18 Conflict

Samuel was astounded by how the figure was blurting out cliches with startling precision, speechless to how moronic a character could be to use such words to one who was a self-proclaimed protagonist.

"Hah, who may you be? I'd rather slap an arrogant face than punch a sheet of black if you don't mind, O' holy one? Perhaps you're too frightened by my sudden appearance that you'd rather scurry into a claustrophobic hole instead of fighting me face to face? How laughable!" Samuel beckoned, poking the metaphorical bear.

"How unfortunate that another forgets one's lesson after a few days of pampering from daddy... A puppy must remember its conflicts and learn lest they encounter the same situation once more. You dare defy my generous and beneficial lessons and provoke me with such weak and uncertain words? Then so be it!" The figure suddenly disappeared and reappeared on top of a tree nearby, his body illuminated by the subtle moonlight, a sudden cold breeze swiping his vermillion hood up, revealing his facial features.

The man had an acute jawline accompanied by a crooked nose, slightly upturned and pointing to the heavens, and rheumy eyes, his pupils glistening in the moonlight as if holding back eternal tears. His hair was shaggy as if he had just got out of a fight with a lordly dragon and a ferocious tiger, frigid sweat trickling down his pale face, amalgamating at his acuminous chin.

The mysterious figure hastily pulled his hood up frantically and quickly attempted to regain his calm as he cleared his throat and exclaimed in a cool manner as if nothing had happened:

"You're nothing but a frog in a well, now that you've recognised the immense gap between our power, will you remain standing defiantly or will you kneel and wait for your head to be departed from your torso?" The man shrouded in mystery sneered, visible killing intent radiating from his body.

Everpresent hesitation grew in the corners of his mind, attacking his conscious to no avail. He knew that he was no match for this being at his current stage and that he must leave posthaste lest he ends up like the unfortunate dwarf on his shoulders.

On those wavelengths, Samuel's expression turned dark as he bellowed "A cornered animal is the most fierce. You've brought this upon yourself, don't blame me if you end up dead! My special move... Runaway!"

His dark expression suddenly became that of regret as he turned around and dashed forward into the sea of trees, jumping over numerous mossy roots and passing by fleeing animals, seeming to fear the young man as well. He noticed a cavern in the distance and, at the same time, noticed that the young man was gaining on him quickly.

He had two options at this moment and Samuel couldn't hesitate for even a split-second or he'd have no option other than to succumb to fate by this arrogant villain. He could either leap into the misty caverns or continue to run throughout the forest in an attempt to lose the follower. Of course, he chose the former. Although the cavern could be dangerous, he had less of a chance of survival if he continued to run in the forest than if he hid in the cavernous caves.

He leapt into the mouth of the cave and missed his landing, tumbling and rolling down the jagged descent into the depths of the cave. Unbeknownst to Samuel, his pursuer suddenly halted his movement with a look of disdain as he sped off back to the roaring river, which was slightly out of earshot.

Samuel continued to tumble until his face struck into the solid wall, now stained in glistening blood as his forehead spewed blood like a waterfall. Nonetheless, his adrenaline kept the agonising pain at bay as he was focused on hiding. In barely any time, he discovered a large boulder that could cover his whole body when sitting. He dashed into that corner and waited with bated breath, suspecting the perpetrator to appear from behind the boulder at any moment. Whenever he heard a noise, he winced and closed his eyes, clenching his whole body into a small ball. Yet, no matter how many noises emitted from the depths of the cavern, there was to be any sign of the pursuer.

"Aha, that will teach that arrogant piece of scum who's the real boss! He couldn't even find me, less get near my location! He boasted endlessly about how he was superior, but what about now?!" Samuel laughed, his adrenaline slowing down as he carefully laid the elder onto the ground in front of him.

The amount of running and the fear he had experienced throughout the day had exhausted Samuel to no end and, as soon as he realised it was safe, he slept soundly in bliss, welcoming the sweet release that dreams allowed him after all of the stress he had to go through. This time had been a favourite of Samuel's in all three of his lives and nothing could change that.