Chess Mage of Faerûn

Chapter 72 The Death of the Warrior

There is great terror between life and death. Zhang Yuan, who always liked to use this phrase to show off and lecture others, finally experienced firsthand just how terrifying the so-called life and death are.

The cold blade sliced ​​across his face, and the crimson blood mixed with rust turned into a hot stream that rolled into his mouth and nose. At that moment, his entire consciousness went blank. Apart from that instinctive backward lean, all his advanced footwork and dodging skills, which he had learned temporarily, vanished like straw on the ground with a sweep of the sword's edge.

As for the protagonist's privilege of breaking through in the heat of battle, having an epiphany on the spot, or even turning the tables on the spot, those can only be found in dreams.

The last time he was in such danger was when he faced the gnoll's ambush, but back then he had gone mad. This time, however, he was completely overwhelmed and all he felt was fear.

At this moment, Zhang Yuan finally had a chance to catch his breath. He directly used the healing ring on his recovery ring to treat minor injuries. A warm power flowed into his body, and a hazy white light flashed across his skin.

I touched my ribs and felt the pain lessen considerably as the force soothed the bones that had been throbbing.

"Maybe it's not broken, maybe it's just a bruise or a fracture. After all, I have a strong physique and armor to cushion the damage," Zhang Yuan thought to himself.

Zhang Yuan, who had just stood up with his sword drawn, hesitated as he watched Ska and Tao Gesi fighting.

He did not deny that his hesitation stemmed from fear. In every aspect, he was far behind his opponent, and even when his opponent was fighting Ska, it was not easy for him to intervene.

Is it really necessary? He kept asking himself why he didn't take it easy, why he didn't go back to continue training, build a solid foundation, and then look for opportunities for real combat after he had mastered his martial arts.

But if you practice, how far do you have to go to be considered a master or a great successor?

Above intermediate warriors are advanced warriors, above advanced warriors are great warriors, and beyond that are legendary warriors. When will it ever end?

Reality is not a game. Enemies won't just wait for you to become stronger before coming to challenge you. There will always be unexpected surprises and dangers, no matter how "beyond" the difficulty level is for you.

At least for now, we still have a captain leading the way, and at least for now, we still have pawns and comrades as backup.

After encouraging himself for a while, Zhang Yuan finally rushed forward.

Just as he and Ska were exchanging blows and having a great time, Taugs suddenly caught a glimpse of the slippery rookie out of the corner of his eye. Somewhat surprised by the rookie's strong recovery ability, he also began to truly feel the pressure.

A shoulder injury is not something a soldier can ignore, let alone when facing a strong enemy.

Taugs, who was already only able to hold his own against Ska due to his injuries, was already planning how to face the enemy's pincer attack again.

The shield warrior in front of me is tough and experienced; having been fooled once, he's unlikely to be easily fooled again. As for this newbie? Although he's slippery and cautious, some things can't be avoided simply by being careful.

Having made up his mind, Tao Gesi endured the pain in his shoulder and launched a fierce attack with his greatsword.

Unexpectedly, Ska was forced into a passive defensive position by the opponent's sudden attack, and even had to use his sword-wielding hand to hold up his shield in order to withstand the opponent's powerful slashes.

However, this tidal wave of attacks came to an abrupt end, as if a pause had been drawn.

Ska was not pleased but alarmed. If the other party was suppressing him despite his injuries, then the real purpose must be to prevent him from having a free hand to rescue that rookie.

As expected, Taugs, who had been suppressing Ska, suddenly drew his sword, turned around, and swung it at Zhang Yuan, who had just rushed up.

Having already grasped Tao Gesi's cunning, Zhang Yuan wasn't flustered. With his strength already reserved, he took a step back and circled around to the right of his opponent, his target clear: to attack the side where the opponent was injured.

Having missed his first attack, Togos blocked Ska's charge again, kicked his shield, and then turned to block Zhang Yuan's path.

Once again, Zhang Yuan used both hands to block the opponent's slash with his sword, and he noticed that the opponent's strength had obviously weakened after being injured.

Without hesitation, Zhang Yuan, having once again blocked Tao Gesi's greatsword, mustered all his strength to deflect it and seized the opportunity to rush straight towards the opponent's wide-open center.

Ska, who had arrived just in time, thrust his sword at the joint of the armor on the enemy's lower back.

Despite the perilous situation, Tao Gesi remained clear-headed. He half-kneeled and used the armor on his back to forcefully block the longsword that Shika was thrusting at him. One of his legs flew into the air and kicked at Zhang Yuan, who was rushing towards him.

He was willing to take a blow from Skaarl's sword just to finish off an opponent first.

Skar's longsword was, after all, an enchanted weapon; it pierced through his opponent's armor but didn't penetrate even a small section of the blade.

But Tao Gesi acted as if he hadn't been stabbed himself, and with a powerful kick, he slammed it into Zhang Yuan's abdomen without a second thought.

At this moment, Zhang Yuan also hardened his heart, thinking that his sword strike might not be as worthwhile as the opponent's kick.
Ignoring everything, Zhang Yuan risked taking a kick to pierce through the opponent's knee, and then was kicked away before he could even draw his sword.

Upon landing, Zhang Yuan felt like he was seeing stars. The kick to the stomach made him wonder if he was going to die from intestinal perforation.

Struggling to get up, he vomited as soon as he turned over.

Everything in his stomach, along with gastric juices and blood, was ejected from his throat.

Zhang Yuan, who was lying on all fours, gasped for breath for a while before he finally got up, while Tao Gesi was completely at a disadvantage.

Tao Gesi could bear the back injury, but the penetrating wound to his knee was truly devastating.

While the full suit of armor he wore offered excellent protection, it also put immense pressure on his body, especially his legs. He didn't usually feel it, but now, every turn and every charge was torture.

Despite still wielding his greatsword and panting heavily, it was clear to anyone with eyes that Tao Gesi was at his last gasp.

Finally, he found his longsword, which Tao Gesi had pulled out and discarded, on the ground nearby. He gripped it tightly, coldly staring at the figure that had inflicted so much frustration upon him today. Turning to his teammates, he asked, "Where's our priest? Do you have any healing spells?"

He's not stupid, why would he risk his life with serious injuries?

However, all the healing spells of the priests present were used on the wounded soldiers, and none were left.

Fortunately, a voice came at that moment: "I have a treatment for minor injuries, let me help you."

It was Jady, who, like everyone else, had been staying in the back and still retained some magic.

This battle has dragged on long enough, Zhang Yuan thought to himself.

Having undergone some treatment, he no longer intended to employ any more hit-and-run tactics. Since the opponent was beyond saving, he simply sought an opportunity to send them on their way.

Zhang Yuan rushed forward and encountered Tao Gesi's old trick again. However, he was exhausted and seriously injured, and he could no longer unleash the same swift slashes as before.

Caught between two attacks, Tao Gesi's attacks were not only blocked by Zhang Yuan, but he was also a step too slow and was stabbed in the chest by Shi Ka. Although it did not hit his heart, the intense pain that followed made Tao Gesi feel the loss of life so clearly.

The greatsword fell limply. Having fought to the last moment, Tao Gesi no longer made any futile resistance. He looked at Ska, then turned to look at Zhang Yuan.

"You guys are great, I really envy you."

Seeing that his opponent had stopped resisting, Ska also stopped attacking:
"In the name of Flame Fist, you are arrested. Come with me to Baldur's Gate, where a just trial awaits you."

Shaking his head, Tao Gesi asked:

"You two, may I know your names?"

"Ska!" "Chanem!"

“I, Taugs Kosan, am a warrior. Give me the home a warrior deserves.”

After saying this, Tao Gesi closed his eyes and remained silent.

Ska and Zhang Yuan, who both understood what Tao Gesi meant, were at a loss for what to do.

Ska was unwilling to kill someone who had already given up resistance, even though the other party was indeed a bloodthirsty bandit leader who would not escape death even if sent to trial. However, as a warrior and an opponent, he deserved Ska's respect.

Zhang Yuan's feelings were much more complicated. Having suffered a great loss and been seriously injured at the hands of his opponent, he should have been eager to give this guy a good beating, sending him on his way while also reaping some energy points.

But when you actually see the other person's disregard for life and death, you can't help but feel admiration.

From beginning to end, the other party did not use any underhanded tricks, and did not even care about their encirclement and sneak attacks.

The opponent won fairly and squarely, while I lost without a word to say.

In a battle, Zhang Yuan wouldn't care even if it was a sneak attack or a backstab. It's about using the weak to defeat the strong, and using any means necessary is only natural.

However, when the other party so readily faced death and openly allowed him to carry out his own plan, he hesitated.

Tao Gesi died without shame, a true warrior. But what about himself?
Even if this one sword strike could easily kill this powerful enemy, could I then shamelessly consider myself the victor and treat him as my spoils of war?

Having waited a long time without the other party making a move, Tao Gesi opened his eyes and saw the slippery newbie hesitating. He smiled:

"What's so hard about doing it? You've won, and it's your right to deal with me. Also, rookie, having the chance to kill Tao Ge Si might be the greatest honor of your life. Don't regret it."

Even after all this, you still dare to laugh at me? Zhang Yuan, who was already holding back his anger, was provoked and punched Tao Gesi in the face.

"Don't you realize your situation?"

"Good fight!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than Tao Gesi retaliated with a punch to Zhang Yuan's face. The punch made Zhang Yuan see stars and stagger back several steps. His cheeks turned red like steamed buns, which, in contrast to the sword scar on the other side, were quite balanced and matched.

"Who can you take down with your sissy fists? All you do is jump around, why don't you become a wanderer? You call yourself a warrior?"

Tao Ge Si actually picked up his greatsword and walked over with somewhat unsteady steps.

"Someone has to die."

As he spoke, Tao Gesi slowly swung his two-handed sword, as if preparing to settle things once and for all.

"Then you should die!"

Without time to consider why this was happening, Zhang Yuan suddenly sprang into action. A strange power awakened within him, and with unprecedented speed, he raised his arm, charged, and swung his sword, piercing the opponent's chest with its sharp edge.

Everything had come to an end. Tao Gesi, his heart pierced, fell backward to the ground, carrying the sword that Zhang Yuan had forgotten to pull out.

"Thank you... It's finally over."

(End of this chapter)