Azrael's mind throbbed with confusion and pain as he staggered to his feet. The suffocating darkness around him pulsed like a living thing, pressing against his body. The last thing he remembered was the cold steel of a soldier's boot against his ribs, the dim glow of a blood-red moon, and the agonizing weight of betrayal.
Now, he was here—wherever here was.
A notification flashed in his mind.
> [SYSTEM NOTICE]
Survival Challenge: Escape the Abyss (Penalty: Disintegration).
Time remaining: 00:09:57
Azrael's pulse spiked.
"What the hell?!"
His vision adjusted to the dim environment. Jagged stone pillars twisted upward like the ribs of some ancient, dying beast. The air smelled of rust and decay. And then he heard it—scraping claws against rock.
He turned sharply. A creature slithered from the shadows. It had too many limbs, too many eyes, and not enough mercy. Its twisted jaw hung open, revealing layers of jagged, yellow fangs.
A new notification appeared.
> [SYSTEM NOTICE]
Name: Abyssal Stalker
Threat Level: Lethal
Weakness: Unknown
Status: Hunting You
"Hunting me?!" Azrael clenched his fists, but there was no weapon in his hands, no armor on his body. He was a prisoner thrown into a game he didn't understand, and the rules were already against him.
His survival depended on one thing—running.
The monster lunged. Azrael twisted, barely dodging the strike. His heartbeat roared in his ears as he sprinted across the uneven ground. The jagged rocks sliced into his bare feet, but he couldn't afford to stop. He needed to find an exit. Any exit.
His system dinged again.
> [SYSTEM UPDATE]
New Trait Unlocked: Desperate Instincts
Effect: Heightened reflexes when facing imminent death.
Azrael's body moved before he could think. He ducked, pivoted, and dodged another swipe from the Stalker. The creature snarled in frustration.
"If I can keep dodging… maybe I can find a way out."
Then he saw it—a massive, rusted chain hanging from above, leading toward a ledge. An escape.
But the Abyssal Stalker saw it too.
It charged.
Azrael gritted his teeth. He had one shot.
His muscles tensed. His system pulsed with a final warning.
> [PENALTY IMMINENT]
Survive or be erased.
"Not today."
Azrael jumped.
[To Be Continued…]