My heart was pounding uncontrollably. My hands trembled and sweat slid down my face. These people were crazy. They were psychopaths.

What had I stumbled onto?

[Gut Feeling]

I just knew things were going to get a lot more interesting; For worse. Still, I remained hidden behind the bush. My gaze peeked out, I continued to watch.

The rain died down along with the wind. It all just suddenly stopped. The entire forest. grew into dead silence, as if there was no life to be found. Not one single noise to be heard. A dark aura filled the atmosphere, I could just sense something bad. My stomach began to twist and turn. Utterly nauseous, I wanted to vomit, but I was able to hold it in.

This exact situation, it felt oddly familiar.

A humanoid figure emerged from the darkness. Except, it definitely wasn’t human. It was abnormally tall, and its skin was a dark shade of grey. In place of its eyes were two gaping holes. Its entire presence was pure nightmare-fuel.

Immediately, my heart sank into my stomach. Unpleasant memories flooded my mind.

…No...Please...

The images from that night were still burned into my mind It was a night just like this, I could see my blood spilling from the wound on my torso. All while I desperately ran for my life.

Back then, this same creature wore a grim smile as it spoke words that remained in my memories, “Keep. On. Running. When you finally feel safe, I’ll come back and crush all you’re hope. I’ll watch you die a slow death while your blood spills out.”

This recollection made my body sweat excessively. It’s like I was living that nightmare all over again.

I kept my hands pressed over my mouth in order to stop myself from screaming. If even a peep escaped my mouth, this monster and these cultists would be alerted.

I needed to calm down. Slowly, a deep breath entered my lungs. Once exhaled, I came back to my senses.

This isn't’ like back then. I’m stronger now. If It comes to it, I can defend myself.

Sure to remain hidden, I watched the encounter unfold.

The masked woman and the creature stood face to face, only 3 meters apart. As if she was looking at a fellow-human, she started to speak.

“I am glad that you chose to show up. Shall I discuss my reason for luring you here?” Her voice didn’t have any hint of fear.

It didn’t even sound like she was capable of showing emotions. Her voice sounded almost programmed.

The creature replied, a dark grin spread across its face.

“Go onnnnn. I’ll listennnn.” A dark fog floated around its body, “But if you bore me, I’ll slaughter you all.”

The masked woman went on to explain.

“The town. It’s thriving with life. We want you to wreak Havok and cause destruction. Kill as many as you want. A demon such as you will grow stronger from the fear you cause.”

Already, this was sounding very bad.

The demon gave his own thought on this.

“It’s a fact that I could benefit from thisssss. However, you are missing one great detail. The adventurers. I could kill groups of them, but once the powerful ones show up, even I will be done for.”

“That’s why I have a solution. Tomorrow, I’ll cause a scene in the nearby villages. Monsters will run lose, terrorizing villagers.”

I wasn’t the brightest, but I knew exactly where this was going. The stronger adventurers will be lured away from town. If that were to happen, the demon would be free to attack. And nobody will be around to stop him.

This was bad. Very bad.

“I can anticipate what will happen after that.” said the masked woman, “Carriages of adventurers will set out to deal with issues at hand. Once they’re gone, you can let loose on the town.” Through the holes in her mask, her glowing red eyes were visible.

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“Hahah.” The Demon’s raspy voice let out a laugh, “I’ll let you live. This turned out to be worth listening. With that out of the wayyyyy, I would like to bring something to light.”

The masked woman tilted her head, “And what may that be?”

“Well....” The Demon’s neck crackled as he slowly turned his gaze. He was now looking in my direction, “...There’s someone watching ussssss...”

A gasp flew from my mouth, my heart nearly jumped out of my chest.

Oh no....

How did he know I was here??!!

“The stench of your fear is strong.” the demon sneered.

I wasn’t staying around any longer. Without waiting for another second to pass, I turned and sprinted back towards town. Before I could get very far, a violent tug came to the back of my shirt, throwing me into a tree.

I collapsed against the muddy forest floor.

It really hurt, but it wasn’t enough to keep me down. I jumped to my feet and drew my blade. Both hands around the handle, my soul was ready for a fight to the death. Although, I'd be lying if I said that I wasn’t scared. My palms were sweating excessively.

“S-stay back. Unless you want to die” I tried to be intimating, but it simply failed. My voice was shaky, a clear sign of fear.

The Demon came closer, step by step.

“ I told you that I we would meet againnnn.” One step, two steps, three, “I wasn’t planning on finding you any time soooon. But it seems like you were eager to die.”

[Gut Feeling]

I quickly ducked to the floor. A silver dagger swung over me, slashing the tree behind me apart.

“You have some quick reflexes. I’m surprised you dodged that.” said the Masked woman.

It had nothing to do with reflexes. [Gut-Feeling] was the only reason I was bel to evade. Without it, my head would’ve been cut clean off. This very fact left me speechless.

I took a few steps back, creating distance between me and my two opponents.

“I can’t let you live. Not after you heard all that.” The masked woman clenched her dagger, “I assume that you were planning on getting in our way. Why else would you have been spying.” Her figure gave off an aura of blood-lust, “Nothing will get in the way of orders.”

By the way her back leg tensed up, she was ready to leap at me. This time, I knew her slash would be unavoidable. I considered running, but it would be no use. The other cultists were blocking my paths of escape. Even if I somehow got passed them, the demon was fast enough to catch me without an issue.

I was backed into a corner with no options.

Is this it???, I thought to myself.

As the masked woman was going to set her attack in motion, the demon’s voice stopped her.

“Don’t interfere with what’s mine.” he said.

The masked woman stopped, sheathing her dagger. Without any objection, she stood aside, no words spoken.

It was just me and the Demon now. But even then, I would be outmatched.

[Analyze]

[Fear Demon- Difficulty: S-rank]

Fwsh!

The Demon flickered from sight, then appeared right in front of me. Out of reflex, I swung my sword at his throat.

Clink!

He stopped it with his forearm, almost no effort used.

“Now, let me see your fear.”

The demon jammed his fist against my stomach then kicked me in the side. I was sent sliding through the mud, losing my sword in the process. By the time I was able to get back up, he was standing right next to me. His hand grabbed ahold of my shoulder, forcing his finger-tips into my skin. As he squeezed even tighter, my blood squirted out. It was hard to find the strength to fight against this. My body gave in to the pain, and I dropped to my knees.

All over again, just like every other time, I was weak. My presence was a useless and helpless one. That much was clear to me.

Be that as it may, it wasn’t over yet.

...I’m not done....Not yet

[‘Rage’ has activated.]

I slapped the demon’s grip off my shoulder, then kicked at his torso, though I missed. Again and again, I flooded him with kicks, but he evaded each time. This kept up for nearly 10 seconds, till he stopped me by force. His hand reached out and lifted me by the throat. Although he had no eyes, it felt like he was looking into the depths of my soul, studying me.

“You are a strange strange girl. I can no longer sense any fear from you.” The demon breathed, “There’s nothing for me to gain from keeping you alive anymore. Now then, farewell.”

I tried to pry free from his grip, but it was just too powerful. His right arm charged up for a strike, ready to deal the finishing blow.

Even then, I knew I wasn’t done for.

There was a voice; a voice that only I could hear. It echoed through-out my mind.

“Let me take over.” it said. As confused as I was, there was no time to wonder.

My vision began to black-out and I lost control of my very own body.

...What’s..going on?...