<h4>Chapter 150 Duels</h4>


    Vicky''s victory over one of the mercenaries had not been received well by the rest of the members. The ck Sand mercenaries were a proud and battle-hardened group, and having one of their own defeated publicly was a blow to their collective ego. Cachellos, their leader, couldn''t just let it go and decided to call for another match.


    However, n politely declined the request, exining, "Unfortunately, that''s as much as she can do for now. Maybe you can challenge her again after next round."


    But the scar-faced man wouldn''t ept a refusal, especially after the embarrassing defeat they had just witnessed. He had a new target in mind: n himself.


    "I heard you defeated Marcus… I want to see if it''s real or just a rumor?"


    n tried to deflect the challenge, starting to exin, "Defeat the Blood Patriot leader Actually…" However, before he could finish his sentence, Daniel jumped in, confirming the rumor with enthusiasm. "Yes, he did, alright! It''s not a rumor!" Daniel''s eagerness to defend n''s reputation was clear.


    Sensing that there was no way out, n finally acquiesced, recognizing that declining would only lead to further confrontation. "Alright, just for teaching purposes, 3 contact hits," he conceded, setting the conditions for the duel.


    Cachello decided to send one of his top fighters, Fin Maddox, to face off against n. Fin was a battle-hardened veteran who had advanced his job ss from a warrior to a Barbarian, gaining extra explosive power and strength. What was interesting, however, was that he was more proficient with blunt weapons than swords. This choice by the mercenary leader raised questions to n, as it seemed either Cachello was underestimating him or testing his abilities.


    Confident and ready for the challenge, n took his sword stance and faced the burly Barbarian. "I am ready," he dered, his focus unwavering.


    Without hesitation, Fin charged at n with a powerful strike that created a terrifying sound as it cut through the air. Such a strike from a Barbarian had the potential to inflict high damage. However, n, with remarkable agility, casually dodged the attack with a simple one-two step and executed a beautiful counter,nding a hit on his opponent.


    During this brief pause in the fight, n took a moment to address the spectators. "Remember, fear is the number one enemy," he stated, emphasizing the importance of maintainingposure in a battle.


    Thisment only fueled the Barbarian''s anger. He began to unleash an active skill, generating a flurry of sword swings. Unfortunately for him, this skill was not as effective with sword weapons, and n, with his high agility, skillfully dodged each swing. Once thebo attack finished, n seized the opportunity tond his second hit.


    n''s next lesson came in the form of timing. He demonstrated the importance of not rushing and instead carefully observing one''s opponent. With the Barbarian still seething with anger and letting out a loud scream, n charged in with his "Lunge Strike," delivering the third and final hit further emphasis his lesson on timing, and not be carless like the opponent.


    In a surprising turn of events, Fin Maddox was defeated by n''s finesse and tactical prowess, leaving all the watching yers in awe of the skill they had just witnessed. n had sessfully used this sparring match as a teaching moment, imparting valuable lessons on maintainingposure, timing, and effectivebat techniques to the crowd.


    The Barbarian''s anger continued to escte until it reached its peak, but Cachellos, the mercenary leader, intervened and managed to calm him down. With a subtle smile, Cachellos turned his attention to n andmented, "It appears you really did defeat Marcus. Now, you will face me."


    n let out a deep sigh and replied, "Alright, as long as you agree to the three-contact hit rule."


    The Hispanic man seemed somewhat disappointed but understood and epted the terms. He had no intention of using n''s sword; instead, he drew his two menacing des. Both weapons were high-damage superior items, but with the three-hit rule, this choice didn''t appear unfair to the spectators.


    For this match, n equipped his steel shield on his other arm, adopting a more defensive stance. "I am ready," he announced, his focus unwavering as he prepared to face the formidable opponent before him.


    Cachellos came at n with unmatched aggression, and his dual des sliced through the air with terrifying force. Every swing of his des seemed like it could shatter stone, and the onlookers couldn''t help but gasp in awe and trepidation.


    n, however, remainedser-focused, reacting to each strike with precise blocks and parries using his steel sword and shield. It was an impressive disy of defense, considering the fierce attack by the mercenary leader.


    Cachellos, a seasoned warrior with superior skills, boasted not only a higher level but also an extensive experience. The man apparently also has the same [sword weapon (master]] like n, and what truly set him apart was his mastery of dual-wielding, enhanced by the unique skill [Ambidextrous]. This skill granted him a significant advantage in terms of speed, control, and power when using two weapons simultaneously.


    Despite the odds stacked against him, n''s determination and the minor speed boost from his [sword instructor] title allowed him to keep up with Cachellos. He fought with everything he had, block by block, parry by parry, even as the impact of each collision sent reverberations down his arms.


    The ferocious duel continued, the sound of shing steel filling the air as bothbatants pushed their limits. The deck was enveloped in anticipation, and the suspense grew with every sh of their weapons. The question on everyone''s mind was whether n''s resilience and strategic approach could ovee Cachellos''s raw power and superior abilities.


    As the intense battle raged on, it was clear to all observers that n was gradually being cornered by Cachellos'' relentless assault. Despite the incredible moves he disyed, n didn''t appear to panic at all. Instead, as he got into the rhythm of the fight, he began to provide valuable lessons to those watching.


    "Facing a stronger opponent," n shouted between strikes, "your best strategy is retreat!"


    CLANK! CLANK!


    He continued, "If you can''t run, concentrate fully on your defense until your allies arrive!"


    CLANK! CLANK!


    Annoyed with the lesson, Cachellos unleashed an active skill, a powerful strike aimed directly at n''s neck. n quickly raised his sword in a defensive move. Although he couldn''t fully parry the attack, he managed to deflect it slightly off course, causing it to hit his shoulder instead.


    One hit!


    Despite the blood and searing pain in his shoulder, n took a few steps back, seizing the opportunity to underscore his teachings.


    "If you have no choice than to fight," he proimed, "then? always watch your vital from lethal attack."


    The crowd watched in astonishment as the battle became a fascinating blend ofbat and instruction. n''s presence on the battlefield was not just about winning; it was also about sharing knowledge and wisdom, turning a fierce confrontation into a valuable learning experience for all those witnessing it.


    The intense fight raged on, with n showcasing his impressive defensive techniques, using blocks, parries, and evasive maneuvers effectively against his aggressive opponent. However, as n had anticipated, Cachellos still had a slight edge over him.


    While n had three years of experience in the Apocalypse Game, the scarred-faced mercenary had been a renowned fighter for over a decade, engaging in real-life battles every day. His moves were as deadly as his stats. Additionally, the level 50 veteran had ess to advanced skills that significantly boosted hisbat abilities.


    n realized that winning against the strongest yer of New York server was unlikely, especially given his extreme fatigue. He hadn''t slept for nearly three days, making the odds insurmountable.


    Cachellos eventuallynded two final strikes on n after an additional 10 minutes of intensebat. All the while, n managed to impart valuable lessons.


    "Thank you for the instruction today," n said as he received hisst blow, and then casually continuing with his sword lessons to the other yers.


    It was undoubtedly a victory for Cachellos, yet he couldn''t shake the feeling that he hadn''t really won. He noticed that the yers were now gleaming in respect to this teacher even more than before.


    Unbeknownst to n, Cachellos retreated to his cabin and made a phone call to report the day''s events.