Chapter 102: Battle of honor

“Can I ask you why this sudden idea for a battle?” Luke asked, watching his father prepare.

The man slowly removed the stump covering his amputated arm.

Gustav hummed. “Are you not aware of the old traditions where men fought, and the victor claimed anything from the defeated?”

Luke rubbed the back of his head. “So I am taking mother away from you through this battle?”

Gustav grinned. “You are quite confident in yourself, it seems.” Taking out his knife, he added, “There was a time when the chief personally asked me to work for him. Come, son. Let me show you why I was once among the most feared hunters of this village.”

Luke did not take it lightly. He could tell the man was at half his strength, not just because his left arm was missing, but also because he had not gone hunting in a long time.

However, ’Who would believe that while looking at that stance?’ Luke grinned as he watched the man settle into position, sharp and composed, leaving no visible opening.

’Hmm… system. Appraise him… or no, let it be.’ He would not rely on his magical skills for this battle.

Taking out the same knife Gustav had crafted for him years ago, Luke took his stance as well.

A battle of honor.

Their eyes locked, and without warning, both men sprinted toward each other.

Luke was caught off guard when the old man slipped under his dominant arm, his knife flashing.

A diagonal cut, aimed straight at his ribs.

Luke snickered and brought his blade down in a sharp arc, knocking the attack aside.

However, he froze for a fraction of a second when the old man let go of the knife from the impact, making him wonder if he had struck too hard.

It was a feint.

“…!!”

Gustav surged forward, his hand shooting for Luke’s throat as his leg swept in to take his footing, only for Luke to leap away at the exact moment.

Luke slammed his hand against the underside of his opponent’s arm, knocking it away before driving his knee forward.

Gustav had no choice but to jump back, narrowly avoiding a crushing blow to his gut.

The two men settled into another standstill, both now without their blades.

Gustav grinned. “You threw your knife away on purpose, didn’t you?”

Luke shrugged. “I can tell you’re holding back too…” he muttered, massaging his throat. It still felt heavy, and knowing the man’s strength, Luke understood that Gustav could have done far worse.

Gustav chuckled, then picked up the stump he had discarded earlier. “Let’s see how you fare this time.”

Luke raised both fists before his chest and gave a small nod.

Gustav lunged forward, swinging the stump in a brutal arc aimed at his shoulder.

Luke lifted his arm and took the hit on his forearm, then twisted that same arm to catch Gustav’s limb.

“Not so cheeky, my boy.” Gustav slipped free like a fish before Luke could land his punch.

In the same motion, Gustav spun on his heel and drove his leg up in a clean arc.

Thud

It connected.

Luke winced as the kick snapped into his chin. He had been leaning forward mid-punch, and the impact caught him clean.

Staggering back, he rubbed his chin. “Old man… how are you moving so smoothly?”

Gustav grinned. “A hunter may fall out of practice, but he never forgets how to hunt.”

Luke smirked. “Not bad… but I intend to finish this now.”

Gustav lowered his stance, muscles tightening, eyes sharp as he beckoned. “Come at me.”

He took a deep breath, then poured strength into his legs and burst forward.

Gustav’s eyes widened. ’That speed…’

His body moved on instinct, arm rising to block the incoming punch.

But Luke had already read him.

The punch turned into a feint.

“Got you!”

Luke flared his arms apart, seized Gustav’s head, and yanked it down while driving his knee upward in the same motion.

Gustav was no easy prey.

His fingers shot forward, stiff as spears, and struck straight into Luke’s mid-chest.

“Khuk!”

The blow knocked the breath out of him. His momentum shattered as he staggered back.

Gustav laughed. “You lost your chance!”

He pushed off his left leg and drove his right foot straight into Luke’s chest, aiming to send him crashing down, but—

Dhak

Gustav froze for a fraction of a second, a hum of surprise leaving him when the result did not come as expected.

The kick landed, yes… however, Luke remained standing.

Gustav’s surprise twisted into alarm as Luke caught his retreating ankle and yanked him forward. His center of gravity broke instantly.

His face was dragged closer, inch by inch, toward Luke’s incoming fist.

No guard. No escape.

Gustav closed his eyes, accepting the end.

But instead of impact, he felt only a light tap of knuckles against his brow.

“Hmm? Couldn’t finish the battle?” Gustav asked, tilting his head as he looked at Luke.

Luke exhaled and helped the old man steady himself. “I would call it a draw. That strike to my chest… if it had landed a few breaths higher, I would have been dead.”

Gustav snickered. “Stop being modest, boy. You won this fair and square. Don’t think I didn’t notice how you avoided using both hands most of the time.”

Luke said nothing to that, only offering a quiet smile.

Gustav hummed and rested a hand on Luke’s shoulder.

The same scrawny child who once feared stepping into the sun, who trembled at the sight of a fish being cut, had changed.

Now, before him stood a young man.

A hunter.

In his eyes burned the hunger every hunter needed.

The hunger to learn. To grow.

“Well, you’ve won,” Gustav said. “So now, you’ve earned the right to stand as Monica’s partner.”

Luke’s shoulders loosened. “Father… I promise I will never stop caring for you.”

Gustav chuckled. “I know.”

He gave Luke one last firm pat on the shoulder, then turned.

“Come on. Let’s head back. I’m sure a good meal is waiting for us.”

•••••••

A/N:- I am not very confident in my battle scenes. Rate it in the comments.

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