Artificial Fantasy

Chapter 95: Facing the Uncomfortable Truths

You know what they say about pride: it's okay to be prideful of your talents, but never to the point that you think that you're the center of the universe. I have pride in my character. It was made with Kazu's help and with the [Masteries] he has chosen for me to use, I've managed to survive every monster we encounter along with some unruly NPCs and players coming our way. Yet with all the hubris I've gained a bit from our adventures, there are some things that remind me of two things: that I am still human even in the game, and I've forgotten that this former General isn't kidding about his skills as a swordsman.

While I'm relieved that his large claymore isn't as heavy as I thought during a weapon lock, it does quite pack a punch when I got hit by it. I can see the scratches I endured from the grazes, but I'm surprised it's enough to chip off some of my [HP] I just healed from my potions and food I made earlier.

[Wind]

[Stats]

[Race: Human]

[Total Mastery Level: 14]

[HP: 593/630]

[MP: 240/240]

[SP: 310/310]

Geez... He's not only a real monster, he's a metaphorically a monster with his claymore! It's even more frustrating with the restricted [Masteries] in place during our fight. While I still have my food buffs, most of my passives from my [Physical Enhancement Mastery] are utterly useless and I can't rely on them if I want to get a jump on this general. Plus, there is a chance he might do something if I rely on my potions to recover my [HP]. I'd rather keep this handicap than get my foot shot by my attempts to make this battle in my favor. Eventually, we break our lock and I quickly run a few feet backward from General Veritates trying to catch my breath. Even if I can't use [Investigate], at least I can check hi-

[Hey, don't tell me that you're giving up already, kid!]

Huh?

[We're supposed to be having a serious battle here. If you keep being distracted, you will lose your head by my blade.]

[NOTICE]

[Due to the nature of this battle, you cannot check the [HP] on both combatants, including the current stats on yourself.]

[As a result of this, the [Stat] window is now disabled for this battle.]

What?! Does that mean I can't know how much [HP] or [SP] I have from this battle?! Guess this is what he meant by not getting too distracted. He wants me to treat this seriously, yet I'm surprised the game did so by disabling the features I've relied on for most of my playthrough. Either way, this is getting way too realistic as a battle in a VRMMO. But I have no choice but to focus on it and stop relying on game mechanics for now. I take a deep breath and glared at the general.

"Don't worry, it's not like I'm goofing around in a battle to the death." I quickly charge on Veritate as I raise my sword for my first skill. "[Cross Slash]!"

I swing my [Sapphire Sword] twice in an X-shaped slash to the general. For some reason, he takes the attack, but I see him raise his head as I hear him cackle. [Amazing! Looks like the sages didn't call me back from the grave for nothing! You really are strong underneath your weak hunter facade.]

Is that supposed to be a compliment or an insult against me?! Still, I sigh as I keep my focus on the battle. "What's the matter? Are you getting all soft because I'm still a kid?" I taunt.