The next day, the Everlight party climbed up small path there leads to the cave that Raye requested to see.
"Here it is, if you are going to beat the crap out of that cursed child, we would be glad to let you in,"
Raye simply smile and the dwarf pushed the boulder away by himself. A ray of light creep into the dark cave. It then shone on a dwarf with a long black beard and hair. He is wearing a large rag cloth holding two hammers made out of rock. His hair is long that it reach until his feet. Flies flew around him, showing signs that he hasn't taken a shower in ages.
"Who are you?"
The man spoke in a gruff voice, questioning the Everlight party.
"He's all yours,"
"Are you the cursed child the dwarf speak about?"
"Who are you?"
"I'm Raye Winston, and I challenge you to a duel,"
The dwarf snorted as he stood up. He raised his dual hammer and pointed one at Raye.
"Oh? Interesting, haven't had fun in a while,"
Raye draws out his sword and pointed at the dwarf.
"Here's the rules, you win if you manage to remove the sword from, my hand and I win if I make you fall onto the ground,"
"Fine by me,"
"Match...Start!"
Al shouted from the side as Raye dashed towards the dwarf after Al finishes his sentence.
The dwarf was shocked by the insane speed of the hero that he almost drop back but he managed to hold his ground. Raye swings down his sword at the dwarf but he blocked it with his hammer on the left hand. The dwarf then swings his right hammer to the side at Raye's rib but he managed to dodges it by leaping back.
Raye ran forward and jumped over the dwarf and swings his sword but the dwarf block it with his right hammer and swing down his left hammer. Raye did a somersault in the air, dodging the dwarf's attack and landed behind the dwarf.
Dwarf are physically strong than human by a lot, so trying to overpower them would most likely fail, not to mention that I'm facing the claimed 'Cursed Dwarf' known for his brutal strength. The only thing I could rely on right now is my agility!
Raye thought to himself as he dashed around, swinging his sword at the dwarf from time to time. The dwarf just parried the attack and retaliate when Raye is closed to him.
Fortunately, I have trained by agility during this one month traveling to the Doreinberg clan settlement. Though I can't keep running around without doing anything. What I need is to find a loophole from this dwarf-
Raye now stab his sword a few times at the dwarf but he block every attack with hs dual hammer.
"My turn!"
The dwarf then smack his hammers together, creating a large vibration then sent the Everlight party a few feet back. Raye uses his sword and stabbed onto the ground, holding himself onto it.
"So that's what made this whole mountain vibrate,"
Raye thought to himself as he continued stabbing the dwarf and the dwarf parrying them. The dwarf then suddenly dashed at Raye swinging his hammer.
Raye was shocked at the sudden act but managed to block it with his sword. The dwarf then smashed his hammers onto the ground, destroying it. Raye leaped back, dodging the attack.
"No, dwarves can't be hurt that easily for their thick skin, they are known as brave warrior for a reason,"
Raye remembered one thing but didn't got time to hesitate for the dwarf kept running towards him and swinging his hammers with his brutal strength.
Upon analyzing the battle, Raye realized that this battle can't end unless someone decided to take the initiative to end this battle.
Raye held his sword straight and breath in. The dwarf stood there confused to suddenly surprised at how Raye appeared in front of him with just a blink. The dwarf tried to parried the attack but instead of striking the dwarf, Raye aimed for the wrist of the dwarf and used the tip of the sword and lightly pushed the hammer on the left hand away. He then did the same with the right hand and dashed beside the dwarf. He then kicked his legs, making the dwarf lose his balance and dropped onto the ground. Raye then swings his sword and landed just right next to the neck of the dwarf on the left side.
"Game over, I won,"
Raye's sword pierced the neck a little, though the thick skin of the dwarf protected him from the sword cutting him.
Raye then move his sword away and swings it before sheathing it back into its sheath.
The dwarf stammered but Raye reaches out his hand to the dwarf. The dwarf look up and saw a ray of light shining behind Raye. A golden smile can be seen across his face. The dwarf look at Raye's face and grab onto Raye's hand. Raye managed to pull his up without falling back.
"You are an interesting one,"
"You're good, may I know your name?"
Raye asked the dwarf as he dusted his rag clothe and Al heals him.
"The name is Auoun Hák Doreinberg, and I'm 50 years old, please to meet you guys,"
The dwarf placed both of his hand on his hip and let out a hearty laugh. Raye also laugh together with the dwarf which confused Amethia and Al.
"Auoun, I have an offer for you,"
The dwarf stopped laughing and listened to Raye.
"I've heard that you had been stuck in this cave for your whole life, I can bring you beyond this cave, to explore the outside world, to become stronger than you already are, all I'm asking you is to join the Everlight party,"
Al and Amethia were shocked when they heard Raye's words. But none rejected since they have nothing to object to.
"Join...your party? A party like those folks who came to fight me not too long ago?"
"Yes, just like those folks, we may not be as strong as them, but we will be sooner or later, so, will you join us Everlight party?"
"Why wouldn't I? I can finally get out of this damn cave after ages, besides, you are pretty strong yourself aren't you Rye Winstun!"
"It's Raye Winston,"
"Fine then, I shall join this Everlite party!"
"It's pronounced Everlight...."