Chapter 145: The Fake Marco (2)
Chapter 145: The Fake Marco (2)
Solomon narrowed his eyes and rested his palm on the pristine steel hilt extending over his shoulder. "What is your deal? Are you a fan or something?."
The fake Marco threw his hands up in a gesture of innocence. "What are you talking about? I am an enrolled student heading back to our dorms at the Azure Dragon Sect."
Solomon let out a dry scoff. "You do not look like a student."
The fake Marco pointed a finger at the bronze owl fluttering beside his shoulder. "Here is my proof."
Solomon tightened his grip on his sword strap. "If you are actually a student, open your integrated stream shop right now. Buy a cheap item and drop it in my hand."
The fake Marco dropped his hands to his sides. "Why should I waste my points to prove anything to you?"
A frown creased Solomon’s forehead. He gripped the hilt of Eden’s Penance and hauled the greatsword off his back. The divine steel sparked with blue lightning as he aimed the tip at the man’s chest. "I am giving you an ultimatum."
A smirk stretched across the fake Marco’s face. He clapped his hands together with a sharp crack.
A dome of dark shadows erupted from the dirt. The barrier expanded outward, swallowing the trees and the rocks. The two owls hit the exterior and bounced backward, locking them outside the spreading darkness.
Solomon kept his weapon raised and scanned the new environment. He tilted his head and watched the shadows swirl along the spherical walls, his eyes tracing the magical boundaries with genuine intrigue.
"Stop getting in my way, Solomon." The fake Marco rested his hand on his own hilt again. "Go back to the pavilion and pretend you know nothing about tonight."
Solomon adjusted his footing on the dark floor. "You are running around the city stealing an identity."
The fake Marco laughed aloud. "You impersonated Marco Alfoy down in the fighting pit first. I am just doing what you did. Why is it fine when you steal a name, and wrong when I do it?"
Solomon stepped forward and swung Eden’s Penance at the black wall. The pristine steel struck the barrier. The impact created zero sound, and the shadows simply rippled like a disturbed puddle.
"This domain isolates us inside a separate spatial pocket," the fake Marco said, chuckling at the failed attack. "The shadows absorb physical force and disperse it into the void. You cannot break it by swinging a piece of steel. Your strength has no meaning here, and without it, you are nothing."
Solomon hauled Eden’s Penance over his shoulder and slammed it against the shadowy barrier a second time. The dark wall simply rippled like water. He twisted his hips and delivered a third downward chop. The blade bounced off the boundary without leaving a single scratch on the surface.
"You should probably stop getting in my way and pretend you know nothing about tonight." The fake Marco leaned against a nearby tree trunk and laughed. "I already told you this domain isolates us. A basic physical attack will never shatter these walls."
Solomon abandoned the barrier and pivoted on his boots. He snapped his wrists and swung his greatsword directly at the fake Marco’s neck. The sword sliced right through the fake Marco’s throat.
However, the blade met zero resistance and passed through the flesh as if he did not physically exist.
"Nice try." The fake Marco grinned. He raised his right hand and gathered the surrounding darkness into his palm. The swirling shadows rapidly condensed and formed the shape of a longsword. He stepped forward and launched a horizontal sweep at Solomon’s ribs.
Solomon brought his own weapon up to block the incoming strike. Eden’s Penance phased right through the shadow construct. The dark weapon bypassed his guard and slammed directly into his side.
The impact knocked Solomon backward.
He gritted his teeth and clutched his side. The strike carried no sharp edge. The blow felt exactly like getting hit with a blunt wooden club.
They exchanged dozens of rapid attacks across the dirt. Solomon swung his greatsword repeatedly, yet every slash phased harmlessly through the fake Marco and his weapon.
Meanwhile, the shadow blade struck Solomon’s shoulders and arms. Every hit delivered a dull ache instead of a lethal cut.
Solomon dodged a thrust and took two steps back. He tilted his head and analyzed the bizarre physics of the fight.
The fake Marco clearly possessed the upper hand, yet he utilized attacks designed to bruise rather than kill. The fake Marco obviously wanted to stall the encounter and keep Solomon trapped inside the dome.
Solomon plunged the tip of Eden’s Penance into the dirt and let go of the hilt. He raised his bare hands and channeled his newly awakened internal energy. A bright layer of aura instantly coated his knuckles. He dashed forward and threw a straight right punch directly at the fake Marco’s face.
The fake Marco widened his eyes and made zero attempt to dodge. He expected the fist to pass harmlessly through his chin. The aura-infused knuckles collided with his jawbone with a sickening crack.
The force of the blow lifted the fake Marco off his boots. He flew backward through the air and crashed hard against his own shadowy barrier. He crumpled onto the dirt and clutched his jaw. A splatter of dark blood spilled from his lips onto the ground.
Solomon walked over and looked down at the fake Marco. "So I can hit you with aura."
The fake Marco pushed himself out of the dirt and gripped his jaw.
"Your battle IQ is just as they say. You are incredible."
He wiped blood from his lips using his sleeve and spat dust onto the ground. He glared at Solomon and planted his boots to regain his footing.
"I was going easy on you." The fake Marco rubbed his cheek and tightened his grip on his sword. "Why are you getting so serious over a spar?"
Solomon rested Eden’s Penance against his collarbone and stepped closer to the barrier. He cracked his knuckles and locked his gaze onto Marco.
"The prisoner Chenric wants to extract belongs to an evil sect." Solomon pointed at the shadows. "Those cultists are targeting my friends inside the academy right now. If you plan on helping Chenric break that guy out, I will stop you."
[1Fizzy: Solo Man protecting his friends.]
[BloodKnight: A warrior must defend his allies.]
[Chi_Master: Fake Marco is about to find out.]
The fake Marco gritted his teeth and raised his shadow blade. He shifted his weight onto his back foot to prepare for another clash.