Chapter 1202: Hand and Tail (Part 1)
The first one she attacked was Fromund. However, it quickly became clear to everyone that he wasnât her target, but Adam.
Whether Fromund wanted it or not, Bathild didnât see him as a worthy opponent. Even if he was as strong a Phantom as Adam, it didnât matter.
Strangely enough, reputation and recognition played a big role in this case.
None of the monsters knew a Phantom like Fromund Aegler. Well, even if a few monsters were aware of Fromund, it was clearly not enough to pique Bathildâs interest.
She decided to fight Adam because it was her way of getting the Title.
All Fromund could do was stand aside and watch Bathild attack Adam with all her might.
She crashed into Adam, shaking the entire Kirani Colony with lightning bolts. Her strike threw Adam aside with such force that the impact sent him dozens of meters underground.
Then, Bathild grinned and rushed forward, continuing to fight Adam within the walls of the colony. At this rate, it would only take them a few minutes to create new caves in this deep underground level.
Perhaps any other Phantom in Fromundâs place would have immediately rushed to Adamâs aid, but he did nothing.
Fromund knew that Adam could handle Bathild. He couldnât imagine any other outcome to this situation.
Scratch. Scratch. Scratch.
Puzzled, no, even confused, Fromund scratched the back of his head.
He looked around as if searching for something to do.
âDamn⊠Iâve never been in this situation before. Iâm just a third wheel! Hell, what should I do? Fry these bugs and make them into barbecue?â
Usually, when Fromund found himself at a dead end, Arayna, his Operator, would help him. This was true for all Phantoms, and the current situation was no exception.
âDonât worry so much. Iâm sure youâll have a chance to fight as well soon.â
Strangely enough, Fromund understood what she was talking about.
He glanced down.
Not far away, a single powerful aura and more than a dozen slightly weaker ones were approaching the Kirani Colony.
In fact, Marhen and the thunder monsters should have arrived at the Kirani Colony at almost the same time, but Bathild was in such a hurry to confront Adam that she got ahead of Marhen and the others.
However, this was not a problem for either Marhen or Fromund.
They had been waiting for each other, as only they could become equal opponents, or⊠not?
âŠ
Tremble. Tremble. Tremble.
At the same time, two figures fought, destroying the earth and stone around them with every clash like an unstoppable force of nature.
This was not the best place for Bathild. Monsters like her preferred to fight in open, difficult terrain, preferably under a raging thunderstorm.
From this point of view, the Thunder Peaks were ideal, as she could show off all her speed and agility on the dangerous, sharp mountains.
However, she had enough destructive power to cause problems for Adam even here, deep underground, as Adam was in the same situation.
He had never thought about it before, as he had always fought in different places, but narrow caves were not the limit of his dreams as a battlefield.
Unlike Bathild, he needed a spacious, empty arena where he would have time to prepare his strongest attacks and know that his opponent would not be able to dodge.
But⊠Bathild seemed to know that.
âNo, thatâs not an assumption,â Adam thought as he swung his arm to deflect Bathildâs halberd.
Electric discharges ran to his right, and he gripped the needle tightly, blocking the next strike.
âShe wanted to fight me, she knows my name, and therefore my abilities as well. Tsk, and I already used my artifact, even though it would have been a surprise to her!
Tremble.
In the next clash, Adam allowed a brief delay, and his hand faltered as he parried the attack.
That was enough for Bathild to seize the opportunity. She immediately saw that this was the right moment to take the first step towards victory.
âToo slow, Adam Vinter!â Bathild exclaimed, full of excitement, as her tail began to move.
She wanted to do to Adam what she had done to Fromund when she appeared. However, this time her goal was not just a cut that Adam wouldnât even notice, but something more important.
Whistle.
Cutting through the air, the sharp tip moved toward Adamâs right side. Bathild wanted to pierce his stomach and slit his belly like some kind of animal.
Adam might survive such an attack, but it would certainly make her victory much more likely.
âYour friend couldnât dodge it, so youâre unlikely to be able to either. Whatâs more, thereâs too little room to maneuver!â Bathild exclaimed inwardly, anticipating the sight of Adamâs blood flowing and the pain on his face.
Thrust.
She got one thing.
Blood gushed out, flooding the dark, dust-covered stones.
However, Bathild didnât smile. Only her eyes widened in disbelief.
The sharp tip completely pierced Adamâs palm, coming out the other side, but it couldnât reach his torso because Adam had grabbed Bathildâs tail tightly, preventing it from moving.
Tremble. Tremble. Tremble.
A shiver ran through the tail as Bathild tried to pull it back, but she couldnât.
âWhat? Did you think I didnât have the guts to catch your tail?â Adam asked with a hint of arrogance. âSorry to disappoint you.â
Bathild quickly found an advantage in her attack as her gaze fell on Adamâs palm. It wasnât a small cut, but it was wide enough to practically split his hand in two.
If the tip had been a little wider, thatâs exactly what would have happened.
âHah, you stopped my tail, and now what? You canât use your hand anymore, or youâll lose it!â
Adamâs response was very simpleâhe raised the needle, staring intently at the weak connection in Bathildâs tail.
âIn that case, I should take something from you too, right?â
Fearing the loss of her tail, Bathild quickly lunged forward, hoping to prevent Adam from doing so.
But that was exactly what he was counting on, as he was ready to replace the first needle with the second and create the lesser path.