「Fermus is strong」

「Yeah, I’d say he’s as strong as guild master」

However, Neidhart was not weak enough to be overwhelmed by just that. He moved forward, while somewhat wounded, and began to inflict damage on Fermus with his super-fast thrusts.

He instantly understood that his slash would be nullified and switched to a thrust that could target the gap between the strings. With each blow that seems to be able to do quite a lot of damage, the power of each thrust with his unique skill-buffed-leg strength must be extraordinary.

Still, Fermus didn’t rush and continued to work on his threads, and finally caught Neidhart.

「Hundred Threads of Binding」

「Muh!」

The previously harmless looking threads had been mixed into a bundle of countless threads. They also become sticky when magic power is passed through them. I noticed that Neidhart’s legs had become entangled by several threads.

Although his movement is momentarily interrupted, Neidhart quickly slashes at it and escapes. However, that momentary opening was exactly what Fermus was looking for.

With his hand dangling down and became defenseless, Fermus came to a complete stop in the center of the stage. He even closed his eyes. He was about to unleash a big attack that could not be launched unless he concentrated so hard.

「Fuuh!」

「Geh―」

However, Neidhart reacted immediately to the opportunity and threw his right-hand sword. With muscles as strong as his, even a hand throw would be tremendously fast.

The sword hit Fermus spectacularly.

He didn’t even try to prevent any of it, did he? Even though he was concentrating, the threads he had deployed should have covered the area around him… The threads around him seemed to have weakened somewhat, but that was all.

The sword pierced deep into Fermus chest.

But Fermus did not fall down. Rather, he grinned.

「Ten Thousand Threads… Bloody Death Formation」

A large amount of blood gushed like a fountain from the wound on Fermus’ chest. It wasn’t just from the wound, obviously.

The threads instantly absorbed the blood and all the threads within the stage had become bright red.

As the name suggests, it must be a technique to strengthen the threads through the medium of his own blood. He predicted Neidhart’s attack and dared to take it. Realizing this, Neidhart grunted.

「So you’re expecting that…!」

It makes me wonder just how many threads he has deployed to cover all part of the ground as if countless capillaries have been laid out within the barrier.

While the audience was surprised, all the threads within the barrier rushed to Neidhart at once.

Neidhart tried to shake them off with his swords, but he could not cut through them as he had done before. It appears that the red thread has become significantly stronger.

「Kuh! How troublesome!」

「…」

Fermus remain silent to Neidhart who struggles with his thread. Or rather, he cannot say anything back. His appearance is exactly like that of a half-dead man. He looks as if he is about to die.

This technique of his was probably a secret technique that put his life on the line and can only be safely used in this martial arts competition where bringing him back to life is possible.

Will Fermus continue to wilt and die, or will Neidhart be finished off first?

Damage on Neidhart’s body keep on accumulating on each second passing. On the other side, Fermus is already unable to stand and is on one knee.

「Kuh, damnit…!」

The red thread finally caught Neidhart’s leg.

The red thread itself does not do much damage, but it managed to slightly hinder his movement.

If he slows down, he will not be able to dodge another thread, which will hinder his movement even more.

Moreover, the threads piercing Neidhart’s body are becoming darker in color. It seems that they have absorbed Neidhart’s blood and have been further strengthened.

The number of red threads piercing his body increased at an ever-increasing rate. The red threads had pierced through his body, legs, and arms, and dyed his body red.

「Ghah!」

Ultimately, Neidhart made a huge blunder in his evasion, and the red thread struck him right on his chest. Right at the place where a heart should be. The red threads then swarmed all at once to his chest and pierced through his body.

Then, exactly 30 seconds later.

「Haha… It’s my win」

「I see, it seems I’ve lost」

Such words was exchanged as Fermus is being resurrected by the Cradle of Time.

Fermus then went to Neidhart and poured a potion on him.

Still, I don’t quite understand why Neidhart didn’t die when his heart should’ve been pierced?

This is just a guess, but, could it be thanks to his Insectification skill? I indeed saw Neidhart’s appearance change to that of an insect at the time his chest got pierced. But, was it possible for him to transform only the inside of his body? It also seems that thanks to its vitality-boosting effect he managed to hold on until Fermus die.

I heard that insects do not have a heart like humans. Insect-type magic beasts may have organs that function like a heart, but their heart may not even be similar in shape to that of mammals.

Well, what I do understand was that Neidhart doesn’t seem to have gone all out yet.