09: VILLAGE

The blades collided, causing sparks to shoot across the concrete floor. To Stanier's astonishment, Jalon was a lightning fast runner. He wriggled and danced his way around Stanier, dodging his blind swings with ease. Jalon took a step forward and stepped on another vial, which exploded and blinded Stanier with a flash of light. As his blade struck with Stanier's crystalline skin, he swung it with tremendous force, shattering fragments and sent them soaring into the air.

Stanier lurched back, and before he could regain his feet, he was struck again, knocking him down. When he landed on the vials again, the elixirs bathed his entire body, soaking his garments with the potion. Jalon's name was chanted again and again by the crowd. Some questioned how he was able to dominate the lone wolf despite their swordsmanship being on par. Jalon's strategy, on the other hand, put Stanier at a significant disadvantage. By taking away his eyesight and stance, he had completely messed up his