Hidden Surprises

Duncan's caution proved right.

As he ascended further, the fear became increasingly gripping. However, Duncan was also beginning to feel a strange sense of irritation. He wanted to find this thing that was causing him fear and strangle it ruthlessly.

His mind started having dark thoughts as his irritation spiked. 

When he stepped foot on the one-hundred-and-first step, Duncan felt both his irritation and fear reach unprecedented heights. He fell into a sort of trance as he didn't like feeling this fear much and wanted to end it completely.

As the irritation in Duncan's heart reached a tipping point, killing intent began manifesting in Duncan's heart. Along with the killing intent, a black aura invisible to the naked eye started wafting out of Duncan's body.