Adopted Soldier

Lyner and Arthur were moving in speeds that no human eye could follow. If a normal person saw them fighting they would only see blurry figures moving around, and confused them for ghost. Lyner knew the moment Arthur attacked that he wasn't going at his top speed. So to be able to match up to the old man's speed Lyner needed to lose some of the things that weighed him down, which were his guns and sword.

Still Lyner was amazed at the way the old man moved, there was no excessive movement at all. He uses the least amount of strength as he attacks. It was obvious from the start that Lyner had an overwhelming advantage in strength, but Arthur made up for that with experience and skill.

While Lyner was being amazed by how an old man like Arthur was able to fight the way he did, Arthur was also amazed by how Lyner was fighting.

In Arthur's eyes Lyner was like an animal who moved on instinct. Though he did use techniques every now and then, Lyner's core fighting style was relying on his monstrous capabilities. Well if you have the same speed, endurance, strength and animal instincts as Lyner you wouldn't really need the use of technique. You could simply wave your arm around and your enemies will die.

Once the two were done sizing each other up, they upped their speed. Arthur started throwing rocks at Lyner again using his toes, and kicking them towards Lyner, who evaded everything. The speed of the rocks was so fast that bullets shot from a gun look like turtles. Not only that the power of each rock throw was able to penetrate the pyramid like structure behind Lyner.

Seeing this, Lyner then started to throw his knives not at Arthur but at the surrounding statues and trees. After a few throws the whole area was now like a spider web. The wires attached to the knives were so thin, that it was impossible to see with the naked eye.

Arthur was finally put to a halt. Lyner who was about to attack noticed something happening to the old man. Arthur's veins were starting to bulge a bit, Lyner knew what this move was, it was the pseudo-RELEASE form Matthew showed him, yet this one actually looked more contained.

Once Arthur was in the pseudo-RELEASE form he stomped on the ground actually making it shake. Not only that a huge dust cloud was formed, spreading throughout the area. The once invisible wires were now clearly visible. When he was done doing this, Arthur went back into his normal state and evaded the wires as he dashed towards Lyner who couldn't help but smile and laugh.

"This is amazing old man!" Lyner dashed towards Arthur as well evading his own wire trap. Once the two were face to face, they started to attack in close quarters. Lyner was now weaponless and faced Arthur with nothing but his fist. Lyner with his superior speed and strength was pushing Arthur, but only for a little while. After a few punches and kicks, Arthur was finally able to understand Lyner's rhythm and using that knowledge he not only perfectly evade his strikes he was able to redirect them as well. Still even with this new advantage he wasn't able to hit Lyner who with his animal like instincts allowed him to evade all the strikes heading his way.

This deadlock went on for a few minutes, as the two punched, kicked, stabbed, sliced, chop using their hands. The two didn't noticed that the wires Lyner placed all around were nowhere to be seen. This happened because the statues and trees Lyner stabbed into were now gone. They were either pulverized or sliced apart.

The two SS rank mercs were so concentrated in battle that they didn't notice the destruction they had done to the environment, and a historical site. Lyner who was having the time of his life, finally noticed that the old man was slowing down as the fight went on.

What he didn't noticed was that Arthur wasn't slowing down, it was just Lyner's technique was improving making him able to somehow predict Arthur's next move. The old man also noticed the change happening to Lyner, he was actually evolving in battle. His every movement was getting more and more efficient. Lyner's excessive movement was slowly disappearing. Now not only did Lyner had the strength his technique improved as well.

It was at this moment Arthur finally understood, why Lyner was called the monster of the battlefield. Arthur who was once again being pushed into a corner needed to make an important decision. He would either continue this battle until one of them dies, or he could surrender and fight again another day. It didn't take much time before Arthur made his decision, as he raised his hands.

"I give up." Lyner who was about to punch Arthur in the face stopped before he could even hit. The sheer wind pressure from Lyner's punch was able to make Arthur's soggy skin flap a little. Arthur decided to give up, since if he died today who would protect his country from humans such as Lyner and the great one of the Granado Empire. It was not his time yet, as there was no one to replace him.

"Why!? Why are you giving up old man, just when it was getting exciting!" Lyner actually looked really frustrated as he said this. It has been a long time since he has fought someone at the same level as him, and it ended in such an anticlimactic way which really irritated him.

"I know my limits young one. Unlike you I am old and tired, I can no longer fight for long periods of time. Knowing this, I already foresaw the ending of our battle. I'm sorry young one, if I was at least twenty years younger we could have had a better battle."

Lyner hearing Arthur's answer clenched his fist and bit his lower lip, after which he sighed. Lyner then picked up his weapons and showed his back to Arthur.

"Since you admitted your defeat, I hope you do not interfere with my plans tomorrow."

"Of course, I will listen to the victor."

"Fine then old man. I'm leaving but we'll be having a rematch, and when that time comes don't hold back, and show me your killing moves. Also make sure to bandage your right shoulder." When he was done saying this Lyner left the area. Arthur who saw Lyner's figure disappear started to smile.

"Heh, so he noticed." Arthur was holding back his killer moves, since he wanted to save a trump card or two from Lyner. He wasn't sure if they would actually face each other in life or death battle, but it was a good thing not to show all his cards on the table. Still Arthur couldn't figure out what Lyner meant at the end. As if timed the moment Arthur thought of this, his right shoulder suddenly gushed out blood. His right shoulder blade was also dislocated. Arthur pressed some pressure points using his left hand to stop the bleeding.

'He was able to attack me so cleanly without me noticing.' Arthur who had lived for more than a hundred years, after so long felt his blood boiling in excitement.

'If only I met you sixty years ago, I'm sure I would have reached greater heights... What am I saying I'm still young, a hundred and sixty eight years old isn't that old. I'm sure I can live for another hundred years more. I can still keep on going, I can still get stronger.' With renewed vigor Arthur started to train harder than before.