Never before had this much killing intent appeared in any of the NPC characters.
The more Thanh Van thought about it, the more he felt the sense of unease settle in the back of his mind, like an itch he couldn't scratch.
How was this NPC suddenly so full of killing intent? For a moment there, Thanh Van was sure he would have died if he hadn't dodged the blade in time.
Was an outsider messing with his system?
"System." Thanh Van wheezed, struggling to fill his lungs with air as he rounded a corner and hurled himself into yet another pitch black alley.
The mechanical voice lazily came back to life at his command.
[Yes, creator?]
"Pull up the source code-!" Thanh Van nearly tripped on an unnaturally big stone and cursed as his hands slid over the slimy walls, struggling to keep himself upright.
[…]
[Access denied.]
"What?!" Thanh Van almost shrieked as something cold and smooth brushed by his arm just by a hair's width. The blade would have cleaved off his arm if he had faltered in his steps anymore.
God damn it, this plague doctor was more persistent than a damn leech!
"Pull up the damn source code, NOW!"
[Creator, you know I cannot do that.]
"Why not?!" Thanh Van's heart rapped at his ribcage like a wild beast trying to claw its way out. Breath lodged in his throat and any moment now, Thanh Van feared he might just black out from the sheer adrenaline rush.
[You asked me to surprise you, creator. Are you not surprised?]
"…" Thanh Van couldn't deny that. However, this level of killing intent - although much appreciated - could be a sign of an even bigger problem.
"This level of killing intent… in an NPC… is abnormal-!"
Thanh Van was running out of breath, but the hair over his arms still stood on end, like tiny spikes. A clear sign the damned plague doctor was still biting his heels like a rabid dog!
"J-just do it!"
[Bringing up the source code will ruin the scenario. It would nullify my promise to surprise you.]
Thanh Van would have screamed out of frustration if just the mere act of breathing wasn't so damn painful!
The system really chose a fitting moment to mess with him!
"I-I need to know if the source code is… corrupted by an outsider." Thanh Van's NPC skin was pushing its limits, yet he couldn't see any light ahead.
There was no way out.
The system was making him run in circles, and Thanh Van had to admit - he had taught the little shit well - too well!
"It could mess up the scenarios-"
[isn't that what you want, though? To die and end your miserable life? As long as you die, that wish is granted. Isn't that why you fixed me?]
"…" It was true- but Thanh Van was so damn curious as well. Even if he really wanted to die and end this cycle of indestructibility, he also wanted to go down while fighting.
Make this death memorable, like slaying a dragon or a mighty beast from the myths of Heracles. But Thanh Van had no more energy or air in his lungs to bicker with the system.
Letting out a pained breath, Thanh Van gave in. "Fine. Once this is over, I will pull up the source code for this scenario."
[As you wish, creator. Enjoy your time here.]
The system sounded terribly pleased as it cut out.
Little shit!
Thanh Van gnashed his teeth as he turned the corner. A sudden faint flicker of light ahead caught his attention. Just a few feet away, the moon filtered through the thick clouds, lighting his path.
Finally!
Thanh Van's heart lurched painfully against his ribs as he sprang forward, the last of his energy pushing him out of the darkness that was the village and out to the open -
BAM.
Thanh Van groaned, his body sprawled over a wall of man and muscle. The musky scent of sweat and the salty note of the ocean clung to the cotton clothes and Thanh Van raised his gaze to meet Kruger's red-brimmed eyes.
The man's nostrils quivered, chest undulating from all the running. His breath was ragged as he pulled Thanh Van onto his feet, studying the blood that tainted his clothes. The sergeant's cold gaze trailed over all the scratches and bruises that littered the fair body.
"Are you hurt?" His voice seemed choked.
Thanh Van smiled wickedly in his heart while his head nodded, cheeks flushing painfully red just to add to his pitiful look and state.
Despite every muscle in his body screaming in competition with each other, Thanh Van's sweet lips still spouted lies. "I'm ok."
He was not ok. The system was being a stubborn child. He had almost lost a limb and his head nearly hacked off. These noodle legs barely carried him, and any moment now, he might just self-combust.
Not to mention, the pesky cut from earlier had not healed, still oozing droplets of blood.
He had been sprinting in circles for so long - he must have broken a marathon somewhere.
However, looking down at his arms, his hair no longer stood on end. The looming dread from before had vanished as soon as he stumbled out into the open.
For now, the plague doctor must have retreated into the shadows of the village, waiting for midnight.
Good.
Thanh Van needed a damn break to catch his breath - but Kruger seemed to disagree.
The moment the frail beauty had expressed his well-being, Kruger merely nodded before he dragged Thanh Van left and right, up and down so many damn hills - Thanh Van was pretty sure they didn't exist when they first entered the scene.
Grass dew clung to their pants. The drooping, moulding crop painted streaks of dirt against their thighs as they hurried towards the pier.
The tall shadows of the village houses were long behind them, shrouded in a veil of chilling mist, watching after their escape.
The fog curled in from the sea, and soon enough, the pair couldn't see more than a foot before them at a time. Kruger's hold tightened over Thanh Van's slender hand as if worried the little vixen might slip his hold.
Thanh Van smiled to himself, knowing full well the big oaf wouldn't be able to see his mirth.