Post by Barracuda on Apr 11, 2023 12:06:18 GMT -5
Barracuda was scratched and scarred from Ryuseki's Ballad Of The Fallen Dragons, for sure - but he was far from beaten. He took the blows in stride and flew backwards, stopping himself in mid-air before he inevitably would've collided with an Orange Star Academy classroom window. More importantly, he recognized the mechanics of that attack, and he was sure that Ryuseki had at one point trained among the Apostles.
"You were once among the Apostles, yes?" Barracuda asked as the smoke finally cleared and it was seen that he was in one piece. Ryuseki looked annoyed that his ballad only did but so much damage. The students seemed confused that Barracuda opted to begin this inquisitive line of conversation at a time like this.
"I should be asking you the same question with that outfit you've got on. Except you've got the swords of a lowlife bandit -- maybe you stole it!" Ryuseki responded. Mr. Omoshiroi looked shocked at the notion that Barracuda could've been a lowlife. "Well, I like the guy," he thought to himself. "He seems like a decent guy to me. Maybe he's changed. I trust my instincts," the teacher continued to ponder.
"The truth is...I was once a bandit. I was the worst type of bandit you could ever imagine. But that part of my life, and those days are very long behind me. My name...My name is Barracuda," he said -- hesitating before announcing his name. He knew how famous he was across different empires on Gemoon, and knew that Ryuseki would immediately know who he was. Baltimore was speechless at this notion.
"You...you're...Barracuda?! The Barracuda of Cuda's Clan?! You were the most fearsome troupe on the entire planet! I might even go as far to say that you were a true badass... But look at you now, a shell of yourself. Getting your ass handed to you by The Chohan of The Eighth Ray! On Earth, playing around with kids...why!?" Ryuseki exclaimed with confidence. They both began to float down to the ground. "Wow...now I know who you are. The perfect training dummy. Imagine what all the girls will think back home if they know I beat the crap out of God's Thug!"
"I have no qualms with you," Barracuda responded. He took note of what Ryuseki said, that he was the Chohan of The Eighth Ray. He wasn't just an Apostle apprentice, he was a well trained full fledged practitioner. But he must have betrayed the church, it's the only explanation as to why he would have those cursed hands. It didn't seem like he was a hitman or looking for revenge, so Barracuda's intense guard came down a little bit. "I won't even ask what you did to betray the Church and receive that curse on your hands...I'm in no place to judge. But I will defend myself nonetheless," Cuda said, placing his hand on his dagger. "I stand unharmed in the face of your ballad. If you want, we can end this now and go our separate ways. I'm only here to teach and train. We've given the students quite a show, and now you have your answers. The ball is in your court, Chohan."
The students stood in awe and silence seeing how Ryuseki's attack rendered Barracuda unaffected. They were disappointed at the notion that the fight could be ending so soon, but they were hanging onto every word and excited to see what was about to happen next -- if the mysterious intruder would accept Mr. Barracuda's peace offering. "This guy is amazing," Mr. Omoshiroi said to himself. "He does have a sense of decency! I may have to bring him to the King's Castle and see if he's interested in more official work. This alien continues to impress me."
While Barracuda was earnest in his offering of a stalemate, something told him it wasn't going to be that simple. He noticed Ryuseki's canine companion out of the side of his right eye, and he could tell that the dog was beginning to look more like a ravenous animal with every passing second.
Cuda definitely found the adventure he was looking for, and found himself in a scenario being able to sharpen his tools way more than he could've expected. He just didn't want any unnecessary casualties like at the Yahhoy Port, so a stalemate might be the best option for the moment...
PL: 26,000
HP: 13/250%
KP: 3/6
MP: 3/6
WC: 754
TWC: 4,338
HP: 13/250%
KP: 3/6
MP: 3/6
WC: 754
TWC: 4,338