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

A creaking sound suddenly echoed through the basement, making everyone freeze in place.

"Who?" I muttered, tense. Everyone's attention snapped to the door, which had begun to creak open on its own.

Chris jumped in fright, but Saber quickly clamped a hand over his mouth. His sharp gaze was fixed ahead, where we spotted an old demon stepping inside.

"All of you," the demon rasped. "Come out and run. This is your only chance."

"Uncle Zag?" Chris and the other children shouted gleefully.

"Zag?" I asked cautiously, gripping my weapon tightly.

Zag raised his hands in a gesture of peace. "The main crew has already left, but I remembered you all were locked down here."

"What is happening?"

"It's so scary."

The demon kids asked cryingly afraid of the danger.

"What is going on? Is there an earthquake?"Gremlin asked while trying to calm down the kids.

"I know, it might be hard for you to accept the situation, but it's the truth. There is a monster tide attacking, and demons are fleeing."

Before I could respond, the ground beneath us trembled violently.

"So come on now. We don't have time to waste around!" Zag urged, his voice rising with urgency.

I glanced at Gremlin and Saber. The three of us were the only adults in the group, and we needed to act fast.

Gremlin nodded first, his expression hardened. "Alright, I'll take the front. Saber, Lukas, you stay in the back."

We exchanged a silent understanding, then stepped into formation as Zag hurried up the stairs ahead of us, urging us to follow quickly.

Just as we reached the top of the stairs, a sharp cracking noise erupted, and the walls around us began to collapse.

"NO!" I shouted in panic while acting fast. I immediately activated Shadow Step, slipping into Gremlin's shadow and pulling him back as the ceiling crumbled above us. I reached for Zag, but it was too late.

BOOM!

The entire floor gave way, sending debris crashing down. Zag, standing closest to the destruction, bore the brunt of it. In his last act, he shoved Gremlin backward with all his strength, saving him as we tumbled down the broken staircase while a huge chunk of debris smashed over him, crushing him.

The floor sunk and started cracking.

We hit the ground hard, rolling to a stop in the basement. Dust and debris filled the air, and the metallic scent of blood was thick.

"NOOOOO!" Gremlin's anguished cry pierced the silence as he staggered to his feet. His eyes burned with pain and fury, his body trembling as he roared, "WHY?! WHY DID IT HAVE TO BE HIM?!"

I struggled to sit up, my body aching from the fall. My heart felt heavy as I saw the trail of blood leading back to where Zag had been. He was gone in an instant.

Gremlin's knees buckled, and he screamed again, his voice breaking. "He was the only decent soul in this cursed place, and even he was ripped away!"

His words cut deep, the sorrow in his voice filling the room.

"Shut up!" I snapped, my voice cold and sharp. "Can't you see the kids?!"

Gremlin froze, his anguish silenced as he turned to look at the younger ones. They stood there, paralyzed with fear. Their expressions became pale and blank.

Chris, the smallest of them, stepped forward. He clung to Gremlin's leg, his tiny hands shaking as he tried to comfort him.

Gremlin's shoulders sagged, his anger melting into despair.

Saber, who had remained silent, finally spoke. His tone was calm but firm. "Now what?"

I forced myself to my feet, ignoring the ache in my body. My voice was steady as I made the decision.

"We stick to the plan," I said, looking at everyone. "I'll clear the way."

Without waiting for a response, I took the lead, despite the pain of loss.

Taking out a grenade from the storage ring, I threw it toward the wall following the original set.

"RETREAT!"

BOOM!

An explosion erupted across the place.

The blast rattled my bones, the echo of it still pulsing in my ears as I slowly rose from where I'd ducked down. Dust and debris swirled in the air, settling in slow motion around us. Through the hazy light, I could see the wide-eyed stares of the others, looking to me, uncertain but willing.

"Remember the training," I reminded them in a low, steady voice. Anticipating this, I had already been giving them instructions for an emergency.

"Remember everything I told you."

They nodded, bracing themselves for the unknown. On their faces, I saw a mix of determination and fear.

We'd prepared for this, though none of us could have foreseen the exact horror that loomed over our heads tonight. The shock of that monstrous beast, its tendrils writhing in the sky, the City Lord battling it was surreal. But now wasn't the time for doubt.

I pulled out small vials filled with a murky, shimmering liquid and handed them out. "Use health potions. The specters roaming outside hunt by sensing our negative emotions, so we need to calm ourselves."

Saber stepped up beside me, gripping his weapon firmly. I walked closer and sneaked a darkish liquid vial to him.

He gave me a small nod. "Ready when you are."

I turned to Gremlin. "You're in charge if we split. Take points, keep the younger ones calm." He was still shaken but managed to pull himself together, giving a determined nod. It was all I could ask.

"Listen," I addressed everyone, "the plan is simple. We head straight for the Crestfallen Desert. If we're lucky, we might find shelter or supplies along the way. But if we spot a demon guard or knight, follow them at a distance. They'll lead us to a safer route out of here. Stick close, stay low, and don't engage unless you have to."

They were scared, who wouldn't be? But fear was a tool if you learned to harness it. "We'll make it through this," I told them.

"Stay with me."

With one last look around, I led the way out of the basement. The first sight that met us was almost enough to steal my breath away.

Above, the sky was split open, a jagged crack in reality that pulsed with eerie darkness. The sky was blackened, swirling with ominous clouds that seemed to bleed shadows into the earth. The wind howled, sending gusts of dirt and debris swirling around us, and a deep, bone-rattling shockwave shook the ground under our feet.

Many had already evacuated.

The Blood Wolf Gang seemed to have forgotten about us, except for Zag, who took the risk to remain and lead the way, alas.

I felt guilty.

The question arose in my heart.

If I had followed the original plan of using a grenade to break through the wall, this might not have happened.

But there was no time to gawk. I took a breath, finding my center. "Let's go," I said, my voice sharper than I felt inside.

We pressed forward, slipping into the shadows of destroyed structures, each of us moving with careful, silent steps. I could sense the fear in everyone, feel it in myself, but I held onto it.

As we slipped through the chaos, I kept my eyes sharp and ears tuned for any sign of danger.

....

I left a part about Zag in chapter 31 which I had added today.Old readers, please take a look.

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