Defeat the bandits and claim the Bandit Leader

There was no question as to what to do next. Even if I was outnumbered, I knew how to handle myself in a fight. In fact, the prize for winning was a temptation too much to resist. My burning loins demanded it! Besides, even if I lost, there was no fewer consequences than the feedback being cut to a minimal level, as per the default game settings. I would not feel too much of the pain of being clubbed or smashed by an axe. Probably a light sting or two. If my avatar were to be 'killed', it would just reappear back in the game lobby for me to try again, although I wouldn't be too sure I would ever find the Bandit Leader and her minions again. I had to take the chance right now.

It dawned at me as I suddenly recalled something important from that train of thought. I remembered I could manipulate the game however I wished! After a quick command console trip, which took no less than a few seconds, the dagger in my hand was now a sword, and the buckler now a proper metal kite shield. Now that I had the gear advantage, I wasted no more time and attacked!

The bandits reacted. The three of them charged as a group. One of the male NPCs was in the front, dropping a wild overhead towards my face with his club. Raising my shield, the wooden weapon impacted and in swift retaliation, my sword was slashing at the man's upper torso. There was no blood spray or violent imagery that came after, as set by the preferences of the game. Just the weapon passing through its target and my opponent falling motionless onto the dirt floor. The second bandit took the opportunity to try to bash at my exposed arm, but with a quick step back, the club whooshed over thin air. Lifting my shield arm, I drove the edge into his face, the added momentum of his forward movement provided for additional damage. In two swift strokes, the minions were on the ground, leaving their Leader alone to face off against me one on one. No sooner as the second of her minions had fallen, she lunged at me with her axe. I moved to block it with my shield and was pushed back by the impact. As I was recovering, she took another swing, forcing me to sidestep. Then another, and another.

This NPC can fight! Fast, and strong! My adrenaline was pumping as I resorted to defensive footwork to keep myself from getting hit, all the while looking for an opportunity to counter strike. If that axe were to hit me even once, I'll be out for the count and back at the lobby to lament over my loss. She had a few tricks of her own, driving the pummel end of her axe towards me with a harsh snarl. This forced me to block. Just as it beat against the metal surface, I saw the axe head hook over the edge of my shield. With a strong yank, my shield was ripped away from my grip, landing on the dirt a few feet away. It had two options then. Either step back and take her head on with just my sword, or move in to subdue her right now! I chose the latter. Before she could recover from stripping me of my shield, I switched my grip and drove the pummel of my weapon into her face. The blow caused to her fall backwards in an awkward splay, her axe tumbling onto the ground, out cold from my sudden precise strike to knock her out.

When it was over, I gasped for breath as the adrenaline died down, standing victorious over the three. It was my first VR fight in a very long while. I could almost hear the experience points roll into my character sheet, but this was not that kind of that game. I gain points from claiming sluts, and right here, on the ground in front of me, was my first mark. I tapped open my console and gave the command to claim the unconscious Bandit Leader. It dinged a confirmation, and I witnessed the experience points raise the bar on my meter to half full. After which, I looked down at my new fallen claim with a newfound delight I had never dared feel before.