Death or Survival

Under the dark, cloud-filled skies of the Zeiker region, Ji walked in silence, lost in thought. He was searching for answers about why he was in this world and about "Lina," whose name echoed incessantly in his mind. Yet, he felt the weight of the mission he carried, realizing that this mysterious area might hold something that could reveal the truth of his existence.

Zelestina, who bore the same worries but with a calmer demeanor, broke the silence.

"Ji, you're so distant. Are you thinking about something specific?"

Ji, with a light sigh:

"Just thinking about everything… Nothing is clear, but we have a goal. That's enough for me for now."

Levin, walking alongside his soldiers, spoke with a faint smile to ease the tense atmosphere:

"Ji, if you're planning to become a philosopher, let me know. I'll need time to understand your philosophy."

Suddenly, Levin's innocent laugh was interrupted by a deep rumble that shook the ground beneath them. Massive trees toppled as if something colossal had uprooted them with force.

Zelestina quickly assumed a combat stance.

"Be ready! This isn't normal!"

A giant beast emerged, covered in a magical, shimmering purple armor. Its glowing eyes reflected unspeakable rage, and its long fangs emitted sharp sounds, as if craving blood.

Ji, tightening his grip on his enchanted sword, muttered to himself:

"This is my fight. I can't always rely on Don. I need to learn to fight on my own."

Zelestina, cautiously observing the beast:

"Ji, this beast is no ordinary creature! Its magical energy is overwhelming!"

Ji charged toward the beast, aiming a powerful strike at its back with his sword. But the blow rebounded as if it had struck an invisible steel barrier.

Zelestina, shouting:

"Ji! It's wearing a powerful magical armor. Conventional weapons won't work!"

Ji, ignoring the warnings:

"It doesn't matter! I can't give up now!"

The beast, enraged by the attempt, slammed the ground with its massive hand, creating a violent earthquake that threw Ji into a deep pit.

Zelestina and Levin shouted in unison:

"Jiiiiii!"

Levin, shocked, quickly commanded his soldiers:

"Cover me and fall back! Zelestina, please retreat!"

But Zelestina, determined, unleashed her illusionary powers, conjuring an army of spectral soldiers that charged at the beast, trying to distract it.

Zelestina:

"I won't let you die, Ji!"

The beast, seemingly angrier, struck the mountain where Zelestina and Levin were standing, causing it to collapse. Zelestina pushed Levin away from the impact but couldn't escape herself, falling into the same pit as Ji.

Meanwhile, Levin and his soldiers were separated by the beast's massive strike, which cracked the earth beneath them and sent them plummeting into another deep fissure, far from Ji and Zelestina's location.

Hours later, Ji slowly woke up at the bottom of the pit. His body was intact, thanks to Don's regenerative ability, but he felt a sharp headache.

Ji, rising with difficulty:

"Where am I? Zelestina? Can you hear me?"

He began searching with his eyes and saw Zelestina lying on the ground, blood trickling from her head, and her left arm appearing broken.

Ji, panicked, ran toward her:

"Zelestina! Please, be okay!"

Checking her pulse, he found it weak but still present.

Ji, with a sigh of relief:

"It's okay… I'll find a way to save you."

He carried her on his back and began exploring the cave. As he walked, Don's voice echoed in his mind, a warning from days ago:

"Ji, in this world, never trust innocent faces. They might be more dangerous than you expect."

At the end of one corridor, Ji saw a faint light. He approached cautiously to find a small girl sitting on the ground, quietly crying. She was peculiar-looking, with violet skin, silvery eyes, and a long tail coiled around her.

Ji, speaking softly:

"Hello… Are you okay?"

The girl looked at him with frightened eyes and backed away.

"Don't come near me! I… I don't want to hurt anyone."

Ji, trying to calm her:

"I'm here to help. But my friend is injured, and I need your assistance."

The girl glanced at Zelestina and spoke in a trembling voice:

"She's in critical condition… But I can try to heal her."

Ji:

"Thank you. Just do your best, and I'll protect you if necessary."

Elsewhere, Levin awoke to find himself lying on the rocks, surrounded by an eerie silence. Beside him was the captain of the guards, his head covered in blood, his face filled with exhaustion and sorrow.

Levin, struggling to rise:

"What happened here?"

The captain, with a broken voice:

"It's over… All the soldiers… are dead."

Levin, trembling:

"What do you mean?! Who killed them?"

The captain pointed to a nearby spot. When Levin looked, he saw a horrifying sight: soldiers' bodies torn apart and scattered, their remains strewn everywhere.

The captain, tears streaming down his face:

"A cursed spirit. We tried to protect you, but it was stronger than all of us. We knew we didn't stand a chance, but we had to keep you alive."

Levin, shocked:

"How… How did this happen?!"

The captain, choking on his words:

"We lured it in. We enraged it until it lost control… And then, there was no one left but me."

Levin, barely holding himself together:

"We must find Ji and Zelestina. We can't leave them behind!"

As Ji watched the little girl begin healing Zelestina and as Levin and the captain of the guards navigated the darkness, the unknown forces within the Zeiker region grew more enigmatic and perilous. Fate was paving the way for a new challenge that awaited them all.

End of chapter...