The Huntsman Of Death:A Gamer's POV As Side Character

Chapter 12 14:The First Trial

Amidst the darkness, an ancient yet rusty voice pierced through my senses.

[Welcome, young one.]

[You are one of the countless few who stumbled upon to carry the greatness of His Sovereign.]

[Are you prepared to face the trial and endure the hardships to inherit the glorious legacy of your predecessor? But before that, let me remind you...]

"Yes, I am!" I replied confidently.

[To gain something, you must sacrifice something. You might achieve the legacy, but you might lose something precious, something that might be an impeccable part of your life.]

[So, what is your choice?]

The words planted a seed of caution in my mind, making me wonder just how much things would differ from the original content. But the thought waned immediately.

This wasn't a playable event; it was a backdrop.

[Are you ready?]

For my survival and my goal, I need to toughen up.

"YESSS!"

I shouted, mustering every ounce of courage.

[Then, good luck, young challenger.]

[May the odds be ever in your favor.]

SWOOSH!

_____

"HUH!"

My eyes opened on their own and I found myself standing on a mound of parched land.

[Pass through the desert to reach the other end.]

"A desert..." I muttered, confused by the sudden shift.

I had expected a fighting scenario or something akin to a dungeon boss game, but this threw me off a bit.

The landscape stretched on endlessly—a barren wasteland of cracked earth and sun-scorched stone. No shade, no water, no sign of life.

The air felt heavy, and hot, pressing down on me like a smothering blanket. I took a deep breath, the taste of dust settling on my tongue, and forced myself to move forward.

I rubbed my hands a bit but paused when a sudden realization struck me.

"My storage ring. It isn't there."

My senses sharpened, and panic set in. I patted myself down frantically, searching my body. Sweat poured down crazily as I wrestled in the hot parched weather.

[It's me, Lukas... your inner voice. Just like you were, I am now trapped in your soul, forced to watch every action of yours while you suffer.]

[Just as you did for the past 17 years.]

"No, it isn't possible," I shrieked, my voice cracking with hysteria.

"Inner voice... You are dead. This... this is bullshit."

[No, it's not. Believe me. Give up.]

"Really?"

For a moment, my eyes lost their shine and my knees bent a bit, relaxing my body. My mind teetered on the edge of surrender.

"Give up... Can I really give up?"

[Of course you can.]

[A single trial can't decide your future.]

"You are right," I murmured, the faint seed of doubt taking root.

"I should let it go," I murmured with a faint realization and opened my lips to speak but then I jolted up.

'NOOOO!'

'Something is stirring my mind.'

"Shut the fuck up."

The voice tugged at me, stirring memories of comfort, warmth and a sense of safety I hadn't felt in years. For a moment, I almost believed it. I could turn back. I could be safe.

I clenched my fists, nails digging into my palms, and then scratched my face. The pain and burning sensation woke me up.

"No," I muttered, gritting my teeth. "This is just the beginning. I understand now—this is a trial of testament."

As I realized something, the voice faded, leaving a deep, hollow silence that seemed to seep into my very bones.

"Close... I can feel it..."

_____

The heat oppressed me relentlessly as I continued to stumble forward, feeling my legs grow heavier with each step. The landscape around me blurred, shifting under the relentless heat, and I struggled to keep my mind focused.

Time felt strange here, stretched thin and twisted until I couldn't tell just how long I'd been walking. Hours? Days? The sun never moved, frozen at its peak, never moving, never relenting.

Night never descended. I hoped, no I prayed to the Goddess of Night to have a glimpse of night cause with the descent of night, I can finally get rid of this unbearable, searing heat.

It was so hot and I was sweating too much. I even pondered about tearing my clothes and walking naked but it might prove deadly so I persisted just the way I was.

That's when I felt it...

An unbearable itch that clawed at my throat, a burning need for water.

The itching thirst to drink something, to soothe the burning throat.