"Clang, clang, clang!"
A series of metallic clashes rang out in the wilderness.
Every slash Old Man made targeted his opponent's vital points, yet his opponent kept blocking them.
Was this man stronger than Old Man?
No.
Old Man could sense that his opponent was probably weaker than him.
It was just that he had only recently come back to life, and his body was still a little stiff.
His opponent was also rather peculiar, and Old Man had yet to figure out his fighting style.
Spin, retreat, ambush.
Offense and defense as one, attacking while evading.
The cane in his hand thrust like an Estoc, aiming for Old Man's throat and heart every time.
After a few more exchanges, Old Man gradually figured out his moves and ended his unnecessary probing.
He sheathed his blade and assumed an Iaijutsu stance.
The potion seller suspected nothing and stepped forward, striking straight at Old Man's face.
As the cane's point shot toward him, Old Man drew his blade at the last possible instant!
The first slash swept upward out of the scabbard, striking the cane and knocking it aside.
As sparks scattered, he turned his hand and slashed diagonally downward.
The cold blade entered through the shoulder, cleaving diagonally through the shoulder blade and collarbone and plunging into the heart.
The breastbone was not enough to stop Old Man's blade. It sliced easily through the heart and lungs.
Finally, the blade emerged through the ribs on the other side.
Old Man flicked the blood from his blade and sheathed it again.
The moment the blade slid fully into its scabbard, blood sprayed from the potion seller's upper body, which slid to the ground as his body fell into two pieces.
Without giving it much thought, Old Man was about to step