Nixxin was walking toward the battlefield when he noticed a space at the center. There stood a sword.
He realized that if he entered the spherical barrier, he would be forced into the exact position of his next attack. His hand was streaked with blood, but he already knew why. This guy was from the same clan he had fought on the island.
Instead of wiping the blood away, he stepped into the sphere. The moment he did, he snapped back into his stance and position. His fist connected with the enemy, and he fell back, counting.
"1…"
He punched again, but stopped because of the sword.
"2…"
He slid across the ground, grabbed a stone, and threw it with enough force to leave a mark on the sword.
"3…"
The stone hit the blade and fell. He was immediately pulled back into his original stance and posture.
He realized it now. Every three seconds, the stance was repeated. The sword recorded the position of anyone who damaged it, then forced them back into that exact posture after a short delay.
He lowered his arm, then lightly lifted the sword without leaving any damage. Then he drove his punch into the enemy. It was a clean hit. The enemy fell back and stopped moving.
"Not going to lie, you're quite good. I wish to fight you in the tournament," the man said.
Nixxin was still analyzing it. His stance and posture had not been repeated. That meant for the sword to reset him, the enemy's stance had to remain the same as when the strike was recorded.
"My name is Util. What about yours?"
Util raised his sword. Nixxin reacted immediately. The sword recorded both of their positions and the rock's posture.
He punched the rock next to his hand. The strike was strong and left a deeper mark than his first hit. Util slashed through the air, and Nixxin dodged. Then their positions and stances repeated again.
Nixxin expected both of his arms to reset when he struck the sword twice, but the last time he punched, he covered his hand with the rock. Now it was the rock that was being repeated.
He punched the rock again to make sure the sword would be damaged enough. Util tilted his sword, and Nixxin stopped just in time, nearly cutting his hand in half.
Util followed with a body punch and kicked Nixxin away.
Nixxin got up, holding his gut. "My name is Nixxin. Nice to meet you."
He looked at Util. "I already realize your sword's power. You're from that corny clan… Ironveil or Ironvein, something like that, right?"
Util struck his sword into the ground, scratching the edge with his hand. Blood flowed out and wrapped around it, forming a gauntlet.
"If I were from the Aurion clan it would be cooler, but I cannot change where I come from, can I?"
Nixxin stood up fully. "What are you planning? Going hand to hand?"
Util gripped the gauntlet harder, and blood from inside formed spikes along the knuckles.
"Are you sure?"
Nixxin launched himself forward, his fist aimed straight at Util. The air shifted violently as his attack cut through it, carrying a force that made the ground tremble slightly. Util reacted immediately, bringing both hands up to block. The impact rattled him back, and he realized just how strong Nixxin's strike truly was.
Nixxin's eyes narrowed, calculating the next move. With his free hand, he grabbed his tie and, in one quick motion, looped it around Util's wrist, holding it tight enough to limit his movement. Then, pressing down with his foot, he stepped on Util's other foot to stop him from backing away.
Before Util could adjust, Nixxin drove his fist into his side, causing him to stumble. Nixxin leapt forward, following with a strike aimed at Util's chest. Util twisted, trying to evade, but Nixxin's timing was precise. He stayed close, controlling the movement and keeping Util off balance.
Util struggled, finally freeing his hand from the tie, but Nixxin was already moving faster than he could respond. He reached down, grasped the sword firmly in the ground, and pulled it free in one fluid motion. With a sharp swing, he struck with perfect control. A bright flash erupted as the sword vanished from the battlefield, leaving no trace.
In the next moment, Util reappeared at his second tower, fully restored and alert. Nixxin stepped back, exhaling. Ardent hates violence, but I have to admit… I am kind of enjoying this.
He shifted his focus to the minions ahead. The battlefield was chaotic, the smaller fighters clashing in groups. More were coming, rushing in from multiple lanes, threatening to overwhelm anyone who lingered.
Nixxin's focus sharpened. He moved quickly and decisively through the first wave. Each strike counted, precise and controlled. He cleared the minions efficiently, leaving none standing. He scanned ahead, spotting the next group of reinforcements, ready to adapt to the flow of the fight.