A Close Call

[2:39 PM, Saturday 6th of May, 2024]

~WHOOOSSSHH!!!~

My senses, which had been clouded by self-reflection, jolted awake as my instincts took over. Adrenaline rushed through my veins, sharpening my reactions.

With a burst of energy, I instinctively leaped backward, just barely dodging the demon's sharp claws.

~FWISH!~

The demon's attack narrowly missed me, leaving me on the edge of danger. 

Suspense hung heavy in the air, the echo of the near-miss vibrating within me. Time seemed to freeze as our eyes locked, the intensity of our gaze mirroring the deadly dance that had just begun.

'Fuck! I let my guard down again!'

In that brief moment, the hallway became a battlefield for survival. Shadowy figures of even more demons swirled around us, their eerie dance casting ominous shapes on the walls.

[SYSTEM WARNING]

<You Have Encountered A Group Of Demons>

The tension crackled in the air, as if the hotel itself held its breath, eager to see how this showdown between predators and prey would unfold.

'I'm surrounded!'

A bead of sweat rolled down my forehead as I assessed the situation, my mind racing to devise a plan. Unlike on the ground floor, where I could step back to create more distance between me and the enemies, they were everywhere now.

'The space is cramped here. I won't have much room to maneuver.' The same applied to the demons, giving them a disadvantage too.

We were still in the suite, and the entrance was already blocked by more emerging demons. Escaping wasn't even in the cards for me. I was well and truly screwed.

Their numbers kept growing, making the room increasingly suffocating for all of us. But I was the one at the greatest disadvantage.

After all, I was just one person, and they numbered nearly fifty, maybe more.

 As the seconds ticked by, my heart pounded in my chest, and I knew that this fight would be a test of not only my physical abilities but also my wit and determination.

With every breath, I steeled myself for the battle ahead.

~VWUUUM~ 

The Energy Rock in my grasp hummed at that moment, as if telling me I wasn't alone.

'Haa... thanks, buddy!'

"GRRRRRRRR..." The Demons' bloodshot eyes gleamed with sinister hunger, their twisted forms radiating a palpable aura of violence. I could practically taste their bloodlust, it kept driving them forward with relentless ferocity.

Suspense gripped my every nerve as I braced myself, ready to confront the looming threat.

"This one's gonna be tough..."

I activated <Sprint >, and a surge of energy coursed through me, doubling my speed.

"GRAAARRRRHHHHHH!!!" The Demons lunged toward me, claws and fangs ready to rip me apart. But I moved with lightning-fast reflexes, narrowly dodging their attacks.

With each step, the world blurred around me, making it hard for the demons to keep up with my enhanced agility.

To get a better grip on my surroundings, I tapped into <Focus >. Suddenly, everything became crystal clear. I could see the demons closing in, their positions and movements etched in my mind.

Time seemed to slow down, giving me the advantage I needed.

With my heightened perception, I could anticipate the demons' every move. Their slashes and lunges became predictable, giving me precious moments to counter.

I pivoted on my heel, my body in perfect sync with my instincts. A demon leaped at me from the left, claws slicing through the air. I ducked and spun, delivering a powerful roundhouse kick to its side.

My blow sent the demon sprawling across the room, crashing into the ornate furniture.

As the horde closed in, I activated <Visualize >, allowing me to glimpse the immediate future. I had to be cautious, though, as I needed to conserve my Energy Levels. So, I limited my sight to just a second or two ahead.

'Any more, and I'll run out too quickly!'

I saw flashes of what lay ahead, granting me a strategic edge. I visualized the path I needed to take, gracefully dodging each demon's attack.

"Haaa! I see now!" Their efforts were futile against my heightened awareness.

With a quick flick of my wrist, I sent the energy rock soaring toward a group of demons at the far end of the suite. 

It zipped through the air, guided by my thoughts, and crashed into the nearest demon, exploding in a brilliant burst of energy. The shockwave sent the surrounding demons flying, their bodies crashing into the walls.

~BOOOOOMMM!~

This strategy seemed sustainable for now, but…

'I have to be mindful of my Energy Level.'

Using these Skills drained my reserves significantly, and I couldn't risk exhausting myself too quickly.

I concentrated on using my skills sparingly, relying more on my physical prowess to hold my ground. If need be, I might have to allocate more Stat Points to improve my Combat Ability.

"I'm barely hanging in there. It's a miracle none of them have touched me yet!"

I watched as the Demons regrouped, their snarls filling the air. It gave me a brief moment to catch my breath and recharge my Energy Levels.

They charged at me once again, but this time, I was ready, thanks to <Visualize >.

~WHOOSSSHH!~

I sidestepped their lunges, deflected their attacks, and delivered precise, powerful blows. Each strike connected, whittling down their numbers.

Time blurred as the battle raged on.

My heart pounded in my chest, and sweat poured from my brow. My energy was dwindling, but I refused to give in. I summoned every ounce of strength, pushing my body to its limits.

Every move, every choice, was a step closer to either victory or defeat in this life-or-death struggle.

With a final surge of determination, I hurled myself into the midst of the remaining demons. 

My fists and feet moved so quickly they became a blur as I struck with relentless fury. Each blow was accompanied by the crackling energy of the Rock.

The demons fell one by one, their bodies littering the floor.

"Haa... finally..."

As the last demon crumbled at my feet, the suite fell into silence. I stood there, breathing heavily, drenched in demon blood and sweat. My energy reserves were completely drained, but I had emerged victorious.

<You Have Leveled Up>

"Haha! Absolutely!" Now at Level 11, my near-death struggle felt like a well-earned achievement.

I stood among the fading bodies of the defeated demons, their grotesque forms vanishing into nothingness. The room was quiet once more, except for the echoes of my labored breaths

As I surveyed the aftermath of the battle and felt the adrenaline leaving my body, I once again reflected on my mistakes.

'I need to stay focused. I can't afford to be caught off guard again.'

However, the more I thought about this entire ordeal, the more it resembled a twisted version of the tower climbs one would find in games. 

Each floor brought a fresh wave of enemies, each stronger and more menacing than the last.

'That would explain why the System hasn't given me the satisfaction of a CLEAR message…'

It could only mean one thing: I had to keep ascending, one floor at a time, until I reached the very top.

My gaze shifted upwards, blocked by the ceiling, but my thoughts were on the penthouse that loomed above me. 

It seemed to exude a malevolent aura, a beacon of darkness at the summit of this cursed hotel. If there was a Boss, it would most likely be waiting for me there.

"I should brace myself as I climb..." The real challenge lay on the upper floors.

But I couldn't let doubt or fear cloud my mind. I had come too far to turn back now. With each battle, I was honing my skills and adapting to the demonic onslaught.

"Alright, then..." My energy reserves were slowly replenishing, and my determination burned brighter than ever

As I took a deep breath, I silently pledged to myself. I would face the challenges ahead head-on. I would push myself to new limits, both physically and mentally. 

I would rely on my skills, my instincts, and the energy rock, my steadfast companion, to conquer whatever horrors awaited me.

"And I'm damn well going to clear this Special Event!"

*

*

*

[A/N]

Thank you for reading!

I really appreciate your reading and I hope you're enjoying the novel.