Duel Race to Helgafjell

[Fire Tiger]

Bullets ricocheted and wood splintered all around Kilij. The incendiary rounds glowed with bright incandescent lights as they struck the tall lumber. The trees caught aflame as they tumbled on top the next spreading the heat like a virulent infection. Soon the whole forest would turn into a raging inferno. Smoke would raise to the sky and soot would fall like dark snow. Kilij Dao Odachi witnessed this scene with apathy.

"Fire? You really are coming against a blacksmith with fire? You disappoint me X."

Kilij jumped from his perch to another tree. This tree was burning, but the Mink only stood briefly on it before skipping to another. He closed the distance between themselves and prepared his timely response. When he was within a few meters of X, the Mink looked at him in the eye and deliver the move he had prepared beforehand. "Otoro"

Spoiler: Otoro

Otoro (応登楼 Ōtōrō?, literally meaning "Reply Climbing a Tower"): Two air-based projectile slashes are sent downwards while falling as Zoro swings his swords downwards, with the gravity complimenting the force of the attack.(51 Mastery, 41 Strength) Destructive Potency Rank: B

With the dual free flowing attacks now airborne, the Tiger retreated into the burning wreckage that was the forest. He was going to capitalize on all of the smoke to reach the mountain and start climbing. If he timed it correctly he would be hidden by a literal smokescreen.

@God_Usopun

 

[God_Usopun]

The fire spread quickly due to the wind blowing. The smoke created by the tree burning filed the area, blocking X vision. His haki was not activated anymore so he could not locate Kilij. Given how fast the fire was spreading, X assumed that Kilij would have probably run away while sustaining a few burns. X's new plan was to get his opponent exhausted and secure an easy win. He was trying to go around the fire when suddenly Kilij jumped out of it with his two swords over his head.

"Shimata!"

Kilij didn't wait for X to unleash his attack

Otoro (応登楼 Ōtōrō?, literally meaning "Reply Climbing a Tower"): Two air-based projectile slashes are sent downwards while falling as Zoro swings his swords downwards, with the gravity complimenting the force of the attack.(51 Mastery, 41 Strength) Destructive Potency Rank: B

The double flying slash flew toward X. He had little to no time to think and dodge at the same time. He chose the latter and jumped forward using all his might to barely dodge the destructive attack. The shockwave created by the slashing attack propulsed X who was already midair into the nearest tree. Trying to protect his face, X put up his hand and hit the tree with such violence that it almost cut the tree in two. X had his power suit on him and it took the damage for him, so he was unscathed.
When X turned around to check if Kilij was going to try to finish him, all he could see was the tiger's shadow deep in the forest running towards the mountain. He understood that he had to resume his pursuit. He was not going to let him rest and recover.

@Fire Tiger​

 

[Fire Tiger]

Kilij leaned on a three momentarily to catch his breath. His torso hurt like hell and his lungs were on fire. The former was because of the injuries he had sustained and the latter was result of the inferno that creeped around at a constant rate. Normally the heat wouldn't affect Kilij much, he was a blacksmith after all, he constantly worked long hours in front of a steel melting forge, but stamina was starting to run low and the pain didn't help either.

Still he persisted on. When he stopped he wouldn't do it longer than a couple breaths before continuing. At one point he looked back to see his tail on fire. Strangely enough this also happened to him often while working steel. It happened so often that the nerve endings of the tail were damaged and he had little feeling there. He put out the flame and reached the checkpoint.

This checkpoint was the foot of the mountain. From here on out the most arduous leg of the journey would begin. He could already see himself clinging to the granite edge as X shot him from another ledge. This would be difficult on a good condition, but being tired and injured wouldn't help much either. Thankfully all the raising smoke would provide a tiny bit of cover. Not much, but it was better than nothing.

Plus it's not like Kilij would be defenseless. He had plenty of ranged sword attacks in his repertoire. It would be tricky to balance both attacking and climbing, but it should be doable. And it would be a lie to say that he wasn't slightly excited for a sky high battle on the mountain side.

So trying to psych himself up, Kilij put one foot and both hands on the rock face and started the ascent. Step by step the cat rose. Periodically looking back to search for his enemy he maintained a steady pace. Hopefully he would reach the top without issue.

@God_Usopun

 

[God_Usopun]

X was following Kilij and watching him from afar. No, it's more accurate to say he was tracking him as a hunter would to his injured prey. Going from one tree to another and keeping a safe distance between them, X took note that Kilij would not last too long. That idea reassured him because he depended on his bullets, and there were not that many lefts. The heat created by the fire had little to no effect on X thanks to his suit, but the smoke was another story. Due to that, X decided to stand in the direction from where the wind was blowing. This would significantly increase the speed at which his bullet would travel. He remembered how Kilij used a tree to scout him a few moments ago. X would then copy it by climbing on the tallest tree next to him and safe from the fire. Since he had to move to a spot sheltered from the fire, X increased the distance between him and Kilij. It was now more than a thousand feet/ four hundred meters. The wind was blowing from southwest to northeast of the forest, and the smoke from the fire covered part of the mountain. X stood atop of tree branch with the tree located near the exit of the forest and the beginning of the mountain. Bullet loaded, gun aimed, X waited for Kilij to emerge from the smoke.

@Fire Tiger ​

 

[Fire Tiger]

Kilij climbed slowly and methodically. Here in the lower portions of the mount, moss and vines covered parts of the rocky walls. The damp moss made the trip hard. Getting a grip around it was a struggle. The vines gave the impression that they would help to ascend, but after using them for a bit they snapped. Losing them as a tether made the tiger Mink slide down a fair distance. Only stoping when he used his sword to decelerate his falling speed.

Once again he set up. This time he doubled and tripled check when grabbing plants and rocks. When leaving the green side of stone work he saw a tiny little cave on the cliff side. So small that it might be better to call it a dent in the wall than an actual cave. But it gave Kilij a good reprieve nonetheless.

Sitting in it, the cat man looked at the scenery. Well smoke still covered most of the surroundings, but he could see some areas on either side. The parts that weren't on fire where quite beautiful to behold. Lush combustible greenery enveloped the land. Everywhere the eye fell fire hazards plant life grew. An idealistic paradise that was untouched by invaders. At least until today.

Reminiscing on this made the pirate hungry. Unfortunately he lost his backpack somewhere before reaching the forest. A real shame since he had some turkey legs in there, not to mention the all climbing ropes and anchors he had also brought. But at least he had some salty dried jerky in his pocket. So he chew on the tough meat as he pondered what was coming next.

He was reaching a height were the smoke was spread loosely enough to give little cover. Therefore he wouldn't be surprised if his annoyingly persistent teammate would choose that chance to strike. "That X surely loves to attack from afar." But to win this contest of theirs he would have to go on regardless of the actions that were likely to occur. "All I can do is to keep my guard up and retaliate whenever possible."

Eating the last strip of meat, the Mink got up to commence climbing once more. He stepped on ledges when he could and squeezed through cracks and gaps of stone to reach the best trails. Further up he stood on a small outcropping and looked back at from once he came. The smoke wasn't that dense up here and it was likely that the gunman could spot him by now. [If X is going to attack, it will be soon.] Thought the Tiger as he looked down on the land.

@God_Usopun

 

[God_Usopun]

X was patient as he knew hunting and sniping preys required that quality. Atop of his branch, he had a clear idea of where his opponent would appear. He was breathing calmy and scheming his next move. He pulled out the bullet he previously loaded in his gun and replaced it with a special one; it was a smoke canister. He was going to blind the tiger and snipe him down. He loaded after that another of his special bullets, this time, it was the one he used to create the fire in the forest.

Incendiary Bullets
DPR B

The smoke canister is a bullet that releases smoke after it collides with an obstacle. X planned to have Kilij either dodge it or stop it, thus releasing the smoke next to him and binding him. Then right after shoot him down or destroy the area where he would be. As he was planing, he spotted the shadow of the mink tiger behind the thin smoke and revised his plan. He was now going to destroy the mountain and Kilij with it. Switching bullets took a mere second, he aimed and fired. The loud sound echoed in the area as the bullet was flying towards its target.

@Fire Tiger ​

 

[Fire Tiger]

As he stood there surveying the land, the swordsmink noticed a bright object fast approaching his location. [More incendiary rounds? X is losing his touch.] Thought the Backyard blacksmith. Although that ammo had a good fiery effect, the drawback was that they were easy to spot. Therefore as soon as he spotted them Kilij skipped to the side.

A hasty move when considering where he was standing. But he had already noticed an outstretched rock just left of him. Just like that he evaded the burning ball of flames that was the incendiary round. The glow reflected on the back of his iris as the bullet safely flew past him. The Mink gave a relieved sigh as the thunderous impact happened aside him. Not thinking much of it, the tiger readied his blades for the counterattack.

It was then that he got a bad premonition. His instincts were screaming danger, but perhaps because of his fatigue, his brain wasn't putting it together. As the hair stood on alert, the Mink felt his footing grow weak. The bullet had penetrated deeply into rocky scenery behind and exploded in a cuncosive blast of metal and heat. This devastated an area bigger than a house and the rock Kilij stood on was attached to that spot.

With the sudden sensation of weightlessness the pirate found himself plummeting through the air. He was near half way up the mountain when he found himself tumbling down. He quickly turned to grasp at anything he could but noticed that he could only reach more air. The cavity left behind by the projectile was so big that there wasn't anything to hold on to.

Meaning that he now had to find a new way to avoid being splattered on the ground below. While holding to his dual blades Kilij unleashed a mighty sideways slash. "Taka Nami!" This hawk wave attack erupted with a powerful force of air that shot into the direction which the bullet came. Kilij would be happy if he could hit X back, but it wasn't for that reason that he performed that move.

Spoiler: Taka Nami

Taka Nami (鷹波 Taka Nami?, literally meaning "Hawk Wave"): While airborne, creates a powerful gust of wind to knock opponents over. It can be done while standing on the ground. The user says this attack is very useful against a group of weak enemies.(21 Mastery, 21 Strength) Destructive Potency Rank: C

With the wind blast blasting forward, the airborne Mink got blasted backwards. For every action there's an equal and opposite reaction. With nothing stopping the recoil in mid air, the Tiger was propelled equally back towards the mountain wall. His back hit hard on the jagged cliff knocking the air from his lungs and flaring the pain he already had in his chest. He barely reached the broken mound when a load of rock and gravel plummeted on top of him. This extremely hot stones where part of the falling debris that the bullet storm had unleashed.

The rocks were hot from the incendiary explosion and Kilij wasted no time on getting them off him. When he managed to that he found himself all cut and bruised with sporadic burns on his fur. Plus the damage to his torso certainly worsened. If his ribs weren't broken before they definitely were broken now. Finding it hard to take full breaths, the Ex-gladiator Pirate Blacksmith Swordsmink decided to call it quits.

"Alright X you bastard! You win this one. Now get up here and help me get to a medic. I think I might have internal bleeding after all of this."

Said Kilij Dao Odachi as he sat back on the broken mountain hole.


@God_Usopun

 

[God_Usopun]

X saw the explosion and the debris it caused. Something stood out. It looked like the dust had its own will and was not following the pattern of the falling debris. X aimed at the moving object immediately as he realized what or who it was. At that moment he saw another flying attack aimed at him. He jumped on the next tree trying to get away but found out that it was not necessary to try to get away. The flying attack landed a few feet away from him. X automatically knew what that attack meant. It was the moment he's been waiting for. Kilij last attack was a desperate attempt. It was not as strong as anything the mink unleashed to this point. X dashed towards his opponent at full speed. In anyway possible he wanted to miss this opportunity. While running he switched to this flintlock and loaded them with all the incendiary bullet he had left.
"Prayer to the father" muttered X while shutting his eyes and activating his haki to locate Kilij, who was inside the hole left by X previous attack.
He was going to finish it. What he was going to use was Crismon tears *Switching his guns to auto again and firing all his incendiary ammo on the target*
Current Kilij had no chance to get away from this. Just at the moment he was ready to further destroy the mountains, he heard Kilij screaming something.

"Alright X you bastard! You win this one. Now get up here and help me get to a medic. I think I might have internal bleeding after all of this."

After hearing that, X regained his senses. He realized that he was trying to finish off his friend. He calmed down, put hi guns away and started climbing the mountain.
When he reached the injured mink he couldn't restrain himself and started to laugh.
"Gungungun, a little more and you'd be kissing Kharon ass to bring you back. Anyway let's get you treated before you die on me." X carried his friend over his shoulder and started climbing down.

@Fire Tiger​