The match begins, and the beast person gets close and holds up his great sword.
Geitz responds by holding up his shield, and a loud sound echoes when they clash.
The bear beast person, Rosini, jumps back with a surprised expression.
“That was supposed to be a really strong attack.”
Says Rurika.
It seems he panicked and jumped back, because Geitz didn’t budge.
Geitz’s fighting style is to stick to the shield. He has a sword, but it’s almost just for decoration.
But of course, there are some times when he does use it. And according to Jin, he isn’t bad with it.
Also, I heard that he started using a shield because when he first became an adventurer, there was a long period when he spent too much money on potions and it was really affecting him financially.
It’s not like he’s the only adventurer who uses a shield, but they’re rare. There are even fewer who use holy magic, but there are more sorcerers in general than shield users, according to Jin.
“Although there are more shield users among the ones exploring dungeons.”
I think back to Majolica’s… And I can’t think of many shield users I’ve seen.
Ah, but there were a few when we reached the lower floors. And there were multiple ones in Guardian Sword.
Jin says this is even more pronounced in labyrinth types, because of the limited space.
Conversely, field types are more spacious, making it easier to dodge.
The projectiles and magic attacks were tricky, but it’s not like we’ve never used them.
“Oh, he made a quick decision. That attack from above was blocked, so he’s going for multiple attacks.”
“But doesn’t that just mean the attacks won’t connect?”
“Geitz can block them no problem, and I think his opponent knows too. He’s waiting for an opening.
The intensity of the attacks increases, becoming one-sided.
Geitz just keeps that shield up, calmly blocking every attack.
“I think it’s over.”
“Is it?”
“Geitz wins. I mean, his chances of beating him were slim after he couldn’t break through his defense with that one attack.”
I look at Jin.
“He can block my agile attacks better than ones from a great sword. It looks like he’s being attacked more and completely on defense, but it’s on purpose.”
“I get that. He blocked all my attacks, and I lost once the attacks stopped.”
Says Rurika to Jin, as she remembers training in the adventurer guild.
Yes, back when I was an adventurer and learning the basics, he blocked everything. Although in my case, I never got tired, because I had Natural Recovery Boost, and Swordmaster allowed me to not move too much.
I didn’t know too much about how to handle a sword back then, so it might be down to me sticking to the basics, and not moving too much because I did as the skill told me.
And sure enough, the fight slowly shifts, like Jin said.
Rosini’s movements get duller, and he’s clearly getting tired.
“It would usually be less of a burden if you dodged, if your goal is to tire out your opponent, because when you block with a shield, you have to put some strength into it. But Geitz manages to minimize it to a point where it’s not even close to how others do it.”
Jin also tells me to look at his feet.
“He’s barely moving them.”
Mia is right. Geitz doesn’t move from that one spot.
It’s not like he’s completely still either, but he typically only takes a step or two around that axis.
He really is moving as little as possible.
“When you block attacks while moving that little, you also keep your opponent in check. For example, you can purposefully create an opening to the left and lead your opponent there. And since the opponent has to move there to attack, that’s just more he has to do.”
Jin says that it’s hard to not fall for it even if you know that’s happening.
“I think it’s almost done.”
Declares Jin as Rosini attacks, and Geitz moves widely for the first time today to dodge.
His opponent thought his attack would be blocked by the shield, so his posture falls completely when the momentum takes him forward.
He almost falls, and is left completely open right in front of Geitz.
Geitz takes a step forward, and swings his shield. And after a dull sound, Rosini is blown away, his large body flying outside the ring.
The venue goes silent, and erupts with cheers that sound like an angry roar once Geitz is declared the winner, putting an end to the first match.
Rosini gets back in the ring, shakes Geitz’s hand, and says something.
Watching Geitz respond with a serious expression, and Rosini listening closely, reminds me of how it was back then. I too was once in that position, getting advice.
Join my patreon to support me and read ahead.
Thanks for the treat.