Chapter 3: The Prize

Jiok stumbled back, trying to defend himself against the creature's attacks. He had never seen anything like it before. Its skin was black and scaly, and its eyes glowed red in the dim light.

He swung the knife at the creature, but it was like trying to cut through steel. The creature laughed, a chilling sound that echoed through the room.

"You thought you could just free me and walk away?" it said. "You humans are so naive."

Jiok tried to back away, but the creature was too fast. It lunged at him, claws extended, and Jiok barely managed to dodge.

He knew that he had to come up with a plan quickly. He couldn't defeat the creature with the knife alone.

He looked around, searching for something he could use as a weapon. His eyes landed on the candle in the center of the room. It was his only hope.

He grabbed the candle and swung it at the creature. The flame touched its skin, and the creature screamed in agony.

Jiok saw his chance and ran towards the door. He didn't look back, knowing that the creature was right behind him.

He burst through the door and found himself in a new room. This one was filled with water, and he could hear the sound of waves crashing against the walls.

He waded through the water, feeling his way along the walls. He couldn't see anything in the darkness, and he didn't know where he was supposed to go.

Suddenly, he felt something brush against his leg. He jumped back, startled. It was a fish, but not like any fish he had ever seen before. Its eyes were red, and its teeth were razor-sharp.

Jiok tried to move away, but the fish kept coming after him. He realized that he was trapped. There was nowhere to go.

He closed his eyes, preparing for the worst, but then he felt a hand on his shoulder. He opened his eyes and saw that it was the old man who had given him the card.

"You are doing well," the old man said. "But you must keep going. The prize is within reach."

Jiok nodded, feeling a surge of determination. He couldn't give up now. He had come too far.

He took a deep breath and began to move forward, feeling his way along the walls. The fish were still nipping at his heels, but he didn't let them distract him.

As he moved deeper into the room, he saw a light in the distance. It was the first real light he had seen since entering the game.

He quickened his pace, feeling a sense of hope. Maybe the light was the way out.

As he got closer, he saw that the light was coming from a small island in the middle of the water. On the island was a pedestal, and on the pedestal was a small golden key.

Jiok knew that this was the prize the old man had been talking about. He waded towards the island, feeling the fish nipping at his feet.

He reached the island and took the key. It was warm to the touch, and he could feel a sense of power emanating from it.

Suddenly, the water began to rise, and Jiok knew that he had to leave the room before it was too late.

He ran towards the door, clutching the key in his hand. The fish were still nipping at his feet, but he didn't let them slow him down.

He burst through the door and found himself back in the first room. The old man was waiting for him.

"You have done well," the old man said, smiling. "But the real game has just begun."

Jiok felt a