Chapter 35: A Silent March
A group of eight trudged through the forest at a steady pace, their faces set in grim lines, and their bodies covered in layers of dirt and exhaustion. The horrors they had witnessed weighed heavily on their minds, though the sound of distant screams and the chaos of the settlement had finally faded away, leaving only the quiet rustling of the trees and the occasional chirp of a bird.
A gentle breeze rustled through the leaves, brushing their sweat-soaked skin and offering a momentary reprieve from the weight of everything they had just endured. The trees swayed softly, as if completely unaware of the carnage that had unfolded not too far away. It was strange, almost unnerving, how peaceful the world could seem after witnessing such horrors.
Niko walked in the middle of the group, his mind still grappling with the questions that had haunted him since the Protectors’ betrayal. Why would they do such a thing? he wondered, running through possibilities he had read in books or encountered in the games he used to play back on Earth. But no matter how hard he thought, none of the usual tropes made sense here. The brutality of this world was overwhelming, and it became clear to him that at some point, he too would have to make ruthless decisions.
A cold chill settled over his heart. Killing… killing is inevitable here. He wasn’t ready for that, but this world didn’t care. It was kill or be killed, and the sooner he accepted that, the better his chances of survival would be.
The group moved quietly, Ivanic and Fumito taking the lead. They were experienced, and the rest of them, still coming to grips with the strange rules of this world, followed their guidance without question. It was a somber procession, the silence almost oppressive as the weight of what they had witnessed in the settlement hung over them like a dark cloud. Some cried quietly as they walked, while others kept their heads down, refusing to meet anyone's gaze.
“Another one,” Andrea said suddenly, pointing to the ground ahead of them.
The group stopped, following the line of her finger to see what she had spotted. There, lying in the dirt, was a large rat the size of a small dog. A single, clean wound pierced its neck, and its wide, lifeless eyes stared up at the sky, frozen in shock. Whoever had killed it had done so with precision—like an assassin.
“This is the second one,” Zheng muttered, a frown pulling at his lips. “First the one with the head clean off, now this.”
Ivanic crouched beside the rat, examining the wound. “Someone’s been through here,” he said, his voice low and thoughtful. “Whoever it was, they’re skilled. And based on these kills, there’s likely more than one person.”
The others nodded in agreement. They were far from alone in this forest, and that knowledge set everyone on edge.
“Let’s keep moving, but stay sharp,” Fumito said. “We don’t want to end up like this rat.”
This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.
The group continued onward, their eyes darting nervously between the trees, scanning for any sign of danger. After a few minutes, they came to a halt again, but this time, what they saw ahead made their hearts sink.
A woman knelt over a rat’s body, her hands slick with blood as she withdrew two daggers from the creature’s neck. The rat let out a final, pitiful moan as its life bled out into the dark green grass, staining it a deep crimson.
The woman’s head snapped up when she noticed the group, her eyes widening in surprise. She was dressed in jeans, a hoodie, and sneakers—clothing from Earth. Her dark hair was cropped short, and there was a sharpness to her movements as she sheathed her daggers and raised the hood of her sweatshirt.
“Who are you?” she called out, her voice cautious but strong. “Survivors?”
Fumito stepped forward, his hands raised to show he meant no harm. “We mean no trouble. We’re survivors from the settlement. Barely managed to get out. Who are you?”
The woman hesitated, her hand still hovering near her knives. Her eyes, sharp and watchful, scanned the group before she slowly relaxed. “More survivors…” she muttered, her voice betraying a hint of sorrow. She seemed to let her guard down slightly, though the tension in her stance didn’t completely fade. “There are a few more of us hiding a little farther up the mountain.”
The group exchanged wary glances. “Up the mountain? There’s a dungeon up there,” Kyle said, his draconic tail flicking behind him.
The woman nodded. “Yeah, at the top. But we’re not that far up. We got lucky—found some large holes in the mountainside big enough to hide in for the time being.” She wiped her bloodied hands on her jeans, her expression weary but resolute.
Niko studied her. She doesn’t even have proper gear, yet she’s taking out these rats like they’re nothing. He couldn’t help but be impressed.
“You’re welcome to join us,” the woman offered. “We’re planning to head to a rankless area tomorrow morning, once we’ve had some rest.”
Ivanic exchanged looks with the rest of their group. They were tired, and it wouldn’t be long before night fell. Traveling in the dark, especially in this unpredictable world, was a death sentence. One by one, the others nodded in agreement.
“We’ll join you,” Ivanic said.
The woman gave a small smile and nodded. “Follow me.”
As she led them toward the mountain, she constantly glanced back, her wariness clear. She doesn’t trust us yet. Niko thought, understanding that trust was something hard-earned in a world like this.
The climb wasn’t difficult, though it was steep in some places. As they ascended, Niko noticed strange, slimy residues on the ground. The substance glistened in the fading light, leaving a sticky trail wherever it touched.
“What the hell is that?” Andrea muttered, her nose wrinkling in disgust.
They soon reached their destination—a large opening in the side of the mountain, from which dripped a thick, greenish slime. The hole was massive, and from within, they could hear the steady drip of water.
“A sewer system?” Niko asked, his brow furrowing in confusion.
The woman shrugged. “Looks like it. Doesn’t matter, though—it’s the best shelter we’ve got.”
The group stood before the entrance, taking in the sight of the slimy, dripping cavern. It wasn’t ideal, but it was shelter. Niko looked toward the darkening sky. We need to rest. Whatever happens next, we’ll need all the strength we can get.