Chapter 58: Nero Vs Barak 2
"Let’s toy with him," Nero grinned, relishing the thought of completely crushing Barak.
Barak gritted his teeth, intensifying his assault. He launched a series of strikes, each executed with increasing speed and fervor, but despite his best efforts, he struggled to land a hit. Nero’s reactions were almost preternatural, his counterattacks coming just as swiftly, keeping Barak on the defensive.
With a quick feint to the left, Barak aimed a powerful downward strike, hoping to catch Nero off guard. But Nero anticipated the move, twisting his body to the side and using the momentum to redirect Barak’s blade, sending it off-course. In that instant, he countered with a swift slash aimed at Barak’s side.
Barak barely managed to twist away, feeling the rush of air as Nero’s sword sliced just inches from him. The close call ignited a fire within Barak, pushing him to dig deeper into his training. He wasn’t about to be outclassed so easily.
"Let’s see how you handle this!" he shouted, channeling the energy of the Law of Lightning to enhance his speed. He became a blur, darting around Nero, striking from multiple angles in quick succession.
Nero’s expression shifted slightly, his focus sharpening as he adapted to Barak’s newfound speed. Relying on the power of his keen eyesight, he had no trouble tracking Barak’s movements.
He pivoted his body, swinging his sword with such speed that it generated a powerful gust of wind, creating a protective barrier of air that deflected some of the blows. However, a few strikes still managed to find their mark, leaving a shallow cut on his arm—a stark reminder that Barak was not to be underestimated.
"Nice move!" Nero acknowledged, his grin returning as he felt the adrenaline surge through him. "But you’ll have to do better than that!"
Nero channeled his strength, pushing back against Barak’s relentless assault. He executed a series of precise counters, each one designed to create openings in Barak’s defense. The two knights were locked in a dance, their swords clashing in a rhythm that echoed throughout the arena.
As the exchange wore on, both combatants began to recognize each other’s patterns, their breaths growing a little heavier with each strike. But neither was willing to relent; the stakes had risen, and both were determined to prove their worth.
Finally, with a swift combination of strikes, Nero created an opening. He lunged forward, his sword aimed directly at Barak’s chest, but at the last moment, Barak twisted away, narrowly dodging the blow.