Chapter 24: Trick
Pang!
I parried Phoenix’s slash. She immediately crouched and swept her leg toward mine, aiming to take me down. I leapt forward, twisting my body mid-air, and brought my sword down toward her head.
But before the strike landed, Phoenix raised her dagger just in time to block it. Sparks flew as our weapons clashed, the force of the blow driving her feet into the ground.
She held firm, absorbing the impact with a grimace. Then, in one swift motion, she pushed back, dashed several steps away, and fixed her predator-like eyes on me, focused and unblinking.
For the past minute, I’d taken down most of the bandits. Honestly, I don’t even know how to describe the feeling, it’s like I suddenly unlocked cheat codes.
It’s as if I could see a glowing line in front of me like some GPS.
"Turn left to dodge that sword. Recalculating... now slice his ribs!"
I just followed it, and bam, dodged an axe, poked someone’s weak spot, and made another one trip on his own feet. This Hero Grace skill? It’s less "graceful knight" and more "combat auto-pilot with style."
Phoenix’s eyes were still locked on me, sharp, wild, like a tigress ready to tear me apart. I should be terrified. And honestly, for a second, I was. But then, the fear vanished, replaced by this weird calm. As if this skill suppressed the fear.
I bet my face looked insanely cool just now. Like, cover-of-a-novel cool.
So this is what being a hero feels like. Your friends look at you with hope. Your enemies watch you with fear. My heart is doing backflips of pure joy and excitement. Don’t worry, my friends. I’m here to save you.