Chereads / Author's Rebirth / Chapter 25 - Countdown To Action*

Chapter 25 - Countdown To Action*

As I explored deeper into the underground paradise, I couldn't help but be amazed by the strange yet wonderful world around me. But I knew that staying safe in this magical place needed more than just being amazed; it needed careful planning.

I found a hidden corner among the bright crystal formations, a secret spot where I could look at everything around me and make a plan. My main goal was to make a safe place to stay.

With the pieces of bright crystals I had collected earlier, I made a circle of soft, glowing light around my chosen spot. It would keep away any possible dangers in the deep Hollow Earth.

Then, I looked at the giant mushrooms that lit up the lower parts with their special glow. I had gathered some for food, but now I needed to use them in a smart way.

I put the mushrooms in a circle near my camp, making another ring of soft, beating light. This not only added to the magical feeling but also worked as a warning. If something came close to my camp, the gentle light would show its presence.

I looked closely at my flask filled with the shimmering water from the underground river. It seemed to have a special energy, so I decided to try something.

I put a piece of cloth into the flask, making a torch that burned with a strange, silvery flame. This could be a useful source of light and protection as I went deeper into the Hollow Earth.

Lastly, I checked what I had collected: the bright crystal torches, the glowing mushrooms, the flask of magical water, and a few important tools from my earlier trials. I arranged them carefully, making sure they were easy to reach in case of problems.

Sitting in my circle of light, surrounded by the colorful beauty and strange wonders of the Hollow Earth, I couldn't shake the feeling that my preparations were just the start.

This underground place had secrets and challenges beyond what I could imagine, and I was determined to face them with the same determination I had in my earlier trials.

Just as I was getting ready to plan more, a scary roar echoed through the Hollow Earth. It was a strange, otherworldly sound that made me shiver. My heart raced as I looked into the dark parts of the cave, trying to figure out where the scary noise was coming from.

All of a sudden, a weird creature came out of the dark. It looked like nothing I had seen before, with twisted arms and bumpy scales. Its eyes glowed with a strange red light, and its mouth had a slimy goo dripping from it.

I acted quickly, following my instincts. I grabbed one of the bright crystal torches and lit it with the silvery flame from my homemade torch. The strange light showed the creature's weird shape in scary detail.

Without thinking, I stepped forward, holding the bright torch like a brave signal. The creature, attracted to the light, stopped for a bit. Its mean features showed confusion and anger. I could see its bad smarts in its eyes.

But I didn't let fear stop me. With a strong yell, I pushed the torch forward, making the creature go back into the dark. It made painful screams as it left, the bright light hurting its skin.

As the creature went away, I saw that I had a choice. I could stay in the circle of bright crystals I made, or I could go deeper into the Hollow Earth to find out more. The countdown in my head told me I had to decide fast. Whatever was ahead, I was set to face it, using my preparations and newfound courage.

After meeting the strange creature, I took a break to catch my breath. My heart was still beating fast, and the strange light from the bright crystals made long shadows that moved around me. The Hollow Earth seemed even more mysterious and dangerous than I thought.

When I got back to my makeshift campsite, I felt a bit unsafe. The bright circle of light I made kept the creature away, but I knew it wouldn't stop all the dangers down there. With a big breath, I decided to use my time well, getting ready for whatever hard things were coming.

I looked closely at the virtual screen that had shown up earlier. The timer showed how much time was left for the third and last test in this underground place. It reminded me that the Hollow Earth was a spot for tests, and I still had one more hard thing to do before going back up.

Thinking about it, I checked my things one more time. The bright crystal torches, the glowing mushrooms, and the flask of magical water were super important. I made sure that my tools for staying alive were easy to get, like a small knife and a strong rope.

The strange, changing light from the glowing mushrooms made a weird background for getting ready. It felt like the whole place was always changing, showing how strange this underground world was.

While I sorted my stuff, I couldn't stop feeling a bit scared and curious. The weird creature I saw had left a strong mark on my mind, and I knew more scary things might be waiting for me.

I spent a few hours making my plan and thinking about what to do. I thought about using the last bright crystals to make more defenses, but I didn't have many, so I had to use them carefully.

The timer on my screen kept going down, making me feel like I had to get ready quickly. I knew that when it reached the end, I would face the last test of the Hollow Earth, and there was no going back.

Emotions swirled within me—fear, determination, and a burning curiosity to uncover the secrets of this subterranean realm. The luminous crystals pulsed softly, casting their gentle light on my surroundings, almost as if they were encouraging me to press on.

As the final moments of the countdown approached, I steeled myself for what lay ahead.

The Hollow Earth had tested my resolve and resourcefulness, and I had come this far.

10..

7..

5..

With the countdown reaching its conclusion, the virtual interface displayed a message: "Third Trial Awaits."

I extinguished the radiant torch, plunging the campsite into darkness, and picked up my luminous crystal torch. The eerie, silvery flame flickered to life, casting its glow into the unknown depths of the Hollow Earth.

With each step I took away from the safety of my campsite, I knew that I was venturing further into the heart of this mysterious world, where the countdown to the final trial had ended, and where my courage and preparations would be put to the ultimate test.