Sweat and blood dripped down Adam's body. His claws were dulled, his muscles strained. The manipulator sent another whip at him, and Adam had no time to think.
He flung himself sideways, feeling the whip crack the ground where his head had been a second before.
Adam staggered, then spun back toward the opponent. "I… can't lose… yet," he whispered.
He slashed instinctively at a thin tendril of water, breaking it. The manipulator's expression shifted, realizing Adam was still willing to fight despite the pain and disadvantage.
The water manipulator adjusted, summoning a large arc of water from the river. Adam raised his arms, claws glinting, skin hardening.
The wave slammed against him, pushing him to his knees. He gasped, muscles trembling, but didn't collapse. Just barely, he managed to roll with the force, using the momentum to get back onto his feet.
"You're tough for a D-rank," the manipulator said, forming a whip in each hand now. "But this is where it ends."
