Chapter 3: Still A Game?
In front of Ethan's eyes lay a vast expanse of greenery, signalling that he was currently in the heart of a forest. The woods stretched as far as his eyes could see, suggesting that he was far from the forest's exit. However, his attention was quickly diverted from his surroundings as he noticed a young woman, covered in blood, just a few dozen metres away. Behind her, a large wolf, about a metre and a half in size, chased after her with blood dripping from its mouth.
The scene filled Ethan with a mix of fear and amazement. He couldn't help but wonder how and why the bloody scene appeared so realistic. For a moment, he almost forgot that he was still inside a game, or at least he believed he was. The girl's bloodied appearance was genuinely unsettling, causing his initial fear.
Caught up in the intensity of the moment, Ethan failed to realise that his initial mediaeval attire, which he wore upon entering the virtual space, had mysteriously transformed back into his real-life clothes. This turn of events seemed implausible, regardless of any advancements in technology. After all, he was in the real world, so how could the game accurately capture his physical appearance?
Meanwhile, the blood-soaked woman had noticed Ethan and, desperate for salvation, called out to him for help. Her voice carried a mix of desperation and terror, appealing to him as her potential saviour. With each passing second, she ran faster toward Ethan, seeking refuge from the monstrous threat behind her. As her pleas echoed in the air, Ethan's mind raced with conflicting thoughts.
"This feels more than just a game," Ethan muttered, a bead of sweat rolling down his face. He pondered the motives behind the game developers' decision to create such a pilot opening—so gruesome, intense, and eerily realistic. Doubts clouded his mind as he hesitated on how to respond.
For Ethan, this was an incredibly unconventional opening for a game. While his human self wanted to help the NPC in front of him, there were no other weapons in sight besides the sword in the woman's hands. He wondered if his character would even be allowed to take any meaningful actions in this situation. Uncertainty flooded his mind as the woman and the wolf drew closer.
Just as Ethan's thoughts reached a deadlock, his instincts kicked in. The woman, weakened by the loss of blood, stumbled and fell to the ground. At that moment, the sword in her hand flew through the air, landing not far from Ethan.
The sight of the woman falling sent a jolt through Ethan's heart. Despite still considering her as an NPC, he couldn't bear the thought of what was about to happen. As expected, the pursuing wolf pounced on the defenceless woman without hesitation, tearing into her flesh as she cried out in agony.
"F**k this," Ethan cursed at the gruesome scene, directing his frustration toward the developers themselves for crafting such a mentally taxing experience. Regardless of whether she was an NPC or not, Ethan believed that no one deserved to be subjected to such a horrifying fate.
Without further hesitation, Ethan dashed towards the location where the sword had fallen from the woman's hand. As he reached it and grasped the familiar weapon, a sense of calm washed over him, dissipating the unease and other emotions that had filled his heart moments ago.
Despite the hardships he had faced, such as the loss of his father at a young age and his mother's somewhat early departure, Ethan had cultivated several hobbies to bring light into his life. Alongside playing games for enjoyment and as a career, he also practised martial arts.
While Ethan found joy in honing his skills, he understood that for the top players, martial arts training served a practical purpose in virtual reality games. Unlike traditional mobile and computer games, VR games allowed players to apply their real-world knowledge, including combat skills.
However, Ethan's thoughts on martial arts took a backseat as soon as he gripped the sword in his hand. Without hesitation, he charged toward the wolf and the injured woman, who was now growing quieter.
Ethan was not quiet in his movement, so the wolf that had initially ignored him turned to look at him with anger in its eyes.
"This two-legged creature has interrupted his meal! Unforgivable! Another meal!" the wolf seemed to say with its menacing gaze.
Ethan, even upon seeing the big wolf turn to face him, remained unfazed as he still charged forward to meet his opponent in fluid movements that spoke volumes of his seemingly ordinary footwork.
The wolf's menacing growl filled the air as it abandoned the blood-soaked woman, her condition now uncertain, and sprinted toward Ethan with remarkable speed. Both parties closed in on each other rapidly, tension mounting with every passing second.
Without warning, the wolf unleashed a burst of power, propelling itself forward in an attempt to pounce on Ethan. The move was calculated to catch most off guard, but Ethan, who had maintained a vigilant stance since the beginning of the encounter, remained unfazed. Instead of attempting to change direction or evading the wolf's attack by leaping backwards, Ethan held his ground and pressed forward.
Ethan's instincts kicked in, his mind fully immersed in the confrontation. Although he still regarded everything as part of the game, on a subconscious level, he perceived the encounter with the wolf as an actual, tangible threat. His training in martial arts, honed through years of practice, guided his movements.
As the wolf lunged towards him, Ethan swiftly assessed the situation. Reacting with lightning-fast reflexes, he dropped to the ground and executed a perfectly timed slide under the wolf's airborne body. The beast sailed over him, its claws missing their mark by mere inches. Ethan emerged unscathed on the other side, his heart racing with a mix of exhilaration and adrenaline.
As he rose to his feet, Ethan's focus remained unwavering. He locked eyes with the wolf, now disoriented by its failed attack. Not wanting to waste the opportunity to strike a disoriented opponent, Ethan sprinted in the direction of the wolf, holding the sword in his hands vertically in front of him.
The wolf, sensing Ethan's approach, attempted to regain its bearings, but there was little time for it to do so as Ethan closed the distance between them in each stride.
Seeing this, the wolf took decisive action and charged toward Ethan. Ethan, who was already expecting something like this, kept his cool as both forces approached each other again.
The wolf, having learned its lesson from the previous attack, did not jump to pounce on Ethan this time. Instead, it altered its strategy, opting for a more direct and ferocious approach. Its powerful legs propelled it forward with incredible speed, closing the gap between Ethan and itself in a matter of seconds. Its snarls echoed through the air, a chilling reminder of the danger that lurked before Ethan.
As the wolf charged, Ethan's instincts sharpened, his focus narrowing to a razor's edge. With a burst of energy, Ethan launched himself forward, meeting the wolf's charge head-on.
The wolf lunged, teeth bared and claws extended, aiming to tear into Ethan's flesh. But Ethan's reflexes were honed, his body primed for combat. With a swift sidestep, he evaded the wolf's snapping jaws, narrowly escaping its deadly bite.
Seizing the momentary advantage, Ethan retaliated with a swift and calculated strike. The sword whistled through the air, aiming for the wolf's exposed flank. However, the creature's agility proved formidable as it twisted its body, narrowly dodging the lethal blow.
In a split-second decision, Ethan adjusted his strategy. With lightning speed, he shifted the trajectory of his strike, redirecting the sword towards the wolf's vulnerable neck. The blade sliced through the air with unerring accuracy, meeting its mark with a resounding impact.
The wolf let out a guttural yelp, its body freezing in mid-motion. Time seemed to stand still as the creature's eyes widened in disbelief. A moment later, its body collapsed to the ground, lifeless.
*Ding*
A bell-like sound echoed in Ethan's head, but he stood there, panting heavily, his heart pounding with adrenaline. The battle had ended in a single, decisive strike, but everything that led to it just felt so real.
For one, he felt fatigued, and although he had experienced the same in other VR games he had played in the past, this particular fatigue felt too real. It was as if he had actually used his real body for everything that had just happened.
"The game developers sure went beyond with the realistic details," Ethan muttered, frustrated yet impressed.
He was frustrated because he had pushed his body to the limit a little against the wolf, and the feedback he got was a body with aches. The sensation was so real!
With the threat eliminated, Ethan's attention turned to the injured woman. He rushed to her side, his concern palpable. Kneeling down, he wanted to assess her condition, hoping that he hadn't arrived too late.
However, when he fully saw the woman's state, Ethan immediately turned his head to the side and vomited his guts out.
Even that particular scene was realistically detailed.
"Heavens better not let me catch the game's visual designers," Ethan muttered, a mix of frustration and disgust evident in his voice.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone