As Fein and his group stepped into the teleportation circle, his eyes were fixed on the swirling portal before him. His expression was hard and unyielding, his features chiseled with determination.
The others in the group could feel the tension radiating from him, and they exchanged nervous glances. Voli, the normally cheerful and carefree member of their team, had a rare serious expression on his face, his hands clenched into fists at his sides.
Sofia was already going through possible scenarios in her head, trying to anticipate what would happen next. Aoi, the quiet and reserved member of the group, kept to herself, but her eyes held a fierce determination that belied her calm demeanor.
Fein's gaze remained fixed on the portal, his hand resting lightly on the hilt of his sword. He had been waiting for this moment for a long time, ever since he had first learned of Erica's involvement in his captain's death. He had been preparing for this day ever since, honing his skills and sharpening his mind.
Now, as the portal opened up before them, Fein's heart raced with anticipation. He was ready for anything that Erica might throw at him, and he was determined to come out on top.
With a final nod to his companions, Fein stepped boldly into the portal, leading the way to the fifteenth floor and his ultimate showdown with Erica.
...
Sofia, Aoi, and Voli watched in the sidelines as Fein and Erica saw each other just as they stepped out from the teleportation circle on the 15th floor.
Fein and Erica locked eyes, each one sizing up the other. Erica smirked, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't the prodigy Fein," she drawled. "I've been waiting for you."
Fein remained stoic, his hands at his sides. "I'm not here to exchange pleasantries, Erica."
Erica chuckled. "Always so serious. You know, you could learn a thing or two from me about enjoying life."
Fein's eyes narrowed. "You're responsible for Gregory's death. That's all I need to know."
Erica shrugged. "Collateral damage. He shouldn't have gotten in my way."
Fein's fists clenched at his sides, but he kept his composure. "You'll pay for what you've done."
Erica's smirk turned into a grin. "We'll see about that. I'm looking forward to testing my skills against yours."
Fein stepped forward, his cold demeanor intensifying. "I'm not interested in playing games. Let's finish this."
The two combatants stood ready, their eyes locked in a deadly stare-down. The tension in the air was palpable, and it was clear that only one of them would emerge victorious.
"This floor is special, do you know? It could simulate the environment randomly and even replica of crowd of people temporarily. It's a good place for our battle." Erica has a smirk on her face.
Fein and Erica faced off, swords clashing in a furious exchange of blows. Fein's swordsmanship was top-notch, and Erica struggled to keep up. However, in a flash of light, Erica teleported behind Fein and landed a surprise blow on his back, causing him to stumble forward.
Fein gritted his teeth in pain but quickly recovered, having anticipated the possibility of Erica's teleportation. He had used his space manipulation ability to create a decoy, fooling Erica into attacking the wrong target. With a swift motion, Fein spun around and landed a powerful strike on Erica's shoulder, causing her to cry out in pain.
"You're too predictable, Erica," Fein taunted, his eyes narrowed in determination.
Erica glared at him, her hand clutching her injured shoulder. "You got lucky," she spat out, readying herself for another attack.
The two continued their intense sword fight, each trying to gain the upper hand. Fein used his space manipulation to dodge Erica's attacks, while Erica used her agility and speed to try to outmaneuver Fein.
Suddenly, Erica launched a flurry of attacks, striking from all angles. Fein barely managed to block them, his arms straining from the force of the blows. With a final thrust, Erica managed to land a blow on Fein's shoulder, causing him to stumble back.
But Fein was not so easily defeated. He quickly regained his footing and retaliated with a powerful strike, causing Erica to stagger back in surprise.
"Is that all you've got, Erica?" Fein sneered a hint of triumph in his voice.
Erica scowled, her eyes blazing with anger. "Don't get too cocky, Fein," she warned, her grip on her sword tightening.
The two continued their intense battle, each determined to emerge victorious. The sound of clashing swords echoed through the deserted area as they fought, each one pushing themselves to the limit.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Fein managed to land the decisive hit, knocking that made Erica fly out two meters away and hitting her head on the ground. Blood poured from her forehead.
"I should have known you would be too clever for my trap," Erica spat, her eyes burning with fury. "But this time, I won't hold back. I'll use all of my powers to defeat you once and for all."
With a swift motion, Fein spun around and landed a powerful strike on Erica's stomach, causing her to cry out in pain.
In terms of physical strength, Fein was superior, but in swordsmanship, they were almost equal as Erica's swordsmanship was level 19.
"Is that all you've got, old bastard?" Fein sneered a hint of triumph in his voice.
Fein stepped forward, his sword pointed at Erica's throat. "It's over, Erica," he declared, his voice cold and firm.
Erica glared up at him, her eyes filled with a mix of anger and defeat. "who are you calling old hag!? As I said, the environment can change." She said begrudgingly. "Let's see who will have the last laugh."
And with those words, she disappeared in a flash of light, leaving Fein alone again, but Fein have a playful smile on his face this time.
'This fucking place is too advantageous to her.' Before Fein could think, the environment changed, then he saw Erica once again devoid of her previous injuries. 'This is cheating!'
Erica and Fein faced each other once again, both combatants preparing for the coming clash. As Erica lunged forward, Fein began to sidestep her attack, his sword swishing through the air as he deftly parried her strikes. However, as Fein focused on Erica, he suddenly felt a strange sensation in his mind, twisting and warping his perception.
Erica had conjured up a powerful illusion, a vision of a fiery dragon that coiled and writhed in the air. Fein gritted his teeth, struggling to fight off the mental assault as the dragon's jaws snapped toward him. But Fein was not so easily defeated. With years of experience and training, he had honed his mind to resist such illusions.
For someone who lived thousands of years, your combat experience doesn't look impressive." Fein taunted, using his sword to deflect a flurry of Erica's attacks. "I expected more from someone of your reputation."
Erica growled in frustration, her eyes flashing with anger as she tried to find a weakness in Fein's defenses. Suddenly, she teleported behind him again, aiming a swift strike at his back. But Fein had anticipated this move, and as Erica's sword slashed through the air, it struck only empty space. Fein had created a space barrier, leaving Erica open to attack. 'Did this bitch think I will fall for the same trick?'
"You're getting better," she admitted, panting heavily as she eyed Fein warily. "But don't think you've won yet."
Fein smirked, his eyes glittering with amusement. "Oh, I'm just getting started."
With a flick of his wrist, Fein summoned forth a barrage of sharp, thorned vines which erupted from the ground and ensnared Erica. But to Fein's surprise, Erica had anticipated this move as well and had enchanted the ground to resist plant-based attacks.
Fein gritted his teeth in frustration, his mind working quickly to adapt to the new situation. He conjured up a ball of flames in his hand and sent it hurtling toward Erica. Erica leaped aside, teleporting once more to avoid the worst of the blast, but Fein was already moving again, ready to unleash a new barrage of attacks.
"You can't keep up with me," Fein smiled, his eyes gleaming with confidence. "I've always been one step ahead of you."
Erica glared at Fein, her eyes burning with fury. "You're just lucky," she spat, launching a barrage of elemental spells at Fein, each one more powerful than the last. Unfortunately, it was futile. Erica looked at Fein and disappeared again.
"This woman is insidious." Voli tried to enter the battlefield and help Fein, but a white ripple prevented his advancement.
...
"Don't try it." Aoi shook her head. Then she looked at Sofia, who was hitting the white ripple with her destruction spear."I think that witch isolated the battlefield. Now, we can only watch and hope that Fein will win."
"Even destruction energy can't do any damage." Sofia sat on the ground, panting.
Fein's heart was pounding in his chest as he looked at the change of environment, where the final showdown with Erica will happen. He was determined to end this once and for all, to avenge his beloved teacher and put an end to this long-standing feud.
As soon as he arrived, he saw Erica lying on the ground, seemingly injured and helpless. His first instinct was to rush to her and behead her, but he hesitated, suspicious of this sudden display of vulnerability.
"Fein, help me... I'm hurt..." Erica gasped, her voice weak and trembling. "Please, I don't want to fight anymore."
Fein felt the hatred in his heart grew wildly as he looked at Erica's seemingly innocent and vulnerable state. However, he quickly realized that this was most likely a trap, and he steeled himself for what was to come.
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