Max's heart rate picked up. Time to test combat.
He jogged down the canyon path, following the thread connecting him to his spirit. The Void Watchers came into view—five of them, each about the size of a basketball, their central eyes rotating to scan the area. Tentacles writhed beneath their bodies.
[Void Watcher – Level 3] x5
HP: 150/150 each
Max drew his rusty short sword. The weapon felt real in his hand—weight, balance, the slight roughness of the worn grip. He had done some kendo in high school, but this was different. This was life or death. Well, virtual life or death, but the adrenaline felt real enough.
He focused on the Shadow Echo, sending a command through their bond: Distract them. Draw their attention.
The spirit responded immediately. It manifested fully, becoming more solid, and dove toward the Void Watchers with unsettling speed. The creatures' eyes locked onto it, and they shrieked—a sound like metal scraping glass—before launching themselves at the shadow.
Purple energy beams shot from their central eyes, but the Shadow Echo phased through the attacks, becoming untouchable at will. It passed between them, keeping all five creatures focused on its erratic movements.
Max charged.
The nearest Void Watcher didn't see him coming—it was too focused on the shadow darting above it. Max swung his short sword in a wide arc, the blade connecting with a satisfying crunch.
-45 HP!
[Void Watcher: 105/150 HP]
The creature spun toward him, its massive eye focusing with rage. The tentacles lashed out, faster than Max expected. One caught his arm, and he felt actual pain—dulled, the system limiting it to maybe 20% of real sensation, but present.
-12 HP!
[Max Thorne: 88/120 HP]
"Shit!" Max yanked his arm back and slashed again, this time aiming for the tentacles. Two of them severed, dissolving into purple mist.
-30 HP!
[Void Watcher: 75/150 HP]
The other four Watchers were turning toward him now, abandoning their pursuit of the Shadow Echo. Max's mind raced. Five against one—bad odds. He needed to be smarter.
Shadow Echo, attack the one on the left. The damaged one.
The spirit complied instantly. It solidified partially, forming clawed hands from the smoke, and slashed the injured Void Watcher's body. The creature shrieked.
-20 HP!
[Void Watcher: 55/150 HP]
Max pressed his advantage, lunging forward and driving his blade into the creature's central eye. The Void Watcher convulsed once, then exploded into particles of light.
[Void Watcher Defeated!]
+50 EXP!
Four left.
The remaining Watchers coordinated their attack. Two fired energy beams while the other two rushed him physically. Max dove to the side, rolling across the rough ground. His stamina bar dropped as he pushed himself back to his feet.
[Stamina: 78/120]
He needed space. An idea hit him—the Shadow Step ability. Max spotted a deep shadow cast by a nearby crystal tower, about eight meters away. He activated the skill.
The world blurred. One moment he was surrounded by enemies; the next, he was standing in the shadow, twelve feet away. The disorientation lasted only a second.
[Shadow Step activated]
[-30 MP]
[MP: 100/170]
The Void Watchers spun in confusion, searching for him. Max used the moment to assess the situation. Four enemies, all at full health except one that the Shadow Echo had damaged. His HP was at 88, MP at 100. The summon duration still had six minutes left.
Kiting, Max thought. Just like a raid boss. Constant movement, burst damage, never let them surround me.
He sent a command to the Shadow Echo: Hit and run. Don't let them focus you. We wear them down.
The spirit nodded in agreement, and Max felt something unexpected through their bond—not just acknowledgment, but eagerness. The Shadow Echo was enjoying this.
Max grinned. "Alright then. Let's hunt."
He charged back into combat, his sword raised. This time, he didn't try to face them head-on. He danced at the edge of their range, moving in to strike when one turned toward the Shadow Echo, then retreating before they could fight back effectively.
Slash. Dodge. Shadow Step to a new position. Attack from behind. Repeat.
The Shadow Echo matched his rhythm perfectly, their movements synchronized without needing verbal commands. It would strike, forcing a Watcher to turn, and Max would exploit the opening. When Max drew too much aggro, the spirit would manifest more solidly, pulling attention back.
It was like playing an instrument—two parts creating harmony.
The second Void Watcher fell. Then the third.
[+50 EXP]
[+50 EXP]
Max's stamina was dropping faster now, his muscles burning with exertion. The game's realism was incredible but exhausting. Sweat dripped down his forehead.
[Stamina: 34/120]
[HP: 76/120]
[MP: 70/170]
Two Watchers remained, and they had adapted. They stayed close together now, covering each other's blind spots. Smart AI.
Max's Shadow Step came off cooldown. He had enough MP for one more use, but he would need to make it count. He circled the pair, watching their patterns. Every few seconds, they rotated positions, ensuring they never both faced the same direction.
But there—a brief moment during the rotation when one's back was fully exposed.
Max waited, counting the rhythm. Three... two... one...
He activated Shadow Step, appearing directly behind the exposed Watcher. His blade plunged into its central eye before it could react.
CRITICAL HIT!
-90 HP!
[Void Watcher: 60/150 HP]