Gacha Leveling

Matthew kept defeating one opponent after the other. Some he had a bit more trouble, others he had it easier.

Firynn, who was standing behind Farzan under a shade with all the other high ranking nobles, smiled at his student.

"I can see Geovanna in him." He nodded, speaking in elven. "Even in such a short time, he learned so much and only improved upon it." He added.

"He fights very aggressively." Farzan commented also in Elven.

"He was always reckless. But I guess his time in hell also made him more aggressive." The elven swordmaster noted.

"How old is he?" Dalynn asked.

"I believe he’s 20." Farzan answered the count.

"As he’s already that strong? Do all humans grow strong that fast? He’s defeating 60 year-old soldiers with ease." Dalynn said with a worried look.

"He’s been through much. More than normal." Farzan explained. "But those with the earth’s system get strong really fast when they put in the effort. My own daughter is as strong as any of those soldiers you’re putting against him."

"Lady Faralynn is?" Faralynn’s aunt asked.

"The lady has put much effort in her training after her beloved was spirited away to hell." Firynn explained.

"Beloved." Countess Azan scoffed. "A short-lived can be nothing more than a childhood toy."

"Few elves are as long lived as you, grandmother." Farzan crossed his arms defending his daughter.

Azan only scoffed again.

"How many opponents has the kid defeated so far?" Faralynn’s aunt asked.

"He’s facing his 7th, my lady." Firynn informed her.

"Send in my men." Azan ordered, resting her head on her hand.

Matthew kicked his seventh opponent in the leg, making the elf kneel and connecting another kick on his face, knocking him out.

Ffyr cheered on the side of the circle alongside Erin and Mia. Tina and Helen just stood still behind Faralynn who was sitting on a shade of her own surrounded by heavy armored men.

Matthew took a breather and drank some water from the flask he had since hell while medics dragged the unconscious elf from the circle.

When he used his Identify skill on the next elf to come in, his blood went cold. Level 52. All the other elves he beat were around level 20 to 30. He took some blows from them, but no great harm was done. However, facing a person at level 52 when he himself was only 38 wouldn’t be easy.

The elf charged with a series of punches that Matthew was only able to dodge thanks to his Reckless Agility allied with his Vitality Boost skills. Matthew managed to connect 3 punches after the assault, but could do no damage.

He released his Reckless Agility skill, which reduced his Vitality, and focused only on his Vitality Boost skill to endure a punch that sent him flying away.

Matthew landed on his feet and massaged the chest where he was hit. He had no choice but to use unholy mana.

The crowd took a step back and murmured when the miasma spread around him.

"Necromancy?!" Countess Azan exclaimed in Elven as Matthew rushed her soldier with a pummel of punches.

The elf defended himself as best as he could, even landing some punches of his own on Matthew, but he was defeated in the end.

The next opponent, a 55 level elven woman, was also defeated after she tried to keep the fight at a distance with fireballs, only to be easily bested when Matthew got close to her with his superior Agility.

Then Matthew found it odd that a level 41 man approached the circle.

He just readied himself, lifting his hands in guard.

The elf pointed his hand towards Matthew and purified his miasma, taking away all the increased power the Unholy Mana granted Matthew.

Matthew had a soft golden glow around him as the man Blessed him and could not draw out his Unholy Mana anymore.

Then Matthew had to dodge a holy magic missile from hitting him. He no longer had the advantage there.

The elf kept trying to hit him with holy magic and Matthew gave his best to dodge them and get closer, his Sixth Sense skill being crucial for it.

When Matthew finally got close enough, both started to trade punches and kicks.

The crowd around the circle started cheering for the elven priest.

Eventually, Matthew managed to trip the elf with a kick on his feet. The next moment Matthew got on top of him who shouted something in elven Matthew didn’t understand. But his raised hands showed the human exactly what he meant. Surrender.

The next elf was tall and muscular, yet lean looking. Level 62. Matthew realised they were now sending their elite soldiers. Matthew breathed deeply, very tired. His mana was depleting fast. The priest’s blessing was still lingering on him and didn’t allow him to use his Unholy Mana.

He had no chance to win.

"That’s already 11." Farzan protested to Azan. "Isn’t that enough?"

The countess stayed silent.

The elf charged forward. Not even Matthew’s Sixth Sense skill was enough to help him dodge given the great speed of the attack.

Matthew took an elbow to the face that cut his eyebrow and spilled blood.

The crowd cheered again.

Matthew tried to strike back, but was unable to. The elf dodged masterfully and placed a well timed kick on Matthew’s torso.

He reacted by grabbing the leg midair, using his Anesthesia skill to endure the pain, and place a punch on the elf’s face.

The elf jumped with his other foot, kicking Matthew on the head making him stumble back with a broken nose while the elf fell to the floor.

But, without feeling any pain, Matthew surprised the man, before he could get up, and mounted him. He placed another couple of punches and tried to bring his opponent’s arm down in a lock, but the elf was faster and managed to push Matthew away and get up.

Matthew healed himself before charging again only to be met with another punch to the face.

From there, Matthew didn’t concern himself with defending. He used his Heal with his Anesthesia skills to keep up with his opponent, placing well timed punches in his opponent slowly doing some damage to him.

The crowd kept cheering, but soon enough went quiet when they realised that Matthew was not coming down.

Every time Matthew fell, he got back up.

Every time Matthew lost blood, he healed himself.

Every punch, every kick, Matthew responded with all his might.

The elf, then, kicked Matthew on the knee, breaking it and sending Matthew to the floor.

Everyone thought the fight was over, but Matthew put his knee back in place, healed it the best he could and got up again.

The elf looked at Countess Azan who had a painful expression.

Matthew attacked and was repelled by a kick.

The whole encampment was silent now. The only sounds were the sounds of Matthew breathing and being hit. Always getting up and coming back.

His opponent was no longer there. His face was one of pity. But he kept beating Matthew as his lady didn’t allow him to stop until Matthew surrendered.

With time, Countess Azan felt all the eyes of the soldiers on her.

She looked at Matthew bloodied, walking funny and still attacking her man.

She sighed and got up. She looked at Farzan who had a smile on his face. Then she left the shade walking elegantly to her tent.

At that point Matthew’s opponent raised his hands in surrender.

Matthew took a few seconds to understand the gesture, but then greeted him with the elf’s military gesture: right hand over the left chest.

Matthew fell down unconscious shortly after.

The crowd cheered Matthew now, many entering the arena and congratulating him. His show of devotion to Faralynn won over the hearts of the soldiers.

"Terra ok Far!" They screamed in Elven. "Terra ok Far! If Faralynn ok Far!"

After a while, Matthew was pried away from the soldiers by medics who rushed to mend his knee properly.

After surgery, they left him in Faralynn’s tent to recover. Ffyr and the girls were now circling around camp leaving the couple alone.

Matthew woke up with Faralynn over his body. He was only wearing a pair of trousers, while the elf was wearing her battle clothes, but her armor was mounted on a wooden stand.

"Lynn?" He asked, confused.

"Yes, Matt. I’m here." She responded gently.

"Did I win?"

"Yes." She laughed at him. "You’re my shield now."

Matthew hugged her by the waist.

"I love you." She placed a kiss on his mouth.

"I love you too."

They enjoyed that moment in silence for a while just listening to the sounds of the camp around them. And then the sound of men celebrating.

"Terra ok Far. If Faralynn ok Far."

"What is it they’re shouting?" Matthew asked.

"Your title. Earth’s shield. Lady Faralynn’s shield." The elf explained, with her head on his shoulder and caressing his skin.

"They accept me now?" Matthew asked.

"Not only that. You became a hero for them." Faralynn looked him in the eyes. "My shield." She kissed him passionately.