Return Of The Strongest Player

"How the hell…"

"We've had this for years," explained Gregorio, addressing Arthur's shock. "All training in the Ainsworth household is done within this training ground. You should be grateful to me, considering I've let you inside a secret facility."

"You need me."

"You're cocky," replied Gregorio as a dangerous expression flashed across his face. He then let out a lighthearted chuckle. "I like cocky people. But make sure your cockiness doesn't affect the plan."

"It won't," replied Arthur calmly, observing the facility. "Where is my opponent?"

"Here," an unknown voice entered the crimson-eyed man's ears, causing him to turn around. From the entrance, a rather muscular man entered the facility. His expression displayed his arrogance.

His jawline was chiseled, and his green hair was slicked back. His pupils displayed a brown, caramel glow. He wore a rather loose, embroidered tunic. On his waist was a scabbard, in which a longsword was sheathed.

"This is Velstrum Ainsworth," announced Gregorio. "He is Alisha's cousin, and the child of Mason Ainsworth's brother, Darius Ainsworth."

"Thank you for the introduction, uncle," said Velstrum disinterestedly. He then slowly approached the crimson-eyed man, displaying slight amusement by curling the ends of his lips upwards.

Arthur responded to his gaze by refusing to avert his eyes. The two locked eyes. Arthur's crimson eyes flashed, startling Velstrum slightly, causing him to avert his eyes.

"Feisty," said Velstrum, ruffling Arthur's hair. The latter smacked his hand away wordlessly, heading to his position, where the battle would begin. Velstrum glanced at Gregorio, who shook his head helplessly.

Soon, the caramel-eyed man also got into position, while Gregorio backed away, planning to observe the battle.

"Begin!" Gregorio announced.

Both Velstrum and Arthur shot forward at that moment. They both brandished their weapons before initiating the first clash.

Klang!

At that moment, Arthur's eyes flashed crimson, and he extended his arm to attempt to use [Judgment Regeneration]. However, Velstrum backed away from the first clash.

"You have an ability that involves touching your opponent…" Velstrum stroked his chin, revealing a tiny smirk. Arthur gritted his teeth at that moment.

His ability was an inherent skill, so no one else in the entire world, including the tower, possessed the same skill. It was something that represented Arthur's existence, and became the pathway to his ascension to the Lord of Sins in his former life.

Usually, many were unaware of his ability, and were too inexperienced to notice. But the same was not the case for Velstrum.

As someone bearing the surname Ainsworth, he was trained from birth. His power was immense, and his intellect in battle was even more impressive.

"Seems like I was right," muttered Velstrum, shooting forward. Purple aura coated his body, and with a swift maneuver, he swung his leg towards Arthur. The crimson-eyed man raised his hand to block the kick, but Velstrum suddenly withdrew the attack at the last moment.

Swish! Slice!

Swinging his sword at the exact moment that Arthur raised his hand, Velstrum delivered a shallow cut to the former's shin.

Arthur, without batting an eye, swung his sword vertically. Velstrum sidestepped to avoid the blow before retaliating with a rapid kick.

At that moment, Arthur pushed the tip of his blade forward.

Stab!

His longsword pierced through the middle of the bottom of Velstrum's feet. The caramel-eyed man let out a pained groan before withdrawing his foot. The bleeding continued.

He backed away, wrapping the wound with his sock.

"Let's not get too bloody," Gregorio commented from the sidelines, but the amusement plastered over his face contradicted his words. It seemed he was enjoying the somewhat gruesome battle.

Although there was a wound on Velstrum's foot, he didn't hesitate to move his body naturally, ignoring the pain receptors screaming at him.

Naturally, Arthur took advantage of the opening to attack. He closed the gap between him and his opponent within milliseconds, thrusting his sword forward. Velstrum struggled to parry the strike, and was pushed back.

However, Arthur did not relent. Pairing his attack up with a diagonal strike from bottom to up, he loosened Velstrum's grip on his sword.

'One more,' thought Arthur, clenching his teeth. Using [Mana Step] to propel him forward, he twisted his wrist to prepare for a horizontal strike. Just one more strike and Velstrum would go down, resulting in Arthur's victory.

However, at that moment, a vicious smile appeared on Velstrum's face.

His body dissolved into dust as soon as the tip of Arthur's sword collided with it. A gust of wind blew past the crimson-eyed man's face, and a cold sensation arose on the back of his neck. Shivers ran down his spine at the touch.

"Checkmate."

Velstrum's voice rang in Arthur's ears, serving as a trigger to awaken him from the trance he was in. However, instead of helplessness, there was instead a faint smile on the crimson-eyed man's lips.

Thud!

Kicking backwards like a donkey, Arthur allowed Velstrum's blade to pierce his anterior deltoid. However, amidst the development, he extended his arm, placing his palm on the caramel-eyed man's neck.

"There is no checkmate without sacrifices, Velstrum," said Arthur, allowing a malevolent smile to blossom on his face. "As they say, if you see a good move, look for a better one."

With those words, crimson energy flooded out from Arthur's hand. Velstrum paled.

[Judgment Regeneration has been used.]

[The Sins and Virtues of the target are being examined.]

[Target has 63% Sin and 37% Virtue.]

[Mediocre de-buffs are being applied.]

The energy drained from Velstrum's body, causing him to lose balance. However, the crimson energy didn't halt its advance. Spreading across his body, it sucked everything. Velstrum fell to his knees.

Finally, after his eyes had lost their luster, Arthur withdrew his hand, and the crimson aura returned to his body.

"Amazing," Gregorio commented from the sidelines, clapping his hands. His expression was like that of a child watching a cartoon he adored. Arthur ignored him, and simply sat on the bench beside him.

"Now what?"

"Starting from tomorrow, you'll have tougher opponents."