CHAPTER 9
Ash was surprised to hear to his request staring at him with a blank expression , he didn't expect him to ask for a reward just for beating up a child but making him completely blind was something completely out of question ….. it was completely horrid just thinking about it. He wanted to be a pacifist he now had every reason to fight back he had to win if not he risked going blind and that was something he didn't want .
He went through a few ways in his head trying to win at all cost without having to kill Kane which was something that was in his agenda , but they were to many variable to this and many thing to consider ….. they was an option he could take that was to reject the duel but that could most likely end up working against him since knowing a witch like Kruger around she could just declare Kane the winner and that would be something he that was on the last part of his list .
" its an eye for an eye not an eye for two eyes ... so pick leaving the duel or accept the offer that I give " Kruger's voice drew Ash attention looking at her with a strange expression , he hadn't showed it but he was no doubt surprised since he couldn't remember her helping him out in the past …. Hell if it had ever even happen .
With the way she used her words he had no option than to fight if he did try to reject the duel she would simply use her authority as his superior to compel him to do it anyway which meant he couldn't refuse , her words obviously was meant to Ken but Ash knew he didn't have any option.
Ken was only incensed more on hearing her words , and Ash could feel his intense gaze almost boring holes into Ash's body making Ash uncomfortable being very close to him but on all this Ash thanked his stars that his gaze couldn't kill if not he would have died a thousand times over " what do you say ?" she asked as if she didn't know the answer he was going to give but neither the less " I agree to his conditions " Ash replied making Kruger to give him a smile that literally sent chills down his spine ' this is going to hurt by a lot ' .
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" the rules are simple as it can be .... No killing no use of Mana and no stepping out of the platform winner is the last man standing " Kruger said to the two of them who remained on the ground Ash looked around he noticed the look on his face was that of everyone was that of pity , to some extent he was damned and he couldn't be more right but he had his first share of fighting with opponents who were stronger than him and for a fact wasn't scared since he wasn't going to lose .
" begin " as soon as the words left her mouth Kane moved swiftly heading straight for Ash who was already on the move , his plan was simple exhaust the big guy and try to do it flawlessly but it was all but a stupid plan that was bound to fail .
Kane was aggressive in his Approach obviously drunk in his anger but was still sober enough to be tactical with his approach , while Ash was nimble in his approach dodging and obviously not making any attempt to attack , any one who was looking at this scene from afar could only see what looked like a cat and mouse fight
This continued for a while , after which Ash started to notice something odd , even though they had been at it for more than five minutes Ken didn't seem like he was slowing down instead he was going faster but in a odd way like his rage was taking over and he was making mistakes leaving obvious openings that Ash couldn't take hold of as that could lead to his death from his perspective but neither the less he was fast .
They were clashing with military type ordinary daggers which was what made it more distressing , soon the fatigue began to set in his movement were not as it used to be ….. after a little while he made a mistake trying to close the distance between the two of them his body low disregarding his stability aiming to knock the big guy back only to be met by a strong kick to the face point blank not even having the chance to block.
He flew like a broke ragdoll and landing not too far from Kane grimacing and utterly disoriented with probably a broken nose since he could taste blood in his mouth ... took him a few seconds to collect himself but that was enough time for Ken to close the distance between the both of them and slashed the dagger at his right eye , he noticed this quickly but was out of time so couldn't dodge properly using his right hand to block before moving his head slightly to the left causing the dagger to sink into his flesh hacking its way through.
The pain was overwhelming but Ash quickly moved using his free hand smashing the butt of the Dagger into Kanes head and this was a mistake ...… a grave one as it didn't do anything to him and if anything made him very much Angry than before kicking Ash in the stomach sending him skidding across the platform.
Battered and bleeding Ash head was in disarray trying to find the next exit point in the problem he was currently facing , grimacing he held his dagger trying to but up his guard but every part of his existence was screaming pain
he could barely even move properly and this occurred after just being caught in a few hits , what would happen if he were to receive another hit thinking about it made as shudder.
Keeping his calm expression calm Ash moved again putting all the pain all behind him bracing himself for another hit that he hoped wouldn't but how much wrong was he , as soon as he got close he was met by a lethal slash that was meant to kill but somehow dogged but was met by a kick which this time wasn't that harsh which he somehow braved taking a few steps backward ' maybe he is getting weaker 'he thought .
But how much wrong was he , as soon as he tried to moved ken seized him by the neck raising him off the ground …. That was when Ash knew that something wasn't adding up he was by no means light and the guy in question wasn't that strong but it was too late slamming straight into the ground with enough force that knocked the Air out of him.
He lost every ounce of strength watching his body being thrown across the platform , bouncing on the ground twice first his chest then his head after which the world turned wonky , seeming like time stopped only his consciousness leaving him confused then he heard a voice " oh how ….. has the mighty fallen " .