As Thomas continued to parry and deflect, he could feel the weight behind each blow from the seasoned C-Rank adventurer. The clang of metal against metal echoed around the training area, punctuated by the sharp breaths of exertion. Thomas was holding his own, but every time he blocked a strike, he could feel the strength in the adventurer’s arms—a power he couldn’t quite match.
“Nice moves!” the adventurer called out, dodging one of Thomas's counterattacks with a fluid sidestep. “But you need to put more power behind your strikes! And speed! You’ve got the technique, kid, but it’s not enough!”
Thomas grit his teeth, focusing on keeping his movements sharp and precise. “I’m working on it!” he shot back, frustration bubbling under the surface. He needed to find a way to break through this guy’s defenses, but every time he made a move, it felt like the adventurer was already a step ahead.
Chat:
LeetGuy42: This is insane!
RuneMaster5000: I feel like I’m watching the finals of a tournament!
K3wlGamer: Dude needs to channel his inner fighter and stop holding back!
Thomas could hear the excitement in his viewers’ comments, but it barely registered. The only thing he could focus on was the fight. He slipped in a quick jab aimed at the adventurer’s midsection, but the guy sidestepped again, countering with a heavy strike aimed at Thomas’s shoulder.
He barely managed to block it, the force sending a jolt through his arm. “Damn!” Thomas thought. “This is harder than it looks!”
The C-Rank adventurer chuckled, clearly enjoying himself. “You’ve got the spirit, but you need to let go! Stop holding back!”
Fuelled by that challenge, Thomas took a breath and refocused. Maybe it was time to change tactics. Instead of waiting for openings, he decided to create them. He feigned a left jab, drawing the adventurer’s attention, then quickly pivoted to the right, aiming a sharp slash at the man’s side.
The adventurer barely managed to raise his sword in time, and Thomas felt the exhilaration of nearly breaking through. “There we go!” the adventurer exclaimed, a grin spreading across his face. “Now that’s what I’m talking about!”
With renewed determination, Thomas pressed forward, launching into a series of rapid attacks, trying to overwhelm his opponent. The adventurer parried and dodged, but Thomas could sense he was finally making an impact.
Chat:
Stonkz420: Let’s go, Thomas!
K3wlGamer: This is epic!
FrostBite: Come on, find that opening!
The words of encouragement fueled Thomas as he danced around the training ring, each movement more fluid and confident. But just as he thought he had the rhythm, the adventurer retaliated with a fierce flurry of strikes, forcing Thomas back on the defensive.
He needed to find a way to turn this around, to unleash the full potential of his training. As he felt the adrenaline coursing through his veins, he reminded himself: this was his chance to prove himself.
“Alright,” Thomas whispered to himself, determination etched across his face. “Let’s finish this.”
And with that thought, he prepared to unleash his next move, knowing that the outcome was hanging in the balance
As Thomas focused on the adventurer’s movements, he began to read the pattern of his attacks, each strike and parry becoming almost predictable. In a sudden surge of confidence, he executed a swift joint lock, disarming the adventurer’s short sword with a precise twist of his wrist. The weapon clattered to the ground as Thomas grabbed it mid-fall, replacing one of his daggers with the newfound sword.
Chat:
LeetGuy42: Whoa! Did you see that?!
FrostBite: Sick move, man!
RuneMaster5000: This is getting intense!
Before Thomas could fully capitalize on his advantage, another adventurer from the sidelines tossed a second short sword into the C-Rank fighter’s hands. The seasoned warrior caught it effortlessly, a playful grin on his face as he nodded at Thomas. “Ready for another round?”
Thomas could hardly catch his breath before the adventurer lunged again. This time, the air seemed to shift around the sword, a shimmering blue aura enveloping the blade as it cut through the air. Time felt like it slowed down as Thomas braced for impact, his instincts screaming for him to dodge.
But it was too late. The sword met his own with a resounding clash, and he felt a force unlike anything he’d ever experienced. The impact sent him flying across the training ring, slamming hard against the stone wall. The sound echoed through the guild hall, dust and debris scattering as he broke through the barrier, landing in a heap on the ground.
Chat:
Stonkz420: WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!
K3wlGamer: Holy crap!
FrostBite: Did he just get wrecked?!
Ingrid’s expression shifted to one of concern, but she quickly regained her composure, turning to Thomas. “Do you want to continue?”
He shook his head, struggling to catch his breath, his heart pounding from both the adrenaline and the impact. “No… no, I’m good,” he managed to say, a mix of awe and pain washing over him.
The C-Rank adventurer approached him, extending a hand to help him up. “You did well, rookie,” he said, a hint of respect in his voice. “I’m impressed. Name’s Kael, by the way.”
“Thomas,” he replied, still trying to recover. “I thought you were just a regular C-Rank. You’re… something else.”
Kael chuckled softly, a glint of mischief in his eyes. “Yeah, well, I was a former S-Rank. They don’t usually stick around in the guild for long. Too many responsibilities, you know?”
Chat:
RuneMaster5000: Wait, WHAT?!
LeetGuy42: Former S-Rank?! No wonder he wrecked Thomas!
Stonkz420: This just got a hundred times cooler!
Thomas’s eyes widened in surprise, feeling a mix of admiration and disbelief. “So I just sparred with a former S-Rank?” he said, shaking his head in disbelief. “And I thought I was doing alright!”
“Hey, you held your own for a while,” Kael replied, a smile still on his face. “Not many can say they went toe-to-toe with an S-Rank and lived to tell the tale, even if it was just a training match.”
Thomas felt a swell of pride in the wake of Kael's words, the chat exploding with reactions. It wasn’t just a fight; it was a moment of recognition. He had faced off against someone legendary, and while he might have been thrown into a wall, he had made a statement.
“Thanks,” Thomas said, finally standing tall. “Guess I have a lot to learn.”
Ingrid stepped forward, her voice breaking through the chatter of the viewers. “You did well today, Thomas ".
As the adrenaline slowly faded, Thomas couldn’t help but smile, his heart racing not just from the fight but from the thrill of what lay ahead.
As Ingrid and Thomas left the training room, a sense of anticipation filled the air. Behind them, Kael leaned against the wall, watching the pair retreat with a smirk playing on his lips.
“Thomas,” he whispered, a glint of intrigue in his eyes. “We’ll meet again.”
With that thought lingering, Kael turned to join the other adventurers who had been observing the match. They surrounded him, their expressions a mix of curiosity and excitement.
“So, what do you think of the kid?” one of them asked, crossing his arms.
Kael shrugged, his smirk widening. “He just needs training. His technique is impressive—beyond comprehension, really. He used my own strength against me.”
“Seriously? A rookie managed that?” another adventurer raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued.
“Yeah,” Kael replied, nodding thoughtfully. “He’s got potential. The way he executed those locks and counters? That’s a technique meant for maximum efficiency. No flashiness, just pure killing instinct. If he had two short swords instead of daggers, I would’ve taken him a lot more seriously.”
Meanwhile, as Ingrid led Thomas through the guild halls, his mind raced with thoughts of the fight and the possibilities ahead.
“Don’t worry about the match,” Ingrid said, glancing at him. “You showed promise today. I’ll report your performance to the guildmaster for your final evaluation.”
Thomas nodded, a mix of excitement and anxiety swirling within him. He couldn’t shake the memory of the fight, of facing someone with such power and experience. It was a challenge, and he knew he wanted more.
As Thomas waited in the reception hall, he couldn’t shake the feeling of eyes on him. A few adventurers whispered amongst themselves, stealing glances his way. One of them, a tall man with a scruffy beard and a rugged look, stepped forward with a curious expression.
This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
“Are you a noble?” he asked, sizing Thomas up.
“No, not at all,” Thomas replied, raising an eyebrow.
The adventurer leaned in closer, intrigued. “Are you from a fallen noble family, then?”
“What makes you say that?” Thomas asked, genuinely puzzled.
The man gestured broadly, as if the very air was charged with significance. “Well, the Royal Family decreed that every noble must contribute to Serve The Wall.”
Thomas blinked, completely lost. “Serve the what? What does that even mean?”
A chorus of incredulous stares met him, and he could almost hear the gears turning in their heads as they processed his question. He felt like he was being evaluated as if he were a caveman who had just stumbled into civilization.
“Don’t worry about it,” the adventurer said finally, chuckling softly. “It’s just… respected tradition. But it seems you really don’t know much about it.”
The other adventurers exchanged amused glances, and Thomas felt a mix of embarrassment and curiosity. He might have just stepped into a world of knights and dragons, but he was determined to learn everything he could.
“Okay, then,” Thomas said, a grin spreading across his face. “Guess I’ll have to figure it out. You guys ready to enlighten me?”
The adventurer chuckled, clearly enjoying the opportunity to share the tale. “Alright, let’s start from the beginning. About 500 years ago, a massive meteor struck the heart of the Ancient Maglandia Empire, which was the most advanced magic kingdom from the north. But what followed was something out of a nightmare.”
He leaned in, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “When that meteor hit, it didn’t just bring rocks. It unleashed swarms of bugs—massive bugs. We’re talking about everything from tiny hatchlings no bigger than your thumb to colossal queen carriers the size of castles!”
The reception hall fell silent as the adventurer continued, his words painting vivid images in their minds. “The continent of Malleria was nearly overrun. The elves, dwarves, beastmen tribes, and humans all had to unite against this common enemy. For 300 long years, the frontline battled those bugs, slowly dwindling their numbers.”
He paused for dramatic effect, letting the tension build. “Eventually, the alliance decided to build a wall—194 feet tall! It was a monumental effort to contain the swarm. And even now, the bugs are still barely contained. Magicians, knights, and garrison soldiers stand guard at the wall, day and night.”
Thomas felt the weight of the story, and he could see the excitement in the chat as the viewers reacted.
Chat:
LeetGuy42: This is insane!
RuneMaster5000: A wall against bugs? Sounds like a bad sci-fi movie!
FrostBite: But seriously, what do these bugs look like?
With a spark of curiosity, Thomas turned to the adventurer. “What do they actually look like?”
The adventurer grinned and ripped a quest parchment off the quest board nearby, handing it to Thomas. “Here, check this out.”
The parchment displayed detailed illustrations of various bug types: some small and sleek, while others were grotesque, with sharp mandibles and multi-faceted eyes. Each drawing was accompanied by descriptions, noting their abilities and habitats.
As Thomas examined the parchment, he noticed similarities to creatures from the chat. Some users excitedly pointed out the resemblance to the bugs from Helldivers and the Zerg from Starship Troopers.
Chat:
K3wlGamer: Dude, they look just like the Zerg!
FrostBite: This is exactly what I imagined!
LeetGuy42: How are they even still around after 500 years?
The adventurer chuckled at the comments, nodding. “Exactly! Their appearances vary, too. Some are quick and agile, while the queen carriers are practically tanks. It’s a nightmare if you’re unprepared, which is why the wall was so crucial.”
“Wow,” Thomas said, his mind racing with the implications. “So, the wall really is like a last bastion against these monsters? What happens if it ever fails?”
A somber silence fell over the group as the adventurer shrugged. “Let’s hope we never find out. But that’s why we’re here—to keep fighting and protect our homes. And who knows? Maybe you’ll join us on a mission one day.”
Just as the adventurer finished his statement about joining them on a mission, another figure lunged forward, a flash of motion that caught everyone off guard. The newcomer punched the storyteller right in the gut, causing him to double over in surprise.
“Enough with your bullshit!” the scarred adventurer growled, his voice gravelly and filled with an edge of bitterness. His face was marked by a massive scar that ran across one eye, leaving him with a rugged, intimidating presence. He plopped down heavily in a nearby chair, the air around him thick with tension. “The wall is a fucking nightmare,” he added, his tone somber.
Thomas and the other adventurers stared at the newcomer, who seemed to radiate an aura of grim reality. “I was part of the Recon Regiment,” he continued, his one good eye scanning the room. “We were the ones sent out to gather information on the status of the swarm. Each recon squad that left the wall to scout was lucky to ever come back. I’m the only one who made it back with information.”
Chat:
LeetGuy42: Wait, what? He’s the only one?
FrostBite: This just got real.
RuneMaster5000: Damn, talk about a rough job!
The atmosphere shifted, the earlier excitement replaced with a sense of unease. Thomas felt a chill run down his spine as he looked at the scarred adventurer. “What did you see out there?” he asked, his curiosity piqued despite the tension in the air.
The scarred man leaned back in his chair, his gaze distant. “I saw things that would make your skin crawl. The swarm is relentless. It adapts, changes, and learns from every encounter. We’d report back to the wall, but half the time, our warnings went unheard. They think it’s just another routine check, another ‘glorious’ story of adventure. But it’s not. It’s a constant battle, and most of us don’t come back.”
The chat exploded with reactions, viewers drawn into the gravity of his words.
Chat:
Stonkz420: Holy shit, this is intense.
K3wlGamer: I did NOT sign up for a horror story.
FrostBite: This guy’s seen some real shit.
“So, what happened to your squad?” Thomas pressed, feeling the weight of the moment.
The scarred adventurer’s expression hardened. “We encountered a massive swarm out in the field—way more than we were prepared for. We had to fight our way back, but we lost half our team. I barely made it back to the wall with the information about their movements. But when I did, nobody believed me. They thought I was just a scared survivor.”
He paused, looking around the reception hall, his gaze settling on Thomas. “You might think it’s all glory and adventure, but it’s not. If you’re going to join a mission, you better be prepared for the reality of it. It’s not just about slaying bugs. It’s about surviving.”
Thomas felt the weight of the scarred adventurer’s words, a sobering reminder of the risks that lay ahead. He glanced back at the other adventurers, who nodded in silent agreement, their earlier enthusiasm tempered by the harsh truth.
“Just remember,” the scarred man continued, “if you decide to take that leap, you’re not just fighting for yourself. You’re fighting for everyone behind that wall.”
As Thomas stepped out of the guild hall, he could still feel the energy buzzing in the air, not just from the other adventurers but also from the chat. He quickly glanced at his livestream feed, and his eyes widened as he saw the comments flooding in.
Chat:
LeetGuy42: Damn, that’s some heavy shit.
FrostBite: Is this even real? Sounds like a horror story!
RuneMaster5000: Come on, guys, it’s a fantasy world! Of course, it’s real!
Stonkz420: 300 viewers, and half of them are doubting the truth!
K3wlGamer: You think those eggs are a myth?
The viewer count ticked up to 300, a mix of excitement and skepticism swirling in the chat. The different reactions made it feel like a live debate was happening right before Thomas's eyes.
FrostBite: I mean, how can you trust a story like that? It sounds like something out of a game.
LeetGuy42: But what if it’s real? This guy was there!
Stonkz420: If it is real, then damn, Thomas is walking into a literal nightmare!
RuneMaster5000: You have to admit, it does make for good content!
Thomas couldn’t help but smirk at the lively discussion. It was surreal, knowing that people were so engaged, dissecting every detail of his journey and the stories of the adventurers. He had stepped into a world filled with danger and intrigue, and now he was sharing that experience with hundreds of viewers.
FrostBite: If you die out there, I want it on stream!
Stonkz420: No pressure, right?
The comments rolled in, a mix of encouragement and playful jabs, but Thomas felt a sense of camaraderie growing. It was one thing to face the challenges ahead, but knowing he had a community cheering him on made it feel more manageable.
As Thomas strolled through the bustling streets of the town, his stomach grumbled in protest, reminding him he hadn’t eaten since he started his day. The lively market was filled with vendors shouting about their wares—fresh fruits, steaming bread, and hearty stews wafting tantalizing aromas into the air. But as he wandered, he soon found himself distracted by the scene unfolding in front of him.
A large group of foot soldiers and recruited levies marched through the town square, their armor glinting in the sunlight. They were led by a noble adorned in fine clothing, flanked by a cadre of knights. The atmosphere shifted as some children ran to their fathers, grasping their hands tightly. The knights stepped in, separating the kids from the soldiers with firm but gentle hands.
One citizen watched with a furrowed brow, shaking his head. “How unlucky these folks are, conscripted out of their families to serve at the wall,” he said, a note of sympathy in his voice.
Another citizen nearby shot back, indignation clear in his tone. “How dare you say that! It’s a duty, a chance to fight for our survival! You should be proud, not pitying them!”
The chat erupted as viewers picked up on the tension. Thomas felt a heavy weight settle in his stomach as he absorbed the scene. This wasn’t just an adventure; it was a grim reality that affected everyone in the town.
Chat:
LeetGuy42: Damn, this is rough.
FrostBite: It’s like the draft, but worse.
RuneMaster5000: At least they’re giving scholarships?
K3wlGamer: That’s something, I guess… but still!
The noble stepped forward, raising his hand to quiet the murmurs of the crowd. “Hear me!” he announced, his voice booming across the square. “We seek volunteers! Those who choose to join us in our fight against the swarm will be granted free scholarships to the Knight or Mage Academy. It is an opportunity to serve and learn, to gain skills that will help protect your families!”
Thomas listened closely, recognizing the tension mixed with a glimmer of hope. Some in the crowd nodded, while others looked skeptical, uncertainty swirling in the air. The promise of education was enticing, but it came with the cost of potentially leaving everything behind.
Chat:
Stonkz420: Scholarships? I’d sign up if it meant learning magic!
FrostBite: Yeah, but at what cost?
LeetGuy42: This isn’t a game, people are risking their lives!
Thomas couldn’t help but feel conflicted. The allure of adventure called to him, but so did the weight of responsibility. He thought about his own journey and the risks he was ready to face. Would he be brave enough to step forward if given the chance? Would he choose to fight, to protect the people who had shared their stories with him?
With a newfound determination, he resolved to find food and then head back to the guild. Whatever the future held—whether it was fighting alongside the knights or exploring the world on his own—he was ready to face it head-on. The wall and its horrors awaited, but so did the opportunity to make a difference.