Chapter 13 - Only goal

Zixin stumbled out into the street, heart racing and lungs burning. He couldn't shake the image of the woman's face from his mind. Her terrified eyes haunted him. How had he let himself get distracted like that? His brother, his only family left, was out there somewhere, and he'd wasted precious time.

In a surge of frustration, he pulled the snake off his neck and tossed it to the ground. "You've been nothing but trouble!" he yelled, the heat of anger bubbling over. "I was trying to keep you safe!" the snake protested, its little voice trembling. "This is just the first day! If you don't rack up enough points, you're not going to make it!"

"Make it for what?!" Zixin snapped back, fists clenched at his sides.

"Bigger, badder enemies!" the snake shot back, its beady eyes wide with fear. Zixin froze, a chill running down his spine at the thought. He gripped the snake tightly, feeling its scales wriggle in his grasp.

"What do you know?" he demanded, shaking it slightly. "Tell me right now!"

The snake gulped, its voice barely a whisper. "It's only going to get worse from here. This is a test for your race, Zixin. Only the strongest will survive, and the strongest have to face a great battle in the end. If you want to stay alive, you need to start racking up points and leveling up as fast as you can!"

Zixin's heart sank at the weight of those words. This wasn't just some game. It was a fight for survival. "I'm only trying to help you," the snake panted, desperation creeping into its tone. "Trust me. I'm bound to your soul. If you die, I die. We're in this together."

Zixin hesitated, the tension in his grip easing just a bit. He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. "I just want to find my brother," he admitted, the anger fading to a dull ache in his chest. "I can't do this alone. I can't let him down."

"I get that. But you can't let emotions cloud your judgment," the snake urged. "Focus on the task at hand. The more points you get, the stronger you become. And the closer you'll get to finding him."

Zixin looked down at the snake, seeing the sincerity in its tiny eyes. He had to trust something, someone, even if it was a snake. "Alright," he said, reluctantly releasing it. "But if you lead me into danger again…"

"I promise to do my best," the snake replied, a hint of determination in its voice.

With a nod, Zixin took a deep breath, clearing his mind. He had a goal. He had to keep moving. No more distractions. With a newfound resolve, he sprinted down the street, scanning for any sign of trouble—or, better yet, any sign of his brother.

As he ran, the chaos of the world around him faded into the background. It was just him and the mission ahead. No more second-guessing, no more hesitating. He'd find his brother, and he'd make sure they both survived this nightmare.