Vayu didn't know what to do. The fox-man's punches were too fast, too heavy, too wild for him to handle. Each blow shook his bones. He was having trouble breathing as each punch knocked the air out of his lungs. So he did the only thing his mind could think of— He punched back and by sheer luck, bam—his fist landed squarely on the fox-man's face. For a moment, Vayu reveled a joyful expression, but the next second a wave of bloodlust came from the fox-man and his expressions twisted into pure rage.
That was when Vayu's vision flickered and the blue screen appeared again in front of him.
The number before his health was dropping rapidly, every 3-4 punches it will go down.
[HP: 278 → 276 → 274]
Only then did Vayu truly understand that the blue thing wasn't magic but his own health, which was telling him about his body. His health was still above 250. That meant… he didn't need to defeat the fox-man. He just needed to stay conscious longer than him. So Vayu strengthening his heart, clenched his jaw and changed from defense to offense, his arms raised, ready to attack and without even looking where his fist landed he swung. At first, his punches did nothing. They felt like he was hitting a rock. But slowly— the fox-man's blows started slowing down, his balance started wavering. The fox man was feeling fuzzy as he had drank a lot, and now of all times it started taking effect making his movements sluggish. Vayu noticed that something strange was going on with the fox-man, without missing the chance, he activated Overdrive. He felt like something inside him, ignited like a scorching flame. The status window opened in front of him once again—Every stat had tripled, his Health shot from 220 to 660. A surge of strength filled his limbs, all the pain inside his body vanished. His heartbeat was more faster and more steadier. Vayu felt… alive. But he wasn't stupid, he knew once this was over, there will be strong drawback which he had to bear. So he attacked immediately with his full force, in comparison to Vayu the fox-man's punches were now slow and sloppy, while Vayu's fists landed on him non stop.
Drunk vs Overdrive.
Soon Vayu overpowered the man completely. But no matter how much damage he dealt, the fox-man's wounds began knitting rapidly. Regeneration, Vayu had noticed it from the start of the fight, he didn't panic because if this was not enough then he just had to use greater force. He kicked the fox-man in his chest—so hard the shapeshifter skidded across the dirt and collapsed, he knew the fox man was still conscious. Without wasting time Vayu ran toward the huge boulder behind him. He gripped the giant boulder, tightened all his muscles and used every ounce of energy to lift it, his muscles screamed but he managed to lift it. He lifted the rock above his head and started carrying it toward the fox-man when the blue screen flashed again. A timer blinked in red color.
[Overdrive — 10 seconds remaining]
He had no idea what it meant. He kept walking slowly maintaining his balance, 9… 8… 7… now he was only five feet away from the fox man and the second the timer hit zero. His entire body vibrated. Pain surged through every bone inside his body. His strength vanished instantly as if someone had sucked it all out of his body, the boulder slipped from his hands. He instinctively jumped back—
Boom!
The boulder crashed where he had been standing. The fox-man awoke from the noise, tried to rise… but lost his balance and immediately fell again. Vayu panicked and didn't knew what to do so he said "blue light help"
The voice came from nowhere, directly into his ear "It's a status window, not blue light"
Vayu froze checking the source of the sound and repeated "Status window" the window floated before him. His stats were terrifyingly low.
Health: 20
Mana: 3
Strength: 5
Agility: 2
Stamina: -1
After Overdrive ended, whenever he moved he felt pain as his stamina was -1, but because he was now a Player, the damage wouldn't be permanent as once he recovers the pain will go away and will not have lasting effects on his body. Breathing raggedly, Vayu walked toward the fox-man. He couldn't carry the boulder anymore, but— the fox-man could be dragged to the boulder. He grabbed the shapeshifter's legs and swung him like a sack of grain. The fox-man's skull struck the boulder with a sickening crack. Vayu didn't stop he started spinning, making the fox man's skull hit again and again against the boulder, until the boulder itself split with a thunderous sound. The fox-man went limp, Vayu jumped on his chest and grabbed his throat with both hands and started squeezing desperately.
"Stop" the girl whispered, her voice was low and trembling. Vayu looked at her with a hoarse growl, "Why?"
"If you kill him… I will die too."
Vayu stared blankly "How?"
She pointed to the iron collar on her neck. A chain engraved with faint glowing runes.
"It's a slave collar" she said softly "My last master lost a duel today inside the battle arena and as per the rules, I was given as a prize to him. If he dies, the chain will kill me" Vayu slowly loosened his grip and removed his hands and he got up. The girl continued " and he won't die from choking, to kill a shapeshifter, you must rip there heart out or cut off their head. Otherwise, they wake up, regenerate once again"
Vayu stood, exhausted in front of the girl "Then remove the collar and run" he said.
"I can't, there's a scroll in his bag I can't touch it. Only someone without a slave mark can. If you tear that scroll… I'll be free" her eyes shined with fragile hope. Vayu saw the girl, she was just a small child and already facing the hardships of the world, he quickly rummaged through the fox-man's belongings and found the scroll wrapped in leather cord, and tore it in half. The collar around her neck snapped open and fell into the dirt.
She gasped "I'm free…"
"Run now" Vayu said, swaying his hand, he himself was barely able to stand.
"Thank you" she whispered and turned to leave—
But he called her out again "Wait"
She turned; "What is… a battle arena?",he asked.
She blinked, then pointed ahead with a pure, innocent smile.
"Go straight from here. You'll find an open battleground. You'll learn the rules there" Vayu nodded and the girl quickly vanished inside the forest.