Chapter 10 Duel Of Shadows
Vaelith’s POV
The assassins treated the duel like an execution.
I was dragged from Nysera’s tent shortly after the duel was announced while dozens of masked assassins watched silently from around the camp.
Some looked curious. Most looked eager to see me die.
Honestly, I was starting to miss monsters.
At least monsters attacked openly.
One assassin shoved me forward roughly.
“Move.”
“I am moving.”
Another one untied my wrists before pushing open the flap of a smaller tent.
“Prepare him.”
I stepped inside carefully. The interior was simple. Dark armor pieces rested on a wooden table while several weapons lined the walls. A preparation tent.
Or as assassins apparently called it a dressing tent. One female assassin crossed her arms while glaring at me.
“You should pray.”
I raised an eyebrow.
“To who?”
She looked genuinely annoyed that I asked.
Another assassin tossed dark combat clothes toward me.
“Wear those.”
I caught the clothing easily. Comfortable.
Lightweight. Built for movement.
Honestly better than what I’d been wearing recently.
After becoming the Dungeon Core, fashion had not exactly remained a priority. I changed quickly while the assassins continued staring at me like vultures waiting for a corpse.
One eventually scoffed.
“You don’t seem scared.”
“I’m trying something new called optimism.”
“You’re fighting Nysera.”
“And?”
The assassin stared at me blankly.
“And you’re going to die.”
“…That part does sound less optimistic.”
A few of them snorted quietly. At least assassins still appreciated sarcasm.
Once I finished preparing, they escorted me back outside.
The camp had changed. Torches surrounded a massive circular arena in the center while masked assassins gathered around it silently. The atmosphere felt heavy.
Vark immediately noticed me from nearby.
The goblin was still tied to a wooden pole while two assassins guarded him.
“MASTER!”
I walked toward him carefully. One assassin immediately blocked my path.
“Stay back.”
“He’s literally tied up.”
“Orders.”
I sighed quietly. Then crouched near Vark anyway.
The goblin looked unusually serious.
“Master must not kill lady assassin.”
I blinked once.
“…What?”
“Pretty knife lady strong.”
“She’s trying to murder me.”
Vark nodded confidently.
“Yes.”
“…Glad we agree.”
The goblin leaned closer.
“She good alliance.”
I stared at him blankly.
“Alliance? She challenged me to a duel to the death.”
“Romantic.”
I closed my eyes briefly.
“Vark.”
“Yes, Master?”
“You understand absolutely nothing about humans.”
The goblin puffed out his chest proudly.
“Correct.”
I rubbed my forehead tiredly.
Still… part of me understood what Vark meant. Nysera was dangerous.
Skilled. Respected. And clearly important within this organization.
An ally like her would be valuable.
Unfortunately, she also wanted me dead.
So unless she suddenly developed severe memory loss during the duel, alliance seemed unlikely.
I stood slowly.
“No holding back,” I muttered quietly.
Vark immediately looked horrified.
“MASTER NO KILL PRETTY LADY!”
“I’ll try my best to preserve her beauty.”
The assassins nearby looked deeply confused by our conversation.
Honestly, fair enough. A loud bell suddenly echoed through the camp.
The crowd fell silent instantly.
Then, Nysera stepped into the arena.
And the atmosphere changed completely.
Dark combat clothing wrapped tightly around her body while twin swords rested at her waist. No mask this time.
Her blue eyes scanned the arena calmly before finally landing on me. Sharp.
Confident. Dangerous.
The assassins immediately began chanting softly around the arena.
“Nysera.”
“Nysera.”
“Nysera.”
Ah. So this was definitely not a fair fight.
Nysera slowly stepped into the center of the arena before speaking calmly.
“You ready to die?”
I walked into the arena opposite her.
“I was hoping for a more cheerful greeting.”
A faint smirk touched her lips. Then disappeared instantly.
One assassin raised a hand sharply.
“Death Duel Begins!”
The moment his hand dropped, Nysera vanished. Fast.
My instincts exploded instantly.
CLANG!
Steel collided against steel as I blocked her blade with one of the practice swords they’d given me. The impact surprised me.
Strong. Far stronger than the scout assassin from before.
Nysera twisted beautifully before slashing toward my neck again. I leaned backward narrowly. The blade sliced through strands of my silver hair.
The assassins around us erupted excitedly.
“She’s pushing him back!”
“Kill him, Nysera!”
Nysera attacked again immediately.
No hesitation. No wasted movement.
Her swords flowed like water through the air, each strike connecting smoothly into the next.
I blocked another slash before stepping sideways quickly.
“Sheesh,” I muttered. “You really enjoy stabbing people.”
Nysera’s eyes narrowed.
“You talk too much.”
She lunged forward again. The arena echoed with continuous collisions.
I could already tell something important.
Nysera wasn’t stronger than me physically.
But her combat experience was terrifying.
She fought like someone raised entirely for killing. Nysera suddenly spun sharply before driving her heel into my chest.
The impact pushed me backward several meters.
The assassins cheered loudly.
Nysera pointed one sword toward me calmly.
“You’re distracted.”
I brushed dust from my clothes.
“You kick hard.”
“I kill harder.”
Then she attacked again. Her blades flashed toward my throat repeatedly while her footwork became nearly impossible to predict.
The crowd erupted louder.
Even Vark screamed excitedly.
“MASTER STOP GETTING CUT!”
“I’M WORKING ON IT!”
A sword suddenly sliced across my shoulder. Pain stung sharply.
Nysera smirked faintly.
“Slow.”
Something inside me shifted instantly.
Enough playing around. Crimson mana pulsed beneath my skin softly. The atmosphere around the arena changed immediately.
Nysera noticed first.
Her expression sharpened.
“…Finally.”
I moved.
BOOM!
The ground cracked beneath my feet as I vanished forward instantly. Nysera’s eyes widened. I appeared directly beside her before she could react fully. Then grabbed her wrist. Hard.
Her sword fell instantly. The entire arena went silent. Nysera twisted sharply, trying to escape. I blocked her second blade easily before kicking her backward.
She crashed across the arena violently.
Several assassins stood immediately.
“No way…”
Nysera slowly rose again, breathing harder now. Her eyes locked onto mine carefully.
No arrogance anymore. Only focus.
Good. She attacked again anyway.
Fearless. I respected that. I shattered one of her blades instantly.
Nysera’s eyes widened.
Then I grabbed her remaining sword arm and slammed her against the arena floor. Dust exploded everywhere.
The crowd fell completely silent.
Nysera struggled briefly beneath me before stopping.
A broken blade rested against her throat now. One movement.
That was all it would take.
The assassins around us slowly reached for their weapons.
Nysera stared directly into my eyes.
Then laughed softly.
“…Just kill me already.”
I tightened my grip slightly.
Then paused.
Vark’s earlier words echoed through my head. Nysera would be useful.
And honestly… I was tired of killing everyone I met.
Nysera frowned slightly when I didn’t strike.
“…Wh
at are you waiting for?”
I slowly lowered the broken blade. The assassins around the arena immediately became tense.
Confused whispers spread everywhere.
Nysera looked genuinely stunned.
“…Why?”
I stared down at her calmly.
Then finally answered.
“You could be a good alliance.”
Nysera looked completely confused.
