Me and the Mysterious Attacker kept a locked eye contact for a few seconds before launching ourselves at eachother.
Then, a fight of exchanging blows began as the attacker swung his dagger at me while I attempted to get my punches and kicks to break through his defense.

Unfortunately for me, this guy was somehow managing to completely block all my blows, while also throwing out some serious strikes himself.
Whoever this was, was NOT any every day crook or some beginner...

No, this guy was a real threat.

The exchange of blows continued for a couple more moments, before I was forced to create some distance between us by leaping back.

The attacker simply glared at me with what seemed like a pretty pitying stare.

[Mysterious Attacker] "You're managing to keep up quite well.."

I'm not sure whether I should take that as a compliment or...

Warning;
Imminent danger.

Wait - what?!
I quickly turned around only to see the Mysterious Attacker already close, launching a strike towards me.

'Shit! I let my guard down-!'

I thought before attempting to step back into my own shadow. If I was lucky enough - perhaps my skill [Shadow Manipulation] will kick in and I'll phase right into my own shadow before the attack lands.

As the strike of the attacker drew closer and closer, sweat drops fell from my face. Was this how I was going to die?
Are you serious?!

The attack eventually got incredibly close, however it suddenly stopped in its tracks, the attacker letting out a surprised gasp before being launched back into a tree.
The amount of force he was launched with was even enough to crack the tree and nearly break it in half..

'What... Just happened?!'

I thought, confused as hell on what had just transpired in front of me.

[Mysterious Attacker] 'What the hell was that? The moment my attack was about to land I suddenly felt this powerful presence... Was that him?'

The Mysterious Attacker got back up onto his feet, only now he seemed to be struggling a bit to stand straight - most likely due to the impact he had endure just now.

[Mysterious Attacker] 'I swear I felt something react to my attack violently before stopping me... Don't tell me..'

The attacker looked at me in what seemed to be a worried way.

[Mysterious Attacker] 'Don't tell me that this guy has a Passive Protection skill..'

The attacker then got into a more defensive position, almost like he was going to continue things a lot less aggressively now.

'Why is he..'

Analysis suggests that the impact has forced him to prioritise defense over offense.
Now would be a good time to strike as much as possible to bring him down.

That came out of nowhere and sounds strangely very violent..
Although - perhaps [Sages' Wisdom] was right. This guy did not seem like the type to give up easily or listen to words.

So perhaps if I just gave him a beating... Maybe he'll be forced to surrender or something?

I simply exhaled before taking a battle ready position once more.
Less thinking - more action. If I was going to do anything to bring this fight to a halt, it had to be done now.

   For a few moments I simply remained perfectly
still - keeping a cold and intense eye contact with my attacker...

Or at least what I would guess to be eye contact. There weren't any visible eyes on him after all..

And after a few brief seconds passed - I launched myself at the attacker.

The attacker seemed a bit surprised about my sudden aggressive play, however managed to dodge my first incoming attack before beginning to block or deflect the other attacks I attempted to get through.

'He already had some impenetrable defense while he was aggressive... Now that he's on the defensive, it's like he has tripled his own sturdiness!'

I thought.
Even though it felt like he had gone up and beyond his own defensive limits, I kept up my relentless attacks - just to keep him somewhat pinned.

However, I was unable to break through.

This small feud continued on for a bit, as I threw out an attack after an attack at the Mysterious Attacker, while he deflected each one.

It was slowly starting to become repetitive, however, I at least wasn't feeling any exhaustion or getting tired - Thank the gods for my absurd Stamina stat!

Eventually I managed to push the attacker back quite a bit, with him even reacting a bit to the blow - Letting out a scoff.

'Did I manage to somewhat damage him?'

Answer;
The Mysterious Perpetrator has taken light damage.

Light Damage?
Oh yeah that's helpful.

.....
Yeah no, that was sarcasm — How the fuck is that helpful?
How much was 'light damage'? LIGHT DAMAGE COULD ALSO MEAN A TINY SCRATCH OR SOMETHING Y'KNOW.

According to a Detailed Analysis,
The Perpetrators status is...

Unknown.
Unable to view the Perpetrators status.

...Say what now?
So you're telling me, that my [Sages' Wisdom] is unable to get access to his status?

Must be some kind of cheeky status hiding or something skill...

The Mysterious Attacker simply scoffed again before looking at me in what seemed like a rather disappointed way.

[Mysterious Attacker] "Y'know, I was going to be a bit more vary of you the moment I was sent back by that strange force or whatever which was around you.. however it looks like I have no reason to fear you."

He said before spinning his dagger and preparing for an attack.
I quickly took a defensive position, before looking at him seriously, yet still shedding a slight sweat.

'Well.. looks like I'm going back on the defensive..'

I thought, sighing lightly.

[Mysterious Attacker] "Let's see just how much you can withstand.."

The attacker said before looking down at the ground, placing the dagger in his hands in front of him.

The hell was he doing? Was this some sort of technique?

Attention;
The Perpetrator is preparing an attack from the skill [Arts of Imminent Demise].

Arts of the what now?!

'Imminent Demise'?! I have absolutely no idea what that is, however based on it's name alone, it did not sound like something I should be tanking.

After a few moments, a powerful black aura surrounded the attacker before coiling up around his dagger, forming a spinning cloud of black mist around it.
The attacker lifted his head up and looked at me.

[Mysterious Attacker] "Let's see you dodge THIS!"

He shouted before preparing and launching at me with intense speed - such speed I was barely able to perceive it.
The speed of his attack was going so ridiculously fast that dodging was NOT an option.

I know I said this earlier, but it looks like this is the end.

And so, as the strike approached me with the rapid speed, I simply closed my eyes, accepting of my short life as a snake..

'You will be protected from Instant Death.'

Huh?
What was that voice?
I opened my eyes as the attackers attack collided with what seemed to be a powerful 'barrier' or something around me.
His eyes widened underneath his mask, as the attack could not pierce through the strange shield that came out of nowhere.

[Mysterious Attacker] "What.. the hell..?!"

He shouted before the barrier around me glowed and released a burst of energy that completely destroyed his attack as well as cracked his dagger, forcing the attacker down to his knees in the process as well.

I simply watched in confusion and slight surprise as the attacker fell to his knees because of this strange burst of energy that didn't even come from me.

'What... Just happened?'

Answer;
It appears you were protected from the Imminent Death attack by an External Force.

By an External Force? Does that mean that someone saved me from the attack? But who and why?

As these thoughts rushed through my head, the attacker who was on his knees now simply exhaled before laughing lightly.

[Mysterious Attacker] "I see... Well, that was most certainly unexpected.."

He stated before lifting his head up and looking at me.

[Mysterious Attacker] "I humbly accept my defeat."

He stated before suddenly lifting one of his legs up and getting into a bowing position, which made me practically shriek in confusion.

[Mysterious Attacker] "You have earned my respect, Young Fighter."

He stated, keeping his head low and his voice calm and collected.
The most insane part about all of this however, was how FUCKING ACCEPTING HE WAS OF HIS DEFEAT JUST NOW.

I mean — Can we rewind please?!
I think I missed a chapter!

As I slowly began to panic internally, not quite sure what to do, a strange figure that was laying dormant inside some nearby bushes simply smirked, before turning around and leaving, disappearing into a small orange flame.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hey!
Unstable here.
Apologies for the shortness of this chapter, it simply turned out much shorter than I expected it would.

But still, I hope it was an enjoyable read.

Next time : 'Are You my Friend or Foe?'