Trying to Escape the Assasin

"Cheh, now remain down there for all eternity," Duval sneered, his face contorted with annoyance as he surveyed the fallen Lumina. Anger blazed within him, fueled by the realization that his elusive prey had once again slipped through his grasp, leading him into the treacherous depths of the Mists of Eldrak.

"Tsk, I'm not strong enough to survive in this wretched place. I have to locate and eliminate that damn kid as swiftly as possible," he muttered to himself, frustration evident in his voice. With a swift leap, he bounded onto a tree branch, scanning the surroundings in search of his quarry.

"Shit! Due to the dense fog and the enshrouded darkness of the night, I am unable to discern my direction. I shall have to trace the boy's footsteps on the ground," he muttered, gracefully descending and meticulously examining the forest floor for any sign of the boy's escape.

"Hehe, you believe you can flee from me? Very well, let us engage in this twisted hunting game. But mark my words, should you still draw breath when I find you, your demise shall be slow and excruciating, a torment you will remember even in the afterlife. So you better die before I find you." Duval declared, a dangerous glimmer shimmering in his eyes.

**

The forest resounded with the rhythmic percussion of Auric's footsteps as he raced through its depths. The swift cadence of his running created a steady beat, a symphony of footfalls that reverberated amidst the serene woodland.

Crunch Crunch

His boots crushed fallen leaves and twigs beneath their weight, their echoes intertwining with the forest's whispers. The vibrant undergrowth, stirred by his passing, rustled in response, adding a harmonious layer to the composition of his rapid movement.

Huff Huff

Panting, Auric's footsteps resonated through the forest as he carried his sobbing sister, Ellie, on his back. Her teary pleas tugged at his heart, and he sought to offer her solace amidst the chaos that enveloped them.

"Ellie, please don't cry," Auric whispered, his voice filled with both empathy and determination. "I understand your pain, but now is not the time. We must escape swiftly and quietly, alright?" He spoke with a soothing tone, well aware that they had no alternative but to forge ahead through the thick forest.

Navigating the dense woods, Auric cast a glance at the map of the area, attempting to decipher their path toward the center, as his aunt had instructed. Deep down, he understood that venturing into that territory meant death, facing formidable and enigmatic creatures. Nevertheless, he remained resolute, for it represented their last hope. Meanwhile, he continued infusing mana into the ring, following his aunt's guidance. The ring emitted an arcane energy, serving as a deterrent against the lurking beasts, or so the system indicated.

Despite the ring's assistance, Auric remained cautious, charting a course that steered them clear of the marked locations where menacing creatures roamed. He aimed for safer, less populated areas, relying on his instincts and the limited knowledge provided by the map.

< Hey, System > Auric called out ito the system. < Will this ring attract more beasts? >

The System responded, its voice tinged with uncertainty. [ No, the ring is transmitting a signal, although I am unable to determine its exact nature as it's not recorded in my database. ]

Auric continued his relentless sprint through the forest, the weight of his actions and the harsh reality settling heavily upon him. He knew deep down that his aunt's fate was likely sealed, even though he couldn't fully accept it. The mere thought of her demise clawed at his heart, causing a dull ache that mirrored the sorrow he felt.

"Brother..." Ellie's voice quivered from behind, her words interrupted by hiccups and sobs. "Is... is Mom coming?" Her voice wavered with uncertainty and desperation. How could she grasp the magnitude of their predicament at such a tender age?

Auric's voice trembled slightly, his response filled with a mix of guilt and reassurance. "Don't worry, Ellie. She will come for us soon. I promise. And I will always be here for you." He spoke with conviction, hoping to instill in her a glimmer of hope and a sense of security amidst the darkness that enveloped them.

Ellie clung tightly to her brother, her sobs gradually subsiding. Though fear still coursed through her veins, she closed her eyes tightly, seeking solace in his embrace. The nightmarish sights and sounds of the forest, the ominous roars of distant monsters, frightened her, but she drew strength from her brother's presence.

crack

Huh? What happened? Auric suddenly noticed the black ring on his thumb cracking and ceasing to function.

"Oh-oi! What happened to the ring?" Auric asked the system urgently and fearfully.

[ It seems that it has reached its limit and broken ] the system replied.

< What do you mean by that? Won't the monsters come after me now that the protection of the ring is gone? > Auric's voice trembled with fear.

[Item: Dark Ring of the ???

Grade: ???

Description: ???

Condition: Currently severely damaged]

Auric was terrified when he saw the description of the ring. It was damaged!

Auric's heartbeat quickened, sensing something amiss. Ellie noticed his unease and asked, "Brother, what happened?"

"N-nothing, Ellie. Just close your eyes and hold on tight," Auric replied, his voice trembling slightly. Following his instructions, Ellie shut her eyes and clung onto him tightly.

Auric couldn't shake off the unsettling feeling as the forest suddenly fell into complete silence. Not even the faintest sound of an insect could be heard.

Glancing at his map, Auric noticed several red dots moving towards them. Although they weren't moving swiftly, they certainly weren't slow either. One group approached from his 1 o'clock, while another red dot approached from his 6 o'clock. The assassin who had just appeared on the map seemed to be around 500 meters away, and the other creatures, possibly monsters, were a mere 450 meters away. Although Auric longed to identify the kind of monsters they were, his map's level wasn't high enough to provide specific details. It could only distinguish friend from foe, as well as humans from beasts.

'FUCK, FUCK, FUCK! WHAT DO I DO? Think, think!' Auric hurriedly racked his brain, spotting a small hole in the nearby hill. A plan formed in his mind.

< Is that hollow? > he asked the system.

[ Yes, the space inside isn't big, but it's enough for both of you to squeeze in and stay hidden ] the system responded.

"Okay!"

Without hesitation, Auric made a decision and sprinted toward the hole at full speed.

Lowering Ellie to the ground, he instructed her, "Ellie, go inside!" Auric pointed towards the cave, or perhaps the hollow rock.

Though tempted to argue, Ellie obeyed, recognizing the urgency and desperation in Auric's face. With her petite frame, she easily maneuvered through the entrance, and Auric followed suit, squeezing himself into the tight space.

Facing the entrance, Auric signaled Ellie to remain quiet as he attempted to keep calm himself.

Glancing at the map once more, Auric realized that the assassin was closing in, only a few tens of meters away. The monsters would also reach their location at any moment.

"Hmm, seems like the tracks end here," Auric heard the assassin's voice say. "Oh, so the rat is inside the burrow, huh? Well, well, looks like I'll have roasted rat today. Haha!" The assassin's words sent shivers down Auric's spine.

The assassin approached closer, and Auric held his sister close, his hand covering her eyes.

He silently prayed for his plan to succeed.

Clang!

Suddenly, the sound of metallic strings clashing echoed through the air.

"Where the fuck did these many monsters come from?!" Auric heard the assassin yell in frustration.

Auric activated his dark vision and peered outside. His plan seemed to be heading in the right direction. Now, he hoped for the monsters and the assassin to engage in a deadly battle.

And his guess proved correct.

A group of monkey-like creatures emerged—a swarm of Simian Swarmers. There were nearly 30 of them.

[ Name: Simian Swarmer

Rank: D

Health: 1600 / 1600

Mana: N/A

Strength: 66

Agility: 72

Intelligence: 27

Endurance: 34

Group Size: Large groups

Skills:

Tail Whip (melee attack)

Swarm Tactics (special ability) - Simian Swarmers work together, surrounding their opponents and attacking from multiple angles, making it difficult for their enemies to defend effectively.

Acrobatic Maneuvers (special ability) - Their exceptional agility allows them to perform acrobatic stunts, such as swift dodges and mid-air flips, making them difficult to hit.

Mimicry (special ability) - Simian Swarmers possess the ability to mimic the sounds of other creatures, using it to confuse and disorient their adversaries.

Description:

Simian Swarmers are mischievous creatures resembling a hybrid of monkeys and mythical forest sprites. Their agile bodies are covered in soft, dappled fur, ranging in vibrant oranges, yellows, and earthy browns. These nimble creatures possess razor-sharp claws with a metallic gleam, resembling sharp, durable blades. With their exceptional agility and the unique attribute of their metallic claws, Simian Swarmers can swiftly climb trees and maneuver with precision, making them formidable in both aerial and ground encounters. They exhibit cooperative behavior, working in large, tight-knit groups to overwhelm adversaries with coordinated attacks and strategic teamwork. ]