SSS Ranked Awakening: I Can Rewind Time!-Chapter 33: In Five Breath’s Time.

Just like that, the days passed by, and before long, it was time for us to continue with our harrowing journey.

...It was time to head for the Human Acropolis.

***

On the fourth day since the crimson haired lady had made the decision for the cohort to rest, and have a moment of reprieve from the endless horrors of the world of nightmares, the crimson constellation rose from the depths of the endless void, the sky’s cracked surface emitting a bright immolating light. Beneath, ancient sigil-etched structures protruded from the ground. Along with this change were the more harrowing horrors that came with it.

...However, on the bright side of things, as the crimson constellation rose even higher, shimmering with a bright incandescent light, the worst of them all retreated at an astonishing pace. And with its disappearance emerged the dark maze- an endless labyrinth teeming with nightmarish horrors of all kinds.

With grim expressions, we began our descent down the dune structure. Livia, as always, was backed by her twin as they both made their way down the ancient sigil-etched structure. The crimson haired lady could be said to have had it quite well, as she descended at a rather rapid pace, despite the strenuous pain that came with each clangor of steel and stone.

However, the same couldn’t be said for me. Backing the makeshift vessel like any other day, the descent down the dune structure wasn’t the least bit pleasant, and was instead strenuous in every possible way. However, with gritted teeth and a grim expression darkening my features, I was able to complete my descent just around the same time as the others.

Finally done with the arduous descent, we pressed forward.

The journey was anything but smooth. It had its rough moments, and its calm moments- situations we could handle without the need to bleed and curse in the throes of pain. But so far so good, it had been nothing short of a gruesome journey.

...Behind us, from where we had descended down the dune structure, to the endless paths we had walked through, piles of nightmarish corpses, and a pool of bright crimson liquid could be traced back to us.

Everywhere we passed by was imbued with a harrowing sense of carnage and destruction. However, on numerous occasions, we made sure to avoid a horde of nightmarish creatures. And sometimes, we chose to clash with them, to better temper ourselves, and sharpen our battle prowess under the onslaught of the nightmarish aberrations.

...There was, after all, no better way to train oneself in this cursed and wretched land. And even if they were, none would have the effect that it had. Humans were after all, creatures who deeply valued their lives.

As we stood behind a towering rock —after a few days of this grueling journey—

I peered through the narrow cracks in the rock. In that moment, my face darkened.

"It’s the same awakened evil we previously encountered."

Aezel tensed at my words, his hands tightening around his bow.

I grimaced at the sight as a tense silence enveloped us.

Somehow, I had always known that our path would eventually cross with the monstrous creature’s. But I didn’t think it would be this soon. Or rather...

A deep scowl marred my features.

’I had simply wanted to refute that line of thought.’

With a dark expression, I glanced at the nightmarish aberration once again. And...

It was just as menacing as I’d remembered it to be. With bright crimson hides, a pair of stygian claws that glimmered in the dark, and cold, hollow slits that scanned the surroundings with unconcealed malice. It was strikingly beautiful, yet at the same time, harrowing and dreadful.

The longer my eyes stayed on it, the more a profound feeling of dread clutched my heart, clenching and squeezing tightly.

’...No way in hell we’re fighting that, right?!’

I stared cautiously, afraid that my trembling hands holding the azure dagger would give us away. It was then that I glanced at Mia. Her expression was that of unsettling calmness and unwavering determination.

It was that same look. That look... I knew it all too well.

’Damnation!’

Staring at her with gritted teeth, I scowled and said:

"Don’t tell me you’re really planning on doing that?"

My face paled.

However, for a few seconds or so, the crimson haired lady remained indifferent to my words. It was also then that I clenched my fists.

"Damn it! That thing is almost four times our size. How do we kill it?! Ask the bastard to politely lower itself to our height?!"

Seeing her indifferent expression only served to intensify the deep sense of fury within me.

"Oh- wait. I think we have had this conversation before. Oh, yeah."

Flicking my hands as though in remembrance, I said in a grim tone:

"We have. And I think you said the same thing. How did it end up for me?"

My expression darkened even further. "In case you don’t remember, let me refresh your memory Mia. I almost ended up getting killed!"

The crimson haired lady glanced at me and shrugged.

"...At least you survived."

My mouth drew open at her words. However, I gritted my teeth and said:

"That’s not the point."

I exhaled shakily, glancing at Aezel as I added.

"All I’m trying to say is that we can avoid this monster."

Mia glanced at me and frowned.

"We can’t. If we want to make it to the next dune structure before the dark mist comes gushing back again, we have no choice but to fight it."

And once again, I was left defeated.

A deep scowl marred my features in that moment.

After all, all she’d just said was nothing but the cold and harsh truth. There was no way in hell that we would avoid the hulking evil, and still make it to the next dune structure in time. Especially when considering the endless labyrinthine nature of the dark maze.

But... fighting such a thing. Wasn’t that the same thing as courting death?

I sighed in exasperation.

But again, wasn’t avoiding it the same thing. And to be honest, if I were to choose between the dark mist and this terrifying aberration.

The scowl on my face deepened. ’I knew I’d end up choosing the latter. I’d end up choosing the lesser evil- the awakened evil.

’Agh!’

Growling in exasperation, I turned to face Mia. As though sensing my silent acknowledgement, Mia nodded and said grimly:

"Get ready. We’ll attack in five breath’s time."

Aezel nodded tensely, gripping hold of his bow even tighter.

Five.

As I silently counted the countdown to what seemed like my potential death in my mind, a grim expression darkened my features.

Four.

I counted. Each breath becoming a desperate battle against the endless darkness surrounding me.

"Hah, Hah..."

Each breath forced me to face what I dreaded most.

Three.

Death. Each breath I took pushed me closer to it, peeling off memories I had fought to hide. Each unveiling... leaving a sour taste in my throat.

Two.

’I was going to die. I could feel it. B-ut... I didn’t want to die. Not after coming this far. ...I now had friends to look out for. I still hadn’t figured out the secret behind my lost memories...’

That insidious feeling of overwhelming dread. It slowly crawled in once again, seeking to consume me.

One.

Biting my lips, I forced down the sense of dread and paranoia. I couldn’t allow them to consume me. I couldn’t. fɾēewebnσveℓ.com

Zero.

My muscles tensed, and then,

...All hell broke loose.

Step! Step--!

I dashed into the endless darkness, my voice cutting through the tense silence:

"Come get me, bastard!"

My loud roar seemed to have garnered the attention of the monstrosity. It turned its slits slowly before it eventually stopped on... me.

In that moment, I felt a suffocating sense of pressure and dread descend on me, as though an invisible force was pressing against my chest.

Those eyes. Those slits.

They were filled with this concentrated beam of murderous intent and it felt like... like it was slowly cutting through me. Piercing me from the distance.

My breath hitched as I tried to move.

It was then that...

"...!!"

The horrifying monstrosity let out a loud ear-piercing screech. The grating sound rattled my skulls and disoriented me for a moment. And before I could even realize what was going on, the terrifying nightmarish aberration was already right above me.

’Crap!’

That was the last thought I had as the claws wreathed in darkness shot towards me.