Did she transform into a beast? Is it a martial art that allows the user to become stronger like Ran or the Stormy Winds Style? Although Uzame was surprised, he carefully considered the potential abilities of Spirit Summoning, making sure to keep his guard up...
Smack!
A light noise sounded as a fist covered in long hair hit Uzame on the chest.
She’s fast!
While Uzame was taking in the situation, she went for a direct attack. Even though she hit what she was aiming for, it didn’t hurt him. There wasn’t much weight behind the attack—almost like a testing hit.
“Guh!”
However, as there wasn’t much power behind it, the hit came in fast. She had managed to avoid Uzame’s hands and feet as he stood in a defensive stance, and had hit him directly in the chest.
I can see why he was the only one recommended by the village chief now... He’s on a different level than Yabia.
Although Utto was on the offensive, she didn’t think any less of him. Instead, she thought back to Yabia’s rematch with Siyanchi Envee. Yabia had lost almost immediately due to her subpar martial arts ability. Uzame, on the other hand, was able to predict Utto’s attacks. Although he was unable to avoid everything she threw at him, he had been able to successfully read about half of her blows, and had managed to keep his arms in place after Utto’s initial hit. She knew from Envee’s first match what would happen if she were to attack his arms. It would be like attacking a sharp blade with only her bare fists. That was why she had stopped just before he could block and withdrew her fist. It was surprisingly difficult, being unable to unleash a flurry of blows and only being allowed to strike once.
She’s learned about the Four Vessels Style through Yabia...however!
Utto had managed to cleanly hit Uzame without making contact with his arms and then stopped the attack halfway through. As a result, it didn’t hurt much at all. If Uzame had then counterattacked, Utto wouldn’t have been able to stop her own momentum. Still holding his Facing Blades stance, Uzame took a big step forward.
I knew he would move now!
However, Utto had expected it. She moved to the right to match him and swung around to his left side instead.
“Take this!”
Utto threw a punch, aiming for his left flank; as she swung her arm, she kept her elbow tightly in position. It was an effective attack, and by stepping into the blow she had put some power behind it. If it landed, it could break a rib.
“Hmph!”
“Wha—?!”
However, Uzame used his arm to protect his torso. Utto was unable to stop her fist—she had put all her strength into her strike, and had stiffened her arm up as well.
“Four Vessels Style... Pole Strike!” Uzame didn’t miss the opportunity. He put his left index finger, middle finger, and ring finger together, striking at Utto.
“Gah!”
One might think he was just going to stab her with his fingers, but Utto knew that it would be the equivalent of the tip of a spear. In fact, it was even more dangerous than that. She had no chance to catch her balance as she jumped back, collapsing to the ground.
“Haa...haa...” Utto readied herself as she stood back up again. As expected, he was skilled. Not only was he able to predict her movements, but he was also able to react quickly and counterattack despite his opponent attacking him.
I just narrowly escaped death...
The Four Vessels Style was comparable to wielding a fine sword. Yabia also wielded that sword; however, she was a third-rate swordsman. Uzame, on the other hand, was an elite swordsman holding a celebrated blade. Although the sharpness of his limbs didn’t differ from Yabia’s, the threat they posed was on a whole different level.
“Heh heh...that’s the face of someone who just narrowly avoided death.” Even though she had become more beast-like, Utto was nervous. As such, Uzame laughed loudly seeing her face.
“I see now...your fighting style is similar to hers... You’re unable to heal your wounds, aren’t you? This is hilarious!” laughed Uzame.
“Correct. The Royal Presence that resides in our bodies allows us to change into beasts... It’s different from the Marked...as well as her...and we are unable to heal ourselves.” Spirit Summoning made one’s body more robust; however, if subjected to something more powerful, the user would still be wounded. They also didn’t have the ability to heal those wounds. That was the biggest difference between Spirit Summoning and those who were Marked with Tainted Blood. “As a result, when fighting with a Four Vessels Style user or a Bursting Venom Style user, I have to pay extra attention to their hands and feet...”
“I see... All right, I get it.” Uzame was relieved. “The Four Vessels Style is a threat to you...!” The other onlookers all smiled with relief. “Ah, I apologize. I don’t mean to ridicule your martial art... I just don’t know if it’s a fighting style I’m not used to, or if it’s a direct answer to the Four Vessels Style. You have nothing to be ashamed about.” That came from a place of trauma regarding Ran. She was a monster with no regard for his hard-earned abilities.
“She...was the worst. She just kept throwing punches and kicks, to the point that her bones and fists would break into pieces... I couldn’t do anything about it.” His own family’s skills had been brute-forced by pure physical strength and the ability to heal. He had been surpassed by talent alone. It made sense that he would harbor ill will towards such an opponent. “Compared to that, you’re...you’re actually taking my skill into account, you’re being properly vigilant, and you’re actively trying to counteract me. It’s proof that you do fear the Four Vessels Style. I’m glad.”
I guess that’s one way of viewing it...when it was that we just felt more annoyed than anything...
Some might not like the fact that one side had taken specific measures. Utto, who was afraid of this, felt relieved that she hadn’t upset Uzame.
Though we’re in no place to say such a thing after refusing a rematch with Ran.
Although a small matter, there was no reason to laugh. It was a normal feeling for someone who had trained hard all their life.
“However...one can’t win by just coming up with a strategy.”
“I know...! I just don’t want to be compared to Yabia...!” Fighting without touching his arms or legs was harder than Utto thought. Her opponent was an elite martial artist, not to mention someone who had mastered using all four limbs in combat. Aware of the complex battle before her, Utto re-readied herself.
I’ve had training...but not nearly as much as him, Utto thought, ready for what was to come next.
“Four Vessels Style, Cat Claw!”
Thwip! Uzame’s hand remained open as it warped like a whip, and he lashed out with a backhanded blow. As Uzame had taken the initiative to attack, Utto was able to calmly step back. She had readied herself to attack, but this time, she hadn’t put any weight into it, so she was able to easily move away from her opponent.
This is...something only learned in form training...
It was a light attack, as if he were aiming to gently stroke her with his fingers. Even so, Utto made a concerted effort to avoid it. After all, her opponent was a Four Vessels Style user, and each of their fingers was like a weapon. Even just being slightly grazed was enough to leave a mark.
A skill reserved for different schools of martial arts...something he wouldn’t be able to use with fellow Four Vessels Style users.