Aŕ heavy silence loomed over the obsidian pathway as the towering swordsman stood in their way, his jagged greatsword resting against his shoulder. The dim glow of the Rift behind him cast his figure in an imposing shadow. His armor was worn but sturdy, lined with deep scratches—each one telling a story of countless battles.
Liam tightened his grip on his weapon, analyzing the opponent before him. Something about the man's stance was different from the enemies they had faced before. He wasn't blindly attacking like the usual hostile players. His breathing was steady, his stance firm, and his eyes sharp, filled with something… deeper.
Kai leaned over slightly. "This guy's not some random attacker. Look at how he's holding his weapon. He's experienced."
Selene, who had remained in the shadows, analyzed the terrain. "He doesn't seem reckless. He's waiting for something… or someone."
Echo's voice hummed in Liam's earpiece. "Be careful. His stats are higher than the standard enemy. He's at the threshold of something dangerous."
The swordsman finally spoke,his voice deep and gravelly.
"You—" he pointed the greatsword at Liam, "—have something I need to understand. Show me your strength."
Without another word, he lunged forward.
The Battle Begins
Liam barely had time to react as the massive sword came down. He sidestepped just in time, feeling the shockwave of the impact ripple through the ground. Dust and debris flew up, momentarily clouding the battlefield.
Kai rushed in, his dual blades flashing in the dim light. He aimed for the swordsman's exposed flank, but with a sharp spin, the man deflected the attack with terrifying precision, sending Kai skidding backward.
Selene took advantage of the moment, vanishing into the shadows and reappearing behind him, her daggers seeking a weak spot in his armor. But as if sensing her, he twisted his body and blocked with the broad side of his sword, forcing her to retreat.
"He's fast for his size," Selene muttered, landing lightly a few feet away.
Liam narrowed his eyes. He had faced strong opponents before, but this was different. This wasn't just brute force—this was skill, experience, and a deep understanding of combat.
"Let's see how he handles a beast," Liam thought, activating Override.
With a flick of his wrist, his tamed Ravager lunged at the swordsman, jaws snapping. The warrior didn't flinch. Instead, he sidestepped and brought his greatsword down with perfect timing. The Ravager barely managed to dodge, but the force of the swing sent it tumbling.
"He can read attacks," Liam realized.
The battle raged on. Every move they made, the swordsman countered. Every opening they found, he shut down.
And yet, despite his overwhelming strength, there was something off. His movements, though precise, carried a hint of hesitation.
A Man Fighting Himself
As the fight dragged on, the group started noticing it—he wasn't fighting to kill.
Liam stepped back, observing. The swordsman had countless chances to end the fight, but he didn't. Instead, he kept pushing them, testing their limits.
"Why are you fighting like this?" Liam asked between breaths.
The man froze for a fraction of a second before tightening his grip. "Because if I don't… then what am I?"
Before Liam could ask more, the man let out a roar and charged again, swinging his blade with renewed force.
Liam dodged, but just barely. The force of the attack sent shockwaves through the air.
Something was wrong. This man wasn't fighting them. He was fighting something within himself.
The battle was far from over
End of Chapter 15