OLD-WORLD EXTRA-Chapter 123: Cycle

After what felt like an eternity of narrow escapes and heart-pounding chases, Emir finally reached a chamber that offered temporary rest.

The cavern was vast and open, its ceiling adorned with shimmering stalactites.

Breathing heavily, he took a moment to catch his breath and absorb Aether while his eyes scanned the surroundings for any signs of the Maligorth.

He was met by the silence that filled the chamber, broken only by the sound of his own labored breaths.

And just as he began to hope that he had eluded his pursuer, a low growl echoed to his left.

The humanoid version of the Maligorth emerged from the shadows, its eyes fixed on him with an intensity that sent shivers down his spine.

'Well, that wasn't too surprising...' He mused.

Without wasting any time, he propped up his Aetherstorm Launcher, as his body began glowing with Aether.

"Aether Blast!"

He screamed as he channeled whatever Aether he had remaining into a powerful blast, unleashing a wave of Aether that sent the Maligorth staggering backward.

"COME BACK, HUMAN!"

Ignoring the screaming Maligorth, he turned and sprinted toward another passage on the opposite side of the chamber.

The Maligorth recovered quickly, its form changing into its real one as it ran after him with renewed fury.

But Emir was long gone, fueled by pure desperation and the resolve to survive.

He raced through the passage, his footsteps echoing in the confined space.

And as he emerged into a new section of the labyrinth, Emir felt relief flood through him.

He had once again managed to create some distance between himself and the relentless monster, buying him precious time.

But he knew that the Maligorth's pursuit would not cease, that his journey was far from over and that the true test of his strength and adaptability lay ahead.

The Maligorth would continue to hunt him relentlessly, driven by its insatiable hunger and desire for vengeance.

With renewed focus, he pressed on, navigating the intricate network of tunnels and caves with unwavering resolve.

And like clockwork, the sound of the Maligorth's heavy footsteps reached behind him.

Undeterred, Emir scanned the surroundings, searching for a way to outsmart the creature and escape its clutches.

Spotting a series of narrow ledges that ascended to a higher level, he quickly devised a plan.

He leaped onto the first ledge, his movements agile, while looking back at the Maligorth that struggled to catch up.

Emir moved from one ledge to another, appearing to have gotten used to the underground. As he deliberately chose paths that required careful maneuvering, knowing that the Maligorth's massive frame would struggle to fit, even in its humanoid form.

So with each successful leap, he gained more distance between himself and the pursuing monster.

Soon after reaching the highest ledge, he spotted a narrow crevice leading to a hidden passage.

Without hesitation, he squeezed through the tight opening while hearing the Maligorth's enraged growls fade in the distance.

The hidden passage twisted and turned, its walls lined with jagged rocks.

Emir moved cautiously, using his keen senses and knowledge of the terrain to navigate without making a sound.

He then noticed a small fissure in the cave wall ahead, barely wide enough for him to squeeze through.

'There we go!'

He thought while slipping into the narrow fissure, his body contorting as he squeezed through the tight space.

Emir snickered as he continued to hear the roars of frustration echoing behind him.

Soon he emerged into a hidden alcove, concealed from the monster's view, and finally took a moment to catch his breath, his mind racing with thoughts of his next move.

'I can't stay in the alcove for long...'

'Its senses would eventually lead it to my location, so I need to distract it somehow...'

Emir thought of ways to confuse its ability to track him, centering them around Aether, as its senses are highly reliant on it.

And in a stroke of brilliance, he spotted a small pool of poisonous liquid nearby.

'Oh yeah!'

'These are everywhere.... I can definitely lead it away with this!'

Channeling the last of his Aether into his feet, he harnessed his Aerialis Aspect to amplify his strength.

And with a forceful step, he shattered the rocks beneath him, sending fragments flying. Picking up one of the larger fragments, he began dipping it into the poisonous substance. Almost immediately, the liquid began to simmer, releasing tendrils of steam into the air. Disregarding the danger, he marked a trail along the cave walls, leading away from the alcove and in the opposite direction of his intended escape route.

Employing his Weaver's Veil Aspect, he infused these markings with his own Aether, his

celestial essence, ensuring the monster would detect them.

He then sheathed one of his daggers and exhaled sharply.

"Here goes nothing."

With a swift motion, he cut his wrist, allowing blood to flow continuously, splattering the

ground.

After a few minutes passed, aided by a dose of old-world medicine, the bleeding finally

ceased.

Now fully prepared and with the trail set, he moved soundlessly, leaving behind a path for the Maligorth to pursue.

While continuing deeper into the labyrinth, Emir's heart pounded with excitement.

'That will be enough for a few, but this game is far from over, I have to run away as far as I physically can.'

Emir knew that he had successfully outsmarted the monster, at least for now, but he also understood that the game of cat and mouse was far from over.

With his wits and cunning as his only capable weapons, he pressed on, determined to elude the Maligorth and find a way to not only survive but ultimately overcome the formidable creature that hunted him.

And so the pursuit continued, as he pushed himself even harder, tapping into the Aether that surrounded him, constantly replenishing his Aether reserves, determined to escape the clutches of his relentless pursuer.

With every fleeting moment, he grew closer to his breaking point, his body exhausted and his mind on the brink of collapse, all because of the constant processing of Aether.

But, he refused to surrender.

He pushed through the pain, drawing upon the depths of his fiery heart, knowing that killing his enemy must be his only option...

Otherwise, who was he to challenge the Order if a tyrant-ranked monster stopped him in his

tracks?

Many weeks passed, and once again, the Maligorth caught up to him, presenting another

challenge.

Yet, he managed to elude it.

Each encounter only fortified his resilience, sharpening his skills to a razor's edge.

The underground became his training ground, a crucible in which he forged himself anew.

Emir knew that the day would come when he'd emerge from the depths, his spirit unbroken,

and his strength multiplied by leaps and bounds.

And when that day arrived, he wouldn't face the Maligorth as helpless prey but as a

formidable adversary.

Ready to hunt.