Chapter 7: New task
I emerged from the forest after a long struggle, as if I had been liberated from a terrifying nightmare. Confusion engulfed me; I didn't know if other tasks awaited me or if I would finally find some peace.
Questions swirled in my mind like relentless storms: Where did I find the strength to confront and kill the monsters? Why did everything seem so illogical? "Damn it!" I whispered to myself, unable to find any satisfying answers.
I began to walk, aimlessly, just pressing on forward. I was exhausted, and each breath seemed to drain what little strength I had left. I felt as if my body was broken everywhere, the pain screaming at me to give up. Yet, I continued, clinging to hope as though I were moving through a dream.
My steps carried on for nearly an hour until I reached a city that looked familiar. The towering spires reached up to the sky, touching the clouds as if guarding ancient secrets. Though I had stepped into another world, time here felt like time in my own. Memories flickered, but they were not enough to deter me from moving forward.
I took a deep breath, but my stomach grumbled with strange sounds, reminding me of a painful truth: I hadn't eaten in a long time. Hunger crept into my depths, as if I needed energy to restore my strength.
I moved slowly toward the center of the city, hoping to find something to satisfy my hunger. The streets were alive with activity, but I felt like a stranger here, not belonging to any of these faces. Still, I was determined to persist.
I continued slowly toward the heart of the city, hoping to find something to quell my hunger. The streets bustled with life, the voices of people intertwining like a complex melody. The aroma of fresh food wafted through the air, enveloping me like warm breezes, and with each step closer to the shops, my stomach cried out more.
I passed by a street vendor displaying sandwiches filled with vegetables and meats. I gazed at them with passion but felt too shy to ask for anything. "I have no money," I remembered. My hunger was raging, but I couldn't bear the thought of starving any longer.
The hunger clawed deeper, and I realized I had no other choice. I glanced around, my heart racing with fear and excitement. There were several fresh pastries laid out on a table near the vendor, seemingly abandoned by someone.
"Can I really do this?" I wondered internally, but the hunger was stronger than any feeling of guilt. I made a quick decision.
I crept toward the table, trying to remain unnoticed. The vendor was busy talking to another customer, giving me my chance. I looked around, ensuring no one was watching.
Quickly, I placed my hand on one of the pastries, feeling the warmth of the fresh dough. This moment was like a heartbeat, full of tension and thrill. But before I could move, I sensed a shift in my surroundings.
I felt eyes watching me, but I couldn't hesitate. I grabbed the pastry and ran away before anyone could discover me. My heart raced as I distanced myself from the scene, the pastry in my hand like a precious treasure.
I returned to a quiet corner, away from prying eyes. I opened the pastry and took a big bite. It was warm and delicious, the taste enough to provide me with comfort.
As I savored the food, I felt a mix of happiness and guilt. "Should I have done that?" I questioned, but the hunger outweighed any sense of regret. In that moment, I realized that surviving in this new world required making difficult choices.
As I devoured the pastry, suddenly the sun disappeared, and the warmth turned into utter darkness. I sensed something unnatural happening, and I began to look around anxiously. "It's... it's that cave again!" My heart trembled as if predicting what was to come.
Fear seeped into my depths, and I wished I wouldn't see anyone else facing the same fate as my brother Ethan, whether it was my sister or my mother.
A familiar voice broke my silence, "Looks like you're enjoying your meal, Akumaro." The monster sat in the darkness, watching me with contemplative eyes.
I couldn't bear to look back. The strands of fear pulled me toward the ground, afraid to see my sister or mother slain. "Don't be afraid, Akumaro. This time, you've survived the forest."
"But are you ready for the next task? Because it will be harder, and you know what will happen if you die on any mission." His words echoed in my mind like thunder in a storm.
I took a deep breath, feeling a sense of calm seep into my heart. After assuring myself that no obstacles lay ahead, I looked back. The monster was seated on his throne, his eyes glimmering in the dark.
"What... what is the task?" I spoke hesitantly, my voice echoing in the space around me.
"You must kill as many Class C superheroes as you can." His words were cold, like a bullet to the heart.
"What?!" I shouted, unable to believe what I heard. "You want me to kill superheroes?"
"Yes, that is the requirement. There is no mercy in this task. They stand in your way, and you must remove them." His voice clearly embodied indifference to what would happen.
"But why?" I asked, trying to understand his motives. "Why must I be a part of this?"
"Because you have no choice, Akumaro. If you want to survive, you have to prove your strength. This is the only way."
I felt an internal turmoil. I didn't want to be a killer, and I didn't want to confront superheroes, but I realized I was trapped. "What happens if I refuse?" I asked, attempting to show some courage.
"That is not an option. You will see what happens if you choose to flee." His words were like a sword, sharp and direct.
I began to think of my family, of Ethan, and the chaos I could cause for myself if I didn't comply. There was an urgency for something greater, to prove my strength. But would I be ready to take another's life?
"I have to be strong," I whispered to myself, despite the fear churning in my chest. "If this is what it takes to survive, I will do what I must."
"Well done, Akumaro. Now, start planning. You have little time." His words held a tone of authority, as if granting a surge of will.
With everything swirling in my mind, I felt I was on the brink of a fateful decision. This task could determine my destiny, but I was determined to face this challenge, no matter the consequences.
To be continued...