The World of Astrial

"It should be fine, I don't see a point in killing, and the chances of me dying is very low. But I think you aren't looking at a big picture." He looked over each in turn. He made a slight grunt as he slowly turned to each, and it was when his eyes were on Eliana, but he did so in a way where it seemed nonchalant. "Do you still wish to fight?"

Zat look. Damn him. Pride says attack, make him regret looking down on me zat way... but pragmatism says stand down. Ze others won't respect someone who acts so impulsively.

Eliana lowered her bow.

Kris was surprised over the new arrivals, her eyebrows shooting up and nearly disappearing into her bangs. She cast a glance up toward Korbin and Eliana to gauge their reaction and kept her stance neutral. Checking that her mace was secure at her hip, she still had her sling hanging in her left hand and her pouch was still about half full of bullets. Reminding herself to buy more later, that little detail was soon lost as Lilica became angry with them over killing wolves.

"Wolves represent a threat to people's cattle and livestock, thinning them out a little bit isn't going to hurt anything! You could take it up with those that hired us if you have an issue!" Seems like someone is a little spitfire. Her look had turned more indignant now. The elf didn't look keen on fighting for the fun of it, jumping a little bit and briefly alarmed whenever Eliana appeared back next to her. Kris glanced back and forth between Korbin and Adrian after the former arrived on the ground and took up a stance as if to fight.

"Is this a duel, a test of skill, or are they going to inflict punishment on us for killing the wolves?" She didn't arm herself just yet. Glancing toward Arisa, giving her an encouraging smile, she said, "It really might be best for you boys to stand down. We can resolve this peacefully and leave. We did our job, we can leave now." Kris was tense, ready to defend herself and her party members, but she didn't want a confrontation for the sake of it.

Korbin hadn't even registered what Kris had said. He was focused entirely on Adrian. He was running estimates in his head on what sort of skill Adrian has, his strengths and weaknesses, and the matchup between him and Adrian. Conclusion: most likely going to lose but the duel is necessary for being able to get a proper idea of how far he can take his abilities.

Adrian began to pace. "I'm surprised you have waited so long before doing something. Are you waiting for me or something?" He began flipping the sword in his left hand, looking unconcerned.

"You have good principle. The choice of provoking your opponent into making the first move. I respect that." Korbin said, making his way closer to Adrian, maintaining his stance the entire time.

Only one option has the potential to catch him off guard.

Then, in the one moment when the tension reached its peak, Korbin shot forward towards Adrian in under half a second. The air around him had become charged with electricity. Korbin decided to go for a quick takedown with a swift kick to the stomach area during the dash.

Within that half second scales of ice formed on Adrian to soften the blow to him. Adrian tensed from the electricity, but held fast. "I'm sorry, did you think I was talking to you?"

At that same exact moment Lilica silently positioned herself behind Eliana. With incredible speed she lunged at Eliana attempting to tackle her out of the tree, "He meant me!" She yelled at the same time.

Eliana's high agility allowed her to dodge Lilica's tackle attempt.

Just as foolish as ze capitalist dog.

"Discontinue zis inane combat. You have little to gain and much to lose. Last warning."

Zis must be an AI, all impulse no thought. I thought Kris explained ze scenario well

Eliana was ready to her bow.

Just try it nature girl.

A swarm of ice spikes appeared above Adrian, "I do not see what I have to lose." He jabbed his knee sharply at Korbin, "Also Lilica, why aren't you at you at your fastest. She shouldn't have dodged."

Lilica tumbled gracefully, "Fine." She spoke in a huff and was gone in an instant, all that could be seen was a blur dashing back into the shadows. Her song echoed through again. Upon further inspection, her song is clearly not in any language they know of. A moment later the branch under Eliana suddenly jerked away as if the tree was disgusted with her presence.

int mnd_gms_lvl == 4

Korbin pivoted out of the way of the knee, so that it only grazed his side. It
still hit pretty hard however. Korbin then went in going for a direct punch to the face. This was intended to bait a bad defensive choice which would be punished by a leg sweep, but this leg sweep was also a bait and the real hit would be a very high powered push charged with electricity directed at his side where it would strike the liver.

Kris sighed to herself, setting her fists against her hips. "Boys . . . " she muttered to herself, with an unimpressed twist occurring at her mouth. She rolled her eyes, watching them carry on with their shenanigans. Though she kept a careful eye on the proceedings, not wanting to get caught up in it, she watched as Lilica tried to knock Eliana out of the tree. "Well, seems like boys aren't the only immature ones around here," she muttered to herself.

The cleric was more inclined to help Eliana, since in her view, Korbin had started his own fight and could deal with the consequences. She started closing distance between the pair, to better offer her assistance.

"Shi-" Eliana had nothing on this

The only defense Adrian took was dawning a set of armor made out of ice. The armor had dragon like features and seemed to sway on its own as if it was its own living thing surrounding Adrian. Instead of blocking or anything Adrian pressed his own attack by spinning around for an easier hit. Lilica was silent and no where to be found.

Zink....

She shot a teleport arrow.

self preservation

She was gone

Perfect

Instead of dodging away, Korbin lunged forward and grabbed Adrian by his sword arm, cutting himself in the process. As he was doing this, he was readying an attack. He poured nearly all of his mana into a single powerful punch.

His fist started glowing a blue-white color, catching fire as it travelled through the air like a bullet, headed straight at Adrian's chest. The sheer power of the punch caused an explosive blast like a hand grenade sending Korbin flying backward at least 20 feet. He landed in a roll and got up, waiting for the smoke to settle to see the results.

Adrian grinned widely. As Korban charged the explosive punch, Adrian's momentum swapped to lift Korbin over his head with great ease. He slammed Korbin's body straight into the ground again with immense force, demonstrating his pure strength and that Adrian's strength wasn't human. As soon as Korbin hit the ground his explosion triggered. Sending him back as her released the sword. Lilica's song echoed and Adrian was caught by vines. His armor had shattered, but his skin showed no cuts from the ice and his skin had a few burns.

((hope you dont mind this outcome. any objections? Of course it is korbin the one grabbing so there may be something that can be done.))