Night fell hard and fast, painting the world in deep shadows.
The moon hung overhead — blood-red — as if warning the world that something terrible was about to begin.
Elias, battered and bruised but unbroken, leaned against a shattered wall, panting heavily.
His Watch buzzed against his wrist — not with a task, but something colder.
[Emergency Notice:]
Black Bearer Initiated: Blood Moon Hunting Round.
All nearby Watch Bearers will be forced into a death-match until one remains standing.
Escape: Impossible.
Deadline: Survive 3 hours.
Rewards if Survived: 10x stat boost to all physical attributes + Mystery Skill.
---
Elias gritted his teeth.
The world around him shifted.
Buildings became blurry, streets seemed endless.
He realized he was inside some kind of illusion world, created by the Black Bearer's power.
No way out.
Only survival.
Footsteps echoed.
Then another.
Then dozens.
Out of the shadows emerged other Watch Bearers — most bloodied, desperate, their eyes wide with panic.
Some attacked each other immediately.
Others formed uneasy alliances.
Elias clenched his fists.
The Hunt had begun.
---
[Micro Task:]
Defeat 10 opponents before 1 hour passes.
Bonus Reward: "Shadow Step" (extreme short-distance teleportation.)
---
Without hesitation, Elias launched himself forward.
He was a storm.
Fast. Brutal. Unrelenting.
The first enemy — a man with a giant hammer — swung at him.
Elias ducked under it, drove his elbow into the man's throat, and snatched the hammer mid-fall.
BOOM!
He swung the hammer like it weighed nothing, sending two more charging opponents flying across the lot like ragdolls.
Three down.
---
A woman with twin daggers tried to ambush him from behind.
But Elias's instincts, sharpened by the Watch, flared.
He spun, catching her wrist mid-stab, and flipped her over his shoulder.
She slammed into the ground, unconscious.
Four.
---
Slash! Slash!
Two quick assassins attacked together, blades flashing.
Elias grinned savagely.
Perfect.
He grabbed a fallen knife and moved like a blur — slicing tendons, disarming, and leaving both enemies moaning on the ground.
Six.
---
[Warning: Elite Watch Bearer Approaching!]
From the far side of the field, a titanic figure appeared.
Seven feet tall.
Muscles stacked on muscles.
Glowing red Watch on his wrist.
His title appeared above his head in flashing red text:
[Executioner Mavik — Strength Type Bearer Lv. 32]
Elias's eyes narrowed.
This guy was different.
A monster.
The Executioner pointed a massive spiked club at Elias.
"You're strong," he rumbled. "I want your Watch."
Elias exhaled slowly.
"Come and take it."
---
The Executioner charged, the ground trembling under his feet.
Elias stayed still — waiting, calculating.
Closer... closer...
At the last second, he sidestepped, letting the Executioner's momentum carry him forward — and struck.
Right into Mavik's knee.
A wet crack.
Mavik roared in pain — but swung back blindly with the club.
Elias ducked, then drove an uppercut into the Executioner's jaw with everything he had.
The big man staggered.
Elias didn't stop.
He slammed elbow after elbow into Mavik's ribs, each hit fueled by raw fury and desperation.
CRACK!
CRACK!
CRACK!
Finally, with a roar, Elias delivered a brutal roundhouse kick that sent Mavik crashing into a stone wall.
Silence.
Then:
[Opponent Defeated: + Massive Experience Bonus]
[7 defeated. 3 remaining to complete Micro Task.]
---
Elias stood over the fallen giant, chest heaving.
Around him, the field was littered with groaning bodies.
And the clock was ticking.
Still two hours left.
Still dozens more enemies somewhere out there.
Still that Black Bearer watching.
Somewhere, unseen.
Testing him.
---
[System Update:]
"Adrenal Surge" passive skill unlocked. (Strength and speed temporarily double when health is below 50%.)
[Micro-Task: Almost Completed!]
---
Elias cracked his knuckles, smiling grimly.
"Alright," he muttered, blood dripping from his lip.
"Who's next?"
The Blood Moon overhead pulsed ominously, as if amused.
The real nightmare was just beginning.
---