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[Skill-Eater] Chapter 112: Showdown
🕑 Added 2024-09-27 17:01:01 +0000 UTC“I don’t want to shoot you, Vasher. But if you’re not willing to surrender peacefully, then you leave me with no choice.” Something in Warren’s tone told Edge that the manslayer was only trying to distract him. That he had no intention of letting Edge walk out of this encounter alive.
No sooner had that thought crossed his mind than the bounty hunter appeared before his eyes. Warren strolled across the cracked earth, grinning like he didn’t have a care in the world. His revolver was holstered on one hip and his short sword was sheathed on the other, hanging next to an oversized canteen.
The manslayer hadn’t drawn either weapon. He didn’t seem to be looking for Edge either. He just kept on walking, like he was out for a stroll instead of itching for a fight.
Edge fought down the urge to bolt when the bounty hunter unholstered his revolver and pointed it in his direction. Getting hit by that gun was a death sentence. A threat far greater than anything he’d faced before. But for some reason, Warren was waiting to fire his spellslinger and unleash the lethal magic contained within its chamber.
When Edge thought about what he’d just read, the answer came to him. His drone must not have had a good view of me, thanks to the tall grass. He only has a rough idea of where I am and is hoping that I will give myself away.
Warren’s posture was completely unguarded. Every so often, the manslayer turned one way or another, leaving his back wide open. He even reached down to flip the lid off his canteen, although he didn’t raise it to take a drink.
Edge was tempted to rush in and launch a surprise attack. To land a critical blow before Warren figured out where he was. He would have tried it if wasn’t for Sakura’s warning and Trapper’s training.
This is what the note was talking about. Everything he’s doing is a trap. Warren’s watching through his drone instead of his eyes. He took advantage of the moment to think as fast as he could.
Those spellshots are too expensive to waste. He wants you to shadow step in and get hit by his disruption field first. Warren is waiting for you to appear in front of him, so that he can take you out from a range where he won’t have to worry about missing the shot. Don’t get sucked into his mind games. Learn what you can from observing and get ready to make your move.
“Come now, Vasher. This is pointless. That stealth skill is draining your mana, making you weaker the longer you wait. You’re practically doing my job for me. All I have to do is enjoy the scenery until your reservoir runs dry and you reappear.”
He knew that Warren was trying to manipulate him, but Edge had to admit that the man had a point. He couldn’t afford to sit here forever. Conceal was gradually depleting his reserves, shifting the odds further in the manslayer’s favor with every second that passed.
But acting in haste and engaging Warren without a plan was a recipe for disaster. He had to come up with something that could get him out of this mess before it was too late.
Edge kicked his brain into high gear, eyes never leaving his foe. That was when something went streaking through the air a few feet in front of his face. It tore stalks of grass free in passing before slamming into the trunk of a tree with incredible force, sending splinters and leaves raining down.
He almost dove out of the way, which would have given his position away. Instead, he remained frozen in place, barely daring to breathe as he tried to figure out what had just happened.
That wasn’t a shot from his revolver. It must be some kind of skill—one that wasn’t on Sakura’s list. When Edge looked closer, he saw that a trickle of water was flowing up from Warren’s canteen. It formed a small globe that floated in the air in front of him before it went flying off in a different direction, shredding more grass in its wake.
He must be using something that can manipulate water. That explains the big canteen he always carries. Judging by the size of the shots, there must be enough for hundreds of attacks in there. Given how little mana it’s putting off, he can probably keep this up all day.
Edge, on the other hand, could only afford to keep conceal running for a few more minutes before he would lose a significant portion of his reserves. He needed to concoct a strategy, and he needed to do it fast. Since Edge was weaker and had far less experience, the only thing that might tip the scales back in his direction was an advantage in information.
Warren doesn’t know that I know about any of his skills, other than the one he just showed me. Even if he’s been watching me for days, he shouldn’t know about the heart-guard, since Lilly won’t talk, or Overdrive, because I haven’t used it since arriving in town.
Although the manslayer’s reservoir was bigger than Edge’s, Warren couldn’t afford to waste mana either. I doubt that he can keep his drone in the air indefinitely, but I should assume that it’s watching me right now. If I want to land a hit, I need to throw him off balance first. If I play into his expectations, then do something else at the last moment, I might be able to surprise him.
By now, a plan had begun forming in his mind. Another few seconds, and it might be good enough to save him.
That was the moment when a stick under Edge’s boot gave way, releasing a distinct crack. It wasn’t a loud sound, especially with the noise of the wind blowing across the grass. He got ready to run, but Warren just kept grinning and walking, showing no sign that he had heard…
Right up until he pointed his revolver spellslinger straight at Edge and pulled the trigger.
Comments
BlackFire13th
Wonder what skill he’s going to get out of Warren. Hoping for either the disruption or the drone summoning skills, preferably both.
bcd051
I look forward to Warren getting what's coming to him
