I reached out into the dark abyss and tapped the "Retry from Checkpoint" button that lingered. Within an instant, color, sound, and scent returned. I was back again, woken by the sound of a catapult launching a rock into the walls. Everything was happening just as it had last time.
Shaking my head, I ran deeper into the city. Every house I passed was either burning or crushed by boulders. Wasn't I supposed to be a fabled commander in this game? Why was I running like a rat?
"Help us..." A faint voice snapped me out of my thoughts. I tracked it to a house with a collapsed roof, debris flooding the doorway.
"Hello!? Are you still there? I'm here to help!" I called, lifting debris away from the entrance. As I cleared the wreckage, a chilling thought clawed at the back of my mind. What if I died again? Was this my last chance?
"Are you two okay?" I asked as I freed a mother and her child. They only nodded, too shocked to speak. I had to get them to safety.
Shouts echoed from afar. The centaurs had broken through. Without hesitation, I grabbed their wrists and ran. Where? I had no idea. I'd figure it out later.
From the corner of my eye, I spotted a soldier rallying civilians. We were close—but the sound of galloping grew louder. They were catching up. Not if I...
"Go! Run to that man and DO NOT LOOK BACK!" I shouted, pointing to the soldier before turning to face my death again. At least... I saved them.
I recognized that face. The same monster that had killed me before. I took my stance—left foot forward, right foot back, fists raised, eyes locked on his spear.
As he swung, I pushed off my front foot, stepping back to avoid the blade. He followed with a thrust—I bent my legs, twisted my torso, and slipped my head to the left before weaving under it. I hopped back, resetting my stance.
This shit was so unfair. With that spear, he could strike from a safe distance. Even if I closed in, I couldn't wrestle him—those horse legs were a nightmare. Kicking his thighs would be useless; they were as thick as tree trunks.
The centaur reared up, preparing to charge. I sidestepped right, pivoting off my foot, spinning away from him like a matador dodging a raging bull.
He had three attacks—a thrust, a swipe, and a charge. But how could I counter that weapon? Think, Marcus. Think!
A memory surfaced—a seminar at my MMA gym. A weapons expert had said, "There is no 'self-defense' against an armed assailant. You either run, or you cripple them before they kill you." The knees. That was my shot.
I shifted my stance, elbows tucked in, fists guarding my cheeks, imitating Mike Tyson's peek-a-boo style. Distance control would decide this fight.
I dashed diagonally left to test his next attack before I performed a backstep, narrowly avoiding another spear swipe. I dashed diagonally to the left again to close the distance, and as he retracted for a thrust, I slipped left again, pivoting to his blind spot, forcing him to turn. That was my opening.
"Shh!" I exhaled, launching a right oblique kick. My foot smashed into his front knee in a downward angle with a sickening crack as it folded inward.
"AARGH!" he roared in agony. Before he could swing wildly, I leapt onto his lower body, further twisting his injured knee. He thrashed, but my left arm coiled around his neck like an anaconda while my right arm folded over my left hand and pressed onto the back of his head, locking in a rear naked choke. His hands clawed at my arms, his struggles weakening until—finally—he went limp.
I collapsed with him. He'd be out for a while… but what if he woke up and slaughtered civilians? I had the chance to end it now. But wasn't killing wrong? He had killed me once before...
I took a deep breath, clearing my thoughts. Focus on the motion. Eliminate the threat.
"Focus on the motion. Eliminate the threat," I whispered, gripping one of his horns and his goatee. With a sharp twist, I snapped his neck. The centaur was dead.
"MY BROTHERS, KILL THAT HUMAN!" a centaur bellowed in the distance. A dozen of them galloped forward, bows drawn, arrows nocked. This was it. I was about to be executed.
Time slowed as their arrows loosed, black streaks cutting through the air. Then—a shadow loomed over me.
A figure clad in full plate armor leapt between me and the centaur's corpse, raising a shield. A faint, whispered prayer conjured a shimmering blue barrier. The arrows struck, but none found their mark.
"On your feet," the figure commanded, voice like honey beneath her steel helmet. She extended a hand, hauling me up effortlessly.
"Knights of the Six, rally to me!" another voice rang out. I turned—and my suspicions were confirmed. Alfonse Reiner, the humans' champion, stood ready, Lightbringer in hand. The same guy from the tutorial. He and his knights surged forward, clashing with the centaurs in a brutal melee.
The Guardian beside me fought well but used only basic mace and shield techniques—just like in the tutorial. No advanced skills. Just as expected.
With their leader dead and the human army pushing forward, the centaurs retreated. But I knew what came next—a centaur priest would summon an earth elemental to destroy the city. The players were supposed to fight it.
Me? Hell no. What the fuck were my punches going to do against a giant rock monster?
Still… I couldn't just stand by. There had to be more survivors.
I scoured the city, calling out, lifting debris, guiding civilians to the evacuation site. Most were injured men, women, children… even some farm animals.
From across the city, I saw it—the earth elemental. A massive creature of rock and roots, pulsing with magic. Alfonse and his knights were already engaging it. The battle was reaching its climax.
I picked up a fist-sized rock. Maybe I could at least look like I participated. I ran closer, took aim, and hurled it with all my strength.
The rock sailed through the air… and tapped the elemental's hand.
Yeah, great job, Marcus. That did fucking nothing.
Then, a crushing wave of pressure settled over me. My instincts screamed. Had I just… initiated combat with that thing?
Seconds later, light exploded from the elemental's body. A shockwave knocked back everyone nearby. Good thing I was far away.
I rushed in as Alfonse and his soldiers recovered. The Guardian lay unconscious. Damn it. I couldn't leave her here.
Grunting, I hoisted her armored form onto my shoulders and staggered toward the evacuation camp.
"Medic?" I called upon arrival, searching for help.
A hooded healer approached. "Another casualty?"
She lifted the Guardian's helmet, revealing a woman with golden hair and a face as serene as sleeping beauty's. Even battered, she was breathtaking. The healer extended her hands, golden light washing over her.
"She'll recover," the healer said. "And you? Any injuries?"
"Just sore all over. A bed would be nice."
She gestured to an empty cot. I collapsed onto it, sighing. The tutorial was over.
I'd wake up now, right? This was just a dream...
As my eyes shut, the world darkened.
A message appeared in the void.
Tutorial Completed. New Title Earned: Hero of Graywatch.