As the days stretched on, I continued my relentless journey through the seemingly endless forest, my every step weighed down by the relentless feeling of being watched. The unending tension and the ever-present danger began to erode my mental fortitude. Fear and exhaustion clawed at my soul, threatening to push me to the precipice of despair.
My thoughts swirled in a tumultuous storm of questions and doubts. How much longer could I endure this harrowing ordeal? When, oh when, would I finally discover an escape from this suffocating, shadowed forest? The weight of uncertainty bore down upon me, a ceaseless burden that I carried with each heavy footfall.
Despite the constant danger, I clung to the glimmer of hope found in the forest's meager sustenance. It was a small blessing in an otherwise nightmarish journey. I thanked my lucky stars that the food I gathered didn't seem to be poisoning me, granting me the strength to persevere.
But as the sun set on yet another treacherous day, the sensation of being hunted, of never truly being alone, became increasingly unbearable. It was a torment that threatened to shatter my very essence, and yet, I knew in my heart that I had no choice but to continue onward, to search for a path to liberation from this unrelenting nightmare.
As the oppressive night descended, Eidos couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. The relentless gaze that had haunted him for days now felt different, more intense, and unsettling than ever before. His body, already pushed to the brink of exhaustion, was teetering on the edge of collapse.
In the eerie silence of the forest, a series of ominous sounds pierced the stillness. The soft, sinister rustling of branches and leaves closing in around him sent shivers down his spine. It was as though someone or something was drawing near, closing in on him with deliberate intent.
Eidos's heart raced. He tightened his grip on the sword in his hand, ready to defend himself against whatever threat lurked in the darkness.
With a trembling voice, Eidos called out into the darkness, "SHOW YOURSELF!"
He hoped that his display of courage would deter whatever or whoever was approaching him, but deep down, fear still gnawed at his insides.
He looked in the direction of the sounds, his heart racing. He took a deep gulp, held his sword steady, and became even more alert. The tension in the air was thick, and each second felt like an eternity as he prepared for the coming confrontation, his heart pounding in his chest.
Suddenly, a voice sliced through the obscurity, breaking the silence, "Woah, woah, easy there; it's me, your old friend."
From the shadows emerged a figure adorned in glistening silver armor, though his smile appeared forced and unnatural.
*
My thoughts initially scattered, but as recognition washed over me, an overwhelming surge of anger surged through my veins. This individual was one of AlbaLo's lackeys, directly responsible for the brutal death of one of my closest friends.
My anger surged, and I felt a burning desire for revenge. I wanted to confront this player and make them pay for what they'd done. But I forced myself to hold back; I'd learned from my past mistakes. This guy was no pushover, and I could sense the danger looming. Despite the skills I'd gained during this past few days, using them in a real-life confrontation was a whole new challenge.
Summoning all my willpower, I reined in my emotions. Rather than surrendering to the raging fury inside me, I focused on formulating an escape plan. This is still not the right time to take my revenge!
"....."
Their eyes locked in a tense standoff, the air crackling with impending conflict. Eidos felt his heart pounding, his anger and fear fueling a storm inside him.
"Why are you ignoring me?" the player's voice oozed with sadistic delight, like a venomous serpent. "Have you forgotten the good times we had?"
Eidos, his anger palpable, shot back, "What do you want? I don't know your name, probably because you're always lurking in your owner's shadow."
Eidos's words stung the player, but his grin remained unshaken, a wicked mask concealing his true intentions.
"Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Auron, and if you remembered I'm the one who killed one your friends."
The tension in the air thickened as the forest seemed to hold its breath, awaiting the inevitable clash. Auron chuckled darkly, sending shivers down Eidos's spine.
"I'll never forget the sound of his screams. It was music to my ears."
As Auron's sinister smile widened, two gleaming daggers materialized out of thin air in his hands. The blades shimmered with a malevolent aura, ready to strike with deadly precision. Eidos knew he was now facing a formidable adversary, and his heart raced with fear.
Eidos thought he had to choose his actions carefully. Revenge burned within him, but he couldn't afford to engage Auron now. He had to bide his time and gather the strength and skills needed to confront his enemies and avenge his friends later. With a deep breath, he turned and slipped into the shadows, disappearing from Auron's sight.
"Hee~, he even knows how to use the skill [lurk], but there's no way you're going to escape from me," Auron taunted, his voice dripping with malevolence.
Eidos could feel Auron's bloodlust, and it sent a chill down his spine. The forest, once a place of excitement and adventure, had become a treacherous labyrinth where a hide and seek of death is about to happen.
[Search]
Auron's eyes glinted with sadistic glee as he used both his daggers, violently clashing them together. The resulting sound echoed through the forest like a sinister sonar, pinpointing Eidos's location.
He couldn't help but grin savagely as he activated his other skill.
[Agility Up]
Auron's movements became a blur as his agility surged, propelling him forward with uncanny speed. He was closing in on Eidos, and there was nowhere left to hide. The chase had reached its climax, and Eidos could almost taste the impending confrontation.