"Hoh, you're pretty good for a mere cat," Daru complimented, faintly smiling, his fighting spirit ablaze as he locked eyes with the Swordspawn wearing an eyepatch standing across from him.
It demonstrated its mastery with the bolo, attempting to intimidate Daru while fiercely staring back with its nameplate floating above its head:
==
Bolo Bob Lv.6
HP: 45 / 110
==
This Swordspawn was in the exact limit Instructor Talon recommended for him, and Daru now understood why.
It was faster and stronger than him despite being a foot and a half shorter. It also had quite insane reflexes.
This Swordspawn was among the most difficult opponents he faced, with the others being his father when he was younger and his rather renowned instructor at Ashton High.
Rarely did Daru have this much fun in a sword match.
Usually, his meagre source of enjoyment was his self-reflections after he defeated his opponent, pondering what he could've done better.
But not this time…
He was genuinely enjoying the battle to the point that he called the Swordspawn by its name, as though there weren't thirty others with the same name in the forest:
"Bolo Bob, come! One more round!"
In the next moment, the bobcat rushed forward, somersaulting in the air before releasing a small diagonal slash mark that shot at Daru, forcing him to lean to the left.
Before he recovered his footing, Bolo Bob was already shooting straight at him as though a comet, brutally slashing its weapon.
Daru wasn't fazed.
In fact, he was a bit disappointed, realizing this was the second time his opponent used this pattern.
"Hmm…so you're out of moves, huh, brother Bob. Fine then, I'll send you on your way," he sighed, dodging another familiar downward slash before kicking Bolo Bob away and charging at it.
Before the Swordspawn even noticed, a rusty tachi was already stabbed deep in its heart.
Bolo Bob kneeled and let go of its weapon, scattering into red cubic particles.
[You've slain Bolo Bob Lv.6]
[You've obtained 640 Experience Points.]
[You've obtained 6 Swordcoins.]
[You've obtained Bob's Eyepatch.]
Daru felt a slight pang of pain in his heart.
'Goodbye, Brother Bob. I will remember your skills with the bolo…'
With a deep breath, Daru recovered, checking two lines of information in his status window:
==
Level 1 (300 to level up)
Status: Sealed (Swordheart Cores - 5/100)
==
"Hmm? I'm this close to leveling up already?"
As much as Daru wanted to fight a creature one level higher than his fallen brother, [Bolo Bob], he decided to seek another level six Swordspawn first.
Even he wouldn't enjoy a battle lost only due to an overwhelming disparity in physical attributes and not mastery in swordsmanship.
If he were to lose a life, Daru would prefer it to be because his opponent had better swordsmanship, not because he lacked the speed or strength to contend.
And so he lingered in the area, hoping to meet another Swordspawn that would satisfy him.
He did.
It was another bobcat with a bolo, but this time, it had no eyepatch, and the spawn's name was a bit different, too:
[Bolo Bobcat Lv.6]
It seemed that there would indeed be no one like Bolo Bob.
At the very least, he obtained a keepsake from the remarkable Swordspawn. Daru planned to check the item later.
For now, he shall slay the bobcat in front of him and level up.
The battle was still among the best Daru had had, but if he were to rank his experiences, this one was definitely a notch below his battle with Bolo Bob.
This Swordspawn, for one, could not shoot a slash mark at him, resulting in a considerably easier time.
Still, Daru was delighted.
Not only did he obtain two Swordheart Cores in one battle, but he also finally leveled up:
[Congratulations! You've leveled up to 2!]
[You've obtained 5 Attribute Points.]
[Beginner Tip: You may open your status and assign the points to whichever attribute you wish to improve.]
Daru did as advised, snapping his fingers to open his status window.
He then pondered for a moment before assigning one in dexterity, two in agility, and two in perception.
Daru temporarily ignored strength, knowing through experience that it was better to upgrade the three attributes first, especially the last.
===
Bladeborn: Daru Finnley
Level 2 (2,360 to level up)
Titles: None
Secondary Titles: None
Blessings: [???????'s Minor Blessing (???? ????'s ???)]
Curses: [Yama's Displeasure (Soulbound Sword)] [Goddess Fortuna's Frown]
Strength: 31
Dexterity: 35
Agility: 32
Stamina: 32
Vitality: 25
Perception: 47
Luck: 0 (+50)
===
He nodded, quite satisfied.
Remembering something, he snapped his fingers once more to close the status window, tapping on the belt bag on his waist to open the inventory.
'Brother Bob…'
Daru withdrew the eyepatch with a heavy heart.
To his stupefaction, it suddenly vanished into red cubic particles like its owner.
"N-No!"
But then, just when Daru thought he had lost the keepsake, a notification suddenly appeared in front of him:
[You've triggered a questline from the item [Bob's Eyepatch]!]
Followed by a window:
==
Quest Name: Eye for an Eye
Tier: C
Level Requirement: None
Description: Many times have I tried, but never have I succeeded.
Defeat Bolo Bob's Rival - 0/1 (Take one eye or eliminate)
Rewards: 50 Novice Swordheart Cores, 200 Swordcoins, Title (Bob's Sworn Brother), 5,000 Experience Points (Penalty-immune), Bob's Eyepatch (E).
==