THE SYSTEM I MADE
Chapter 11
"A Handicap"
As the warrior orc reared up, its massive sword glinting with a menacing gleam under the flickering shadows of the dark forest, it channeled all its brute strength into a single, devastating thrust aimed directly at Alex. The ground seemed to tremble as the sword cut through the air, aimed with lethal precision.
Alex's heart raced, his instincts screaming for escape. Thanks to the Assassin's Robe, enhanced agility flowed through his veins like a charged current. In the split second as the sword bore down, he twisted his body with supernatural swiftness, the robe's fabric whispering against the cool air. The orc's sword missed him by mere inches, plunging into the earth where Alex had been a moment before. The force of the impact sent a shockwave of debris and dust billowing around, but Alex emerged unscathed, a mere shadow flickering out of harm's way.
Breathing heavily, Alex glanced down at the robe that fluttered slightly around his legs, a tangible reminder of the narrow margin between life and death. "It's thanks to this robe that I survived," he murmured, his voice a mix of awe and gratitude as he prepared to counterattack, knowing the warrior orc would not pause long in its relentless assault.
Alex's muscles burned with each relentless slash from the warrior orc, their stamina rapidly depleting under the pressure. The clash of their blades was a blur, a chaotic symphony of metal that echoed with the intensity of their battle. Each block sent shivers down Alex's arms, each parry a testament to his waning strength. Suddenly, a vicious strike from the orc sent a network of cracks cascading through Alex's sword.
Recoiling, Alex took a few steps back to assess his compromised weapon.
"I should have known. This sword is nothing compared to that orc's,"he thought bitterly. His determination solidified within him, a firm resolve taking hold. "I can't die here. I have to end this now."
With the battlefield stretching ominously around him, Alex charged forward, fueled by a mix of fear and determination. The orc, momentarily confused by Alex's sudden burst of speed, swung its massive blade in a wide arc. Utilizing the agility boost from his Assassin's Robe, Alex dodged the attack with a fluid grace, his movements sharp and precise. In the same motion, he threw his damaged sword directly at the orc's throat.
The blade hit its mark, and the orc staggered backward, clutching at the embedded sword with a stunned expression. It dropped to its knees, a guttural sound escaping its throat as it struggled for air.
Without hesitation, Alex approached the kneeling orc and, with a decisive motion, stomped on the handle of the sword, driving it deeper into the creature's flesh. The orc's life faded quickly, its body collapsing onto the ground in a heavy, lifeless heap.
As silence fell over the battlefield, the system's AI, Aida, announced his victory. 'You have slain a warrior orc'
'You have earned 30 distribution points.' 'You have earned 30 points.'
The words displayed across his screen were a stark reminder of the brutal reality of his survival.
Panting heavily, Alex scanned the surrounding area. The fight had been intense, and though it had not yet attracted more foes, he knew that safety was only temporary. With his main weapon destroyed and his energy reserves nearly depleted, strategic thinking was crucial.
Alex continued His hunt through the thick underbrush of the Emberfall forest, his senses on high alert. Despite his Victory over the warrior orc, he was painfully aware of his reduced stamina and the lack of a reliable weapon. His Assassin's Robe fluttered silently with each cautious step,it's enhanced agility still his best ally in this perilous terrain
Alex knew that more enemies lurker nearby, the scout orcs he'd encountered were surely not the only threats in this region. his thoughts were interrupted by the faint sound of chanting carried on the wind, a signal that a shaman orc might be close. These magic wielding orcs could complicate his mission with their spells, potentially summoning reinforcements or casting debilitating curses.
Creeping forward, Alex peered through a thick cluster of ferns and spotted the shaman, it was cloaked in a ragged robe,it's hands raised as it murmered incantations over a small, flickering fire. The shaman was not alone, Two more warrior orcs stood guard, their bulky forms a stark contrast to the frail figure between them.
Realizing a direct assault would be foolish, Alex retraced his steps, moving back to position himself downwind of the orcs. He needed a new weapon, and luckily, his surroundings might provide one. Spotting a sturdy branch on the ground, he quietly broke it over his knee to fashion a makeshift but pointed spear.
As he edged closer to the orc encampment, his foot dislodged a small stone, sending it skittering across the leaf-strewn ground. The sound was slight but enough to draw the attention of one of the warrior orcs. It turned it's head in his direction, sniffing the air suspiciously.
Alex froze, holding his breath. The orc grunted, then turned back to resume it's vigil, dismissing the noise as just another forest sound. This was the moment Alex had been waiting for. With all the speed granted by the assassin's robe he had acquired earlier he dashed forward launching the sharpened branch like a javelin straight at the shaman orc.
The branch soared through the air as it struck the shaman directly in the chest piercing through the thin robe and embedding deeply. The shaman gasped, it's spell interrupted as it fell on the ground. The warrior orcs roared in fury and turned towards Alex, drawing their massive swords
Alex didn't hesitate. Using the chaos of the moment, he darted around the campsite avoiding the clumsy swipes of the orc blades. He needed to thin their numbers quickly. Spotting a loose rock near his feet he scooped it up and hurled it at one of the warrior orc. The rock hit the orc's head with a solid thud stunning it momentarily.
"This is my chance!" He said to himself
Seizing the opportunity, Alex rushed the stunned orc using his momentum to tackle it to the ground. Struggling atop the massive, Alex searched desperately for any weapon dropped in the scuffle. His fingers closed around a rough, stone dagger at the orc's belt.
With a fierce cry Alex drove the dagger into the warrior orc's throat, twisting it brutally. The creatures lifeblood gushed out, steaming into the cold air of the forest. The remaining warrior recovered now, charged at Alex with a bellow of rage. But Alex was ready sidestepping the charge with the agility granted by the robe.
The orc's momentum carried it past him, and with a quick pivot, Alex was on its back. He jammed the stone dagger into the joint of the orc's armor, where neck met shoulder, and pulled all his remaining strength. The orc collapsed with a gurgling scream it's body twitching as it died.
Exhausted and breathing heavily, Alex stood among the fallen orcs his heart pounding in his chest.
'You have slain two warrior orcs'
'you have slain a shaman orc'
'you have earned 90 distribution points'
Aida announced as these appeared in the screens before him
After the grueling duels with a warrior orc and a shaman, exhaustion began to creep into Alex's limbs, his fatigue mounting with every breath. Knowing he needed a brief respite, he called up the virtual interface with a sharp command. "Store."
Instantly, the air before him shimmered as a variety of items materialized on the display, digital icons floating in the semi-darkness. His eyes scanned quickly and locked onto an essential, water. With his throat parched and body screaming for hydration, he didn't hesitate. "Buy bottle water," he commanded.
"30 points will be deducted from your available points. Would you like to proceed with the transaction?" Aida's voice, ever so neutral, echoed in the virtual space.
"Yes," Alex responded firmly, the urgency in his voice mirroring the pounding of his heart.
He reached out towards the screen, fingers closing around the depicted bottle, and with a flicker of digital light, the item transitioned from virtual to physical in his hands. The system confirmed, "30 points have been deducted."
Carefully, Alex pulled down the lower part of his mask, revealing chapped lips and a gritty jawline. He uncapped the bottle and tilted it back, the cool water cascading down his throat in a single, continuous gulp. "Refreshing," he murmured with a slight nod, feeling the vital fluid reviving his weary muscles.
He rose from his seated position on the log, determination setting back into his sharp features. With the brief pause over, a renewed sense of purpose took hold. "I need to sum things up with the chief orc and be done. Time is not on my side," he muttered to himself, plotting his next moves.
The strategy that formed in his mind was risky yet potentially decisive. If he could ignite a fire, perhaps using the dry underbrush and the remnants of an orc campfire, he might create enough chaos to take down the remaining orcs in one fell swoop. With the plan taking shape, Alex set to work, his survival and the success of his mission hanging in the balance.