Chapter 33: Chapter 32: Kissed by the Final Girl
Arlo sat silently next to Nancy on the creaky porch steps, his gaze following the flurry of police activity beyond the fence. The flashing red and blue lights painted the night in chaotic streaks, while uniformed officers moved with purpose. Detective Thompson stood a few feet away, speaking with his wife in hushed but animated tones. The heavy tension in the air was almost suffocating, but it paled in comparison to the exhaustion weighing on Arlo's shoulders.
"I'm sorry, Nancy," Arlo finally said, breaking the silence between them.
His voice was steady, though tinged with guilt. "For using you as bait. It wasn't fair."
Nancy's lips twitched in something resembling a sad smile.
"It's okay," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "After everything Freddy did to my friends... it felt like the only way to stop him. I couldn't just sit back and do nothing."
Arlo turned to her, studying the faint traces of tears on her cheeks.
"You're stronger than most people I know," he said softly. "But I should've found another way. You've been through too much."
Nancy shook her head, brushing a strand of hair out of her face. "No, Arlo. It wasn't just you. I chose this. After Tina, Rob, and Glen... I knew I couldn't let Freddy keep hurting people."
She hesitated for a moment, then added, "But how did you know how to stop him? I've seen people try to fight Freddy before, and it never worked. How did you break his power?"
Arlo leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "Freddy's strength came from something demonic and he thrive on people's fear," he explained "They gave him his abilities and kept him tied to the dream world. Over the past few days, I dug into every scrap of information I could find. I realized the only way to weaken him permanently was to sever that connection. The exorcism... it wasn't just to banish the demons. It was to take away Freddy's immortality."
Nancy's expression shifted to one of amazement and understanding.
"You really saved me," she said after a pause, her voice firmer. "Thank you, Arlo."
A small smile crossed Arlo's face as he met her gaze.
"You're welcome," he replied simply, though the weight of the night still lingered.
Detective Thompson and his wife approached the porch, their expressions a mix of gratitude and relief.
Mrs. Thompson placed a gentle hand on Nancy's shoulder while Detective Thompson extended a firm handshake to Arlo.
"Thank you," the detective said, his voice steady but carrying a depth of emotion.
"For saving my daughter. For stopping... whatever that monster was." He shook his head, clearly still trying to process the surreal events.
Mrs. Thompson, her eyes glistening, added, "We can never repay you for what you've done tonight, Arlo. Nancy means the world to us. You gave her a chance to live."
Arlo met their gazes and nodded solemnly. "I'm glad I could help. Nancy's strength played a huge part in this. She's the one who faced him directly."
Nancy looked away, her expression conflicted, but her parents exchanged glances of pride and reassurance.
As the night wore on and the police presence began to thin, Arlo felt the weight of exhaustion settle over him. The adrenaline that had fueled him through the fight was gone, leaving behind a bone-deep weariness.
"It's been a long day," he said, rising from the porch steps. "I should head back to the Smiths' farm."
Nancy stood with him, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. Before he could say another word, she wrapped her arms around him in a firm hug.
Arlo hesitated for a moment before returning the embrace, patting her shoulder gently.
"Thank you, Arlo," she whispered, her voice breaking. "For believing in me. For everything."
"You're stronger than you think, Nancy," Arlo replied softly. "Don't forget that."
As they parted, Nancy stepped back, wiping her eyes. Her parents stood nearby, watching the exchange with quiet gratitude. Arlo offered them a small nod before turning to leave.
Walking down the dimly lit street, Arlo looked at his HUD, the familiar screen flashing before his eyes. A series of notifications greeted him, detailing the completion of his Main Quest and three Hidden Quest.
[Quest Complete: Solve the Mystery in the 1428 Elm Street]
Remark: You have solve the mystery of the 1428 Elm Street. You find out the culprit, Freddy Krueger from series of mysteries death that have plague the people of Springwood.
Difficulty: D-Rank
Reward: 600 EXP, 800 Credits
Evaluation: S
[Hidden Quest 1 Completed: Kill Freddy Krueger]
Remark: You have killed the Dream Demon: Freddy Krueger - Permanently
Reward: +1200 EXP, +1600 Credits
[Hidden Quest 2 Completed: Banish the Three Dream Demons to Hell] Remark: By some miracle you have exorcise the three dream Demon that gave Freddy Krueger power and banishing them in hell.
Reward: +1600 EXP, +2000 Credits, +10 Inventory Slots
[Hidden Quest 3 Completed: Save Future Victims and Alter Their Fate]
Remark: You alter the fate of every future victims of Freddy Krueger and changing the world fate's to a right path.
Reward: Fragment of Creation (0.3%)
Then a series of notification appeared again in his HUD:
[Experience Gained: 3400 XP]
[Level Up! Current Level: 8]
[Level Up! Current Level: 9]
[Experience : 515 (5120) XP]
[Credits: 5445]
Arlo opened his [Status Window]:
Arlo Leeroy
Job: Sequence 9: Seer (70%)
Race: Human/Beyonder
Level: 9
EXP: 555 (5120)
HP: 120/120
MP: 185/185
[Stats]
Strength: 10
Dexterity: 10
Intelligence: 27
Charisma: 10
Luck: 10
Endurance: 10
Wisdom: 27
Remaining Status Point: 10
Arlo remembered that he subtlety took Freddy Krueger's signature weapon into his Inventory
[Inventory (25 Slots)]
Freddy's Bladed Leather Glove [Rare]
Claw, Level 15
Durability: 53/100
Damage: 15-55
Stats: +6 Dex
Effect: Sleep Effect 70% and Dream Weaving (1 Target)
Description: A distinctive, leather glove with razor-sharp blades attached to each finger, Which used by the nightmare of elm street to slash and stab his victims in their dreams, making it a chilling weapon. Contain supernatural power.
Arlo let out a long sigh. The victories felt hollow when weighed against the lives lost—Tina, Rob, Glen. Even with his knowledge of the events, he hadn't been able to save them without risking his own life and disrupting the world's fragile balance.
"It was worth it," he muttered under his breath, trying to convince himself.
The preparation, the fight, the risks—it had all been necessary. But the guilt lingered, a heavy reminder of the limits of his power and his own hesitation.
As he trudged back to the farm under the pale light of the moon, he resolved to carry the memory of this night forward. It was a harsh lesson, but one he couldn't afford to forget.
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The sun was low in the sky, painting the park in hues of gold and orange as Arlo and Nancy walked slowly along the paved pathway. The air was cool and calm, carrying the faint sound of children laughing in the distance. After the funeral of Glen Lantz earlier that day, the walk felt like a small respite, a moment to breathe after the weight of everything that had transpired. Nancy hugged her arms, lost in thought, while Arlo stayed beside her, silent but present.
"I don't think I'll ever forget today," Nancy murmured, breaking the silence. Her voice carried a heaviness, but there was also a note of determination. "Or any of it, really."
Arlo glanced at her, noticing the fatigue etched into her features.
"You don't have to forget," he replied. "But you do need to keep moving forward. That's how you honor the ones you've lost."
Nancy nodded, her gaze fixed ahead. "It's just... hard. Glen, Tina, Rob... they didn't deserve any of this."
"No, they didn't," Arlo agreed softly. "But you're here, Nancy. You have the chance to make sure their memory means something. That matters."
They continued in silence for a while before Arlo spoke again, his tone lighter. "You know, I could help you take a peek at what's ahead."
Nancy arched an eyebrow, her lips curving into a faint smile. "What do you mean?"
"Palm reading," Arlo explained, holding out his hand. "It's not an exact science, but it's fun. And who knows? Maybe there's something good waiting for you."
Nancy hesitated before extending her hand toward him. "Alright, let's see what you've got."
Arlo gently traced the lines on her palm, activating his divination skill subtly.
"You've got a strong lifeline," he began, his voice steady. "That means you're resilient. And here," he pointed to a curve near her thumb, "this suggests you'll find purpose—maybe even a career—related to dreams. College, graduating, making a difference."
Nancy laughed, the sound breaking through the somber mood. "Dreams, huh? After everything, I'm not sure I want to get anywhere near them."
Arlo chuckled, letting her hand go. "Fair enough. But the future isn't set in stone. Palm readings are more like... guidelines than guarantees."
Nancy smiled, a spark of warmth in her eyes. "You're right, Arlo. And honestly, I appreciate everything you've done. You've been... more than I could've ever hoped for."
Arlo felt a twinge of emotion but masked it with a grin. "Hey, I'm just doing my job. But thanks for saying that."
As they continued their walk, the weight of the past few days began to feel a little lighter, replaced by the faint glimmer of hope that maybe, just maybe, the worst was behind them.
.....
The cool breeze rustled through the leaves as Arlo and Nancy strolled down the quiet Springwood park path. The air was thick with unspoken words, and Arlo decided to break the silence. "Nancy," he began, his voice calm, "I've decided it's time for me to leave Springwood."
Nancy stopped, turning to face him with a mix of surprise and concern.
"Where will you go?" she asked, her tone soft but probing.
Arlo shrugged lightly, looking ahead. "The next city. There's always something waiting, something to figure out or fix. This... it's what I do."
Nancy hesitated, her hands fidgeting slightly. "Do you think we'll meet again?"
Arlo turned his gaze to her, offering a faint smile. "If fate allows it. The world has a strange way of bringing people back together when the time is right."
They resumed walking, the path dimly lit by scattered lampposts. Nancy seemed to wrestle with her thoughts before speaking again. "You've done so much for me, Arlo. I don't even know how to thank you properly."
"You've already thanked me," Arlo replied with a small laugh. "Besides, you were the one who stood up to Freddy. I was just... the weird seer guy with a plan."
Nancy stopped suddenly, turning to him with a determined expression. Before Arlo could react, she grabbed his collar, pulling him down into a brief kiss.
When she pulled back, her face was flushed red. "That's for good luck," she said, her voice laced with embarrassment and mischief.
Arlo blinked, caught off guard, then let out a nervously chuckle as Nancy hurried away. "Getting kissed by an underage girl but she looked way mature for her age. The system's going to have a field day with this," he muttered to himself.
Sure enough, a notification blinked into his HUD:
[Relationship Update: Nancy Thompson - Status: Infatuation(Lolicon]
Arlo rolled his eyes, though a smile drop.
WAIT, WHAT THE FUCK!!!! he though, shaking his head. But deep down, in his heart he want to kill the the system.
As Arlo walked toward the secluded edge of the Smith Farm, he let his thoughts drift to the concept of divination. Over the past few days, he'd come to a stark realization: divination wasn't omnipotent. It wasn't a tool that could rewrite fate or save everyone. No matter how clear his visions were or how precise his predictions became, there were limits to what he could change.
He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck as he recalled Tina, Glen, and Rob. Knowing their fates had weighed heavily on him, yet even with that knowledge, he hadn't been able to save them. Divination offered glimpses into the web of destiny, but the strands were tangled, fragile, and sometimes unyielding. He thought about the choices he made, the risks he avoided, and the small victories he had achieved.
"The future isn't a map," he murmured, "it's more like a weather forecast. You can see the storm coming, but stopping it... that's something else entirely."
His thoughts were interrupted by a notification flashing in his HUD:
[Potion Digestion Update: Seer Potion digested to 95%].
[Enhanced Memory Leveled Up to Level 9]
[Spirit Vision Leveled Up to Level 5]
[Danger Intuition Leveled Up to Level 5]
[Divination Arts & Ritualistic Magic Mastery Leveled Up to Level 5]
Arlo smirked, though it was tinged with exhaustion.
"Almost there," he muttered. "Won't be long before I've fully digest the Seer Potion."
The acknowledgment of his progress was a small consolation after everything he'd endured.
Back at the Smith Farm, Arlo stood in the kitchen, where Mrs. Smith was bustling about. When she noticed him, she smiled warmly. "Good morning, Arlo. You look like a man with something on his mind."
"I am," Arlo admitted. "I wanted to let you and Mr. Smith know that I'll be leaving today. My work here is done, and it's time for me to move on."
Mrs. Smith paused, her expression softening. "We'll miss you, Arlo. You've been a blessing to this family."
She pulled him into a firm, heartfelt hug. Arlo, unaccustomed to such gestures, awkwardly patted her back but felt genuine gratitude.
"Thank you," he said. "For everything. You've made this place feel like home, even if it was just for a short while."
On the porch, Mr. Smith shook his hand firmly, his gaze steady. "Take care of yourself out there. You've got the smarts, but don't forget—people are what matter in the end."
"I won't forget," Arlo promised. "And thank you, for everything."
With his belongings packed, Arlo took a last look at the farmhouse.
The memories of quiet breakfasts, kind conversations, and the warmth of the Smiths' hospitality would stay with him.
Walking to a secluded spot on the edge of the property
[Horror Multiverse: Slasher Universe]
[Warning: Portal Transfer Imminent]
[Accept Transfer? Y/N]
He opened his BrainLink and confirmed his return to the HUB.
The portal shimmered into existence, its energy crackling faintly.As he stood before it, his thoughts turned to Nancy. Her resilience, determination, and even her awkward kiss lingered in his mind.
"Maybe," he whispered to himself, "I'll come back here one day."
The portal's pull was immediate, and Arlo felt the world of Springwood fade behind him.