Chương 18: Back and Thrust into a Duel

As he approached the village, he checked the details of his newest skill and smiled proudly.

Storm Javelin (C) Level 1 – Summon a javelin made of condensed wind blades and currents of lightning. The projectile created is blessed with increased penetration. Upon impact, the lightning within the javelin ignites, erupting the sharp wind blades outward and creating an explosion of wind and lightning. Spirit Cost 200.

I had the idea as soon as I saw that Wind Spear skill, but I didn't think it would result in a completely new ability, and one this strong. He smiled, satisfied. The cost is a bit steep, but for that kind of damage… It's worth it. Then another thought struck him. Wait… What happens when a skill reaches its maximum level? I should test that before any of my stronger ones reach that threshold. He nodded to himself and began summoning seedlings, storing them in his inventory one after another.

He figured this was the fastest way to level the skill while also conducting useful experimentation. As he walked, he continued creating seedlings until he neared the gates. Level 15 already… Alright, once I'm back inside, I'll run more tests. He stopped for now and raised his voice.

"Hello! I have returned, please let me in!" he called out.

"Who is that?" another guard shouted back.

"I'm a friend of Oscar's; we arrived last night. I went out this morning to level up… Your other friend sent me toward the swamp." Maximus made sure to emphasize that last part. As soon as the guard heard that, he stiffened and rushed to open the gate.

"Holy shit… You are alive! Get in, quick! Run to the main square, you might still stop it!" he shouted urgently.

"What is going on?" Maximus asked, his brow furrowing.

"Your buddy Oscar went looking for you and heard that fool bragging about sending you into the swamp. You've got to understand that the swamp connects through the river to the Wildlands. The beasts and plants there are far stronger than anything around here." The guard swallowed uneasily before continuing.

"Anyway… Oscar lost his damn mind and challenged him to a duel."

"By the stars…" Maximus frowned deeply as he broke into a run toward the village square.

"You really want to do this? Because of that weirdo?" the guard shouted, gripping his sword and shield tightly.

"You total shite-bag! You actually went and did it, didn't you?" Oscar bellowed, his face twisted with fury.

"Right, that's it, I'm taking your head off for that!" His spear tip ignited, burning with the same color as his flushed face.

"Oscar, calm down. He won't die easily," Felix shouted from the side.

"You don't know that!" Oscar barked back.

"Oscar!" Suddenly, a voice cut through the crowd.

"Max?!" Oscar spun around, his rage vanishing in an instant.

"You absolute beauty! You're alive?! You total bastard!" He snuffed out his flaming spear and lunged forward, wrapping Maximus in a crushing bear hug that nearly snapped his ribs.

"Ouch, I'm alive, yes, but not for long if you keep that up," Maximus wheezed, though a grin forced its way through the pain.

"Sorry, mate! Got a bit carried away, didn't I?" Oscar laughed, letting him go.

"Hello there, teacher. Nice of you to leave me alone on the floor," Felix added dryly as he walked over.

"At least I didn't leave you outside." He smiled.

"Now, boys, if you would excuse me…" Maximus said calmly as his legs shifted into lupine form and he leapt up onto the improvised stage.

"Well then, mister guard… Why'd you do it?" Maximus asked coldly, his eyes burning with restrained fury.

"Why'd you go waking me up like that? Acting all clever? Serve you right. Not like you died anyway," the guard smirked mockingly.

"What are the rules of this duel?" Maximus suddenly called out, his voice carrying across the crowd.

"If both parties accept, you may kill each other freely. I will not intervene." A woman stepped forward, tall and lean, clad in a mixture of plate armor and leather. Her dark hair flowed over her shoulders, her expression both fierce and composed.

"Leader, I presume?" Maximus asked, glancing at her as she gave a slight nod.

"You want to fight me? A rookie like you? Come then." The guard laughed, raising his shield as spikes erupted from its surface, his blade turning sickly green as poison dripped from its edge.

"Let me put a few extra holes in you."

"Child's play," Maximus scoffed as he unleashed his Thorn Whip, sending it lashing straight toward the man.

"Haha, fucking idiot." The guard charged forward, then dodged to the left with explosive force, shield raised high with sword readied behind it, avoiding the vine completely. Maximus chuckled and reactivated the whip mid-motion, forcing it to lash again with fresh force as if newly cast. The vine snapped upward like a living tentacle, then slithered between the guard's legs and coiled instantly.

Thorns pierced through cloth and flesh as the vine wrapped tightly, jerking him off balance and sending him crashing face-first into the ground. Maximus didn't pause. He immediately followed through on a new idea born during his fight in the swamp. He released Static Surge, using the principles of Static Strike's enhancement effect, but instead of projecting it outward, he forced the current to surge through the moisture within the vine itself. Lightning raced along the Thorn Whip.

The guard screamed as the current hit, his body convulsing violently, foam forming at his lips as the electricity ravaged him from within. Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author. Then he went still. Skill Leveled Up: [Thorn Whip (F) Lv. 14] Skill Unlocked: [Static Vine Whip (D)] Static Vine Whip (D) Level 1 – Lash at your foes with electrified vines infused with surging currents of lightning.

The number of vines and the intensity of the lightning scale with the skill's level and tier. Current number of vines available per cast: 2. Spirit cost 120.

Alright… There we go! A new skill. My repertoire is growing nicely. He smirked as he walked over to the guard lying unconscious on the ground.

"Does anyone oppose me ending his life?" Maximus called out, unwilling to make more enemies than necessary.

"He's an idiot, but please, spare him! He's my brother!" another man shouted, nearly identical to the fallen guard, his eyes filled with desperation.

"What do I get for it?" Maximus asked coldly, sitting down on the guard's body as if it were nothing more than a bench. The brother grimaced.

"I have 1000 tokens," he said reluctantly.

"We can work with that. But if I see him again, he's dead," Maximus replied flatly as he stood and approached the man. Once the transaction was completed, the brother rushed to the guard's side and dragged him away without another word.

"I thought you hated leaving loose ends," Felix remarked.

"Killing him here would complicate our stay. Though if he tries something again, I won't be as merciful," Maximus said emotionlessly.

"Bloody hell, mate… You've given me the right shivers with that. What are you, the Terminator?" Oscar laughed, slamming into Maximus's back.

"We expect an explanation. You look like you've just come back from war," Felix added, observing him in detail.

"Oh… I forgot to get new clothes." Maximus glanced down at himself.

"Fine, let's go. I'll tell you everything. I even have a small plan; I'll need your help with it." He smiled innocently. As they turned to leave, the woman from before approached them.

"So, you're the Maximus everyone's been shouting about," she said with a soft, amused smile.

"My apologies for the disturbance I've caused." Maximus gave a slight bow.

"Haha… You're a bit odd. I like that." She winked.

"I'll come speak with you later. Not everyone walks out of the Maneating Swamp alive or with all limbs intact. Though you do look like you've seen better days." She gestured at his torn and bloodied clothing.

"Well then, I will be seeing you later," she added before turning and heading off after the brothers.

"She fancies you, you dog," Oscar chuckled, elbowing Maximus playfully in the ribs. Maximus winced.

"That still hurts, you know."

"Oh, shit. Sorry, mate. Here, let me give you a hand," Oscar said, reaching out.

"I can walk, Oscar. Thank you regardless... Let us depart," Maximus replied as the three made their way toward the house Felix and Maximus had temporarily claimed. Sprout… Follow those two. Let's see if we need to take further action, Maximus whispered inwardly as Sprout vanished through a small portal without a sound.

Maximus, Felix, and Oscar sat around the table in their temporary lodging as Maximus explained why he had gone into the swamp and everything that followed. His fight with the plant, as well as the massive crocodile he had encountered.

"Bloody hell! Are you mental?!" Oscar slammed his fist onto the table, nearly punching straight through it.

"So… You did almost die? If not for Sprout?" Felix asked, a hint of concern slipping into his voice.

"I would've escaped somehow, but it would've been a waste. Luckily, Sprout is a dependable friend." Maximus smiled faintly.

"You leveled up again, then?" Felix asked, unable to hide a flicker of jealousy.

"I did. A bit," Maximus admitted casually.

"Hang on, hang on a minute!" Oscar bellowed.

"Felix, did you not hear the rest of that? This bloody nutter wants to tame a croc! And not just any old lizard, mind, he wants the one that's proper gaffer of the whole swamp by the looks of it!" Oscar wiped sweat from his bald head, looking genuinely stressed.

"I heard him. I think it's a good idea… If he can do it," Felix said simply.

"If we can bind it and wear it down, I think I can manage it. Or at least… I'd like to try," Maximus replied calmly. He intended to test his taming ability; if successful, having a powerful companion would be invaluable. Felix and Oscar would soon leave for the Second Plane; he didn't have much time to prepare himself for the Wildlands alone, either.

"Oscar, we should go level up. I have something I want to test… And he," Felix pointed at Maximus's battered appearance, "obviously needs rest."

"Right then, let's get cracking. I'm not letting that muppet Wilson get one over on me, but we're just hunting regular monsters, yeah? Nothing mental?" Oscar asked cautiously.

"Yes. We are not this madman," Felix said with a faint smile.

"Take care of yourselves, you two. I'll rest for a while," Maximus said as they stood to leave. Planting seedlings counts as rest… Right? He thought with a quiet chuckle. Gardening, after all, was still a type of training. But first… Let's see what Sprout discovered.

He linked his senses with Sprout's, and a vision formed in his mind, inside a small, dim bedroom. A man lay on a bed, groaning as a healer worked over him.

"Why did you do it, Ivan? For fuck's sake, why do you always cause problems for both of us?" the brother shouted, his voice trembling with anger and worry.

"Well… I'll leave you two to it. He'll be fine. The one who fought him didn't cause lasting damage," the healer said awkwardly before slipping out.

"I was just joking around… How was I supposed to know he'd actually go deep into the swamp? Or survive it…" Ivan muttered weakly.

"And now? What happens if he comes back for you?" the brother demanded.

"If he comes, he comes. What then? I've had enough of this life anyway," Ivan snapped bitterly. Slap!

"Don't you fucking say that, Ivan. You piece of shit," the brother growled before storming out of the room. I've seen enough. Come back, Sprout. They're not a threat, Maximus ordered quietly, his expression growing somber. The foolish guard never intended for Maximus to die after all; he was just a foolish individual playing an idiotic prank. And for the first time since arriving in this strange world, Maximus felt it clearly. Not everything was black and white. ‎