The sound of flames exploding echoed through the arena.
I stayed crouched behind a cracked stone block, feeling the heat pass dangerously close.
The ground trembled with every impact of Clauson's magic, and the crowd reacted with excited screams — not for me, of course, but waiting for the moment I would finally fall.
My heart was beating too fast.
I needed to find a way to beat this guy.
But how?
I had no magic.
No strength.
And definitely no real advantage.
The blue screen flickered in the corner of my vision, as if it were having fun.
[No headbutts, please.]
I clenched my teeth.
— Shut up — I muttered. — And don't get in my way.
On the other side of the arena, Clauson snapped his fingers. Flames began forming around his body, dancing as if they obeyed his will.
— How long are you going to stay hidden, loser? — Clauson's voice echoed through the arena. — Or did you already give up?
The blue screen appeared almost instantly, like it was eager.
[So, Loser? Planning to stay hidden?]
[Hello? Gave up?]
[Reminder: surrender is subject to severe penalties.]
I gritted my teeth.
— You're annoying as hell…
I suddenly stood up and ran toward another stone block. The air exploded behind me as flames struck the spot where I had been standing just seconds earlier.
The heat almost burned my back.
— Coward! — someone shouted from the stands.
I ignored it.
I needed to get close to him.
From a distance, I had no chance. Every magical attack he launched was stronger than anything I could endure.
I took a deep breath, sweat running down my face.
— Expand acquired skills.
The screen flickered.
[Available skills:]
[Coward's Run.]
[Goat's Hard Head.]
There was an irritating pause.
[Which one would you like to view, Loser?]
My eye twitched.
— One day I'm going to shut you down.
[Noted.]
[Probability: nonexistent.]
Right… Coward's Run and Goat's Hard Head.
I couldn't call them "skills" with pride, but it was all I had.
And honestly, it was still better than nothing.
Clauson's attack stopped for a brief moment.
Now.
I ran straight toward him.
The blue screen flickered at the same second.
[Skill activated: Coward's Run]
[Effect: −5% Speed]
— …What?
The ground shook as Clauson charged at me. I didn't think twice — I dove behind another stone block, feeling the heat of the flames scrape past me.
— What the hell is this?! — I growled.
The answer came slowly, almost pleased.
[The skill "Coward's Run" activates when the user is fleeing from the opponent.]
My eye twitched again.
— And the extra five percent speed?!
A brief pause.
[Well… since you chose to act bravely, a debuff was applied.]
[Evaluation: being a coward was more efficient.]
I stayed silent for a second.
— …You've got to be kidding me.
[Correction: I am functioning as intended.]
I clenched my teeth.
Fine.
If I wanted to be faster…
I had to run in the wrong direction.
Think. Wrong direction.
The flames stopped.
I turned around and ran away from him.
[Coward's Run +5% bonus]
Bastard.
— Coward! — someone from the crowd shouted.
Others followed, laughing, mocking.
He chased after me.
Fast.
Determined.
Good.
That was exactly what I wanted.
I needed him closer.
His hands ignited with flames again as he ran.
— Where do you think you're going? — he said, smiling.
I stopped abruptly.
Turned my body.
And ran straight at him.
[Coward's Run −5%… yeah, you already know how this works]
— Shut up — I growled.
I ran with everything I had.
His eyes widened for a split second.
Flames began forming in his hands again.
But I wasn't stopping now.
He launched the attack.
I threw myself forward and slid across the rough arena floor.
The flames roared above my head, scorching the air where I would've been a second earlier.
My heart nearly burst out of my chest.
— Now…!
The screen appeared in the corner of my vision.
[Correction: you are actually insane.]
I got close.
Close enough.
I jumped with everything my body had left.
[Goat's Hard Head activated.]
My forehead slammed into his face with a dry, cracking sound.
Crack.
Clauson's body was thrown backward, crashing onto the arena floor like an empty sack, completely unconscious.
I fell too.
Rolling across the ground, vision blurred, my head pounding like it was about to explode.
For a few seconds…
The arena fell into absolute silence.
The screen appeared again.
[Evaluation: user "Loser" shows self-destructive tendencies.]
[Conclusion: victory achieved through pure insanity.]
Groaning, I forced myself to stand.
My legs trembled, but I was still upright.
— Who… — I spat more blood onto the floor — …who was supposed to lose again?
The blue screen flickered, clearly annoyed.
[Fine. Take a bonus: +150 XP.]
[I hope you lose next time.]
I smirked despite the pain.
— Keep rooting against me… it seems to bring good luck.