I turned my body towards the blood river, running towards it without any hesitation. But as I did, the wind started picking up, the sandstorm growing in strength.
"Argh!"
I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer, even breathing became dangerous as not only oxygen entered my lungs. I began violently coughing out sand, unable to control myself. I was in a highly vulnerable state, but thankfully, Velsharath also seems to not like the sandstorm much. He was running away, I could tell by the trembling of the ground.
The sandstorm was both a Godsend and disaster. It was stopping me from reaching the blood river, while also helping me escape from Velsharath.
I didn't know where i was going. I couldn't rely on my sight or hearing—all of my senses was practically useless in this violent Sandstorm. It was much worse compared to The Storm—but luckily the wind wasn't strong enough to sweep me off my feet, sending me flying God knows where. Or is that a good thing? I could of took advantage of it to reach the next of this mission….
I couldn't focus on that right now. Finding the blood river was just a distraction. A safety measure. Now that the threat had left, isn't it a good idea to simply try making my way to the next level? It's not that far. However, trying to endure this sandstorm was gonna be a difficult task….
It would of been amazing trying to take advantage of the Sun-Cursed Worms fear towards the sandstorm, to rush towards the next level. But even I had to admit that I wouldn't last that long in the sandstorm. The sand I have begun inhaling would only continue piling up inside my lungs the more i try to endure this violent sandstorm. It wasn't worth it.
I gritted my teeth. If only I had a stronger physical body, if only I had a special skill or ability that could help me resist it. But now I have come to realize that perhaps I have grown too arrogant and confident lately. There are still things beyond me. Things even I couldn't do, despite all the accomplishments I have managed achieve lately. Im not invincible. I have limits.
It was a tough pill to swallow, but the truth nonetheless. So my steps halted, as I clenched my fists, then started running towards the blood river—where I thought it was since my eyes was closed—without any hesitation. I gave up on trying to reach the next level, the best thing I could do now was taking shelter!
Just as I did however, the ground beneath me trembled. If it wasn't for the sandstorm, I would of already saw what had poked out from within the sand.
"Morgan…."
The familier, thunderous voice of Velsharath sounded from behind me.
'What? That guy?! I thought he was afraid of the sandstorm?!'
I was in disbelief, stunned into place for a moment, my eyes opening to catch the massive shadow within the sandstorm. Then, I shut them and started desperately running towards the blood river. It seems that guy is hell-bent on killing me for some reason. I didn't know how to feel about it, should I feel anger or admiration towards his determination?
I didn't bother pondering this. My life was at stake, dammit!
I could tell that Velsharath was right behind me. He wasn't chasing me though—I knew he had opended his mouth and was using the suction force to clear a path inside the sandstorm. I didn't know why he didn't try this earlier, could it be something related to the sand itself that Velsharath was relucant to Suck inside it's stomach? That's the only reasonable conclusion I could arrive to.
For a brief moment, I opended my eyes and saw it in the distance. The blood river. It was a shimmering crimson, even with the sandstorm blocking most of my vision. This confirmed that I was going the right way! With the distance I have gained on Velsharath, it would be impossible for him to catch me, especially due to the sandstorm blocking most of his vision!
This is perfect!
I didn't get careless because of this, though. I have already suffered misfortune after misfortune because of me getting careless. Velsharath must have a trick up his sleeve. He wouldn't let a 'deliacy' as he crudely put it get away from his grasp.
So, despite my reluctance, I kept my eyes half-open, sparing brief looks behind me. All I saw was Velsharath running after me like a madman. Well, not really running, but rather sliding? Towards me. It was similar to how a snake moved. Velsharath did have limbs like that of a human, but all of them was arms used for grabbing, not for walking. I wasn't sure why these worms didn't develop legs.
"Morgan!!"
His thunderous voice boomed, shaking me to the core, but my legs didn't stop. There was something desperate and determined about Velsharath's voice. Despite the fact that he could of easily just run away, ignoring me, waiting to attack me once the crimson moon set. Velsharath didn't do any of that.
Now it made me wonder.
'Why were these monsters attacking us?'
It was natural assume that they were the enemies of this mission. After all, they were called monsters. But is that really the case? Just like the Nihileth…..was something promised to them after killing us? When I saw the sacrifice that specific Nihileth made to destroy the Abyssal Heart, I couldn't help but wonder about these questions.
If this was the case, it would explain the desperation they feel. Even so, it's not like I can just lie down and allow them to take what they want for their own benefit. Im here to take what I want, they are here to take what they want. I want the key, they want my life. It's simply a battle for survival. Good and evil didn't exist in a place such as this.
As I was pondering all these thoughts, I felt something warm touch my ankle. Then, I was suddenly submerged in crimson water. I immediately realized that I had reached the blood river—before I could exclaim in triumphant, I quickly covered my mouth and only kept my eyes open.
I spared a brief look towards the rippling surface of the crimson water. The blood colour was severely outlined because of the crimson moon—the crimson veil being scattered across the rippling surface even more so than normal due to the violent sandstorm raging just above it. The sandstorm didn't seem to be able to enter the crimson river, which was a relief.
However, I also knew that I couldn't stay here forever. I can hold my breath for quite long due to my enhanced physical attributes also increasing my lung capacity by a decent amount. However, that didn't extend to forever.
So, I made a decision.
My eyes turned down towards the seemingly bottomless abyss below me.
'Maybe it's time I go say hi to Nico.'
If my assumptions are right, I should be able to reach the upper world by swimming down. Hmm, is it really the upper world if I can reach by swimming down? The only reason I call it that is because of how The Weeping Blight looks on each world. At the bottom one, only the roots would show—even though everything was normal and not upside-down. At the upper world, the Weeping Blight would be seen in it's true glory.
But that would also mean seeing Nico again, being on the same level as he was. No, would I see him again? After all, he was still stuck on level four of the blood river. Perhaps going there is a good idea now. Not to mention, it would be sunny there since it's night here.
'Is this the actual strategy participates are meant to use in order to survive the Key Rush?'
I couldn't help but think. When the Crimson Moon is about to rise, you swim downwards. Then just repeat the process when the Crimson Moon is about to rise in the next world. It's a tedious stragedy and would only work if you're facing monsters that can't survive inside the Blood river. Still, when everything remained unfair, this one 'gateway' between worlds existed to offer some fairness to the mission.
It was an interesting way of doing things, but also a bit tedious to the players.
For the moment, feeling like I was safe, I turned off both [The Zone] and [Probability Pryer] to reserve some innate spirit. Even if it would be sunny back on the upper world, it doesn't mean it would still be safe. Underestimating the Sun-Cursed Worms would get me killed. So, I needed to save some innate spirit.
For a brief moment, I was at peace as I started swimming downwards, not bothering to think about anything else.
But perhaps that was a bad idea.
"Morgan!!"
A voice boomed throughout the water, as a chill run down my spine.
'Velsharath?'
Turning my body, I faced where the voice came from. It came from the surface of the blood river. I didn't have time to react, as a loud splash sounded before a massive shadow loomed right over me.
'No way….'
This bastard really has gone and done it. He really doesn't want to lose me, to the point he jumped straight Into the blood river without a care! What is he thinking? The posion is definitely getting to him. I can see the way the massive worm's body twitched, the posion entering him.
Was he willing to kill himself just to kill me?
Perhaps there was someone crazier than me, a person with [Frenzied Madman] as a curse out there.
Velsharath didn't speak. He, as well, didn't want to inhale the dangerous crimson water. Or did he? Because I immediately saw him open his mouth, as the water in front of his mouth began spinning, creating a powerful vortex.
'He's using the damn suction in water!'
Thankfully, though. I was a bit far, thus the pull wasn't too strong. I was able to resist it to a certain extent. Without thinking about anything else, i was already trying to swim downwards. I needed to get out of here!
Velsharath as if realizing my scheme, growled. He started intensifying the effects of the suction, at the cost of inhaling and drinking even more of the crimson water. Velsharath didn't care anymore. The only thing on his mind was killing me.
I could feel the force becoming stronger, my body being pulled towards him, unable to swim against the power current generated.
'Dammit!'
Suddenly, in that brief moment, I made a decision I would of never usually made.
'You want me? Fine! Come here, then!'
I turned my body towards Velsharath, gripping [The Cleave] tightly and activating [The Zone] and [Probability Pryer]. I felt the innate spirit flowing wildly inside me, dwindling at a dangerous speed. But I didn't care.
Instead of running, i started swimming towards Velsharath.
He was weakened. He was struggling against the posion, while I was relatively fine. These were the thoughts that motivated me to go ahead and fight him instead of trying to run away with my tail between my legs. Running away was the safer option, but I have already tried it numerous times and it never worked.
This time I'm gonna welcome the one I'm chasing and kill him with my own two hands. Velsharath will be the first victim. With him being weakened by several variables, I was confident I could take him down. But all in all, the more desperate a monster is, the more dangerous they will be.
I knew I couldn't just Cleave through the skin. It was pretty much impossible. However, I did have an idea. If I can't cut it from the outside, perhaps cutting it from the inside is the correct choice?
'Sorry for trespassing.'
I felt my body being dragged inside the massive mouth. Then, the jaw shut.
Everything turned black.