(xii.)

Lazarus walked out of the small room and over to the arena next to the one where he destroyed the Black Bark Panther. As he moved toward the new arena he pondered this dilemma.

Not killing this elf will be... a challenge, to be sure. That simple punch earlier killed, no, obliterated the large cat. Even if I aimed for a weak spot... hm. Perhaps I could instead destroy her daggers or immobilize her somehow?

Lazarus considered these options carefully as he reached the center of the second larger arena. Madris took her place as well, standing directly across from him. Linda moved to a raised platform next to the arena and addressed them both.

“This test will go on for ten minutes or until one of you is unable to continue. The only rule is you cannot kill your opponent,” she announced, giving each combatant a stern look.

Madris lazily pulled out two daggers, one from the belt at her waist and one from the strap around her shoulder. She took a fighting stance with one of the daggers pointed at Lazarus, the other dagger pointed away. The lich stood still with no change to his stance in the center of the arena; he didn't even bother to put up his guard, leaving himself wide open to attack.

“You may begin... NOW!” Linda said as an unseen adventurer rang a gong alongside the arena wall.

Without preamble, Madris threw the dagger in her right hand directly toward Lazarus' helmeted skull. It was deflected by his helmet with a dull clank. The dagger clattered away harmlessly behind him. Madris did not wait to see what happened to the thrown dagger, instead advancing toward him at a staggering rate of speed. She then feinted, circling around to his back, yet still the lich did nothing.

Hmmm. Naturally an assassin would have at least one speed-related ability. Can't be a proper assassin if you're going to get caught. What was that term again, 'run-and-gun'? I wouldn't care to just exhaust the elf but I strongly doubt we have that kind of time here. A professional such as her would never allow it!

Changing tactics, she attempted to sweep his legs out from under him. There was a loud clang from the impact on his armor. No effect at all. Lazarus did not even turn toward her, his gauntled hand tapping the side of his helm, still deep in thought. The assassin glared at Lazarus. He did not even seem to notice that the fight had already begun! The insult!

How can I not kill her? Hand to hand combat is definitely out. Hell's bells, a single block may well cause a fracture! It seems that my armor is impervious to her daggers but all this clanging and banging is very distracting!

Madris pulled another dagger from her belt and stabbed it into the ground. A small magical circle appeared around the point of impact. Sensing the elf's mana expenditure, the lich jumped forward out of the area of effect. A large spiked pillar of earth erupted from the spot where he had just been standing. He turned toward her, hands on his hips as he looked at her with disdain. Had she really intended to impale him?

“Seems like you finally decided to join the battle,” Madris taunted him. “How very kind of you!”

Lazarus clicked his non-existent tongue.

“Oh, but my dear, I'm simply trying not to kill you!” the lich declared, his voice ice cold. “You are being insufferably rude! I must say, children these days have no patience...”

The elf narrowed her eyes in response but said nothing.

At least my summoning ability is innate and requires no mana from me to work!

Summon Jet

The large magic circle reappeared just like the first time he summoned the massive skeletal dog. Jet jumped from the center of the summoning circle directly to Lazarus' side. He bared his sharp fangs and let out a menacing growl in the assassin's direction. The circle then vanished as if it had never existed to begin with.

“Grrrr!”

It appears Jet already knows we are in combat. Smart dog!

Madris and Linda gasped in surprise at the sudden appearance of the black skeletal dog. Thinking quickly, the elf snatched another three daggers from her belt and threw them outward in a fan motion. Jet jumped into action, catching all three daggers in one mighty leap. He immediately trotted away from the action and started to bury his newfound treasure on the other side of the arena, tail wagging.

I... but... Oh. Oh dear. I know his abilities are Fetch and Dig but this is just too much!

It took all of his willpower to not facepalm that very moment. However, it appeared that Jet intercepting the thrown daggers really hurt Madris' pride; she rushed in with a yell for another close quarters attack right in Lazarus' blind spot.

Lazarus felt it coming this time and, against his better judgment, attempted to counter. Madris backed off at the last moment, apparently spooked by his raised arm.

“What are you? What is this power? Tell me!” she screamed at him in frustration, letting another dagger fly. It went wide and stuck into the dirt floor.

The lich merely laughed at the assassin's apparent tantrum, chilling all nearby to the bone. Apparently the match had attracted quite a crowd. Jet was still happily burying the daggers, tail wagging at the other side of the ring.

“Urf, urf!”

Only three minutes had passed, yet Lazarus was still simply trying not to kill the elf.

She's faster than me, but she can't seem to even put a scratch on me. The random magick attached to some of her daggers is a right pain in the ass, though. I'll feel like I've lost if this match goes the whole ten minutes, regardless of the outcome.

He dodged yet another attack from the elf and moved to the center of the arena. He glanced at Jet, still wagging and burying the daggers. It appeared he was on the last one which gave the lich an idea.

Modesty and secrecy be damned, I have to put an end to this!

Madris apparently gave up trying to get in his blind spot and took a direct approach. Lazarus could instantly tell by the flow of mana that she was using another skill. The dagger in her main hand grew in size until it was as large as a broadsword.

Perfect! He let her get as close as possible then, right as she went to strike at his armor, he dispelled the armor himself.

Armor Breaker

His Mana jumped to 1053 mana just as Jet moved into place right behind the elf.

Madris was not expecting a skull to appear in front of her face no matter how much she knew about his race. The fear was bright on her face. He used Intimidation and, holding back on his strength as much as he could, pushed Madris backward. She toppled over Jet and landed flat on her back. Lazarus carefully positioned his foot right on her throat to cut off her oxygen supply.

Madris was so shocked by this turn of events that she was unable to fight back. She gasped for air, her eyes darting from side to side in a panic. Jet plopped down next to Lazarus, tail wagging happily as Madris slowly blacked out. Once the elf stopped moving Lazarus removed his foot from her throat to allow the elf to breathe again. Linda called the match at five minutes, twenty-six seconds.

Lazarus was victorious!

With a joyful howl, Jet vigorously tugged at the assassin's left boot. It came loose and the skeletal dog happily trotted away to bury his share of the loot. The watching adventurers carried away the elf, minus one boot, for medical treatment. Linda sighed and reentered the arena.

“Congratulations. Now, would you please be so kind as to put your armor back on and dismiss your, ah, summon?” the receptionist requested, plastering an obviously strained smile on her face.