Luke fell forward and nearly lost his spear again. Pain burned beneath his torn shirt.

"I forgot about that one," he grunted.

"So did I."

Luke looked over his shoulder. "You’re supposed to be watching them!"

"I’m trying, Luke, but there are too many possibilities at once!"

The monster raised its claws.

A violet flash crossed Yvonne’s blindfold. "It attacks your left side."

Luke turned left.

"No, move right so it misses your left!"

The claws cut across his upper arm.

Luke hissed and jumped away. "You really need to say these things better."

"I know!"

The sharpness in her answer surprised him. Yvonne exhaled before adding, "I’m sorry. I’m doing my best."

"So am I."

The creature advanced, and Yvonne pressed two fingers against her temple while forcing herself to think.

"My younger daughter used to complain that her instructor drilled this into them."

Luke kept his spear between himself and the monster. "Drilled what into them?"

"Short commands during a fight. Direction first, then the action."

"You have daughters?"

"Yes, but please ask me about them after we survive this." Yvonne lifted her head. "Right!"

Luke stepped right.

"Back."

He retreated one step.

"Wait."

The creature raised one arm, and Luke fought the urge to attack before Yvonne gave the order.

"Thrust!"

He drove the spear forward.

The blade struck the monster’s shoulder. Although it was not a killing blow, the impact forced the creature to twist away.

"Again."

Luke pulled back and thrust toward its chest. His hands shifted at the last second, causing the point to miss the center and pierce beneath the monster’s arm.

It grabbed the shaft.

Remembering the previous creature, Luke pushed instead of pulling. The monster staggered, giving him enough room to twist the spear free.

The movement remained rough, and his foot almost slipped, but he kept the weapon.

"Good," Yvonne said.

The praise distracted him.

The monster kicked him in the stomach, folding Luke around the blow. His concentration broke, and Reinforce ended as the spear became heavy again.

The creature rushed him.

"Quickstep!" Yvonne ordered.

Luke selected a point several yards to the side and activated the skill. The arena lurched around him, and he reappeared away from the creature.

His momentum carried him farther than expected. His feet crossed, and he crashed onto one knee.

[Mana: 30/50]

The monster turned toward him.

Luke planted the spear against the ground and forced himself upright. "I hate that skill."

"You chose it."

"I didn’t know it would feel like my stomach got left behind."

The creature charged.

Yvonne’s blindfold lit again. "Don’t use Quickstep this time."

"I wasn’t going to."

"It reaches you in three seconds."

Luke raised the spear.

"Two."

The creature’s right shoulder dipped.

He recognized the movement. It was going low again.

"One."

Luke waited until the last possible moment before stepping aside. The monster rushed past him, and he turned the spear before cutting behind its knee.

The blade sank deeply.

The creature collapsed, and Luke pulled the weapon free before the falling body could trap the shaft. For the first time, Yvonne had not needed to tell him where to attack.

When the monster tried to rise, Luke aimed at its back and thrust. The spear entered between its shoulders, and the creature dissolved into smoke.

[Enemy defeated.]

Luke exhaled while his arms trembled around the weapon.

"That was better, wasn’t it?"

"It was."

"You sound surprised."

"Honestly? A little."

"Thanks."

"That was supposed to be a compliment."

"You might need more practice with those too."

A small laugh escaped her. "You did well, Luke."

Four monsters remained near the outer edge.

Three started moving together, while the fourth stayed farther back. Luke watched the approaching creatures separate, with one coming directly toward him and the other two spreading out toward opposite sides.

"They’re trying to surround us."

He had learned enough to recognize that much without help.

Yvonne nodded. "My daughters used to say that once enemies choose where you’re standing, you’ve already made the fight harder."

Luke glanced at her. "How do your daughters know so much about fighting?"

Yvonne froze for a moment.

"They’re interested in heroes," she said carefully.

A system window appeared beside her.

[An incomplete truth has been detected.]

[Yvonne’s perception has been reduced by 5%.]

Yvonne pressed her lips together.

Luke stared at the warning.

"There’s more."