The Survival of the Third-rate Villain

BAM!

Lycus dashed toward Raye without hesitation.

And when he reached him—

SLASH—

He threw a fast swing with the dagger in his right hand!

Fwish—

Raye dodged it by slightly retreating his torso.

And as a response—

SWISH—

He launched a swift counter with the flaming [Nyx], aiming at Lycus’ neck!

Fwoosh—

Lycus ran toward Raye’s left side to get out of the attack’s range.

Then from there—

Swoosh—

He slashed in a horizontal arc with the dagger in his left hand, aiming for Raye’s ribs!

Raye, anticipating the attack—

TING—

Parried it with [Celestria] that was formed as a gauntlet in his left hand!

Fwoosh-

Then he thrust his sword toward Lycus’ stomach!

CLANG—!

Lycus received the blade of Raye’s sword with the same dagger he used to attack just now!

And to nullify the impact that he would’ve received—

Swish—

He rotated his body to his left, going back in front of Raye!

Then, making use of his spin too—

SWOOSH—

Lycus performed a heavy, spinning slash with his right dagger!

Though—

TINK!

Raye just caught his weapon mid-attack with his left hand!

And from the thrust attack that he just did—

SLASH—

Raye followed with a horizontal slash from his left to right!

His sword would cut Lycus in half if nothing was done!

"...?!"

A frown appeared on Lycus’ face as soon as he realized that!

Swish-

TIIING—

He immediately placed the dagger in his left hand to his right side of the torso to block Raye’s attack!

Then, as the two of them had both their hands occupied—

BAM—!!!

They both launched knee kicks at the same time!

Their knees collided, and both their attacks were halted!

"Tch—"

They clicked their tongues in unison.

BAM—

And then they both jumped back, distancing themselves from each other!

Tap—

Raye landed softly on the ground.

He looked at Lycus and saw him looking back at him.

Then, smiling—

"Hah!"

Raye let out a laugh.

"None of our attacks went through, huh."

He mumbled.

And with a shrug of his shoulders—

"That’s because you wouldn’t lower your goddamn guard even for a second."

Lycus responded, smirking.

"Ehh, you do that first and I’ll consider doing the same."

Raye followed.

Then, taking his fighting stance again—

"No thanks."

Lycus mumbled.

"Too bad, then."

Raye replied, fixing his stance too.

And without further ado—

"[Flash]"

He muttered.

SWISH—

Then he suddenly appeared in front of Lycus!

’Ugh, you speed devil!’

Lycus exclaimed in his head.

TAAANG-!!!

And then he crossed his daggers in front of him to block the left straight Raye had thrown!

"Urgh...!"

Lycus groaned as he felt the force of Raye’s attack in his arms.

But steeling himself through that—

"Heh."

Lycus laugh!

"...?"

This confused Raye.

"The moon’s out, huh."

But when he heard Lycus say that—

"!!!"

His eyes widened!

It was about 6 PM, and it was getting dark. The moon was also a bit visible from Lycus’ spot.

’Fuck!’

Raye cursed in his head, realizing what Lycus was about to do!

FWOOSH—

He thrust his sword forward in a desperate attempt to stop his plan!

But just before Raye’s blade could reached Lycus—

"[Moonlit Reaper]"

Lycus muttered that with a smirk!

And when Raye’s attack made contact with him—

Swoosh—

His body just dissolved like a shadow!

And now, Lycus was nowhere to be found!

"Fucking hell, that’s cheating."

Raye whispered to himself, smiling.

SLASH—

And then he did a full spin slash attack!

Though...

Swoosh-

His sword hit nothing but the air!

’This stealth skill of his is annoying.’

Raye thought, looking around, trying to find Lycus.

"..."

He remained vigilant, watching out for an attack that might come from anywhere and at any time!

Though, just then—

Fwip-

He felt something cold on his neck.

"?!"

Raye was surprised.

Then, when he glanced down...

"..."

He saw a sharp dagger pressed against his neck!

’I didn’t even know he was near me.’

Raye said in his head.

Lycus was standing behind him!

And with a mischievous smile on his face—

"I win."

Lycus declared!

"Ughhh..."

Raye just sighed, hearing him.

Fwip-

Then Lycus retrieved his weapon.

"Wow, good job, Lycus!"

Devin shouted from the sideline, smiling.

"Hahahahaha!"

He was laughing at Raye.

"That’s bullshit!"

Raye exclaimed, looking at Lycus.

"I would’ve sensed that attack and stopped it if there was a murderous intent behind it."

He grumbled.

"But because you don’t really hate or want to kill me, you got near without me noticing."

And then he added, feeling wronged.

"I don’t know what you’re talking about."

Lycus shamelessly replied, smiling as if to mock Raye.

And seeing him like that—

"Ugh..."

Raye just decided to let it go and stop talking.

"Haha, even I don’t know if that was unfair or not."

Devin said, standing up and walking toward the two.

...

*****

After their free-for-all match...

The three of them continued training.

Not by fighting again.

Instead, they started sharing ideas and tricks with each other and practicing them.

Techniques, stances, blocking, attacking, parrying, and many more!

They took turns demonstrating different techniques, focusing on refining the smaller details!

Raye showed Lycus a more fluid way to transition between attacks, while Lycus helped Raye improve his parrying timing. Devin, though not as skilled with swords, offered suggestions on speed and agility, which were surprisingly useful.

As the sun began to set, they paused to catch their breath.

The air was filled with the sound of their heavy breathing, a sign of the intensity of their training.

And after a while...

"Alright, I think that’s enough for today."

Raye said that, wiping the sweat from his forehead.

"We’ve still got things to do tomorrow."

He followed.

"Mhm, that’s right."

Lycus nodded his head.

"Training with you two is really enjoyable, that was fun."

Devin commented with a smile.

And with a final stretch...

They all agreed to call it a day.

And just then—

Rustle- rustle- rustle—

"Oh, here you guys are..."

Jerusha appeared from the woods!

And looking at them three—

"Mister said that the dinner will be done soon."

She declared that with a sweet smile!

The three of them stood immediately as soon as they heard that and went back to the cabin with Jerusha.