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Chapter 6: The Shadows of Nightfall
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The hours dragged, the air thick with tension. Kaito stood by the window, eyes scanning the streets below. Silence. But it wasn't the calm he longed for—it was the eerie kind, the kind that made his skin crawl. Every flicker of shadow felt like a threat, every movement a warning.
"Anything?" Hana whispered, her eyes darting toward the empty street.
"Not yet," Kaito muttered. "But I don't think this silence will last."
Ryo groaned, stretching. "Two hours, huh?" His voice carried exhaustion, but his grip tightened around the axe he carried.
Ayumi stayed at the back, her face pale but determined, her eyes darting nervously around the room.
The minutes passed slowly, tension growing thicker with each one. Kaito's senses were stretched tight, waiting for something to break the silence.
Then, the notification flashed in his vision:
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[SYSTEM NOTICE: QUEST UPDATE]
Hold Out Until Nightfall
2 Hours Remaining
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His heart rate spiked. They were close. But they were also about to face whatever was lurking in the dark.
"They're coming," Kaito said, his voice low but urgent.
"What? Already?" Ryo asked, his eyes wide. "Shouldn't we get the reward first?"
"We don't know if that's how it works," Kaito replied. "Just be ready for anything."
The night was descending fast, the light fading with each passing second. Suddenly, Kaito's eyes caught movement. Shadows creeping between cars, figures shambling in the mist. His pulse quickened.
"They're here," he hissed.
The infected came out of the dark alleys, their groans filling the silence. First one, then ten, then dozens. Their hollow eyes glowed in the dark. Kaito's stomach tightened. Too many to count. They filled the street, a tide of death closing in on the building.
"Get ready!" Kaito shouted.
They gathered their weapons. Hana brandished her broomstick; Ryo held his axe; Ayumi gripped a jagged piece of metal. Kaito raised his crowbar, watching the infected gather like a storm. They had no choice but to fight.
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[SYSTEM NOTICE: SURVIVAL OBJECTIVE UPDATED]
Objective: Survive the Horde
Time Remaining: 1 Hour
Reward: 150 XP, Item Drop (Mysterious Elixir)
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The first wave hit the building with a crash. Infected pounded against the doors and windows, their claws scraping at the glass. The noise was deafening. Kaito swung his crowbar, knocking one back as it reached through a shattered window. "Stay back!" he shouted.
More poured in, one after another. Hana's broomstick cracked against skulls, splintering with every strike. Ryo's axe cleaved through them, but more kept coming, relentless, like a flood of decay.
Kaito kept swinging, sweat stinging his eyes, each movement fueled by the need to survive. He could feel his body growing tired, the weight of his actions heavy on his shoulders.
"Don't stop!" Hana yelled, slamming another infected in the face with the broom. "We can't give up!"
They fought side by side, holding the line. Kaito's grip on his crowbar tightened as more infected clawed their way into the room. Ayumi, terrified but determined, hurled anything she could find, distracting the creatures long enough for Ryo to strike them down.
Each kill filled Kaito's vision with notifications, his experience rising, his quest nearing completion.
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[SYSTEM NOTICE]
Experience Points Earned: +15
[QUEST PROGRESS: First Slayer Exclusive Quest]
9/10
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One more. Just one more kill. Kaito swung again, his body moving almost on instinct now. The crowbar crashed into another infected's skull, and the system chimed.
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[QUEST COMPLETE: First Slayer Exclusive Quest - 10/10]
Reward: Title Upgrade: First Slayer - Level 2
New Title Effect: Gain Double Experience Points
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The surge of power was immediate. Kaito felt a rush of energy flood through him, revitalizing his muscles, sharpening his senses. His swing became faster, more precise. His exhaustion faded, replaced by a fierce determination.
But the horde kept coming.
The front door suddenly exploded inward. Infected surged into the room from all sides, and Kaito's heart pounded. He could see the fear in the others' eyes, but they kept fighting. They had no choice.
Kaito stepped forward, slamming his crowbar into another infected, then another. He could feel the countdown ticking. They only had a little longer to survive.
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[SYSTEM NOTICE: QUEST COMPLETE]
Survive the Horde
Time Limit Reached
Reward: +150 XP, Item Drop (Mysterious Elixir)
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Just as they were beginning to lose ground, the infected stopped. The room fell silent. Kaito's breath was ragged, his heart hammering in his chest. The infected were still there, twitching and growling, but they weren't advancing. Slowly, they retreated, vanishing into the shadows.
Kaito dropped to his knees, gasping for breath. His muscles burned from the constant motion. The others collapsed beside him, drained and covered in sweat.
A small item materialized in front of him. The Mysterious Elixir. Kaito grabbed it, inspecting its properties.
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[Mysterious Elixir]
Effect: Boosts all stats by +2 for 24 hours. Single-use only.
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It was exactly what they needed. He quickly pocketed the elixir, knowing it could give them the edge they needed for whatever came next.
As the night settled in, Kaito let out a long, steadying breath. They had survived the night. But the battle wasn't over. And the road ahead would only get harder.
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