Linked Paths

Arc IV - Further [Chapter 3: In Practice]

However, twenty minutes, with high-level enemies constantly attacking from all sides, trying to get to my HP bar, are nonetheless long and tiring. Soon my energy output reaches a noticeable level. Accordingly, I have more and more trouble successfully avoiding or blocking my enemy's attacks. Blocking does deduct some of the HP bar, but it's hardly worth mentioning compared to direct hits. Ideally, you can dodge completely and then land a hit yourself. A difficult task, especially now that the enemies come even faster at me. Every eliminated unit is promptly replaced by a new one popping up from somewhere else. Oftentimes even two spawn, and you have to face more than one at a time. On the bright side, the fierceness of the simulation is an indication that time has already advanced quite far.

At this moment, I'm facing two opponents simultaneously. Unfortunately, exhaustion is taking its toll. One of them hits me hard in the side with a powerful kick. The resulting painful distraction in turn earns me a punch in the face by the other, sending me staggering backwards. A critical hit. Shit! Not good at all! The pain, as realistic as if I had actually taken the hit, makes me groan.

The number of defeated enemies as well as the remaining HP after time-up are the grade-constituting factors. A low HP bar can still result in a good grade if a high number of enemies could be defeated, but in the end, an HP bar at zero means immediate failure of the exam. The HP bar isn't displayed during the exam for good reasons. By all means, I'm guaranteed to have lost a steep amount of HP from the last hit that landed on a critical spot. So for now, I keep my distance and go into full defense mode to recollect somewhat.

To my shock, the system doesn't seem to want the examinee to be defensive for too long, I realize when a third enemy appears after some time out of nowhere. My enemies' attacks are pushing me further and further to the edge of the map. Since I absolutely have to avoid being cornered, there's no choice but to attack before then. Somehow. And I'll go for the newcomer first.

I dodge the attacks that rain down on me and work out a sufficient gap between my opponents, try my hardest to disperse them. Having earned a suitable moment, I go for the newcomer's legs, which I pull out from under him with a skilled kick. He lands on his back, as hoped for. Immediately, I'm on top of him, pressing him down with a firm hand on his chest, and mercilessly punching repeatedly in his throat. A highly critical attack point. The HP bar drops to zero, and the enemy dematerializes into pixels.

No time to rest on this success. The other two demand my attention. I roll away and jump up, blocking the next kick with my forearm, which would otherwise have hit me in the jaw full force. At least there's no new third attacker spawning. For now...

To get some distance again, I perform two consecutive flick flacks. Then, with a flying side kick, I leap directly at the onrushing opponent, who hadn't anticipated my speed. I hit. Since the damage won't be enough to take him out, I follow behind his backward stagger and strike his chest several times. Finally I aim for his spleen to ensure his obliteration.

The third enemy takes advantage of his fellow's disintegrating remains and performs a flying tornado kick right through the twirling pixels, which I only narrowly dodge. Next, we find ourselves in a fierce clash of blows. My recent actions were resource-sapping, making the exhaustion in my muscles and bones now crushing.

I'm worrying about my next move and how I can attain the lead in this duel. Luckily, the salvific sound signaling the end of my exam banishes this worry as quickly as it arose. The last opponent automatically dissolves, while I already sink to my knees, relieved, exhausted, and breathing desperately for oxygen. It's over. I want to laugh and cry at the same time. I did it!

Tōdō-sensei: {Congrats lil' bean! You passed!}, *cheering*

Tears are gathering in my eyes and my face twists in a strained attempt to keep my lips from trembling. Good thing, that my face isn't visible right now, thanks to the Enyo suit.