Chapter 342 Unknown (1)
While Billy could heal wounds, he couldn't just help Marie and show to everyone that he could do that. His equipment was hidden as well, so Marie had to tend her own wounds. However, a while ago, he taught her recovery, so her arms began to get a lot better after a while.
It didn't take long for the others to have their turns as well, and Billy was interested in the result of Svan's fight. If he wins, he will fight Billy next… if Billy wins and Alexander wins the next two rounds, he will fight Billy. If Billy wins and Natalie also does the same, they will face each other in the semifinals… It was kind of a pity. It would be awesome if husband and wife could get on the final. In any case, without breaking a sweat, Svan won against his opponent.
"It seems that we are going to face each other a lot sooner than I expected," Svan said. "Well, it doesn't matter. Let's have a good fight."
"I thought you would say something bolder…" Billy frowned. "Since I reached this far, then I am going to do my best… For the prize."
Svan laughed a little. While Billy was strong, he didn't take pride in his strength. He just saw those as a means for an end, and the fights were never his goals or end, to begin with. He wasn't that bloodthirsty or hot-blooded. In any case, Billy thought that the tournament would end the next day since the next rounds were short. Still, the organizers decided to have only one round per day. After doing some digging, Billy learned that even among the barbarians, some people wanted the visitors to stay around for longer and spend their money there.
"It seems that you are among the sixteen strongest, Congratulations," Drew said.
"I heard that you defeated my sister by using your brain against hers," Pierre said. "I suppose that will be a good lesson for her. She got better in the last few years, but she still is… Quite headstrong."
"I heard that she stayed here in the last few months to train with the barbarians, it must be a shock that she didn't get the result that she wanted in this tournament," Jean said. "You might have to console her, Pierre."
"Something like this is nothing for her, sir," Pierre said and then laughed. "The thing that I admire most on her is her mental strength… Perhaps that is the only good thing about her that others look up to."
"Say… Pa… Pa… The one who says first will get candy," Billy said while he was facing his kids and ignoring the others.
"No candy for kids this small and it feels like you are trying to bribe them by calling you first," Kate said.
"Everything is fair in love and war," Billy said. "Besides, just one is fine. They aren't that sweet."
Natalie was being quiet that night, even though everyone was reunited and talking after dinner. It seemed that she also was contemplating the opportunity to fight Billy in a real duel. While they wouldn't use their specialized weapons, she didn't want to lose. Billy wished that she were a bit more considerate of his pride as a man…
When the group headed to the arena, the next day, things got a lot noisier than before. Things even got more complicated when Billy's turn arrived. He had forgotten that. Still, the audience had a reason to be so excited.
"SVAN! SVAN! SVAN!"
Svan was a former champion and a hero to many barbarians. He was the one introducing the important people of his state to Jean, Aura, Rosalie, and Edward. While those guys came on a vacation, they still were making connections to improve the relationships between states. Nevertheless, those thoughts disappeared from Billy's mind when he stepped on the ring. The barbarians didn't believe in things like trying to demoralize foreigners in their sacred ring. They believed that the strong would win no matter what, and to see that was why they came for.
When they assumed their positions in the ring, Svan had a boxing-like stance. Usually, he would prepare to charge straight away, but he knew that acting like that would only lead to a quick defeat against Billy. Also, like a boxer, he began to move toward Billy… Actually, he was straight copying a famous boxer and his peek-a-boo stance while advancing.
Billy raised his guard, and he did well because a lot sooner than he had expected, Svan stepped forward and tried to smack his face with a right straight. He stepped forward so fast, and his punch had been so heavy that a blast of wind passed above Billy's left shoulder and then hit the audience behind him dozens of meters away… It almost looked like Svan had mastered Stamina Manipulation with those compact punches.
Since he missed, Svan assumed a defensive stance and waited to see what Billy would do. Still, he was just too surprised to do anything… a single punch will certainly break any bone that gets hit by that.
"Still, nothing will happen if the hit doesn't land," Billy thought.
Billy had the advantage of speed this time, so he intended to use it. However, Svan suddenly stepped forward again, and Billy could only jump to the side with all his might. Counter attacking wasn't an option with the speed of the adversary… Billy should have been twenty percent faster, and yet…
"Since his punches are compact, they come following the shortest route and doing the minimal amount of movement," Billy thought. "I am not that good at fighting with my fists to do something similar, so I have to compensate by doing something else."
If Billy wasn't strong enough for a duel of strength, he possibly couldn't be tough enough to endure too many punches. Without strength, speed, and toughness… What else could he use to beat Svan? His brain?
