Run Against Time

Simon swiftly maneuvered through the approaching figures, their voices blending into a distant murmur as he sprinted toward his home. The weight of the task at hand pressed upon him, the ominous countdown on the screen ticking away as a stark reminder of the limited time he had to make a decision.

The digital numbers on the screen relentlessly descended: 11:59:48. Simon's heart raced in sync with the ticking clock, his mind a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts. The imperative to "KILL THINKING BEINGS - 000/100" loomed over him, and the cryptic reward and penalty added an air of uncertainty to the unfolding drama.

In the midst of the frantic sprint, an alternative caught Simon's attention—a choice that seemed to offer an escape from the imminent dilemma. The option to "Summon Doppelganger" presented itself, but its cost was steep: sacrificing one life and requiring a Consciousness level of 0.1. The catch? It had a time limit of 15 second.

Simon, his mind racing as fast as his fleet-footed strides, pondered the potential consequences of both options. The countdown persisted, a relentless reminder that time was a fleeting commodity, slipping away with each passing second.

Arriving at his home, Simon burst through the door, the echoes of his footsteps reverberating through the quiet interior. Alone in the dimly lit room, he faced the critical decision that would shape the course of his twisted existence. Leaning against a wall, he grappled with the weight of the choices before him.

The option to execute his assigned task hung in the air, demanding retribution for the past sins committed against him. The faces of Emilia, Braun, and Alex lingered in his mind, their unwitting approach to the lake casting an ominous shadow over the impending decision.

On the other hand, the Summon Doppelganger alternative beckoned with the allure of escape. A chance to evade the dark imperative, but at the cost of a life and a narrow window of opportunity. Simon's mind, a cauldron of conflicting emotions and desperate calculations, sought a resolution that balanced the scales of justice and appeased the relentless countdown.

In the charged silence, Simon wrestled with his own morality. The room seemed to close in around him as the digital numbers continued their relentless descent. The haunting choice loomed large, a reflection of the fractured psyche that had become his reality.

As Simon grappled with the dilemma, the weight of the past and the uncertainty of the future converged in the confines of his troubled mind. The decisions made in the next few moments would send ripples through the fabric of his existence, shaping the destiny of a tormented soul caught in the unyielding grip of time.

To be continued...