Chapter 168: Duel Versus A Legend! 1

BOOM!

The ground beneath Damian’s feet exploded as he surged forward, Longtian cutting through the air with a magnificent draconic hum.

Across the battlefield, Cantarea’s powerful hooves struck the rocky terrain, launching her enormous body into a sweeping lateral gallop as she raised her resplendent purple bow.

Both combatants had moved simultaneously!

However, Damian had already begun his preparations during that first explosive charge.

<Guidance>!

<Resistance>!

Two Divine Cantrips settled over his body, their familiar effects reinforcing his already extraordinary capabilities without consuming any Divine Spell Slots.

With his current Intelligence and Wisdom, Guidance increased his Attributes by 76% for 78.6 seconds, while Resistance provided an equally impressive 76% reduction to incoming damage for the same duration.

Such bonuses would be absurd upon an ordinary Adept.

Upon Damian, whose physical Attributes had already undergone tremendous development through cultivation and Demonic Plundering, they elevated his immediate combat capabilities to a thoroughly frightening level!

Naturally, those weren’t his only advantages.

<Athlete> reduced the Stamina expenditure of his physical actions by fifty percent, allowing him to sustain aggressive movement and weapon combat without exhausting himself prematurely.

<Martial Adept> provided a further 43.10% damage enhancement to compatible physical Skills, while <Dueling> tripled eligible one-handed weapon damage as long as his other hand remained free.

And Longtian was precisely such a weapon!

Damian tightened his right-hand grip around the magnificent sword, leaving his left hand unoccupied as he continued accelerating across the rocky valley.

His <Perfect Combat Instinct> was equally valuable, integrating his extraordinary awareness and intelligence into immediate physical responses.

It couldn’t reveal attacks he hadn’t perceived, but it allowed him to interpret available information and react with a degree of efficiency that ordinary combatants could scarcely approach.

Finally, there was <Lucky>!

The Feat’s once-daily intervention could shift one eligible unfavorable outcome in Damian’s favor, although he had absolutely no intention of wasting such an extraordinary safeguard during the opening exchange.

Everything’s ready, so let’s see what this centaur can do!

Unfortunately, Cantarea had no intention of allowing him to approach uncontested.

TWANG!

The enormous bowstring released with a thunderous vibration, sending a purple arrow hurtling toward Damian’s chest at terrifying speed.

Then another, and another!

Three arrows crossed the intervening distance almost simultaneously, each following a slightly different trajectory designed to restrict Damian’s available evasive movements.

Damian’s eyes narrowed.

Hoh? She’s fast!

His first step shifted him away from the central projectile, while a sharp twist of his shoulders allowed the second to pass narrowly beside his head.

The third arrow approached from a more troublesome angle, forcing him to bring Longtian upward in a swift diagonal interception.

CLANG!

The collision produced an extraordinary burst of force!

Damian’s wrist trembled as the arrow struck his blade, its tremendous momentum transferring through Longtian before the projectile ricocheted into the nearby hillside.

BOOM!

A section of rock shattered beneath the impact, sending fragments scattering across the battlefield.

Damian’s eyebrows rose.

That was one hell of an arrow!

And Cantarea was already preparing another shot!

............

From the observation ridge, the Four Valkyries watched the opening exchange with increasingly serious expressions.

Paulina’s earlier confidence had diminished slightly when she witnessed the enormous force carried by Cantarea’s first volley.

Even with her enhanced Fighter physique, she doubted she could have intercepted those arrows without suffering considerable damage.

"The heck! That’s ridiculous! Those purple arrows are practically mini ballistae!" Paulina exclaimed, her ears standing upright as she followed the centaur’s movements.

Julia’s expression was considerably more troubled.

As an accomplished Ranger, she understood exactly how difficult Cantarea’s opening attack had been.

Releasing three powerful arrows within such a short interval was impressive enough, but controlling their trajectories to restrict an approaching opponent required a level of Archery mastery that far exceeded her own.

"She’s not simply firing quickly. Each shot is aimed at the position Damian would naturally move toward after avoiding the previous one," Julia explained, gripping her Elven Bow as she studied the exchange.

"If he misjudges even one of those movements, he’ll be forced to receive the next arrow directly!"

Eunice tightened her grip around her sacred mace.

Fortunately, Damian was already demonstrating that his recent improvements were hardly insignificant.

After deflecting the third arrow, he abruptly changed direction!

<Gale-Treading Steps>!

His refined Qi circulated through the appropriate meridians, allowing him to redirect his momentum with extraordinary precision.

Rather than continuing along the obvious approach, Damian accelerated diagonally across the uneven terrain, his boots barely disturbing the rocks beneath his feet.

Cantarea reacted immediately.

Her powerful lower body twisted, and she changed direction with such effortless smoothness that Damian momentarily wondered whether the woman possessed any concept of inertia!

What the hell?!

The centaur’s enormous body should have required considerable space to execute such a sharp turn, especially while traveling at that speed.

Yet Cantarea adjusted her movement almost instantaneously, maintaining perfect balance as she continued drawing her bow.

TWANG!

Another arrow erupted toward Damian.

He ducked beneath it before accelerating forward, covering an enormous distance through a combination of physical speed and perfected Qinggong.

However, Cantarea was already moving again!

Her hooves flashed across the rocky ground, carrying her away from his approach with such astonishing acceleration that the distance between them barely decreased.

Damian’s expression became increasingly interested.

Now that’s something special!

............

The Wild Court delegation was equally astonished, although for an entirely different reason.

Cantarea’s extraordinary speed was hardly a surprise to them.

As a Legend-level Windstrider, she possessed mobility that even other Legends struggled to match, and her reputation had been established through countless battles against powerful opponents.

What they couldn’t understand was how Damian kept up!

"Impossible! How is that human moving so quickly?!" one of the Fae Adepts exclaimed, watching Damian redirect his momentum across the battlefield.

Another member of the delegation frowned deeply.

"His movements don’t resemble ordinary Ranger or Rogue techniques. There’s something unusual about the way he transfers his momentum, almost as though he’s guiding his body through some completely foreign energy system," the Fae observed with obvious confusion.

Serra’s expression became particularly ugly.

She recognized those movements!

During her previous confrontation with Damian, she had witnessed the young man employ several unfamiliar techniques that appeared completely unrelated to Valorian Skills.

However, the precision and refinement he currently displayed were on an entirely different level from what she remembered.

How has he improved this much already?!

Unfortunately, she wasn’t about to receive an explanation.

Because Damian had finally managed to close the distance!

............

Cantarea released another arrow, aiming directly toward Damian’s approaching figure.

However, his body suddenly shifted with an almost imperceptible movement!

<Shadowless Passage>!

The technique suppressed many of the ordinary disturbances generated by his movements, allowing Damian to alter his trajectory without producing the obvious physical cues Cantarea had been using to anticipate his direction.

Her arrow passed narrowly beside him as Damian surged forward!

The distance between them collapsed from several dozen meters to less than ten, Longtian sweeping upward in a powerful sword strike.

<Seven-Turn Sword Art>!

The perfected technique unfolded with tremendous precision, its flowing movements incorporating the tremendous physical force provided by Damian’s Attributes and Feats.

SHING!

A brilliant sword arc flashed toward Cantarea’s exposed upper body!

However, the centaur woman’s eyes narrowed as she immediately recognized the danger, her powerful hooves striking the ground.

BOOM!

Cantarea’s enormous body suddenly shifted sideways with such astonishing speed that Damian’s blade passed within a hair’s breadth of her waist.

The resulting sword force continued forward, cutting through a nearby rock formation before dissipating into the surrounding air.

Damian’s eyes widened slightly.

She dodged that?!

His attack had been fast enough to overwhelm numerous accomplished Adepts, and even many Masters would have struggled to react in time.

Yet Cantarea had avoided it almost effortlessly!

Unfortunately, the centaur woman wasn’t finished.

Her powerful hindquarters twisted, bringing one muscular leg around in a devastating backward kick!

Damian immediately adjusted his stance.

Longtian swept downward, intercepting the approaching hoof with the reinforced flat of its blade.

CLANG!

An extraordinary impact erupted between them!

The ground beneath Damian cracked violently as he absorbed the force, his enhanced Constitution and Divine Resistance preventing the collision from overwhelming his defenses.

Nevertheless, the sheer physical power behind the attack forced him backward several meters.

His boots carved deep grooves through the rocky terrain before he finally stabilized himself.

Damian stared at Cantarea with genuine appreciation.

Bloody hell! She’s not just fast, she’s ridiculously strong too!

Meanwhile, Cantarea had already retreated, her bow once again raised as she prepared another volley.

The exchange had lasted only a few moments.

Yet both combatants had already demonstrated power far beyond what their apparent combat styles suggested!

............

Lord Roland watched the confrontation with his arms folded, his stern expression becoming increasingly thoughtful.

Beside him, Lady Selene rested one hand against her cheek, her beautiful purple eyes following Damian’s movements with unmistakable interest.

"Interesting. He’s using those foreign martial techniques again, but their execution has improved tremendously since his battle against Ravelhorn," Selene observed, her voice carrying a faint note of appreciation.

Roland nodded.

"Indeed. His balance, acceleration and control are extraordinary, especially considering that he’s fighting against someone whose entire Legend Class revolves around movement," the Lionman remarked, his gaze briefly settling upon Cantarea.

Selene smiled.

"Fleetfoot is particularly troublesome at that level. A Windstrider can maintain speeds that would throw most ordinary warriors completely off balance, and Cantarea’s equine physique makes her even more dangerous in open terrain," she explained, watching the centaur prepare another attack.

Roland’s expression remained solemn.

"However, Damian’s swordsmanship is equally exceptional. If he manages to corner her, that greatbow won’t provide much protection against that draconic sword," the Lionman replied thoughtfully.

Their discussion immediately attracted the attention of the nearby spectators.

Fleetfoot?!

Windstrider?!

Those unfamiliar with advanced Legend Classes exchanged astonished glances, finally beginning to understand why Cantarea possessed such extraordinary mobility.

However, the more knowledgeable individuals were considerably more interested in Damian.

After all, the young man was still an Adept!

And yet he was fighting a genuine Legend almost entirely through physical combat!

............

Cantarea’s next volley descended like a purple storm.

Five arrows tore through the air, their trajectories deliberately staggered to restrict Damian’s approach while forcing him into unfavorable positions.

Damian reacted instantly.

His perfected <Gale-Treading Steps> carried him diagonally between the first two projectiles, while a rapid movement of Longtian deflected the third.

CLANG!

The fourth arrow passed close enough to tear a narrow section of his upper robe, while the fifth approached from above at a particularly troublesome angle.

Damian grinned.

Let’s try this then!

<Cloud Step>!

Refined Qi gathered beneath his feet, creating a brief but stable foothold in the air.

He pushed against it!

BOOM!

Damian’s body accelerated upward, allowing the fifth arrow to pass beneath him before striking the ground with tremendous force.

The resulting explosion of shattered rock sent dust billowing across the battlefield.

However, Damian had already launched himself toward Cantarea!

His airborne trajectory carried him directly toward the centaur’s upper body, Longtian raised for another devastating strike.

Cantarea’s expression finally changed.

She hadn’t expected the young human to possess such extraordinary aerial mobility, especially when his earlier movements had appeared dependent upon physical contact with the ground.

Nevertheless, her reaction remained instantaneous as her hooves flashed!

For a moment, Cantarea appeared to step upon the empty air itself, her enormous body shifting laterally through a brief sequence of impossible movements.

Damian’s sword swept past her shoulder.

SHING!

A thin line appeared upon the centaur woman’s upper garment, the fabric separating beneath the edge of Longtian’s attack.

However, Cantarea herself remained unharmed!

Damian immediately recognized the significance.

Oh? She can step through the air too!

That was particularly interesting.

His own Cloud Step relied upon carefully controlled bursts of Refined Qi, allowing him to establish momentary footholds and reposition himself while airborne.

Cantarea’s technique appeared fundamentally different.

Rather than manipulating Refined Qi, she seemed to be exploiting an extraordinary movement ability associated with her Legend Class, allowing her to briefly redirect her momentum even without conventional footing.

And judging by the smoothness of her execution, she was exceptionally proficient!

Unfortunately, the exchange wasn’t finished.

Cantarea twisted her upper body while still moving through the air, drawing her enormous bow with astonishing speed.

TWANG!

A purple arrow erupted toward Damian at practically point-blank range!

His eyes narrowed.

Too close to dodge normally!

Damian immediately rotated Longtian, bringing the blade across his body in a defensive motion.

<Seven-Turn Sword Art: Reversing Current>!

The perfected martial technique redirected the incoming force rather than attempting to meet it through brute strength alone.

CLANG!

The arrow struck Longtian and was diverted sideways, its immense momentum tearing through a nearby rock face.

BOOOOM!

An enormous section of the ridge collapsed beneath the impact!

Damian landed several meters away, his boots striking the rocky ground with considerable force before he immediately recovered his stance.

Cantarea descended opposite him, and for a brief moment, neither moved.

Then, Damian smiled.

"Not bad, Lady Cantarea. I was beginning to wonder whether your Legend status was merely decorative, but you’ve certainly got some impressive tricks," Damian praised with genuine enthusiasm, resting Longtian against his shoulder.

Cantarea’s expression remained cold.

"And you’re considerably more troublesome than your apparent Level suggests, human. I had expected you to rely upon some extraordinary magical ability, yet you’ve barely employed anything beyond physical movement and swordsmanship," the centaur woman acknowledged, narrowing her eyes.

Damian chuckled.

"Well, there’s no reason to bring out everything during our first exchange, is there? Besides, I’ve been meaning to test a few things, and you’re providing an excellent opportunity," he replied with a mischievous smile.

Cantarea’s expression darkened.

This arrogant human!

Nevertheless, she couldn’t entirely dismiss his words.

Because Damian genuinely appeared to be learning as they fought!

............

The Four Valkyries were beginning to understand precisely how dangerous Cantarea was.

Her extraordinary speed alone made her an exceptionally difficult opponent, but the combination of Grandmaster-level archery and formidable physical strength elevated her threat considerably.

Even when Damian successfully closed the distance, she possessed sufficient mobility to escape his sword attacks before immediately counterattacking from another angle.

Julia was particularly astonished.

"I’ve never seen Archery performed like that before. She’s maintaining almost perfect accuracy while moving at speeds that should make aiming practically impossible," the Elven Ranger admitted, her eyes following Cantarea with unconcealed admiration.

Paulina clenched her fists.

"And she kicked Damian backward! Do you have any idea how much strength that takes? I thought she was just some ridiculously fast Archer!" the Wolf Beastwoman exclaimed, her tail becoming rigid with tension.

Eunice frowned.

Fortunately, Damian appeared unharmed, although several near misses had already demonstrated that even his extraordinary defenses couldn’t justify careless fighting.

Janet, meanwhile, was studying Cantarea with unusual seriousness.

"That woman isn’t simply reacting to Damian’s attacks. She’s predicting where he’ll be, then adjusting her movements before he fully commits," the little Rogue observed, her eyes narrowing.

"And somehow, Damian keeps changing his approach fast enough to ruin those predictions!"

The Wild Court delegation was having an equally difficult time understanding what they were witnessing.

Their great Windstrider was being forced to evade the sword of an Adept!

And not through overwhelming magical bombardment or some extraordinary Legendary artifact, but through physical speed, martial technique and precise combat judgment!

Several Fae exchanged increasingly troubled glances.

............

Damian, meanwhile, was thoroughly absorbed in analyzing his opponent.

His extraordinary Intelligence and Wisdom worked together with <Perfect Combat Instinct>, allowing him to interpret the information gathered through their successive exchanges.

Cantarea’s physical strength was tremendous.

Her backward kick alone suggested an Attribute value far beyond that of ordinary Masters, while her extraordinary speed and directional control implied even greater investments into Dexterity and Agility.

However, Damian wasn’t foolish enough to assume that her raw Attributes explained everything.

Fleetfoot!

The term he had overheard from Selene provided an important clue concerning the extraordinary mobility displayed by the centaur woman.

If her Legend Power enhanced movement speed and evasion, then some portion of her performance originated from supernatural progression rather than raw physical Attributes.

That complicated the calculations considerably!

Nevertheless, Damian possessed enough experience evaluating extraordinary combatants to develop a reasonable preliminary estimate.

Hmm, let’s see. Her Strength should be somewhere around the upper forties or lower fifties, while her Dexterity and Agility are probably even higher.

Her Constitution was harder to evaluate.

Cantarea had suffered no meaningful injuries, and the battle hadn’t continued long enough for Damian to properly test her endurance.

However, her ability to withstand the physical stresses generated by such extraordinary movement suggested that her Constitution was hardly ordinary.

Her mental and spiritual Attributes remained even more uncertain.

After all, she had barely demonstrated any conventional spellcasting!

Damian gradually assembled a rough picture within his mind.

[Preliminary Opponent Assessment

Name: Cantarea.

Race: Fey — Purple Centaur.

Estimated Overall Level: 25–30.

Suspected Class: Ranger / Advanced Mobility Class.

Class Stage: Neo Legend (Grandmaster).

Estimated Attributes:

STR: 45–55.

DEX: 48–58.

AGI: 50–60.

CON: 30–45.

INT: Unknown.

WIS: Unknown.

SPI: Unknown.

Suspected Feats: Keen Eye, Mobile, Sharpshooter, Athlete.

Observed Abilities: Extraordinary Movement Enhancement, Aerial Repositioning, High-Speed Archery.

Possible Legend Power: Fleetfoot.

Suspected Specializations: Archery (Mastery Unknown), Acrobatics (Mastery Unknown), Athletics (Mastery Unknown), Battlefield Awareness (Mastery Unknown).]

Damian nodded internally.

Not bad!

Of course, the assessment remained thoroughly incomplete, and he had no intention of treating his estimates as confirmed System information.

Cantarea had yet to reveal most of her actual Skills, and her extraordinary bow undoubtedly possessed additional capabilities that hadn’t appeared during their physical exchanges.

Nevertheless, he had learned enough to understand the fundamental nature of his opponent.

A terrifyingly fast Archer whose primary combat advantages revolved around mobility, evasive positioning and extraordinary precision!

Trying to chase her through conventional swordsmanship would be rather troublesome.

Fortunately, Damian wasn’t limited to conventional swordsmanship.

He slowly lowered Longtian from his shoulder, his expression becoming increasingly thoughtful.

Hmm. If I keep chasing her like this, we’ll spend the entire afternoon running around the Highlands!

There was another approach worth investigating.

His newly improved martial abilities provided considerably greater control over his movement, while his extraordinary magical comprehension had long since influenced how he understood the relationship between physical positioning and combat rhythm.

Instead of attempting to overwhelm Cantarea through straightforward pursuit, he could adopt a more fluid fighting style, emphasizing close sword control, evasive footwork and the continuous integration of offense and defense.

Something reminiscent of the Bladesingers he remembered from fantasy games!

Of course, Bladesinger wasn’t an actual Stance or Skill within his current repertoire.

It was merely a convenient name for the fighting style he intended to experiment with.

Damian adjusted his grip upon Longtian, bringing the sword closer to his body while relaxing his shoulders and shifting his weight into a more flexible posture.

His left hand remained free, preserving the advantages provided by <Dueling>, while his perfected Qinggong techniques stood ready to support his movements.

Across from him, Cantarea narrowed her eyes.

She immediately recognized that something had changed!

The young man’s earlier aggressive sword posture had disappeared, replaced by a deceptively relaxed arrangement that revealed considerably fewer openings.

Damian smiled.

Heh! Let’s see how this works!

It was time to take the Bladesinger style for a spin!