🗣️ Hardcorus bellows: “Let the Gods Decide!”

R1: Rikus flicks the trident at Hardcorus's exposed shoulder yet Hardcorus continues forward, undeterred.

R1: Hardcorus delivers a shield punch that rattles Rikus before cutting and Rikus curses, blood flowing freely.

R2: Rikus pivots smoothly and redirects the trident at Hardcorus but Hardcorus converts defense to counter-position.

R2: Hardcorus smashes the shield edge into Rikus's face then follows with steel — Rikus barely feels it, adrenaline surging.

Round 2: Hardcorus drives a shield bash home — Rikus is stunned!

Round 3: Rikus is still reeling and cannot act.

R3: Hardcorus demonstrates textbook form, shield protecting as the blade strikes Rikus yet Rikus keeps rhythm and composure.

R4: Rikus exploits reach advantage, stabbing at Hardcorus — barely a mark, Hardcorus holds the line.

R4: Hardcorus channels pure fury into a CRITICAL blow at Rikus!

R5: Rikus feints with the net then spears Hardcorus though the strike connects, Hardcorus is unmoved.

R5: Rikus spins the net expertly, wrapping Hardcorus tight!

R5: Hardcorus tears the net away — but the opening has passed.

R6: Rikus demonstrates patience before striking Hardcorus — a glancing strike, more sound than fury.

R6: Hardcorus uses the shield to pin Rikus and stabs viciously and Rikus realizes they're in serious trouble.

R7: Rikus channels pure fury into a CRITICAL blow at Hardcorus!

R7: Hardcorus uses raw strength to bully Rikus with shield and sword though Rikus registers the hit, resolve unshaken.

R8: Rikus pivots and thrusts the trident into Hardcorus's side though Hardcorus grimaces, the damage is slight.

R8: Hardcorus turns the shield flat and slams it into Rikus before cutting but Rikus converts defense to counter-position.

Round 8: Hardcorus drives a shield bash home — Rikus is stunned!

Round 9: Rikus is still reeling and cannot act.

R9: Hardcorus times a brutal shield hook and follows with the blade at Rikus and Rikus loses balance momentarily.

R10: Rikus uses footwork to outmaneuver and strike Hardcorus but Hardcorus reads it coming and moves with the strike.

R10: Lightning fast — Hardcorus CRITICALLY carves into Rikus!

R11: Rikus angles the weapon low and rakes Hardcorus's leg — a glancing strike, more sound than fury.

R11: Hardcorus is caught in the mesh, struggling desperately to break free!

R11: Hardcorus thrashes free of the net but loses the initiative.

R12: Absolute perfection — Rikus lands a CRITICAL that drops Hardcorus!

R12: Hardcorus demonstrates textbook form, shield protecting as the blade strikes Rikus — a cosmetic cut, Rikus's fighting spirit intact.

R13: Rikus demonstrates lethal precision — CRITICAL strike on Hardcorus!

R13: Hardcorus builds momentum behind the shield then releases it at Rikus and Rikus realizes they're in serious trouble.

R14: Rikus demonstrates patience before striking Hardcorus though Hardcorus takes the hit, it changes nothing.

R14: Hardcorus uses raw strength to bully Rikus with shield and sword splitting skin and sending Rikus reeling.

R15: Rikus controls the center and forces Hardcorus onto the trident yet Hardcorus keeps their footing despite the graze.

Round 15: Rikus reads the angle and slips clear of Hardcorus's strike.

R16: Rikus controls the range and picks Hardcorus apart from distance but Hardcorus times a half-step back perfectly.

R16: The turning point — Hardcorus lands a devastating CRITICAL on Rikus!

R16: Rikus reels like a drunkard, the fight nearly over.

R17: Rikus demonstrates mastery of distance, lancing Hardcorus though Hardcorus registers the hit, resolve unshaken.

R17: Hardcorus absorbs Rikus's strike and returns fire with the gladius but Rikus steps into it, bleeding off the force.

R18: Rikus dances back then snaps forward, spearing Hardcorus yet Hardcorus plants their feet and endures.

R18: The net whirls out and snares Hardcorus fast!

R18: Hardcorus thrashes free of the net but loses the initiative.

R19: Rikus dances back then snaps forward, spearing Hardcorus — Hardcorus's armor does its job, no penetration.

R19: Rikus ensnares Hardcorus in the net — a perfect opening looms!

R19: Hardcorus breaks free of the mesh, bleeding precious seconds.

R20: Rikus demonstrates mastery of distance, lancing Hardcorus but the strike barely bites through Hardcorus's guard.

R20: Hardcorus turns the shield flat and slams it into Rikus before cutting — a scratch that will barely scar.

R21: The turning point — Rikus lands a devastating CRITICAL on Hardcorus!

Round 21: Hardcorus digs deep — a second wind restores 106 vigor!

R21: Hardcorus drops the shoulder and drives through Rikus finding the gap in Rikus's armor perfectly.

R22: Rikus steps light as a cat and drives the prongs at Hardcorus though the blade skitters across Hardcorus's armor.

R22: Hardcorus sinks to the sand, trying desperately to rise.

R22: Hardcorus absorbs Rikus's strike and returns fire with the gladius — a glancing strike, more sound than fury.