Jelas's strike was overwhelming. Though Illustrious's dual-class pushed her to level-30 strength, she still fell short of a true thirty, and an agile swordsman was never meant to trade blows with a powerhouse warrior.
Bang! Illustrious lost the contest of strength and was flung skyward; she flipped, landed cat-footed, eyes grave.
All-out, and she had only shaved a tenth of his life—the gap of levels made flesh. Nine more such cuts would finish the Thief; one lucky chop from him would send her to paradise.
"Worthless," Jelas sneered, brushing at the wound. "Dual-class or not, the gulf between us is too wide."
"I've thirteen times your life. One solid hit and you're done. Struggle all you like—drop your sword and uncle will make you feel wonderful, heh-heh-heh."
Illustrious's stomach turned; she'd die before letting the freak win. Sword raised, she shot forward. "Shut up, pervert! Nine cuts? Fine—nine more it is. Vermin like you only poison the air; I'll send you to hell."
"Insolent! That first nick was luck—never again! Behold my Invincible Whirlwind Blade!" Jelas lifted his sword overhead and spun, a cyclone of steel. Grass touched by the edge turned to dust.
The sight of the spinning Thief froze Illustrious mid-charge; she skidded aside, dodging for dear life.
Wind Magic lent her blinding speed; however Jelas chased, she slipped away, leaving him grinding his teeth.
"Tch, cornered dog—stand still and take it!" he taunted, dizzy from the chase.
"Not a chance," Illustrious called, ducking again. "Catch me if you can."
"Gah—enough… dizzy…" The whirlwind faltered, slowed, stopped. Jelas swayed, eyes swirling, planted his blade for balance, knelt, and vomited last night's dinner.
Illustrious's lip twitched at the sight. A clown—but a perfect target. "Die, pervert!"
She angled her sword; a clear ring sang out. She stamped off the earth and shot forward.
Still retching, Jelas flung up a hand. "Wait! Can't you see I'm indisposed? Striking me now—where's your honor, young swordswoman?"
"Honor's for the decent. You're beneath beasts. Save your words for hell."
Steel carved a white crescent through the air, the edge slicing wind, space quivering at its power.
Illustrious raised her blade and hacked down with every enchantment she had—Weapon Boost, Wind, and Fire fused into one devastating edge.
Jelas, on his knees, wiped his mouth and grinned. "Good—very good. You're about to die here, girl! Hahaha!"
He ripped his sword free, lifted it high, and slashed with everything—magic circuits blazing, blue light erupting as Weapon Enhancement multiplied the blade's force a hundredfold.
At this range both would land. For Jelas, losing another tenth of life meant little; Illustrious's mere 112 HP would zero out and end her.
No! He'd feigned weakness—cunning. But she wouldn't trade wounds; he would take the hit alone.
She chanted; a Wind Orb burst from her left hip, its recoil flinging her aside from the lethal arc.
The great blade crashed down, kissing only air and grazing her shoulder. In the same heartbeat her sword blurred, cleaving into Jelas.
Steel carved a straight line; blood sprayed, and another thirty percent of his life vanished.
Yes! Six more like that and he'd be done—except the backlash of his aura blasted her away before she could celebrate.
She tucked, rolled, landed light.
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