Chapter 2: Wild Battle

Initially disoriented by the abrupt transition, Liam slowly adapts to the landscape of plains around him. The neon-colored cityscape transitions to vibrant greens, reminiscent of his hometown. A strange euphoria takes over as Liam realizes his virtual body responds instantly to his mental commands, simulating his young and well-trained physique almost perfectly.

A 1-minute timer appears in his vision, snapping Liam out of his reverie. Below the timer, Liam finds a screen with information:

[User: Viper]

[Class: Martial Artist]

VS

[User: Let's be Friends]

[Class: ]

The timer rapidly counts down, marking each second approaching the start of the duel. Beside "Let's be Friends," the class remains blank, creating an aura of mystery. Liam frowns, trying to assess what might be coming his way.

The virtual landscape around him seems to transform, unveiling a circular arena bordered by glowing runes. The tranquil plains' atmosphere gives way to a pulsating energy, signaling that the virtual battle is about to commence.

Liam takes a combat stance, preparing to face the unknown user. A mix of excitement and anxiety envelops him as he awaits the revelation of his opponent's class.

The timer hits the 10-second mark, and instead of the blank space next to the opponent's name, the words "Beast Shaman" appear.

As the timer ticks down, Liam reads the details of his Martial Artist class. Unfamiliar with virtual games, he understands the need to grasp the abilities he can use in this world. However, his opponent's class, "Beast Shaman," remains an enigma to him.

"Beast Shaman... what the heck is that?" Liam thinks to himself, feeling a tinge of anxiety. He quickly surveys the battlefield, a circular arena with glowing runes, noting some more wooded and grassy areas.

He memorizes some basic abilities of his Martial Artist class: swift kicks, efficient blocking, and some prowess in acrobatic movements. However, he has no idea how he'll fare against an opponent with unknown capabilities.

On the Nexus Corp screens, some people comment on Liam's misfortune in facing a Beast Shaman right off the bat. An older woman chuckles, saying, "Oh, poor country boy. Ran into a Beast Shaman right from the start? This is going to be a massacre!"

A younger man, seemingly more versed in the game's mechanics, explains to the spectators around, "The Beast Shaman is a noob-friendly class, but it's called that because it's extremely easy to play and, at the same time, quite strong. They have the ability to summon wild creatures they've encountered before if those creatures respond to their call. If that kid isn't quick, it's going to be tough for him."

Meanwhile, the timer hits zero, and the user "Let's be Friends" prepares for the duel, moving away from Liam's distant silhouette and finding a more secluded corner in the arena. Spectators eagerly anticipate how Liam, the newcomer, will handle an experienced opponent in the Beast Shaman class.

The atmosphere at Nexus Corp is electric, and the virtual duel is about to commence. Simultaneously, Oliver, observing from outside, notes the tension in the air, aware that his newest acquaintance faces a significant challenge in his first duel. Oliver's smile indicates his eagerness to see how Liam will fare against "Let's be Friends" and his class.

With precise gestures and a mysterious intonation, Let's be Friends begins to chant an incantation. Energy around him intensifies, and glowing runes start appearing beneath his feet.

Outside, a knowledgeable spectator comments to a friend, "Even though duels in Beyond Realms' demo mode are limited to level 15, and therefore a Beast Shaman can only summon creatures of that level, this Let's be Friends guy is focusing on quantity rather than quality according to his incantations."

While Let's be Friends continues his chant, expectation among spectators grows. Some begin to speculate about what kind of creatures might be summoned. Liam, on the other hand, watches his opponent closely, attempting to anticipate what is coming.

The arena becomes tense, and the momentary silence is broken by the sound of roars. As Let's be Friends' incantation reaches its climax, shadows materialize, and from the ground, lupine creatures with wild fur and burning eyes emerge. A pack of wolves, consisting of five members, readies for battle.

Liam, watching attentively, identifies the creatures with a touch of fascination. He notes the agility and ferocity of the wolves, traits he associates with the mountain packs that roamed his hometown. Each wolf has a virtual name displayed above its head in the battlefield: Sharp Claws 4 lvl 10 and Sharp Claw 1 lvl 15.

The wolf's shadows project on the virtual arena floor, creating a sinister atmosphere as Let's be Friends controls his summonings with coordinated gestures. The crowd watches with fascination and astonishment as the creatures, now under the Beast Shaman's control, prepare for the attack.

The arena throbs with the intensity of battle, the wolves' roars echoing and reverberating against the invisible walls surrounding the combat field.

Liam, assessing the situation, recognizes his opponent's strategy. While the wolves seem to form a cohesive unit, he realizes that the individual quality of each creature is crucial. He quickly recalls stories of wolves hunting with cunning and cooperating as a unit to overcome challenges.

Liam watches the wolves closely, his sharp mind evaluating the situation. Aware of the numerical disadvantage, he opts for a clever strategy.

Liam starts to circle, keeping the wolves distributed around him to avoid being surrounded. He controls his breathing, remaining calm despite the mounting pressure. The wolves advance in unison, attempting to disorient Liam with their fierce charges. However, the martial artist maintains composure, skillfully evading attacks and blocking those that come too close with his incredible bodily agility.

With surprising swiftness, Liam focuses his efforts on a particular wolf. He identifies the most vulnerable creature and, with a precise move, immobilizes it with a well-timed strike when the wolf is separated from the others.

Maintaining a calculated distance, Liam faces the paralyzed wolf with skill and dexterity. He executes a series of fluid movements, dodging the remaining wolves' attacks while maintaining control over the isolated creature. The crowd watches in surprise as the martial artist demonstrates his combat mastery.

The weakened wolf attempts to retreat to the protection of its comrades. However, Liam shows no mercy, pursuing it with precision. He seizes the opportunity to unleash a series of rapid strikes, effectively incapacitating the wolf and further diminishing the Beast Shaman's numerical advantage.

The remaining wolves, realizing the threat Liam poses, adjust their strategy. They start to encircle him more cohesively, attempting to compensate for the lost companion. Liam, perceiving the new challenge, continues to move gracefully, dodging the coordinated charges while seeking opportunities to counterattack.

The battle reaches its climax, the arena pulsating with energy and tension. The audience watches in suspense as the wolves and Liam dance in a choreography of agility and cunning. The resolution of the duel between "Viper" and "Let's be Friends" remains uncertain, but the captivating spectacle draws everyone's attention at Nexus Corp.

The arena vibrates with the intensity of the battle, and the wolves, now coordinated and aware of Liam's skill, redouble their efforts to corner him. Liam, in turn, stays agile and alert, challenging the crowd's expectations and surprising even those familiar with the game.

As the battle unfolds, Oliver Harrington, observing from outside the arena, smiles with satisfaction. He comments to a nearby spectator, "I knew this kid had something special. I never imagined he'd be this good right from the start. Seems like my bet might be about to pay off more than I expected."

The spectator, also impressed with Liam's skill, responds to Oliver, "Indeed, this newcomer is surprisingly skilled. Do you think he can manage to defeat this Beast Shaman?"

Oliver, maintaining optimism, replies, "Well, he may be a stranger to this virtual world, but his technique and agility are remarkable. Plus, I noticed this just from watching him walk, but this guy is different... He seems to have an intuitive understanding of combat that goes beyond what's normally seen here. Let's see how he handles the second part of the battle." Oliver concludes, revealing a mix of interest and curiosity regarding Liam's potential.

While the two continue watching the battle on Nexus Corp's screens, the murmurs of the crowd around them intensify, reflecting the tension and excitement Liam's fight has brought to the arena. Oliver, with a confident look, eagerly awaits to see how Liam will resolve the battle.

As the battle unfolded, whispered words among spectators created an atmosphere charged with excitement. Comments like "Is this kid really a newbie? He moves better than a pro!" and "Who would've thought a newbie could resist like this?" filled the space around Nexus Corp.

Liam's expression remained focused, his eyes analyzing every move of his opponent. He knew the battle was close to being decided, and the key to victory lay not only in his combat skills but also in his ability to anticipate the Beast Shaman's tactics. Drawing from his many years of training, Liam was ready to efficiently finish off the remaining four wolves and secure a swift victory.