The characteristic of Stealth is that once you attack or are attacked, you immediately become visible. Although the resistance ring of fire is weak in its attack, its range is slightly farther than being in complete melee range. Therefore, a rogue cannot quietly get close to a mage when the mage is using the resistance ring of fire.

Of course, the resistance ring of fire also has its weaknesses. It has both a skill duration and a cooldown time, and the difference between these two times means that a mage cannot always have the resistance ring of fire active. During this gap, it’s the perfect opportunity to use Stealth to get close and launch a sneak attack.

Blade, based on his own experience, deduced two things. First, in low-level mage PK, the mage will activate the resistance ring of fire right away; second, the opponent would never expect that he had mastered Stealth, a skill only available to rogues at level 24. So, his original plan was to wait for Ryan Carter to use up the resistance ring of fire, then approach in Stealth and deliver a fatal blow.

But now, it seemed both of his assumptions were wrong. Ryan Carter hadn’t activated the resistance ring of fire, nor did he show the slightest surprise at his Stealth. Moreover, this mage’s close combat ability was even more terrifying than his own as a rogue—something Blade could never have imagined without experiencing it himself.

Forced by the situation, Blade could only use Stealth first. He believed that once the mage saw him use Stealth, he would definitely activate the resistance ring of fire immediately. But his Stealth lasted three seconds longer than the resistance ring of fire. He would get close first, and after the resistance ring of fire cooled down, he could use those three seconds to approach and finish off the opponent. Unless... the opponent’s resistance ring of fire had already been upgraded, and its duration was even longer than his Stealth. But that was basically impossible—a level 10 character wouldn’t have the time or money to upgrade any skill tier.

Through his understanding of the game, precise calculations, and formulating the best battle plan, this had always been Blade’s style in online games. Even if the opponent was just a level 10 mage, he would never underestimate them.

Unfortunately, this time he was wrong again.

Ryan Carter still didn’t activate the resistance ring of fire, nor did he move around the field to avoid an unseen enemy. He just stood there motionless.

“Could it be that he hasn’t learned the resistance ring of fire? Or is he really such a hopeless noob?” Blade was full of doubt, but he couldn’t let the opportunity slip by. He quickly approached Ryan Carter, predicting several possible routes Ryan Carter might take.

Ryan Carter didn’t move, not even a finger. Blade even wondered if he’d have to get right up in his face and blow on him before he’d show any sense of danger.

In a flash, Blade was already behind Ryan Carter, who still showed no reaction. Blade had no time to think further—his Stealth was about to end, and he was ready to unleash his strongest move: the rogue’s level 18 skill, Backstab.

As the name suggests, this move should be used from behind the target, dealing 200% + 40 points of damage under normal circumstances. Although the moment the skill is used, the effect of Stealth disappears and the exclamations of the crowd would alert Ryan Carter, by then his dagger would already be plunged into Ryan Carter’s back. With a fourteen-level difference, a rogue’s Backstab on a mage—other than an instant kill, Blade couldn’t imagine any other outcome.

The onlookers had no idea what was happening on the field, nor did they know that Blade was already right behind Ryan Carter.

But at that moment, Ryan Carter suddenly spun around, his left hand shooting out at lightning speed. The crowd couldn’t help but gasp in astonishment. Immediately after, they saw Blade’s figure suddenly appear in the air, his right hand gripping a dagger, but his right wrist was firmly held by Ryan Carter’s left hand.

The image in everyone’s mind froze at that instant, but the action on the field didn’t stop.

Ryan Carter’s left hand quickly pressed and twisted, causing pain in Blade’s wrist, making his fingers go limp. His palm opened, and the dagger slipped from his hand. Ryan Carter’s right hand bent down and scooped it up, releasing the small knife he originally held while catching Blade’s dagger. Then, with a pull of his left hand, Blade’s right arm was twisted behind his back. Ryan Carter had already moved in, raising his right hand and holding the dagger across Blade’s neck.

Ryan Carter’s moves were swift and decisive. By the time the crowd reacted, Blade was already completely subdued by Ryan Carter.

With the blade at his neck—even though this was an online game and whether this situation was actually threatening was unknown—anyone with eyes could see who had won this round.

“Ah! Beautiful!!” The sudden shout came from Blaze. Thinking that if Ryan Carter lost, he’d be the next target, he had been quite anxious. Now, seeing Ryan Carter win so brilliantly, he was elated, clapping as he rushed out of the crowd, coming up to the two of them, patting Blade and saying, “You’re level 24, right? And you got taken down by a level 10 mage—convinced now? Hahaha!” Blaze looked extremely pleased, as if he had been the one to defeat Blade.

Blade’s face was ashen. He admitted defeat—he’d even been given the chance to Stealth behind and use Backstab, and still got taken down. What was there to be unconvinced about? A level 25 rogue didn’t have many more tricks up his sleeve. Who exactly was this guy? Judging by the moves he used, they weren’t even game skills at all!