The older man led them through the camp, weaving through clusters of tense and fearful inhabitants. Knox felt their gazes bore into him, their faces etched with fear and loathing. Most didn't even acknowledge Elara; their attention was solely fixed on Knox. As they walked, Knox felt a familiar surge within him—his connection to the system had returned. He silently thanked the Elders for their foresight, understanding that they had restored his abilities in case of emergencies.

They reached the heart of the camp, where the largest tent stood, its entrance flanked by vigilant guards. Inside, the air was heavy with the scent of burning incense and the murmured discussions of leaders. As they stepped in, the camp leader greeted them, a mix of curiosity and wariness in his eyes. However, a man in the corner of the tent suddenly froze, his face draining of color.

"Y-Y-you... It's him!" he stammered, pointing a trembling finger at Knox.

The leader's brow furrowed in confusion. "Him? Are you sure?" he asked, glancing between the terrified man and Knox.

"Yes! I will never forget that face," the man insisted, his voice quaking with fear. He shivered slightly, his eyes wide with a mix of recognition and horror.

Elara and Knox exchanged puzzled glances, unsure of the unfolding drama. Knox, however, had a gnawing suspicion about who the man might be and what he might remember.

The leader's expression darkened as he turned to face Knox. "If what he says is true, then you have to die."

Before Knox could fully comprehend the leader's words, a figure emerged from the shadows with an almost ethereal grace. The man seemed to float, his movements a blur as he closed the distance to Knox in an instant. With a single, powerful motion, he grabbed Knox's head and flung him away with incredible force.

Knox flew through the air, the world spinning around him. He crashed to the ground several kilometers away, the impact sending shockwaves through his body. Pain radiated from every limb.

As he struggled to his feet, Knox's mind raced. The camp had turned hostile quicker than he could have anticipated, and the mysterious figure who had attacked him was clearly a formidable opponent. He knew he had to regroup with Elara and find a way to turn this dire situation around.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Knox staggered to his feet, pain rippling through his body but quickly dulling as his connection to the system healed him. Determined to return to the camp and regroup with Elara, he broke into a sprint, his eyes set on the distant tents.

However, before he could cover much ground, the shadowy figure reappeared in his path, emerging from the darkness with unsettling speed. The man's features were obscured by the shadows that seemed to cling to him, giving him an almost spectral appearance.

With a swift, powerful punch, the shadow man struck Knox in the side. The force of the blow sent Knox hurtling through the air once more. His vision blurred as he soared over the rocky terrain, pain flaring up again in his ribs. He crashed into the ground several kilometers away, the impact driving the breath from his lungs and sending up a cloud of dust and debris.

Knox gritted his teeth, forcing himself to rise despite the searing pain. His mind raced, trying to assess his opponent. The shadow man was not only powerful but also possessed a speed and agility that made him nearly impossible to anticipate.

"Who the hell is this guy?" Knox muttered to himself, frustration and determination mingling in his voice. He couldn't afford to keep getting knocked around like this.

As he regained his footing, Knox felt his anger rising. He couldn’t let this mysterious adversary stop him. Drawing on his connection to the system, Knox focused, feeling the power surge within him, ready to face whatever came next.

He braced himself, scanning the horizon for any sign of the shadow man. Knox knew he had to be smarter to anticipate the next attack and find a way to outmaneuver his opponent if he hoped to make it back to the camp.

Knox stood, his chest heaving with exertion and fury, his eyes scanning the landscape with a hawk-like intensity. The desolate terrain stretched out around him, and the eerie silence was broken only by the distant sounds of wind sweeping through the rocks. His mind raced, desperately trying to predict the next move of the elusive shadow man.

"Where is he?" Knox muttered, his voice a low growl. His thoughts were a whirlwind. ‘Where, where, where?’

A sudden shift in the air behind him sent a shiver down his spine. Reacting instinctively, Knox encased his arm in a blazing sheath of fire, the heat so intense that the very fabric of space seemed to ripple and distort around it. He swung his arm backward with all his might, the fiery arc slicing through the air with deadly precision.

But his strike met only empty space. Knox's eyes widened in surprise and frustration. 'How did I miss?'

Before he could process the thought, a tremendous force struck him from above. The shadow man descended like a meteor, his attack smashing Knox into the ground with brutal efficiency. The impact was cataclysmic, the ground beneath Knox's feet giving way and forming a massive crater. Dust and debris exploded outward, creating a choking cloud that filled the air.

Knox lay at the center of the crater, momentarily dazed. Pain radiated through his body, but he gritted his teeth and forced himself to move. His connection to the system flared, healing his injuries, but the shock of the blow lingered.

He pushed himself up on one knee, glaring at the shadowy figure standing above him. The man’s features were still obscured, his form almost blending into the darkness. Knox's eyes burned with a mixture of rage and determination.

"You can't hide forever," Knox spat, his voice rough but defiant. "I'll find a way to stop you."

The shadow man remained silent, his presence a constant, oppressive force. Knox knew he had to adapt and think beyond brute strength if he hoped to overcome this relentless adversary. He rose to his feet, flames dancing around him as he prepared for the next encounter, his mind focused on finding a way to turn the tide of this deadly game.