Chapter 5: Death
Huff...
I woke up gasping for air, my body lying on the soft grass with the warm sun shining down on me.
It was the same place where I had first woken up after being transported to this strange world.
"..."
I, immediately, glanced at the sky and surely, the Raven was already in sight, flapping its massive wings as it landed on a nearby tree branch.
Krank... Krank...
The bird let out a harsh croak as it fixed its piercing gaze on me once again, however, this time, I didn't feel any fear.
Dying a few times numbed the terror that I originally felt toward the Raven.
Glancing at my body, I marveled at the sight. The wound that had marred my flesh had vanished, leaving no trace of its existence.
It was the same as the last time.
Slowly, I began to connect the dots...
"There is no way..."
My eyes widened and I could feel my hands trembling in sudden realization.
I think that I am stuck in some kind of loop, where each time I die, my body would reset, and I would wake up in the past.
"..."
Looking around, I tried to find any clues or hints that would debunk my theory, but the surroundings were exactly the same as before.
Krank... Krank...
The Raven hopped off the tree, spreading its wings and flying toward me at a fast speed. It was obvious that the bird was hostile.
Swish...
I threw myself to the side, avoiding the sharp talons of the creature and starting to run in the direction of the forest.
Although the situation seemed dire and I knew that I might die again, I also knew that without trying, I wouldn't be able to escape.
I had no desire to continue being killed by this creature over and over again.
Thud... Thud...
Running through the grass fields, I could hear the sound of Raven's wings piercing through the wind and I knew it was catching up to me quickly.
The trees loomed before me like protective guardians, their leaves whispering a secret melody as if urging me to find refuge within their embrace.
Whoosh...
As I dashed through the undergrowth, I could feel the adrenaline surging through my veins, heightening my senses. Every rustle of leaves, every chirping bird seemed to merge into a symphony of warning, reminding me of the imminent danger chasing my every step.
The forest canopy swallowed me whole, casting a cool shadow upon my skin, and providing a temporary respite from the scorching sun. It was a maze of towering trees, their gnarled branches intertwined like skeletal fingers, creating an intricate network of pathways.
Gasping for breath, I slowed down, leaning against a moss-covered trunk, my chest heaving as I strained to listen for any signs of Raven's pursuit. The forest was eerily silent as if nature itself held its breath, aware of the imminent clash between predator and prey.
"Did I escape?"
I whispered to myself, looking above warily, scanning the treetops for any signs of movement.
Krank... Krank...
Just as I began to believe I had successfully evaded the Raven, a piercing screech tore through the air, shattering the silence of the forest. Startled, I barely had time to react as the Raven descended from above, tearing through the leaves, its wings spread wide, talons aimed for my vulnerable flesh.
In a desperate flurry of movement, I twisted my body to the side, narrowly dodging the lethal strike. The Raven's talons grazed my shoulder, leaving a shallow gash that stung with the brush of its razor-sharp claws.
"Shit!"
Driven by a surge of adrenaline, I pushed forward, using the momentum to my advantage. The Raven, momentarily caught off guard by its failed attack, struggled to regain its balance in mid-air. It let out a cacophony of enraged caws, its dark eyes fixated on me, burning with a hunger that seemed otherworldly.
I took advantage of Raven's momentary confusion and pressed on, my heart pounding in my chest. Every muscle in my body screamed in protest, begging me to stop and rest, but the knowledge of my predicament urged me forward. I couldn't afford to give up or allow myself to be caught once again.
Whoosh...
Branches whipped against my skin, leaving trails of scratches and tiny droplets of blood in their wake. The forest seemed to conspire against me, its tangled undergrowth and twisting paths becoming an obstacle course, testing my determination and resilience.
With each step, Raven's pursuit intensified. It dove and weaved through the dense foliage, its massive wings generating gusts of wind that tugged at my clothes and threatened to throw me off balance.
Thud...
Somehow, my foot caught on a protruding root, causing me to stumble and fall forward. Fortunately, I was able to quickly roll back onto my feet and continue running.
However, during the precious seconds I lost, the Raven managed to shorten the distance between us, and I could almost feel its breath on the nape of my neck.
"..."
Although I should've been terrified, a small smile was playing on my lips. It was not an accident I fell to the ground, allowing the Raven to come closer...
It was my plan!
'Now!'
I thought to myself, suddenly, halting in my tracks and spinning to face the Raven head-on. I knew that the bird had no chance of stopping in time and threw my fist forward with all the strength I had.
Krank...
At the last moment, the Raven tried to veer off course, but it was too late.
Boom...
The impact of the collision created a low boom, and the Raven tumbled backward, crashing to the ground with a resounding thud.
I, on the other hand, stumbled backward, my arm throbbing in pain. Some of the bones must have shattered, and I winced at the sensation.
"Damn it hurts..."
Pressing my arm against my chest, I approached the Raven, which was now lying on its back.
As I watched, the Raven's chest heaved up and down, struggling for breath.
The bird was still alive!
"Damned bastard..."
I muttered under my breath, picking up a nearby rock and approaching the Raven.
Thud...
This was the second time I killed the same bird.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone