The cracking sound of the scythe connecting with the Rabbit's watch reverberated through the greenhouse like a thunderclap. Miles gritted his teeth as a shockwave of energy exploded outward, shattering what remained of the glass walls and sending him staggering back.
The Rabbit let out a guttural, otherworldly scream, as the scythe's energy flowed from the watch to its body like an infection, its form convulsing as the shattered watch fell from its grip. Dark cracks spread across its body like spiderwebs, glowing with dark, pulsating energy.
"You… insufferable brat!" The Rabbit roared, its voice distorted and layered, as if multiple beings were speaking through it at once. It clawed at the cracks spreading across its chest, where shards of the broken watch embedded themselves, pulsing erratically.
Miles stood his ground, his body trembling from exhaustion, but he refused to give in. The scythe hummed in his grip, the dark energy coiling around the blade intensifying as if sensing the Rabbit's imminent demise.
"This is it," Miles muttered, his voice hoarse. He raised the scythe, the weapon feeling heavier now, not from its weight but from the sheer force it emanated. "You're done, Rabbit."
The Rabbit's eyes burned brighter, its body twisting and elongating into something even more grotesque. Gears jutted out at odd angles, its fur disintegrating into metallic shards that floated around it like a storm of blades. The remains of the pocket watch fused into its chest, beating like a corrupted heart.
"Do you think you've won?" It hissed, taking a step forward. The ground trembled beneath its weight, and the fractured reality around them began to ripple violently. "Even if you kill me, Wonderland will devour you. Just like it devoured her!"
Miles tilted his head as the Rabbit repeated itself. It was not the same placing of words it had used before, but as the Rabbit spoke, it distorted, as though something was interfering with it, like a bug. Or…
'A glitch?' Miles didn't flinch. Instead, he shifted his stance, planting his feet firmly as he prepared for one final strike. The scythe in his hands pulsed, its dark energy flaring like a roaring flame.
"Whatever, let's find out!" he said, a suspicious, grim smile forming beneath his mask.
The Rabbit roared, lunging at him with claws outstretched. Time itself seemed to shatter as it moved, distortions rippling through the air in chaotic waves. But Miles didn't falter. He waited, his gaze locked on the Rabbit's exposed core, where the broken remnants of the watch pulsed weakly.
In a single, fluid motion, Miles surged forward, the scythe carving a path through the fractured air, almost feeling like it was moving on its own. The dark energy around the blade coalesced into a brilliant, shadowy arc as he brought it down with all his strength.
The strike landed, cleaving through the Rabbit's chest and shattering the corrupted core. A deafening explosion of light and sound engulfed the greenhouse, and Miles was thrown backward, the impact slamming him into the ground, coughing a mouthful of blood.
When the light faded, the Rabbit was gone. Only a swirling vortex of shattered gears and dissipating energy remained, slowly dissolving into nothingness.
Miles lay on his back, gasping for air as the scythe's hum faded into silence. His entire body ached, every muscle screaming in protest, but a wave of relief washed over him as the system's familiar voice echoed in his mind.
[You killed a Monster – Clockwork Rabbit.]
[Additional Rewards Granted for Completing Hidden Quest Objectives.]
[Quest Completed: The Rabbit's Gambit.]
[You have received: ??? EXP; Wonderland's Key; Clockwork Rabbit's Piece – Gear; Clockwork Rabbit's Piece – Core; Clockwork Rabbit's Essence]
Miles felt a surge of energy course through him, and the pain in his body momentarily dulled.
"Ah… I missed this feeling." Miles sighed as the system continued speaking:
[You leveled up]
The words hung in his mind, and for a moment, he couldn't help but laugh weakly.
"Finally…"
"You deserve it, my boy." Cheshire purred quietly in his mind. "Now, what?"
Miles forced himself to sit up despite the protests of his battered body feeling the air crackle.
In front of him, the air shimmered, and a glowing portal began to form, its edges swirling with vibrant hues of blue, green, and gold.
"Now, we go home…" Miles answered, staring at the gateway. It looked otherworldly, almost inviting, but he felt a pang of unease as he gazed into its depths.
"Well, my boy, it seems your time in Wonderland is at an end, for now…" Cheshire's voice broke through his thoughts, the familiar grin spreading through Mils' thoughts.
"Yeah," Miles whispered. "For now…"
"You earned your escape, my boy. Take it while you can." Cheshire chuckled softly.
Miles stood, gripping the scythe for support as he limped toward the portal. Each step felt like a monumental effort, the leveling up serving only to heal his wounds, but the pain was still there. However, the glowing gateway seemed to pull him forward, beckoning him with its soft hum.
Before stepping through, he paused, glancing back at the shattered remnants of the greenhouse. The fight had left the area in ruins, the once ruined greenhouse now even more broken and desolate.
Only Alice's tomb stood there, delicate and at the same time imposing, like an everlasting memory.
"See you…" Miles muttered. Then, dismissing the Mad Hatter's garments with a grim smile, he stepped into the portal.
As soon as he crossed the threshold, the world around him shifted. The oppressive weight of Wonderland lifted, replaced by a strange sensation of weightlessness. The portal's light engulfed him, and the sudden smell of concrete and smoke filled his nostrils.
The light faded, and Miles found himself bathed in moonlight, standing in the middle of a deserted street. Wrecked cars on fire all around, ruined buildings siding the streets like skeletons of concrete, metal, and glass, and in the distance, the faint sound of monsters roaming across the city.
He took a deep breath and hid in an alley, cloaking himself underneath the shadows of the tall walls.
"Ah, it's good to be home…" He muttered, a small smirk forming beneath his mask.
Eager to know what was new, he opened his stat window and his inventory window, and as soon as he did, he almost let out a loud yelp.
End of Volume One - Demented Wonderland