The distance between them wasn't large.
But it felt… immense.
Not because of space.
But because of what it represented.
Damián understood it the moment the other player took another step closer, because it wasn't a normal movement, it wasn't just walking, it was as if the air compressed around him, as if every inch he advanced carried an invisible pressure that made the entire environment react.
And his body felt it.
Late.
But it felt it.
[Warning: Significant level difference]
[Victory probability: 9%]
That was enough to push his mind into overdrive.
*…I can't fight him head-on.*
But the other didn't stop.
Didn't hesitate.
*Now you're really inside,* he said in a low voice, almost calm, but with a completely different intent than before, a clear, direct… dangerous intent.
Damián adjusted his stance instinctively, his breathing becoming deeper, more controlled, because he knew any mistake here wouldn't be punished with pain.
It would be punished with something worse.
[INS in use…]
[Reaction time enhanced]
But it wasn't enough.
The man disappeared.
Not completely.
But enough.
One step.
Just one.
And he was no longer where he should be.
Damián reacted on instinct, turning his body just in time to see the strike coming from his right, too fast, too clean, too precise.
He tried to block.
Failed.
The impact sent him flying several meters back, his body hitting the ground hard as the air was knocked out of his lungs in an instant, leaving him unable to react for a full second.
Pain.
Real.
Brutal.
But that wasn't the worst part.
[END insufficient to absorb impact]
[Damage received: HIGH]
*…damn…*
The man didn't follow immediately.
He walked.
Slow.
Unhurried.
As if he knew there was no real threat in front of him.
And that…
That was what hurt Damián the most.
Not the hit.
But the difference.
*You're missing too much,* the man said, stopping a few meters away, looking down at him, his expression no longer one of casual interest.
Now it was real evaluation.
*Strength, technique… experience,* he continued. *But the worst part… is that you still don't understand the system.*
Damián spat blood to the side, trying to push himself up, his body trembling slightly as he forced it to respond.
But he did.
Because giving up was not an option.
It never was.
*Then teach me,* he replied, his voice lower, but steady.
That made the man smile.
Not mockery.
Something closer to respect.
Small.
But real.
*That comes at a cost.*
And he moved again.
This time Damián was ready.
Not faster.
Not stronger.
But more aware.
He saw the initial movement.
The shift in weight.
The angle of the attack.
And he reacted.
He rolled to the side just before the impact, feeling the air shift where his head had been a second earlier, his heart racing as his body barely managed to stay upright.
[INS activated successfully]
[Evade probability increased]
*…yeah…* he thought. *I can read him a little…*
But "a little" wasn't enough.
The second attack came faster.
Sharper.
Correcting the previous mistake.
Damián raised his arm to block.
This time he partially succeeded.
But the impact broke through his defense, pushing him back again, though he didn't fall.
He stepped forward.
Then another.
Enduring.
Learning.
[END in use…]
[Damage reduced: 14%]
The man stopped for the first time.
Truly stopped.
His eyes sharpened slightly.
*…you're adapting.*
It wasn't a question.
It was an observation.
Damián breathed heavily, but his gaze didn't break.
*I'm surviving,* he corrected.
And that changed something.
Because the other man nodded.
Slowly.
*That's all that matters at the beginning.*
Silence returned.
But this time…
It was different.
No longer predator versus prey.
It was…
Player versus player.
Even if they weren't equal.
Yet.
[Contract: 66%]
[Primary target active]
Damián took a step forward.
It hurt.
Everything hurt.
But he moved anyway.
Because now he understood something he didn't before.
It wasn't about winning this fight.
It was about staying alive inside it.
And every second that passed…
Was progress.
The man watched him approach.
And for the first time…
He didn't attack immediately.
*Tell me something,* he said, tilting his head slightly. *Why did you accept the contract?*
Damián didn't answer right away.
Because the answer…
Wasn't simple.
But in the end, he spoke.
*Because I don't have another option.*
The man observed him in silence.
Then smiled.
But this time…
There was no superiority in that expression.
Only understanding.
*Wrong,* he said.
And in the next second…
He vanished again.
But now Damián was ready.
Or at least…
More ready than before.
Because this time he didn't react late.
This time…
He moved first.
Not to attack.
But to survive.
And in that movement…
Something changed.
[Synchronization partially detected]
[User adapting to the system]
The strike passed by him.
For the first time.
By inches.
And that…
Changed everything.
Because he was no longer just taking hits.
Now…
He was someone who was starting to play.