"What the fuck-?!"
I exclaimed in revulsion when I saw the next page of the Quill Book.
On it was written,
"TURN BACK!"
Not once.
Not twice.
Not even three or even ten times!
In fact, all over both pages, the words 'TURN BACK!' was scattered all over it. Like a madman had stolen the book and scribbled on it.
The sheer shook from witnessing the page made me bob back in revulsion.
TURN BACK?!
Instantly, I knew what the writer was referring to.
Don't open the next page.
Instantly, my blood ran cold.
What will happen if I see the next page...?
My mind instantly began to simulate various scenarios, running countless scenes that made me quiver in fear. My body broke into a cold sweat as I stared at the ominous page.
If there was one thing, humans feared greatly, it was the unknown!
I gulped, wanting to close the book but yet, I couldn't because even with that fear gripping my heart, deep down was a feeling of dark curiosity. A want to know what was behind the page, even if it ravages my mind.
It was a tempting sensation.
No... stop!
I threw the book away and gripped my hair, sweat beads were rolling down my forehead as my head bobbed down.
HA! HA!
I panted heavily before backing up to a tree, and then took a deep breath. I stretched my hand towards the air, wanting to summon something but then I remembered.
Shit...I've got no water...
I sat on the grass while resting on a tree, panting heavily.
After a few minutes, my gaze turned dark as I cursed, "Damnit..."
I turned to the ominous book and glared at it, before dismissing it.
As soon as it disappeared, I sighed in relief.
"God...just what the hell is this game?"
Just...what did H20 Software cook? Just what is Untethered?
I sat without any answers for my questions.
"Fuck...", I cursed before saying, "I can't believe am saying this but...I want to go home..."
Well, you can't.
My inner voice retorted.
A deadpan expression made its way to my face.
You won't even let me have a moment of respite...
Of course not.
I sighed and then looked at the sky. It was turning twilight.
I stared at the breathtaking view for a moment and then spawned something into existence.
Inventory Open.
[Equipped Item:] Wrapped Meat (2)
Two strips of cooked meat, wrapped in cloth spawned on my hands from an interlace of sparks.
I took of the wrappings and threw them away before biting on the first meat.
CHOMP!
Unlike the last time when I was in Level 1, my Level 3 teeth tore through it with less effort. I chewed it and swallowed it.
"As tasteless as last time..."
You know...there's a pack of seasoning...right?
My mom told me not to eat shit from strangers.
I responded as I swallowed the last strip.
I could have sworn that somewhere in the corner of my mind, my inner voice was giving me a quizzical look.
I shrugged and then rose to my feet, staring straight ahead.
The cavern was calling.
Haste makes waste!
I thought as I dashed forward at a speed greater than anything I had ever displayed in my life.
Uh...bro you're fumbling...
My inner voice spoke in a genuinely concerned voice but I paid it no heed.
I ran as fast as I could, aiming for the dark cavern.
Did I need to run? Of course not.
But I knew myself. If I decided to wait any longer then I won't get it done.
So thus, I ran reaching the max output of my Level 3 speed; which was about half the speed of Usain Bolt.
With highspeed, I approached the dark mauls of the cavern, which seemed to grow in size the more I got closer.
Oh...God...
I gasped in bewilderment as I actually began to realize the true scale of the dark cavern.
I had originally seen it from a distance and foolishly concluded that it was merely as tall as truck but as I got closer...
It's half the size of motherfucking Burj Khalifa!
I came to a slow halt and then looked up; from up close I could truly tell that this wasn't natural.
"Jesus Christ...just what in the world did this?", I shrunk back at the thought of whatever creature could do this.
You still going?
My inner voice asked, amused.
I looked down, staring straight at the cave, what did I see?
Nothing...or rather...
Absolute Darkness.
I chuckled lightly and thought.
Maybe on a sec-
PUSSY BOY!
I froze instantly, suddenly, the uneasiness that I was feeling disappeared and then was replaced with cold determination.
"Ait fuck it! We ball!"
With that, I senselessly plunged into the darkness.
How abou-
I instantly stopped the moment I crossed the veil of darkness.
[Extreme Bloodlust detected.]
The moment the system resounded I dropped to my knees and coughed up blood.
BLERGH!
My hands grabbed my abdomen as my body trembled terribly. I felt a powerful pressure descending on my body, threatening to crush me completely but before that happened.
[Skill: Resistance has been activated.]
The instant the system spoke, I regained my strength.
"What...what's going on?!", I screamed as I stared ahead but of course, I couldn't see anything. Everything was shrouded by impenetrable darkness.
Instantly, I got up to run back.
But the instant, I turned back I didn't see anything. Not the opening of the cave, not some terrifying monster but instead deep and utter darkness.
My teeth clattered in fear as I realized my predicament.
"Shit! Shit! Shit! Not again! Not again!", I cried out in horror.
HA! HA!
I was breathing heavily; I was losing my mind.
Wait no cal-
SHIFF!
I heard a sound from behind me, and on reflex, I turned around and took a fighting stance but there was nothing behind me.
"Bloody...hell?", I fell back on my hind as my face contorted in agony.
My hands ruffled my black hair violently and my eyes turned bloodshot.
I didn't want to experience that pain again.
No! Not again!
Not again!
SHIFF!
I heard another noise from behind me once again, but this time I didn't turn back. Instead, I bolted up from the ground and ran straight ahead deeper into the cave.
"Damnit! Damnit! Goddamnit!"
If I wasn't such a fool, none of this would have happened!
I ran in absolute darkness, regretting every single of my life choices as I aimlessly ran through the tunnel.
HUFF! HUFF!
HA! HA!
I ran as fast as I could. Straining every single muscle to escape from...
Wait...what am I running from...?
I came to an abrupt stop, stumbling to the rough ground as a result. I turned back seeing nothing. Not even my own body which was soaked with sweat.
A complicated expression made its way to my face for a moment but then I looked down with a deep breath.
What was I running from...?
As I stared back, panting heavily the answer was laid bare.
I was running away from nothing, of course.
I looked down with a dark expression and then turned to look forward, being greeted with the same absolute darkness.
I looked down, then raised my hand...
And punched the ground.
BAM!
I punched it again.
BAM!
Again!
BAM!
With each punch, slight shockwaves rolled through the ground and my knuckles throbbed painfully but yet I continued.
I was trying to rid fear with pain.
[Skill: Resistance is active.]
At the hearing of the system's voice, I stopped.
My eyes were hollow as I stared down, but then I shook my head.
I can't give up now...
I lingered for a moment and then outstretched my hand.
Inventory Open.
In the veil of darkness, the lace of sparks and the outline of an uchigatana were the only sources of light and from them came a silver blade.
[Equipped Item:] Silver Lining
As soon as I grasped the sword, its blade glistened and I felt slight invigorated.
I rose to my feet and then looked forward, forcing a smile, "It's do or die now, anyway."
With that, I took a step forward, diving deeper into the malevolent darkness.