The twilight had settled heavily over the shattered city. A thin, gray mist curled through the ruined streets like a restless spirit, muffling sounds and dulling the sharp edges of broken glass and crumbling concrete. Darrel stood at the edge of a rooftop, the wind tugging at his coat, the strange glow in his eyes faint but persistent.
Below him, the hunters had thinned, but they still prowled in pockets — clusters of armed men moving cautiously through alleyways and debris. He had survived the first hunt, but the trial was far from over. The uneasy feeling crawling under his skin told him that something far worse was coming.
In the distance, a strange building rose above the cityscape — a fortress of steel and shadows, crowned with flickering red lights and ominous machinery whirring quietly. From within it emanated a low electronic hum, mixed with faint, distorted music that felt both alien and familiar.
Darrel's grip tightened on the rifle slung across his back. His overlay blinked into focus again:
[Warning: High Threat Detected]
[Target: Emperor Helan – Rank SS]
[Capability: Unknown – Extreme Caution Recommended]
A chill ran down his spine. The name Helan was whispered in underground circles — a legendary figure, an enigma who ruled the hunters with an iron fist and unmatched skill. His very presence here confirmed what Darrel feared most: this was no ordinary game.
Taking a deep breath, Darrel descended from the rooftop, slipping silently through shadowed corridors of the city toward the fortress. Every step felt like crossing a line from the known into the abyss.
As he approached the massive iron gates, a booming voice echoed through loudspeakers installed on the walls:
> "Welcome, Darrel. I have been expecting you."
The voice was calm, almost amused, but with an edge of cold menace.
From the shadows emerged a figure taller than any man Darrel had ever seen. Clad in obsidian armor that shimmered like liquid night, with sharp red lights glowing from the helm's visor like hellish eyes, the Emperor Helan stepped forward.
Darrel raised his rifle instinctively, but his voice was steady, measured:
— "Who are you? Why am I here?"
Helan's laughter was low and cruel.
— "I am the Emperor. The final arbiter of this trial. Your survival has piqued my interest… but to proceed, you must prove your worth. Show me what makes you different."
Suddenly, the overlay flashed with warnings:
[High Threat Encounter]
[Combat Recommended]
[Estimated Opponent Strength: SS-Class]
Darrel's heart pounded, but his mind sharpened. This was what he had trained for, what the trial demanded.
Without hesitation, Helan lunged, moving with a speed that belied his heavy armor. Darrel barely dodged, the sound of metal scraping just centimeters from his ribs.
The two clashed in a violent dance of blades and bullets — Helan's strikes precise and brutal, Darrel's movements agile and calculated.
Despite the overwhelming odds, Darrel felt his system reacting in real-time — analyzing, predicting, adapting.
[Ability Unlocked: Tactical Reflex]
[Bonus: Enhanced Evasion for 30 seconds]
He used this boost to evade a lethal strike, rolling behind a pillar and returning fire. His bullet grazed Helan's shoulder — a minor hit, but enough to provoke a reaction.
The Emperor's eyes flashed red beneath his helmet.
— "Impressive… but not enough."
He swung a massive blade, the air around it crackling with energy. Darrel barely blocked with his rifle, the force sending him sprawling backward.
Pain exploded across his side — but adrenaline surged through his veins, sharpening his senses. He scrambled to his feet, narrowly avoiding a second blow.
[System Alert: Critical Damage Sustained – 40% HP Remaining]
Darrel grit his teeth. This fight wasn't just about brute strength; it was a battle of wits, of willpower.
He spotted a loose cable hanging from the ceiling and had an idea. Sprinting forward, he dodged another swipe and sliced the cable with his knife.
Sparks flew, and the machinery around Helan surged uncontrollably, filling the air with smoke and electrical arcs.
Helan staggered, his visor flickering. Darrel seized the moment, firing a burst that struck the Emperor's exposed chest plate.
[Damage: Moderate]
[System Boost: Adrenaline Surge Activated]
Darrel's vision sharpened, his reflexes peaking. He pressed the advantage, forcing Helan back step by step.
But the Emperor was far from defeated. With a roar muffled by his helmet, Helan unleashed a devastating shockwave, knocking Darrel off his feet and sending debris flying.
Darrel crashed into the floor, pain radiating through his limbs. Yet he refused to surrender.
[System Update: New Skill Unlocked – "Shadow Step"]
Focusing, Darrel vanished in a blur, reappearing behind Helan. The Emperor spun, surprised, but too slow to block Darrel's knife slash across a vulnerable joint in the armor.
Helan growled, fury igniting in his eyes.
— "You've earned my respect, Darrel… but this is far from over."
He stepped back, lowering his blade, signaling a temporary ceasefire.
Darrel caught his breath, wiping blood from a split lip. The fight had pushed him to his limits, but it had also unlocked something inside — a glimpse of the power he might one day fully command.
Helan's voice echoed once more through the fortress:
— "Survive this trial, and you may yet stand among us… fail, and become just another forgotten prey."
The overlay flickered, a new message appearing:
[Trial Phase Update]
[Time Remaining: 20h 47m]
[Primary Objective: Survive]
[Secondary Objective: Defeat Emperor Helan – Optional]
Darrel sheathed his knife and slung his rifle back over his shoulder. The real battle was just beginning.