The air crackled with the sound of the knight's heavy breathing. Ethan, his heart pounding like a war drum, gripped his iron rod tighter. He'd never faced a real swordsman before, only the rusty practice weapons at school. School lessons were one thing, facing a hulking brute with a real sword was another.
The knight lunged, a blur of silver. Ethan, panicked, raised his rod. The sword struck the rod with a sickening clang, sending a jolt of pain up his arm. He stumbled back, gasping.
The knight pressed his attack, relentless. Ethan, overwhelmed, could only parry the blows, his rod a flimsy shield against the onslaught.
He needed to think. He couldn't just keep swinging blindly. He remembered his old sparring partner at school, who always preached about finding an opening, a weakness. But where was the weakness in this metal monster?
The knight lunged again, this time aiming for his head. Ethan ducked, the sword whistling past his ear. He glanced at the archer, who was calmly nocking another arrow. They were... Zombies, maybe. They didn't feel pain, didn't tire. He had to end this quickly.
A sharp pain pierced his leg. Ethan stumbled, his eyes widening. He looked down to see an arrow protruding from his calf. He swore under his breath. he let his guard down at archer, these things weren't playing fair. Neither would he.
He feinted left, then right, the knight following each move with predictable aggression. He was getting used to the rhythm, the predictable swings. He needed to…distract it.
He threw his rod.
The knight, surprised, stumbled back. The rod clattered harmlessly against the wall. The knight, seemingly confused, stared at the discarded weapon. Ethan saw his chance. He darted towards the archer, who was oblivious, focused on the next arrow.
Ethan lunged, grabbing the arrow still lodged in his leg. It was surprisingly easy to pull out. He turned, the arrow a deadly weapon in his hand. The archer, finally noticing him, let loose a volley of arrows.
Ethan, agile despite the pain in his leg, dodged the arrows, the years of dodging thrown bottles in the alleyways kicking in.
Then, a searing pain erupted in his shoulder. An arrow had found its mark. He gritted his teeth, ignoring the pain. The pain in his shoulder throbbed with every movement, but he pushed through it.
He couldn't afford to stop now. He reached the archer, plunging the arrow deep into its neck. The archer jerked violently, then slumped to the ground.
The knight, finally realizing what had happened, turned towards Ethan. But Ethan was already reeling, his shoulder burning. He stumbled back, clutching his wound. He knew he couldn't face the knight again, not like this.
He had to find a way to escape. He glanced around, desperately searching for a weapon or anything to use as a weapon.
Then, he saw it. The archer, lying on the ground, still clutched the quiver of arrows. It was a long shot, but it was his only chance.
With a burst of adrenaline, Ethan lunged towards the fallen archer. He grabbed the quiver, fumbling with the straps in a panic. The knight, sensing his prey, lunged forward.
Ethan, desperate, drew an arrow from the quiver and nocked it with trembling hands. He turned, the arrow aimed at the knight's face. The knight, close now, raised its sword for the final blow.
Ethan squeezed his eyes shut and released the arrow. The arrow struck the knight's face, burying itself deep into its skull. The knight staggered back, its movements faltering.
Ethan, despite his injuries, saw his chance. He lunged forward, the pain in his leg and shoulder forgotten. He drove the arrow upwards, aiming for the knight's throat. The knight, blinded and disoriented, could only raise a weak defense. The arrow found its mark, piercing the knight's throat with a sickening crunch.
The knight shuddered, then collapsed to the ground, its metallic form lifeless. Ethan, panting heavily, sank to his knees, his body trembling. He had survived. He won.
He knew this was just the beginning, that the world was a dangerous place. But for now, he could breathe. He had survived.
"Now is not the time to rest, Ethan. We need to get out of here before the monsters come," Silas said.
"Haaa," Ethan took a long breath and approached the door. He pushed it again, but this time it was easier, and the door didn't make any noise.
Ethan hurriedly entered the room, which was enormous, but he didn't have the luxury to sightsee.
His eyes scanned the room and found a lone sword at the center. It was placed in a green liquid.
Ethan didn't know what to do, but the situation demanded action. He directly put his hand into the green liquid as he heard monsters arriving at the door. Thankfully, he hadn't fully opened the door due to Silas's warning.
The green liquid did not harm Ethan's hand; instead, it healed all his injuries as his body emitted a green light.
As soon Ethan pulled the sword out of the green liquid, it shattered into pieces and turned to powder.
A portal opened up in front of Ethan. The monsters finally entered the room, and Ethan jumped into the portal.
.....
At Abandoned factory, a portal opened up and Ethan come out of it.
"Finally, I make it back" Ethan rejoiced and started running towards home, he knew the council have ways to predict portals opening up.
'I need to get out of here'
Sun begins to rise as Ethan reached his apartment. he tried to talk with Silas and jasper but no use, just as Silas predicted.
"That guy was smart" Ethan muttered as get ready to sleep after a long day.
"I will call the council after I get a good sleep," Ethan muttered as he drifted into a deep sleep.
....
One hour after Ethan left.
The two Members of council has arrived at Abandoned factory area, but they didn't get any results.
"I told you it a glitch in system. how can a portal just stay for 2 seconds" a man said irritated.
"I know, I know. but we need to check it since the system had showed portal opening signal 2 times in last 7 hours. better be safe than sorry, right." another one said.
"Whatever man, you own me a free launch" first one said.
"What the he- , haa, fine" second person reluctantly agreed.