Robert did not take a step back; he pressed on, moving right into it. The only direction that Harvey's second stage could not adapt to was within the radius of the compression field's generation.
The punch came in fast. Robert braced himself, using his left forearm to deflect the blow—angling it just right to send the force upward instead of taking it head-on. It worked like a charm.
Seventy percent of it, to be exact. The remaining thirty percent slipped through the blade and into his arm. His left arm went completely numb from the elbow down to the wrist. The blade stayed locked in his grip.
Things are rough. Both arms are in bad shape now. My right shoulder is compromised, and my left forearm is numb. He still has two stages of a hidden technique active, while i am stuck with a sword that I can hardly keep a grip on.
