Untouchable

“YEEAAAAAHHHHH!” The crowd roared just outside the gates as I finished checking my broadsword for any nicks. I didn’t find any this time, so it seemed like that new blacksmith wasn’t all talk. Unlike that other drunk bastard. I’m going to strangle him one of these days.

“The challenger today is a legend in the making!” the announcer boomed, using wind magic to carry his voice across the arena. “He can see through every move his opponent makes without fail. No person has managed to leave even a single scratch.

“He is the one, the only–”

I jumped off the bench and sauntered through the opening gates with the nastiest smile.

Time to go hunting.

“UNTOUCHABLE GLADIATOR!!!!!”

“WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!” I waved my hand through the air, eliciting further screams from the crowd. The arena was packed full with spectators, jumping like sardines out of water. After all, who wouldn’t want to be here, watching me knock down my opponent? We were all warmongers, trying to show that we were the mightiest.

The gates on the other side of the field slowly opened as the announcer picked back up. “However, will he be able to overcome the King’s right hand? A man so powerful that his swordsmanship reached the realm of the gods?

“Make way for the KNIGHT!!!!”

“...” The crowd went silent, but it wasn’t because they hated the dude. No, it was a testament for how much respect and strength he had. His every step echoed through the arena even though he walked on sand. His silver armor was wartorn, and yet it still gleamed under the two suns. His expression had the elegance of his title, but his glaring eyes burned like those of a warrior. There was no doubt about it, this man was strong.

And he would fall, just like the rest.

“I’m not like those simpletons you fought before. Don’t expect to lose so easily,” Knight said once he reached the center.

“Sure, goldilocks. Make sure to give your best, so you only look like a small shit when I crush you.” I quipped. The veins on his scar-littered forehead bulged.

“I’ll make sure to end this in one swing, peasant.” Knight unsheathed his sword, dropping his stance. He had no openings as far as I could tell.

My broadsword hung loosely by my side. There was no reason to move it. His first attack would miss.

The announcer began the countdown. The crowd joined in.

““3!””

““2!””

““1!””

““FIGHT!!!!””

I leaned against my broadsword.

“[Swift Step]. [Pierce].” Knight stepped forward in an instant, piercing where my body was a moment ago. I smirked as his eyes widened, realizing what just happened. The next moment, he jumped away, likely expecting a counterattack. Honestly, I could’ve hit him, but it was more fun to tear down his pride first.

“What’s the matter?” I boomed mockingly. “Didn’t you say you were going to end this in one swing!?”

“What did you just do? Answer me!” Knight uncharacteristically yelled. Yes, that’s what I want to see.

“What, did you expect me to just stand there and take your attack? You’re an idiot.”

“But you moved before I even swung my sword!”

“Are you scared that you’re so easy to read?” Knight gritted his teeth. Then, he took a deep breath – his agitation masked with an emotionless expression.

“How about this then?”

I tilted my head to the side, swinging my broadsword, getting carried by its momentum.

“[Swift Step]. [Slash].” Knight circled behind me, swinging down where my head once was. His stance was unsteady as my broadsword looped around, lodging itself directly into Knight’s side.

Booooom! His body flew into the arena wall, slightly cracking it. A giant dust cloud blew over the area for a few moments. The crowd wildly cheered and booed. I laid my broadsword over my shoulder, well aware that he wasn’t down for the count yet.

“Is that all you got, goldilocks? You’re even weaker than those ‘simpletons’!” I laughed.

The dust cloud quickly dissipated, revealing Knight staggering to his feat. “Screw…you…” Blood dripped from his mouth as he spoke. “You…leave me no choice…I’ll show you the difference…in our strength…”

Knight dropped into a wide stance, slamming his feet into the sand to steady himself. Is he an idiot? It’s obvious he’s gonna do a frontal attack. I readied my broadsword to block.

“May my sword pass through with ease. [Iron Cutter].” Knight swung his sword, passing me in an instant. I heard him sheath his sword before walking away.

At first, I didn’t know what happened. It didn’t feel like anything was different. Then, the top half of my broadsword slid off, clanking to the ground. Everything above my waist followed immediately after.

As my body fell, I didn’t despair. Welp, this freaking sucks. But, whatever. Now I can beat him thoroughly.

I smiled even wider. This match isn’t over yet, not with this spell I pilfered.

“Take me back to the moment before the attack [Rewind].”

===

The dust cloud quickly dissipated, revealing Knight staggering to his feat. “Screw…you…” Blood dripped from his mouth as he spoke.

““You…leave me no choice…I’ll show you the difference…in our strength…”” I repeated his words at the exact same time, causing Knight to flinch. I could tell he was starting to doubt whether his iron cutter attack would land.

Knight dropped into a wide stance, slamming his feet into the sand to steady himself. I made no effort to block. My broadsword would be cut in half regardless of what I did.

So, instead, I ducked.

“May my sword pass through with ease. [Iron Cutter].” Knight swung his sword, passing me in an instant. I saw him sheath his sword before walking away.

I immediately grabbed his shoulder. He looked back in horror, his eyes saying that it was impossible I was still in one piece.

“Hey now, don’t go killing me off just yet.” My fist slammed straight into his face, dropping him to the ground.

Punch!

Punch!

Punch!

I pummeled him over and over – his blood started to stain my fists and the ground.

Punch!

PUNCH!

I could feel his skull fracture before he finally fell unconscious. I raised my bloody fist in the air so everyone could see.

“YEEEEAAAAAAHHHH!!”

“And the Untouchable Gladiator has done it, moving on to face the King tomorrow!”