Now, standing behind the bound Werewolf, watching it scream and thrash in agony as the Thornbind Tape dug deeper into its flesh,
Ben felt something he hadn't felt in what seemed like forever; a wholesome feeling. Satisfaction.
Against all odds, that should have torn him apart and led to a horrifying death, he was still alive.
His chest tightened as sweat dripped down his face. His shoulders still burned from where the werewolf's claws had torn into him but he felt somewhat better now knowing that the cause of his pain, the Werewolf, was going through something much worse that it could never recover from.
"It doesn't escape from this right?" he asked.
His system pinged.
< Right. The thorns contain a poisonous substance that kills within ten minutes >
< He won't only bleed to death, he'd also die from the poison >
Ben allowed himself the smallest smile and a sigh of relief.
< You're welcome >
Ben rolled his eyes. "Oh, please. I'm welcome? No, you're welcome. I'm the genuis who thought to asking her for help."
< Because I told you she was there >
"Hey! I'm the one who saved her in the first place. You didn't tell me that,"
< I gave you the speed to do it >
"Okay, but," Ben wanted to argue more before his system quickly pinged again.
< Ben, >
"What?" It always cut him off when he was about to land. It was so annoying.
< Thank you >
Ben paused. This was…well, unexpected. His chest tightened as he exhaled slowly. Then he relaxed and smiled. "...Yeah, you too."
There was a brief silence. It was actually quiet. The witch was still covering the victories and defeat of other participants, the crowd's cheering and hailing didn't seem to slow down or die down either, but right now, in this moment, all he felt peace.
He didn't ever believe he would live to see a moment like this. He wondered why ending it all was even an option in the first place. He would never do that or think that ever again. He hoped.
In the midst of that beautiful thought,
Ping!
< Ben, listen carefully >
"Again? What is it this time?" He whined. He thought it was finally over.
< You need to move to the green-lit area as quickly as you can >
< It's about to happen >
Ben frowned and looked around. "What's about to happen? And I don't see any green-lit area. It's all dirt."
< Trust me >
< Start moving >
< Northwest, thirty paces >
Ben sighed and started walking.
< Faster >
"What's the rush. I'm going, I'm going." He rolled his eyes, dodging a hit from a flying beast with a sword with his Fantom Surge ability.
Ping!
< No, Ben >
"No?" Ben was confused.
< No. I need you to do something very specific >
Ben stopped. "...W-what is that you need me to do?"
< I need you to do a chicken dance >
Ben's face went blank. "...Excuse me?"
< You heard me >
< Flap your arms >
< Wiggle your waist and walk to the green-lit area >
< Do it now, there's no time >
"Are you insane?"
< You need to learn to trust me Ben >
Ben groaned. Even though this was silly, he knew he still had to trust his system. It's been the only reason he's still alive in this strange world.
He sighed, threw his hands up, and started flapping his arms like a deranged bird, hopping awkwardly across the sand. His face grew hot with embarrassment.
The entire arena went silent. Then, everyone crowd erupted with laughter. The witch doubled over on her broom, cackling so hard she nearly fell off.
"Oh my stars!" she wiped the tears falling off her eyes, results of laughter. "Ladies and gentlemen, our brave competitor has just gone from a competition to a catastrophe."
The laughter was deafening and it made Ben feel silly. Then the witch smiled, knowingly. "We'll just see how long he can last."
Ben's face burned red. "I hate you so much right now just so you know." He really wanted to stop but something about trusting the system made him rethink and he kept going.
< Focus, Ben >
< Keep moving >
Ben gritted his teeth and kept flapping, hopping forward. And then, he felt it.
"What's happening?"
He asked.
< Your Fantom Surge has ended >
"Damnit." He cursed.
Even though he hadn't used it for the past feel minutes, he could still feel the power wearing off. The world snapped back to normal speed. No more slow motion and hyper speed. Sounds became sharp and immediate again. And he returned to moving at normal speed.
Ben stumbled, suddenly exhausted. The witch took one glance at him, smiled knowingly, and then her voice rang out above the laughter.
"And now, dear viewers,"
She raised her arms, "
..let the fun begin!" She grinned wickedly. "In three... two... one...!"
She clapped her hands together. The crowd followed in a clap and they cheered in unison, "Happy Blood Reaping!"
Bang!
The sound came as soon as those words were said.
"What the..?" Was all Ben could manage. This was the greatest twist of event he'd ever seen in his life.