[A Few Hours Ago...]

  [Oh, my! What in Volo's name happened to you?!]

  I sheepishly chuckled when I entered Mellie's atelier. "A hunt happened, and my pride and overconfidence almost got me killed by a bunch of [Kobolds]." And that's all I could say before she started acting like my Mom. "Are my clothes for the town trip ready?"

  [Yes. It's right inside that box over there.] Mellie pointed at the said object on the counter. [But unlike your blessed ones, they can tear easily if you transform. So please keep in mind whenever you wear them, okay?]

  I open the box to see the clothes she made.

  As expected, they were better than my starter equipment. But true to their descriptions, they're not very good when it comes to combat. Still, they're good enough to help me get through the event with a few additions. Compared to the NPC weapon sellers in , Mellie's wares are sufficient to help me get by at the early stages of my rebuilt [Lycan] character.

  "These look perfect! Thanks, Mellie!"

  [Don't worry about it, kid. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be as fired up as my wife,] Mellie said with a smile. [Still, if you really want to go out, you need to be careful whenever you use your powers in public.]

  "I know. That's why I already promised Fenrir and Lawrence that I won't use the full extent of my physical abilities outside the forest. I know this place needs to be a secret, and I don't want to make more enemies outside of [Viper's Fangs]." I quickly changed my [Lycan] attire into the new clothes meant for public appearances. "Besides, I never rely on my trump cards to take revenge on my enemies that easily."

  After I finished my business with Mellie, I double-checked my equipment from my inventory and headed off to the gate of the village. Lawrence was offline when I arrived back at the village, so the only people I said my goodbyes to today were Fenrir and Mellie.

  Now to get back to ...

  Since I first arrived in the village unconscious, I have no idea how to leave the forest and return afterwards. I have no time to aimlessly go around the forest to find the path back to town. Considering how impatient Save and his goons were, I couldn't waste another second. Maybe I should have asked one of the guards to guide me out with their noses.

  Hang on... Why am I still thinking like an ordinary player? I'm also a [Lycan], so should I have the same abilities as them?!

  Right, I just need to close my eyes and focus on my destination. I don't know what scent was, so I might focus on Lyco's instead (sorry in advance, dude). He might have already left for it, so he couldn't be that far.

  Perfect! Now all I have to do is lead me to him. Without any second thoughts, I started dashing through the forest using my [Physical Enhancement] abilities. Normally, I would be exhausted by running. But after a lot of running both as a werewolf and in human form, I'm confident that my new body would get me to my destination before noon.

  Either way, I couldn't wait to see Savior's face when he sees me.

  [Present Time]

  "W-What the h*ll?! Are you really that weak*ss Lowry?!"

  I can't help but smirk at Save's exaggerated reaction. I expected him to brush me off thanks to my new body and name, but it's much funnier than I imagined. This is what I need as well, since they were about to beat up Lyco in the middle of town as usual. Sure, I could just wait for the town guard NPCs to stop them. However, I felt a bit petty, and I want to show off a little, too.

  "What? Are you expecting someone else?" I coyly shrug my shoulders. "Besides, I didn't forget the event, Savior. So you should let Lyco go before I make you."

  Savior just stares at me for a while longer. Granted, I can tell he's still skeptical despite my words saying otherwise. Then again, I knew it's not enough to convince him it's me. I would redirect him to the Friends List, but I already deleted him after the incident. If there's some way to prove him more than words...

  "Oh, I get it! You thought you could still get away by having another account and another person impersonating you, just so you could show off a more powerful player than you? Geez, how pathetic can you get, Lowry?" Savior chuckled. "And I thought you're the type to be honest and all that sh*t."

  ...Seriously? Is that his conclusion about my changes? I know he's skeptical, but not that stupid. Whatever... This is still in my favor anyway.

  "Look, it doesn't matter if I'm Lowry or not. All you need to know is that I'm the same player and I'm not running any longer," I declared. "And if you keep on using that dumb reason as an excuse to beat Lyco to a pulp, then just know I'm not gonna be a happy camper."

  I can hear Savior click his tongue. "Well, even if you created a new character, I'm going to take your word. But to us, you're still the same weak*ss Lowry that we know and love to boss around. That's why we want you to participate in the [Arena of the Strong] event with us to make up for your failure in aiding us in the [Dungeon Run]."

  I knew he had to bring it up one way or another. I can already tell they beat Lyco because he's adamant not to let me participate without my consent. However, that's not the scenario I want to play out here. In fact, I'm not letting Savior's guild have their way.

  "And how can you expect me to 'make up' for your losses? I barely got involved in whatever incident your right-hand goon Lyco mentioned."

  "What the hell did you just say, Lowry?!"

  Geez, I only mentioned it once, and Sein almost flew the coop if it wasn't for Savior holding him back; I would end up retaliating with my newfound strength.

  "Oh, pish-posh! If I want to blame someone for that second run without my permission, it would have to be Sein for not learning his lesson from the last one."

  "What?!" Sein screamed loud enough to almost burst my enhanced eardrums. "But Lyco is also there..."

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  "Did I ask you to speak, Sein?!" Savior quickly grabbed his lackey's collar while putting his hand on his sheathed sword. "Last time I checked, Lyco isn't part of our guild, so he has no say in this. And even if you're right about him ruining your second run, don't forget who's responsible for organizing it in the first place."

  "B-But you said..."

  "DO I HEAR A COMPLAINT?"

  Sein flinches the moment Savior raises his voice. Regardless of who's responsible for that run, he is always quick to blame others when it's his responsibility as a guild leader to know of their shortcomings. Too bad he's too stuck up to learn that lesson.

  "Anyways... Since you're already here, I'm guessing you wanted to accept my apology, right?" Savior said while hiding a sneer on his face. "However, I'm aware you haven't met the requirements for the event, so we're here to help you get your lousy [Dagger Mastery] up to 15 before tomorrow. Of course, the grind might be tedious, but..."

  "That? I'm almost done with that part." I quickly bring up one of my [Masteries] and share it with Save and his goons. "I just need one more level until tomorrow."

  Savior's eyes widen when I say this. But it's not enough to erase his grin from his face. "Seriously?! You must be joking! There's no way you can reach Level 15 with a character you made..."

  I watch him and his guild take a closer look at the screen. After a while, Savior's grin dropped the moment he read its contents.

  "[MARTIAL ARTS MASTERY] AT LEVEL 14?! NOT [DAGGER]?!"

  He then tried to refresh the screen a few more times, but it was of no use. What he saw is nothing but my real [Mastery]. No false info or cheating software used on my end. Honestly, I would also flash the rest of the list, but I fear they might become suspicious when they see an unusual set. I'm aware that the [Claws Mastery] isn't limited to bestial claws with claw gauntlet or sharpened nails, and I heard some [Insignis] players took up physical builds despite the disadvantages. However, there's a chance they might tip off that I discovered something in the forest during my disappearance. So I'd rather not take that risk.

  "I-I can't believe this... You had to delete your character all because you wanted to replace that lousy [Mastery]?!" He starts to laugh. "You're even more lousy than I thought! I guess that incident turned you into a..."

  "Who says I deleted my character after the incident?" I raised my voice. "Again, I'm not bothering to correct you. But your denial is terribly high. As your former strategist and navigator, I have to warn you that your arrogance will be the catalyst for your downfall. If you keep underestimating me and anyone you deem as "weak", your [Dungeon Run] fails aren't the only ones you need to worry about."

  "Tch... Even after you betrayed us, you still tried to be bossy." After he said this, a concerning smile formed on his lips. "Oh, I just have a wicked idea." Savior turns to one of his musclebound lackeys. "Hey, Ewa! Why don't you test our wannabe Bruce Lee? How brutal will the arena event become tomorrow?"

  The player who wears leather armor with his chest exposed bare steps forward and cracks his knuckles. "I was hoping you would say that, boss!"

  So we're going this route, huh? The last time they used this method was when I tried to prove myself to join the frontlines as their support. Granted, I was desperate to catch up with everyone at that time, and I was frustrated by how petty Savior was. But in the end, I was the fool and almost got penalized for my failure. Ewa was the same player who humiliated me back then. But I have a feeling the results might be different.

  "If that's what you want, then I won't waste your time." I open my menu and send out a request to Ewa.

  As soon as I sent this, Lyco limped to my side and whispered, "Dude, are you serious?! You're not thinking of challenging him again after what you've been through the last time?!"

  "That was then and this is now," I calmly answered. "If we want to get out of this mess, then you need to trust me."

  "But..."

  I didn't want to let him get involved in my problems. So I walk away from him and approach the Viper brute. "What's the matter? Are you going to accept it? Otherwise, I have somewhere to be."

  Ewa grins at me. "I didn't expect you to be daring, Lowry. Is this okay, boss?"

  "No issues from me," Savior answered with a shrug. "As long as he doesn't avoid 3 strikes from you, then I assure you, this is much better than what I planned."

  "Hehe. Then I will enjoy this!"

  A [Duel] is [Isekai's] answer to a PVP system outside of PK. With the rules set by the admin, players can fight each other without disrupting the settlement's order, and one of the famous rules used with this feature is a combination of the [No-Potions] rule and the simple objective of defeating your opponent or chipping away their [HP] when time runs out. In truth, the [Duel] I initiated only has a condition of a [3-point win]. If I get hit 3 times regardless of our skills and [HP], I lose. So it's a bit closer to Savior's explanation since this was the very ruleset he used on me. Regardless, I pushed Lyco away just as the circle appeared below me. "This won't take long," I smile while playfully saluting him. "See you."

  "Lu- Lowry!"

  Once I open my eyes, I see the whole field is now surrounded by a blue-toned version of the [Duel Field]. Regardless of the win conditions and handicaps you place, the field is always random as it overlays the current area we're in, so other players can spectate from the outside. I can imagine how worried Lyco is right now since Ewa is now right in front of me, brandishing his claw gauntlets unlike the last [Duel] where he simply beat me up with his bare hands and [Martial Arts]. Honestly, this is a better match-up than I'm hoping for.

  [You have 1 minute to prepare and double-check your skills for battle and 20 seconds to assume your positions...]

  I didn't bother to read the rest since I was the one who set up the [Duel]. Along with the ruleset I placed, we won't gain any experience during a [Duel]. So all I can do to improve is to see how strong I am in a real battle. [MEXP] from monsters is nice, but the true experience I need to experience is facing real players in a head-to-head combat. At least that's what I learn from fiction.

  "Sending me that request is one thing, but letting me use my weapons with the [No-Potion] rule is a tall order for you, Lowry," Ewa sneered as he cracked his knuckles. "You can try running away like you did the last time."

  I huffed when he mentioned the past again. Then again, why am I even humoring him with his dumb*ss threats? "Who says I'm running? You said it yourself. How can I run if I didn't have the guts to set it up in the first place?" I smirked. "Who knows? I might beat your *ss this time around."

  "Tch... I don't know what you've been up to after the run, but you won't be smug for long once I kill you in 3 strikes."

  Whatever... I use my preparation time to stretch my legs and arms for battle. As much as I want to use that time to check on my [Masteries] again, I've memorized them to the T whenever I've finished my hunt during my travel from the village. However, all I can analyze from this [Duel] is from my previous one. Namely, my opponent.

  Ewa's build is based around the brawler playstyle. With his [Martial Arts] and [Physical Enhancements] as their go-to [Masteries], it's perfect for anyone who wants to try a simple build without breaking the bank. Not only that, you can add a variety of [Masteries] to create your variation of the brawler playstyle. In his case, he added the [Claw Mastery] similar to mine, albeit an inferior version since his character is a [Human]. The only concern I have right now is his gauntlets in question. I'm confident with my current playstyle and the enhancements I got as a [Lycan]. But he's still stronger than I in terms of levels. It might not be easy if I let my guard down just a little bit.

  [The preparation phase has passed. Assume your positions, participants.]

  Well, that's enough analyzing. Let's see this [Duel] in motion. I crouch down as per Fenrir's instructions and raise my fists. My [Wool Bandages] might not be the best alternative in my current guise, but it will have to do.

  [10, 9, 8...]

  "Hope you're ready to have your bones break, Lowry," Ewa grinned.

  "Heh... I like to see you try," I smirk back. "But let's have our fists do the talking."

  [5, 4...]

  "Gladly."

  [2, 1...]

  The moment I hear the last name, I begin my pounce.