But the instant her foot touched the trial zone, Baranga's gaze snapped to her.
Its monstrous eyes bore into her, unblinking and cold.
Freya froze, every instinct screaming at her to run, but the beast didn't charge as it did with Micah and Isaac.
Instead, Baranga turned slightly, positioning itself in front of Marcus while keeping Freya in its sights.
The two of them were now caught under its watchful eyes.
Further ahead, the four players who had already gained distance saw this as an opportunity.
They exchanged quick glances and stepped forward, testing their luck while the beast's attention was divided.
But then, sothing changed.
Baranga's massive head twisted sharply, far quicker than before, its focus narrowing like a predator spotting fresh prey.
The sudden movent was jarring, and it locked onto George, who had just landed from a leap forward.
"No!" George's voice cracked as panic seized him.
He stumbled slightly, spinning around to see the beast's gaze fixed solely on him.
Baranga's towering fra shifted, its hand beginning to rise in preparation for an attack.
George's eyes widened in sheer terror, his body trembling as he realized what was about to happen.
"No, I will not die like this!"
George roared in defiance, his trembling hand gripping the hilt of his sword.
His fear burned away, replaced by a desperate determination.
And he charged straight at Baranga, letting out a war cry, his sword raised high.
But Baranga's burning gaze remained steady, and without even flinching, the beast unleashed its fiery wrath.
And flas erupted around George, engulfing him completely.
"Aaaargh!"
His screams pierced the air as his body was consud by fire, his sword clattering uselessly to the ground.
And then, silence.
George was reduced to ashes in re monts.
And then there were five.
Freya's hands trembled, but her mind was racing.
The beast had turned its back toward her as it lood over George's remains. It wasn't looking at her anymore.
This was her chance.
Contrary to what anyone might think, Freya wasn't just standing still, paralyzed by fear.
She had been observing—studying, every movent Baranga made, every second it spent focused on its victims, she morized it all.
Baranga always lingered for a few precious seconds after killing soone before turning its attention to the others. That delay was key.
Freya gritted her teeth, determination sparking in her eyes.
"If that's how it works," she muttered under her breath, "then I can cover more ground during those seconds."
Her plan ford quickly: instead of taking one cautious step at a ti like the others, she would use those few seconds to dash forward.
Not just a little, but far enough to surpass Marcus, the last player ahead of her.
Marcus hadn't told Freya to join because he cared about her safety.
No, his words had been selfish, a ploy.
He needed her alive so he wouldn't end up in last place.
Like he said, they could only move forward.
She was just going to be ahead.
Freya clenched her fists, her body trembling.
This was her mont.
In one swift motion, she activated her movent skill.
A burst of energy surged through her, and she dashed forward, her eyes locked on Baranga's hulking, furry form.
Her breath ca fast, adrenaline coursing through her veins.
The ground blurred beneath her feet, but her focus remained unbroken.
Then it happened.
Freya's heart skipped a beat as she noticed Baranga twitch, a subtle but ominous movent.
Her instincts scread at her to stop.
She skidded to a halt, crouching low as her chest heaved.
Her eyes squeezed shut, and her hands trembled at her sides.
Did it see ?
The question pounded in her mind like a war drum.
The air felt heavy, suffocating as if the beast's gaze had locked onto her.
Her entire body froze, fear rooting her in place.
Seconds stretched into eternity.
Then, nothing.
Freya slowly opened her eyes, her pulse still racing.
Baranga's fiery gaze wasn't on her.
Instead, it had shifted toward another player further ahead who had moved at the sa ti.
The beast had missed her reckless maneuver entirely.
Freya exhaled shakily, relief flooding her.
She wiped the sweat from her brow, her heart still pounding, but she couldn't relax for long.
It was a gamble, but it had paid off.
She was still in the ga.
Freya was now in fourth position, just a few feet ahead of Micah, who had fallen to fifth.
His face twisted in irritation as he realized he was now at the back.
He barked, his tone sharp with annoyance:
"Hey, Freya, what are you doing?"
"Joining, like you told to," Freya shot back, her gaze focused forward, unshaken.
Then her lips curled into a defiant smirk:
"What's wrong? Does it piss you off that you're in last place?"
Marcus's jaw tightened his saintly facade cracking as he hissed under his breath, venom dripping from his words.
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Up ahead, Baranga's fiery gaze locked onto Ezekiel and Dorion, who had slowed down.
Their every move was carefully calculated, as they each tried to avoid the beast's wrath.
Suddenly, Conny made her move.
She leaped forward, hoping to take advantage of the mont when Baranga seed distracted.
But her timing was off.
The beast's head snapped toward her in an instant.
"No!" Conny's panicked cry echoed across the trial, but it was too late.
Flas engulfed her in seconds, her screams cutting off as her body turned to ash.
And then there were four.
Freya watched, her heart pounding, but she knew this was her chance. She steadied herself and prepared to dash forward again.
But before she could move, a sharp, searing pain tore through her leg.
"Ahh!" she cried out, collapsing to the ground. Her hands instinctively reached for her injured leg as waves of agony coursed through her.
"What just happened?" she gasped, her breath ragged.
Her gaze darted back, and her blood ran cold.
A blade was embedded deep in her leg, crimson staining the ground beneath her.
And there he stood—Marcus—with a twisted, evil grin on his face.
Freya snarled, her voice trembling with rage:
"You piece of shit!"
"No…" Marcus growled, his eyes wild and unhinged. "There's no way I'll be a pawn for others to live. No way!"
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