Child of Destiny

...…

The grasses surrounding Shin were dancing violently as they were being blown by the power gust of wind that followed his insanely fast charge just earlier.

The [Dawn's Mantle] that Shin was wearing kept on fluctuating along with the gusting wind which made this sight even more amazing to the eyes of all of the players watching this scene.

Meanwhile, Roger was sent flying towards the edge of the grass field where a bunch of trees were located. And after colliding with a couple of them, he finally stopped flying backwards but was immediately buried by a bunch of broken branches and tree trunks along with the scattering leaves in the air.

This scene lasted for a few moments before some movements were shown on the file of broken trees. Roger stood with a great difficulty while pushing a couple of tree trunks burying him.

But despite his struggling look, he didn't seem to suffer any serious damage from that powerful strike. In fact, his Health Bar was pretty healthy with full health points – it was as if he didn't get hit by a destructive attack just now.

Regardless, he still looked at Shin with a very surprised expression on his face. He really didn't expect that kind of speed explosion earlier. "What a beast! If I didn't activate my protective barrier at that time, I am most likely lying on my deathbed right now."

Then his face suddenly turned solemn as he realized that Shin really meant what he just said earlier. "Looks like I am in a very tough spot right now, huh? I guess normal means are not going to be effective this time."

Roger started hopping out from the pile of broken trees before walking back on the grass field. And when he arrived at the spot where he could see Shin clearly, he immediately stopped before saying. "I have my reasons for not revealing my dual identity to the public. Isn't it the same why you are hiding behind that mask? So, I guess, we are pretty much the same."

Shin suddenly smirked the moment he heard that and asked. "So, are you still going to refuse? Are you sure you are not going to reveal your true strength?"

When he saw that Roger just shrugged his shoulders, Shin immediately shook his head and said. "There are no secrets that will last forever. Even the secrets of the dead are being uncovered by some people of the present."

"That guy you hired to act as your other identity is most likely a skilled player given that he is also invited to participate in this tournament. But for sure, his secret is going to be uncovered by some intelligent ones sooner or later."

"So~… why not take this opportunity now and announce to the world who you really are?"

Roger started shaking his head as he heard Shin's words as he found it ridiculous. He then raised his head and stared at Shin with a sneering look on his face while saying. "My reason for hiding my identity is more important than face and influence that I am going to get."

Shin pursed his lips a little the moment he heard that. Then he shook his head helplessly before saying. "Then there is no point for us to continue this fight. You know for yourself that you can't beat me with only those guns that you have."

Roger started smiling bitterly as he knew for himself that what Shin was saying was true. He might be strong against other melee players; especially with his god-like aiming skills. But this guy in front of him was the perfect bane of his style.

That insane speed and precise movements completely countered battle techniques. And the proof was shown just earlier. Though, the outcome might be a little different if he used his real strength.

While Roger was caught in a dilemma, he suddenly heard Shin's voice, saying. "Then how about let's have a deal?"

Roger was suddenly taken aback with those words as he immediately raised his head and looked at Shin, continuing to listen at the latter's next words.

"How about we decide this fight with a one and final strike? Both of us are going to put everything we have on a single attack and whoever comes on top will-… of course, going to be the winner."

"But the loser is going to grant a single wish of the victor. What do you think?"

Roger suddenly turned silent the moment he heard the proposal. The conditions were good; in fact, it was pretty much favorable for him – which was somewhat suspicious. So, he asked. "And your condition is?"

Shin shrugged his shoulders and said. "I am not an unreasonable person. So~, I am not going to ask much. Just having a private match against me will do. But of course, with you using your real strength."

Such a simple condition really surprised Roger so he couldn't help but ask further. "Is that all? Are you sure that is all you want?"

If it was some people for Super Guilds or Powerhouse Guild, they were most likely going to offer a slave contract to rope him on their guilds.

Shin chuckled a little the moment he heard that, so he immediately said. "What more should I ask? I am only playing this game just for fun since my brother keeps on pestering me to play it with him."

"But after some time, I started to like and enjoy it since I can fight a lot of strong and talented guys in this game. Especially when I discovered how big the gap between me and my brother is. And when I learn that even the other sworn brother of mine is as strong as him, it makes me feel like rushing some things a little."

"So, if I want to catch up at them as soon as possible, I need to challenge my limits inside this game and continue to battle every strong player that I am going to encounter. That way, I can at least lessen the gap between us little by little."

Shin suddenly paused after reaching this point before chuckling once again. Then he looked at Roger before following what he just said. "I don't know why I am saying this, but I really like honing my skills while battling against some strong individuals. And my instincts are telling me that I really need to fight you with all your strength-... if I want to find the thing that I am looking for."

Meanwhile, Roger was completely shocked after hearing all of that – especially when he heard that part about Shin's brothers. He couldn't help but see himself on Shin the moment he heard those words.

He then started smiling bitterly before agreeing with the deal. "Alright, let's do it as you said then."

Shin smiled after hearing that. Then he started taking his signature sword-drawing stance while asking. "We are not going to summon the system to form a contract?"

Seeing that Shin was already getting ready for his powerful strike, Roger immediately hopped a couple of steps back to get his ideal distance to attack. At the same time, both of his hands seemed to be dismantling his magic pistols and changing their forms. Then threw both of the pistols in the air with one following the other.

After that, he quickly pulled the magic rifle hanging on this back before catching one of the falling pistols and quickly putting it on the long muzzle of the sniper rifle.

He just finished his movements when the other magic pistol was about to reach the other. Seeing that, he immediately flipped the magic rifle and caught it with his right hand before stomping it on the falling pistol.

Click! Clank! Clank!

After a couple of locking sounds, the rifle that Roger was currently holding got a huge transformation. It now had a twin muzzle and barrel with one being on the top of the other. At the same time, both of those barrels were shining with alternating red and blue lights, signifying that the gun was loaded with a powerful mana.

"I guess we don't need that contract for now. I am a man of my words. And since I can feel that you are the same, then I can say that I can trust you with this deal," said Roger while pointing the muzzle of his new rifle at Shin while accumulating an even more powerful mana on it.

Shin started smiling the moment he heard that and said. "If that is what you want, then let's go for it."

Bang!

And right after those words left his mouth, a powerful suction force was summoned from Shin's body and immediately started absorbing the surrounding mana towards his sheathed sword.

Bang!

And due to how powerful this suction force was, the ground beneath Shin's feet suddenly sunk which created a small crater below Shin.

Both Shin and Roger waited for their weapons to reach its mana accumulation on its peak before making sure that their opponents were ready to unleash their respective moves anytime.

And when the right time finally arrived, both of them immediately released the accumulated powers on their weapons at the same time.

BOOM!

ZONG!

Roger pulled the trigger of his special rifle, releasing a very powerful beam of light that charged towards Shin.

On the other hand, Shin rapidly switched from sheathing and unsheathing his sword as he sent a bunch of consecutive sword waves towards the incoming beam of light – with a stronger one following the other.

Shing! Shing! Shing!

Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!

No matter how confused the audience was about what was happening, all of them still couldn't help but admire the stunning sight that was created on this scene.

And even if they were unaware about the thing that Shin and Roger had discussed, they could at least tell that the two semifinalists seemed to come with an agreement to decide the winner of this fight with this one last attack.

Having this feeling, every didn't dare to blink their eyes as they fixed their gazes on this particular exchange and waited for the outcome of this match that they about to witnessed

BOOM!!!

...…