Introduction Arc: Chapter 7.
◆ [Analyzing target: Undead, weak to fire and holy magic, agile and ambidextrous, has true sight, and is heavily armored. Verdict: Flee or fight defensively. Aim for the head. ] ◆
Bricks finished his analysis as the undead snarled, staring at Winter with hollowed eyes. The undead reeked of decay, and its armor was full of grime and soot. The undead took a slow step forward, then another one.
The armored undead was studying Winter, waiting for him to make the first move.
Winter gulped, staring back at the armored undead. (Shit, that guard was right. Those who are unprepared will die. I should've turned back and bought some useful items.)
(But I can't do that without any money.) Winter cursed, clicking his tongue.
The armored undead snarled again while circling Winter, waiting for him to make a move. The armored undead was cautious, sensing something different from Winter.
The night forest was eerily quiet, as if it wanted the two to fight unimpeded. The other undead manifestations kept a wide berth, simply watching the battle unfold.
Winter exhaled, noting that his senses had sharpened. An eerie feeling came down to him, that although he was anxious, he wasn't fearful. The towering undead was a threat, but his instincts were signaling that it wasn't significant. In fact, his instincts were telling him to fight.
(Every fiber of my being wants to fight this thing, but my mind is telling me to leave. So, who do I listen to? My mind that is Winter or this body who is Winterry21.)
◆ [ The undead is uncharacteristically reserved. It wants to counterattack whatever move you'll make. If you flee, you'll surprise it. That surprise will give you ample time to retreat. However, watch out for the sword. The armored undead can control it with telekinesis magic. ] ◆
*Rrrggghhhh...* The armored undead snarled, getting impatient. The snarls were louder and more vicious; it increased the pacing of its steps. It was going to attack if Winter did not.
Winter gulped, finally deciding on what to do.
*Whoooosh!* Winter fled, instantly dashing in the opposite direction. He was heading towards the forest's entrance. The armored undead was confused, surprised for a moment, then it followed him. The armored undead was swift, almost as fast as Winter.
The armored undead roared and threw the sword in its hand, striking the ground where Winter was. The dust settled, and Winter was missing; the sword had struck the cold, dead ground. The armored undead was surprised, frantically searching for Winter.
*Clank!* The armored undead was struck in the skull from above, vertically stabbed with a dagger. Winter dropped down from a tall, dead tree; the force was enough to bring the armored undead to its knees. "Think you're the only one with sneak attacks!?" He said, thrusting the dagger deeper.
The armored undead roared and whacked Winter away. Winter struck his back against a tree, instantly snapping the tree in half. "Ah, goddamn." He groaned, although the pain then instantly subsided.
Winter looked ahead, and the armored undead was now again towering over him while its whole form under the aged armor was full of scorch marks, embers emanating from it. The armored undead dislodged the dagger in its head and then kicked Winter's abdomen with full force.
"Puh!" Winter groaned, his back striking another tree. The armored undead summoned its sword and then struck the ground, but Winter managed to dodge it, leaping away. The armored undead was now dual-wielding the scorch dagger and the immaculate steel sword.
Winter laughed in disbelief. This time, he was truly screwed. The armored undead slowly approached while Winter tightened his fists; his body was excited and quaking. It yearned for more action.
"Well, damn this. If you want a fight, I'll give you a damned good fight. You stupid rotting piece of shit." Winter announced, raising his clenched fists with a wide grin. The armored undead roared, a hint of excitement present, and charged forward.
....
"Fireball Barrage."
A torrent of small fireballs repeatedly struck the armored undead, causing it to shriek in pain. The fiery torrent engulfed the armored undead in flames, providing a bright source of orange light. The source, a bespectacled short-haired woman wearing fine, noble robes, had all of her fingers adorned with rings.
"Striking Arrow."
A woman, wearing almost revealing green shorts with a keyhole crop top while drawing a bow that was almost as tall as her figure, said before releasing the bow and sending a bright arrow forward. It shot like a beam, leaving a trail. The armored undead was struck in the chest, piercing the armor.
"Greater Speed. Force Tower. Greater Strength. Maximum Ability. Death Bringer. Heavy Toll."
An armored man with no helmet muttered while charging forward; his red cape sparkled and fluttered with amazing grace. He unsheathed a steel sword that then glowed in a greenish hue. He leaped forward and spun his body, striking the armored undead in a spinning motion.
The armored undead roared before vanishing, dropping the immaculate steel sword and scorch dagger. The night forest turned dim and quiet as the other manifested undead retreated, vanishing before the night fog.
Winter stared with astonished amazement at the displayed teamwork. It was the real deal, a real adventurer party. He almost forgot that he had almost died at the hands of the armored undead. He composed himself as the group approached him, quickly picking up his scorch dagger.
The first one to speak was the armored man; his face was smooth and pleasing to look at. It was youth and beauty masterfully combined. The armored man was taller than Winter, looking down at Winter with a raised brow.
"You, I saw you at the tavern earlier. Taking a job post from the board." The armored man said, his expression relaxing, noticing the slight discomfort from Winter.
(Wait a minute. This guy is the one giving free beers to everyone.) Winter thought, slowly recognizing the person in front of him. It was hard to forget a face like his. (Night Generals!)
"You are the Night Generals," Winter said, noticing the two women behind the armored man with scrutinizing glares, as if they were scanning his face.
"That was rather reckless of you, facing a death knight like that." The armored man said with a chuckle. "My name is Feledil DeBestEye from the DeBestEye family." The armored man introduced himself with pride, emphasizing his last name, holding out his hand.
"My name is Winter Icecream." Winter introduced himself, making up his last name. (Crap! I panicked, what the hell is Icecream!?)
Feledil DeBestEye furrowed his brows; he didn't recognize the name. He expected to recognize the man's last name in front of him. (Based on his appearance, he's an aristocrat, but it's strange, I don't recognize his family name. He must be from a lower class of nobles.)