speed. He should have used Poison Needle to interrupt.

Now, knowing Tang Hao wouldn't give him another chance to chant Wave Sword, Liu Hao charged forward. Tang Hao smiled and shouted, "Come on!"

Delilo sidestepped, creating space, and raised his hand for a claw attack. The sharp steel claws were aimed at Total Darkness's neck.

But suddenly, Tang Hao's Delilo locked eyes with Total Darkness, who was staring intently at him.

"What's this feeling? Like I've been seen through?" Tang Hao panicked.

In an instant, his claw attack missed, and Total Darkness vanished in a golden light. Tang Hao hurriedly turned his view. Where? Where did he go? Total Darkness shouldn't have any skills for sudden movement or teleportation.

Suddenly, a cold blade pierced Delilo's chest, dripping with bright red blood. The sound of wind whooshed past...

Behind me... Tang Hao realised too late, also being impaled by the short sword.

"Triple Slash?" Pan Lin shouted.

"It must be Liu Hao's weapon-crafted skill. Triple Slash is popular among Swordmasters. Hundred Blossoms's Fallen Flower Wolf and Lunhui's No Wave both have it on their weapons," Li Yibo explained.

At that moment, those on the first floor were shocked by Triple Slash, but those on the fifth floor were admiring the skill's precision.

At the Excellent Era player seating:

Ye Qiu glanced at Liu Hao on the stage and said, "This move seems familiar."

"Yes," Su Mucheng nodded. "Where have I seen it before? It seems like an old tactic..."

"Developed by Sun Zheping..." Ye Qiu said.

In the audience, two masked men suddenly laughed.

"Old Sun, doesn't this move look familiar?" Zhang Jiale teased.

"Yeah, I taught him," Sun Zheping admitted awkwardly. "I passed on my sword techniques, not expecting him to use them against our Hundred Blossoms."

Tang Hao, though a seasoned player, recognised the move. Despite being a seventh-season debut, he had grown up watching Glory matches and knew this technique.

Sun Zheping's devious sword tactic involved deliberately missing the first strike. As the opponent got complacent, he would use Triple Slash's rapid movement to get behind them and deliver a lethal blow.

Although Tang Hao identified Liu Hao's move, it was too late. Delilo had already been struck, lifted into the air by the sword.

Everyone anticipated what would happen next. A character in mid-air wouldn't fare well...

Evil Light Slash, Ice Wave Sword, Immovable King Formation, Ultimate Lightning Wave...

A seamless combo followed, the arena falling into a deathly silence, broken only by game sound effects and Delilo's cries.

By now, Total Darkness hadn't lost any health, while Delilo was already down by more than half. Fans who had high hopes for Tang Hao were now silent.

Wasn't Tang Hao supposed to be a future top-tier player? The following top Rogue? How was he being beaten so soundly?

At this moment, everyone doubted Tang Hao's skill. His career had been smooth, debuting and winning second place in his first year, seemingly never facing setbacks. But now? Liu Hao was demolishing him... The future star's glory shattered...

(End of Chapter)

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