Part 114: Duel with Gadwin 2

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Welcome back!

We've prepared for our journey across the Sea of Mermaids, so now it's time to visit Gadwin at his house.



It's been a while since we've been back here.





The enemies haven't gotten any stronger. I wind up fleeing from them because...

... it seemed like a good idea at the time? I guess?



Anyway, this rock blocks the path back to Gadwin's place. Might as well get this over with.





: OK, we're all set! Onward toward the Sea of Mermaids!

: Justin... you've grown a lot as a result of your work in overcoming obstacles. Now you've succeeded at the toughest challenge, which is to leave your friends behind.

: So, now you are a full-fledged, grown-up man!



: Now, as a man, you must ready yourself in body and mind for your sea voyage.



Well. That escalated quickly.

: With joy? What? You said there's a way to cross the Sea of Mermaids....

: If you can beat me in a duel, crossing the Sea of Mermaids should be easy.

: Whaaat! Bb... beat you in a duel? But, why do we have to duel?

: Right, Gadwin! Come to your senses!

: As you can see, I have all my senses!

: All I can see is you waving your sword at my face!

: Do not interfere, Feena. This duel is a sacred man-to-man ritual!







As you've probably guessed, this isn't one of those "you have to lose" fights. In fact, you do have to win to advance.

I mean, losing doesn't give you a Game Over or anything, you just get a chance to re-prepare and challenge him again.





But, seeing as you have to actually beat him to advance, he's not a difficult fight.



Gadwin is slow and he gets knocked down easily, making him take longer to recover from your attacks. He has no elemental resistances to speak of.



While this looks impressive, damage-wise, this is a counter attack on unarmored Justin.



So this "sacred man-to-man ritual" just winds up being two dudes beating each other with swords.

... which, on second thought, I wholeheartedly endorse as a sacred man-to-man ritual.



Oh yes, he still has this.



Significantly less impressive, though.

On the other hand, it apparently either counts as magic or is coded to ignore defense, as the only way to reduce the damage is to resist explosion, which is only possible at this point via a combination of the Dragon Vest and the Forest Charm.



His speed is so tanked in this fight that Flying Dragon Cut has a charge time. The whole thing about this move while he's a party member is that it's weak, but charges instantly.



It does physical damage here, so most people will be seeing far smaller numbers out of it.



The situation might look hairy, but, barring a tactical mistake, I can't lose here. The combo here softens him up...



... and Justin laps him in the turn order to bring it on home with Midair Cut.





Really, the whole purpose of this fight is to give Justin some weapon/magic training, and 4000 exp.



: You've grown more than I thought. Both as a warrior and as a man.



: Sword power, earth power, fire power. When you master all of these, you can use the Dragon Cut.

: This move is an old family tradition. Only fully grown men can use it. I think you are ready to learn it.

This, here? This was simultaneously the most exciting and disappointing moment for ten-year-old me my first time through. I was terrible at finding Mana Eggs, and Justin wound up never learning Earth magic.

... He also had, like, four levels of sword by the midpoint of disc 2. I was pretty dumb as a kid.

: And one other thing, I left my boat at the dock in Dight so you can cross the Sea of Mermaids. You may use it as you wish.

: The dock in Dight?

: Great! We can cross the sea! Please come with us, Gadwin!

: You say we should use it as we wish, but it's your boat, isn't it, Gadwin? Really now, Gadwin.

Y'know, maybe that's why Feena is so awkward around Justin. She's good at seeing through intentional evasiveness, but Justin's just perpetually clueless.

: There's no need for me to go along. I thought I told you, Feena. Justin's a full-grown man now.

: Huh?! But, but then....

: Seeing how you're growing day by day, I have come to this realization.

: I must go on a new training journey. I'm always aiming higher and higher, to continue my growth as a man.

: Wow, Gadwin....

: Grown men shouldn't make such faces! We may well meet again, if our paths should cross once more.

: When we do, we can cross swords again and praise each other's progress. Be dilligent in improving yourself. I'm looking forward to next time! Farewell, Justin!

And so Gadwin's arc wraps itself up where it began.



: He has been watching over you during this trip, Justin.

: Hasn't he been dead this whole trip?

: Metaphorically watching over you.

: I'll do my best, Gadwin.

: I'm going to get bigger and stronger. I'll make you proud of me, Gadwin.

Dammit, I used my Backstroke of the West reference too early.

: Thanks, Gadwin. Thadwin.

Before we head back to Dight, though, I think we can give Gadwin a better send-off.

First up is the video of the first fight.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PED-DcnM4vY (Polsy link)

But that hardly seems fair, does it? With Justin wearing the kitchen gear?



There. Much better! In fact, Midair Cut was also too useful, so let's avoid any skills and beat Gadwin to death with normal attacks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOu2hsystmQ (Polsy link)

Also: I'm sure you've noticed some of the... more tactical items in my inventory. Let's let Justin borrow Feena's armor for a bit to see how well those items work.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mtQMukA7lM (Polsy link)

Okay, I'm done humiliating the poor guy.

For now. Until I find another interesting thing to do with that fight.

See you next time!

: +1