Chapter 739 - SEMI-FINAL 2ND ROUND: WINGED TASSEL VS NOCTIS (IV)

"IT'S really such a shame, right? Not being able to fly," Luo Yan said in a sickeningly sweet voice. "But you shouldn't blame me too much. After all, I'm just doing this to win. Besides, it's not as if you won't be able to use it after the match. So, just endure, okay?"

As he said those things, he continued to attack his opponent. While Winged Tassel continued to either dodge or block. He could see by the increasingly darker expression on the other's face that getting annoyed every time he heard Luo Yan spoke. 

Good. With this, it would be hard for Winged Tassel to imagine that there was actually a time limit on when he couldn't use his wings. Because of Luo Yan's words, the other would inadvertently think so. 

Of course, he took into account the possibility that the other might realize that he was just playing him. That's why he made sure that his words would make it seem like that was indeed the case. If it was any other person saying it, it would probably not be enough to convince the other. But since he had a knack for infuriating anyone as long as he wanted to, any possible suspicion that Winged Tassel might have would be covered by the annoyance he felt for Luo Yan.

With that in mind, he started another flurry of attacks.

The [8th Movement Dance]'s attack pattern was very repetitive. Anyone who was subjected to it for a long time would be able to predict what the next set of movement would be. Since he had been using this skill for quite a while now, with Winged Tassel's ability, he would have definitely already memorized this skill's attack pattern.

So, in the next second, Luo Yan didn't use the skill but still followed the attack pattern. To make it seem like he used it. On the 6th movement, instead of doing it the same way as the 6th movement of the skill, he did something different.

He slashed his right dagger from the left, just like how it was in the skill. But when it was about to hit the other, he twisted his wrist and instead thrusted it forward. 

Because of the sudden change in movement, Winged Tassel who was about to dodge to dodge backward was caught by surprise. He was already moving and his actions couldn't be stopped easily. When the tip of the dagger was about to reach his throat, he gritted his teeth and raised his sword in front of him. Just like how a medieval knight would raise his sword before a duel. 

The tip of the dagger hit the flat surface of the katana's blade. After successfully blocking that attack, he swung his sword, producing a gust of sharp wind. This wind forced Noctis to jump backward. 

That was close. If he hadn't accurate raise his sword, that dagger would have definitely pierced his throat.

Luo Yan tsked. Really, the reaction speed of this guy was just top notch. He jumped a few steps back, thinking of what his next action would be. He currently couldn't use his [Shadow Walk] because it's in cooldown. This was one of the reasons why he wasn't planning to use it during the quarterfinals. Because the break between it and the semi-finals was not that long. But Razor really forced him to use it, showing just how capable the other was.

He knew that it wouldn't take long before Winged Tassel realized that he couldn't use [Shadow Skill]. He just hoped that it would bring the other's guard down once he did realize it. After all, the other would no longer have to worry when Luo Yan would use his [Shadow Skill]. And once Winged Tassel's guard was down, that's when he would swoop in and counter.

On the other side, after Winged Tassel escaped that close call, he decided that it would do him no good if continued to be on the receiving end of Noctis' attacks. It would just make him look like a punching bag. And what happened to punching bags if it's attack too much? It's destroyed. Would he really just have to wait for that to happen to him? Of course, he couldn't. 

He took advantage of their current distance and used his skill [Wind Tunnel Blade]. He spun his katana like some kind of baton and it produced a strong whirlwind. It's like a horizontal hurricane appeared on the rink. And it's destination? Where Noctis was standing.

Seeing this 'hurricane' that was about to hit him, he quickly jumped to the left. But unexpectedly, the hurricane actually followed him! So, was this some kind of 'homing hurricane'? If that's the case, then he should lead it to its owner. 

He turned to the direction where Winged Tassel was. But the moment he did, his steps faltered. Because his opponent was not there! Luo Yan suddenly had a bad feeling. He spun around. And there, at the head of the hurricane that was still following him, was Winged Tassel.

The other was being pushed forward by the strong wind. With the wind circling around him, it added a lot to Winged Tassel's speed. Because of that, the other managed to rushed to where Luo Yan was at an unbelievable speed. 

With the homing element of the hurricane, Luo Yan knew that no matter where he tried to dodge, it would just follow him. Then, it's better to just face it.

Right after he made that decision, Winged Tassel appeared before him. His sword ready to slash down. Luo Yan crossed his daggers in front of him at the same time, blocking the katana. 

When their weapons clashed, the hurricane completely surrounded the both of them. Before Luo Yan could make his next move, he felt something hitting his legs and arms. 

They were wind blades coming from the inside of the hurricane. He knew that he couldn't let this continue. Especially while he was still defending against Winged Tassel's attacks. It would simply lead to his defeat.

He looked down and when he saw the shadows on the ground, he smiled and used [Shadow Cage].