Two cruel daggers found their marks with sickening precision, sinking mercilessly into Eidos's right leg and left arm. The world seemed to slow down as pain coursed through his body, a white-hot agony that threatened to overwhelm him. Eidos let out a guttural, involuntary cry, the intensity of his torment etched across his face.
"KYAAAHAHAH!"
Auron's sadistic laughter echoed through the forest as Eidos writhed in pain, his cruel tormentor savoring every moment of his agony. The world seemed to blur for Eidos as the excruciating pain in his leg and arm overwhelmed his senses. He clenched his teeth to stifle his cries, unwilling to give Auron the satisfaction of hearing him scream.
But amid the anguish, a grim determination burned in Eidos's eyes. He had already set his plan into motion, and it was only a matter of time before it would activate. He needed to buy just a little more time, to endure a bit more suffering.
15
14
13
12....
"So, what now? Are you done already?" Auron taunted, his voice dripping with malice. "Come on, let's play some more!"
Auron, oblivious to Eidos's secret plan, continued to gloat and revel in his cruelty. He approached Eidos, his wicked grin intact, eager to prolong the torment. It was then that he noticed something in Eidos's expression, a glimmer of defiance that sent a shiver down his spine.
2
1
[Skill QL Activated]
But it was too late. With a triumphant, yet pained smile, Eidos's body began to shimmer and then vanished entirely, leaving nothing behind but the echo of his mocking expression as if he was saying "You fell for my trap, moron!"
Auron's laughter turned into a furious roar as he realized he had fallen into Eidos's trap. His sadistic delight was replaced by seething rage. Eidos had outsmarted him, and now he was left alone in the dark, mysterious forest, his prey slipping through his fingers.
Meanwhile, I found myself back at the crossroads, where different pathways stretched out before me, each offering a distinct route to forge ahead. Just yesterday, I had chosen the left path, an unfortunate decision that had led to a harrowing encounter with that bastard Auron. Now, my jaw clenched in determination, I limped towards the right path, the pain from my wounds throbbing relentlessly. I was battered but alive, having narrowly escaped Auron's clutches, at least for the moment.
With every step, my body protested, heavy with exhaustion, my limbs as unresponsive as lead. My mana had been completely drained during my frantic escape.
[-700 MP]
MP 0/1000
The message flashed in my mind, a stark reminder of my depleted energy reserves. An agonizing headache gripped me, blurring my vision, making each step a monumental struggle. But I couldn't afford to rest just yet. A fierce determination surged within me, a burning resolve to survive, not just for my own sake, but as a tribute to the memory of all my fallen friends and family.
The forest remained as dark and mysterious as ever, and danger lurked around every corner. With his depleted mana and battered body, Eidos knew that he faced an uphill battle, but he was not one to back down. He pressed on, one painful step at a time, as the weight of his past and the hope for a better future drove him forward into the unknown.
Half a day had passed.
My journey through the dark and foreboding forest continued to be a grueling ordeal. My body, battered and bruised, teetered on the brink of collapse. With each step I took, searing pain shot through my wounded leg and arm. The throbbing in my head, a consequence of my depleted mana, muddled my thoughts and made it challenging to concentrate.
Despite the relentless agony, I pressed on, my determination resolute, but doubt nibbled at the edges of my resolve. The memories of my fallen friends and family weighed heavily on my heart, a constant reminder of the vengeance I sought. Yet, as I stumbled through the oppressive darkness of the forest, an unsettling feeling settled in my gut – what I possessed now was simply not enough.
"I need more power," I muttered, the words escaping through gritted teeth, a testament to my unwavering determination. It felt as if the forest itself echoed my sentiments, its rustling leaves and the distant sounds of unseen creatures providing an eerie soundtrack to my struggle.
As I continued to forge ahead, my blurred vision played tricks on me. I squinted into the distance, and for a fleeting moment, the silhouette of another abandoned town seemed to materialize before me. Hope surged through my chest, but the line between reality and illusion had blurred in my battered state.
"Am I just imagining things?" I wondered aloud, my voice trembling. The relentless assault on my body had eroded my trust in my own senses. The forest seemed to tighten its grip, its dark and twisted branches threatening to ensnare me at every turn.
*
Amidst the suffocating gloom of the sinister forest, Eidos clung to that distant illusion like a child grasping at a fading dream. It shimmered with a tantalizing allure, a fragile beacon of hope amidst the encroaching darkness that threatened to swallow him whole. His footsteps were feeble, each one a painful reminder of the searing agony that coursed through his wounded body. Yet, he pressed on, his determination unyielding in the face of relentless suffering.
[Bleeding: -55 HP]
His trembling legs threatened to betray him, quaking under the weight of his injuries. Every step was a grueling battle against the unrelenting pain, each movement a testament to the indomitable spirit that refused to surrender. Eidos was willing to expend every last ounce of energy in his battered frame to reach that distant mirage, for it represented his sole sanctuary, his slim chance at survival in this merciless world.
[Bleeding: -70 HP]
But it appeared that the very world he traversed harbored a malevolent disdain for his existence. If the gods existed in this cruel realm, they had turned their backs on him, as if his presence here was an affront to their divine sensibilities. They reveled in his torment, seemingly savoring his suffering with sadistic delight.
In the midst of this desperate struggle, a cruelly familiar sensation pierced his back—an icy dagger thrust into his body once more. The pain, though undeniable, had become a muted, distant sensation after enduring so much. Eidos barely flinched; his body had grown numb from the relentless torment it had endured.
[You received -300 HP damage]
HP 125/1000
Auron's voice, dripping with sadistic glee, slithered into his ear like a venomous serpent.
"I found you again, my cute little NPC."
The words were accompanied by the chilling release of the dagger from his back, and Eidos's body, unable to bear any more punishment, finally surrendered. He collapsed to the unforgiving forest floor, defeated and broken.
But in this moment of despair, there was a small consolation—the sensation of cold stone beneath his fingertips. Eidos had, against all odds, managed to reach his illusory destination. It was a bittersweet victory, marked by pain and suffering, yet it was a testament to his indomitable will.
As the darkness of unconsciousness threatened to envelop me, I clung to the knowledge that, at least for the moment, I had achieved a semblance of my goal. Vengeance might have seemed like a distant dream, but I refused to relent. I knew I would rise again, stronger and more determined than ever before. If the world would only grant me a little bit of opportunity.
"...."
[achievement acquired]