Summary: Arctic Fox assesses his new opponent.

Set in chapter 40. Manhua-verse.

Thanks to Yukisukihana for telling about calling Kenshin's clothing haori.

Prince's line is from the manga.

Assessment

By Dark Ice Dragon

Arctic Fox waited for who his opponent would be, not expecting much. There were only two players in the entire game who were higher level than him, and they were not in any of the guilds that were affiliated with Infinite City.

Around him, players shuffled about, a clear space opening up around him as they did so. He paid them no mind as they edged away from him, keeping an eye out for the one Prince had called for. There were a few awkward minutes of silence before a set of soft footsteps could be heard approaching.

"Ah, Kenshin, perfect timing," Prince said, turning his head to look behind him. "Come and have a duel with Arctic Fox."

The person who stepped out from the group of people had red hair and was wearing the brightest coloured haori Arctic Fox had ever seen. Underneath it, he could see the newbie gear, so clean it looked like dirt had never touched it and it seemed like it had barely been worn.

Thiswas Prince's strongest fighter?

Disappointment curled in his stomach, but he nudged it away with the ease of long practice. Of course it would be someone unable to challenge him; he shouldn't have thought that it could have even been a possibility. Still, it was a little insulting that Prince would choose someone so low level to fight him. Unless it was just so that the more veteran players wouldn't lose their levels?

While Kenshin closed the gap between them, Arctic Fox frowned as he watched him. The other player moved smoothly with long, even strides, his back straight with a confidence that wasn't bravado, and his eyes showed no fear, or even a hint of wariness, as he matched his stare.

Interesting.

He would have to be a little careful in this fight; Kenshin most probably knew how to fight in real life so his reactions would be a little different from what he was used to.

But it wouldn't really matter though, in the end. The difference in levels would become obvious extremely quickly, no matter what the other player's experience.

The fight would be over in no more than three slashes.