System Fall - Volume 2 - Chapter 3

Within seconds, I was passing through the glowing doorway and found myself transported to somewhere else entirely.

The system was trying to warn me, and I didn’t quite understand why. At this point, any survivor should have known they could be killed at any time, that every challenge and battle could be their last. I wasn’t scared or bothered. I pressed on.

My gaze was immediately drawn to the vast circular formation that reminded me of an old styled arena. It wasn’t an exact replica, but there was an air of familiarity about it that sparked vague recollections of what I’d read and watched once on television a lifetime ago. A ray of light spilled in from an opening above, but the source of the light was unknown. Round stone tiers descended in a series of steps, converging on the stone edge of a sandy arena.

I stood at the edge of the sand filled pit, letting my Eyes of Legacy sweep over the area. There was a certain atmosphere about this place that made it abundantly clear I was about to embark on a new level of difficulty—one that would test not just my physical prowess but my mental resilience as well.

An oppressive quiet lingered, broken only by the faint hum of dormant magic. A sense of hidden power pulsed from the stone walls of the arena itself, waiting for what was next. I was excited.

Taking a deep breath, I stepped onto the sandy surface of the battle zone, my sword, Legender, catching the light that filtered in.

A single nod from me was all it took for the system to register my my answer. Just like that, my gear evaporated, leaving me holding only a basic iron sword. Legender had vanished, and all I really had to count on going forward was my raw skill.

But I wasn't about to let that stop me. Adjusting my hold on the iron blade, I took a moment to feel its balance. It was rough and unrefined compared to Legender, but it would do the job. After all, a good warrior could turn any tool into a lethal weapon.

The environment in the arena changed instantly. The silence and stillness of the place was replaced by the creaking of gates opening around the far perimeter of the sand arena. Emerging from the ominous depths of these doorways, goblins poured into the arena like a wave intent on crashing against me.

I felt excited as they dashed across the sandy floor of the arena, their eagerness to spill my blood was evident. However, their bloodthirsty advances only fueled my own resolve. They wanted a fight, unfortunately for them, that was exactly what I wanted as well.

"First, we fight. Then, we reflect," I murmured under my breath, my fingers tightening around the hilt of the iron sword. I braced myself for what was to come., a surge of adrenaline making my senses razor-sharp. It was time to give them a show they wouldn't forget.

The goblins arranged themselves in a rough semicircle, sneering and waving a motley assortment of rusty weapons. Their movements were slow and disorganized, a common trait amongst such low-level foes. However, their sheer number could pose a threat to anyone caught off guard.

But I was ready.

Gripping the iron sword tighter, I bolted towards the closest goblin. It barely had time to process my advance before my blade whistled through the air, cleanly decapitating it. Its body crumbled onto the ground, its head thumping away with a dull thud.

Still moving, I set my sights on the next goblin. Its eyes widened in sheer panic as I pivoted and attacked in a deadly arc, bringing my sword down on it mid-snarl. A third goblin made a haphazard lunge at me, a rusted blade in its gnarled hand. A quick sidestep and a flick of my sword, and it fell, sliced in two.
The rest of the wave of goblins reached me. I swung my sword, my movements swift and precise, and the air was heavy with the sounds of weapons clashing on weapons. With a grunt, I drove my blade through the goblin to think it might managed to land a blow on me, feeling a grim satisfaction as it cried out, collapsing onto the sandy floor of the arena.

In a frenzy, the goblins pressed on and kept moving, thinking they might somehow overwhelm me. With a quick side step, I avoided the next attack my iron sword darted out and pierced the body of another attacker. The blade's impact jarred up my arm, but the goblin dropped, joining its fallen comrade in the sand.

Each swing of my sword was methodical, purposeful. A jab here, a slice there, every movement designed to take down as many as possible with minimal effort. I was a whirlwind of destruction amidst the goblin horde, my iron sword painting a grotesque picture of death and defeat. There was no room for mercy in this arena.

As bodies piled up around me, I moved fluidly through the gore-splattered sand. It wasn't a battle—it was a massacre. Every goblin that lunged at me fell, their bloodied bodies staining the arena floor. The more they charged at me, the more I cut them down. I was relentless, the iron sword in my hand a swift harbinger of their inevitable end. Their numbers dwindled; the confidence of the horde shattered under the overwhelming might of my onslaught.

I had become the embodiment of their despair, an unstoppable force of carnage and devastation.

Their numbers meant nothing, there was no chance for them. I was a single man against an army, but I held the upper hand, in the same way I held the upper hand against ants. Each goblin that faced me was swiftly and mercilessly dispatched.

One final stroke of my sword sliced through the last goblin, its body landing heavily on top of the mound of its fallen comrades. A deep silence settled over the arena afterwards. I wasn’t even breathing hard.

As the remnants of the goblin horde faded into nothingness, a new threat began to take form. The ground shook as hulking, battle-hardened Orcs materialized. Armed with crude axes and clubs, their muscular forms towering over the goblin predecessors, these brutes are the embodiment of raw strength and primal ferocity. Their gnarled features and protruding tusks send a clear message - they're not here for idle games, they're here for a battle to the death.

Without a moment's hesitation, I jerked my head in affirmation. Instantly, the bloody mess around me began to shift. The slaughtered goblins started to disappear, their bodies dissolving into the sandy floor as though they were mere illusions.

I knew better.

A predatory smile split my face at their formidable sight. I tightened my grip on my crimson-stained sword, and readied myself.

Within seconds, I was passing through the glowing doorway and found myself transported to somewhere else entirely.System Fall NotificationTitle: Hidden Dungeon Storm Shelter Battle TypeDetails: You will be offered the chance to partake in up to 7 waves of battle. These waves will be progressively more difficult. Your survival is not guaranteed. You will be asked after every wave if you would like to continue. You may quit at anytime between waves and your rewards will be adjusted accordingly. Be wary. You can be killed.The system was trying to warn me, and I didn't quite understand why. At this point, any survivor should have known they could be killed at any time, that every challenge and battle could be their last. I wasn't scared or bothered. I pressed on.My gaze was immediately drawn to the vast circular formation that reminded me of an old styled arena. It wasn't an exact replica, but there was an air of familiarity about it that sparked vague recollections of what I'd read and watched once on television a lifetime ago. A ray of light spilled in from an opening above, but the source of the light was unknown. Round stone tiers descended in a series of steps, converging on the stone edge of a sandy arena.I stood at the edge of the sand filled pit, letting my Eyes of Legacy sweep over the area. There was a certain atmosphere about this place that made it abundantly clear I was about to embark on a new level of difficultyone that would test not just my physical prowess but my mental resilience as well.An oppressive quiet lingered, broken only by the faint hum of dormant magic. A sense of hidden power pulsed from the stone walls of the arena itself, waiting for what was next. I was excited.Taking a deep breath, I stepped onto the sandy surface of the battle zone, my sword, Legender, catching the light that filtered in.System Fall NotificationTitle: Launching Wave 1Details: Stand by for the first wave, Goblins. These repugnant, lowly creatures are infamous for their love of mayhem and their unrestrained savagery. Individually, they might be pathetic, but in a group, their chaotic movements and mass of numbers can be a threat.Details: Wave Type - Goblins. Confirm start?A single nod from me was all it took for the system to register my my answer. Just like that, my gear evaporated, leaving me holding only a basic iron sword. Legender had vanished, and all I really had to count on going forward was my raw skill.But I wasn't about to let that stop me. Adjusting my hold on the iron blade, I took a moment to feel its balance. It was rough and unrefined compared to Legender, but it would do the job. After all, a good warrior could turn any tool into a lethal weapon.The environment in the arena changed instantly. The silence and stillness of the place was replaced by the creaking of gates opening around the far perimeter of the sand arena. Emerging from the ominous depths of these doorways, goblins poured into the arena like a wave intent on crashing against me.I felt excited as they dashed across the sandy floor of the arena, their eagerness to spill my blood was evident. However, their bloodthirsty advances only fueled my own resolve. They wanted a fight, unfortunately for them, that was exactly what I wanted as well."First, we fight. Then, we reflect," I murmured under my breath, my fingers tightening around the hilt of the iron sword. I braced myself for what was to come., a surge of adrenaline making my senses razor-sharp. It was time to give them a show they wouldn't forget.The goblins arranged themselves in a rough semicircle, sneering and waving a motley assortment of rusty weapons. Their movements were slow and disorganized, a common trait amongst such low-level foes. However, their sheer number could pose a threat to anyone caught off guard.But I was ready.Gripping the iron sword tighter, I bolted towards the closest goblin. It barely had time to process my advance before my blade whistled through the air, cleanly decapitating it. Its body crumbled onto the ground, its head thumping away with a dull thud.Still moving, I set my sights on the next goblin. Its eyes widened in sheer panic as I pivoted and attacked in a deadly arc, bringing my sword down on it mid-snarl. A third goblin made a haphazard lunge at me, a rusted blade in its gnarled hand. A quick sidestep and a flick of my sword, and it fell, sliced in two.The rest of the wave of goblins reached me. I swung my sword, my movements swift and precise, and the air was heavy with the sounds of weapons clashing on weapons. With a grunt, I drove my blade through the goblin to think it might managed to land a blow on me, feeling a grim satisfaction as it cried out, collapsing onto the sandy floor of the arena.In a frenzy, the goblins pressed on and kept moving, thinking they might somehow overwhelm me. With a quick side step, I avoided the next attack my iron sword darted out and pierced the body of another attacker. The blade's impact jarred up my arm, but the goblin dropped, joining its fallen comrade in the sand.Each swing of my sword was methodical, purposeful. A jab here, a slice there, every movement designed to take down as many as possible with minimal effort. I was a whirlwind of destruction amidst the goblin horde, my iron sword painting a grotesque picture of death and defeat. There was no room for mercy in this arena.As bodies piled up around me, I moved fluidly through the gore-splattered sand. It wasn't a battleit was a massacre. Every goblin that lunged at me fell, their bloodied bodies staining the arena floor. The more they charged at me, the more I cut them down. I was relentless, the iron sword in my hand a swift harbinger of their inevitable end. Their numbers dwindled; the confidence of the horde shattered under the overwhelming might of my onslaught.I had become the embodiment of their despair, an unstoppable force of carnage and devastation.Their numbers meant nothing, there was no chance for them. I was a single man against an army, but I held the upper hand, in the same way I held the upper hand against ants. Each goblin that faced me was swiftly and mercilessly dispatched.One final stroke of my sword sliced through the last goblin, its body landing heavily on top of the mound of its fallen comrades. A deep silence settled over the arena afterwards. I wasn't even breathing hard.System Fall NotificationTitle: Triumph: Wave 1 - DecimatedToday, the sands of the arena drank deep from the lifeblood of goblins. Each fell under your ruthless blade. Your swift, merciless onslaught of destruction left them no chance. You carved your way through a green tide, and not a single one could withstand you.You, Nick Vandal, stand victorious among the lifeless heap of your fallen adversaries, your resolve as solid as the iron blade in your hand. If only they had been stronger.As the remnants of the goblin horde faded into nothingness, a new threat began to take form. The ground shook as hulking, battle-hardened Orcs materialized. Armed with crude axes and clubs, their muscular forms towering over the goblin predecessors, these brutes are the embodiment of raw strength and primal ferocity. Their gnarled features and protruding tusks send a clear message - they're not here for idle games, they're here for a battle to the death.System Fall NotificationTitle: Next Challenge: Wave 2 - Orc Onslaught. Do you dare to accept?Will your blade be just as effective against these formidable foes? Only time will tell, Nick Vandal. Prepare yourself, the real challenge has just begun.Without a moment's hesitation, I jerked my head in affirmation. Instantly, the bloody mess around me began to shift. The slaughtered goblins started to disappear, their bodies dissolving into the sandy floor as though they were mere illusions.I knew better.A predatory smile split my face at their formidable sight. I tightened my grip on my crimson-stained sword, and readied myself.