You are a talented swordsman currently on a journey to become the greatest warrior that ever lived. You've traveled from town to town, city to city, country to country, and even continent to continent, defeating the very best that each place had to offer. You are not fully there yet, but you can clearly see the path you must walk to perfect your weapon.
As the moon lights the night sky, you prepare to head to a nearby motel to get some rest for the night. Blocking your way to the city, however, is a Salamander, standing guard on a bridge. You ask her to please let you pass. She says she will, if you drop your weapon and leave it for her to claim. She explains that she has stood on the bridge night after night, defeating all warriors that cross her way, taking their weapons from them as trophies.
She brags that she has already defeated 999 opponents, and YOU will be number 1000, once she defeats you. You'd rather not have to fight her, especially since you are quite exhausted at the moment. But it seems the only way to cross the bridge is through her.
What do you do?