Devious Tricks

The man pounces on me immediately, as he attempts to hit me on the neck...and I barely manage to dodge, the thin slice on my neck clear evidence of my lack of skill. My brows twitch when I move backward, holding the spear in my hand while keeping the egg safe from the burly man.

Thankfully, it seems like he doesn't plan on hitting the egg anytime soon...not when it's a "treasure" that he's after.

The man chuckles, taunting me as the expression on my face changes from nonchalant to fear. "What a pussy," He smirks, coming close to bridge the gap between us--

But I've already known that he's planning to do that!

I jump to the ledge of a nearby counter...the same one that's close to the board with quests. He looks momentarily stunned, and I take the opportunity to strike his shoulder with my spear.

Yet it misses! Sh*t! This is exactly why I can't deal with experienced players! They probably are used to this while I'm still stuck in the basics.

"Weak bastard," He comments, gritting his teeth. This time he targets my legs, attempting to lose my balance since I'm atop the ledge of the counter. 

...and of course, I manage to dodge again...but only because of the clothes that I'm wearing. My lower body isn't visible in the slightest-- after all, this was a hanfu. Not tight-fitting pants.

"You damned rat! You don't even know how to use a spear!" He growls, his voice turning more and more hoarse by the second...and it's not because of me, mind you. It's probably due to his own lack of skill...of not being able to hit me.

I sprint to the counter, not caring for any items that have been broken in the process. There's no way I'm going to give up my advantage in height...it could offer me an opening to hit him.

...now that he's caught up to my side of the counter, I assumed him to hit me with his dagger again, but it's the opposite of just that!

He threw his dagger and tackled me to the ground! It's unbelievable!

I fall down the counter, as he lies in front of me, his hand meeting my face before I even grasp the situation completely. My spear falls down the counter, and the egg...is safe from all harm. He doesn't plan on hitting the egg one bit.

I keep calm, trying to find any opening I can...just like when I did with the slimes. I'll think of this as a battle with a boar.

There are no openings in above...but below, there's a way for me to retaliate.

I whisk in the scent of the air as my face gets rougher with bruises, but that's alright. It's nothing compared to the sin I'll be committing afterward...

"I'm sorry to your future children..." I think to myself, as I raise my knee to his crotch and kick it..hearing the sound of an egg cracking. He looks at me with surprise, letting go of me immediately and clasping his crotch.

Ouch...yeah. That's gotta hurt...

Nonetheless, I continued my pursuit, as this could be the only way for me to hit a fatal attack. 

I immediately grab the spear on the counter, and hit him on the head!

...at least that's what I'd like to believe.

But I only manage to hit his shoulder, even piercing into it tightly. He growls in pain, relieved that his head wasn't pierced by a sharp piece of metal...but in agony, that his shoulder is now bleeding. He didn't like that one bit.

How do I know? Well, duh, who likes pain? But in all seriousness...by the fact that he's using a dagger and wearing a cloak, he must have been playing as an assassin in this world. 

Which is ironic, since I thought he would suit a fighter more with his build.

"You'll pay for this!" He grumbles as a warm soothing light covers his body...and not long after, his speed instantaneously increases...I didn't even get the chance to see what happens! All I saw was his figure covered in yellow turning into a trail of light before he teleported close to me...

So these are skills...the rarest thing you can ever obtain from the game. From the way I see it, it looks like he has a heal skill, and a teleport or dash skill...what a lucky man.

I fall and topple down to the ground, but despite this, I ensure that no harm comes to the egg...it doesn't matter if I end up in a sh*tty situation, so long as this egg stays safe.

The man notices it and chuckles, holding me down with his weight, and forcing me to stay down the ground...and the spear that was once in my hand falls to the side. "This ends here," He laughs, as he raises his hand...but it's with a dagger now?! What the hell! Skills are overpowered if I can't even trace them in that slight second of a momentary daze!

He tries to stab my face, but I move my head away, as it only leaves a sharp cut on my cheek. He notices my struggle and with a fit of anger, does the one thing I never expected him to do.

"F*cking rat! Fine then! If you don't want your pretty face to be ruined, I might as well hit that egg!" He laughs cruelly, his movements signaling that he is going to hit the egg...on the good side, he lets his guard down, as the applied weight on my body is lesser than before. It could mean something, hopefully...

I try to think of something...anything I can do to change the tides of this situation, but my mind refuses to be rational. Not when he's going to hit my egg, an egg I considered to be a part of my family.

But I'm in a losing situation...I can't win. I can't. I'm too inexperienced.

Too dumb. Too lacking in many requirements.

Too...naive about every little thing that has to be learned in a real battle, especially in PVP.

...but I can't give up this egg. Not when I've made a promise to both myself and my wife that I will take care of it.

And with a fit of my anger, and my lack of both a weapon and tactical experience-- I return to my natural primal instinct.

The expression in my eyes turned into that of pure spite, as my head got cloudier with every passing millisecond.

I lean my body forward, not caring about the weight he's placing on me...and thankfully, it's just enough to get close to his arm.

What do I do?

Well, have you ever seen a guard dog defending their owners from a dangerous person? They bite.

And that's what I did...I bit the man.

Like what?! What the hell am I supposed to do when I am literally powerless?!

What? You've never tried that before?

Well, maybe you should! It could save you from a life-or-death situation!

The man looked horrified, never expecting me to do that...but so did I! The situation was more than horrifying to experience...

I didn't bite his hand, and ended up biting the tip of his dagger...on the bright side, at least it's not hitting my throat or the gums in my mouth. It's just enough to be stopped by two factors: 1.) the strength of my teeth, and 2.) the surprise of the man, which stopped him from attacking.

Now this time, I immediately grip the spear that's fallen down the ground and thrust it at the man's face.

And thrust! It hits him and injures him severely, as he dissipates into the light...all the equipment on him falls to the ground.

I won the duel...but that's not what matters. What matters is getting out of here in one place and not going back until I know I'm ready.

...so, I elegantly wipe my clothes and return to my nonchalant expression. I still have to play off as a "Pro Player" since it was a way of solidifying my achievements of even gaining entry to the guild hall.

I take a look from the side, seeing the audience who were watching the fight with mirth and happiness on their faces. Their loud cries echoed in the room, as celebratory sounds came from all over the place...some were obviously sulking and still bitter, as they'd lost some of their money on the bets.

"That guy must be some sort of therianthrope because of the way he fought! I think he got a skill that lets out his inner alpha wolf, haha!" One of the men smirked, as he drank his beer.

"Hmm...but he fought rather sloppily though. He must have some sort of job that made him wealthy...given his clothes and that weird egg treasure he has," One says, before getting slapped on the back by another guy.

"Hahahaha! My friend! You're totally right! But who cares anyways! He put on a good show!" The friend who slapped the guy's back says, grinning from ear to ear.

I could listen on and on about their comments, but I don't want to be involved here any longer! What mattered now was getting out of here elegantly...and then running off back to someplace far from there!

Damnit! That was just crazy!

And so...I exit the guild hall with grace, only to end up running like a loose goose once I've gotten out! 

...I know I've won today, but it was just a lucky fluke. I'll have to work harder, to improve better...to the point that I am capable of protecting not only myself, but also those I care for.

Oh, and of course...I have to be less naive. That trait of mine always gets me in trouble every time...