The cheers faded as Henry followed Juillet down the torch-lit corridor. They entered a small room, it's was a resting room for fighters and on it wall blades of different sizes could be seen.
Juillet gestured for Henry to sit. Her voice was low, steady. "Am so sorry for cutting you off earlier. And… please, let's not talk about the bet right now"
She knew her greed was the cost of it, and to avoid uncertain conversation she quickly apologize, all that matters now was to defeat Brag in the second round.
Henry nodded, wordless. His gaze shifted across the hanging blades, each different in length and shape, until his eyes settled on her again. "The next round… it's weapons, right?"
She nodded. "Yes. And Brag won't hold back this time."
She reached into her belt pouch and handed him something small, a round metallic bead, dull silver in the lantern's glow. "Take this. I bought a few from a traveling merchant. This is my last one."
Henry turned it in his palm, brow furrowed. "What does it do?"
"Shoot it when you feel the time is right," she said softly. "And when you do… make it count."
A loud voice spoke outside the door. "Second-round duelists, prepare yourselves!"
Juillet's eyes lingered on him, her voice barely a whisper now. "Make me proud, Henry. I don't want to lose you."
He smiled faintly. "You won't."
Tucking the bead into his pouch, Henry opened his inventory and drew out his slingshot. The polished wood gleamed under the touch as he kissed it once with smiles on his face. "You're gonna do great work today," he murmured.
[HP Recovered]
[HP: 45/45]
As he stepped back into the hall, the crowd cheered loudly.
"Henry! Henry! Henry!"
Brag was already there, holding his axes. The blades caught the firelight like twin fangs. When he saw Henry, his grin spread slow and wide.
Henry narrowed his gaze. "This time, you're dead," he muttered under his breath.
Juillet's voice whispered in his mind again. 'I don't want to lose you.'
The referee's voice cut through the cheer. "Weapons round! Match two. Brag, the champion, verses Henry, the newcomer!"
The crowd erupted again, a wave of sound that rattled the walls.
Henry swallowed, then stepped forward. The sand shifted softly beneath his boots. Brag's also stepped forward from across the ring, deliberate and slow with his eyes focused on Henry.
"You've got nerve, boy," Brag rumbled. "Coming back was your biggest mistake."
Henry lifted his slingshot. "Stay calm, Brag. You'll be dead in a few minutes."
Brag chuckled, low and cold. "A dead man's talking already."
The referee raised his hand and dropped it. "Begin!"
Brag charged first, impossibly fast for his size. His twin axes cut through the air, one burying deep into the sand where Henry had been a seconds earlier.
Henry rolled aside, dust rising around him, and fired.
*Thwip!*
The stone struck Brag's shoulder. It's made a shallow cut but Brag paused for a while looking the cut in disbelief.
[-5 HP]
"Nice" Henry whispered and circled, keeping his distance, and fired again.
*Thwip!*
This time Brag saw it coming and dodged, swinging an axe in return. The air pressure alone nearly threw Henry off balance.
"You think you can win with toys?" Brag snarled.
Henry smirked faintly. "Depends on how I use them."
He reached into his pouch and pulled out the metallic bead Juillet had given him. He didn't know exactly what it did but instinct told him the moment had come.
Brag lunged again.
Henry steadied his breath, took aim, and released.
*Twick!*
The bead sliced through the air and exploded mid-flight in a burst of white light and thick smoke.
Gasps erupted from the stands. Brag stumbled back, blinded, cursing. Henry darted forward, the crowd's noise fading into a hum behind him. He aimed, then fired at Brag's wrist, knocking one axe from his grip.
"Haaaa!" Brag roared, swinging the other wildly. The blade grazed Henry's side, tearing his cloth and skin.
[HP: -10]
[HP: 35/45]
"Ahh!" The pain seared through him, but he didn't falter. He jumped back, reloaded, and aimed straight for Brag's forehead.
*Crack!*
The shot landed on Brag's forehead, he eyes went wide, then dim. His knees buckled, and both axes slipped from his hands.
"Yesss! We did it!" Juillet's voice burst from the sidelines.
The referee stepped forward, knelt to check Brag's pulse, then raised his hand high. His voice rang clear through the chamber:
"Winner...Henry!"
The crowd erupted once more, louder than before, chanting his name as he stood in the dust, chest heaving, slingshot still in hand.