Game Of Survival

Zane leaned against a moss-covered tree, pressing his palm against the bandages wrapped around his wounded arm.

His breathing was ragged, shallow—his body barely holding on.

Beside him, Lyra crouched low, gripping her spear, her sharp golden eyes still locked on the fog-covered path behind them.

They had survived. But barely.

The Blood Pact had lost their trail—for now. But their presence still lingered like a shadow over the forest.

Zane knew the truth.

They were still being hunted.

A system notification blinked into view.

[ESCAPE SUCCESSFUL – TEMPORARILY]

Blood Pact is still searching.

Survival Status: CRITICAL.

Find shelter before nightfall.

Zane glanced at his status screen.

[STATUS UPDATE]

HP: 12/35 (Severe Injuries)

STAMINA: 5/50 (Critical Fatigue - Movement Penalty Active)

HUNGER: Severe (-25% Strength)

THIRST: Low (-10% Speed)

BLEEDING: Minor (Bandaged - No further loss)

His vision swam, and his fingers trembled slightly as he gripped his spiked club tighter.

Lyra looked over at him.

"We can't stop," she whispered.

Zane exhaled, pushing away the exhaustion clawing at his mind.

"I know."

But how much longer could they run?

The forest stretched endlessly before them, twisted and unnatural. The air was thick with moisture, and the ground was soft beneath their boots, soaked from days—maybe weeks—of mist.

Lyra pointed ahead.

"There."

Through the trees, a clearing emerged.

Not a normal clearing.

The ground ahead was blackened, scorched—as if fire had torn through it long ago.

At the center stood a ruined outpost, half-buried in moss.

Their only hope for shelter.

A system prompt appeared.

[NEW OBJECTIVE: INVESTIGATE THE RUINED OUTPOST]

Check for supplies.

Find a defensible position.

Avoid detection.

The closer they got, the worse the feeling became.

Zane's chest tightened.

Something terrible happened here.

The remains of the outpost were old—too old.

Who built it? And who abandoned it?

Lyra moved cautiously, stepping over the shattered remains of what had once been a wooden wall.

Inside, the outpost was quiet.

Too quiet.

[NEW AREA DISCOVERED: THE FORGOTTEN OUTPOST]

Threat Level: UNKNOWN.

Resource Chance: MODERATE.

Zane scanned the ruined structure.

There was evidence of a past battle—old bloodstains smeared across the cracked stone, rusted weapons scattered across the ground.

Lyra knelt beside a shattered shield, brushing dust away.

"This place was attacked," she murmured. "But… not recently."

Zane ran his fingers along an old wooden chest, prying it open.

[ITEM FOUND: SUPPLY CACHE]

Dried Meat (x3) – Restores 10 HP.

Water Flask (Full).

Torn Map Fragment – Part of a larger map.

His stomach twisted with hunger.

He pulled out one of the dried meats, biting into it without hesitation.

[HP Restored: +10]

Current HP: 22/35

Hunger reduced.

Zane tossed a piece to Lyra. She caught it, nodding in thanks.

The food helped. But it didn't change the fact that they were still in danger.

A sudden gust of wind rattled the old outpost.

Zane and Lyra froze.

Somewhere in the distance… a horn sounded.

A deep, ominous sound.

Zane's blood ran cold.

The Blood Pact's signal.

A system warning flashed.

[WARNING: BLOOD PACT HUNTERS MOVING IN]

They have picked up your trail.

Estimated Time Until Arrival: 10 Minutes.

Lyra stood, her jaw clenched.

"They found us."

Zane swallowed hard.

No more running.

No more hiding.

They had to fight.

They had ten minutes.

Zane's mind raced.

[NEW OBJECTIVE: DEFEND THE OUTPOST]

Prepare the battlefield.

Set traps.

Survive the attack.

Zane looked around for anything useful.

The outpost had broken weapons, shattered walls, and loose debris.

But if used correctly…

It could become a death trap.

5 Minutes Left.

Zane and Lyra moved fast.

Zane stacked debris near the entrance, creating a bottleneck.

Lyra set up old spears, sharpening them into makeshift spike traps.

They gathered loose stones to use as throwing weapons.

Not much. But enough.

[NEW OBJECTIVE: SURVIVE THE ATTACK]

Enemies: Blood Pact (3 scouts, 1 leader).

Estimated Battle Time: Unknown.

The forest grew silent again.

Then—

Footsteps.

Zane's heart pounded.

Through the mist, the Blood Pact emerged.

Arnold. Iris. Orion.

But they weren't alone.

Another figure stepped forward.

A massive warrior clad in dark armor, his presence suffocating.

Zane's stomach twisted.

A system warning flashed violently.

[NEW ENEMY DETECTED: BLOOD PACT ENFORCER]

Name: Karl the Executioner (LVL 8 – Elite Fighter)

Weapon: Warhammer (High Impact, Slow Strikes)

Ability: Earth shatter (AOE Ground Attack – Stuns Enemies in Range)

Zane's breath caught in his throat.

This wasn't just a hunt anymore.

This was an execution.

Karl lifted his war hammer, resting it against his shoulder.

His voice was like gravel, deep and cruel.

"You've run long enough."

Arnold's grin widened.

Iris twirled her daggers.

Orlen nocked an arrow.

Karl's helmeted gaze locked onto Zane and Lyra.

"Let's finish this."

[BATTLE STARTS NOW]

Defend the Outpost.

Survive the Blood Pact.

Escape if possible.

Zane's fingers curled around his spiked club.

Lyra raised her spear.

The Blood Pact charged.

And hell descended upon the outpost.