Chapter 90: Showdown with Stepping Man – part five

Hmph Then lets see what youve learned from this short back and forth.

Nargava calmly approached Nick again.

Karan was about to jump forward, before Nick signaled with his eyes for her to step down.

Nick

Leave it to me.

And then, they traded fists once again.

Guh!

In just a brief second, a clear difference became visible.

Nick was thrown back several meters, as his partners looked on, perplexed.

Nick!

Sem was about to run towards him, but just as Nick was about to hit the floor, he briskly turned his body and landed on his feet.

U-uh?

Im fine.

Much to Sems surprise, Nick casually slapped the dust off his knees. He did not seem to have received much damage.

Did you really learn it in this short amount of time?

Who knows? Maybe?

Damn you!

Nargava punched once again with overwhelming pressure, and Nick was sent flying like a childrens toy.

Jyah!

Nargava then followed him to deliver another raging attack. His first step seemed to almost crack the floor, and in just a blink, he was once again in front of Nick. He dropped his heel with the same lack of hesitation as if he was crushing a berry, but Nick dodged it by rolling to the side.

Nick used Light Body to skillfully and freely move around, but Nargavas attack soon followed.

They were once again face to face, and once again, Nick was sent flying by Nargavas fists.

Ops.

And once again, Nick stuck the landing like a cat.

This is making me dizzy. Its not something I can just use over and over again, is it?

You learned vector control in the middle of our fight?

Nargava was visibly shocked.

Vector control?

Its also called Kakei. Its a way to defend against attacks by controlling your weight in tune with the flow of your opponents attacks. By using magic to weaken and lighten your muscles, and go with the flow, its possible to receive attacks as if you were a feather or a dried leaf, and minimize damage.

Im still not perfect at it though.

Its still the perfect way to defend against Heavy Body blows.

Thats what I figured.

In contrast to Nargava, Nick seemed satisfied.

Its not just Light Body, youre using Heavy Body when you step forward to attack. And contrary to what Im doing, you use Heavy Body to defend against my attacks.

Ah, I just realized something. Are you using Heavy Body when you move using wires too?

Nargava had a stern expression on his face, but sighed quietly.

Surprisingly, he answered Nicks question calmly.

By switching between Light Body and Heavy Body, I can create an irregular trajectory, or chant them at the same time and shift my center of gravity.

I use vector control and move with the flow, or use it to create my own flow. When I mastered these two things, the path to Stepping was opened for me.

Stepping? Ive never heard of that.

Did she decide you havent reached the level to tell you yet, or that you should reach it by yourself In any case, how did you notice?

Nick responded to Nargava as if they were having a casual conversation.

Ive learned a lot of fighting techniques, and I can more or less tell someones weight when fighting them. The feeling I was getting and what I was seeing didnt match, so I started thinking about why.

I see.

So You told me youd teach me, so how about another lesson?

No, Ive talked too much already. I consider it a gift for someone that is about to depart to the other world, but anymore would be cruel. Also Its not like you can oppose me just because you know what I do.

Yeah, I dont think I can win just because I studied a little bit If we didnt have to fight on equal terms that is.

Nick adjusted his breathing.

A skilled sorcerer, more agile than a monkey, and a heavyweight fighter combined But still a human. Thats all there is to it. Theres no problem.

Nick started twisting his fingers and wrists to check the softness of his joints.

It was his declaration that the real fight was about to start.

Do it if you can.

Ive learned very well how scary you are. Nows my turn to teach you something.

Nonsense. Try whatever you want, its useless.

Nargava bumped his fists, and so did Nick.

They were too close for everyone else to come to Nicks aid, and Nargava made his move.

Black Blades!

Nargava pulled his fist back to make it seem like he was going to throw a punch, but instead jumped back and cast offensive magic.

He wanted to fire sharp obsidian rocks at Nick, who instead jumped in further than Nargavas retreat to close in on him.

Nick turned Nargavas palm just as he was about to activate his spell, leading to the rocks being fired in a different direction.

If I can read your eyes, hands, mouth, and magic energy, I can read your magic. Youre not an adventurer or a brawler, and you received proper training as a knight. That kind of misdirection is too standard.

Wha!?

Nargava was surprised, but attacked with the heel of his left palm.

However, Nicks movements were even craftier.

Not yet!

Punch, kick, palm strike, magic.

Every single one of Nargavas attacks was being dealt with. Nick was not receiving any of his punches or kicks head-on, instead dodging his heavy attacks at weird angles.

Magic Response is really useful. I can tell when youre about to use magic just by touching you. Im really starting to realize how great it is in battle.

Kuh!

Nargava used Heavy Body and attacked with all his might.

I couldnt really get a grip before because you switched between heavy and light, but now that I know how it works, its nothing special.

The punch was so sharp it sent part of Nicks leather armor flying, but failed to even graze his skin.

Nargavas stretched arm was also a good target for Nick.

Got you.

Nuu!

Nicks arm wrapped around Nargavas like a snake. Nargava tried to shake him off using Heavy Body, but Nick skillfully read his movements and wrapped himself even further.

Sharah!

As he hugged Nargavas arm, Nick raised his lower body, and attacked Nargavas neck with his legs, like a scythe.

Guh Gah!

Strangleholds and locking techniques dont work too well on monsters, but they sure help when fighting people!

Guooooooh!

Nick was putting all of his body weight on this technique, but Nargava was not going down, and tried with all he had to tear Nick off him.

The sound of heavy breathing and skin chafing echoed throughout the abandoned factory. White breath fluttered, and sweat dripped on the floor.

Its over.

Whispered Karan as she watched closely, and shortly after, Nargavas body collapsed.

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