I wasn’t a close-quarters fighter like a Warrior, nor a ranged specialist like a rogue. I was somewhere in between — maybe seventy percent distance, with a few close-range options when things got bad. My Mana Shield gave me some protection, and my staff wasn’t just for channeling spells anymore. The System had modified it to hit harder, its weight and balance tuned for impact.
I moved into position and unleashed three Mana Slashes in quick succession. My aim was better than ever; all three struck home. The Kobold staggered but didn’t fall. Wounded — not dead.
It roared and charged. I cast Fleetstep, darting to the side, but the glaive’s reach was longer than I’d accounted for. It swept the weapon sideways, catching me with the shaft. Not the blade — thank the System — but hard enough to knock me off balance.
I stumbled, caught my footing, and swung back. My staff connected solidly with its side, the crack echoing down the empty street. The Kobold reeled backward, and I pressed my advantage.
I cast Arc Lash, blue energy snapping from my staff and coiling around its body. When the spell faded, I stepped in and finished the fight — one final, heavy strike.
The Kobold crumpled to the ground.
I’d killed it.
I stood for a moment, replaying the fight in my head. The timing had been right, but I reacted instead of anticipating. If I’d moved a heartbeat earlier, the glaive’s shaft might have missed completely. Fleetstep isn’t only for retreat — I should use it offensively too, to flank or change casting angles mid-fight.
I never used Mana Shield. That was a mistake. When I stumbled after the hit, a shield could have bought me a few seconds to recover instead of leaving it to luck. Next time, I’ll try layering it pre-emptively, not as a panic button but as preparation.
The follow-through felt natural, almost instinctive. It ended the fight, though I noticed how quickly my mana drained afterward. I can’t throw that spell casually; it needs to finish battles, not start them.
I’d won, but it wasn’t clean. The Kobold had pushed me harder than I expected. Its glaive’s reach nearly cost me the fight — and if there had been two of them, I wouldn’t have walked away.
“One more and then I will continue tomorrow morning.”
I found another one or rather it found me. I moved with caution and yet… as I turned the corner, it was on me.
The Kobold Warrior came low and fast, glaive already in motion. I barely caught the blur before the hooked blade swept in a rising arc—first a quick horizontal slash meant to force me back, then a smooth twist of its wrists that flipped the weapon end-over-end into a downward cut.
The edge whistled through the air, carving sparks from the stone as it struck. When that missed, the Kobold used the momentum to spin the glaive behind its body, letting the back of the shaft whip toward my ribs in a punishing counterstroke.
The entire sequence flowed like water—no wasted motion. Its stance stayed compact, right foot pivoting as it used its tail for balance. The glaive never stopped moving: sweep, hook, pull, thrust. The hooked blade wasn’t just for cutting; it tried to catch my staff and yank it aside, setting up a lunge aimed at my chest. Even blocking felt dangerous, every impact reverberating down my arms.
In that instant I realized why the Warrior was feared even alone. Its weapon wasn’t a polearm so much as an extension of instinct—control at range, power up close. I ducked under the next swing, feeling the air tear above my head, and knew this fight would demand everything I’d learned about timing, space, and mana control.
I activated Fleetstep and moved back, boots scraping across the stone as mana surged through my legs. Space — I needed space.
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The Kobold didn’t hesitate; it lunged forward, its glaive flashing in the dim light. Instinct took over. I raised my staff and called, “Mana Shield.”
The barrier flared to life just as the glaive struck. The impact thundered inside my skull. The shield bent but didn’t shatter; it rippled, straining, sparks scattering where steel met magic. Good thing I cast it — one second later, that strike would’ve split me in two.
Fleetstep’s energy still thrummed in my muscles, urging movement, so I darted to its off side — the blind spot where its reach faltered. I swung my staff in a wide arc. “Mana Slash!” The blue crescent carved through the air and bit into its shoulder. The Kobold hissed, staggering, but the pain only seemed to enrage it.
Then it turned — fast. Too fast. The glaive reversed, the hooked edge catching my staff and wrenching it free. I tried to retreat again, but Fleetstep’s power was fading. The shield flickered once, dimmed, and vanished.
The next thrust came straight for my chest.
There wasn’t even time to raise my arm.
The iron tip punched through — light, pain, and sound collapsing into one sharp instant. I gasped as the simulation froze mid-motion. The last thing I saw was the Kobold’s snarling face, frozen in victory, as I fell backward into stillness.
I was back in New York. Dying in the simulation was not something I would ever get used to.
“End the scenario.”
Time in the simulation had passed much faster than I expected. When I stepped out, it wasn’t even dark yet — far too early to sleep.
I opened my inventory and scrolled through the shards I’d collected. Maybe it was time to actually use some of them.
I pulled out my staff and a rare upgrade shard, wondering why I hadn’t done this sooner. That staff had saved my life more than once, yet I’d only upgraded it once since all this began. I’d been careless.
That couldn’t continue. I had to do better.
I took a steady breath and pressed the shard against the staff.
I read through the description once — then again — before cheering out loud and confirming my choice.
“Yes! Hell yes!”
That was huge. It would change how I fought, maybe even give me an edge against the Kobolds. I still had seven shards left.
“What the hell,” I muttered. “Let’s give it a shot.”
I took them out and pressed them against my clothing.
“Yes, to all.”
I had rare upgrade shards, and I quickly realised that I did not need that much to feel comfortable,
I walked through my apartment and the kitchen. That is out, Food and Water Packages took its place. In the bathroom, I already upgraded everything I needed. I noted that I did not upgrade a comb or brush, but my hair had never been too unruly.
I had my bedding and bed. Also, a chair and couch.
Clothing and other accessories, which I did not have a lot off, was gone. Wallet – not needed. Belt – nope we had drawstring pants. One pair of shoes. Sunglasses – nope. The sun shone but it never got as bright as it used to feel on a blazing summer day.
I thought about my days and what it was I did. I got up, showered and ate breakfast. Then I went to college to study and work. I usually grabbed something quick. Home and dinner. Most nights and weekends I studied.
I took a break to play D&D with my friends. If I had time, I would maybe watch a movie on my laptop, via streaming service.
No more study and no more streaming service.
“Claire has her music, maybe I can… Damn, I already used my laptop, but I am sure I will be able to find another and maybe get some movies or series to watch.”
I walked down the stairs and looked outside. I was already late and getting darker quickly.
“Nope, not gonne happen. I will wait until tomorrow.”
I turned back and went upstairs. I lay on my bed, thinking. I was not tired yet, and my mind returned to the things in the night. I knew it was a monster of some kind, and I also knew I had to face it eventually.
Eventually I fell asleep.
Is the Rhyme ....