chapter 36 - tic toc

The survivors trudged forward, their footsteps heavy with exhaustion and grief. The dense forest pressed in on all sides, the trees like silent sentinels to their despair. Blood stained the dirt path, a grim reminder of the lives lost. No one spoke, the silence broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves or the distant howl of an unseen predator.

Rishitha walked near Erin, her mind racing. Why did it have to come to this? If only they had listened, if only we had been more prepared… The weight of her Eye of Knowledge felt both like a blessing and a curse. She saw the paths, the dangers, the cracks forming within the group, but she couldn't fix everything.

As they moved deeper into the forest, the bluish hue of the global system's notifications shimmered faintly in the corner of their vision. The ominous timer for the [Prove Your Value] mission ticked away, its relentless countdown a grim reminder.

Time Remaining: 10:42... 10:41...

The knowledge of impending death gnawed at the group, driving some to desperation. Whispers broke out among the survivors.

"What happens when the timer hits zero?" a young man asked, his voice trembling. "Do we just... die?"

"No one's dying!" Erin's voice cut through the murmurs, sharp and commanding. "If you haven't killed a creature yet, then stay with me. We'll find something—just don't panic."

"That's easy for you to say," another snapped. "You've already passed! What about the rest of us?"

Victor seized the moment, his voice calm but insidious. "He's right, you know. Those who've completed the mission are safe. The rest of us? Expendable. Maybe Erin should stop playing the hero and let us fend for ourselves."

"Shut your mouth, Victor," Ragith snarled, stepping forward. His hands tightened around the handle of his axe. "You want to cause more chaos? Try it. I dare you."

Victor raised his hands in mock surrender, smirking. "Just pointing out the obvious. You're all so noble, but nobility doesn't save lives."

The tension boiled over. A few survivors began forming smaller groups, murmuring among themselves and casting distrustful glances at Erin and Rishitha. The strain of survival was breaking them apart.

"We can't stay in one group," a man muttered. "The more we split up, the more chances we have to find creatures and complete the mission."

"That's suicide!" Mo Tang interjected, his voice unusually loud. "We're safer together—splitting up will only make it easier for the monsters to pick us off!"

"Safe? Look around!" the man spat, gesturing at the bloodied forest. "How many have died already? At least this way, we control our chances!"

The group erupted into arguments, voices rising in anger and fear.

"Enough!" Erin's voice silenced them all, his face dark with fury. He stepped into the middle of the group, his presence radiating authority. "We stay together. That's the only way we get out of this alive. If you run off on your own, you'll be as good as dead."

"And if we stay?" a woman asked, tears streaming down her face. "What guarantee do we have that we'll survive this?"

Erin's jaw tightened. He had no guarantees, and they all knew it.

Rishitha stepped forward, her voice softer but steady. "The forest is dangerous enough without us turning on each other. I know you're scared. I'm scared too. But if we fall apart now, none of us will make it out."

Her words seemed to resonate with some, but others remained skeptical.

Victor leaned back against a tree, his smirk widening. "Touching speech. Let's hope it's enough."

As the group pressed forward, the forest seemed to shift around them. The trees grew denser, the underbrush thicker. The oppressive silence was broken only by the faint hum of something unnatural.

Rishitha's Eye of Knowledge activated again, a new notification flashing before her eyes.

[Warning: Environmental Trap Detected]

[Description: Shadow Veil Field – Dulls senses and disrupts teamwork.]

[Advice: Stay close. Do not lose sight of each other.]

She froze. "Wait. Everyone, stop moving."

"What is it now?" Ragith asked, his voice sharp with impatience.

"There's something wrong ahead. A trap—a field that messes with your senses. If we don't stick together, we'll get separated."

"How do you know that?" Victor asked, his tone skeptical.

"I just do," Rishitha snapped, her patience wearing thin. "Do you want to argue, or do you want to survive?"

Erin nodded. "We follow Rishitha's lead. Everyone, hold onto the person in front of you and don't let go."

As they moved cautiously through the Shadow Veil Field, the oppressive atmosphere grew heavier. Whispers seemed to echo from the trees, faint and unintelligible. A few survivors began to panic, their grips loosening.

"Focus!" Erin barked, his voice cutting through the haze. "Don't listen to the whispers. They're not real."

But not everyone could resist. A young man broke away, his face pale with terror. "They're calling me—they're here!"

"No!" Mo Tang reached out, but it was too late. The man disappeared into the darkness.

When they finally emerged from the Shadow Veil Field, the group was smaller. Three more survivors had vanished, their absence like a weight pressing down on everyone's chest.

"We can't keep going like this," Mo Tang said, his voice thick with frustration. "We're losing too many people."

"We'll make it," Erin replied firmly, though his expression betrayed the strain he was under.

Rishitha scanned the group, her heart sinking at the sight of their hollowed eyes and trembling hands. We have to find a safe place soon, or this group will tear itself apart.

As they continued, the system chimed again, a new notification appearing before all of them.

[New Mission: Forest Sanctuary]

[Objective: Find the Safe Zone within the Whispering Woods.]

[Reward: Group Morale Boost, 500 Points per Person.]

[Failure: Increased Monster Aggression.]

Rishitha swallowed hard. "We don't have much time. Let's move."

The notification hung in the air, its glowing blue text a grim reminder of their precarious situation. The group trudged onward, their steps hesitant and unsteady. The forest seemed to grow darker with each passing moment, the shadows deepening, twisting into shapes that hinted at danger.

Rishitha's Eye of Knowledge flickered to life again, her vision overlaying faint outlines of the hidden dangers ahead.

[Warning: Forest Creatures Approaching]

[Enemy: Forest Crawlers]

[Quantity: 5]

[Danger Level: Moderate]

[Advice: Use fire-based attacks to repel.]

Rishitha's pulse quickened. She turned to Erin, who was scanning the group with a calm, assessing gaze. "We've got company again. Five creatures—Forest Crawlers. They're weak against fire."

"Fire?" Mo Tang echoed, his tone tinged with disbelief. "We don't have enough resources to start a proper fire here!"

Erin frowned. "We don't need a campfire. We just need torches or anything flammable." He turned to the group. "Everyone, search your packs. If you have cloth or oil, bring it out now."

Victor scoffed, leaning against a tree as though the impending attack was an inconvenience. "You're awfully confident in her hunches, aren't you?"

Rishitha didn't dignify him with a response. Her focus remained on the forest, where faint rustling sounds were drawing closer. We don't have time for this.

Before they could fully prepare, the first of the Forest Crawlers burst from the underbrush. It was a grotesque creature, its many legs moving with unnerving speed, its greenish-black body shimmering with a sickly bioluminescence.

Screams erupted as the group scattered. Ragith charged forward with a guttural yell, his axe swinging in a wide arc. The weapon connected with one of the creatures, splitting it in two, but three more swarmed toward him.

"Behind you!" Rishitha shouted.

Ragith spun just in time to see another Crawler leaping at him. Before it could land, Erin's sword sliced through the air, cleaving the creature in half.

"We need fire now!" Erin barked.

Mo Tang, who had been rummaging through his pack, pulled out a small vial of oil. "Here!" He tossed it to Erin, who quickly coated the edge of his blade and set it alight with a spark from his flint. The makeshift flaming sword illuminated the dark forest, casting eerie shadows.

The Crawlers hesitated at the sight of the fire, their movements becoming more erratic. Taking advantage of their hesitation, Erin and Ragith worked together, cutting down two more of the creatures.

"Rishitha, look out!" Mo Tang shouted.

She turned just as the final Crawler lunged at her. Her reflexes kicked in, and she managed to dodge, but the creature's claw grazed her arm, leaving a shallow cut. Before it could attack again, Erin stepped in, his flaming sword driving the creature back.

"Are you okay?" he asked, glancing at her wound.

"I'm fine," she replied, clutching her arm. "It's just a scratch."

The last of the Crawlers fell, its body crumpling to the ground with a sickening squelch. The forest grew quiet again, the only sounds the labored breathing of the survivors.

The group huddled together, their faces pale and haunted. Though they had survived, the toll of the battle was evident in their shaking hands and wide, unblinking eyes.

"We're not going to make it," someone muttered, their voice barely above a whisper.

"We will," Erin said firmly, his gaze sweeping over the group. "We have to. But we need to find that sanctuary—now."

The global system's timer continued to tick down, each second a cruel reminder of their impending doom.

Time Remaining: 7:32... 7:31...

Victor's voice cut through the silence, sharp and mocking. "Well, that was fun. But let's face it—most of you are dead weight. You should've stayed in the cave where it was safer."

"Shut up, Victor!" Ragith snapped, his fists clenching. "You're not helping!"

Victor smirked. "I'm just being honest. Not everyone here is cut out for this. Maybe it's time we let natural selection do its thing."

"Enough!" Erin shouted, his voice carrying authority. "If you're not going to contribute, stay quiet. We don't have time for your games."

Victor shrugged but said nothing more, his expression smug.

As they continued their desperate march, Rishitha's Eye of Knowledge activated once more.

[Alert: Sanctuary Detected]

[Location: 500 meters northeast.]

[Status: Safe Zone – Monster Repellent Aura Active.]

Her heart leaped. "The sanctuary—it's close! Just ahead, about 500 meters!"

Erin didn't hesitate. "Everyone, move! Stick together and don't stop for anything!"

The group picked up their pace, a renewed sense of urgency driving them forward. The promise of safety was like a beacon, cutting through their fear and despair.

As they neared the sanctuary, the forest seemed to fight back. Shadows writhed, and unearthly howls echoed around them. A few survivors faltered, their courage giving way to panic.

"Keep moving!" Erin shouted, his voice unyielding.

Ragith stayed near the back, helping those who stumbled. Mo Tang and Rishitha worked together, guiding the injured and the weak. Even Victor, despite his earlier words, stayed with the group, though his eyes darted around warily.

Finally, they broke through the dense underbrush, emerging into a clearing bathed in a soft, golden light. The air felt different here—lighter, safer.

[Mission Complete: Forest Sanctuary]

[Reward: Group Morale Boost, 500 Points per Person.]

A wave of relief washed over them as the system's notification confirmed their safety. For the first time since entering the Whispering Woods, they allowed themselves to breathe.

But even in the sanctuary, the shadow of their trials lingered. The survivors knew this was only the beginning. The forest had tested them, but the true challenges were yet to come.