Keitaro's heart pounded in his chest as the burly man's grip tightened on his shoulder. His mind raced every nerve in his body was on high alert. He had no idea what Rafe and his crew were up to but judging by the glowing orb and the ritual he had just witnessed it was nothing good and now he had been caught spying on them.
Well well the man repeated his voice grave and deep. "Thought you could sneak around and spy on us huh?"
Keitaro gulped glancing around desperately for an escape route. The alley was narrow and the only way out was back toward the village but with this guy standing in his way don't seem like a good way. He needed to think faster than he had in the river or when he faced that monster earlier. This wasn't a wild beast. This was a trained dangerous man.
"No no, I wasn't spying," Keitaro stammered raising his hands in order to show his submission. I was just… you know… out for a walk. Today is a lovely night isn't it, right?
The man didn't seem amused. His fingers dug into Keitaro's shoulder sending a jolt of pain through his arm. Don't play dumb with me, kid. You're going to tell us who you're working for and maybe just maybe we won't have to make this messy.
Working for someone? Keitaro repeated trying to keep his voice steady despite the panic surging through him. I'm not working for anyone! I don't even know what's going on here. I swear!
The burly man narrowed his eyes his lips curling into a sneer. Is that so? Then why were you sneaking around in the dark hiding behind bushes?
I was just… curious! Keitaro blurted out his mind scrambling for an excuse. I saw you guys heading out here and thought something strange was going on. But I'm not involved in anything. I'm new in town just passing through.
For a moment the man said nothing his eyes searching Keitaro's face as if trying to figure out whether he was telling the truth. The silence was suffocating, the tension between them crackling like ignited fire.
Keitaro's pulse quickened as the man's sneer faded into a grim smile. Curiosity can get you killed kid.
Not good, Not good at all.
The man's hand twitched toward the sword hanging from his belt and Keitaro's heart skipped a beat. He knew that if this guy drew his weapon there would be no time for talking. His mind flashed to the system to his skills Shunpo, Shadow Clone Jutsu, and Spirit Gun but he had never faced a trained fighter before. This wasn't a monster he could just simply blast away. He had to out think him.
With a sudden burst of adrenaline Keitaro acted on instinct. Shunpo!
In an instant Keitaro vanished from the man's grip reappearing several feet behind him. The burly man's eyes widened in surprise as he spun around his hand still halfway to his sword.
Keitaro didn't wait for him to react. Shadow Clone Jutsu!
Two identical clones of Keitaro popped into existence beside him. The real Keitaro grinned knowing he only had a few seconds to make his move. His clones darted forward rushing toward the man in an attempt to confuse and overwhelm him.
The man's shock quickly turned into a growl of anger as he drew his sword with lightning speed slashing through one of the clones in a single fluid motion. The clone burst into a puff of white smoke but had played his role in distracting the enemy Keitaro was already on the move.
He sprinted toward the village his legs moving as fast as they could. His remaining clone ran beside him matching his pace as they weaved through the narrow alleys. Behind him he could hear the man shouting something but Keitaro didn't look back. He couldn't afford to.
Come on, come on Keitaro urged himself his breath coming in ragged gasps.
He and his clone darted around a corner,skidding to a halt behind a row of wooden crates stacked haphazardly near the side of a building. Keitaro ducked down crouching low as he tried to catch his breath. His clone stood beside him keeping watch.
Okay I think lost him… for now Keitaro muttered wiping the sweat from his forehead. His heart was still racing and his body felt heavy with exhaustion. Using both Shunpo and the Shadow Clone Jutsu had drained a significant portion of his mana and he knew he couldn't just keep running like this forever.
His clone looked at him expectantly and Keitaro gave it a half-hearted smile. "Good job, buddy."
Just then the sound of approaching footsteps reached his ears. He felt goosebumps all over his body. The burly man wasn't far behind and worse thing was that he wasn't alone. He could hear multiple voices now all heading in his direction.
They must have sent the others after me as well Keitaro muttered under his breath panic creeping back into his voice. He wasn't just dealing with one opponent anymore but Rafe's entire crew was after him now and if they caught him things were going to get ugly.
Keitaro peeked around the edge of the crates his eyes scanning the alleyway for a way out. The main road was too exposed, and there was no telling how many more of Rafe's men might be patrolling. He needed to find another way out of the village and fast.
Alright, let's think he whispered to himself trying to steady his breathing. There's gotta be a way to sneak out of here without getting caught.
His mind raced as he mentally mapped out the village. The forest loomed on one side but heading back there wasn't exactly appealing. The only other option was the river the same one he had nearly drowned in earlier. If he could make it to the river maybe just maybe he could use it to escape.
His clone nodded as if reading his thoughts. Keitaro took a deep breath and made his decision.
Let's go.
He and his clone darted out from behind the crates sticking close to the shadows as they made their way toward the river. The alleyways were narrow and winding which worked to Keitaro's advantage it was easy to stay out of sight. But the voices behind him were getting closer and he knew he didn't have much time.
As they neared the edge of the village Keitaro's eyes caught sight of the dark rushing water of the river ahead. Relief washed over him but only for a moment. The river had nearly killed him once and diving back into it didn't seem like the smartest idea. But it was his best shot at avoiding capture.
Alright Keitaro he muttered to himself. "You've survived worse. You can do this.
Just as he reached the riverbank his clone suddenly dissolved into a puff of smoke. Keitaro's heart skipped a beat his mana had run out. He was on his own now.
Before he could second guess himself he heard the unmistakable sound of footsteps closing in behind him. He glanced back and saw Rafe and his men emerging from the alleyway their eyes locking onto him instantly.
"There he is" Rafe barked drawing his sword.
Keitaro's mind screamed at him to run but there was nowhere left to go.
With no other option he took a deep breath and jumped into the river.
The icy water enveloped him immediately the current pulling him downstream with alarming speed. Keitaro fought to keep his head above water his arms splashing as he struggled against the powerful flow of the water. The river roared in his ears drowning out everything else as he was swept away.
Rafe and his men watched from the riverbank their figures growing smaller as Keitaro was carried further downstream. He could hear their voices shouting after him but the sound was quickly lost to the roar of the river.
For a few agonizing minutes Keitaro was completely at the mercy of the water tumbling and twisting as the current tossed him around like a ragdoll. His muscles screamed in protest but he kept kicking kept fighting to stay afloat.
Finally after what felt like an eternity the river began to slow. Keitaro spotted a low-hanging branch on the riverbank and grabbed onto it with ounce of strength he had left. He pulled himself toward the shore his body trembling with exhaustion as he dragged himself out of the water and collapsed onto the muddy bank.
For several long moments Keitaro just lay there gasping for breath his chest heaving. His entire body ached and his head was spinning from the effort of staying afloat. But he was alive and for now he was safe.
"Okay… that was… way too close," Keitaro panted his voice barely a whisper.
He rolled onto his back staring up at the night sky. The stars twinkled overhead and the distant sound of the river rushing past was almost soothing now. For the first time since he had arrived in this world Keitaro felt the weight of everything crashing down on him.
He had barely survived his first encounter with the forest. He had been hunted by a mysterious group of people who seemed to know far more about him than he did and now he was alone exhausted and soaked to the bone with no clear plan on what to do next.
What am I even doing?" Keitaro muttered to himself closing his eyes. I have no idea what's going on here.
The system's voice chimed in breaking through his thoughts.
New Quest: Survive the Hunt (Part 1 Complete)
Objective: Evade capture and escape the village.
Rewards: 300 XP, Free Skill Upgrade.
Next Objective: Find shelter and regroup.
Penalty: Capture or injury.
Keitaro groaned. "Oh great. More running."
But as much as he wanted to rest he knew the system was right. He couldn't stay here. Rafe and his men would be searching the village and if they realized he had escaped downstream they might come looking for him in the surrounding area.
Slowly painfully Keitaro pushed himself to his feet his legs wobbling beneath him. He glanced around trying to get his bearings. The river had carried him far from the village but the thick trees of Darkwood Forest loomed nearby. He wasn't sure where he was exactly but the forest seemed like his best option for now.
"I guess it's back to the woods" Keitaro muttered wiping the mud off his face. "Hope I don't run into any more of those monsters."
He staggered toward the edge of the forest his body protesting every step. His mana was drained his energy depleted, and every part of him felt like it had been through a blender. But he had to keep moving.
As he entered the forest the shadows of the trees swallowed him up the trees towerd above him like silent sentinels. The moonlight barely pierced through the thick canopy leaving the path ahead shrouded in darkness.
Keitaro paused for a moment leaning against a tree to catch his breath. His entire body ached and the exhaustion was starting to blur his thoughts. But he couldn't stop now. Not when Rafe and his crew were still out there hunting him.
"I need to find somewhere to hide" he whispered to himself. "Just for a little while."
With a deep breath Keitaro pushed forward deeper into the forest. The air was cold and the distant howls of creatures echoed through the trees sending a shiver down his spine.
But he wasn't going to stop not until he feel like that he was safe.
Not until he figured out why he had been brought to this world.
Keitaro didn't know how long he had been walking, but the exhaustion was becoming too much to bear. His vision blurred and his legs felt numb. Every step was a struggle and he knew he was reaching his limit.
Just when he thought he couldn't go any further he spotted something through the trees a small cave half-hidden by a cluster of rocks. It wasn't much but it was enough for now.
With the last of his strength Keitaro stumbled toward the cave collapsing just inside the entrance. The cool stone floor felt like a welcome relief and for the first time since jumping into the river he allowed himself to close his eyes.
As he drifted off into an exhausted sleep one thought lingered in the back of his mind.
What am I going to do now?