Death's Disciple [Sys Apoc, OP Villain MC, LitRPG] Chapter 34: 1.34 Victory?

Read chapter 34 of Death's Disciple [Sys Apoc, OP Villain MC, LitRPG] by TTReynolds on NovelPedia.

1.34 Victory? Chapter 34 Before, I had always been holding back, hiding my skills and maximum output. Restraining my body to never use my full strength. It was a calculated choice in order not to draw attention to me, keep people from asking too many questions. Now, that was out the window. I had no one to hide from. No Lucilla over my shoulder or Natalya trying to read my aura and skills. Which was good, because I needed to let loose in order to survive. Whoever this person was, it was clear to me from the start that they were in a whole different league. The grind of metal on metal filled the chamber as I intercepted the dagger thrust aimed at me, throwing it to the side. I moved to try adding a punch as a counter, but found the strange ice-elf already kicking out at my head in a mimicry out my own kick just seconds before. I ducked and twisted, batting away the back swing of the dagger and sharply bringing my knee up into their gut using the full momentum of my body and every bit of force I could muster. My kneecap sank an inch into their stomach before they were launched across the floor in a tumble. They rolled and returned to their feet within moments, and I was already on them, sword flashing out. Lightning quick, they moved to block, just as I pulled back and sent my fist into their mask with my other hand. A satisfying twack! sounded as their head snapped back from the force. I sent another fist, then a kick, each sending the masked ice-elf flailing. Mana hardened around the edge of my sword, extending out almost six inches past the tip. The added distance should have helped, but the elf managed to recover and began blocking by targeting the mana blade with their dagger instead. Weapons, fists, kicks, all were traded back and forth between us in rapid succession, our movements blurring even in my own vision sometimes, forcing me to rely on my instincts. Despite my massive dexterity and boosted strength, the damn elf managed to still keep up with attack after attack. Just who is this motherfucker? Minor wounds were exchanged as the fight went on. I began to gain a few cuts, some bruising from a fist or foot. My high vitality took the brunt of the attacks at first, my endurance holding strong against the abuse. But it didn’t last forever, no matter how tough I thought I might be, the damned ice-elf kept surprising me. He had fighting experience beyond me, that was plain as day. As plain as a nothing bagel, sans cream cheese. Even with years of melee martial arts, I couldn’t keep up. Techniques and maneuvers I had never seen before came at me, and I was forced to retreat defensively. That’s when he pulled another dagger from behind his back. Well shit. Mystery-man began to glow a strange green energy, his presence suddenly spiking to my [Aura Mastery] senses, going from a tiny flame to build up into the fire as large as Barry’s, and then even beyond that. My mana spiked in response, pushing my skills to their limit. I wasn’t certain if our auras could be felt from down below, but I couldn’t risk holding back, or else I would lose. I just hoped the distance and thick stone walls were enough to block it. Blood began to leak from my cuts as I pushed my [Blood Manipulation] skill towards only boosting my body instead of holding back my wounds from bleeding. The warmth dripping over my skin was noticeable almost instantly. I guess I’m hurt more than I realized, I thought to myself as I watched droplets of blood hit the stones beneath me. That was a mistake. In the split second I looked down, my opponent had moved. Sparks sprayed into the air as I parried the first dagger, my torso and arm twisting as the second was thrust at me right after. I winced, the blade grazing my side, and I clamped my hand around his forearm, holding it in place. I brought my sword down, aimed at his elbow, ready to cut the limb from his body. Just as the blade was inches from his arm, that green energy pulsed explosively, sending a massive wave outw