While others were winning against their enemies, Oniu was still in the thick of it. No, I cannot use too much blood yet, he thought, clenching his jaw. If I drain myself now, I won't recover. I have to farm from the minions first.
He nocked an arrow and fired it toward the approaching minions. They scattered instantly, leaving only him and his next threat. The enemy standing before him was from a sub-clan specializing in fire magic. They used an excessive amount of blood from the start and wielded a floating fireball as a weapon. The orb radiated intense heat, making the air shimmer around it.
Oniu was not a close-combat fighter; his specialty was support. Yet when the fireball drew close enough to singe his skin, he acted instinctively. Two arrows appeared in his hands, forming with blood magic, one for healing and one for buffing. The fire grazed him, burning the surface of his arm, but as the blood flowed into the arrows, his wounds began to seal.
Kicking the enemy back, Oniu created distance. He stabbed his own hand with the healing arrow. Warmth surged through him, and the burn marks vanished. The hopeless struggle transformed into a flicker of hope. But a lingering problem remained. After using the healing arrow, he would need to damage himself again to generate blood for magic. Thankfully, the buffing arrow bolstered his durability and resistance, buying him a window to act.
Oniu fired three arrows at the enemy. These were no ordinary arrows, they carried blood magic, but not for healing or buffing others. The first arrow flew straight toward the enemy. Anticipating that the floating fireball would try to melt it, Oniu manipulated a second arrow, guiding it downward with his blood magic. The downward arrow redirected the first, preventing it from being destroyed. Then, with precise timing, the two arrows swapped positions in midair. The first arrow, now pointing upward, changed course to strike the enemy directly.
This arrow was different from the others, it carried the buff magic inside itself. Unlike a normal buff arrow that enhances another, this one enhanced its own destructive power. It struck the enemy at the collarbone. Off-balance, the floating fireball wavered, becoming unstable and dangerous. The enemy launched a desperate attack, punching Oniu in the chest. Oniu crossed his arm to block, and the buffed arrow pierced the enemy's humerus, rendering both arms useless.
Seizing the moment, Oniu stabbed an arrow into the enemy's heart, landing flawlessly. But the enemy was not alone in death. As the enemy fell against Oniu, their bodies ignited together. Both vanished from the battlefield, respawning at their respective first towers.
The enemy muttered to himself, frustration heavy in his voice. Oh man, I got killed by a support type enemy. I need a better strategy.
When they met again, the enemy scratched his hand with his nails and introduced himself. "I'm Lurain. What's your name?"
Oniu pointed an arrow at him. "I'm Oniu. Nice to meet you."
Without hesitation, Lurain engaged in close combat. As Oniu launched an arrow, blood infused it, but Lurain was ready. He caught the arrow mid-flight, covering it with his own blood to create a Fire Arrow. The arrow blazed with searing heat, enhanced by Oniu's internal buff magic. Oniu's eyes widened. "No, I should have known earlier," he muttered, analyzing the weapon in disbelief.
The Fire Arrow hissed and flew straight toward Oniu. He reacted quickly, stabbing his wrist to release more blood, triggering rapid healing. He knew the arrow's power was enough not only to kill him but potentially destroy the tower and the minions around him. As he bled, Lurain activated the arrow fully.
"Storage, release all blood!" Lurain shouted.
Blood from both his storage and Oniu's flowed into the arrow, forming an overwhelming overblood mass targeting Oniu's heart. Whatever Oniu did, he had only one viable option. The arrow, infused with the combined blood, fell to the ground near Oniu's foot. This was no ordinary projectile; it was a Nerfing Outside Arrow. Everything it touched slowed drastically. The Fire Arrow lost its spark, minions dropped lifelessly, and the battlefield seemed frozen.
Amid the chaos, one arrow remained. It was a Buff Outside Arrow, designed to restore strength. It landed behind the massive Nerfing Arrow, near Oniu's foot. He felt a surge of energy, a single ounce of power enough to change the tide.
Oniu leapt into action, nocking his arrow with renewed vigor. "Let's finish this," he whispered. The arrow streaked across the battlefield, striking Lurain with pinpoint precision. For the second time, both of them respawned at their first towers, their deadly duel far from over.
Oniu steadied his breath, gripping his bow. "This time, I will control the battlefield. No more surprises."