There was no time to think. The dark entity was rushing toward them with unnatural speed, like a piece of the night moving with a deadly consciousness. He felt his heart pounding, his body instinctively preparing for action, but his mind was clouded. How could he fight against something he could barely see?
[Ding! Activating 'Danger Perception' skill.]
Once again, he caught a glimpse of the near future—the incoming attack, the path it would take, the exact spot it would strike. He had only seconds to react.
"Jump to the left!" the girl suddenly shouted.
But his mind had already made the decision. He pushed his body hard, dodging the strike at the last moment. The air around him exploded as the black energy passed by, leaving a dark scar on the ground where he had stood just moments before.
"How are you doing that?" the girl asked as she ran beside him, her eyes filled with shock and awe.
"I just… feel the attack before it happens." He didn't want to explain more—not now, at least.
But there was no time for conversation. The shadow hadn't stopped. He could feel it moving swiftly, tracking their every breath, as if it wouldn't rest until it consumed them completely.
"We can't keep running forever!" he shouted, trying to find an escape.
"I'm not running aimlessly! There's a place we need to reach!" she responded firmly.
He realized he had no choice but to trust her. He kept running, ignoring the fatigue creeping into his muscles. But the deeper they moved into the forest, the more uneasy he felt. These trees… were strange.
Their bark was unnaturally dark, their leaves glowing faintly as if they were watching them. Even the air here was thicker, saturated with a mysterious energy.
Then, suddenly, the girl stopped in front of a massive rock and placed her hand on its surface.
"Where is it?!" she muttered, searching for something.
"What are you doing?!" he shouted, looking behind— the shadow was closing in fast!
"It has to be here…"
At that moment, a faint light emerged from the rock, and ancient runes began to glow on its surface. A small entrance barely large enough for one person opened.
"Get inside!" she ordered.
He didn't hesitate. He leaped inside, and the girl followed quickly. As soon as she entered, the rock sealed behind them with a soft sound.
Total darkness.
For a moment, the only sound was their heavy breathing, but gradually, a faint blue glow began to radiate from the inner walls, revealing a narrow passage leading downward.
"What is this place?" he asked, trying to catch his breath.
"An ancient sanctuary… a hidden place beyond the sight of outside creatures."
"And how did you know about it?"
She stared at him for a moment before saying, "That's not important right now. What's important is that you need to explain something to me…" She stepped forward, her gaze tense but firm. "Who are you really?"
He froze.
He knew she wouldn't stop asking now. It was clear that what she had seen from him wasn't normal. His skills, his reactions, the way he dodged the dark entity's attacks—none of it was something an ordinary person could do, even in this world.
But how could he explain something he barely understood himself?
"I…" he started but hesitated.
Huh the truth? In this treacherous world?
Before he could decide what to say, a new notification appeared before his eyes.
[Ding! Mission Two has been updated.]
[Mission 2: Uncover the Secret of the Abandoned Land.]
He looked at the screen in front of him, then at the girl watching him closely, before exhaling slowly.
"It looks like I won't get out of this easily…"
To be continued…