"Are you up for a duel?" The guy said holding the man's coat.

He was just standing here not long ago checking the various notes pinned in the quest board after ignoring my attempt for a conversation.

A duel? Did he just asked them for a duel? The Blackdogs? Out of the blue?

"Tch. We're busy. We have a rookie to train. Go to the park if you're looking for battle." The man shove his hand. He was too tall to be intimidated. His hair is black and bears a horizontal scar across his nose.

The guy grabbed his coat again and said, "Three rounds, beat me even once and I'll give you double."

"Huh?"

"Sounds like a deal but we don't have time for this." The other man nudged his guildmate. He was about a few inches shorter, has green hair and has freckles in his face.

"What do you want in return?" The tall man with a scar asked shoving the guy once more then fixed his coat. I noticed he has a couple of stylish piercings in his ear I presume to contain a sigil.

Sigils are magical systems that can be embedded in Etherites. A sortof gem with similar composition as Etheriums.

Different sigils have different functions and they are not simply used for fashion especially since they cost too much. For us Ethereals, wearing a sigil means one have passed being a rookie.

Well, for a rookie, it means danger.

"Bring me to your leader," the guy replied.

"Ah, I know you," the shorter one said.

"You're the one who took out our mateys the other day. It actually tarnished our reputation. We're not a low tier guild, you know?"

"Bring me to your leader and leave the girl alone." The guy handed some quints to the bar attendant standing near them.

"The girl's with us, you're asking for too much,"

"Then I'll make it triple. A hundred quints perhaps, if its not enough I can raise it to two. We can also make it a single round if you want."

The men were surprised and confused. It was possible to change the specifics of the battle but it was rare for anyone to make such a deal. Especially with a deal that is so unfavorable.

"I don't think we should take him alone," the shorter man told the other then faced the guy and spoke, "Let's not do a duel. There's two of us here. We'll agree on the terms if its gonna be a teamfight."

The guy fell silent and frowned. He was asking to fight alone. One against two is especially not allowed in a clash. He would need a teammate.

He gazed around the tavern but there were only few people that seemed to watch them. Most of them are mortals even.

"So you got yourself a team?" The taller man asked.

"Don't waste our time. We've got a rookie to train," the other man added but the guy just stood from where he was.

"I'll team up with him," someone suddenly said. Well, that someone was actually me. I approached them and handed the fee to the attendant.

"Ohoho, what's up there Reveri?" One of the regulars asked when he saw us inciting others of their attention.

"Is the tavern's saint fighting? We better watch it!"

"Who's her opponent?"

"Some men from the Blackdogs. Its not gonna be a duel though."

The face of the two twitched as more people became interested. They glared at me as if they recognize my name.

"We'll do it this way, if you win, we'll give you double but if we win, you'll leave the girl and stop bugging this place," I declared.

Its a challenge but as long as its not a duel I'll be confident for a battle. I don't know about the guy but anyone who teams up with me gets a higher chance of success.

"Make it triple, and you'll bring me to your leader," the guy still insisted. He looks so serious about it so I went up to talk to him.

"I'll only team up with you if you let me do the deal. I can help you look for their leader later so let me do deal, okay?"

He looked at me and nodded. I thought it was settled but the short man with a freckled face spoke, "Just one match, and let's make this more interesting. If we win, you'll strip, deal?" He grinned as he pointed at me.

The crowd of men suddenly cheered loud after hearing him.

"What?!"

"Its a deal," the guy standing with me said.

"Wha-wait wait wait, I said let me do the deal."

"You heard that guys? We'll be having a naked saint tonight!" The taller guy told the crowd which made them cheer even louder.

"It's a deal if you guys would also strip if you loose!" I told them.

"and leave the girl," the guy with me added.

Both of the Blackdogs smirked while the girl with them silently listened behind.

I was not hoping for an unfavorable battle but stripping naked? I'm not planning anything like that tonight.

"You do not have to worry about staying alive. Just focus on attack and I'll do the rest, I'm pretty sure we gonna win this," I said to the serious guy as soon as we entered the Etherium.

Two tables stood side by side in a stone paved platform. It was the a typical Etherium platform but with torches lit on every corner.

"We will pick first," I told the other team as they went to the other table. It was customary for the team who started the challenge to select the avatar first giving the other team an advantage to counter.

So what are we gonna pick? For any team that are assigned to pick first, its a common strategy not to pick an avatar that can be easily countered.

This is also not a full team match and its most likely that our battle style would just focus on attacking.

The guy I am teamed up with has a mild serious look in his face, he seems to be calm and a little bit formal but I'm guessing he's the type to go aggressive judging the way he asked for a duel. I'll let him control the battle and support him with the most suitable Mender there is.

To make that work, we must not let the enemy counter whatever avatar he's choosing, in other words I will have to pick first. But to pick the most suitable mender that can match whatever avatar he is picking, first I must know what he is planning to use.

In the other hand I can also just pick Chaplain, its the most flexible Mender and I am quite a master regarding the use of it. It was, afterall, the whole reason why I was called a saint.

I'll focus on healing him and interrupt our enemy in the most efficient way.

Now, should I do that? Or should I just ask what's on his mind before I pick?

I glanced at my teammate as he stared at the interface. For a moment he seemed like he was thinking deeply but he suddenly motioned his hand and tapped at the panel.

[ CHAPLAIN ]

"Eh!?" I incidentally shouted on my lungs after seeing the avatar he just picked.

Of all the things... of all the roles there is... of all the strong avatars that can be selected why did he chose that one?

"Why did you pick first? And why did you pick that?"

"You said we will pick first," he replied.

"Is it bad?"

"No, its... wait, do you even know how to use that?"

"A little bit. I've been using it for months."

"A little? You should have chosen the one you're better at."

"I don't have anything else to choose though."

"Huh?"

I could not grasp what he was saying first but then he tilted his panel to show me the list of his avatars.

It was not even a list. It was just an empty space void of anything except for one: the Chaplain.

How did this happen? I wondered. But another icon appeared on the panel showing what the other team is gonna use.

[ SHIKAREE ]

Not a particular counter against the Chaplain but it was a decent choice as it can adapt in different situations.

I better counter it. I'm guessing they are going next for a Mender to support the Shikaree or a Fender for defense.

Shikaree is really weak in the beginning. Its attack was too low at the start and it doesn't have a movement skill. To cover for that weakness, items that increases attack damage and those that provide mobility is a must but to be able to save enough points for that, it needs a back up.

A Mender or a Fender that would support it in the early stages of the battle and prevent the enemy from taking it down.

Oh, how I wish to be a Mender, but I have to adjust. I'll set aside being a Mender for now and pick an avatar that is good for attack. We have to take down that Shikaree early on to beat their strategy.

But what avatar should I pick?

"Just choose anything you are comfortable with," the guy beside me said. He must have noticed that I'm taking my time in deciding what to pick.

Actually you already chose the one I am comfortable with. I wanted to tell him but as I have said, I'll be the one to adjust. I moved to select an icon on my panel.

[ SORCERER ]

Oh, when was the last time I've used this? I could not remember anymore. I've focused on training with other Mender options and seldom touch the other roles.

What a bummer. If only this team mate of mine chose a different avatar but nevermind he doesn't have anything else to choose.

But I still want to use a Mender! Please let me use a Mender! I don't want to do a battle when I'm not a Mender!

Why did I even agreed for a battle? I thought I was done for the day. I was supposed to be having fun right now.

Ugh.

We might seriously loose at this rate. I don't even want to think about the deal we have made.

[ BERSERKR ]

Another icon appeared on the enemies' panel. Contrary to what I predicted, it was clearly not a Mender and not quite a good counter against my avatar either.

What are they planning?

The Berserkr is a Raider with heavy focus on attack and aggressiveness. Its not just good in dealing high damage but also tough to the point that it can cover the role of a Fender with proper set of items. This is just a hunch, but I think the opponent chose it to specifically counter the Chaplain.

"Stay on the back, don't waste your heals, and wait for my signal before you use your primary," I told the guy.

"Sounds like a plan," he said.

"Well, you got a better one?"

"I'll take the Zerker, while you keep the other occupied."

"You what?"

"Earlier you said focus on attack and you'll do the rest."

The dark surrounding of the Etherium then shifted and the four of us were transfered into the battlefield. By the sound of the trumpets the battle start.