Ethan faced the undead knight, heart pounding as he gripped his sword.
The rusted armour of the knight creaked, a haunting symphony of decay.
The stench of rot filled the air, making Ethan's stomach churn. He swallowed hard, pushing aside the urge to retch.
The undead knight brought down its corroded sword with a slow, clumsy swing.
Ethan sidestepped, breath catching as the blade grazed the air where he stood.
Gathering resolve, Ethan lunged forward, his blade aimed at the gap in the knight's armour.
Their clash echoed around them as swords met. The impact sent vibrations up Ethan's arm, grip almost slipping.
The undead knight's strength surprised Ethan; its sluggish movements belied its power.
Ethan struggled to keep his footing, pushing against the weight of the attack.
Their dance continued, Ethan's agility contrasting with the knight's sluggishness.
Ethan dodged, parried, and struck back, determination fueling each movement.
The knight's armour showed wear as Ethan's blade found gaps, metal ringing in his ears.
Ethan exploited gaps in the knight's armour, aiming to disable his opponent.
The knight's relentless assault made it hard to launch a concentrated attack. Ethan had to be cautious not to get too close, the rusted blade a potential source of infection from the dirty edge. or so he thought.
A forceful swing sent Ethan stumbling back. He felt the gust of wind as the blade missed him by a hair's breadth.
"Aren't you supposed to be level 1, you bastard?!" Ethan cursed, charging back at the undead knight.
Usually, levelling up was hard for new players due to low stats and basic equipment. However, Ethan was beginning to understand just how powerful the level 1 opponents in this world are if he was to ignore his ability to even the playing ground.
Level 1 opponents here were strong, unlike rabbits in other games. Fortunately, these wolves moved in small numbers. Packs would be disastrous for any average human.
For now, it was Ethan and the decaying knight, locked in a fierce battle. The knight's slow movements carried unexpected weight. Ethan was determined to end the fight before exhaustion or a misstep sealed his fate.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the 'battlefield,' RageHeart found himself in a similar predicament. His fight had also reached a standstill, yet the way he approached combat set him apart from Ethan's fighting style.
Among players, RageHeart was a legend, known for his unwavering dedication to the berserker style.
Whether the game had a formal berserker class or not, RageHeart would mould his chosen class into the closest thing to a berserker, even if that meant opting for an ostensibly weaker specialisation.
RageHeart's reputation wasn't built on class advantages or rare gear.
No, RageHeart accomplishments were solely due to his unparalleled combat skills and sheer determination.
RageHeart held a belief that the berserker's spirit could be carried into any class, and this conviction fueled his dominance on the battlefield.
RageHeart's distinctive strategy resonated with players across the gaming world.
Even when pitted against adversaries boasting more potent class titles, RageHeart's tenacity and unconventional approach had him emerge victorious time and time again.
RageHeart, like Ethan, had risen to the top with skill alone.
Fortunately for RageHeart, it seemed that maybe the heavens of this world appreciated his playing style. This was because of the starting weapon he received upon choosing the warrior class – a gauntlet.
After injuring his hands due to a slow reaction in his first fight in this world, whenever RageHeart wore the gauntlet, the metallic sensation it brought forth gave him more pain. This pain escalated during combat. However, through his martial training, RageHeart had learned to channel this discomfort to fuel his fighting prowess and maintain focus.
Even as he fought, the pain persisted. But rather than hindering him, it sharpened his clarity of mind.
Fighting the undead knight posed an even greater challenge for RageHeart compared to Ethan. The nature of close combat with an opponent possessing significantly greater physical strength tested him to his limits.
Fortunately, he did not need to make direct contact with the undead monster's skin, sparing him from further complications. Though facing a stronger foe was demanding, he managed to hold his own.
RageHeart stood unwavering before the undead knight, an embodiment of raw determination in the midst of decaying surroundings. His heart pulsed in harmony with the battle's rhythm, his gauntleted fists clenched and poised for action.
With deliberate grace, the undead knight swung its corroded sword. RageHeart's instincts ignited, and he sidestepped with surprising fluidity, defying his robust build. The blade whizzed by, mere inches from its intended target.
Gathering his resolve, he surged forward, gauntleted fists aimed for gaps in the knight's armour. The clash of their forces reverberated, shockwaves travelling up RageHeart's arms. Vibrations resonated through his body, the gauntlets becoming conduits for his strength.
The undead knight's unexpected physical prowess belied its sluggish movements, each strike carrying formidable force. RageHeart's muscles strained as he braced against the assault, his boots anchoring him to the uneven terrain.
Their dynamic dance continued. RageHeart's agility contradicted his appearance, a whirlwind of motion as he nimbly evaded the knight's lumbering attacks. He weaved, ducked, and manoeuvred with determination, his every move a testament to his indomitable spirit.
The knight's armour bore testament to the intensity of their battle. RageHeart's gauntlets deftly exploited gaps in the knight's armour, precise strikes ringing with the metallic chorus of impact. The cacophony drowned the eerie moans of the undead. His attacks were meticulously calculated, a systematic dismantling of his opponent.
Yet, the knight's unyielding assault prevented RageHeart from finding an opening for a concentrated counterattack. He exercised caution, avoiding the rusted blade that posed infection risks due to its tainted edge.
A potent swing from the knight sent RageHeart stumbling, the wind grazing his face as the blade missed by a hair's breadth. Grimacing, the pain of exertion mingled with the discomfort from the gauntlets amplifying the weight of his blows.
"Level 1, my ass!" RageHeart's growl resonated, words laden with frustration as he charged the undead knight once more. His eyes blazed with a fusion of determination and defiance.
If the game demanded that he face formidable adversaries, he would respond with unwavering resolve. Movement blurred his surroundings as gauntleted fists blurred, striking the knight's armour with relentless vigour. Each blow proclaimed his unyielding strength and confidence in his unorthodox combat style, further damaging the undead knight's already worn armour.
As the battle surged, the symphony of their combat engulfed them. RageHeart's breaths grew heavier, each exhalation infused with the pain he had mastered to channel into his fighting spirit. The challenge of fighting the undead knight pushed his limits, requiring agile responses and precise timing against an overpowering foe.
"Let's end this, Aurora!"
"Ahhhh"