Rise Of A Monarch

Quest To Become Strong (2)

Grimm.

"Haa... Puff..."

My mother had told me stories about them. Because of that, I stayed away from the forest. All I knew about them was that they had the color palette of black and white.

"Huff... gah!"

But... Whatever has been chasing me for the last 3 hours was definitely not a grimm.

"Ack!" I lost footing, stumbling and rolling pathetically across the sand, an uncomfortable sensation spreading across my skin. But that didn't matter. I quickly got up, even as my body ached with every movement. Because if I didn't, I'd die.

"Huff... Huff!"

[Time remaining: 5 Minutes 0 Seconds]

'I can't go on!'

*SKREEEEE!*

The monster chasing me let out a scream, making shivers run down my spine. My knees trembled but I continued running. It's truly a miracle I haven't been swallowed whole.

I was nearing my limits. My vision was blurry, everything hurt, I felt like I was going to pass out.

"Grk... AHH!" A scream left my lips, my pace increasing even if was a small amount.

[3 Minutes]

With every second ticked down, it became my determination to keep running. Even as my legs wobbled like jello, even as my breath barely left me... I kept running.

"Urk?!" Again, I stumbled forward, landing onto the ground, gasping for air. A shadow loomed over me, the underbody of the centipede striking fear into my heart.

[1 Minute]

It's eyed gleamed with hunger, it's jaw unclasping showing me my imminent fate.

'Come on...!'

[40 Seconds]

Maybe it was luck, but it seemed to toy with me, slowly descending it's mouth towards me, teasing me with death.

[20 Seconds]

I shut my eyes tight, praying to whatever god was out there as the hot breath of the monster washed over me.

[5]

The monster seemed to grow bored, hunger taking over. Opening my eyes, I could see it's mouth descending down, ready to swallow me whole.

[3]

[2]

[1]

*RUMBLE!*

The ground trembled, the earth parting under me. And before I knew it.

"Ack!" My body fell upon the cool floor of the hospital, desperate wheezing escaped my lips as sweat pooled down my face. I swore I heard the door open, the gasp of someone faintly heard under the ringing of my ears as my eyes finally closed, drifting into unconsciousness.

[You've completed the Penalty Quest]

***

Before I had knew it, a week passed.

Realizing that if I didn't do that daily quest I was bound to end up somewhere dangerous I began doing it in earnest. Luckily, it didn't seem to change.

"Huff... Puff... Phew." I tiredly plop down onto a bench, taking a sip of cold water.

[You've completed the Daily Quest]

[Would you like to claim the rewards] (Y/N)

'Yes.' As I watched the screen fade away, replaced by a new one I realized I had kind of grown used to seeing such a strange sight. One that no one but me seemed to be able to seen.