God-Tier Extraction Talent: Reincarnated in a Game-like World!

Chapter 18 - A Quest and Bountiful Reward

”Do you think she used it on him?” Alice asked quietly, arms folded, her narrowed gaze fixed on the fight that was about to happen.

Lilly didnʼt respond immediately. She studied Scarlettʼs expression, and as usual, her face was unreadable and indifferent.

”Itʼs hard to tell,” she replied softly. ”But most likely.”

”Who do you think he is?” one adventurer asked. ”Iʼve never seen him before.”

”Me neither,” another responded. ”For him to spar with the Vice Guild Leader herself, he must be powerful or have quite the background.”

All around the gym, whispers like these echoed. Every adventurer present had gathered around, forming a large circle—eager to watch the fight unfold. After all, it was rather rare to witness a Hero-Rank adventurer in action.

Despite the heavy scrutiny, Gabriel remained unfazed—calm and collected as he stared at Scarlett with a steady gaze.

”What level are you?” Scarlett asked, retrieving a wooden sword to match Gabriel, despite being a mage.

”Iʼm level 14,” he replied.

”Then I wonʼt even use ten percent of my power. At your level, I doubt youʼd be able to withstand that either,” she said flatly. ”So to make it fair, Iʼll try to match your strength.”

”Fine by me,” Gabriel shrugged. He felt irritated by how she underestimated him—but unfortunately, it was the truth.

He wasnʼt delusional. Though it sounded arrogant, he knew deep down that what Scarlett said was brutally accurate.

Even using just ten percent of her strength, the legendary Hero-Rank would break through his defense and leave him near death.

At that moment, Lilly suddenly stepped forward.

”At the count of three, the spar will begin,” she declared. ”Are both of you ready?”

No words were spoken.

Lilly took that as confirmation.

”Three... two... one... begin!”

Both combatants moved at the same time, generating a gust of wind that exploded outward, slamming into the faces of the spectators.

Clang!

Voidsting and the wooden sword clashed in the center. Gabriel was the first to break the stalemate. Without hesitation, his sword flashed, slicing through the air toward Scarlettʼs chest.

However, just before the strike landed, Scarlettʼs wooden sword appeared in its trajectory. It had moved so fast that most of the veteran adventurers didnʼt even see a blur.

It was as if the sword had disappeared and reappeared.

Gabriel clicked his tongue. The attack had only been a feint.

Whoosh!

Just as fast, Voidsting changed trajectory—this time aimed at her head, with the clear intent to sever it.

FWISH!

CLANG!

Once again, the wooden sword appeared—Scarlett had parried it cleanly. A gleam of astonishment briefly flashed in her calm eyes.

”For his level, heʼs really fast,” someone whispered.

”If it had been anyone else—and not the Vice Leader—their head wouldʼve rolled.”

”That attack... was he planning to kill her?” Alice frowned. For a moment, sheʼd felt fear seeing Voidsting so close to her sisterʼs neck.

”I doubt it,” Lilly replied with a thoughtful look. ”I think he knew she could block it. Which is... frightening.”

ʼIn other words, he was predicting her movements,ʼ Lilly thought, now observing Gabriel with growing interest.

The adventurers were right—if not for Scarlettʼs experience, this fight would have already ended.

After parrying the attack, she countered with a powerful strike containing the might of a high-level superhuman.

Crack!

Gabrielʼs ribs groaned loudly as her crushing kick sent him staggering back. Before he could regain balance, she was upon him again—her wooden blade flashing downward, cutting the air itself.

The sword was moving too fast. Gabrielʼs fight-or-flight reflex kicked in. He dived to the side, thanks to his 40 points Agility stat—far higher than what a level 14 should possess.

It was only because of this advantage that he dodged the life-threatening strike.

”He dodged it... impressive. Iʼm level 20, and Iʼm pretty sure that attack wouldʼve hit me,” one adventurer muttered with a cold shiver.

Did that mean if they clashed, heʼd lose?

Of course, pride kept the adventurer from saying that out loud.

Meanwhile, like a whirlwind aiming to destroy, Scarlett surged forward—her blade a blur. Gabriel met her head-on, unfazed, and their weapons clashed repeatedly.

Suddenly, he made a fatal oversight.

”Oh, heʼs cooked,” someone laughed.

Naturally, Scarlett saw the opening and struck—but instead of recoiling in pain, Gabriel countered with a seismic punch that came out of nowhere.