章 10: Final Match-Up of the Practice Duel and Ella Hestia

Gobnar made his way towards the platform, his excitement coursing through his veins. He could feel the eyes of the other goblins on him, watching intently as he prepared to face off against their lord.

Gray, as always, maintained his calm and composed demeanor, instructing one of his summons to fetch a wooden katana for himself to use in the duel.

The goblin hurried away and returned moments later, presenting Gray with a sturdy wooden katana, still sheathed in a wooden scabbard.

Gray's piercing eyes scanned the wooden katana, taking in every detail of its craftsmanship. The handle, polished to a smooth finish, fits perfectly in his hand as he wrapped his fingers around it. He then drew the katana from its sheath with a fluid motion, the sound of wood sliding against wood filling the air.

Gray swung the katana with precision, testing its edge as it sliced through the air with a swift whoosh. The blade moved effortlessly, responding to Gray's expert handling. He could feel the weight of the weapon, balanced just right for his fighting style. A sense of satisfaction spread across Gray's face as he nodded in approval, knowing that the katana was well-crafted.

Every eye in the training ground was fixed on their lord with awe as Gray wielded the wooden katana with exceptional skill and unwavering confidence. Even Gobusuke, known for his own proficiency with the katana, was amazed by how effortlessly Gray handled the weapon.

Gray slid the wooden katana back into its sheath with a confident flick of his wrist. He then turned to face Gobnar, who was positioned a short distance away, their eyes locking in readiness.

On the other hand, Gobnar confidently wielded his gleaming metal sword, clad in a well-crafted suit of armor that protected his chest, arms, and legs. The intricate designs on his armor reflected his status as a skilled warrior. Standing tall and imposing, Gobnar's polished metal plates shone in the sunlight.

In comparison, Gray appeared almost comical with his simple white shirt and black shorts, looking like he had casually strolled onto the battlefield for a summer outing instead of a serious duel. It was like a mismatched contest between a heavily-armed knight and a carefree wanderer armed with only a wooden stick.

"Are you ready now?" Gray asked Gobnar with a steady and commanding voice.

Gobnar nodded in response, his eyes shining with eagerness and anticipation. He was prepared to give his all in the upcoming duel against his lord.

As the practice duel began, Gobnar lunged forward with a ferocious attack, his metal sword slicing through the air with precision. He swung with power and aggression, aiming to overpower Gray with sheer force.

However, Gray's movements were fluid and graceful, evading Gobnar's strikes with a finesse that seemed almost effortless. He danced around Gobnar's attacks, sidestepping, ducking, and dodging with remarkable agility.

Gray's footwork was impeccable, his reactions lightning-fast as he evaded each of Gobnar's blows, all while maintaining his carefree demeanor.

Gobnar grew increasingly frustrated as Gray skillfully dodged his attacks, moving with agility and speed. Despite Gobnar's best efforts, Gray kept his wooden katana sheathed at his side, remaining untouched by Gobnar's strikes.

Gray's strategy was simple: relying on his body, intuition, and impeccable timing to avoid direct clashes with Gobnar's sword, he was fully aware of the deadly consequences of a single strike from the weapon.

Gray's skill in battle was undeniable, as he effortlessly dodged every slash and thrust from Gobnar, who was visibly fatigued. In contrast, Gray appeared unfazed, his nimble body gliding with ease across the training ground. His white shirt and black shorts were drenched in sweat, but his expression remained composed, and his focus unwavering.

With a final burst of energy, Gobnar launched a powerful overhead strike, aiming to end the duel in one decisive blow. But Gray's response was fast and decisive.

With sharp focus and quick reflexes, Gray swiftly stepped back twice, bending his body and gripping the handle of his wooden katana with precision. His other hand hovered above the scabbard, ready to draw the weapon.

As Gobnar's sword descended with thunderous force, Gray's wooden katana slid out of its sheath in a swift and fluid motion. With a calculated strike, he aimed for Gobnar's neck, using controlled strength to deliver a precise blow. The wooden katana made contact with Gobnar's neck, and he crumpled to the ground, unconscious but unharmed.

Gray's skill in martial arts was clear as he incapacitated Gobnar without causing any harm easily. Back on Earth, Gray was a skilled practitioner of Iaido, a traditional Japanese martial art that emphasized precise and efficient katana techniques, performed with calmness and control.

In fact, Gray had diligently trained in Iaido, achieving the esteemed rank of 9th-dan, showcasing his high level of proficiency and dedication to mastering this martial art.

Loud cheers erupted from the goblins as they witnessed Gray's impressive display of skill. Their excited voices filled the air with admiration for their lord.

Pride swelled in Gray's heart as he reveled in the cheers of the goblins, but he knew there was more to do. He called for Gobusuke, to join him on the platform. Gobusuke quickly appeared, bowing respectfully before Gray.

"Take these," Gray said, as he handed Gobusuke seven bottles of health potion. "Distribute these potions to all the fighters. It's important to recover their body after the battles."

Gobusuke nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. He took the potions with great care, knowing that Gray's concern for the fighters extended beyond just winning the tournament.

"Also, arrange for Gobnar to be carried to his room," Gray instructed. "Make sure he receives proper medical attention and is taken care of."

Gobusuke nodded again, taking charge of the situation. Gray trusted him implicitly, knowing that his instructions would be carried out efficiently and effectively.

Gray felt a sense of relief and satisfaction as he watched Gobusuke set off to distribute the potions to the other goblins.

Gray raised his hand, signaling for silence among the gathered goblins. As the cheers died down, he addressed them in a clear and commanding voice.

"Listen, my loyal summons," Gray began. "Today has been a great day as we successfully performed our first practice duel. We shall have a small feast in honor of this day."

As Gray spoke, the goblins' eyes lit up with excitement, and cheers erupted once again from the gathered crowd. Their faces broke into wide grins, and they eagerly anticipated the feast that Gray had announced

Gray reached into his inventory and pulled out a staggering 40 pieces of flameboar's meat. He handed the precious haul to his skilled Chef Goblin and instructed him to prepare the meat with care and expertise.

With a renewed sense of purpose, the goblins immediately sprang into action, each one going to their assigned tasks with enthusiasm. Some started setting up tables and chairs, while others began preparing the cooking fire and gathering ingredients for side dishes.

Gobu, the skilled Chef Goblin skillfully seasoned and marinated the flameboar meat, expertly tending to the flames and ensuring that the meal would be cooked to perfection.

Meanwhile, Gobusuke took charge of organizing a team to carry Gobnar to his room and ensured he received the necessary medical attention. Gray observed with pride as his goblins worked together smoothly, their efficiency and teamwork apparent. He was pleased to see them carry out their tasks with dedication and skill.

As the preparations for the feast continued, Gray realized that he needed to buy some items from the server marketplace. He opened the marketplace interface and started scrolling through the listings to find the items he needed. After a few minutes, he finally stopped at a stall in the marketplace.

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[ Server Marketplace ]

Ella's Stall: "Selling Wind Lizard Leather Armor for any edible meat!" ( Visits: 4 )

It appeared that the stall had just been opened a few seconds ago, as indicated by the low visit count. Gray quickly sent a message to the owner of the stall, expressing his interest in the Wind Lizard Armor.

Meanwhile, deep within the mountain forest, there lay a territory owned by a girl named Ella Hestia.

Ella sighed in frustration as she found herself stuck in the mountain forest with nothing but small lizards as the main source of monsters to defeat. "Why am I stuck in this forest with no other monsters? These lizards don't even drop any meat!" Ella complained to herself.

Similar to Gray, Ella Hestia was also a native of Earth who found herself forcibly transported into the survival game to represent her planet. In her former life on Earth, Ella had been a renowned superstar actress, known for her captivating beauty, flawless body, and exceptional acting skills.

However, in this new world, Ella had to tap into different talents to survive. Her once glamorous lifestyle was replaced with the harsh reality of the survival game.

Ella adapted quickly to her new environment, utilizing her 4-star talent and 4-star summoning altar to upgrade her territory faster than others. She was no longer relying on her acting skills or looks, but rather on her survival instincts and combat prowess.

As Ella lay down on her comfortable, light pink bed in her wooden cabin in the mountain forest territory, she took a moment to admire her reflection in a small mirror on the wall. Her short black hair framed her face as she gazed with cold, unwavering eyes. Her expression was resolute, reflecting her determined mindset to survive in this unfamiliar world.

Her slender, petite body was adorned with a sleek set of leather armor that accentuated her curves. The form-fitting armor hugged her body tightly, outlining her chest that was just the right size.

While admiring herself in the mirror, Ella suddenly had her attention drawn to a notification message that sounded on her interface.