He raised the bow, knocking an arrow with trembling hands. The moonlight glinted off the arrowhead, casting an ethereal glow on the scene. Wade took a deep breath, his focus honed on his target. It was time to face the nightmare head-on and fight for the future that lay on the other side of this battle.
As soon as a distant bird screeched, Wade rushed in for the kill. He put a large amount of distance between them, releasing double arrows at once. Wade's instincts kicked in. Without hesitation, he sprang into action. With lightning speed, he put enough distance between them, moving with a grace that defied the darkness. Each step he took seemed to merge seamlessly with the night, his presence barely a whisper as he closed in on his target. Pulling back his bowstring, Wade unleashed a barrage of arrows, each shot as precise as the last. The arrows streaked through the air, leaving a trail of shimmering light behind them. The wind carried the faint whistling sound of their flight, amplifying the tension in the air. The wombat's claws glinted menacingly as it struck the arrows with enough force to crush them. "I can't believe I thought you were cute." Wade scoffed, releasing another set of arrows. With deadly accuracy, the arrows found their marks, striking the pink wombat with unrelenting force. Each impact elicited a roar of agony, its cries reverberating through the night, echoing in Wade's ears. But still, the creature fought on, its desperation growing with each passing moment.
Determined to end the battle, Wade's focus sharpened. "Go." Wade whispered, channeling his energy into a single arrow. In slow motion, the arrow sliced through the air, piercing the pink Wombat's neck. The wombat's struggle intensified, thrashing wildly as its life force ebbed away. The ground trembled beneath its weight, trees swaying from the sheer force of its movements. But ultimately, it succumbed to the relentless barrage of arrows, crashing to the ground with a thunderous thud. The night fell silent once again, the only sound remaining the soft rustling of the wind through the trees. Wade stood there, chest heaving, victorious. "I won," Wade whispered in disbelief, his hands trembling as he took a step forward. "I wo-" Before he could finish his words, a sudden impact from behind sent him flying through the air, his body soaring like a ragdoll before crashing harshly against the unforgiving ground. Gasping sharply as the pain wracked his entire body, Wade struggled to make sense of what had just occurred. Confusion and fear gnawed at him as he tried to regain his bearings. The darkness seemed to close in around him, thick and suffocating. His vision blurred, and the world spun around him in disorienting chaos. He blinked rapidly, trying to clear his vision, but the pain radiating from his body made it difficult to focus. As he looked around in the darkness, dread washed over him. Approaching from different directions, he saw five more of the transformed wombats, their menacing forms drawing near. Their once innocent pink fur now matted and stained with the blood of their fallen companion. Their eyes glowed with an unholy light, reflecting the anger that now consumed them. "I know I should have never trusted the system." Wade muttered.
Error… Error… Your HP is dangerously low. Error… Error…
As Wade lay on the ground, beaten and broken, a sense of regret welled up within him. The only regret he had was leaving Idril and Zaos behind, the only people who had shown him unwavering love and care from the very moment he had opened his eyes in this new world. Their faces and warmth flooded his mind, and he whispered with a heavy heart, "I'm sorry." Because of his stupid decision, they were losing their son twice.
You – Are you giving up?
"Is there a way to win?"
There is a way, but it comes with a price
"Is it better than death?" Wade asked.
"…"
"This bastard is still bargaining." Wade scoffed. Almost immediately, a violent cough seized his frail body, causing it to convulse as his lungs fought to expel the suffocating air. The sound echoed through the field, a painful reminder that time was slowly ticking.
"Is that a no?" The words, devoid of emotion, cut through the silence like a blade.
"No," Wade replied, his voice hoarse but determined. "I'll choose anything that will save me right now." He said through gritted teeth.
Response processing... forcing temporary update... error... error... creating pathway... pathway connected... downloading... 5%... 15%... 25%... jump... jump... 80%... 99%
....100%
System temporarily updated
The wombats that had surrounded Wade all leaped into the air at the same time, preparing to attack. Yet, by some force beyond his control, a blue light pierced the darkness, blinding the creatures for a fleeting moment. In that split second, Wade moved with a speed that was a few numbers away from the speed of light. He snatched up his discarded bow, and while still suspended mid-air, he began firing arrows in rapid succession. Time seemed to slow down as he drew his bowstring back, each movement 100x faster than the Wombat movements. His eyes glowed with determination, reflecting the blazing blue light that surrounded him. As he released the next set of arrows, it soared through the air with unimaginable speed, leaving behind a trail of fiery energy. The arrow whistled through the darkness, slicing through the night with a resounding crack. It found its mark, piercing through the thick hide of a charging wombat, sending shockwaves rippling through its fur. "Urghhhhh!" The loud cry filled with pain ripped through the air, sending chills to anyone listening.
Wade landed on the ground with ease, gracefully twisting and turning to evade the vicious attacks of the remaining wombats. His movements were a symphony of agility and finesse, his body becoming a blur as he seamlessly transitioned from one maneuver to another.
"Go to hell puke-colored, rat face, stupid-looking B***h" Wade cussed, as he leaped into the air once again, defying gravity for a brief moment.
"Didn't you say they were cute earlier?" The system asked.
Wade pretended not to see it, focusing more on his battle. The darn system won't let him have his MC moment. "Yaaa!" Wade yelled, running into the fight again. With every arrow released, time seemed to distort further. The air crackled with an electric hum as the arrows streaked through the night, leaving behind trails of blue energy that illuminated the field. As the wombats closed in once again, their roars echoed in the night, Wade's heart beat in sync with the chaos around him. He became one with his bow, his every movement a dance of deadly precision. The arrows seemed to multiply in mid-air, turning into a flurry of lethal projectiles that sought out their targets with unerring accuracy. The battle that unfolded was intense. It was like playing counter-strike: global offensive, except with arrows. The sound of the wounded wombats, their coordinated attacks, and the sheer force of their strikes filled the night. Wade deftly evaded each attack with ease, unleashing arrows that sliced through the air, breaking the sound barrier with their speed and precision.
The wombat raged on, but this time Wade didn't feel fear - he felt excitement. Every arrow he released was revenge for the pain he had felt earlier and one by one, the wombats fell to the ground, their roars turning into cries of pain. The battle reached its crescendo, a symphony of clashing forces. The field trembled beneath their feet, the very ground quaking with the number of deaths that lingered in the air. Wade's face was a mask of determination and exhilaration, his eyes ablaze with the fire of victory.
And then, silence fell upon the battlefield. The last remnants of the wombat lay defeated, their once fearsome roars silenced forever. Wade stood amidst the fallen, his chest heaving with exhaustion, but a triumphant smile gracing his lips. The air crackled with the residue of his power, as if acknowledging his prowess in this newfound realm of combat. His adrenaline surged through his veins, refusing to let him rest just yet. "Yaaaaaaah!" He yelled at the top of his lungs, his triumphant roar filling the night; echoing through the field. But it was a short-lived victory. Just as he was about to say something, Wade spat out blood, his heart stopping for a moment. His heart rate began to decrease as blood rolled down the corner of his mouth. The adrenaline that once pumped through his veins, aiding him in his battle completely vanished, leaving his pain nerves vulnerable. In simple terms – his pain was five times more than a normal person could withstand. "Arghhhhh!" Wade yelled as pain wracked through his body. He grabbed onto his chest, trying to stop his pain – but it was no use. The pain kept coming, and Wade suddenly found himself overwhelmed by exhaustion. The power borrowed had transcended the boundaries of his current ability, turning into poison the moment the battle ended.
"This f**ker never lets me have my MC -- mo- - ment." Wade managed to say before giving in to the exhaustion, falling face down on the grass.
Minutes turned into hours, and night transitioned to day. As the sun graced the skies, the early birds flew high into the sky, tweeting happily. "Hmm..." Wade moaned, shifting slightly. "So cold," he mumbled, reaching for his blanket. His hands patted around, trying to find the soft fabric he used every night. But as he as grasped at open air, a small frown formed between his brows. As soon as Wade opened his eyes, the first thing that hit him was the blinding light. It made his ears ring, followed by a splitting headache that took his breath away. Nausea overwhelmed him, and without missing a beat, the contents of his stomach were expelled, hitting the grass with enough force to splatter around.
"Gross." The screen displayed, drawing Wade's attention towards it.
"Whose fault do you think it is …" Wade mumbled, trying hard not to vomit again. Squinting, he looked around, trying to figure out where he was. "Where am I?"
"The field."
"Oh ok," Wade responded. "Oh OK!" He yelled, shooting right up. "No, no, no… Idril. Shit, shit, I'm dead. What am I going to do?! I fucking slept out man!" Wade said, freaking out. Not once in his life had he ever worried about curfew, but things were different now – Not only did he sneak out, he had also failed to return. He looked around, trying to find Zaos' precious bow. "Why didn't you wake me?" Wade accused.
"Did you forget you almost died? If not for the system, you would have passed the river of no return long ago." The system responded.
Wade paused, not sure he had heard correctly. "Someone is chatty." He mumbled, picking the arrows from the ground. "What happened yesterday?" He asked, remembering the moment a large amount of energy had flowed into his body, granting him strength he could have never imagined. He also remembered the pain that had come after that; something he wished never to feel again. Fortunately, it was all over. "You know what, we will discuss it later. I got to get home now." Wade said, swallowing the lump in his throat.
Wade decided that the best course of action was to find a legitimate cover for why he didn't come home. Thinking about it for a few minutes, he decided to go hunting before heading home.
With a resolute nod, Wade took a deep breath and adjusted the strap of his bow on his shoulder. The weight of the weapon was a comforting reminder as he began to walk further into the field. The scent of nature enveloped him, a mixture of fragrances filling the air. The sweet aroma of wildflowers mingled with the earthy scent of damp soil, teased his senses. The distant chirping of birds and the soft rustle of leaves added a melodic backdrop to his quest, as if nature itself was whispering its secrets to him.
As Wade ventured further into the wilderness, the ambiance around him transformed. The meadow gave way to a dense thicket of trees. Shafts of fading sunlight pierced through the canopy above, casting a unique pattern on the forest floor. The minutes turned into hours as Wade wandered deeper into the wilderness, his senses sharpened and attuned to every sound and movement. He moved with a stealthy grace, his steps calculated and precise. The silence of the woods was broken only by the occasional call of a distant animal, a reminder that he was not alone in this vast, untamed realm. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Wade found a suitable spot to set up his hunting perch. He climbed a sturdy tree, his muscles flexing with every movement. From his elevated vantage point, he could survey the surrounding area, his eyes scanning for any sign of game.
Time stood still as he waited patiently, his focus unwavering. And then, it happened. A majestic deer emerged from the forest, its graceful form illuminated by the light coming from above. Wade's breath caught in his throat as he held his bow in position. With a steady hand, Wade took aim and let go of the string. The whip of the arrow shattered the silence, echoing through the forest like thunder. The deer fell to the ground, its once vibrant eyes now lifeless, forever frozen in a moment of captured beauty.
"Nice shot." The system said sarcastically
"You can never be happy for me, uh." Wade grinned, rubbing the underside of his nose. "I was just born with perfect aim." He boasted, laughing to the sky with his hands akimbo.
"... don't you have to get home?"
"Tch," Wade replied, clicking his tongue. With the deer slung over his shoulder, he began the long trek back home. With nothing to distract his thoughts, Wade trembled at the thought of Idril's fury. Despite his cover, he couldn't shake off the fear.
The walk back home was dead silent, the dread building up in Wade's belly with each step.
***
Wade finally made it home, but he remained outside the door, scared to go in. He placed his ear close to the door, trying to eavesdrop for any sounds coming from within. There was nothing.
"I'm screwed, I'm screwed," Wade groaned, resting his forehead against the wooden door. "How am I going to go in?" he wondered aloud, anxiety gnawing at his thoughts.
"You could just open the door?" the system suggested.
Wade's sarcastic response was quick, "Yeah, thanks a bunch. I didn't know that."
".."
Although the system didn't say anything, Wade could have sworn that the system said "you b**ch" or something along the line.
But for now, he kept his focus on what lay behind the door. As he contemplated his next move, the door swung open by itself, pushing Wade forward and nearly causing him to stumble. "Uowh!" Wade exclaimed, his hands in front of him. Immediately, his first thought was to survey the room, causing his heart to race wildly. But there was still no sign of anyone around.
"Maybe she went out?" the system suggested, but Wade knew better. That tone wasn't one of care. The devil was praying for his downfall.
"That might-" Before Wade could finish his word, a sound echoed from the direction of the kitchen. He dashed forward, heading towards the sound.
Wade's heart raced as he stood by the kitchen doorway. But then it increased even more, beating so fast he wondered if it would burst out of his chest.
The kitchen windows were closed, but Wade could clearly spot someone violently chopping vegetables within. The rhythmic thuds of the knife against the cutting board reverberated through the room, creating a tense atmosphere that seemed to consume the air. His fear intensified as he realized the impending doom that awaited him in the kitchen. His throat suddenly felt dry, and his left eye twitched uncontrollably, a physical manifestation of the mounting anxiety within him.
"Who is that monster?" the system asked, showing genuine concern for the first time.
Wade's voice quivered as he responded, his words barely above a whisper, "My mother - Idril."
The aroma of freshly chopped vegetables wafted through the kitchen, a stark contrast to the tense atmosphere that permeated the space. It was as if Idril's actions were a calculated attempt to mask her true rage, a normal chore that seemed threatening at the same time. But Wade knew better. The kitchen, once a place of warmth and nourishment, had become a battleground. To anyone reading this out there, please don't fight with your mom.
Summoning every ounce of courage he possessed, Wade stepped forward, his footsteps barely audible against the tiled floor. His heart pounded in his chest, threatening to burst free from its confines. With each step, the kitchen grew closer, Idril's presence looming like a dark specter, ready to consume him whole. As Wade finally entered the kitchen, his eyes locked onto Idril's back, her figure tense and unmoving. The sound of the knife meeting the cutting board ceased, and for a brief moment, silence filled the room, allowing Wade to gather his thoughts. His mother turned slowly, her face expressionless. "You're back." She said calmly.
"I'm screwed." Wade thought, closing his eyes while invisible tears rolled down his cheeks. Idril remained silent, returning to her cooking. Wade's heart raced as he thought of what to do next. He remembered that Idril was fond of him when he acted cute.
"I need to do this!" Wade thought, gathering the courage to proceed. He has to do his best to appease her anger.
"Where's your pride as a twenty-five-year-old man?" the system mocked.
"Staying alive is more important," Wade responded through gritted teeth. He had decided to put his pride aside and, in a calculated move, he approached Idril from behind. He wrapped his arms around her waist, rubbing his cheek against her back.
"Mommy, Cirdan is sorry. I'm so sorry, I won't do it ever again," Wade said in a baby voice, his pride sinking to the lowest depth of hell. He could almost sense the system showing the most disgusted look possible.
Idril stopped chopping vegetables, and, without any immediate response, she asked, "Do you know what you did wrong?"
Wade wasn't a master at understanding females, but as a forever virgin, ahem, as a single person all his life, he understood relationships better than those in one. And right now the best thing was to admit that he was wrong.
"Why are you so proud about being single all your life?" The system mocked.
"Shut up Bing 1.0." Wade cussed inwardly, before reverting back to his sweet demeanor as he turned to Idril. "I shouldn't have sneaked out or stayed out that late." He said.
Idril turned around, her expression a mix of anger, relief, and concern. Her hand rose, as if she was about to strike him. Wade closed his eyes, waiting for the pain, but instead, she knelt down to his height, embracing him tightly. "Don't you ever disappear without telling me anything," she whispered, hugging him even tighter.
Ah." Wade mumbled, his voice barely audible as he processed the sight before him. His eyes widened slightly, the realization hitting him like a sudden gust of wind. Idril was trembling. Her usually cheerful demeanor had crumbled, revealing the vulnerability that lay beneath. A pang of guilt surged through Wade's chest, his heart clenching with a myriad of emotions. Warmth. Love? Love for a woman he could now call his mom.
"I'm sorry," Wade whispered, apologizing sincerely. Without hesitation, he tightened his grip around Idril, enveloping her in a protective embrace. On a closer look, Wade noticed the dirt on Idril's clothes and the disheveled state of her appearance. It spoke volumes of her sleepless night and the desperate search that had consumed her every thought. She had stayed out all night, tirelessly combing through the forest, desperately hoping to find him. The realization struck Wade like a bolt of lightning, searing through his soul. The room seemed to fade into the background as Wade and Idril held onto each other, their connection transcending words. The ambiance around them shifted, becoming a sanctuary where only their shared love and understanding existed.
Time stood still as they clung to one another, the weight of their past mistakes and miscommunications slowly dissipating in the face of their unspoken bond. In this fragile moment, Wade knew that he would do whatever it took to protect Idril, to never let her worry or suffer like this again. He had found a home, a family, in the most unexpected of places, and he would cherish it with all his heart.
Finally, as the tremors of emotion began to subside, Idril pulled away slightly, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. A small, almost imperceptible smile tugged at the corners of her lips, a mixture of relief and affection illuminating her face. "So where did you go to?" She asked
"Ah, yes, I brought deer." He responded, pointing in the opposite direction.
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