The Shining Knight

He was debating whether this was a side-effect of being a video game that just didn't have nature sounds programmed in, or if there was a reason for it when the sound of a bush rustling grabbed his attention. Just in time for an enemy he hadn't seen before burst out of it. Lusim was glad he still had his shield on his arm, and pulled it up just in time to keep the fangs of the beast from ripping his throat out. 

The force of the blow knocked him back a few steps, but he quickly regained his footing and drew his sword. Once again the monster lunged at him, but this time Lusim was ready. He put himself in a defensive stance, his feet ready to take the hit this time, and when the beast impacted on his shield, he pushed back. Now it was the monster who was off balance, and Lusim triggered a series of sword skills, slashing it up and knocking it away.

"Ha! Thought you could sneak up on me, but no luck, eh m-... Oh boy..." Lusim's cheer quickly drained as more sounds reached his ears. The monster he'd attacked had also not shattered, so it was still alive. And apparently had a pack.

"Oh this is not good," Lusim looked around and more bushes began rustling, more monsters slowly appearing around him. He was not confident in his ability to battle... three... five... seven monsters at this level. It might be possible, but he didn't want to wander all the way back out here later. "Running it is then."

With a quick dash forward, Lusim slashed at the original creature, and this time it shattered, giving him an escape vector. Roars and snarls followed him as he heard the monsters explode into motion behind him, but he didn't dare look back. Running through a forest was a dangerous thing, even when you could see where you were going. His breath was heavy in his ears, hoping the monsters would get bored and leave him alone.

That's when someone stepped out from behind a tree in front of him. Lusim caught a confused look on their face just before he collided with her, both of them tumbling to the ground. Lusim rolled with it a little and got back to his feet before she did.

"Sorry, didn't see you," Lusim apologized in English before realizing his mistake and repeating it in Japanese.

"You running from the noise?" She asked, and Lusim was grateful he could understand.

He nodded. "Yes, too many for me alone." He smirked at her. "Want to team up?"

The girl, or at least her avatar, was no older than he was, with long light blue hair pulled back in a loose ponytail. Also cute, but who wasn't in a video game where you could change your face. Not that he was arguing.

"Sure, let's give it a shot."

The girl's sentence was punctuated by one of the monsters jumping out of a bush. Without hesitation, Lusim stepped forward and brought his shield up, getting between the girl and the monster. She stepped around him, and he backed up, letting her take the first offensive action, staying ready to hit the next beast that was surely moments away. She drew her weapon, a large battle axe he was surprised he hadn't noticed before. With a wide swing it slammed into the creature, flinging it off to the side and into a tree, where it shattered.

A single blow... Lusim thought in awe. Though it was a larger weapon, it made sense. Slow to hit, but if it does, it hits hard. Not a style he preferred, but with his more agile and defensive style, she would have the openings she needed.

Sure enough, two more monsters appeared, both aiming for the girl. "Back!" He called, and she didn't argue, stepping back so he could move in front again, blocking one attack with his shield, and stepping to the side to avoid the second one.

The girl knew what she was doing, and as soon as Lusim had vacated the spot, she had started swinging. When the creature hit the ground it was met by her axe, a wide vertical slice that sent it straight up into the air. Lusim counter-attacked his own creature, a pair of strikes, but couldn't finish it off as a shout from the girl caused his head to turn, just in time to see the final monster leaping at his back.

He had no time to dodge, and was hit on his side, knocking him off balance, and his previous target immediately attacked as well, knocking him to the ground. Instead of finishing him off however, they swapped targets to the girl, one of them leaping right over him to get at her. She didn't scream, but when he glanced over he could see worry on her face. Worry, but not fear, she wasn't sure she could handle them, but she was sure as hell going to try. She took a swing at the first one, but it saw her strike coming and dodged it. With the momentum of the first swing, she spun around and attacked again, this time aiming for the second creature, the one who Lusim had nearly killed.

It hit, and the monster shattered, but the final monster had gotten in behind her, slashing down her back. This time she did scream, maybe out of reflex. There wasn't so much pain in the game as there was a reaction to something you knew was a claw ripping down your back. The creature's fangs flew to the now prone girl's throat, ready to finish her off, but Lusim had gotten back to his feet and tackled the beast, shoving it off her and quickly stabbing it while it was dazed. Once, twice, three times. It shattered under him, and he got back to his feet.

"You okay?" He asked, holding out a hand.

The girl, just a bit shaky, nodded and took his hand. "Thank you."

He smiled widely. "No problem. I was looking for something interesting, looks like I did, even if it was not what I had thought."

The girl blushed a little and punched his shoulder. "Oh really? Well I heard there was a rare collection point in here, would you like to look for it together?"

Lusim chuckled and sheathed his sword. "Sounds good."