Dead branches brushed my cheeks, my silver hair sticking to my forehead because of the sweat. The wind was hot and the air heavy, with a lingering smell of decay. I had no idea where I was going, but I knew I had to run away from there. For some reason, these monsters were only summoned near the forest, so leaving the forest was the best choice to make.
For each passing second, the ground shook more and more, intermittent quakes caused by the titans' steps, accompanied by their disgraceful shrieking, gnawing at my sanity, as if peeling my mind bit by bit. But I forced myself to ignore it and kept going forward.
Soon enough, I passed by the last grey tree, finally exiting that place of nightmares. Then unsure what to do next, I sat on the only rock that wasn't searing hot to reorganize my thoughts.
'First off, the scenario failed— or more precisely, the Trial, whatever that is. If I think game-like, when failing something, the punishment comes next, which generally means Game Over, or simply death. But in some cases, it can be avoided... by exploiting a bug or quitting the game before the punishment comes...'
However this is reality, so I can't really bug my way through or simply... leave.
Ugh, I really wish I had some kind of teleportation spell! If I remember correctly there is a certain species that excels in spatial magic... Too bad I don't have their genes.
So what can I do? Fight? No way! Run away? But where to?!
"..."
Then slapping my cheeks, I stood up abruptly.
'I can't be a sitting duck forever, and waiting for a miracle won't solve anything either, so might as well find some clues by myself.'
Finally making up my mind, I went back to the forest. It was the place where the Apocalypse began, so it was also the place that has the most chances to get me out of here, probably. All the same, chances weren't on my side so I decided to tread more carefully starting from now.
Thus slowly aligning one step after another, I entered the infernal hell yet again.
I was still scared. Scared that out of nowhere would one of those monsters crush me without me even knowing how I died. But fuck it, this was still better than patiently awaiting my doom. And I had this strange foreboding that my leaving pass was there too. Maybe it was stupid hope or simply recklessness, but there was no alternative so I had no real choice.
Suddenly, I heard a faint sound coming from in front of me.
rustle...
'Hm?'
Branches crackling and rushed footsteps.
I swiftly hid behind a tree and waited for whatever was coming. Then soon enough, I was able to recognize a human figure amidst the trees, its hair the same grey as the surrounding trees.
'Isn't that Cinza?'
I was surprised he managed to survive, yet again, I also saw Ivan and Alexei, who didn't seem consumed by the madness either.
A grin formed on my face.
Let's strike a conversation! And what about doing some character acting too while I'm at it, hehe...
***
The scenario had totally deviated from what I had guessed based on the introduction. Fortunately however, I got a fair increase on my stats and my fairy gene evolved onto the next level thanks to the special fruit. But at what cost... if I can't even utilize it, then that upgrade was totally useless, so the next course of action should be to-...
I froze.
Then, slowly, I took a step back.
"Why do you seem so wary of me? Have I scared you in any way previously?" A cold, stern voice, coming from a woman figure leaning against a tree, asked.
Honestly I don't even know the answer to her question myself, however I just have this feeling that there is some strange foreign energy emanating from her, something dangerous.
Is this feeling coming from my fairy gene..?
'When I look at her, I see a monster. Formless and frightening, with the aura of a predator.'
Regardless, I had to keep up appearances, so I straightened my back and retorted calmly in a low tone.
"Not quite, I was just surprised to find another living human here."
I have to be careful here... there was a small chance that she knows I was the one to cause all this mess, coupled with the fact that her sanity might be low, she may want to kill me right here and now just because.
But contrary to my expectations, her posture was relaxed, and a more carefree attitude spilled from her...
"...Your name was Cinza, right? Since we have corroborating objectives, why not stick with each other until we find a way out?" A crisp and soothing voice came out from her mouth, a huge contrast to the previous glacial tone she employed.
"Still want to be friends with me, Rebecca?" I jokingly said, then added, more seriously. "Although you seem different from before. Was it acting? Or are you perhaps hiding something..?"
She stayed silent, then smiled.
"We don't really have the leisure to talk though, do we?"
And as soon as her words ended, a strong force sent me flying onto a tree, accompanied with a thunderous slam that shattered my eardrums.
An excruciating pain tore through my right arm and the back of my head suffered from the shock. The ache rendered my thoughts numb and I felt my consciousness gradually fading away.
Forcing my eyes open, I laid sight upon the horror that had smashed me this strongly. The very same monster that I was running away from. How did one get here so fast!?
Its tentacles thrashed onto the ground, shattering trees and rocks alike like glass. It was alone, yet the destruction it brought was still incomparable.
I couldn't hang on for much longer, my mind was fuzzy and I lost all sensations on my body; my eyelids felt heavy, staying awake starting to become a huge burden.
I could still hear the cacophony of the countless mouthes, shaking my mind like an uncanny orchestra.
Suddenly, I felt my body lifting from the ground. A strange unnatural force that I couldn't resist... Ah, no, someone really was carrying me.
A sweet and pleasant fragrance invaded my nostrils, soothing and calming. The thoughts of dying, the fear, the hopelessness... all disappeared.
It felt like being in the embrace of a caring sister...
And with that last thought, I fell into a peaceful slumber.
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[A/N]
Now I think you get what I meant on the previous chapter about Louis. And if you don't, well too bad.
Anyway, I hope you're enjoying my story as this is only the beginning of what will be a veeery long journey…
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