Era of Players: Death God
Chapter 43 - 43: Versus Lilith

Noah could feel the tension in the air as he stood face to face with Lilith. Her presence alone made him shiver, a mix of fear and uncertainty coursing through his veins. He knew that this encounter would be different from their childhood fights. Lilith had awakened her strength and become a formidable opponent.

As Noah tightened his grip on his wooden sword, he couldn't help but feel a sense of dread. He knew deep down that the outcome of this fight was not in his favor. The system's mission had hinted at his inevitable defeat, and now he understood why.

Lilith's amber eyes bore into him, devoid of any emotion. It was as if she had become a completely different person, her strength radiating from every pore. Noah could feel the weight of the challenge ahead, but he was determined to give it his all.

With a swift movement, Lilith raised her wooden sword, signaling the start of their battle.

Noah flinched, a phantom blow already stinging his cheek. Where was she? He spun, blade whipping around, catching only air. A gust of wind ruffled his hair, and a glint of amber flashed behind him. He barely parried, the wooden hilt jarring his hands.

Lilith, a blur of speed and precision, rained blows upon him. Each block sent shudders through his arms, each near miss whispered of defeat. Her sword, imbued with the ethereal glow of her awakened class, carved through the air with chilling grace. Noah, fueled by desperation, retaliated with wild swings, each one easily deflected.

He was a storm against a mountain, fury against ice. Panic threatened to consume him, but a spark of defiance ignited in his chest. He remembered the trials, the lessons learned, the will to survive honed by hardship. He wouldn't surrender, not to Lilith, not to fate.

With a growl, Noah shifted his stance. He wouldn't match her speed, so he wouldn't try. He focused on anticipation, on reading the flow of her attacks. He became a wall, a storm cloud gathering power. The next blow came, a feint to his left followed by a brutal slash to his right. He saw it coming, a flicker in her eyes, and met it head-on.

Wood splintered, the clash echoing through the silent arena. The force sent them both reeling, Noah's heart hammering against his ribs. He didn't break eye contact, a feral grin spreading across his face. He wasn't just defending now; he was hunting.

He pressed the attack, his movements sharp and controlled. Lilith, surprised by his sudden shift, faltered. He exploited every opening, every misstep. The forest became a dance of flashing wood and desperate parries, the air thick with the scent of sweat and splintered wood.

The final blow came as a surprise, not to Noah, but to Lilith. He didn't go for a powerful swing, but a deceptive thrust. The tip of his sword, honed to a sharp point on a nearby rock, found its mark – toward her armpit.

A gasp escaped her lips, the first emotion he'd seen on her face since the fight began. He didn't hesitate. He followed through, disarming her with a swift kick. Her sword clattered to the ground, the ethereal glow fading into darkness.

Lilith stared at him, disbelief etched on her features. Noah lowered his own sword, panting, his body screaming in protest. He had won, against all odds, against his own fear. He had survived.

A slow smile spread across his face, mirroring the one he saw forming on Lilith's. It wasn't a smile of defeat, but of grudging respect, of the thrill of a worthy opponent. They had pushed each other to their limits, and in doing so, discovered a strength they never knew they possessed.

The forest fell silent, the only sound the ragged breaths of two Players, united by the shared experience of a brutal, unforgettable fight, well that how should have been but Lilith shattered it by the following sentence.

''Wow! Noah you've made a great progress. I wasn't expecting to lose.'' She sounded genuine even with the lack of expression but Noah felt chill run down his spine for some reason. He had an ominous foreboding and it came true.

''Well, let's go all out this time.'' Lilith declared as she picked up her wooden sword.

''Fuck!" Noah swore.

Noah gulped, his heart pounding as he too took up his wooden sword. He was a skilled swordsman, but he was no match for Lilith's magic. The air around them grew heavy, filled with a palpable tension that made Noah's skin crawl. He had to stay calm, he reminded himself, he had to keep his focus.

''Wind become the force that sharpen my blade.'' Lilith quickly chanted.

A soft glow enveloped Lilith's sword, the soft hum of magic filling the silence. Noah could feel the raw power emanating from her, a power that was both terrifying and awe-inspiring.

He immediately clad his wooden sword with a mana, making it more sturdy, maybe if he played his cards right he might've the chance to launch his basic sword skill's ability.

Noah gulped as they both moved at an extreme speed.

The first clash of their swords sent a shockwave through the arena, dust and debris flying in every direction. Noah was pushed back, his feet sliding on the ground. Lilith was relentless, her attacks swift and powerful. Each swing of her sword was accompanied by a surge of magic, a force that Noah could barely withstand.

Despite the odds, Noah didn't back down. He dodged and parried, his skills in the sword allowing him to stay on his feet. He knew he couldn't win through strength alone, he had to outsmart Lilith.

In a desperate manoeuvre, he feigned a stumble, tricking Lilith into lowering her guard. Using this opportunity, he rushed forward, aiming a blow at her side to unleash his special skill. But Lilith was quick, her magic shield appearing at the last second, blocking his attack.

Noah was thrown back, his sword flying from his hand. He landed on his back, the wind knocked out of him. Lilith stood over him, her sword pointed at his throat. The match was over. Despite the loss, Noah couldn't help but smile. He had given it his all, he had fought bravely.

"Lilith," he wheezed, "you're too strong."

Lilith lowered her wooden sword, the glow fading away. She extended a hand to help him up, her rare smile returning.

"And you, Noah," she said, "are too stubborn."

They both shared a laugh, the tension from the match dissipating. When suddenly, Noah asked.

''What are you going to do now?''

Lilith whose face had became expressionless again said plainly.

''Nothing, I'm a villain like you but considering I've lost in the first exchange, let's call it draw. I'll be going, you better hurry or you won't be able to catch. There is only one day left after all.''

Leaving those words behind Lilith disappeared like a phantom but only after adding.

''I'm sorry back then I've my reason for leaving without saying anything. Let's talk later.''

''Eh?" Noah was rooted on the spot, having not expected Lilith known for not expressing herself well to apologize.

He felt something wasn't right but nevertheless hearing this apology, even if she didn't said it face to face and it felt like she was reading a letter, it was still an apology nonetheless, she took the first step and he wouldn't be a man if he kept being stubborn especially when remembering what his father said that night he first got his room.

''Sure, why not.'' Noah responded feeling somehow lightheaded.

It was the first time towards reconciliation.

Meanwhile, a few meters from Noah's current location, Lilith stood, she clenched her first upon hearing Noah's positive response. Unknowingly, the corner of her mouth rose.

"Yes, I did like those two taught me." she mumbled, her icy demeanor softening just a tad, a spark of warmth in her usually cold eyes. She was able to express herself thanks to Francesca and Ilya's help.

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.