Gourmet Hunter - Chapter 152 (Patreon)

Chapter 152: A Single Strike

Honestly, Luo didn't know why Feitan looked at him unfavorably, but since Feitan challenged him, he saw no reason not to accept.

He planned to finish Feitan off in a flash, completely discouraging Machi and the others—essentially, a show of force by making an example out of him.

After accepting Feitan's challenge, Luo turned to Machi and the others nearby and said with a smile, "Why don't you guys line up?"

The previous battle had consumed some of his aura, but it should still be enough to deal with Feitan and his crew.

It wasn't that he underestimated the members of the Phantom Troupe; rather, the Troupe was still in its formative stages. With Luo's current strength, let alone one-on-one, even if the entire Phantom Troupe ganged up on him, he was confident he would win.

Hearing Luo's words, the faces of Machi and the three darkened, sensing the disdain from Luo, yet they had no grounds to object.

A few months ago, they had been thoroughly beaten by Luo, especially Uvogin, who had lost a hundred matches.

After months of harsh training, they thought they could have narrowed the gap, but Luo had become even more formidable.

Since Feitan wanted to fight Luo, and Luo had agreed, they could only wait.

There was no need to search for a battlefield; the flat plains they were on were the most suitable.

Feitan and Luo stood a hundred meters apart, surrounded by other members of the Phantom Troupe.

This was not a duel to the death, so the others treated it as a spectacle without worrying about anyone getting hurt.

"Who do you bet will win?" Franklin asked, his knowledge of Luo's strength limited to descriptions by Uvogin and others from months ago, while he was more familiar with Feitan's capabilities.

It was hard to say who had the upper hand between the two.

"Feitan," Machi bet on Feitan.

After she spoke, Uvogin and Nobunaga also placed their bets on Feitan.

Seeing that Machi and the others bet on Feitan, Franklin looked surprised but quickly realized that their betting on Feitan was merely a ploy to get Luo to join the Troupe.

Thinking this, Franklin shook his head slightly, acknowledging the depth of Machi and the others' fixation. However, he wasn't opposed to Luo joining the Troupe; after all, the Buddha Jumps Over the Wall dish they had the other night was indescribably delicious.

Sanbica Norton, not being a member of the Troupe, didn't participate in the betting.

"Luo," Chrollo finally bet on Luo.

Everyone turned to look at Chrollo, surprised that he would join such a casual betting game.

Chrollo ignored their gazes, quietly watching Feitan and Luo in the arena, eager to witness Luo's strength.

In the arena, Luo and Feitan stood facing each other.

Feitan was shorter but muscular and robust, about the same height as Luo now.

He stared coldly at Luo, slowly drawing a thin sword and then tossing its sheath aside.

His right hand gripped the sword, positioned horizontally in front of him, the blade resting on his right palm—a peculiar starting stance, its special meaning unclear.

Luo held the Truth, casually adopting a half-defensive, half-offensive posture.

He was aware of Feitan's abilities, not to mention the 'Unforgivable Sin' nen, and the sword's lethality combined with speed that was difficult to catch with the naked eye.

However, Feitan wasn't yet at the level he would be in over a decade; his speed should be manageable for now.

Besides, since it was a sword fight, Luo was even less worried.

After coming into contact with the obsessions on the Truth, those fragments of memories had provided Luo with a lot of information, all solid basic sword techniques.

He saw the unnamed swordsman persistently practicing these techniques daily, and after being possessed by the swordsman's obsession, Luo felt as though he had also practiced these basic techniques daily.

It was a profound experience. Luo originally didn't know how to use a sword, but his solid foundation in basic sword techniques was intuitively accessible.

Compared to some powerful or flamboyant sword skills, he believed basic techniques were what he lacked the most.

Both had drawn their swords, and with no referee, nobody called the start, but as soon as they stood facing each other in the arena, the battle had already begun—neither had made a move yet.

Swoosh!

Feitan acted first, transforming into a swift black shadow on the ground, lifting trails of smoke dragons—his speed was not slow.

He didn't use the newly developed nen or high-level nen techniques, relying solely on aura to enhance his high-speed attacks.

After Feitan moved, he didn't rashly attack but rapidly circled around Luo, creating a series of illusions and stirring up clouds of dust.

"It's indeed fast, but I can see clearly," Luo commented, his posture unchanged, his demeanor calm.

Feitan's intent was clear. His movement wasn't about feinting but rather to kick up dust and create conditions unfavorable for visibility.

Such conditions would theoretically disadvantage both sides, but Feitan was confident enough to attempt it.

After all, in the obscured vision from the dust, if one couldn't determine the opponent's position and attacked recklessly, they might end up striking themselves on the enemy's blade.

Luo could have stopped Feitan's actions, but he suspected Feitan was prepared for that. If he chose to interfere, he might give Feitan the opportunity to take the initiative.

Given the speed Feitan displayed, the likelihood of his sword strikes hitting was practically zero. To win, close combat with blades was necessary, and Luo was intent on defeating Feitan with a single strike.

"Let's play it your way then," Luo thought to himself, letting Feitan believe he had the upper hand, then planning to defeat him with one strike to crush his arrogance.

The domain... quietly unfolded. He didn't plan to shift positions but rather waited for Feitan to come to him.

The onlookers remained silent, watching Feitan dash around like a wild child, most discerning his intentions.

Machi clenched her fists, sincerely hoping Feitan would win to make things easier.

As the dust filled the arena, it not only obscured Luo's vision but also the spectators' view.

The faint domain spread out to a radius of twenty meters, and every rustle of grass was under Luo's control.

He wouldn't manipulate any element within the domain, simply using it as a circle—unless Feitan suppressed his aura, as soon as he entered the range, Luo would immediately detect it.

However, if Feitan suppressed his aura, he would also lose speed, reducing the threat significantly.

Feitan didn't suppress his aura, as his current level required him to bolster his physical abilities with aura.

As the dust stirred, Feitan decisively seized the opportunity and swung a fierce sword strike towards Luo's back.

The visual obstruction should have been mutual, but somehow Feitan had ascertained that Luo hadn't moved.

"From behind, huh..."

In an instant, Luo swiftly turned and stepped back, dodging Feitan's incoming sword strike.

The force of the swing blew a crack through the dust cloud.

"Missed..." Feitan muttered under his breath, dismayed.

Almost simultaneously as he dodged, Luo's wrist twisted, switching the Truth to a blunt sword mode, and then like lightning, he slashed out, striking Feitan's abdomen.

"Bang!"

A loud thud echoed through the dust.

Machi and the others tensed, but then a figure burst through the dust, spewing a mouthful of fresh blood into the air before crashing down heavily, rolling several times before coming to a stop.

It was Feitan.

"That quick?" Nobunaga was stunned.

At that moment, the lingering dust, as if sucked up by an invisible vacuum, spiraled into the ground and disappeared, revealing Luo's figure, who, having used the domain to clear the dust, appeared utterly composed.

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