[FIN]The Challenges of Soloing a Champion(Invi vs Shun)

[demon_pachabel]

He briefly touched the slice across his shoulder from the thrown blade, before looking up towards Shun with a slow and considering look. "Hm." he smeared his blood between his fingers before he finally snapped his fingers, compressing it into a small bullet before he sent it flying with more accuracy than his previous attempt at multiple strikes.

Pew pew pew.

HP: 77/120
Damage: 12  

[Blade Kuroda]

At first, Shun wasn't sure what to expect when he saw Invictus examining the little cut he had given him. It wasn't really like the guy to check out his wounds from what he had observed in this and previous battles. It soon became all too clear as the bead of blood ripped straight through his body.

The reaper's eye widened in shock for the moment before slumping a little. Damn. Just about anything can become a weapon with this guy.

But it was this level of prowess that made this sort of fight all the more valuable for himself. He needed to be pushed. Candace wasn't the only hunter stronger than him. And none of them would be taking it easy to say in the least.

Gritting his teeth, he pushed on through the pain before making his way close once more, aiming to slice into the horseman's side.

HP: 13
Damage: 6  

[demon_pachabel]

Some things were just a weapon by their own rights, it just so happened they were in his hands when this revelation was made. Still, Shun wasn't anything to sneeze at either, if Invictus were to be asked - and perhaps he'd volunteer the praise later if it struck him to.

But the only thing that struck him were those blades of his, and Invictus pressed his hands against Shun's shoulder, using a gravity field in a move to push him away.

HP: 71/120
Damage: 2  

[Blade Kuroda]

Shun let out a light grunt as he was blasted away with a bit of gravity. While he was being pushed back, he let loose both of his daggers, hoping to sink at least one of them into Invictus's torso.

When he managed to regain his balance some distance away, he summoned his weapons back to his hands and readied himself for the next strike. He was wearing down a lot, but he was going to try and make the best of what was left of his strength.

HP: 11
Damage: 8  

[demon_pachabel]

Again, he leaned into the attack - something which would later be seen as him forcing the attacks on him to land where he wanted them. Sure it hurt, but it left his chest mostly uninjured where he could help it.

But more injuries just allowed Invi to make more of those 'bullets' out of blood, one of which he flicked at Shun almost like one would a marble in a game.

HP: 63/120
Damage: 3  

[Blade Kuroda]

Another one of those bullets came at him, but it didn't land nearly as solidly as that last one. No, instead that one just brushed against him more rather than ripping straight through his body. Letting out a breath, he felt a little lightheaded from all the blood he was losing personally. He couldn't let that slow him down too much just yet.

Shun went on and closed the gap once more. He aimed to strike with his right hand. But it was nothing but a feint as his left dagger came up to slice upwardly.

HP: 8
Damage: 5  

[demon_pachabel]

Another strike through the torso - he was rather good about attacking the trunk, but Invictus seemed to be getting tired of it, summoning one last arrow and launching it with a near-deadly precision.

"If you attack the same place over and over again, it will become more guarded." he warned.

HP: 58/120
Damage:9  

[Blade Kuroda]

That last arrow struck Shun in the chest pretty hard. Groaning, he staggered and dismissed his daggers. That was it for himself. Breathing a little heavily, he dropped down onto one knee as a mixture of pain and fatigue overcame him. As expected, he had lost.

But he had learned.

"I shall keep this in mind," he said quietly while bowing his head a bit, "I still have much to grow."

HP: -1  

[demon_pachabel]

Invictus sat in the grass cross-legged with a deep sigh as a new flow of blood dribbled down his chest. "You strike efficiently, we will give you that. While the body," he glanced down at his own sliced-up form, "is a large target, striking towards the face can give two advantages - either you hit the face which is fleshy and vulnerable, or you strike the hands which will instinctively move to guard it and are full of nerve endings and are sensitive."

Invictus trailed his thumb across wound on his arm, then pressed it into the middle of his hand. "If you can manage it, this is a good target here."  

[Blade Kuroda]

While he was trying to recover, Shun lifted his head so that he could see Invictus more clearly while he spoke. He was surprised at the small bit of praise he was given prior to the advice. At first, he nodded quietly before looking at the Protector as he pointed out another good target. The palm of the hand was a tricky spot to hit, but it would be rather painful for sure. He supposed he did need to remember that many of his opponents would not die so easily to a stab in the chest. Other things needed to be done.

"I understand. Thank you, Invictus."

It was not only for the advice, but the fact that he had taken some of his time out to spar with him, especially considering he wasn't one of the students that had gone and joined Medea.

"Perhaps one day I will be able to achieve your level of skill and prowess."  

[demon_pachabel]

Painful, and if hit right render the fingers mostly immobile.

More advice wasn't to follow, however. After all, he'd just told the reaper to learn to hit a small and nimble target - somehow he imagined that would be enough in 'learning' today.

"Given enough time and work, yes. We believe you are already on that path seeking out a target both stronger than you but also not inclined to kill you for failure." Not to say Invictus wouldn't have dissipated Shun, but the alternative wasn't turning him into a weapon either.

"You are always welcome to ask for another spar from us in the future."  

[Blade Kuroda]

"Thank you."

Nodding to that, Shun kept this offer in mind. He would return when he felt that he had improved possibly. After all, he didn't want to exploit Invictus by pestering him with constant challenges. No. He needed to do training on his own, sparring against his peers as well.

"I will leave you to your duties now," he said quietly while pushing himself up to his feet slowly. He was unsteady, but he should be able to make it to the nurse's office on his own as long as he took it easy. Once up, he gave one last bow to the Protector of Conquest, then turned to leave.

This battle did not go as poorly as it could have.