Around them the crowd buzzed, unaware of the silent bargain being made in those eyes. The emissary cleared his throat, the sound a reminder that time was still moving, matches still to be decided. Lucian shifted his stance, testing distance as if measuring the heartbeat of the fight. Zero tightened his grip, the glow on his blade dimming and flaring with his breath.

Now, I have to end this. Now it's time I get serious, Lucian said, his eyes narrowing.

Yeah, same here, Zero replied, his voice steady beneath the weight of his armor.

Lucian surged forward, speed blazing as he closed the distance between them. Two swords materialized in his hands. Phantom Fang, he whispered to himself, feeling the energy pulse through him. His movements became a blur.

Zero didn't flinch. Armor still clinging to his frame, he activated Momentum Amplification. His speed spiked, each step precise, each motion prepared to cut down Lucian with the next strike.

But as they neared each other, everything happened in a fraction of a second. Lucian slashed, moving faster than thought. Zero countered, but an afterimage trailed him, confusing even his senses. Then, a line appeared — a slash across Zero's armor.

Wait… did he just… make a line on my armor? Is he really able to penetrate it now? Zero's thoughts raced.

Hey, man. Why are you on defense? I thought you said we should get serious.

I'm getting serious. Show me what you can do, Knight. Right? I'll tell you this, you stand no chance against me. Prepare yourself. Lucian said, voice sharp and unwavering.

"Tell me, how are you able to penetrate an ordinary sword through my armor? It shouldn't be possible. If you had your full strength, you could push a part, make a part give way, or strike it like it was paper, or slash through something soft," Zero said, eyes narrowing.

"Well, you want to know? All attacks I use are anti-armor. My swords are covered with anti-armor energy, and it doesn't matter if your armor is Adamantium. Just prepare, because I won't hold back anymore. You've mocked me enough. I didn't even expect this fight to last this long," Lucian said, his aura flaring.

"We don't get cocky yet, just because of this one strike," Zero replied, bracing himself.

Then, Lucian started moving toward him. Armor piercing. Lucian used armor-Piercing-Attack, a sword filled with green energy that could penetrate any armor.

"I have to keep a distance between us if you don't come near me. Divine Overload," Zero said as a white radiant light burst from his sword and slashed through the air, heading straight for Lucian.

Lucian tried to dodge, but he couldn't. His body instantly weakened. Zero charged forward, slashing relentlessly, and Lucian scrambled to avoid the attacks.

"My defense is low, my attack is low, my energy is low. What was that skill he used on me?" Lucian thought as he barely dodged each strike, his body trembling from the sudden drain.

Then, as Zero prepared to strike again, Lucian raised his hand. "Shield Magic!" A green shield enveloped him, blocking the incoming blow.

"So, you are capable of using Shield? What happened? Try to hide now. You are already weak," Zero said, slashing again. The green magical shield instantly scattered under the force of his attack.

Blood Rush. I have to use that technique. The more he attacks me and presses me, the more I regain energy, Lucian thought.

As Zero kept trying to slash him, Lucian dodged every strike. The more Zero attacked, the faster he came, but he was drained. The skill Lucian used, Blood Rush, caused him pain but also sharpened his focus and restored his energy.

As Zero lunged again, he didn't expect what came next. "Lamin Slash!" Lucian shouted. Instantly, he cut around Zero's arm and stomach. The blow made Zero stagger, exposing part of his midsection. Lucian then used his sword to press him down. Quickly, Lucian jumped back.

"What the hell is this?" Zero muttered, touching the wound. The injury began to heal. But not only that, he felt as if the wound was draining his life force. Confused, he placed his hand over it again. "Divine Heal!"

The injury finally sealed. Zero kneeled on the ground, breathing heavily.

"Oh my! Now you're the one on the ground. I could have ended it while you were healing, but I didn't want it to look cheap. I wanted to show you the difference in our power because it seems you don't realize it," Lucian said as he walked forward. He then kicked Zero in the head with his leg.

Zero hit the ground but slowly stood back up, determined.

"Oh yeah, I can see you're getting up. Isn't it better if you stay on the ground? That's where you belong. If I were you, I'd just give up—you stand no chance," Lucian said.

"Is all you're good at talking?" Zero replied.

"Well, no. I'm not just talk. Look at you on the ground," Lucian said, smirking.

"Wow, I'm really impressed. The last armor I used was Mithril when I fought Zing. I was strong, but this one… this one is much tougher. Yet you managed to withstand it. You are truly strong. You exceed what I imagined. So now, I won't take you lightly," Zero said.

"Multiply! Paladin Multiplier!" Zero shouted as his body spread into thin, almost spectral clones.

"What's going on? Are these just shadows, or actual clones that can punch? If they can strike, then this is bad. But if they're just decoys meant to sneak in an attack, I might still stand a chance. I wouldn't have to use any more techniques," Lucian thought, narrowing his eyes.

The clones ran toward Lucian. He didn't move at first but then jumped back as they came closer.

"Are they real? Wait… they are real. They're actual clones," Lucian realized. He closed his eyes to sense their presence, then jumped back to put distance between himself and the approaching clones.

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