"Back in the virtual arena of the Central Lands, I defeated seventeen challengers in a row in this state, ultimately earning the title of ’Blade Tiger.’
His gaze fell upon Ron, eyes sparkling with battle intent:
"Kid, today won’t be like usual when I hold back.
With my enhanced state, I stand a fifty-fifty chance even against a typical Morning Star Wizard.
Of course, that is, if the opponent doesn’t use Spiritual Shock to control me right at the start."
Almost simultaneously, the Stand-In Puppet beside Ron completed its activation sequence.
Nurtured long-term by the energy from the Abyss Crystal, the puppet had undergone significant transformation.
Its height increased to nearly two meters one, taller than Ron by a head.
Muscle lines were extremely distinct, each one perfect like a sculpture, with scales on its skin surface displaying a deep purplish-black hue, edges shimmering with starlight.
The most striking feature was its compound eyes, like two purple gems embedded in the night sky, revealing intelligence and savagery beyond conventional creatures.
"Today we’ll try a different combination."
Ron took an advanced steel spear off the weapon rack, the spear was approximately three meters long, its tip razor-sharp, perfectly weighted and balanced:
"I will use the spear for mid-range attacks, while the puppet will handle throwing short knives and close-range assaults. The test is for the efficiency of multi-weapon coordinated combat."
He handed a set of finely crafted throwing short knives to the Stand-In Puppet, each balanced perfectly for long-range throwing:
"Of course, my goal isn’t to defeat you, Master Aksa, but to improve my melee skills as much as possible in the process."
Aksa grinned, showing sharp teeth:
"A good idea, but..."
He bent down to pick up a two-handed War Axe from the ground, the axe blade broad and heavy, capable of easily cleaving through armor and shields:
"I also use a variety of weapons in combination; the true fearsome aspect of a Weapon Master is being able to switch to the most suitable weapon as the battle unfolds."
The battle was imminent.
In the center of the arena, three figures stood in a triangular standoff.
The air was filled with an intense and dangerous aura, ready to erupt into a cataclysmic conflict at any moment.
"Begin!"
Ron shouted lowly, his figure darting out like an arrow.
The spear in his hand moved like a snake, the tip piercing towards Aksa’s heart with a chilling sound.
This strike embodied months of training, with perfect speed, strength, and angle.
Simultaneously, the Stand-In Puppet ghosted from the flank, throwing three short knives at once.
Each targeted Aksa’s critical points—left shoulder, right knee, back neck, sealing off most of his escape routes.
This coordination they had practiced countless times, and the timing was impeccable.
However, Aksa’s reaction stunned both of them.
Faced with the pincer attack, he did not panic but instead revealed a predatory smile.
The two-handed War Axe in his hands suddenly split, transforming into a single-handed axe and a small round shield.
"This is the first lesson of a Weapon Master—adaptability!"
He effortlessly parried Ron’s spear thrust with the round shield, the angle so deft it diverted the spear’s trajectory to one side.
Almost simultaneously, the single-handed axe swung at an incredible angle, knocking down all three throwing knives.
The entire move flowed smoothly without any unnecessary actions.
"Such agility..."
Ron’s pupils contracted, shocked by the scene:
"That angle shouldn’t be able to defend against attacks from two directions simultaneously!"
"Kid, this is the gap in experience."
Aksa smugly rotated the weapon in his hand:
"Every weapon has its best use case; the key is whether you can make the right judgment in an instant.
The two-handed War Axe is suitable for open terrain with sweeping attacks, but when facing multiple targets, splitting into single-handed weapons is more agile."
Before finishing his words, he was already launching a counterattack.
The single-handed axe flew towards the Stand-In Puppet, while he himself charged towards Ron with the shield.
This offense and defense tactic put immense pressure on both of them.
"Whoosh—"
The thrown single-handed axe carried terrifying spinning force, tearing through the air with a sharp screeching sound.
The Stand-In Puppet tried to dodge but found that the axe’s flight path seemed to have predicted its movement route.
Helpless, the puppet had no choice but to take the hit.
"Bang!"
The immense impact forced the puppet to step back several steps, with apparent dents on its chest scales.
Meanwhile, the shield-wielding Aksa already closed in on Ron.
The edge of the shield was sharp as a blade, forming a silver line aiming straight for Ron’s face during the charge.
Ron hurriedly raised his spear to block, but Aksa’s strength was too overwhelming.
The force from the shield strike transmitted through the spear, numbing his arms and nearly making him lose grip on the weapon.
"Strength, speed, skill, you’re still far off!"
Aksa pursued relentlessly, drawing a single-handed sword from his waist, forming a perfect offense-defense combination with the shield.
The Longsword struck like a snake, each attack targeting Ron’s weak spots.
Ron was forced to defend, his spear spinning into a silver light, barely warding off Aksa’s relentless attack.
But as the battle deepened, he felt increasing pressure.
Aksa’s attack rhythm changed unpredictably, sometimes as dense as a storm, sometimes suddenly pausing, enticing the opponent to expose weaknesses.