Game Of Survival

A heavy, suffocating silence fell over the ruined watchtower. Zane pressed himself against the cold stone wall, breathing slow and steady, forcing his racing heart to calm. The Hollow Stalker stood just outside, its massive, faceless head swiveling unnaturally, like it could smell the very air around him.

The journal's words burned in his mind.

It sees without eyes. 

It hears without ears.

If you move, it knows.

If you run, you die.

A new system notification appeared in his vision.

[NEW THREAT DETECTED: THE HOLLOW STALKER]

HP: 120/120

ATK: 25

DEF: 15

Abilities:

Echo Tracking (Detects the slightest movement)

Predatory Instincts (Becomes faster when prey is afraid)

Unkillable? (??? No known records of defeat)

Zane swallowed hard. "Unkillable?" That wasn't something he wanted to see.

He remained frozen, watching the creature from the cracked wooden window of the tower. The Hollow Stalker's body was unnatural—like dried, stretched skin over a humanoid frame, but too tall, too twisted.

Its jagged fingers scraped across the tower's outer walls, producing a sound like nails on stone.

His fingers twitched against the cold handle of his dagger. If this thing really couldn't be killed… then he had only one option.

Escape.

Stealth Mode Engaged

A new system effect appeared on his interface.

[STEALTH MODE ACTIVATED]

Movement Speed: -40% (Silent Steps Engaged)

Sound Detection Sensitivity: High

Hiding Bonus: +10% if staying in shadows

Zane carefully shifted his weight, ensuring he didn't step on anything unstable. The rotted wooden floors beneath him creaked softly, and he immediately froze.

The Hollow Stalker's entire body tensed. Its head twisted toward the sound, tilting unnaturally.

For a single, agonizing moment, the world stood still.

Then, the creature slowly turned away, resuming its slow, methodical pacing.

Zane's breathing remained shallow. He needed to plan his exit carefully.

Path to Escape

Option 1: The front entrance. Too obvious. The Hollow Stalker was right outside.

Option 2: The second floor and out the window. Risky, but it led straight into the trees.

Option 3: The trapdoor leading to the basement. A complete unknown.

None of these were great choices.

Zane weighed his options, checking his stamina levels. He was still exhausted, and if he had to make a run for it, he wouldn't last long.

[STATUS UPDATE]

HP: 35/35

STAMINA: 7/50 (Severe Fatigue Detected)

HUNGER: Low (-5% Recovery Speed)

THIRST: Moderate

The second floor was his best shot.

He moved carefully, placing each step exactly where the wood looked most stable. His body protested with every movement—muscles sore from constant battle, exhaustion gnawing at him.

At the top of the stairs, a large window stood half-broken, vines creeping through the gaps.

His fingers wrapped around the frame, testing its strength. Loose. It wouldn't hold his weight.

He needed something to soften his landing.

His eyes darted to a pile of old, moth-eaten cloth sacks—possibly filled with grain once, long since rotted.

He didn't have time to think. He grabbed two and hurled them out the window, watching them drop into the thick grass below.

A noise from below sent a chill through him.

The Hollow Stalker had stopped moving.

Then, it turned sharply toward the tower.

[WARNING: ENEMY BEHAVIOR SHIFT DETECTED]

The Hollow Stalker is now actively searching the area.

Escape Window: Closing.

Zane tensed. The creature's body contorted as it began climbing the stone walls.

His pulse spiked.

It was coming up.

No time. He had to move.

Zane climbed onto the windowsill and pushed off.

He fell fast, bracing for impact—

His body slammed into the sacks, the soft material breaking most of the fall but still knocking the wind from his lungs.

[-5 HP: Fall Damage]

His vision flickered for a moment before stabilizing. He rolled onto his feet, shaking off the impact.

A sound echoed from above.

A low, inhuman wail.

The Hollow Stalker had reached the window.

It twisted its body, leaning unnaturally far out as if debating whether to jump after him.

Zane didn't wait to find out.

He sprinted into the trees, weaving between the thick trunks, forcing his legs to keep moving despite the burning in his muscles.

Chase Sequence Activated

[Speed Reduced Due to Fatigue: -15%]

[Enemy Speed Increasing: +20%]

[Escape Success Rate: 60%]

The sounds of the creature's pursuit were deafening behind him—twigs snapping, dirt shifting, that horrible, echoing wail.

It was faster.

Zane's mind raced. He needed an advantage. The terrain—

The map!

With one swift motion, he pulled out the old map he had found inside the tower.

A marked trail led toward a riverbed nearby. If he could reach it, he might be able to mask his scent and sound in the water.

The Hollow Stalker let out another guttural wail.

It was closing in.

Zane's vision blurred at the edges from exhaustion, but he forced himself forward.

Then—he saw it.

A sharp drop just ahead.

The river was below.

His lungs burned. His vision tunneled on the cliff's edge.

It was either jump… or die.

His legs coiled like springs, pushing off with the last ounce of strength left in him.

He soared.

For one terrifying second, he was weightless.

Then—

SPLASH.

A shock of freezing water swallowed him whole.

His limbs flailed as he fought the current, his body rolling through the rushing river, debris and sharp rocks scraping against his skin.

Above him, on the edge of the cliff, the Hollow Stalker stood motionless.

It tilted its head, watching.

Then, slowly, it turned away… vanishing into the darkness.

[CHASE ESCAPED SUCCESSFULLY]

HP: 30/35

STAMINA: 2/50 (Critical Fatigue)

HOLLOW STALKER HAS LEFT PURSUIT

Zane dragged himself onto the shore, collapsing onto the cold, damp earth. His lungs ached, his limbs trembled.

He had survived.

But only barely.

His vision blurred at the edges as his body finally gave out.

And then—

Everything faded to black.