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The screen lingered before Geon, its shimmering light casting ominous shadows across his face.
⚠️Notice⚠️
A Player has placed a BOUNTY on you.
You will be hunted for 24 hours.
SURVIVAL REWARD
Health Node (5x)
Grade: Major
Geon's lips twisted into a grim smile. "Hunted, huh? Let’s see who’s really hunting whom."
The shadow flickered beside him, its voice tinged with amusement. “Someone wants you dead already? You haven’t even started the carnage yet.”
Geon tilted his head, scanning his surroundings. His instincts sharpened as he felt the first prickles of danger. “It was only a matter of time. I’ve jumped too many levels too quickly. Someone must’ve noticed.”
The air grew heavier, tinged with an oppressive silence. The mall’s decrepit walls seemed to close in, the shadows lengthening unnaturally. Geon turned toward the exit, his black outfit blending into the dimness like a wraith.
“Let’s not waste time,” he said, his tone steady. “If they’re coming, I might as well welcome them.”
The shadow hummed approvingly, gliding beside him as he left the mall. The city streets stretched ahead, littered with debris and the remnants of a world that no longer cared.
The bounty wasn’t just a call to arms; it was a spectacle. Somewhere in the distance, a sharp howl pierced the air, a signal to every player within range. Geon stopped mid-stride, his muscles coiling like a predator preparing to pounce.
“That’s not just any player,” the shadow whispered. “They’ve got resources—a tracker, maybe. And they’re already closing in.”
Geon narrowed his eyes. “Good. Let them come.”
Moments later, a ripple of movement appeared at the edge of his vision. Three figures emerged from the rubble, their silhouettes sharp against the dim light. They were armed—one with a spear crackling with electricity, another holding a jagged axe, and the last carrying a crossbow etched with glowing runes.
Enemy Identified
Lightning Lance [LVL 55] Class Global Rank Kills Spearman #440212 61
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Enemy Identified
Jigsaw Kriss [LVL 51] Class Global Rank Kills Axman #491863 56
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Enemy Identified
Stealthy Oliver [LVL 53] Class Global Rank Kills Bowman #447989 58
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“Bounty’s worth a fortune,” the one with the spear called out, his voice echoing through the desolate street. “Hand yourself over, and maybe we won’t make it too painful.”
Geon smirked, his hands loosening at his sides. “You’ve got it backward. I’m the one deciding how painful this will be.”
The spear-wielder snarled and lunged forward, the electric weapon sparking wildly. But before he could strike, Geon vanished into the shadows beneath his feet, reappearing behind the group.
『EXCHANGE!』
“What the—!” the axe-wielder spun around, but it was too late. A dark tendril shot out from Geon’s shadow, wrapping around the man’s leg and yanking him to the ground. The axe clattered uselessly to the side.
Geon wasted no time. Another tendril lashed out, snatching the crossbow from the third attacker’s hands and hurling it into the debris. The shadow shield sprang to life, absorbing a wild swing from the spear-wielder before Geon retaliated with a brutal kick to his chest, sending him sprawling.
The axe-wielder scrambled to his feet, panic setting in. “He’s not normal! This isn’t—”
His words were cut short as Geon stepped forward, his voice low and cold. “You were saying?”
A final shadow tendril struck with precision, sending the man off to his final destination.
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The shadow pulsed beside him, its form vibrating with energy. “What do you think of your new powers?” it asked, its voice a low, curious hum. “How do they feel?”
Geon smirked faintly, flexing his fingers as he glanced down at his hands. “They feel good,” he admitted. “But I want more. I need to become even stronger.”
His gaze drifted to the dead spear-wielder at his feet. Something metallic near the fallen hunter’s belt caught his eye. Kneeling down, Geon retrieved the device and examined it closely. A tracker. His jaw tightened. Without hesitation, he crushed the device in his palm, letting the twisted shards scatter to the ground.
The shadow tilted slightly, as if considering him from a new angle. “What will you do next? You’ll be hunted for the rest of the day.”
Geon’s eyes narrowed. “The ones carrying trackers are strong enough to challenge me. They think they can win. But I don’t plan to let too many come at me at once.” He stood, his posture calm yet resolute. “I’ll move in a circle—north to east, south to west. That way, I’ll stay ahead of the larger groups and keep the ambushes small.”
The shadow chuckled, its laughter as dark and restless as a stormcloud. “Clever. Let’s see if they can keep up.”
As Geon was about to get moving, a new message flashed across his Interface.
Bounty Survival Time
00:33:21
Hunters Defeated: 3
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Hours passed, the city shifting from desolate silence to sporadic chaos. More players emerged, some lone hunters, others in groups, all drawn to the promise of wealth and power. But none who faced Geon left unscathed.
The Interface updated constantly.
Bounty Survival Time
03:21:01
Hunters Defeated: 6
Bounty Survival Time
10:46:19
Hunters Defeated: 11
Bounty Survival Time
18:13:55
Hunters Defeated: 21
By now, Geon was battle-worn but alive. His shadow abilities had become an extension of himself, each encounter refining his technique. Yet, as the last hour approached, something changed.
The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.
The air grew colder, the shadows around him trembling unnaturally. Geon paused mid-step, his instincts screaming.
“They’re here,” the shadow whispered, its tone uncharacteristically wary.
Geon scanned the area, his senses heightened. A faint glow appeared in the distance, growing brighter with each passing moment. Then, out of the gloom, a single figure emerged.
Clad in silver armor that shimmered like moonlight, the figure carried a massive, ornate blade across their back. Their eyes glowed faintly, the same hue as the weapon.
“Demon Geon,” the figure called, their voice calm yet commanding. “I’ve been watching you. You’ve made quite a name for yourself.”
“And you are?” Geon asked, his tone devoid of fear.
The figure smiled faintly. “Call me Irid. I’m here to collect the bounty. Unlike the others, I intend to succeed.”
Enemy Identified
Holy Knight Irid [LVL 65] Class Global Rank Kills Holy Knight
#310562 122
Irid didn’t waste time. The massive blade swung with surprising speed, a crescent of energy ripping through the air. Geon dodged, his agility pushed to its limits as he rolled into the safety of a nearby shadow.
“Impressive,” Irid said, their voice steady. “But dodging won’t win this fight.”
Geon emerged behind Irid, his shadow tendrils lashing out. But the armored figure turned with precision, their blade cutting through the tendrils effortlessly.
“You’ll have to do better,” Irid remarked.
Geon smirked, his mind racing. “Let’s see how you handle this.”
He activated Shadow Manipulation, his form blurring into the darkness. The battlefield shifted, shadows rising like waves, obscuring visibility. Irid hesitated, their glowing eyes scanning the swirling blackness.
From every direction, tendrils attacked, forcing Irid to defend relentlessly. But the warrior was no novice. Each swing of their blade disrupted the shadows, their movements precise and calculated.
“You think this darkness will protect you?” Irid taunted. “It’s just a tool. Like everything else.”
Geon’s voice echoed from the shadows. “And what happens when your tools fail?”
The ground beneath Irid erupted, a massive tendril surging upward. Irid leaped back, but the attack had done its job, creating an opening. Geon emerged, his fist wreathed in shadow enhanced with Dark Temper, and struck.
The blow connected, sending Irid skidding across the ground.
Irid rose slowly, their armor dented but their resolve unbroken. They stared at Geon, then laughed softly.
“You’re strong,” they admitted. “Stronger than I expected. But this isn’t over.”
With that, Irid vanished, their form dissolving into light. A system message followed almost immediately.
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⚠️Notice⚠️
BOUNTY hunter Holy Knight Irid has withdrawn.
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Geon stood alone once more, his breathing heavy but steady. The Interface updated again.
Bounty Survival Time
23:59:59
Hunters Defeated: 29
Bounty Survival Time
24:00:00
Hunters Defeated: 29
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⚠️Notice⚠️
Player BOUNTY has expired.
Granting reward...
⚠️Notice⚠️
You obtained a reward!
Health Node (5x)
Grade: Major
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Level Up!
Level Up!
Level Up!
Level Up!
Level Up!
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The shadow reappeared beside him, its form flickering with excitement. “You surprised even me,” it said. “But this was just the beginning. The real hunt will start now.”
"You're god damn right." Geon said while being still out of breath. "I still need to become much stronger!"
Player Profile: Demon Geon
Class Global Rank Level Kill Count Demon #400001 55 39
Health
5900/5900
Stamina
2800/2800
Energy
2500/2500
Distribute Stat Points (0)
Power
250
Strength, affecting the damage of physical attacks.
Defense
50
Resistance, reducing the impact of incoming attacks.
Stamina
150
Endurance, dictating how long the player could fight or move before exhaustion set in.
Agility
100
Speed, improving reflexes and movement.