System Mania!

41  Light in the distance

The sudden and gruesome demise of the survivor sent shockwaves through Korig and Aurora.

They stared in horror at the lifeless body, struggling to comprehend what had just transpired.

Korig's mind raced, trying to make sense of the situation.

"What... what just happened?" he stammered, his voice tinged with disbelief.

Aurora, her analytical mind swiftly processing the events, spoke, her voice laced with concern.

"It's as if... as if he was being controlled, just like the archer."

The goblin minion growled, a low, guttural sound that conveyed its own unease.

It seemed to sense the danger that lurked in the shadows.

Korig's grip tightened, his instincts on high alert.

"We need to be alert."

"Whatever or whoever is controlling these people is a serious threat."

Aurora nodded, her eyes scanning their surroundings for any sign of movement.

"We should move to that library quickly."

"It might offer us some safety."

They stepped carefully over the fallen survivor, their minds weighed down by the grim reality of their situation.

The mist seemed to thicken, creating a suffocating blanket around them.

As they approached the library, Korig glanced back one last time at the lifeless figure.

"Rest in peace," he whispered, a somber acknowledgment of a life cut short in this unforgiving city.

Once inside the library, they secured the entrance, creating makeshift barricades.

Korig was still grappling with the shock of what they had just witnessed.

"It's like they're mere puppets," he mused, his brow furrowed in thought.

Aurora, ever the analytical thinker, added,

"We need to stay alert."

"We can't underestimate the puppet master's abilities."

Hours seemed to drag on as they huddled in the dimly lit library.

The mist outside seemed to thicken, painting an eerie picture of the city's desolation.

Korig's eyes were fixed on the entrance, his mind racing through strategies and possibilities.

"We can't stay here indefinitely."

Aurora, deep in thought, responded, "Agreed." n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"We need to figure out a plan."

"And we have to find that puppet master before they find us."

...

Korig and Aurora, stepping through the hallowed halls of the ancient library, felt a sense of wonder mixed with a surreal unease.

The towering shelves were a maze of knowledge, a relic of a world that once was, now caught in the enigmatic grasp of the game's objectives.

Climbing the creaking stairs, they reached the highest floor of the library.

The air was thick with the scent of old books and the weight of time.

The shelves held the secrets of countless stories, each waiting to be discovered.

"This was supposed to be a new library, fresh with new books," Korig spoke. But he realised that the objectives, the way their world had changed had also affected whatever was present in the city. It was as if the city inside the borders had become an abandoned desolate city that has been untouched and uninhabited for centuries. As he thought about the change, Korig, ever vigilant, noticed a window at the end of the hallway.

He approached it quietly and peered outside.

His sharp eyes were drawn to a distant building with flickering light visible through its windows.

It seemed someone had a fire burning inside.

Excitedly, he called Aurora over, his voice hushed.

She joined him at the window, her analytical mind already at work as she observed the distant structure.

"There," Korig whispered, pointing, "it seems like there's a fire. Maybe survivors?"

Aurora nodded, her eyes fixed on the distant building.

"It's possible."

"But we need to be cautious. It could also be a trap by the puppet master."

"What if this is their trick to attract others and lure them into their control?"

They exchanged a knowing look, each aware of the risks and possibilities.

This forsaken city held secrets that could mean life or death, and they couldn't afford to make a wrong move.

"We should approach carefully," Korig suggested, his mind racing with strategies.

"Perhaps we can use the Goblin Chief as a distraction while we assess the situation."

Aurora agreed, adding her insights, "And we need to be ready for anything."

Their plan forming, they took a moment to gather their thoughts, aware that the night held uncertainty and potential danger.

...

With a shared nod of understanding, Korig and Aurora formulated their plan.

They would cautiously approach the building, using the Goblin Chief as a distraction and leveraging their skills to deal with any threats swiftly and efficiently.

They had decided to take the risk.

Korig turned to the Goblin Chief, a formidable minion at his disposal.

Even at this very moment which held a lot of nerve and seriousness to it, Korig couldn't help but speak in a mockingly dramatic way. The distraction seemed to work, for there was movement from within.

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"Prepare, my loyal servant."

"We venture forth to assess the situation."

"I've always wanted to say that"

The Goblin Chief acknowledged with a grunt, ready to follow his master's command.

Korig knew that the strength of their adversaries might vary, and having the Goblin Chief as a buffer would give them a strategic advantage.

Aurora pulled out a map of the city from her inventory, studying it carefully to plan their route.

She whispered, "We'll move through the back alleys and use cover to approach the building."

"Stealth is our ally."

As they made their way through the corridors of the library, Korig couldn't help but feel the weight of the unknown pressing upon them.

The flickering light in the distance beckoned like a distant star, both alluring and dangerous.

...

The journey was eerie, the air thick with anticipation.

They navigated the labyrinthine pathways of the city, shadows dancing across the remnants of a once vibrant urban landscape.

Arriving at the outskirts of the building with the flickering light, Korig motioned for the Goblin Chief to advance, using its presence to draw attention away from their approach.

Aurora whispered into her earpiece, "Keep your senses sharp.

"We don't know what awaits us inside."

They watched as the Goblin Chief moved forward, its grotesque form silhouetted against the faint glow from the building.

The distraction seemed to work, for there was movement from within.

As the seconds ticked by, Korig and Aurora exchanged a silent dialogue, their eyes conveying a shared understanding.

"There are people"

"Multiple"

...