The Watchers' visions penetrated deeply into my very essence, as if wrenching it away from me. The profound journey that had been altering my reality abruptly came to a standstill. A disorienting sensation washed over me, causing the entire world to whirl endlessly.
My eyelids gently parted, and I struggled to comprehend how such a vivid experience could be perceived as a mere dream. I felt both rejuvenated and as though a significant piece of myself had vanished. What might I have lost?
Frantically scouring my abode, I failed to pinpoint any object that I could have overlooked. The disconcerting feeling persisted, propelling me to embark on my morning stroll in a bid to shake off the notion that I had forgotten something.
Each step felt akin to navigating divergent paths in myriad directions, my feet experiencing a queasiness that varied with each stride. I surveyed my surroundings, inhaling deeply in an effort to imbibe some fresh air and quell my unease. However, a particular bush, resembling every other, struck me as off—an eerie sensation enveloped me, as if an unseen presence were fixated on me. Perhaps it was a trick of my mind, yet I discerned a pair of eyes, orbs gleaming orange with minuscule pupils. Whatever it was, those eyes exuded intimidation not from malice but from a gaze that stirred an inexplicable dread within me.
Paralyzed with fear, I found myself ensnared by the intense stare of the orange eyes, searing through the fabric of reality with a chilling intensity. A foreboding sense of impending catastrophe engulfed me as the creature slowly emerged from the shadowy depths of the bush, unveiling its grotesque form. A ghastly amalgamation of twisted limbs and sharp claws, its leathery black skin seemed to swallow the surrounding light.
Despite my attempts to rationalize the situation, my trembling limbs defied logic, overwhelmed by the creature's presence and the weight of its penetrating gaze. I took a cautious step back, my heart pounding fiercely in my chest as adrenaline surged through my veins. The creature emitted a guttural growl, its gleaming fangs illuminated by the radiant sunlight. Every instinct clamored for me to flee from this aberration that defied the laws of nature.
Just as I turned to bolt, a sudden movement caught my peripheral vision. Before I could react, the creature lunged at me with startling speed, its claws slashing through the air with deadly precision. In a moment of panic, I staggered backward, narrowly evading its attack.
Driven by desperation, I instinctively reached for a nearby branch, swinging it wildly in an attempt to ward off the creature. However, it proved agile, deftly evading my blows with unsettling dexterity, always a step ahead.
As adrenaline coursed through my veins, time seemed to slow to a crawl. Each heartbeat resonated in my ears, each breath fraught with fear and exertion. The creature's unflinching gaze bore into mine, foretelling imminent doom and sending shivers down my spine
Summoning a surge of strength, I propelled forward, delivering a desperate strike at the creature's grotesque form. The impact reverberated through my arm, sending a wave of pain shooting up to my shoulder. Yet, as I lifted my gaze, I noticed a flicker of uncertainty in the creature's eyes, a brief moment where the tables seemed to turn.
Capitalizing on this fleeting reprieve, a surge of determination flooded through me. Resolved not to succumb without a fight, I squared my shoulders and met the creature's gaze head-on. An intense stillness blanketed the area, the air charged with palpable tension as we confronted each other in a deadly standoff.
Without warning, the creature lunged once more, its claws poised for a final strike. However, this time I was prepared. The so-called hallucination I wished was real proved to be far from a dream as I observed four of its five hideous claws stained crimson, carving into my chest.
With a guttural roar that reverberated through the nearby foliage, off-kilter and disoriented, I recognized that these might be my final moments, and I wouldn't be the lone casualty.
Fueled by adrenaline, I resorted to barbaric tactics, flailing my arms in a frenzied attempt to inflict as much damage as possible on the creature. I felt its skull give way, becoming almost malleable with the sound of incessant cracking—be it my fists or its cranium, it mattered not, blood splattering in all directions.
The abhorrent creature tore into my chest, aiming for my throat. Had it not been for my constant movement, I might have lost my life then and there. Nonetheless, that thought did not deter my vicious and relentless assault, the red, viscous blood clouding my vision.
An endless sea of crimson engulfed me, rendering my sight useless. Blood cloaked my eyes, making it impossible to discern whether it belonged to me or the creature standing before me. I hoped fervently that it was the creature's blood, as if it were mine, my time in the waking world would indeed be short-lived. It appeared that my rational mind asserted itself more prominently in the face of impending demise.
Through the veil of blood, I sensed a small, ornate rock with engravings on its surface. Grasping it with all the strength I could muster, I endeavored to deliver a fatal blow, in a final effort to vanquish the creature or seal my own fate. The rock crumbled to sand in my grip, but something new stirred within my consciousness.
[You Have Absorbed a Lesser Rune of Skill]
[A Surge of Energy Envelops You!]
[Skill Adrenaline Obtained!]