Minutes ticked by as we kept a steady stare going. Just as I took a step back, the ferocious creature leapt from the bushes and charged my way.
"Ahhhh!"
Those golden eyes belonged to a fierce saber-toothed tiger. It's dark orange coat - almost brown, shone in the moonlight. Its long fangs were enough to send a shivering chill down my spine.
Not to mention, strangely enough, this forest was enveloped in the time of night. Because of that, it was really hard to know where you step foot, but nonetheless, I had to run away in this moment.
.
.
.
It wasn't long until my legs decided to run with the saber-toothed tiger right on my tail.
(How in the world-- Aren't they supposed to be extinct?! Plus, how can I win against that?!)
While I was running, a big ball of light popped and shone in front of me. A few seconds later, a picture of a very familiar person began to form on the ball.
"I can't believe that even the lowest level of beast is enough to scare her... She's useless!"
Yup. It was him...
.
.
Sadashige sensei greeted by insulting me as soon as he saw my state. Raizo and the others were also behind him, watching me.
"Asuna can do it, just watch." Mizore spoke reassuringly.
(Mizore... I can't! I am so scared right now that I don't even know what to do...!)
Soon after, my legs were running slower and slower until I stopped for some air.
"Come on Asuna! We are all watching you so kick that beast's butt!" Raizo cheered after butting in between Mizore and Sadashige sensei.
"Yeah, you can do it!" Natsuno's voice joined in from behind.
"I... I can't! That beast is going to get me! I am going to die! I am going to die right here!"
I was panicking from thinking of the worst so much that I started hugging my arms and shivering in fear.
"...Tch. What a waste..." Yuichi murmured as he started walking away.
"Hmph! I have wasted enough of my time dealing with humans. I am out!" Sadashige sensei, too, took off.
"Come on Asuna. I know you can do this! Why else did we all recommend you to join? Don't give up yet! Even a simple kick would be enough!"
Raizo's voice sounded so sincere that it actually put me at ease, even if just a little.
"A-Are you sure? Will I be alright after that?" I was slowly coming to my senses.
"Yes, you will. Nothing will start unless you are the first to take action so why don't you show the beast who's boss!" Raizo continued with a really firm voice and a calm expression.
Everyone else nodded in return. Even Yuichi, who was supposed to be gone by now, looked at me from his shoulder with a calm gaze as if he was also thinking the same thing.
(Stupid! If they all believe in me, then I should also believe in myself...!)
I hid behind some bushes, waiting for the tiger to be seen. As expected, it roared before searching and sniffing for me.
(Just wait for it...)
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.
As soon as I felt that it was distracted, I plunged toward the tiger and gave it a big kick on the cheek. It fell straight on the bark of a tree with a hard bump.
"I did it! I really did hit it! Oh my gosh, did you guys see that?!" I squeaked as I jumped up and down with happiness.
Everyone applauded in return. I was so into celebrating my victory that I didn't even hear the tiger get up until Nikki shouted, "Look out Asu-nee!"
"Huh?"
*BAM*
I didn't have time to react.
The tiger was on me, trying hard to bite my face off despite me trying to hold it back by pushing it with my hands. Its saliva was falling on my face.
(Eww!)
"Oh no! Asu-nee is in danger!" Natsuno warned Mizore while Raizo was looking at me with a worried look.
(I... I can't give up yet! I will show them that I, too, can join their club!)
"Yaaahhh!"
With a shout, I kicked the tiger on the abdomen from my knee.
*Welp*
I then twisted my hand around its paws and threw the tiger on the ground while grabbing them. It winced in pain.
Just then, a shiny, silver sword appeared before my eyes followed by the voice of Sadashige sensei.
"Finish it by using the sword!"
When I looked in the sphere, everyone was wearing serious expressions.
(S-Should I really kill it?)
I gripped the sword with my shaky hands and faced the fallen tiger.
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.
...
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"...You don't have to kill it if you aren't up to it..." Yuichi finally spoke after being silent the entire time.
"Huh? Is that okay?"
He nodded slightly before continuing, "...Isn't getting out of this forest your main objective...?"
"Oh, right!"
I let the saber-toothed tiger walk away in shame before running with the sword still in my hands. The sphere followed me wherever I went.
.
.
It felt like forever that I was running around the same looking forest and passing the identical trees over and over again.
"Haa... Haa... How many hours have passed by?"
"About thirty minutes..." Raizo replied.
"Whaaat?! Seriously?! It feels like forever!"
I heard Sadashige sensei snicker from behind.
"Is there something you would like to say...?" I asked with squinted eyes.
"Well, I just forgot to say that there is a spell on this eerie forest that tampers with your mind into thinking that you have been staying in this forest forever which, apparently, has made a lot of people go insane. That is also another reason why this forest is enveloped in the darkness of night... Time never runs here. ....So, what are you going to do?"
Sadashige sensei's voice was as cold as ever as he spoke.
"That's..." I stopped walking.
"Asu-nee? Are you okay?" Natsuno asked with concern.
I hung my head.
"You know what? ...I still won't give up! No matter what it takes, I will get out of here and prove that even I can survive in such a place!"
I clenched my fists with determination as I spoke. As soon as I said this, everyone looked at me with smiles on their faces, but Sadashige sensei just looked annoyed.
I then continued to run as fast as I could, this time killing the wild beasts standing in my way.
(What is this feeling of thrill? It's like... I've been used to fighting since a long time...)
Shaking away the remote feeling, I set my sights forward.
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.
.
The forest was starting to become foggy. Really, REALLY foggy.
(Perhaps I am going the right way?)
My confidence boosted when that thought crossed my mind.
"Way to go Asuna! You are on the right track!" Raizo cheered.
(Yes, I knew it!)
I ran as fast as my legs could take me until I reached a dense looking water.
"Hmmm? What now?"
"Oh no... Sadashige sensei, you never told that this water place was still running! How could you put her life in danger like that?!" Mizore scolded, but Sadashige sensei just shrugged it off.
He is clearly against the idea of me joining the club, I mean, it is JUST a club!
.
.
Just as I was getting confused about what I should be doing, a loud, rumbling noise rang through my ears followed by the immense shaking of the ground.
"W-W-What's happening?!"
I lost my balance and fell on my knees.
"Asuna, be careful!" Raizo warned.
"...Don't give up." Yuichi stated.
"It's here!" Nikki shouted as she pointed through the sphere.
I followed her gaze and saw something emerging from the water. No sooner had I known what it was that a head of a mythical creature popped out.
"That's!"
"A LOCHNESS MONSTER, THE 6th LEVEL CREATURE!" Everyone blurted out.
"Ahaha! Let's see you get out of here now!" Sadashige sensei boomed with a sinister laugh.
"What kind of a teacher are you?!" I shot back in confusion, but he didn't even care to answer.
Once the lochness monster emerged out, its sharp, blue eyes got glued in my direction. I was shaking in my place, not wanting to move a muscle. It then roared so loud I thought my ears would explode.
"You can take it down Asuna, right? Don't give up just yet! Killing it will be your ticket out!" Raizo encouraged desperately.
I looked at their direction with fear on my face.
"Can I REALLY beat something like that?!"
Yuichi nodded. Everyone did.
"You may not know it, but you have already unlocked your hidden power though it is still buried in an unbreakable shell." Mizore explained calmly.
"What...?"
(What does she mean by that? Power? I'm not like them all, am I...?)
I couldn't believe my ears. Just when I was lost in my own thoughts, the monster flung in my direction.
*Gasp*
(W-What should I do?!)
•••
~ To be continued...