Game Of Survival

Zane's legs ached, his lungs burned, and his mind screamed for rest.

But he kept running.

There was no other choice.

Behind him, the watchtower burned, sending thick, black smoke curling into the Bloodmoon-lit sky. The stench of burning wood and charred flesh filled the air—a sign that the Hollow Stalker was finally gone.

But the real danger was coming.

The Blood Pact had seen the fire.

And they were hunting them.

[WARNING: BLOOD PACT TRACKERS DETECTED]

They are closing in.

You are exhausted (-25% Speed).

Find cover or prepare to fight.

Lyra was ahead of him, weaving through the dense fog like a shadow. Her spear was still gripped tight, but even she was slowing down.

They had been running for too long.

Zane's stamina bar flickered dangerously low.

He gritted his teeth.

"We need to hide," he gasped.

Lyra glanced over her shoulder, her golden eyes sharp.

"Too late," she whispered.

Zane followed her gaze—and his blood ran cold.

Through the mist, dark figures moved in unison.

The Blood Pact had found them.

Enemies Approaching

[ENEMY DETECTED: BLOOD PACT SCOUTS]

Arnold (The Butcher) – LVL 6, Heavy Combat Specialist

Weapon: Twin Cleavers (High Damage, Slow Attacks)

Trait: Bloodlust (Stronger when an enemy is bleeding)

Iris (The Shadow) – LVL 5, Stealth Assassin

Weapon: Dual Daggers (Fast Strikes, Low Defense)

Trait: Shadowstep (Moves faster in darkness)

Orion (The Hound) – LVL 4, Tracker

Weapon: Shortbow (Medium Range, Bleeding Arrows)

Trait: Hunter's Mark (Can track wounded enemies over long distances)

Zane's stomach twisted.

Arnold, the monstrous brute, was leading the way. His twin cleavers gleamed, his grin savage.

Iris moved like a whisper, her daggers spinning effortlessly in her fingers.

And Orion—the deadliest of them all—

His bow was already raised.

They weren't here to talk.

They were here to kill.

Zane had seconds to decide.

A system prompt flashed violently.

[CHOOSE YOUR ACTION]

Run (High risk of being tracked again).

Fight (Extremely dangerous with low stamina).

Ambush (Use the environment to turn the tables).

Zane gritted his teeth.

Running wasn't an option.

Fighting would be suicide.

That left one choice.

They needed to set a trap.

He turned to Lyra, his mind racing.

"There's no outrunning them," he whispered. "We ambush."

She nodded. No hesitation.

"Where?"

Zane scanned the area—his eyes landing on a narrow path ahead.

The trees there were thick.

The ground was unstable.

Perfect.

[NEW OBJECTIVE: SET A TRAP FOR THE BLOOD PACT]

Step 1: Lure them into the unstable terrain.

Step 2: Use the environment against them.

Step 3: Escape before reinforcements arrive.

Zane and Lyra moved quickly, ducking into the dense undergrowth.

Their footsteps were careful—silent.

Behind them, the Blood Pact scouts spread out, scanning the misty trees.

They were taking their time.

Arnold's deep voice rumbled through the fog.

"Running won't save you, rats."

Zane's grip tightened around his spiked club.

Just a little closer…

Iris moved first, her silhouette darting between the trees.

Orion nocked an arrow, scanning the foliage.

Zane and Lyra pressed against a fallen log, waiting.

Then—

A snap.

The sound of a foot pressing against loose soil.

Zane smirked.

Got you.

With one powerful kick, Zane sent the fallen log rolling down the slope—

Directly toward Arnold.

The massive brute barely had time to react before the log slammed into his legs, knocking him off balance.

[CRITICAL HIT! -15 HP]

Arnold is STUNNED (2 Seconds).

Lyra moved like lightning.

She lunged from the shadows, her spear aimed at Orion.

The tracker's eyes widened—

But Lyra was faster.

Her spear sank into his shoulder.

[CRITICAL HIT! -20 HP]

Orion is WOUNDED (Bleeding effect activated).

Orion staggered, cursing.

But Iris—she was already moving.

She vanished into the mist.

Zane barely had time to react before—a flash of silver.

[DANGER! IRIS ATTACK INCOMING]

Zane ducked just in time—

Iris's daggers sliced through the air where his throat had been.

Too fast!

He countered with a wild swing of his spiked club—

But Iris dodged effortlessly.

She was playing with him.

A system prompt flashed.

[STAMINA WARNING: CRITICAL]

Movement slowed by 30%.

Zane's chest heaved.

Iris's smirk widened.

"You're already tired," she whispered.

Then—she struck.

Zane barely parried the first strike.

The second cut deep into his arm.

[-8 HP: BLEEDING EFFECT ACTIVATED]

Pain flared through him.

But before Iris could go for the killing blow—

A sharp whistle cut through the air.

Orion's signal.

Iris hesitated.

Arnold had recovered.

The Blood Pact was regrouping.

Lyra grabbed Zane's arm.

"Now's our chance—MOVE!"

Zane didn't argue.

They bolted deeper into the mist, leaving the Blood Pact behind.

[ESCAPE SUCCESSFUL]

Blood Pact is still tracking you.

Your condition is worsening.

Zane and Lyra finally stopped near a fallen tree, gasping for air.

Zane checked his HP.

Only 12 left.

His vision blurred slightly.

He reached for his bandages, wrapping his arm.

Lyra watched him carefully.

"We can't keep running forever," she murmured.

Zane nodded.

"We need a plan."

[NEW OBJECTIVE: FIND A SAFE ZONE]

Your health is too low for another fight.

Find shelter before nightfall.

Zane exhaled.

They had survived the Hollow Stalker.

They had fought off the Blood Pact.

But they weren't safe yet.

And night was coming.