Chapter 19 Fighting A Dragon (2)
The javelin-shaped clone, which weighs a ton after using [Expand], could easily crush any enemy along its path. Its power was obvious after seeing how the whole stadium shook after it landed. However, the opponent this time is a dragon.
*ROOOOOAAAAARR!*
Greeny released a loud roar which immediately sent the rising dust flying, creating a clear view of what happened in the middle of it. The javelin hit the dragon, however, it was dodged at the last second avoiding a fatal blow. Still, it left a gaping hole in the dragon's left lung, causing significant damage to it.
The javelin-shaped clone however wasn't fine either. After it hit the ground at terminal velocity, its core broke from the impact. Ember literally lost half of her fighting power. Looking at the results, it was clear that Ember's loss was more significant.
'However, it's not enough to despair yet!'
Since the damage was on the dragon's lungs, it would have difficulty in breathing. This could be an advantage if we were to drag the fight longer!
Of course, Helen wouldn't follow that arrangement. Although her impatience and overconfidence at the start caused this setback, she still had a high chance of winning the match.
Greeny, despite having a hole in its chest, moved as fast as before. After receiving some command from Helen, it quickly initiated an incessant barrage of melee attacks. Ember, who's only a slime, would lose if hit by any of its normal attacks even just once. She may even die at this rate.
If I could, I would surrender now to avoid endangering Ember's life. However, since Ember's will to fight was still burning brightly, I couldn't bring myself to do so.
"Ember, we'll delay this battle as long as possible!"
After that, Ember did her best to evade the endless offense of the Emerald Dragon.
Greeny even tried using a few of its skills but since it keeps getting evaded, and due to its large consumption of the dragon's stamina, Helen decided to only use physical attacks. Not only can it be released faster in succession, but a single hit from it was also more than enough to decide the match.
After a few minutes of playing cat-and-mouse, the dragon's strikes started scratching Ember's surface. Ember was the first to get exhausted!
Fortunately, after watching their battle for quite some time, I noticed something. A fatal loophole to the Emerald Dragon's offensive.
"Ember, keep on positioning yourself on its right side!"
If my observation was correct, then the Emerald Dragon was avoiding twisting itself towards the right. I guess it was due to the wound on its left chest getting stretched when it does so.
Ember who received my command quickly squeezed the remaining bit of its stamina and circled to the dragon's right side. Greeny tried to catch up but it was obviously turning towards the right significantly slower. Ember managed to earn a small respite with this.
'However, winning like this would leave a bad taste in our mouths. Not to mention my opponent, the audience may end up despising us. Although a win is still a win, I prefer letting Ember win through proper means!'
Deciding so, I quickly added a new order to Ember.
"Every time you see its right rib defenseless, launch a [Tackle]!"
Although Ember's [Tackle] isn't enough to take a dragon down in one hit, what if it gets tackled at the same spot repeatedly? Even a strong shield will break after getting attacked enough times.
After that, every time Ember managed to slip towards Greeny's right side, she would launch a tackle towards the third and fourth rib. At first, the tackle did next to nothing, however, after time passed, the Dragon started flinching after getting tackled. It was obviously gasping for air more and more.
"A battle of endurance! Although the dragon race is known for its endurance, it looks like it's nearing its limits now! On the other side, the slime Ember would lose if it got hit even once!"
Since the battle turned into a nail-biter instead of a game of endurance, the audience maintained their excitement. Of course, most of the work goes to the female announcer as her commentary adds more color to the bland exchanges between the dragon and Ember.
A slime, weaker in all aspects, may lose in one hit. A dragon, stronger in all aspects, may lose if too much time passed. The battle quickly turned from a seemingly one-sided match into an arguably toe-to-toe battle.
However, the clincher came suddenly. Ember, probably due to getting exhausted from dodging and using [Tackle] repeatedly, couldn't properly evade the incoming claw attack.
"Ember!"
She got hit by the attack and was sent flying a few meters.
The audience's cheers after that happened were grating to my ears. Fortunately, Ember managed to use a [Tackle] backward at the last moment, avoiding a completely fatal blow.
At the same time, the Emerald Dragon fell forward after hitting ember, probably losing strength.
"Both sides are down! What a turn of events! Is it a tie?! Let's start the count! Ten, nine..."
Hearing the announcer, I quickly focused on Ember. She's still conscious despite receiving an almost fatal blow. I guess since slimes lack pain receptors, she's able to take that much beating. However, she was extremely weakened due to overfatigue.
"Ember, you need to hang on for one last moment!"
I shouted loudly. Ember, hearing my voice, twitched slightly and started to move.
"... Three, two, one, ZERO! Ember has moved and is still able to continue! Greeny remained down! The winner of this match is Will and his big slime Ember! Everyone, please give our tamers a round of applause!"
Cheers came down from all around with deafening applause from the crowd. Disregarding that, I quickly ran to Ember's side. Similarly, Helen ran to her dragon's side too, tears falling from the corner of her eyes as she shouted Greeny's name repeatedly.
"You two showed me an interesting battle! As a reward, let me heal both of your companions!"
God Zeshion announced loudly. Before anyone was able to notice, he was already standing in the middle of what remained of the ring. Then, he clapped his hands. The clap wasn't loud but the sound it released resounded not in our ears but in our souls. It was a strange feeling.
After the clap's echoes faded, both Greeny and Ember were miraculously able to move as lively as before the match started.
"God Zeshion rewarded our contenders who showed us such a beautiful battle! It's the first time I saw him using [Healing Echo] up close! What an amazing healing skill!"
After that, the audience cheered even louder. Some of them were even shouting thanks to God Zeshion. Apparently, this skill not only healed the two beasts but also everyone with some sort of disease or injury within the audience. A skill that can heal anyone who can hear (or feel the vibration of) the sound, what a miraculous skill!
I patted Ember's head as I congratulate her. We watched as Helen hugged Greeny's neck as she bawled her eyes out while giving thanks to God Zeshion.