That sensation returned. It was the same feeling from last time. The world seemed to stop.
My blood began to boil. My heartbeat surged, pounding louder and faster.
Then, everything moved again. The world resumed. My breathing calmed. The pain and exhaustion vanished, as if they had never existed.
The Variant looked at me and took a step forward. But then, he paused.
"No. Something's off," he muttered, stepping back.
I stood, holding the short sword. My presence deepened as he met my gaze
The Variant rushed in, aiming both curved daggers at my neck, trying to finish it with one strike. I raised my right arm and blocked the attack. The impact flung me back, but I didn't fall.
He was silent, watching me.
So it was true, he thought. There was something strange about this one. Still, he didn't see me as a threat.
I charged. My steps were sharp, fast, precise. Our blades clashed, the sound piercing through the dead air. The Variant grinned. He was enjoying this. But I could tell. He wasn't going all out.
I glanced at Anvil. He was still lying there, blood soaking through his clothes.
I had to end this.
We fought for what felt like hours. I was exhausted, injured, barely holding on. I had only managed to leave a shallow cut on his stomach.
The Variant stepped back, breathing easily.
"What a shame. You were actually fun."
My grip tightened around the sword. I couldn't fall here.
Just as he prepared to attack again, we heard a sharp sound.
A giant blade slammed down between us, shaking the ground. A man with a massive build landed between me and the Variant.
In that instant, the Variant moved back quickly. But something was wrong.
His arms dropped to the ground. Blood poured from his shoulders. He screamed, trying to escape.
He didn't make it far. The next second, he was cut clean in two.
There was no fight. No struggle. The difference in power was overwhelming.
Someone shouted.
"It's Anvil. He's badly hurt."
The man with red hair turned to me. His voice was calm.
"Who are you?"
"I'm his companion," I answered. "We were trying to regroup with his team when we were attacked."
He stared at me for a moment. I didn't flinch.
"So you're an ally. I'm the captain of an expedition camp within the gate."
I believed him. His presence, his strength. He was undoubtedly powerful
A woman with blond hair rushed over to Anvil. She knelt beside him, checking his injuries.
"We need to get him back to camp," she said.
There was no transport in this world. So we had to walk. Someone helped me up and supported me as we moved.
And as we walked, something became clearer.
That feeling I had.
I think I finally understood what it was.