"Damn, this is my punishment."
Klaus knew that without any weapons and low stamina, he would not be able to defeat the giant centipede. The only option was to run.
The centipede drew closer, its eyes gleaming menacingly, its fangs dripping with deadly venom. Klaus could feel the breath of death on his neck, and he ran as fast as he could.
The centipede was in hot pursuit, and its speed was prodigious. Klaus had only the will to live in his heart, and he focused only on the path ahead. He knew that he had to outrun it, that he had to escape this giant centipede.
The giant centipede was incredibly fast, moving swiftly across the desert with its many legs, kicking up patches of sand. Its eyes were fixed on Klaus, and they glowed menacingly. Its fangs dripped deadly venom, each drop seeming to threaten Klaus's life.
During the chase, a sense of tension filled the air. Klaus's footsteps pounded through the desert, each step sending up a puff of dust. His heart beat like a drum, and each beat felt like it was tearing his chest apart.
Klaus leaped over sand dunes and slid down steep slopes, constantly changing direction in an attempt to evade the centipede's pursuit.
He had lost track of how much time had passed. He dared not stop, and he could feel his strength fading.
The giant centipede seemed to have endless energy, its speed unwavering, each foot like a precision-engineered machine, propelling it swiftly through the sand. Its eyes were fixed on Klaus, cold and unforgiving, as if it had already foreseen the inevitable victory. Its fangs dripped venom, and each drop gouged a small pit in the sand, revealing its deadly potency.
Klaus was exhausted, both physically and mentally, but he knew he couldn't stop. His life hinged on his speed and unwavering determination. He forced himself to ignore the pain of his body and pushed his legs to keep running. His heart was beating in his ears, as if counting down the precious seconds of his life.
Just when Klaus felt like he was about to collapse, the centipede made its final assault. It arched its body, ready to sink its fangs deep into Klaus's flesh. Klaus could feel the shadow of death looming over him, and his body trembled, but he refused to give up.
At this moment, Klaus spotted a sand-hole ahead of him. He sprinted towards the cave as hard as he could. His footsteps left deep impressions in the desert, and his sweat mingled with the grains of sand that lay scattered on the ground.
Klaus was the first to reach the sand cave, and he didn't hesitate to dive into it. The centipede followed, but its body was too massive to fit into the narrow sand hole. It roared with fury and slammed the entrance of the cave with all its might, trying to widen it.
Klaus clung to the inner wall of the sand-cave, his heart pounding, his breathing ragged and strained. He knew it was his only chance, and he had to hold on.
After some effort, the centipede finally gave up the chase. It snarled angrily, then turned away and disappeared into the depths of the desert.
The penalty ended, and after a 10-second countdown, the host would be transferred. Klaus breathed a sigh of relief; he felt as if he were on the verge of collapse. He leaned against the inner wall of the sand cave, panting, his heart filled with the joy of having survived.
[10, 9, 8... 3, 2, 1]
Klaus's feet trembled again, and the ground shifted beneath him, returning him to his familiar tent.
He was panting, his body almost at its limit, and every muscle screamed in protest, as if begging him to stop. His skin had been scrubbed raw by the sand, and grains were embedded deep in his pores, giving his complexion the appearance of rough desert terrain.
Maya's eyes widened with surprise upon seeing Klaus in this state. She dropped her tools quickly and strode briskly toward him. Her eyes were full of concern and solicitude, and she reached out and gently touched Klaus' cheek, as if to confirm that he was truly safe.
"Master, what happened to you?" Maya's voice was filled with horror and apprehension.
Klaus tried to force a smile, though the corners of his mouth trembled. "I was in some trouble, but it's okay now."
His voice was raspy and faint, as if the desert winds had stripped him of his strength.
There was a hint of resolve in Maya's eyes, and she knew that Klaus needed rest and a wash. "Come on, let me help you," she said. She gently supported Klaus and guided him to a corner of the tent, where there was a small space divided by a curtain.
Maya sprang into action, pulling out a large bucket and starting to fill it with water. She moved with skill and swiftness, and every movement was filled with care for Klaus. She carefully mixed hot and cold water until it was just the right temperature for Klaus to bathe in.
"Alright, the water is ready," Maya said softly, turning to Klaus. "You can go take a shower, wash off that sand, and let your body relax."
Klaus unfastened his clothes to reveal his sand-covered body. His skin was covered with grains of sand, and he looked like a man who had just emerged from a sandstorm.
Maya helped Klaus close the curtains to give him some privacy. Klaus stepped slowly into the water, feeling warm and comfortable, as if embracing his tired body. He closed his eyes and allowed the water to wash the sand and exhaustion from his body.
Klaus looked down at his reflection in the water, and his face looked even more haggard. This time, the punishment from the system had used up all his stamina.
He was vexed, knowing full well that he would not have been punished had it not been for the fact that he had been deceived by Yuna.
"Yuna, we're not done yet," Klaus said harshly.