CHAPTER 22: WE ARE SCREWED
John had his eyes closed, stealing a moment of rest, when his bracelet chimed. The sound cut through the storm, sharp and merciless. He opened his eyes, glanced down, and instantly regretted it.
ATTENTION: TRIAL TIME HAS BEEN REDUCED TO 12 HOURS.
His heart dropped.
'shit.'
The realization hit John like a blade. Twelve hours. Just twelve hours to gather enough points while his body was breaking down, every breath a battle against unbearable pain.
Adam's bracelet chimed soon after. He glanced at the message, and a wide grin spread across his face.
"Fuck yeah… I don't even have to do anything. Thank the gods this nightmare is finally ending."
His voice was almost gleeful until he turned his head toward John, the smile froze. John's cold, unreadable stare cut through him like steel. Adam's grin faltered, his eyes trembling as he forced out a nervous chuckle.
"Hah… or not."
John didn't move, didn't speak—just kept that same expressionless gaze fixed on him. Adam shifted uncomfortably, then muttered, "Ahh… I'm guessing you don't have enough points."
That was when John finally moved, his hand closing around the hilt of his sword.
Panic surged through Adam, his body stiffening as words spilled out in a desperate stutter.
"W-w-wait! I… I can help you!"
John's grip tightened, unmoved by the plea.
Adam's desperation peaked, his voice cracking as he blurted, "I know a faster way to gain points!"
The words hung in the air, sharp and dangerous, as John's hand lingered on the blade. Finally, his voice cut through the silence.
"Go on, then."
Adam let out a shaky breath, stammering.
"When I was alone… I struggled to find monsters I could handle. Searching for them was… less than efficient, to say the least." He paused, gathering himself before continuing. "And just as I was losing hope, I stumbled across something strange. During one of my hunts—or more like me trying to survive—I found an area where a beautiful flower grows. For some reason, the monsters are drawn to it."
John raised an eyebrow, his tone flat.
"Do you want me to kill you?"
Adam instinctively stepped back. "What? I'm—"
John's face twisted in a grimace as he snapped, "Are you slow? You said you could help me get points fast. What does a flower have to do with that?"
Adam's words tumbled out in a heartbeat, fear tightening his chest.
"Wait—I didn't finish! After I found the flower, I figured out how to make a monster attractor. I set it in a trap and managed to take them down quickly… efficiently."
John exhaled sharply, his patience fraying.
"Then why the fuck didn't you start with that?"
Adam rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.
"Right… my fault."
John staggered to his feet, his voice low but commanding.
"Fine. Give me the details. How long will it take? How efficient is it really? What kind of monsters will be drawn in? I need everything."
Adam nodded quickly, answering under the weight of rapid-fire questions.
"Yeah… so, I think it'll take about four hours to set everything up. Maybe less if we prepare near the place where the flowers grow. Which, fun fact, happens to be right by the lightning-attracting tree. Fascinating, really."
The silence that followed was deafening. John's arm twitched as he processed the words, his voice calm but edged with steel.
"So let me get this straight… it's going to take almost four hours just to set the trap?"
"Yeah, pretty mu—" Adam began, but his answer was cut short by a furious outburst.
"No, you moron! We've only got twelve hours, not to mention there is something called point decay. How the hell am I supposed to rack up enough points after wasting four damn hours?"
Adam's face scrunched, his eyes glistening as if he might cry.
"I… I'm sorry. This is the best I've got."
John's scowl held for a moment longer before his expression eased into a sigh.
"Fine."
But then his eyes hardened, cold and merciless.
"But if this doesn't work… just know your neck is on the line."
Adam swallowed hard and gave a shaky nod.
The storm hadn't let up, rain hammering down as they stepped out of the chamber. Behind them, the ruined arch was swallowed by shadow, while the path ahead gleamed with mud and water. Adam moved quickly, nerves in every step, glancing back again and again to make sure John was still following.
John staggered after him, each movement tearing at the wound in his back. The broken arrow shaft scraped against muscle, sending jolts of pain through his body. He clenched his jaw, forcing the agony down, though his breath came ragged and uneven.
Damn it… His hand brushed the blood-soaked cloth. If I weren't half-dead, I wouldn't need to scare the kid. But I don't have a choice. I can't slow down—not now. And I really don't want to kill him… not if I can help it.
The thought lingered, heavy as the storm clouds above.
Soon, the field came into view. A strange glow shimmered across the rain-slick ground, where clusters of pale blue flowers bloomed near a charred tree. Their petals glistened unnaturally, swaying as if stirred by something unseen. The air was thick with their scent—sweet, sharp, magnetic.
Adam's eyes lit up. He rushed forward, kneeling beside the flowers with frantic reverence.
"Here… this is it. The monsters can't resist them."
He worked quickly, pulling scraps of rope, sharpened stakes, and crude mechanisms from his pack. His hands trembled, but desperation gave him focus. He crushed petals into a paste, smearing it across the trap's trigger points. The scent thickened, clinging to the air like smoke.
John leaned against the tree, sword at his side. His body screamed with every breath, the wound burning hotter as blood seeped through the cloth. He pressed a hand against it, grimacing.
Adam glanced back, sweat streaking his face.
"Just… give me a little time. Once this is set, they'll come. And when they do… we'll have our points."
John's gaze lingered on him, cold but unreadable. He said nothing, only tightened his grip on the sword. Inside, though, his thoughts churned.
The kid's terrified, and I hate that I had to push him this far. But fear's the only thing keeping him moving, the only way he stays useful. Still… if this plan works, maybe I won't have to cross that line. Maybe… I won't have to.
The storm rumbled overhead, lightning flashing across the twisted tree. The flowers glowed brighter, their scent thickening as Adam finished the trap. Somewhere in the distance, a guttural roar answered.
John straightened, ignoring the fire in his back. His eyes narrowed, steel gleaming in the dark.
"They're coming."
Adam froze, hands tightening around the last knot of rope. His voice shook, but determination flickered beneath it.
"Then let's make this count."
The first Shadows broke through the storm—smaller beasts slinking into the flower field. Their eyes glowed faintly, jaws snapping as they circled the trap. Adam's breath caught, his grip tightening on his short blade. One beast lunged for the vial, only to be caught in the trap.
John stepped forward, sword flashing in the dim light. The clash was quick—steel against claw, blood against stone. One beast fell, then another, their bodies crumpling into the mud. Within minutes, the field was littered with carcasses.
LOW THREAT MONSTERS SLAIN. POINTS GAINED: +1, +1, +1.
John lowered his blade, chest heaving, sweat streaking his face. His voice was sharp with urgency.
"At this rate, I won't have enough. How long between waves?"
Adam flinched, pale. He scrambled toward the flowers, muttering.
"It… it varies. But if you want, I can increase the potency. More monsters will come that way."
John's eyes narrowed.
"Have you done it before?"
Adam shook his head.
"N-no… but it should work… I think."
John clenched his teeth, frustration boiling inside.' You think? I need certainty… but I don't have time. I need points faster… ahhh, Fuck it.'
"Do it."
Adam immediately got to work, crushing more petals, mixing them with rainwater, smearing the paste across the trap. The scent thickened, cloying and unnatural, spreading through the storm like a beacon.
John leaned against the twisted tree, jaw tight, eyes narrowed.
"This better work."
The silence stretched, broken only by the hiss of rain and the low growl of thunder. Seconds dragged into minutes, each one heavier than the last. John's thoughts twisted, frustration gnawing at him. ' If this doesn't work, I'm done. I won't make it out of here… I might have to—'
Before he can finish his thought, the ground trembled.
At first, faint—like distant thunder. Then stronger, shaking the earth beneath their feet. Adam froze, eyes wide. John straightened, ignoring the fire in his back, grip tightening on the sword.
From the storm's veil, a colossal shape emerged.
Twenty meters tall, its frame blotted out the lightning. Muscles rippled beneath its hide, claws the size of spears tearing into the mud. Its eyes burned like molten fire, locking onto the flower field. The roar that followed was deafening, rattling the twisted tree and shaking the air itself.
Adam stumbled back, terror flooding his face.
"Oh… oh shit… we are screwed."
John's composure cracked. His eyes widened, breath caught, and for the first time, his voice broke into raw disbelief.
"You've got to be kidding me."
The beast stepped forward, each movement shaking the ground, its shadow swallowing them whole.
John's grip faltered for a heartbeat, his mind racing. Won't this thing ever leave me alone?
He clenched his jaw, despair seeping into his voice.
"Adam… it was fun while it lasted. Even if you're annoying."
Adam let out a shaky laugh.
"Hah… nice knowing you too."
And then the beast charged.