HPDBC Chapter 18 - 18
Chapter 18 - 18
Chapter 18: Chapter 18
Chapter 18: Tactical Combat – The Test of Adaptation
The virtual island stretched endlessly in all directions, its dense jungle alive with the sounds of distant battles. I had been moving cautiously, taking out scattered monsters while ensuring I didn't stand out too much.
Then, just as I thought things were going smoothly, I felt it—that unmistakable sensation of being watched.
A second later, an arrow whizzed past my cheek, slicing through a strand of my hair.
Ambush.
I rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding another arrow. The moment my boots hit solid ground, I drew my sword, eyes locking onto the figures emerging from the jungle shadows.
Four students.
They weren't monsters, but they sure looked like predators—grinning as if I were an easy target.
"You're pretty good at sneaking around," one of them, a tall guy with a scar across his nose, said as he twirled a dagger in his fingers. "But the test isn't about hiding, it's about hunting."
"Hand over your points," another, a bulky axe-wielder, said with a smirk. "Or we'll take them from you."
I sighed internally. Great. Wannabe thugs.
My mind raced.
There were four of them.
An archer, likely the one who fired earlier.
A dagger user, fast and agile.
An axe-wielder, strong but probably slow.
A spear-user, balanced in attack and defense.
This would be tricky because I had to limit my power.
No Sharingan. If I used it, my movement would become too refined, too unnatural.
No Five-Star Sword Art. It would draw too much attention.
Only Basic Skills. I needed to make this look like a regular student fight.
Still, even without those advantages, I was confident.
---
The moment the archer nocked another arrow, I moved first.
I kicked off the ground, dashing toward him.
His eyes widened—too slow to react.
I knocked the arrow aside with my sword and lunged.
Slash—!
The dagger-wielder and spear-user hesitated.
I smirked. "Still want to continue?"
They exchanged glances before the dagger-wielder lunged again.
I shifted my stance, using the 2-Star Sword Art.
Smooth movements, nothing flashy. Just efficient.
A quick step, a precise slash.
He barely saw it coming.
His dagger went flying, and my sword was at his throat.
He gulped. "I... I surrender."
One left.
The spear-user took a step back, gripping his weapon tightly.
Then he turned and ran.
> Combat Victory! +1500 Points
I exhaled, rolling my shoulders.
"That was a decent warm-up."
---
As I sheathed my sword, a slow clap came from behind.
"Not bad."
I turned—and froze.
Standing there was a girl with flowing crimson hair, her deep golden eyes filled with curiosity.
Alicia von Rosenheim.
One of the main heroines.
More importantly, one of the strongest sword users in the academy.
She tilted her head, analyzing me.
"You held back."
I felt a chill run down my spine. Did she notice?
I forced a chuckle. "I don't know what you mean."
She smiled slightly but didn't push further. Instead, she stepped forward