Chapter 34: On The Run

The forest was unnaturally silent as Niko and the others trudged onward, their limbs aching with the weight of fatigue. Every breath felt heavier, every step more labored. The oppressive atmosphere of this world seemed to close in around them, as if the very air was conspiring against their survival. Despite the strain, they pushed forward, driven by the primal need to stay alive for one more day.

The sudden appearance of the boars still gnawed at their minds. Where had they come from? Why had they attacked? It was clear that in this world, nothing was random, but the mystery surrounding the boars remained frustratingly out of reach. There was so much they still didn’t know, and Niko felt the sting of that ignorance deeply.

“There has to be a reason for the boars showing up like that!” Kyle growled, his draconic tail thrashing in agitation. His voice was filled with anger and, beneath that, the sharp edge of fear. His past life as an accountant in the United States felt like a distant dream, one that had faded into the nightmarish landscape of this new reality. Now, survival was his only currency.

Andrea and Fumito, the other members of Kyle’s group, walked in grim silence. Andrea, another American like Kyle, seemed to be holding back the weight of her own emotions, her eyes constantly scanning their surroundings. Fumito, the eldest among them, kept his eyes downcast, his face drawn tight with the permanent frown of a man who had seen too much, too quickly. Once a businessman in Japan, Fumito now found himself in a world where money held no value and only strength mattered. The loss of their fourth companion in the recent attacks had shaken them to their core, and their grief hung in the air like a suffocating fog.

“This world is too mysterious,” Fumito muttered darkly, his voice barely rising above a whisper. “Unless we get answers from the Protectors themselves, we’ll remain blind. But I doubt they’re willing to share any of their secrets. We’re nothing to them.”

The group pressed on, the forest growing darker around them as the sun dipped lower on the horizon. Their breathing was ragged, the sound of boots crunching through the underbrush the only noise breaking the suffocating quiet. Niko’s mind was spinning, trying to make sense of the day’s events. Why had the boars attacked so suddenly? Why was everything in this world shrouded in mystery?

“Wait!” A voice shattered the silence, causing the group to freeze.

From between two trees, a man stumbled into view. He was limping, his leather armor torn and bloodied, his body covered in grime and sweat. His short sword hung limply in one hand, while his other arm dangled uselessly at his side, drenched in blood.

Niko’s instincts flared, screaming at him to be cautious. The man was injured, weak. If they took him in, he’d slow them down. And in a world like this, slowing down could mean death. But could they really leave him behind? His mind raced as he glanced at the others, their faces reflecting his own hesitation. A man’s life hung in the balance, and with it, a question gnawed at Niko: Should I abandon my humanity to survive?

Ivanic, the grizzled veteran of their group, clenched his fists. His face twisted in an apologetic grimace. “Listen, we can’t—”

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“No!” Candreva’s booming voice interrupted, cutting through the tension like a blade. His burly frame stepped forward, his massive chest puffed out with righteous confidence. “No! We can’t leave someone behind! We’re not cowards like the Protectors! If we abandon him, we’re no better than them!” Candreva’s voice was filled with a raw, unexpected conviction.

Niko blinked in surprise. Candreva? The muscle-bound brute with endless bravado, showing depth? He never expected this from the man who seemed to only live for the thrill of the fight and the pride of being ‘manly.’

The group stood in silence for a moment, letting Candreva’s words hang heavy in the air. Despite their fear and exhaustion, there was a flicker of shame in their eyes. Candreva was right. Leaving the man behind would make them no better than the soulless Protectors.

Ivanic sighed, resigned. “Fine. But if you can’t keep up, we won’t be responsible for what happens to you.”

The man, pale and barely standing, nodded gratefully. His face twisted in pain as he limped over, each step labored, but he pressed on. Candreva marched over with his usual swagger, offering his shoulder. “Come on, lean on me! I’m strong enough for both of us!” he grinned.

The injured man gave a weak smile, too exhausted to protest, and leaned heavily on Candreva.

Fumito broke the silence. “We’ve been running for a while now. Maybe we should rest.”

Niko’s body screamed for a break. He could feel the exhaustion deep in his bones, and though his powers as a summoner gave him an edge, his physical endurance was still lacking. He nodded, relieved by the suggestion.

They found shelter under a large tree, its branches casting long shadows as the sun dipped further behind the mountains. The group collapsed, breathing heavily, each of them struggling to regain their strength.

“What’s our plan?” Andrea asked, her voice steady despite the turmoil in her eyes.

Kyle ran a hand through his matted hair. “We need to reach another layer, somewhere safer. But the nearest safe zone is near that mountain.” He pointed toward the towering peak in the distance, its jagged silhouette cutting through the dusky sky.

Niko followed Kyle’s gaze. The mountain… Ivanic had told them stories about it. A place of death, where no one returned. A dungeon filled with unspeakable horrors. But it was the only option they had.

“Seems like the only choice,” Niko muttered under his breath, before turning to the injured man. “Who are you?”

The man, still leaning on Candreva, slowly lifted his head. His light brown hair was matted with dirt and blood, his face pale. “Thank you… for not leaving me behind,” he rasped. “My name’s Eitan. I was part of a mercenary group—people from Earth, like you. My brother… my brother was here too…” His voice cracked, and his expression crumbled with grief.

Niko’s chest tightened at the mention of a sibling. He couldn’t help but think of his sister, lost somewhere in this world. The pain in Eitan’s voice hit too close to home.

“What happened?” Zheng asked, his fists clenched with anger.

Eitan took a shaky breath. “We encountered the pigs. But… it wasn’t the pigs that killed us.” He paused, tears spilling down his dirt-streaked face. “It was the Protectors.”

The group froze, shock rippling through some of them.

“They… they abandoned us. My brother begged them for help. And when he refused to leave, they… they cut him in half.” Eitan’s voice trembled, barely able to hold back the rage and sorrow.

The words hit them like a physical blow. Niko felt the ground shift beneath him, all of this further validated Ivanic's comments. The Protectors—the supposed guardians of humanity—had murdered Eitan’s group.

A cold, suffocating silence fell over them. If the Protectors were capable of such cruelty, then who could they trust? Who could they turn to for help in this hostile world?

Ivanic, his face darkened with grim determination, broke the silence. “We need to move.”

Niko’s eyes lingered on Eitan, his mind swirling with questions and fear. The world had just grown darker, more dangerous. And in that moment, the truth became clear: No one was coming to save them.