"We will begin our first semi-final match. Winners of block A, please enter the arena!" Makadi called.
"Oh? We are going to do this immediately?" Jack asked. He thought it would be like the World Tournament where each team only fought once a day.
"This tourney is a one-day event. The matches are all carried out today," Four Winds said while standing up. "All our HP, stamina, mana, and cooldowns are reset once we enter the arena. So, it doesn't matter if we continue fighting."
"I ain't complaining. The sooner we wrapped this, the better," Jack said and followed Four Winds into the arena.
"So, another bet? Whom will you pick as your opponent?" Jack asked.
"I don't have so many mana cores to give out freely. My guild needs them as well," Four Winds replied.
"You can always see it as trying to take back the mana cores you lost in the first match."
"Yeah, right. Now, stop trying to swindle me and focus on the fight."
"Well, since it's not a bet. Do you mind staying back in this fight?" Jack asked.
"Huh? Why?"
"You know my limitations, right? I want to get used to it by fighting under those limitations. The first match is good training, but I want more training. Our final-round opponents are too strong. I want to make sure I am ready for them."
Four Winds paused a bit before saying, "Fine. Just don't f*ck up."
"Don't worry. I won't," Jack replied.
They had been standing in position face-to-face with their opponents while talking. Vivian and Ursa could hear their conversation with no problem. The two were fuming due to what they heard.
'Who the hell do they think they are?' The two thought furiously. Four Winds was still okay since he was a famous combatant and guild leader, but who the heck was this Iamanorc?
Yes, he had the highest level among the players here and had also defeated a rare elite native by himself in the first round, but that native was lower level than him. As for them, they had defeated natives that were much higher level than them. Surely, their achievement warranted more worthiness.
The two looked at one another. Their eyes told each other that they would show this cocky son of a b*tch what would happen if he underestimated the dawning twin.
They looked back forward and tightened their weapons grip while glaring at Jack.
"Hm... They look angry. Do they look angry to you?" Jack asked Four Winds.
Four Winds chose not to respond.
"Are you done?" Makadi uttered to Jack. He had asked the combatants if they were ready a while ago, but Jack just continued talking. Jack did the same thing in the first match. Makadi truly didn't like this outworlder. He hoped this guy lost the match.
"Yes, yes. I'm sorry. I'm ready," This time Jack responded, with a grin, which didn't make Makadi feel any better.
"Then fight!" Makadi announced.
As soon as the announcement was given, Four Winds Jumped back, letting Jack fight by himself as agreed.
Vivian and Ursa immediately rushed forward. They were very eager to teach this Iamanorc a lesson. With Four Winds retreating, this was also a chance to be capitalized. It was two against one. This was their chance to get an easy win.
Vivian used sacred flame and divine armor, while Ursa used shadow form, poison mastery, and combat clone. They were starting this match the same way as they did in their first match.
Jack stood his ground with a ready pose. Ursa's combat clone arrived first because of its high movement speed. Ursa himself circled to Jack's blind spot.
Jack easily caught the combat clone's hand that was stabbing him. He then judo-throw the clone to where Ursa was sneaking.
Ursa didn't know about mana sense so he was very surprised when Jack threw his combat clone accurately at him without looking. He simply associated it with an unfortunate coincidence. He was dexterous enough to duck and dodge his clone. He then lunged forward, synchronizing with Vivian who came from the other side.
Jack used his right-hand claw weapon to deflect Ursa's stabbing dagger and his left-hand claw parried Vivian's flaming sword.
Sounds of clanging were heard repeatedly as they exchanged moves. Ursa used a non-standard skill that increased his stabbing speed. But even after that, none of his stabs landed.
Although Jack was attacked from two opposite sides, his mana sense allowed him to perceive all incoming attacks. Adding his Hundred Synchronous Thoughts and his experience in dual-wielding swords, his left and right hands reacted as if the two hands were different individuals reacting to two different opponents.
Ursa used a chance and used Unblockable Stab in between his stabs. When the phantom dagger flew at Jack and Jack continued to stay his ground, Ursa was certain that the skill would land. But one swing of Jack's claw and the phantom dagger was shattered.
Ursa was extremely shocked seeing that. Wasn't Unblockable Stab supposed to be unblockable?
His movements momentarily paused due to the surprise, this allowed Jack's fist to land on his head. He reeled back from the punch with a damage number on his head.
Vivan's attack speed was slower than Ursa, but she was stronger and she wielded a shield which was a good pushing weapon. However, no matter how fiercely she swung and pushed, Jack refused to budge. She was at a loss. Even though her opponent had a higher level, he was a beastmaster. She should have a higher strength stat than him!
Vivian decided to use her non-standard skill, Shield Bash, which gave a strong knockback. When she used the skill, Jack's claw blazed with flame. The two attacks collided and she was the one sent reeling back.
What Jack used was Flame Strike, which evolved from Fighter's Power Strike. Jack dared use the skill without being afraid of exposing his identity because he had confirmed with Peniel that Beastmaster had a non-standard skill called Flame Claw that gave a similar visual effect. So, those who were spectating would just attribute his attack to that skill.
Vivian and Ursa, who had been knocked away, rushed back again with Ursa's combat clone. They attacked from three different directions and synchronized their movements so they arrived at the same time.
Jack jumped up as they came. His two hands again caught the combat clone, while his two legs did a split kick that struck both Vivian and Ursa in two opposite directions.
The split kick was done with mana manipulation. Vivian and Ursa felt as if they had just received a strong blow from a boss monster. They also suffered damage.
Jack again threw the combat clone, but this time upward into the air. When it was falling, he used his sword art's burst assault. The combat clone dispersed after its HP was depleted.
"Okay, enough training. Let's wrap this up," Jack said.
