Chapter 32 -32-Betrayed

Chapter 32: Chapter32-Betrayed

I ran as fast as I could, my legs burning with exhaustion and my breaths coming out in ragged gasps.

To me, the forest seemed never-ending, like a maze of trees and shadows that could shallow me entirely.

I felt my speed dropping with every step, my body reaching its limit.

I needed to find someone—I couldn't defeat this thing alone.

"I have to... find someone," I panted. "Anybody here? Any hunters? Anybody? Answer me!"

Desperation clawed at me. In the heat of survival, my biggest weapon—my brain—was running on empty. I couldn't blame it, though. I'd been running for so long that rational thought had all but fled my mind. The only thing I could focus on was survival. I needed to survive.

For some reason, the monster kept letting me run, as if it knew I couldn't win or escape.

It was taking me lightly, no... Too lightly, toying with me.

But what could I do with it taking me lightly anyway?

I had no weapons or anything with me, and most importantly...

My mind was in a mess, incapable of formulating a rational plan to escape or kill it.

After running for what felt like few minutes, hope flickered on the horizon. I saw two figures in the distance. Summoning the last of my strength, I shouted, "Hey, you both! Help me! Help!"

The two figures turned towards me, their postures alert.

As I drew closer, I could make out their features.

One was a young man, maybe in his early twenties, with a lean build and an intense look on his face.

The other was an older man, probably in his thirties, exuding calm and confidence—likely a seasoned hunter.

And, I also noticed another thing—they were both dressed alike.

They were both wearing a well-fitted black suit that accentuated their distinct physique.

"Please," I gasped, "there's a Monkey Spider chasing me!"

The guy who looked about my age stared at me wide-eyed as I approached them.

His surprise turned into a huge smile that made me uneasy.

I wondered why he was grinning like that—it felt creepy, almost like he was sizing me up.

The older man noticed the younger one's surprised expression and turned to him with a questioning look.

"What's should I do?" the older man asked calmly, his voice firm and confident.

His manner showed he was experienced and prepared, quite different from the unsettling smile on the younger man's face.

"Savs him," the younger man answered calmly, his smile fading abruptly. His sudden change in attitude didn't ease my unease.

The older man didn't hesitate. He immediately sprang into action, moving swiftly and with precision. "Stay behind us," he commanded firmly, positioning himself protectively between me and the approaching danger.

Breathing heavily, I stumbled to a halt behind them, anxiously scanning the forest around us. The lively sounds of nature had faded away, leaving only an unsettling quiet interrupted by the rustling of leaves and the distant approach of the Monkey Spider, now audibly moving not just in the trees above but ominously on the forest floor.

Suddenly, the enormous spider emerged into view, its eight legs carrying it swiftly toward us. Its eyes gleamed with hunger as it focused on our group.

But then, something unexpected occurred—the expressions on both the younger man's and the older man's faces turned grave.

"Run!" the older man urgently commanded, his voice tinged with surprised.

Both of them immediately sprinted backward, putting distance between us and the approaching monster.

I stood there, momentarily frozen and bewildered by their sudden retreat.

Why were they running away?

Weren't they supposed to protect me?

Panic surged through me as I grasped the danger still looming.

With a sudden shock, I snapped out of my confusion and hurried after them, desperate to escape the looming danger.

"What's happening?" I shouted, my voice filled with confusion and fear. "Why are you running?"

Breathless and bewildered, I caught up to the older man. "Hey, why are you both running?" I demanded, frustration building inside me. "Hey, where the fuck are you looking? Hey answer me!"

He remained silent, refusing to answer.

Frustration boiled over as I pressed for a response. "Hey, say something! Stop keeping your mouth shut!"

Steve and Scar watched as I stood straight and began to swear the Body Oath. "I, Michael Frostburne, swear on my rank and body to keep the secret of the escape route. If I break this oath, I accept the consequences."

As soon as I finished, Steve and Scar visibly relaxed. "Good," Steve said. "Now let's move quickly."

We moved swiftly through the forest, with Scar leading the way.

After a few minutes, we reached a hidden entrance, cleverly concealed by thick foliage.

Steve pushed aside the leaves to reveal a narrow passage.

"Go in," Steve instructed. "This will lead us to safety."

I entered the passage, followed closely by Scar and Steve.

The tunnel was dark and cramped, but it felt like a lifeline.

As we moved through the narrow space, I couldn't help but reflect on the bizarre events that had brought me here.

Once we emerged on the other side, the forest opened up to a hidden cave.

We were safe, at least for now.

Steve turned to me, his face still serious but now with a hint of relief.

"Welcome to our hideout," he said. "You did well, Michael. You're safe here."

I nodded, taking a deep breath.

For the first time since the chase began, I felt a small glimmer of hope.

Scar looked at me with a creepy smile. "Michael, so... What do you think of our hideout?"

I walked around, checking out the cave. It was mostly empty, but one thing caught my eye—a chair in the middle of the cave, standing out in the empty space. I turned to Scar and asked, "Your hideout is good, but what's with that chair in the middle?"

He shrugged, still smiling. "Oh, ignore it. That's just a present from us to you."

Feeling suspicious, I asked, "What do you mean by 'present'?"

"You'll know soon enough," he replied.

I nodded and turned toward the chair. Suddenly, I realized I had forgotten to appraise them.

Turning back to Scar, I activated my appraisal skill.

A virtual screen with his information appeared in front of me.

The moment I saw it, I knew I had messed up badly.

"Hey, you, Scar—Argggggggh!!!!" I started to shout, but before I could finish, a hard object slammed into my head.

Pain exploded through my skull, radiating through my entire body.

'My head.'

It felt like my head was being crushed and my body was being ripped apart.

I began to feel dizzy, my vision blurring.

Everything around me became a confusing jumble of colors and shapes.

I tried to stay on my feet, but my legs gave out.

I fell to the ground with a heavy thud, my consciousness slipping away.

The world faded into darkness as I lost the battle to stay awake.

**Name:** Scar Collins

**Height:** (Your level is insufficient to discern!)

**Weight:** (Your level is insufficient to discern!)

**Age:** 21

**Personality:** (Your level is insufficient to discern!)

**Evaluation:** Platinum-Rank Hunter

They lied to me, or rather, I was dumb for not using my appraisal skill on them when we first met.

I can't blame myself though; my head was pretty messed up from all that running.

Anyway, the main thing now is that I messed up again.