I realized the creature was blind when I noticed how it followed me. It didn't come directly toward me but relied on the sound of my footsteps and movements to pinpoint my location, as if it was picking up auditory signals rather than using its sight.
At first, when I started shooting at it, it didn't react to the bullets passing near it, nor did it seem to care about where they were fired from. This was odd—if it could see clearly, it should have moved to avoid them or come straight at me. Instead, it appeared to track me based on the sounds I made.
Then, when I tried hiding behind the trees and moved in silence, I noticed it slowed down, as if unsure where to go. The quieter I was, the more hesitant it became. When I deliberately made faint noises from another direction, it began moving toward them.
This behavior confirmed that it relied on hearing and vibrations rather than sight. Its glowing red eyes might have been bright, but they didn't focus on me the way a sighted creature's would.
Commander Raio's words crept back into my mind: "Use the environment around you... Think!"
At that moment, I finally began to grasp the true meaning of those words. I had wasted so many opportunities, fixated on winning through direct confrontation. But that wasn't the real test.
The creature was closing in on me, moving faster with every second, and I knew I couldn't outrun it forever. But was running away my only option?
I quickly scanned my surroundings, determined to use whatever I could. Thick trees stretched out in every direction, their branches whistling as the wind rushed through them. The ground was littered with natural obstacles: large stones, tangled roots, and small patches of swamp scattered throughout.
"Use these obstacles to your advantage," I told myself.
I took a single step forward, then darted to the right, hiding behind a massive tree in my path. The creature followed, its heavy footsteps echoing all around, but it couldn't see me directly. If I could convince this blind predator that I had vanished, I might have a chance.
Using the large rocks ahead as cover, I weaved between the trees, staying acutely aware of its movements. My goal now was to create a gap—an opportunity to make my next move.
Suddenly, another thought struck me: if the creature was chasing me based on sound and movement, I could use the environment to deceive it.
I sprinted toward a small swamp nearby, intentionally making as much noise as I could. Mud splashed beneath my feet, water sloshed loudly, and I made sure to leave a clear impression of movement heading in one direction. Then I pulled back, quieting my steps and freezing my movements completely.
The swamp became my ally as the sounds of disturbed water echoed through the forest. With every calculated move, I manipulated the environment to send the creature chasing shadows in the wrong direction.
The forest was now working in my favor.
The moment I realized the creature was tracking me through sound and vibrations rather than sight, a new sense of control washed over me. It felt as if I finally held the reins of the game in my hands. At last... I might have a real chance!
I took a deep breath to calm my racing heart and focused on every small detail around me. In front of me was a pile of dry branches. Moving cautiously, I grabbed a small stone and hurled it toward the branches with a swift motion. The resulting sound was loud enough to grab the creature's attention.
A smile crept onto my face as I watched its massive form head straight for the source of the noise, abandoning its original position. It really does rely on sound alone!
Seizing the moment, I moved silently to another spot, each step deliberate and quiet, ensuring I made no sound that could bring it back to me. But I wasn't satisfied with just escaping. If I could fully control its movements, I might be able to outwit it indefinitely.
I picked up another branch and threw it far away, creating a sharp crash in a completely different direction. Once again, I watched the creature turn and move toward the new sound, as if I were pulling its strings like a puppet. With each throw, it went exactly where I wanted, and with each silent step, I distanced myself from it further.
As I observed the creature, a newfound confidence took hold of me. The words of Commander Raio echoed in my mind: "Use your surroundings... think!" For the first time, I felt like I was mastering the game.
Suddenly, the stillness of the forest was shattered by the distant sound of gunfire. It was far away, yet clear enough to catch my attention. I froze, my body tense, my eyes scanning the shadows between the trees. Where was the sound coming from? And who was firing?
My heart raced, and my thoughts spiraled. Was there another team in the simulation? Were they facing the same challenges I was now? Or was this the signal of a new threat I needed to prepare for?
I turned my head cautiously, angling my ear toward the direction of the gunfire. I wondered if the creature had heard it too. This sound could be a new opportunity to escape—or a trap luring me into another confrontation.
I took a deep breath and tightened my grip on my weapon. I couldn't afford to let my guard down.
I watched the creature freeze in place for a moment, its attention caught by the distant gunfire. I saw its ears perk up, turning toward the new direction as if trying to pinpoint the exact source of the sound. Then, slowly, it began to move away from me, drawn toward the noise.
Perfect… this might be my lifeline!
I didn't move; I stayed perfectly still, silently watching as it drifted farther and farther away. Its focus was entirely on the distant sound, as though it had completely forgotten my presence. A cautious sense of relief washed over me, but I refused to let my guard down. I had to seize this opportunity—to get out before it came back.
I started moving with extreme care, every step deliberate and calculated. I knew that even the faintest noise from me could bring it back in an instant.
But just as I began to move, a sharp realization struck me, like a thread of fear weaving itself into my thoughts. The sound of gunfire... it attracts those creatures, drawing them to its source.
The shock froze in my mind for a moment. I had fired shots earlier too...!
My heartbeat quickened as the full weight of this realization sank in. The shots I had fired didn't go unnoticed. More of those creatures must have heard them, and they were likely on their way to me, following the echoes of the gunfire like a beacon.
The air around me felt heavier, the darkness between the trees seemed to deepen. I knew that if I didn't act quickly, I'd find myself surrounded by more of those creatures. Worse, I might not find a way to escape this time.
I had to move now—and in complete silence. This place was no longer safe.