Cycle 5…
…
Seven days have passed…
I still have some flesh, but the drool is almost depleted
As I thought, living in this world is not an easy feat
It's not easy to eat
It's not easy to drink
It's not easy to breathe
It's not easy to defend myself
And… It's not easy to sleep, as I have to keep watching my surroundings every minute
Once, I find myself having been attacked the moment I close my eyelids, and the next thing I realize is that I find myself leaning against the fire hydrant, again.
Even so, I taught my mind not to falter. Even when my body was about to fall.
Why I wonder… I kept telling myself that one day, surely… I'll be getting out of this hell.
Hope… Is one word that kept me together, but also is one word that's poisoning my mind
Half of my thought is telling me to give up and lie on the ground, only resting as death comes near. While the other's telling me to keep going.
"Urgh…"
I fell on my knees, in broad daylight. I wonder, was it just me, or is it really hot today?
(Perhaps, a little rest will do.)
As I was about to get up, I saw a silhouette in the distance. My eyes widened, then I rubbed my eyes and took a good look at it, thinking my mind was messing with me.
"It can't be real… I thought he was gone, like Pet Shop…"
In a robe of silver cloth. Holding a blade whip in its hand, there's no doubt about it.
Silver Hunter, whom I thought had disappeared and was gone from existence.
For a solid second, I froze, thinking of my next move. But it appears that we met our eyes. Then, Silver Hunter began trying to disappear from my sight.
"W-wait!"
I stood up on my knees and ran after him. He's pretty fast, but I still managed to keep up with him.
The chase happened for quite a while. And in the end, my ankle brought me down as I fell flat on my face.
"Ark!"
My nose is bleeding, but regardless, I still got up and tried to chase after Silver Hunter.
But I lost him, thanks to I broke my ankle.
…
(I must have pushed myself pretty hard)
The thought came to mind as I looked at the purple skin that appeared on my ankle. After all, I've been doing nothing but walking all day, searching for scrap and resources that could be useful to me.
(Should I go back?)
The second I realized, I was in a completely foreign area. I was completely lost as to where I came from.
I soon began to stand up and walk as I leaned against the wall. I checked my surroundings, paranoid of anything that would probably be hiding in the shadows. Not to mention in the area I never cross before.
It was an area that didn't receive any sunlight, as it was covered by a large building in its surroundings. It's not surprising that I have missed it numerous times.
…
Time passed by, I kept on walking after resting a bit. A dislocated ankle was only a pain compared to many deaths I've experienced. I have walked to deep, and I feel like there's no option to turn back. I'd like to see where it lead even if it was a dead end.
So I kept on walking
…
Reaching the sole way to the right, I carefully observe as I lean my head. And there I see it but briefly once again.
The silver cloak that I was desperately chasing a while ago just entered the door to the right.
"..."
Few ways this can go now, in this tight, dark alley. It might be possible that he'd set a trap, knowing I might be walking into one. Once again, I was being paranoid as I gripped the rusty knife tightly while aiming the harpoon launcher with the other hand.
In a small but silent step, I carefully made my way to the very door the Silver Hunter goes in. Then, a small hand began to twist the knob slowly…
*Creee-*
The door made a singular sound as it revealed the darkness within.
(... Don't be afraid…)
With a mindset, I began to embrace the darkness. And then…
*TOOM!!!*
The sudden loud noise made my heart beat. Looking back, it appears that the door's closed.
(.... It knows I'm here…)
I wrapped the cloth off the Sunworm Torch, which then lit up the darkness. In a narrow hallway, there are multiple doorframes that lead to their respective room. And at the end of the very hallway, lie a set of stairs that lead upwards.
(I should check the downstairs first.)
I took my first step forward, which soon will become my demise, almost…
*SCWHING!*
A blade came from above at high speed, intending to slash me in two. But thanks to my paranoid self, I was barely able to evade it by the hair.
"That was close…"
After compiling my thoughts, I soon stood up again, preparing to challenge the hidden obstacle ahead.
"I ain't plan to die today, you hear me, Silver Hunter?!"
…
As I thought, the whole house was filled with wiretap, flying knife, saw, spear from below. It might be thanks to my experience that I began to feel death when they come around. I somehow miraculously survived the deadly obstacle prepared by Silver Hunter.
Although all that was for nothing. Everything on the lower floors was only filled with traps and nothing else.
Then it clicked to me when I had my eyes on the spear that came from the floor.
"Traps…"
…
Everything in the building was empty, but looking on the bright side, I've got a few high-quality items here, a little rust? Not much of a big deal, if it stabs it stabs. I ain't gonna be thinking too much about it.
+5 Knives
+2 small steel spears
I'm only taking what I can take; I've got much in my hands with other stuff.
"Then next is, the upstairs."
I looked at the stairs with the darkness at the end of them. Was it perhaps that the Silver Hunter would be waiting for me there? Then where would he be hiding? Around the corner? Considering he's using the whipblade, I doubt he can do much in this narrow building. Either way, I kept moving forward
…
I was not interrupted when moving up the stairs, but I had no thought of taking it easy. Even if you were to come around the corner, the first thing I'm gonna do is to shank him like I always do.
*-----*
(A noise? It's near…)
My eyes were directed towards the door that was slightly open. I could see some kind of light beyond it.
"..."
Feeling anxious, I had my shield up and with a tightly gripped knife on second hand.
(Whatever's coming from that door, I'll be sure to tank it…)
Closing in, and immediately…
*BUNG!*
I charged the door with the shield. Prepare of what's coming that might led me to my death.
".... What's that?"
There was no danger coming from beyond the door. And what's there was only the source of light that came from behind the door earlier.
Somehow, I was not able to divert my eyes from it, as if I had been seduced.
Looking left, looking right, as if you're about to cross the road, I slowly made my way towards it.
In the rectangular shape, which one could call a monitor. Also comes up with a few things, such as the mouse and the keyboard, alongside the CPU. But bear in mind, I had no idea of its existence at this moment.
And lastly, there was a word written on top of the screen of the monitor…
HUNTER'S QUEST