The two carefully backed away, their hands trembling with fear from what unfolded in a matter of seconds, the other 3 were dead in a matter of seconds.

Arthur was panicked, his mind a mess and over-analyzed every move of the witch with the worry of him being next. He turned to Alex and they both locked eyes, they had to do something before it got worse.

The witch’s body still grew from eating their fallen party members, the skin under her bony exoskeleton bubbled like the black ooze they saw in the cauldron downstairs, and the blades of bone and spikes on her became sharper and thinner as they grew in length.

“You go after her, I'll cover you from behind with my arrows.” Alex had a determined look in his eyes, but his hands shook as he held his bow, he was scared they wouldn’t make it out of here alive.

“Alright…” Arthur was worried but had no idea how to deal with the witch either, so he went along with the plan.

With the witch’s back turned to them, Arthur sprinted toward her, his sword held high. The blade rebounded as it struck her spike-covered back with a loud clang.

She slowly turned back to face him, “It’s rather rude to interrupt someone while they’re eating no?” blood dripped from the opening where her mouth was and she gulped down the rest of the flesh she feasted upon.

The air felt tense as the two exchanged glances, suddenly her figure became a blur and the hair on his arm stood up. He reflexively brought his sword to the side and sparks flew off of the blade from the impact of the witch’s blow.

-2 HP

[Health: 22/29]

His hands trembled, the blow was heavy and the impact went to his arms. A small chip in the blade formed where the witch had hit, if his sword wasn’t better than most players had then it most likely would have broken from the first hit.

Arthur thanked the innkeeper in his head for a moment before he focused on his surroundings, waiting for the witch to attack.

The wind whistled from his right and Arthur tilted his blade to the side of the incoming attack. A red glow came from his sword and sparks scattered from his blade, the scraping of the blade echoed in the air, His parry skill worked on the witch’s attack. But, he couldn’t do it for long, just enduring the blows on his sword hurt him.

This time the sword only had scratches from the blow.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

So parrying makes it take less damage to its durability…

“Behind you!” Alex screamed and Arthur ducked down as the sharp blade whistled over his head, cutting some of his hair that still took its time to fall.

While Alex shot arrows toward the witch’s head, Arthur used his legs and kicked the witch back, surprisingly she was light for something that had armour.

Perhaps it's light so the attacks of the witch would have its current speed. And, with the constant blood gushing from her pores, her current state might not be permanent.

But what was he going to do? He couldn’t endure her attacks while he waited for her to weaken.

Then he saw it, a small red orb in the centre of her chest, It’s light pulsed dimly and grew brighter as she was about to attack.

But there was one problem, she wasn’t focused on Arthur anymore. While she faced Arthur, her eyes were directed elsewhere.

“Alex!” Arthur screamed but it was too late.

It felt like time had slowed for Arthur, she vanished in front of him and the next moment her arm went through Alex’s side. The blood gushed out of his wound as the witch tossed him to the side.

“That is the annoying mouse taken care of… now you!” She smiled, her eyes almost rolled back in delight as she felt the sadistic thrill of having Arthur cornered.

“No! Alex!”

He watched as Alex layed on the ground and clutched at the large gaping wound inflicted on him, Alex’s face contorted from the intense pain he felt and the pained groans made Arthur’s blood boil.

The orb glowed bright red and Arthur rolled to the side as he dodged the incoming attack. Twirling his entire body, Arthur swung his sword at the orb with all his might.

The witch had a panicked expression and jumped back, quickly defending it with both her arms.

That's it, That is how I kill her.

Arthur dashed in the direction opposite of her.

“Awwww are you so afraid that you’re running away now?” The witch mocked him.

But he paid no attention to her, his eyes locked on a battered shield on the ground.

The faint glow of red was visible in the corner of his eye and he slid down and grabbed the shield, he rolled on his side and faced the witch with the shield.

SNAP

-8 HP

[Health: 14/29]

The blade shattered the shield and went right into Arthur’s shoulder, the crimson fluid dripped down the blade embedded in his shoulder.

Arthur screamed in pain and bit his lip to endure it but then another came in and went right through his other shoulder.

-9 HP

[Health: 5/29]

Tears rolled down his face from the intense pain he felt.

It felt so real… in this virtual world, pain was the most real thing he could ever have felt. And it was… exciting.

Arthur smiled and looked up at the witch with determined eyes, “Got you.”

“N-No!” She panicked and tried to pull her blades from his shoulders, but Arthur grabbed her arm and walked further into them, and the blades pierced him further.

With the arm he could still use, Arthur weakly lifted his sword and pierced the orb of the witch.