The Hunted

After enduring numerous disheartening setbacks in my pursuit of creating a soul core, I have finally achieved success. The journey was arduous, marked by relentless perseverance and the constant brainstorming of smoother approaches to achieve my goal. 

And now, after much toil and dedication, I stand proud, having crafted a soul core that is a testament to my unwavering commitment to get this done.

Now, I'm just glad.

'I can start refining this thing.'

In the depths of my subconscious, where the expanses have widened, I found myself gazing at the essence of my soul embedded within one of the walls, a manifestation that emerged when I first forged my core.

It appears that the subconscious is evolving into a repository, a space where individuals can safely store their soul cores. Initially, I was perplexed by the notion when the figure said "putting it on my subconscious," but its significance only dawned on me later.

Why would I contemplate putting a core when I hadn't succeeded in crafting one, to begin with?

But that's all in the past.

Now that I know how to make a soul core with the right concepts this time, I won't be having trouble with it in the future. It was relatively easy but as the figure said, the hardest one isn't making it but refining it.

'Not a big deal at all. I should be glad about these results for now. Aside from acquiring battle experience on this island, I also made a soul core of my own.' With a smile, I clenched my fist and continued, 'I can feel something has changed within me,'

I departed from my subconsciousness, revisiting the real world once more, only to find that the nearby environment retained the same familiar view as it did yesterday.

I remained at the location where the formidable golem resided. Despite the absence of sleep, I found myself brimming with energy and enthusiasm, fueled by the newfound presence of a soul core within me.

Eager and prepared, I was ready to embark on the next phase.

"Hmm…"

As I gazed upon the soul core beside me, and with ample time before my next hunting venture, I resolved to extract its essence, utilizing it to refine the core I had recently made.

The figure conveyed to me that refining a soul core could be achieved through various methods, emphasizing the efficiency and sufficiency of utilizing the soul core of another being for the process.

Hence I took another day in this area.

…

A day after depleting the soul core of the formidable golem, I returned to the locations where I had vanquished those who governed them.

Using those now full-grown crystals to use, I employed them to refine my own soul core.

There were other contenders for these spots who tried to take my prize, but they were mercilessly slaughtered by my daggers.

Despite the utilization of four medium-grade crystals over the course of three days, the anticipated progress in refining my soul core, intended to bring about a transformation, remained elusive and showed no signs of materializing.

Yes, the refining is working but it was too slow. If I have to base it on numerical value, my newly made soul refinement rate is up to one percent only.

'And I had to kill useless Horrors too so sometimes my refinement is interrupted.'

Those Horrors were obviously aiming for these crystals but I had no intention of protecting these four spots on my own.

Hence, in the meantime, I have to keep my cool down and let these Horror enjoy their time first.

'I'll be harvesting it once I'm done with this island anyway.'

From the very beginning, it had always been my strategy upon discovering these crystals. I intended to harness them for my benefit, knowing full well that once harvested, they would be rendered incapable of recharging.

'Though, I could see the crystals in a hefty prize once I'm back on the main lands for a quick cash so I'll bring some over.'

As the fourth week of my sojourn unfolded, I pressed onward to resume my hunting endeavors. The upcoming prey on my list was a Horror adorned with a skeletal body, the exception being its head, which retained a fleshy exterior.

Flesh Head is the name I've thought about it. You know, the head is the only thing that has flesh…

For some reason, I've started to realize that I have a very bad naming sense.

"Hmm?"

Almost abruptly, my gaze roamed the surroundings, only to register a disconcerting sight. A look of distress etched across my face as I beheld a scene drenched in blood.

The ground bore witness to bloodstains, a stark testament to a recent skirmish. Horror corpses lay strewn across the vicinity, casting an ominous aura that hinted at the aftermath impacting other Horrors who had ventured forth, drawn to the fray.

"It has been defeated?"

My gaze followed the trail to where the essence crystals lay in the far distance, a tempting sight that undoubtedly drew the attention of nearby observers. It became apparent that this enticing spectacle could potentially be a trap for the unwary.

But no matter how observant am I or how reliant I've put my instinct onto my surroundings, no creatures of any being pounced onto me.

'Nothing?'

So my target, Flesh Head, died without me knowing? 

Scanning the area, I anticipated coming across the remains of the Horror itself. Instead, it became evident that the creature had met a grisly fate, reduced to a formless paste by a force even more formidable and lethal.

'So, there is another Horror which is so powerful that it killed a Horror who isn't mindless?' 

It was unbelievable but it is possible. 

Or, there is also a possibility that something strange was going on but...

'Well, I can continue my hunt to the other two.'

Having retrieved the materials left outside the domain of the Flesh Head, I moved on to the other two sites in my quest.

However, almost instantly, my sense of relief morphed into confusion.

The other two Horrors – Big Foot, and Oddball consequently – domain's had a scene where their presence was nowhere to be seen.

Yet, the scene before me mirrored the one with the Flesh Head Horror. The peculiar aspect was that the bloodstains in this area were still fresh, indicating that the incident had occurred less than three days ago, adding an extra layer of mystery to the unfolding events.

There were no traces of battle that had happened but just pure massacre.

In contrast to the initial encounter, there was an unsettling aspect to this situation. Nonetheless, on a positive note, I could proceed with the hunt for the final Horror, the one I considered to be the most formidable denizen on this island.

'Well, aside from the few Horrors left on this island, that 'thing' is so disgusting. It was emanating a very dangerous aura.'

If I had to tell who the boss of this whole island might be, I would choose that thing.

Ultimately, I dedicated the day to refining my soul core, utilizing the essence crystals left behind by the three Horrors to replenish and fortify my soul.

After making the necessary preparations and attending to miscellaneous tasks, I embarked on the pursuit of the final Horror that awaited my attention.

Following the confrontation with the last Horror, my next objective would be to systematically clear the entire island, determined to uncover the perpetrator responsible for hunting my targets.

…

Two days elapsed as I meticulously prepared for the impending battle. Moving with deliberate caution, I approached my target's domain until I stood right outside, ready to confront whatever lay within.

Though the creature remained at a considerable distance, its repugnant aura began to engulf me, coursing through every fiber of my being.

'That is so nasty no matter how I look at it.'

As I stepped into the mysterious domain, I found myself engulfed by an otherworldly ambiance. The entrance, adorned with a cascade of weathered stones, created an eerie yet captivating canopy, casting shadows that seemed to dance with the whispers of the other Horrors that were brave enough to be near.

As I ventured further into the heart of this enigmatic space, an unsettling stillness pervaded, broken only by the distant echoes of my own breathing. 

And then, I saw it - the Horror. A presence that seemed to materialize from the very essence of the middle of the area.

Its gaze, a piercing intensity, locked onto me with a chilling awareness and bloodshot eyes. 

The horrifying creature emerged into the dim light, its grotesque form casting an eerie shadow. Towering upright, it possessed elongated limbs that seemed to defy the natural order of anatomy. The unsettling sight of its long neck snaking out added to the disquieting presence it exuded.

A surreal amalgamation of bones and flesh greeted onlookers, but in a nightmarish twist, the usual arrangement was inverted. Bones protruded from the surface like jagged armor, creating a spine-chilling effect as if the skeletal structure itself was on display for all to witness

The air seemed to thicken with an oppressive atmosphere as if the very essence of fear emanated from this aberration.

But the surprise didn't end there as my eyes widened in disbelief when its mouth moved.

"Human… challenger."

"!"

"We know… you were the one slaughtering… the others."

'It can talk…'

The unexpected realization that this Horror possessed a level of communication beyond my expectations took me by surprise. Swiftly composing myself, I acknowledged that this creature wasn't the first of its kind capable of effectively communicating with humans.

Indeed, there were instances where certain Horrors exhibited the ability to communicate and were even revered by humans, particularly if they proved to be allies of humanity.

But it is a horror if they were enemies.

The same Horror inquired, "We were trying to ignore you… but you became more dangerous as days… went by. So we're going to settle the score here."

I smirked, replying with an arrogant tone, "You kept blabbering shit. Who the hell is 'we'? All I could see is you here."

The disconcerting sound of a twisted, chilling giggle emanated from the nightmarish creature, a perverse expression of otherworldly amusement. 

As if heralding a descent into an abyss of horror, the dark recesses of the cave were soon breached by the emergence of three more of these nightmarish entities.

Flesh Head, Big Foot, and Oddball, each covering one of the openings, fixed their gaze upon me with a mix of drool and palpable animosity.

'They aren't dead?'

At that moment, a realization dawned upon me once more.

"I see."

It became clear that it was an intricately laid trap, cunningly devised solely for my arrival. Witnessing the ongoing massacre of the formidable Horrors, the presumed leader of this island's Horrors had finally chosen to reveal itself and take action.

Understanding that I would inevitably come after it, the Horror opted to forego the conventional approach of letting me pick off its brethren one by one. Instead, it orchestrated a trap within this wretched place, intending to execute a pincer maneuver once I found myself cornered.

I was vigilant and careful. 

While I hadn't made a mistake, it became apparent that this Horror held a strategic advantage that had not been in my favor.

The surprise.

And it used it here in this instant.

"I see."

Fortunately, the only divergence was that I had already contemplated this possibility while surveying the areas where my intended targets had been hunted.

I rationalized to myself that the death was perplexing, noting that the bloodstains didn't align with the expected outcome given the Horror's stature and capabilities.

If I have to give a short explanation, the scene was just too… perfect.

Yes, as if orchestrated by someone.

But it didn't change a fact about my situation.

"Foolish human," it intoned, the words hanging in the air like a cursed incantation. 

"Today, you will be the hunted," the ominous declaration filled the air, each syllable carrying a weight of impending doom. 

'What a smart-ass...'

It didn't change the fact that the hunter became the hunted.