Apocalypse Baby

As Alex snapped

The air seemed to ripple, and Baranga's body twisted and contorted, like it was being sucked into some invisible vortex, pulled apart by an unseen force.

Then the next second, the creature exploded in a violent burst, sending a spray of blood outward, staining the barrier with crimson.

The sheer force of it left Freya in shock.

She stumbled back, her butt hitting the ground as her heart raced.

She couldn't process what she had just witnessed—too many shocks, too much happening at once.

What the hell is this?

Alex, his posture still relaxed, glanced down at her.

His voice was eerily calm as if nothing out of the ordinary had just occurred.

"Aren't you coming?"

Freya remained frozen on the floor, staring at him with wide eyes. Her mind was racing:

"You... what are you?"

Alex paused, looking at her for a moment as if he were considering how to answer.

Then, in a tone that was so casual it sent a chill down her spine, he simply replied, "An anomaly."

Freya's thoughts ground to a halt, her confusion deepening.

An anomaly?

That made no sense to her.

"An... an anomaly," Freya repeated in disbelief, her voice shaky as she tried to wrap her mind around what had just happened.

Alex's grin stretched wider.

"That's what they called me. But I'm Alex."

He casually stretched out his hand, his eyes glinting with a mixture of mischief and something darker.

"Nice to meet you...?" he said, waiting for her response.

Freya hesitated for only a second before reaching out, swallowing hard as she took his hand. "Freya. My name is Freya."

With a single pull, Alex yanked her effortlessly to her feet.

His grip was strong, and Freya couldn't help but feel both small and secure in his presence.

"Freya, huh? Let's go, shall we?" Alex said, his voice smooth, but the underlying edge was unmistakable.

"I'll be powering my way out of here. So if you want to survive, don't stray too far from me. I'll leave you behind without a second thought."

"Yes, sir," Freya replied, her voice louder than she intended, trying to sound more confident than she felt.

Earlier, she'd thought she was going to die.

Now, thanks to this strange man, she was alive—and she felt a flicker of hope for the first time since she'd entered this nightmare.

Unlike the others, who were scrambling to figure out how to survive before the timer ran out, Alex seemed like he was walking straight through every obstacle.

No hesitation, no fear—just calm, effortless power.

Freya couldn't guarantee that she'd make it out of this hellhole, but with Alex at her side, she was certain she would get closer than she ever could alone.

And honestly? That was a win in her book. Explore hidden tales at My Virtual Library Empire

Without a word, Alex strode toward the exit, his movements as confident as ever.

Freya trailed behind, her heart pounding in her chest and her gaze fixed on his back.

The events of the trial still swirled in her mind, but she pushed them aside, determined to stay close to him.

Just as they reached the threshold, a sharp chime pierced the silence.

Ding!

[To proceed to the next round, you must pay 2000 Nightmare Points.]

Freya froze, her eyes widening in disbelief.

"What? That's the exact amount we just earned for passing!" she exclaimed, her voice laced with frustration.

Her mind raced.

She had been counting on those points to stock up—replenishing the health potion she'd used and maybe grabbing a few more items to help in the next trial.

Now, all her plans had crumbled in an instant.

She sighed heavily, staring at the glowing text as if she could will it to disappear.

This place really knows how to suck the life out of you.

She knew there was no choice. If she wanted to move forward, she had to pay the price.

Beside her, Alex remained calm, his expression unchanging.

If anything, the notification only confirmed what he already expected.

This place wasn't about making things easy—it was about breaking you, holding you back at every step.

But Alex wasn't one to be held back.

Not with the advantage of his title, which doubled every reward he earned.

Without hesitation, he swiped to confirm his payment, the points vanishing from his total.

He glanced at Freya, whose reluctance was written all over her face.

Freya stared at the screen for a moment longer, her lips pressing into a tight line.

"There goes my health potion fund," she muttered bitterly before tapping the confirmation button. The points disappeared, and she let out a small, resigned sigh.

A blinding flash of light enveloped them, forcing Freya to shield her eyes.

When the glow subsided, the two found themselves standing in a completely different landscape.

They had entered the second trial.

The terrain was harsh—a rocky plain stretched before them.

The air was thick with heat, and the oppressive wave hit them like an oven door swinging open.

Freya squinted against the brightness, beads of sweat already forming on her brow.

They stood on a wide rocky ledge, elevated high above a bubbling pit of molten lava.

The orange-red liquid churned and gurgled menacingly below, its heat radiating upward in shimmering waves.

Ahead of them, a series of uneven platforms floated in the air, forming a precarious path toward a massive door embedded in the cliffside ahead.

The platforms were scattered at various heights and distances, some wobbling slightly as if they would crumble under pressure.

Freya's stomach dropped at the sight.

"Are we... supposed to jump across those?" she murmured, her voice shaky.@@novelbin@@

Alex stepped forward, surveying the scene with a calm, calculating gaze. The molten lava hissed and bubbled below, hungry for anything—or anyone—that might slip.

He didn't need long to figure it out.

Just from the setup, he could already tell what this trial demanded.

And as if to confirm his thoughts, a familiar chime echoed in the air.

Ding!

A notification appeared before both of them, glowing faintly in the blistering heat.

[Welcome to the Second Nightmare Trial]

[Rules]

Use the footholds to cross to the next door. Try not to fall—lest the lava claims you.

[Reward]

- You receive 3000 Nightmare Points and 30 Upgrade Points

Freya read the notification, her face turning pale.

Her gaze darted from the message back to the unstable platforms and then down to the searing lava below.

The thought of falling into that fiery pool sent a shiver down her spine, despite the heat.

Alex, on the other hand, didn't flinch.

"Yep, called it," Alex muttered, his eyes scanning the area.

They weren't alone.

Clusters of players were scattered around the rocky plain, huddled together in small groups.

There were about a dozen of them—some catching their breath, others cautiously observing their surroundings.

The tension in the air was palpable like everyone was sizing up the competition.

Alex furrowed his brow.

Where did all these people come from?

Freya seemed equally perplexed, her eyes darting between the unfamiliar faces.

The players here didn't match the numbers Alex remembered from what he had seen before he entered the nightmare.

"The numbers don't add up," Alex thought.

Had the forest trial spread wider than he realized?

Turning his gaze to Freya, Alex noticed her scanning the crowd with a mix of curiosity and anxiety.

Her head turned left, then right, as if searching for someone.

Her lips parted as she murmured, almost to herself, "Those two must have left."

Alex tilted his head, confused. "Which two?"

Freya sighed and replied, "The crazy dude with a scythe and the one who used to lead our group. Before he decided to go solo."

Alex furrowed his brow.

Kid with the scythe?

There was only one person who came to mind.

"Dorion?" Alex asked his tone sharper now.

Freya's head snapped toward him, her expression twisting in surprise. "You know that maniac?"

Alex nodded slowly. Memories of Dorion surfaced—wild eyes, an unsettling grin, and a scythe that moved like an extension of his body. If there was anyone who could thrive in chaos, it was him.

Freya shook her head.

Of course, you do. You're just as much of a psychopath as he is if not more.

Alex oblivious to her thoughts folded his arms and glanced around again.

"Well, it seems they either died or moved ahead."

Freya nodded, indifference in her:

"I know. I was just searching for them out of curiosity. They abandoned me, so it's not like I care."

Alex observed her for a moment, noting the faint edge in her voice.

Whether she admitted it or not, there was still some lingering bitterness there.

Before he could say anything else, his attention shifted.

From the group of players nearby, someone began to move toward them.

A tall, older man with an aura that seemed to suck the air out of the space around him.

He was dressed like a ronin, his worn armor bearing scars of countless battles, and his blade rested sheathed at his side. There was something about him—a silent, looming menace that felt heavier than anything Alex had faced before.

And what was this...

Though the old man tried to hide it, Alex spotted it:

Animosity.