The clearing had turned into chaos. One moment, the masked figure stood still.
The next—it moved like a shadow cutting through the group. Another adventurer was struck down.
Not killed—but completely incapacitated.
Fast.
Efficient.
Precise.
It wasn't trying to slaughter them all. It was removing obstacles. On its way to one target.
Alex.
"Fall back!" Bren shouted.
"Regroup!"
But even as he gave the order, everyone knew— This wasn't a fight they could win.
Alex's Battle Awareness was firing at its limit.
Every movement of the masked figure appeared in fragments.
Not fully visible.
Not fully predictable.
Just enough to understand one thing:
It's faster than me.
Kael grabbed Alex's arm.
"We need to move. Now."
Alex didn't argue.
The system had already made it clear.
Survival Probability: Low
Recommended Action: Escape
"Bren!" Alex shouted.
The veteran turned just as he blocked another strike from the masked figure, barely holding his ground.
"We can't win this!"
Bren's jaw tightened.
"I know!"
He pushed back with all his strength, creating a small opening.
"Everyone—retreat! Back to the road!"
The order spread quickly. Adventurers began pulling back, grabbing the injured where they could. The masked figure didn't chase them immediately. Instead— It stopped.
And looked at Alex. Even through the blank mask… He could feel it. That focus again.
That certainty.
"You're the target…" Alex muttered.
Kael pulled him back.
"Less talking. More running."
They moved.
Fast.
Branches snapped under their feet as they ran through the forest. Behind them— Silence.
Too much silence.
Alex glanced back once. The figure was gone.
Not chasing.
Not visible.
That made it worse.
"Where is it?" Alex asked.
Kael didn't slow down.
"Doesn't matter."
"It does if it appears in front of us."
"…Fair point."
They kept moving. The group spread out slightly as they ran, trying not to bunch together.
Bren stayed near the rear, making sure no one was left behind. Then— It happened again.
A sudden shift.
A pressure in the air.
Alex's Battle Awareness screamed.
"STOP!" he shouted.
Too late.
The masked figure appeared in front of them.
Not running.
Not rushing.
Just… standing there.
Blocking the path.
One of the adventurers panicked and charged.
"Get out of the way!"
The figure didn't move. The man swung his blade— And missed. The figure tilted slightly.
Just enough. Then struck. One clean motion.
The adventurer collapsed instantly.
Unconscious.
No wasted effort.
No hesitation.
Alex's heart pounded.
"This thing is insane…"
Kael stepped forward slightly, positioning himself between Alex and the figure.
"Stay behind me."
Alex shook his head.
"That won't help."
The figure raised its hand again. That same motion.
Calm.
Controlled.
Alex's instincts screamed again.
"Move!"
This time, the group reacted faster. They scattered just as the invisible force struck again. The ground cracked. Trees splintered.
If they had stayed— They would have been crushed. Bren cursed loudly.
"We can't outrun this!"
Kael's eyes narrowed.
"No."
Alex looked between them.
"Then what?"
For a brief second— No one answered. Then the system flickered again.
Emergency Condition Met
New Option Unlocked
Alex blinked.
New option?
The message continued.
Override Available
Temporary Power Release
Warning: High Risk
Alex's breath slowed.
High risk…
Of course it was.
Everything with this system had a cost.
Kael noticed his expression.
"What is it?"
Alex hesitated for only a moment. Then—
"There might be a way."
Bren stepped closer.
"Then say it."
Alex looked back at the masked figure.
It hadn't moved. Not yet. Like it was waiting.
Watching.
Calculating.
"I can get stronger," Alex said.
"But only for a short time."
Kael frowned.
"And the cost?"
Alex gave a small, humorless smile.
"Probably not something good."
Bren didn't hesitate.
"Better than dying."
That was true. Alex exhaled slowly. His eyes focused. The system interface appeared clearly in front of him.
Override Available
Activate?
He hesitated. Just for a second. Then—
"…Do it."
Override Activated
Power surged through his body.
Stronger than before.
Faster.
Sharper.
But also— Unstable.
Alex clenched his fists. His vision sharpened.
The world slowed again. But this time— Even more than before. The masked figure tilted its head slightly. For the first time— It reacted.
"…Change detected," it said calmly.
Alex stepped forward. A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Yeah," he said.
"Let's see if you can keep up now."
Because running was no longer an option.
Now— He had to fight.