Artificial Fantasy

Gaiden 55.5 (Knight's Determination)

I am <Arthur>, a [Human] Knight-In-Training and the one who roams the lands of <Volo> to help those in need. In real life, I am also known as Zac Osborne, a good friend of the always cynical Hayate Palmer (aka <Wind>, the hunter), his younger brother, Kazuki Palmer (aka <Kazu>, the [Insignis] mage, and the know-it-all Damon Jacobs (aka <Razul>, the [Elf] gunslinger). I wish I can say more about my achievements and life in the game. But right now, I'm facing a big problem in the game. Heck, it's not very much a problem and more like I'm very pissed off right now. First, a bandit by the name of [Cruel Crime Lord Bane Zephil] gloated about trying to demolish <Tested Wilds>, the very same place that Wind and Kazu apparently protected through a hidden [Quest] which was mentioned through the game's first [World Notice]. And then, he gloated on doing something disgusting with a young woman with the royal commander. I know they are just NPCs, but there is no way in hell that I'm going to ignore this.

<<Hey, Arthur.>>

Oh! And just what I want. A whisper call from Wind!

<<Yeah?>>

<<Think you can deal with that so-called crime lord alone? His level...>>

<<Yeah, yeah. I know what you're thinking, Wind. And there is no way I going to back down no matter how strong he looks. And don't you two dare try to stop me.>>

Like I'd ever flee from a battle. Heck, I'm about to draw my sword against this asshole. Thankfully, Wind seems to be okay about this. I still don't know what exactly happened in here, but I feel he also wants his retribution as well.

<<Alright. We're counting on you.>>

I grin at his reply. I know he understands. All that's left is the so-called Crime Lord...

"If you're done talking about burning the forest, how about we'll get things started? Or better yet..."

WOOSH!!!

"How about I'll give myself a head-start?!"

With my sword drawn and rushing towards the big muscled criminal, I begin the fight in earnest. Sure, there are Bane's lackeys trying to make things unfair for me. Thankfully, Wind and Razul remedy that problem very quickly as they lure them away from this area so I can focus on this asshole. I don't know what Wind's planning, but I know him. He may be a bit sarcastic and mean sometimes, but he's got a bit of the same common sense and imagination as his younger brother.

<<Arthur! Don't die on us while we're gone, or I swear, you're going to pay for our next night out! Got that?!>>

<<Don't worry, I can take this sucker out in an hour!>>

Yeah, that part might be an exaggeration, but it doesn't hurt to try. Besides, a pretty woman is watching me and I'm not going to disappoint her by dying on a battlefield. With that in mind, I grin at Bane before I swing my blade towards the bandit boss downward, only for him to block it with his large scimitar.

[Is that all you got, guppy? You have to do better than that!]

He quickly pushes my sword away before he swings his blade towards my neck. I know losing my head means a death penalty, so I just duck down and block it, forcing us into a lock. During this, I move back and stand up to break the lock, allowing Bane's scimitar to hit the air. In retaliation, I stab his left arm and kick him a few steps away from me. Once that's done, I swing my blade in an X shape before I shout, "[Cross Slash]!" With that, I throw the shape towards Bane before I follow it. I know that skill isn't enough to put a dent on that numbskull. And true to that, he just swats it away like a fly. But that doesn't matter to me because once he does that, I have a chance to slash his torso. While it isn't enough to cut him in half, it does decent damage to his [HP]. He can be a bit scary, but I know from my action RPG experience that big guys like him mean he's a bit slow to react.