The Strongest Way to Survive in the Apocalypse - Chapter 13：The 2nd Duel

“Dear combatant, please be ready tomorrow, at noon, for your next duel!”

The voice, after his duel at the Coliseum of the Cosmos, had reminded him that the next duel would be today at 12. He looked around for a clock and immediately saw one in the window of an empty shop. It was 10:36.

Li Qiang decided on his next course of action.

‘I will wait for the until 12, and after the duel I will return fully healed and with another helpful treasure. Then, I can kill that thing.’

Unfortunately, he would still have to wait for another 5 to 6 hours to be combat ready, so he still placed his hopes on the Champion of the Cosmos duel. At 11:59, he got to his feet. After exiting his meditation, he heard the loud screams and gunshots from nearby, and saw many people on their balconies, listening to the fighting between the red Wraith and the military.

A few were also looking at him and taking photos. After all, a huge man, with a sword at his side, blood all over him, meditating on the side of the road was certainly attention grabbing.

Just in case anyone filmed his disappearance, he smashed the nearest shops glass and looked around for a toilet. After he found one, he locked himself inside, just in time.

“Dear combatant, please be ready for your 2nd duel. Prepare for transmission.”

Li Qiang disappeared.Li Qiang found himself in the same environment as yesterday. He stood in a circular field of yellow dirt and beyond that huge field, he was surrounded by many blurred figures sitting in the stands.

“Dear combatants, please be ready to begin the duel.”

Li Qiang, as he suspected, found all his injuries healed. He took 3 deep breaths and extended his sword out in front of him.

After a few seconds, he saw his opponent. This time, its form was much different to his previous one. Its figures was nothing like a humans and instead, it look much more like a standing Gerenuk.

For those who don’t know what a Gerenuk is, it looks like a deer.

The Gerenuk-looking figure was distinctly different in certain places. For instance, its head had 2 huge black horns. It also didn’t have hooves and had 3 long black tendrils replacing them. Grasped in its 3 ‘fingers’ was a long dagger, in both hands.

Li Qiang made the first move. He advanced slowly, holding his sword level to his shoulders. Li Qiang stopped when he was 3 meters away from his opponent.

Then a flurry of action ensued.

Li Qiang exploded forward and swung his blade in a huge arc. The Gerenuk reacted quickly, blocking his huge blow with both daggers in a cross position.

Li Qiang tensed his abdomen and took a huge breath in. Then, he breathed out sharply and exerted huge forced downwards. The Gerenuk, attempted to resist, but was overpowered quickly and its defensive stance was broken.

The Gerenuk retreated in a hurry, awkwardly shuffling its feet. Li Qiang, sensing weakness, let his sword hang at his side and threw a punch at its chest. The Gerenuk wasn’t able to avoid this and was catapulted backwards.

Somehow, it had twisted itself in mid-air and landed on its feet. Seeing the charging Li Qiang, it hurled a dagger at his head.Li Qiang, taken by surprise, deflected it with his sword, but slowed down, giving the Gerenuk time to seize the advantage.

It now charged at Li Qiang, on all fours, abandoning its last dagger and leading its charge with its black horns. Li Qiang abandoned his swords and reached out and grabbed its horns.

The Gerenuk continued charging and Li Qiang was driven backwards, leaving deep grooves in the dirt with his feet. His hand blistered and bled as they clenched its rough and sharp horns.This continued for another 15 metres, before the Gerenuk finally came to a stop, exhausted.

Li Qiang, ignoring the pain in his hands, twisted his body and slammed the Gerenuk in the ground, leading by its horns, dazing it. Li Qiang, sat on its chest and pummelled its head. Li Qiang pulled his fist back and then planted his fist into its cheek.

And then again.

And then again.

Li Qiang felt as if he repeated this action for an eternity, before finally a voice sounded.

“Congratulations! You have prevailed in your 2nd duel. Please prepare to be transported.”

Li Qiang awoke from his trance. Looking down at the ground, the Gerenuk’s head was essentially mush, a mixture of blood, bones and brain. His hands were in similar condition.

Li Qiang suddenly found himself in the white room. He looked back at his hands, to find them healed. He stared at his new nails and skin. Obviously, he welcomed this, but the sensation of his pain disappearing was still weird.

“Dear combatant, please take your reward.”

On the table was a small box, about half as big as yesterday. He opened it. Inside was a small book with tiny writing on the front.

‘Is this another Cultivation Technique?’

Li Qiang immediately jumped to conclusions. He squinted, bringing the box closer to his eyes to read the tiny writing on the front.

‘Sword Manual’

“Dear combatant, please be ready for transportation.”

Li Qiang was back in the locked toilet. He heard the sounds of gunfire, judging them to be very near to his location. He put the Sword Manual away, intending to read it later, when he had more time.

Stepping out onto the road, he saw the effects of the battle. Shouts and gunfire filled the air. Bodies lay in the dozens all over the road, each covered in military uniform.

Li Qiang broke into run, his emotions running wild.

‘F*ck. If only I was stronger, just a little stronger. I wouldn’t have to flee from the red Wraith.’

After seeing so many deaths, he felt conflicted and his emotions fuelled his speed. If anyone stood in the road when he ran past them, they would have felt the strong wind generated from his incredible velocity.

Soon, Li Qiang arrived at the actual battle.