[Isaac's Side]
The world was deathly quiet, save for the hiss of something slithering in the distance.
Isaac crouched low, hidden behind thick bushes. Beads of sweat rolled down his temple as the swarm of worms screeched and writhed, searching for him with maddened hunger.
WAAAGHH!!
The furious cries echoed through the forest, shaking the leaves.
He peeked through the foliage, lips curled into a cool smirk.
They're scattered just enough.
His finger slid along the side of his rifle.
Perfect for a sweep.
A flicker of orange glinted on his gun's side.
[Weapon Skill Activated: Drunk Fire]
Isaac planted his feet firmly on the dirt. Every muscle was still. The gun poked just slightly past the leaves. His finger squeezed the trigger.
Click.
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
Flashes of flame exploded from the barrel. Bullets tore through the forest air, leaving streaks of smoke behind.
The first wave of worms didn't even get to scream. They dropped—bodies twitching, mouths still open in silent shrieks. Others thrashed violently, severed nerves sending their muscles into chaos. Blood soaked the grass in thick, steaming rivulets.
Some bullets had missed their vitals, but it didn't matter.
They weren't getting back up.
Isaac slipped out from behind the brush like a shadow peeling off a wall.
In one smooth motion, he sheathed the rifle and unsheathed his katana. The blade whispered as it slid free—gleaming, silent, sharp.
He moved.
Fast.
Each step flowed into the next. His blade traced perfect arcs of silver death.
One.
Two.
Three.
Each cut was precise—elegant violence wrapped in calculation.
He severed heads, pierced cores, dismembered limbs with surgical finesse. The worms couldn't even scream before they collapsed.
Then stillness.
Isaac lowered the katana. His breath fogged the air.
"That should be all of them," he muttered, surveying the corpses.
Blood clung to the steel like ink.
"Ugh... I feel bad for the worms, but what can I do. If I just leave them be, they'll kill me. Haiz. Life is cruel."
RIPPPP.
GRAAAAAHHHH!!!
A screech tore through the air behind him.
Too close.
Isaac turned on instinct. His eyes widened.
A worm—not like the others—lunged from the shadows. Bigger. Faster. Muscles rippled beneath its skin, fangs gleaming with viscous saliva.
It was already mid-air.
Isaac shoved his katana forward—shoving the blade between its gnashing jaws.
DRIP. DRIP. DRIP.
Sizzle.
The saliva fell onto Isaac's clothes, eating through the fabric like acid.
"Argh!" he hissed, stumbling back.
Steam rose from his arm, flesh reddening beneath the fabric. He clutched his wound and glared at the beast.
"This one…" He exhaled sharply, eyes narrowing. "…also has acid saliva, huh. Not as bad as Looney and Monica Jr., but still a pain."
The worm thrashed, trying to shake off the katana jammed in its mouth.
Isaac didn't hesitate.
He holstered the blade and drew his gun with his left hand—fluid and fast.
A cold gleam entered his eyes.
"Don't sneak up on a person next time."
BANG.
The bullet tore through its skull. Brain matter splattered against the bark behind it.
The worm collapsed, twitching once before going still.
Isaac stood frozen for a moment, then bent forward, gasping for breath.
Haaa... Ha...
Each inhale felt like fire against his lungs.
He stumbled over to the corpse and pulled out his katana.
"Thank goodness my katana's still in perfect shape. I thought the acid melted it..." He checked the blade, then tucked it away.
Pain shot through his arm as he moved.
"Ugh... I better get this treated fast."
He opened his inventory, rifling through it with urgency.
"Of course there's nothing for burns." He gritted his teeth. "Even with a Health Potion, the burn effect is still there."
Isaac pressed forward into the forest. His footsteps were uneven, heavy. He scanned his surroundings.
But no matter how far he walked—
No river.
No stream.
Not even the sound of water.
"Why is there no river in the forest?" he muttered.
He paused under a tree and leaned against its trunk. That's when he spotted it.
A cave. Small. Discreet. Shadowed beneath a thicket of vines.
He approached carefully. Peeked inside.
Nothing.
No beasts. No growls. Just cool darkness.
Isaac sighed with relief. "Yup. Looks like this cave isn't occupied. We can use this spot to regroup."
He opened the chat group and tapped the map, sending the location.
"Now that that's done, I'll just rest and try not to overwork my right arm." He placed his gun beside him and leaned back.
At least the burn only took a chunk off my HP.
A deep sigh left his chest.
[Rona's Side]
Whoosh!
Rustle. Rustle.
The forest roared behind her, but Rona only laughed.
"You can't catch me~ You can't catch me~ Hahahaha!"
A dozen worms screeched in fury, hot on her trail, tearing through roots and leaves.
She darted between trees, her movements unpredictable, like wind dancing through chaos.
Then—
Growl...
She paused. Mid-step. Her ears twitched.
"…Huh?" Rona tilted her head.
Silence. The worms skidded to a halt behind her, confused.
Then—
GROWL!
"Ah!" Rona jumped and screamed, hands to her cheeks.
The worms froze again.
Something wasn't right.
They inched backward.
Then—
GRUMBLE.
Rona blinked. "Oh. That was me."
She rubbed her stomach.
"I was running for so long, I forgot I was hungry! Hahahaha."
Then she turned.
Her eyes glinted.
And her lips curled.
"I wonder if worms are tasty…" Her tongue slid across her lips.
The worms trembled.
Their instincts screamed.
Run.
They turned.
And ran.
Rona's smile widened, stretching unnaturally.
"My food is running away from me?" Her voice tilted into a sing-song lilt. "Well, not for long~"
She burst forward—a blur.
Faster than them.
Faster than sound.
She caught one mid-leap, claws sinking in.
The others screamed—
KAAAHHHHHH!!!
Burp.
Rona rubbed her stomach, eyes gleaming.
"Never knew worms taste so good~"
She stood and wiped the blood off her stained shirt. A chunk of meat fell from her sleeve.
Ping.
[You got a new message]
Isaac had sent a coordinate.
Her eyes sparkled.
"Isaac~!" She hopped into the air. "Let's go meet Lil and Isaac!"
With a skip and a hum, she bounced toward her next destination.
[Llyne's Side]
Step.
Step.
Step.
"I saw so many animals I never thought I'd get to see! No wonder people loved hiking in the past—awesome!"
I spun in a slow twirl, arms wide.
The forest whispered back with rustling leaves.
Then something caught my eye.
A path. Covered in leaves.
"Oho? Tingling sensation… Must be my gut telling me I'm almost there."
I rushed forward, parting the underbrush.
Rustle.
"Yohoo~ I'm here!"
I blinked.
"…Huh?"
A massive cliff stretched before me. Wind howled past the edge.
"..."
"..."
"I'm really lost this time, huh."
Silence.
Then—
"YOU GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!!!"
A gust of wind smacked my face.
"Owie!" I teared up, rubbing my stinging eyes.
I sighed. "Can't waste time here. I have to find Isaac and Rona before I become worm snacks…"
Ping.
Isaac: Where are you, Llyne? Why are you so far from the meeting point?
Llyne: You know where I am?
Rona: Rona too! Rona too!
Isaac: Ya. The map displays where each of us is.
I squinted at the map.
Ah. I am far…
Llyne: So those markers are us?
Isaac: Duh. Who else?
Llyne: Oui... I'm so far away from you all...
Isaac: You were the closest when I sent the coordinates! How did you end up at a CLIFF?!
Llyne: Chill, chill. I can't read maps, okay?! My sense of direction is coo coo!
Isaac: I never had headaches till I met you. NOW COME BACK HERE!!
I blinked.
Blink.
Blink.
"…Boy is he mad." I closed the chat window. "Time to retrace my steps!"
I took a deep breath at the cliff's edge. "Ahhh... Nature smells so good~ Too bad this might be the last time I see it."
I waved at the trees. "Take care, all!"
Whooosh.
"Thanks for the good luck, wind~!"
Step.
Step.
Step.
[Time Left: 02:03:47]
"I only got lost for three hours? Wow. I must be amazing!"
I spotted a small cave up ahead.
"…Isaac's mark is right there. That must be it!"
I skipped toward the cave, humming.
But then—
Click.
Something pointed at my head from behind.
"…?"