Chapter 4 – Run or Die
Raphael stared at the monstrous figure in the center of the island. Its red eyes glowed in the darkness, its claws dug into the ground, and each roar shook the air.
He took a deep breath... then turned and ran.
"Seriously, who wants to die torn apart by a bodybuilder lizard? Not me!"
His skinny legs flapped like those of a panicked chicken. He zigzagged between the trees, tripped over roots, and laughed nervously.
"Come on, Raphael, Olympic champion of running away!" If I survive five hours running, that counts, right?
In front of him, the system interface suddenly appeared:
{ [Quest progress: 00:32 / Time remaining: 04:28]
Comment: Running like a headless chicken is not considered "surviving." }
Raphael stopped dead in his tracks, his eyes wide.
"Seriously?! Even you are making fun of me?!"
The system remained displayed, relentless, like a presence that observed and judged.
{ [Statistics analysis]
Strength: 3
Endurance: 4
Agility: 5
Willpower: 8
Vitality: 3
Comment: Pitiful challenger. Brilliant innate ability... but useless, given the repercussions. }
Raphael grimaced, his fists clenched.
"You think I'm going to give up? You think I'm going to cry in a corner? No. I'm going to survive, and I'll make you eat your sarcasm."
As he backed away, his feet bumped into something metallic. He looked down and saw an old rusty spear stuck in the ground as if it had been abandoned by a former challenger.
Raphael grabbed it, his hands trembling.
"Oh, a weapon!" Thank you, island. I take back what I said. Maybe you're nice after all.
He brandished it clumsily, the blunt tip trembling in front of the monster.
"Well... if I have to die, I might as well die in style."
The monster pounced. Raphael screamed and activated his innate ability.
{ [Innate ability activated: Absolute Memory]
Duration: 5 minutes
Uses remaining today: 9
Backlash imminent.
Comment: Enjoy your 5 minutes of glory before rolling around on the ground screaming. }
Raphael clenched his teeth.
Shut up.
His mind lit up. Every movement of the monster was engraved in his mind: the speed of its claws, the weakness of its left flank, the way its scales lifted when it breathed. Everything was clear, as if the world around him had slowed down.
He dodged the first blow, rolled to the side, and planted the spear in the ground to get back up. The monster roared, its claws slashing through the air. Raphael barely parried, the spear vibrating in his hands.
I can do this... I can survive.
Then the pain came. A thousand knives pierced his body. Raphael screamed, his muscles tensing, his knees buckling. The spear almost slipped from his grasp.
"Aaaahhh! Seriously?! Who invented this power?! It's like having a super brain... but with a free subscription to torture!"
The monster took advantage of his weakness. Its claw struck, throwing Raphael against a rock. Breathless, he spat blood.
He got up, staggering. His gaze was icy. I can't win. Not now.
He turned and ran toward the jungle. The monster roared and pursued him, its footsteps crushing the ground. Raphael zigzagged, his spear clutched close to him, each breath burning.
He spotted an opening: a dark cave, hidden behind bushes. Without thinking, he rushed inside.
The monster stopped in front of the entrance, growling, its red eyes glowing in the darkness. But it did not cross the threshold. Perhaps the cave was too narrow, or perhaps another threat awaited it inside.
Raphael collapsed against the wall, panting. His body trembled, his muscles screaming. The pain of the aftermath was finally subsiding, but his mind remained scarred.
The system reappeared before him, cold and mocking:
{ [Quest progress: 01:07 / Time remaining: 03:53]
Comment: Congratulations, challenger. You survived... by running like a rabbit and hiding in a hole. }
Raphael slammed his fist against the stone.
"I swear... if I survive this shit, I'll shut you up for good."
Then he burst out laughing, a nervous, almost hysterical laugh.
"Well... at least I'm alive. And that's already a victory."
His gaze hardened again.
"But next time... I won't run away. I'll fight."