The Fake Player

Chapter 1 - Welcome to YGGDRASIL.

May 27th, 2128. World: Jotunheim. The Forest of Descent. Recommended level: 50-55.

"Shit!" A voice cursed, the source coming from a blue fishman whose body was bedecked with fins and gills on his form and layered by a combination of leather and metal armor.

In his hand he held a longsword of which the Player swung with the activation of his skill.

"[Aqua Slash]!"

High pressurized water exploded from the guard of the sword. Swinging the blade, the stream of water splashed against his opponent's shield, held by a paladin - by appearance - in white armor emblazoned with a holy symbol, with the weight of a small lake.

Before the Heteromorphic Player could press on, an incoming bolt of thunder flew from the side. The fishman, forced to cancel his assault, stumbled back on reflex.

A mistake as it allowed the paladin to retaliate.

"[Holy Bash]" The holy warrior slammed his mace into the amphibian's side, gouging a good chunk of his health.

He staggered, attempting a retreat but the paladin wasn't so merciful. Stealing a glance at his remaining party, the blue-skinned Player grimaced. He and his five-man party journeyed here to power-farm EXP for their support mage to reach level 55.

For an hour, it was smooth sailing, until another party of five ambushed them in the midst of conflict with the local mobs.

Catching them unaware and giving them little time to react, the ambush party managed to take down said support mage, tipping the scales into their favor.

Currently, the victims were outnumbered.

Their swordsman was facing an enemy paladin, their golem tank was being overwhelmed by the ambushers' assassin and spell-slinging wizard while protecting the group's resident elven healer, and their centaur bowman was locked in place by the enemy's tank.

The enemy's healer was safe, standing at a distance behind enemy lines, constantly buffing and healing his allies to the victims' chagrin.

"Damn it, this is hopeless! We need to get out of here!" Shouted the centaur, Awesome Horse.

"If you have a plan then I'm all ears!" Aquamarine retorted, mustering another failed attack at the staunch paladin.

"Come on, come on! It's that all you got! I thought you monster Players would be more of a challenge!" The paladin taunted. Growling, Aquamarine charged forward.

"[Triple Strike]!" His sword glowing with the activation of the skill.

"[Stand Fast]!" The paladin countered, his body glowing. [Triple Strike] landed, three slash attacks but thanks to the paladin's skill the damage was mitigated.

"[Holy Concussive Force]" White light condensed in the center of the paladin's before a powerful shockwave exploded from him, slamming into the Heteromorph, knocking him back and reducing his HP into the red.

"Oh no. I've got you!" Seeing the swordsman low HP their healer reached out to help him. This slip allowed for the enemy's assassin to bypass the tank and go for the healer. He blinked behind her and stabbed his jagged dagger into her unprotected back with a skill, dropping her HP to zero. Their only healer shattering and disappearing, much like any hope of them getting out of this situation alive.

"Fuck! They got White-ears." Cried the golem tank, named Ironheart.

Clenching his teeth, the aquatic Player fought back the urge to scream. With their healer gone it was guaranteed that they would lose. Already the others health bar was in the low yellow.