The Survival of the Third-rate Villain

(Raye’s POV)

"Because I’m clearly stronger and you’re still not in your best shape, I’ll only launch non-mana attacks."

Ramiel declared as he put on his leather gloves.

And immediately...

"That sounds good."

I said that.

Fwip-

Then I took a fighting stance while holding a wooden sword on each hand.

’He’s wrong about one thing.’

I thought as I looked at Ramiel.

It’s true that he’s definitely stronger than me.

But right now...

’I’m actually in my best shape.’

I declared in my head.

"Start!"

And when Ramiel announced the start of our match—

"[Flash]"

I immediately used that skill!

Bam-

Swish-

I launched forward toward Ramiel!

There were only about ten meters between us, so in a matter of milliseconds...

Fwish—

I appeared in front of him!

"...?"

Ramiel’s eyes slightly widened, seeing me in front of him.

SWISH—

So I took that chance and slashed horizontally with my right sword, aiming at the left side of his body!

"No wonder that Charles guy wasn’t able to respond."

I heard Ramiel casually say.

And before I could even process it...

Bam!

"Urgh?!"

I was punched in the face!

But I was already aware that Ramiel’s specialty was his speed despite his massive size.

So, as I stumbled back and without being surprised—

SWOOSH—

I followed with a rising strike from the bottom with my left sword!

Though...

"Hm?"

Tap-

Fwish—

Ramiel just stepped back and completely avoided it.

And looking at me...

Fwoosh—

He launched a back kick!

TWHACK!

I used the wooden sword in my right hand to block it.

"?!"

But the force behind his attack was strong.

Bam-

So I leaped back to soften it.

As soon as I did, though...

Fwish-

"This is how you do ambushes."

Ramiel suddenly dashed toward me and reached me as I was in mid-air!

Fwoosh—

Then he launched a heavy right straight!

"Gurgh...!"

I frowned hard, seeing that.

And forcibly...

’Reach...!!’

I extended my right foot to the ground!

Tap-

And when it barely touched the floor...

"[Flash]"

I used that skill again!

B ut this time...

Swoosh—

I launched myself up into the air!

Swish—

And Ramiel’s fist hit nothing but air!

"Huh?"

Ramiel followed me with his eyes.

And then, he smirked.

"Bad decision. There’s nowhere for you to dodge now."

He said, preparing a heavy attack to catch me.

Though, calmly...

"I can still attack though."

I said that.

Fwish—

And then I stored both of my swords in my spatial storage!

Clap—

I clapped my hands in front of me.

"[Lit up]."

And then I muttered that!

Swaaaa—

A raging fire covered my hands!

And seeing that...

"...?"

Ramiel frowned.

I hadn’t shown this skill to anyone else except Jerusha.

So he didn’t know what was coming!

Fwip—

I pulled back my right hand.

FWAAAA—

Then the fire in my hands took the form of a bow and arrow!

And aiming it at Ramiel below me...

"[Shoot]."

I smirked and muttered that!

SWOOSH—

The fire arrow shot forward, heading straight to Ramiel!

And feeling the mana packed into it...

"Hmm, that’s interesting."

Ramiel mumbled that.

Bam—

And he decided to avoid it!

BOOM!!!

The fire arrow hit the ground, and a loud explosion occurred!

Swoosh—

A huge dust cloud was created from the debris.

Tap—

And I landed inside of it!

"I can feel your presence, you know?"

I heard Ramiel say.

"I can feel yours too."

And I casually responded!

Fwip-

I took out the bow from my spatial storage, and after loading it with an arrow...

Fwish-

I aimed it at Ramiel!

And as soon as I did...

Fwop-

I let go of the bowstring!

"[Gust]"

And then I cast that to make the arrow fly faster!

SWOOSH—

The arrow flew forward and tore through the debris!

"Huh?"

I heard Ramiel mutter outside the dust cloud.

Swish—

And then I felt his presence move to the side!

’He avoided it.’

I didn’t waste a second. I loaded another arrow into the bow.

And after aiming it again at Ramiel...

"[Gust]"

FWOOSH—

I shot again!

"Ugh."

Ramiel groaned, annoyed.

And this time...

TWHOCK—

I heard wood hitting something!

I immediately knew that Ramiel had deflected the arrow this time.

And as if that wasn’t enough...

BAM—

I felt his presence dashing toward me!

’Ugh, I was hoping to buy more time with the bow.’

I thought.

Fwip—

And then I stored the bow back and took out the wooden swords again!

Soon enough...

"That was really annoying, the arrows."

Ramiel reached me!

And looking at him...

"Glad you liked them."

I replied!

SWOOSH—

And swung my right sword diagonally up!

TWHACK—

But Ramiel just grabbed and stopped it with his left hand!

SWISH—

I responded by launching another attack, I slashed vertically down with my left sword!

But just like the first one...

TWHOCK—!

Ramiel just caught it with his right hand!

"What now?"

He asked, looking at me arrogantly.

He looked really annoying, to be honest.

"..."

Anyway, without responding to him...

Fwip-

I let go of the wooden sword in my right hand.

Fwish-

Then I took out the wooden dagger!

And while holding it in a reverse edge out grip...

Fwish—

I launched a swift, horizontal slash!

"?!"

Ramiel was surprised by this, I could see it on his face.

Tap-

Fwoosh—

He took a single step back and avoided my attack.

But seeing that...

’Caught you!’

I exclaimed in my head and smiled!

Tap-

I immediately stepped closer to him with my right foot!

And with my dagger raised...

FWOOSH—

I brought it down, intending to stab Ramiel in the head!

I was smiling, seeing my dagger near Ramiel’s face!

But then...

BAM—!

I suddenly felt a heavy strike on my stomach!

"KEUK?!"

I felt the air escape my body!

And the next thing I knew...

FWOOSH—

I was flung away, outside the dust cloud!

Thud-

And I fell face-first on the arena!

’Why in the stomach again?!’

I exclaimed in my head as I gasped in air.