OLD-WORLD EXTRA-Chapter 121: Game of Cat and Mouse

The realization of Emir's plan struck the Maligorth like a thunderbolt, its gaze fixated on the crumbling surroundings.

A mix of fury and desperation consumed the monster, its voice reverberating through the collapsing terrain:

"YOU WRETCHED HUMAN! CURSE YOU!"

The sound of its enraged scream echoed wildly, blending with the chaotic destruction unfolding around them.

Emir seized the fleeting moment, his instincts guiding his actions.

He unsheathed his daggers and stomped his foot into the ground, shattering the terrain beneath them like fragile ice.

The earth trembled as their surroundings gave way, causing both Emir and the Maligorth to plummet into the depths below, spiraling into an abyss of vast, seemingly infinite caves.

In the midst of their freefall, Emir's mind raced, seizing the opportunity to gather his thoughts:

'Fucking hell....'

'I actually pulled it off.'

'I finally have a chance to run away now.'

And he was correct in thinking so, after all in this darkness, the Maligorth certainly won't have an easy time finding him.

He then let out a weary sigh of relief, acknowledging the gravity of his first defeat.

'That was my first loss, huh?'

'... Well, I've never thought about killing a Tyrant in the first place, but still, I've got a long way to go, don't I?'

Discarding those thoughts, he summoned the last remnants of his strength and focused his attention on his augmented suit.

He reinforced the force shield to its maximum state.

And as he continued to descend, he spotted scattered debris.

'Let's jump.'

Emir floated towards them and used them as makeshift stepping stones, jumping from one to another while desperately searching for a safe landing spot.

Exhaustion weighed heavily upon him, his eyelids drooping with every passing moment, but he remained focused on his search.

Just as his descent through the cavernous abyss neared its end, he spotted a narrow ledge jutting out from the sheer rock face.

With the last ounce of strength he could muster, he propelled himself towards it, his body contorting in mid-air as he aimed for a safe landing.

The impact was jarring, his legs absorbing the force as he stumbled forward, barely managing to maintain his balance on the precarious ledge.

Breathing heavily, he steadied himself, his hands gripping the uneven surface of the rock.

He took a moment to assess his surroundings, the faint glow of fungi revealing the contours of the cave walls.

The air was thick with the scent of dampness, a constant reminder of the underground world The now found himself in.

Emir knew he couldn't stay on the ledge for long, as the Maligorth could still be in pursuit. With careful deliberation, he cautiously maneuvered along the narrow ledge, his movements slow.

Each step required intense focus and balance, as a single misstep could send him tumbling into the abyss below, especially now that he was struggling to stay awake.

His Aether core was all spent, and his body all but broken, marking the fact that any such fall would surely mean his doom.

Gradually, the distant rumblings of the collapsing cavern faded away, leaving an eerie silence in their wake.

Only the sound of dripping water remained to echo in the distance, a symphony that accompanied him on his way through the caves.

His heart pounded in his chest, a mixture of adrenaline and fatigue coursing through his veins.

Every muscle in his body ached, protesting against the strain he had endured.

But Emir pushed forward.

He had to survive and escape the clutches of the Maligorth.

Step by step, he navigated the treacherous path, occasionally using outcroppings and stalactites for support.

The journey felt impossible, and the darkness was an ever-present companion as he ventured deeper into the depths.

Yet, through the obscurity, he maintained a keen sense of direction.

His vision, though challenged, still allowed him to navigate the shadows - a testament to his calling as a celestial.

Though his body screamed for respite, his willpower remained unyielding, refusing to succumb to the exhaustion that threatened to overwhelm him.

Hours passed, or perhaps it was mere minutes in the abyss of the underground.

And then, as if by a stroke of fortune, he stumbled upon a path leading to many separate caves scattered about in the terrain.

But he knew that he would have to do better to leave this place alive, so he moved on, each step forward harder than the last.

Whilst he walked, he constantly surveyed his surroundings, with the darkness swallowing him whole, save for the faint glow of luminescent fungi clinging to the cave walls.

Catching himself almost stumbling down, he found himself pressing his back against the cold stone for support.

He regulated his breathing, hyper-aware of his vulnerable state, straining to catch any indication of the Maligorth's pursuit.

Time stretched agonizingly, minutes feeling like an eternity, while his senses remained heightened, his heart pounding in his chest.

With caution as his guide, he got himself back up and ventured deeper into the labyrinthine

tunnels.

He understood that with the Maligorth's senses, any sound he made would spell certain

death.

The air grew increasingly heavy with dampness, and the oppressive darkness seemed to close in on him from all sides.

But it all disappeared from his mind when he caught sight of a concealed alcove nestled within the winding caverns.

It offered a temporary sanctuary, a respite from the relentless pursuit of the monster.

The alcove was bathed in a soft, ethereal glow emanating from a cluster of crystals.

Stalactites hung like silent sentinels from the ceiling, their rhythmic water droplets echoing

through the silence.

Though desolate, the alcove provided Emir with a momentary refuge.

Weakened and weary, he entered and sank to the ground, leaning against its chilly walls.

Darkness enshrouded him, the weight of his endeavors pressing upon his mind.

The constant strain and adrenaline had taken their toll, leaving his body yearning for rest.

And as he closed his eyes, the symphony of solitude echoed in his ears-the distant dripping water, the faint rustling of unseen creatures, the ethereal glow of the fungi casting a soft,

comforting light.

Yet, amidst his overwhelming fatigue, a flicker of focus remained a resilient ember burning

within Emir's spirit.

With a final act of willpower, he retrieved an energy pack from his rucksack and swiftly replaced the one in his augmented suit.

Using his neural network, he meticulously adjusted the settings, reinforcing the shield to withstand any lurking danger.

The force shield emitted a soft, reassuring hum, enveloping him in a protective cocoon as if standing guard over his slumber.

Fatigue claimed him at last, causing his eyelids to grow increasingly heavy as he surrendered to the irresistible pull of sleep.