Metal scraped as the bars lifted, and warm air rolled into the arena. A Horned-Crimson Salamander stepped out, its thick red scales catching the light. Two dark horns curved from its head, and a faint hiss came from its mouth as it looked around.
Damian tightened his grip on his sword. His hands were damp with sweat. He shifted his stance a little until he felt balanced. Around the arena, other recruits watched quietly from the stands.
The salamander's yellow eyes fixed on him. It began to circle slowly, claws dragging across the sand with a rough sound. Damian turned with it, keeping his spear pointed forward.
Then it moved, a quick lunge that sent sand flying.
"Boooom!"
The ground shook slightly when it landed. Damian dodged to the side, the claws missing by a few inches. He swung his spear, the tip hitting its shoulder lightly before sliding off the scales.
Before Damian could breath, the salamander spun and backhanded him with its massive paws.
"Bang!"
Damian flew backward. Hitting the sand hard as pain exploded across his chest.
Seeing this the murmurs spread around the training grounds.
"There he goes again!"
"Told you he'd fold!"
"Get up, coward!"
Damian pushed himself up, his muscles trembling from the impact. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and spat blood into the sand. The taste of iron lingered on his tongue as he steadied his footing and tightened his grip on the sword.
[Ding! Warning: Opponent is Level 3. Your current level: Level 1. Power gap is significant.]
"No kidding," Damian muttered.
The system's voice continued.
[ Ding! However, analysis complete. Beast has 12 identified weak points.]
[Probability of victory: 23%.]
"It's better than zero"
Damian was clearly outmatched, it seemed only a matter of time before the creature killed him.
"I don't want to die, I don't want to die" Damian kept mumbling to himself as if telling himself not to give up.
Before Damian could catch his breath, the Horned-Crimson Salamander lunged again, closing the distance with surprising speed.
Seeing the movement, Damian reacted on instinct. He dove to the left, landing hard and rolling across the ground. Behind him, the beast's claws tore deep into the spot where he'd just been standing.
[Ding! Weak point identified: Left hind ankle. Scar tissue detected.]
Damian noticed a faint white line along the Salamander's back leg, it was an old wound that hadn't fully healed right.
He began to move slowly to the right, keeping his sword raised. Each step forced the creature to adjust its stance, turning on its weakened ankle. Damian noticed the slight hitch in its movement and knew he had found his chance.
It stumbled slightly.
"Interesting." Victoria's voice echoed through the arena."He's learning."
"Growl!"
The beast let out a low snarl. Steam came from its nostrils as its tail swung sideways, hitting Damian in the ribs.
"Ahhh!" he gasped, stumbling back a few steps before steadying himself.
[Ding! Beast entering aggressive phase. Attack patterns becoming more predictable.]
Using all his strength, he raised his sword again and jabbed toward the creature's neck.
"Thunk!
But it didn't pierce deep. The salamander jerked back, shaking its head and snapping its jaws near the shaft. Damian pulled away quickly, the wood scraping free from the beast.
He stepped back, breathing heavier now. The heat from the creature's body made the air shimmer. Then it opened its mouth…
"Fwsshh!"
Releasing a burst of steam that grazed past his arm. Damian flinched, biting down his pain.
[Ding! Dodge sequence optimal: Duck, roll right, strike upward.]
Damian followed the system's guidance. He dropped low then tolled across the sand. The beast's fangs snapped where his throat had been.
Damian came up swinging with his sword .
The point caught the beast's underbelly. Drawing a line of blood across its scales.
The Salamander let out a short, rough cry and turned back toward him.
[First blood achieved. Beast now cautious. Window of opportunity: 8 seconds.]
Eight seconds for what?
Damian wasn't sure what it meant, but the creature's pause told him it was being careful now.
He didn't waste time. He stepped forward, keeping his sword steady.
[Ding! Strike zone optimal: Right shoulder joint. Nerve cluster present.]
He thrust forward. The Salamander twisted away.
Clang!
The blade caught its shoulder, scraping over the scales before cutting slightly. It wasn't a deep cut, but it slowed the beast.
The creature's front leg shifted unevenly as it adjusted its stance.
[Ding! Enemy mobility reduced by 15%.]
[Victory probability now: 31%.]
The sounds of the murmuring from the other recruits in the arena changed.
"Is he actually fighting back?"
"Maybe he's not hopeless after all."
Damian didn't react. His eyes stayed on the Salamander. It was hurt but not dead yet. Level 3 beasts healed fast. If he hesitated, the chance would be gone.
[Ding! Final strike opportunity detected. Beast preparing desperation attack. Counter-strategy recommended.]
The Salamander lowered its body, tightening it's muscles.Steam hissed from its nostrils.
Fwsshh!
Damian steadied his footing and raised his sword.
"Come on ". He muttered.
"Boom!"
The creature charged forward.
Cutting through the air with its claws while throwing sand around.
[Ding! Strike sequence: Sidestep left, pivot, upward thrust through ribcage.]
Damian moved the way the voice told him to.
"Clang!"
The sword slid between the ribs, and the weight of the beast carried it forward.
"Thud!"
The salamander fell to the sand and stopped moving.
The arena fell silent.
Damian stood over the creature, breathing hard. His arms ached. Blood ran from the blade and dripped into the sand.
[Ding! Combat complete. Horned-Crimson Salamander deafeated.]
A soft current pass through his whole body. His chest rose and fell as he tried to catch his breath.
[Ding! Awakened Level 1 confirmed. Soul Core: Basic Sword – Rank F. Congratulations.]