They kept running, until they came across a small lake. Hazel collapsed to the side and barfed. Oliver slept on the edge of the pond, while splashing water on himself. Erin however had a very different reaction when she noticed how deep the lake was.

This is it! This is how we kill that creature!

She couldn't suppress her giggles. Oliver glanced at her and sighed.

“Crikey. She's lost it.”

Erin laughed hoarsely and said, “Maybe a little, but don't you guys see? This is how we kill that thing!”

Hazel looked up at her in horror.

“What are you talking about? We just failed at that, and Adam got killed as a result. Let's just keep running away for as long as we can. This is an exploration mission. I doubt there's that much time left. Let's just hide from it.”

Oliver nodded in agreement.

With a sigh, Erin sat down and started talking.

“Look, I get how you feel. I'm bloody terrified, but hiding won't work. I'm not sure how exactly, but it seems to be able to find us. We can't run forever, whereas it hasn't shown any such limits. Just hear me out. As we saw, it has teleportation abilities. Now, roughly speaking there are three types. The first type uses markers to set teleportation points, the second uses eyesight, and the third involves teleporting within a certain area around the user. The monster seems to be using the third, since it never set any markers and it wasn't looking directly at the location it teleported to.”

Hazel nodded along and asked, “Ok, but how exactly does that help us?”

With a smirk, Erin began to explain her plan.

When the monster arrived, it saw Erin standing alone with steel cards swirling around. It began to advance in it's usual irregular manner and leapt out. As it reached a step before Erin, it suddenly sank.

As the creature flailed about, Oliver dismissed his illusions hiding him and Hazel while also disguising the lake, as Hazel and Erin used their abilities to push the creature all the way to the bottom of the 15 foot deep lake. It attempted to teleport up, but couldn't reach the top, and each time it was pushed all the way back down. As the cold water filled its lungs, the creature died. Erin immediately leapt off of the surface of the lake, where Hazel had been holding her up by manipulating the water under.

The trio collapsed in relief. Hazel yelled, “Hell yeah! Oh God, that was way closer than I hoped it would be. I'm practically out of mana right now.”

Erin nodded, unable to say anything. It'd been terrifying to stand there alone while being charged by the creature. If it'd been a better swimmer or had a greater teleportation range than she'd predicted, they might have failed again. As they sat there in relief, Oliver said, “I'm glad I got sent here with you, mates. What are your plans after this? Personally, I'm absolutely buggered out. I'mma take a break for as long as I can.”

If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

Hazel muttered, “Honestly, these missions have been way more terrifying than I expected. I feel traumatized. I'll probably take a step back and explore my options.”

Erin considered the question. But before she could say anything, the System sent out a message.

“Congratulations! The twenty minutes are up, and so you have accomplished the mission. You will be brought back in 10 seconds.”

Erin glanced to her side. The other two were also looking at their own messages. Hazel got up first and said, “Well, this is it. Thanks for all the help guys. If I ever meet either of you again, I'll work with you. Goodbye!”

Erin and Oliver got up as well. As they said their goodbyes, the ten seconds ended.

Erin found herself back in her room.

“Hell yes!”

With a sigh of relief, Erin collapsed on the bed. She drifted off to sleep, only to be woken up by a knock on her door. With a sigh, she got up and opened the door. She still felt groggy, and hadn't changed her clothes or patched up her injuries.

As she opened the door, she found a short guy wearing a colorful t-shirt and black pants standing there while holding a plastic box.

“Hey there. You're Erin, right? I'm Carlos, your other roommate. I figured I'd introduce myself. My mom makes these great enchiladas. Um…”

Carlos noticed Erin’s current state, and his eyes narrowed.

“Did you go on a mission?”

Erin frowned.

What's with his tone?

“Uh, yeah. Just got back a while ago.”

Carlos yelled, “Seriously? What's wrong with you? You literally just joined. Do you have a death wish? There's a reason most people wait. Over seventy percent of first missions have at least one death!”

Erin got pissed at Carlos’s attitude.

Who does this punk think he is?

“Look, I don't care what you think. You don't know shit about me, and I don't care what you think.”

Carlos turned away and with a sigh said, “Whatever. If you don't understand just what you're stepping into, it's not my business. Have these enchiladas. Oh, and we have a meeting later at four today in the training grounds. In case you're unaware, our group is supposed to train together. Come if you want, or go ahead and take another mission if that's what you really want.”

Erin huffed as he walked away.

Like I care! Why should I bother training with him! Although he did have a bit of a point. I thought I was prepared for my first mission going in, but clearly I'm not quite ready yet.

With a sigh, Erin decided to take a nap till three, and then get ready for the training, whatever it was. As she drifted off into sleep, she found herself in a dream.

Within the dream, Erin found herself in a blank space.

Is this a dream? Strange, I haven't had one for a long time. Wait, why am I so self-aware? Is this a lucid dream? That's even stranger.

“I see you chose to join them, Erin.”

Erin's eyes widened as she turned around to see her brother lounging on a golden throne, seemingly suspended up in the air by an invisible force.

“It's been a while, dear sister.”