Bab 3: Chapter 3: Facing the Shadows
As the three Goblins charged at them, Alex felt a rush of adrenaline course through his veins. The air was thick with tension, and the reality of their situation struck him hard: this was not a game; their lives depended on every decision they made.
"Stay focused!" Kira shouted, her voice cutting through his thoughts. "We can take them, just watch their movements!"
Alex nodded, gripping his sword tightly. The first Goblin lunged at him, brandishing a rusted dagger. With a quick sidestep, he avoided the attack and countered with a slash of his own. The blade connected, and the Goblin let out a shriek, its pixelated form flickering as it staggered back.
"Nice one, Alex!" Kira encouraged, engaging her own opponent, a smaller Goblin that wielded a club. She dodged its swings with agility, striking when it left itself open.
The second Goblin, realizing Alex was distracted, took the opportunity to attack from the side. Alex barely sensed the movement in time, turning to block with his sword. The impact jostled him, but he regained his balance quickly.
"Watch out!" Kira called, her eyes wide.
With a swift motion, she dispatched her Goblin, turning her attention to help him. "I've got your back!"
Together, they coordinated their attacks. Alex feinted to the left, drawing the attention of the second Goblin, while Kira launched a quick strike from the right, catching it off guard. The creature didn't stand a chance.
"Let's finish this!" Alex urged, feeling a surge of confidence as they worked seamlessly together.
With newfound determination, they focused on the last Goblin. It was larger and more aggressive than the others, its eyes burning with malice. It swung its club wildly, and Alex knew they had to be careful.
"Now!" Kira shouted, and they charged in unison.
Alex ducked low as Kira leaped over him, delivering a powerful strike to the Goblin's head. The creature staggered, momentarily stunned. Seizing the opportunity, Alex thrust his sword forward, piercing through the Goblin's defenses.
With a final, desperate screech, the Goblin crumbled into pixels, dissolving into nothingness. Breathing heavily, Alex and Kira stepped back, their chests heaving with exertion.
"Phew! That was intense," Alex said, wiping sweat from his brow. "I didn't think we would make it for a second there."
"You did great!" Kira responded, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "We worked well together. That was a solid team effort."
As they caught their breath, Alex couldn't help but feel a sense of pride swelling within him. He was no longer just a player; he was becoming a fighter, someone who could hold his own in this dangerous world.
"Let's gather the loot," Kira suggested, moving to collect any resources that had dropped from the defeated Goblins.
Alex knelt beside the pixels and watched as the items began to materialize in front of him. He noticed a small pouch of coins, a couple of health potions, and something that caught his eye: a shiny dagger.
"Hey, look at this!" he exclaimed, picking up the dagger. It was beautifully crafted, its blade glimmering as it caught the faint light of the cave. "I think it's better than my sword."
Kira looked over, her brow furrowing in curiosity. "Let me see it."
As she examined the dagger, her expression shifted to one of approval. "This is a good find! It looks like it can deal more damage than your starter sword. You should definitely equip it."
"Alright!" Alex said excitedly, pulling up his inventory. He quickly equipped the dagger, feeling its weight in his hand. It felt comfortable, balanced—perfect for quick strikes.
"Now we're really ready for anything!" Kira said with a grin.
With their confidence boosted, they made their way back toward the cave entrance, eager to return to the blacksmith. The excitement of their victories swirled in the air as they exchanged stories about their favorite moments from the battles.
"Did you notice how the Goblin's movements changed when it was hurt?" Kira noted thoughtfully. "It's like they had a fight-or-flight response. You could see it in their eyes."
"Yeah, I noticed that too," Alex replied, reflecting on the encounter. "It's almost like they're alive… like they're actually feeling the pain."
"It makes sense in this world. We're not just fighting pixels; we're fighting for our survival," Kira said. "And that makes every victory feel even more meaningful."
As they reached the cave entrance, a sense of accomplishment washed over them. The sunlight broke through the trees, illuminating their path back to the city. The bustling atmosphere felt welcoming, a stark contrast to the dark, tense moments they had just experienced.
"Let's head to the blacksmith and see what he can do with this ore," Alex suggested, glancing at the sack filled with iron they had collected.
"Definitely," Kira agreed, her voice tinged with enthusiasm. "We'll make our weapons even better!"
Entering the blacksmith's shop once more, the familiar sounds of hammering greeted them. The burly blacksmith looked up, his expression shifting to one of interest as they approached.
"Back already? I see you've brought me some good materials!" he said, inspecting the sack of iron ore. "You two must have had a fruitful trip."
"We faced a few challenges, but we managed," Kira replied with a smile. "We gathered a good amount of ore and found some valuable loot."
"Excellent! Let's see what I can craft for you," the blacksmith said, rubbing his hands together. He took the ore and started working as Kira and Alex eagerly watched.
The pounding of the hammer resonated throughout the shop as the blacksmith transformed the raw materials into new weapons. The atmosphere was electric with anticipation.
"While he works, let's talk about strategy," Kira suggested, leaning closer to Alex. "Now that we have a better dagger and some potions, we should discuss our next steps. Maybe we can level up a bit more before tackling the next quest."
"Good idea. Should we explore more caves or try to find another area with easier monsters?" Alex pondered.
"Exploring caves can be risky, especially if we run into more Goblins or even tougher creatures," Kira responded. "But we can also hunt for easier monsters to gain experience. The forest to the west is known for having weaker creatures."
"Let's do that then! We can practice our teamwork and get familiar with each other's fighting styles," Alex said, his excitement growing.
The blacksmith completed his crafting, presenting them with their new weapons. "Here you go! One upgraded dagger and a short sword for each of you. They're much better than what you had before."
Alex took the short sword, marveling at its craftsmanship. It was light yet sturdy, and he felt a new surge of confidence holding it.
"Thanks! This is amazing!" Kira exclaimed, admiring her new weapon.
"Now, remember, keep practicing. You'll need to grow stronger if you plan to survive in this world," the blacksmith advised, his eyes serious.
With their new weapons in hand, Alex and Kira stepped outside, ready to face whatever lay ahead. The sun shone brightly, and the bustling city was alive with energy.
"Let's head west and see what we can find," Alex said, determination flooding his veins.
As they walked through the city, they noticed players trading items and sharing stories. The sense of community was palpable, and it inspired Alex to think about what lay ahead.
"Do you think we'll ever find a way back home?" Alex asked, glancing at Kira.
"I hope so," she replied softly. "But for now, let's focus on making the most of our time here. We have each other, and that counts for a lot."
"Right," Alex agreed, feeling a newfound determination. "We'll find a way, together."
With that, they stepped onto the path leading west, embarking on their next adventure, hearts full of hope and spirits soaring high. The world of Aincrad awaited, filled with both challenges and opportunities.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone