Axel continued to climb the mountain, using every ounce of his strength. He was determined to conquer this trial and refused to meet his end on the mountain. Even if he was destined to die later, it wouldn't be here.
After pondering the cult leader the previous night, Axel was resolute in his mission to locate the cult's hidden lair after completing the trial. He believed there might be a secret that could bring down Lionel, or perhaps uncover something even more intriguing about him.
As he continued to climb the mountain, hoping for the system to announce that he had passed the second trial of the third game, or at least tell him that he had reached a certain destination and could take a rest, but the only sound around him was the howling sound of the wind.
As it grew dark and the wind picked up, the snow was hindering Axel's sight as he struggled to see ahead.
In a trembling voice barely above a whisper, Axel said, "System, when am I going to reach the location you have in mind? I've been climbing this mountain since morning and still haven't arrived."
Ding!
[ Keep pushing, player! You're almost there. I'll let you know when you get to the spot.]
Axel, frustrated, let out a groan and took a seat on the cold floor, his backpack beside him. This was the umpteenth time he had asked the system the same question and received the same answer, and it made him furious.
"I'll just spend the night here and continue the journey tomorrow morning," said Axel, his arms wrapped around his body as he trembled from the cold night. Soon, his stomach began to grumble from hunger. He hadn't eaten anything since last night.
"The system really wants every player dead in this trial after all," Axel murmured with a trembling voice. His gaze fell on the backpack beside him, and his eyes lit up in excitement. Without wasting much time, he opened the backpack and brought out a gun, raw meat, and a firecracker, which had been given to him by the system earlier.
Axel quickly stood up from the floor, determined to find some dry woods or leaves to use for a fire. As he walked down the mountain, he surveyed the surroundings and noticed a glimmer of light approaching him. Taking a deep breath, he realized that there must be other humans on the mountain, possibly living in a small village nearby.
"I suppose they are villagers; maybe they can lend me some wood or, even better, give me a place to sleep," Axel thought as he began walking towards the light.
Suddenly, his eyes widened as he recognized the two figures holding onto each other, with a firecracker in their hand.
"Livi! Ave!" Axel called out to the two women who seemed on the verge of collapsing. And Axel was right, as he watched the two women fall to the cold ground. He quickly ran to them just before they collapsed into the snowy ground.
"Hey! Wake up," Axel said, trying to rouse the two ladies from unconsciousness. Despite his efforts, they showed no signs of waking up.
Axel took it upon himself to carry both Livi and Ave on his shoulders, making his way back to where his backpack was with all the strength he could muster.
After walking for a while, he spotted a cave in the cliff face. The entrance was barely visible from the snowy ground below, covered in icicles and snow. It was impossible to tell how deep the cave went.
With the two ladies hanging on his shoulders, Axel made his way down to the cave. He dropped them off at the entrance and went inside to inspect it.
Inside the cave, Axel finds himself in a narrow, winding tunnel with rough, jagged walls and a chill in the air. As he walks deeper, he notices a faint glow up ahead and decides to continue. The floor becomes smooth and worn, and he sees crude drawings on the walls depicting figures and animals. Eventually, he comes to a small chamber with a pile of animal bones and scattered tools, suggesting that someone may have lived there at one point, but there's no sign of anyone now.
The chamber holds a few pieces of clothing that appear to be made from animal pelts. There is also a pile of branches and some flint. Nearby, there is a small hole in the chamber wall, and a thin wisp of smoke is emerging from it. It seems there may be a fire further inside the cave.
Axel swiftly ignited the firewood with the matches next to the fireplace, bringing back light and warmth. He then dashed out of the cave to where Livi and Ave were, and once again carried them on his shoulder into the cave. He laid them on the bed beside each other and placed a duvet made of animal skin over their bodies.
He soon dashed out of the cave again in search of his backpack, and returned with it and left it beside the fireplace.
He then took some water from the large pot at the entrance of the cave and poured it into the kettle. He allowed it to boil before making himself a hot tea with some tea leaves left on a table by the owner.
"Even my hunger has disappeared. I just want to sleep now," Axel thought as he stood beside the bed where the women were already lying, applied to their wounds and he soon tossed both of them to the side and laid down beside them, sharing the same duvet.
_
Axel was jolted awake by a clanging noise outside. He quickly opened his eyes and ignored the two ladies who were still sound asleep. Without hesitation, he reached for the gun in his backpack. He waited by the entrance, gun at the ready, prepared to confront whoever the intruder might be.
The intruder quickly entered, but Axel immediately punched him in the abdomen. The intruder, dressed in all black with a gun and a black mask, was clearly skilled in boxing. He and Axel dueled relentlessly until they both had their guns pointed at each other's heads.
The intruder's eyelids drooped in shock the moment he spotted Axel. His eyes revealed recognition and surprise at seeing him, and he didn't realize when he muttered Axel's name under his breath. Unaware that Axel had heard him, he thought he had only said it to himself.