Chapter 101 ‒ Burning Through the Hollow Eyes
Chapter 101 ‒ Burning Through the Hollow Eyes
Moonlight spilled across the forest clearing in fractured sheets, catching on the flickering flame of the torch held high by Cupcake Crab. The sticky cream on his shell shivered with each frantic step, his stubby claws flailing like broken wind chimes.
Behind him, the forest seethed with shapes. Bark-like limbs cracked and split, white eyes gleamed with hollow, sorrowful light. The Blightspawns lurched forward in jerky waves, driven by an unnatural hunger and the glow of the flame.
[Enemies Identified: Blightspawn, Level 10 x7]
Tyler stepped into their path, hands tightening around the Ancient Scythe. His breathing echoed in the helmet, ragged and sharp, each exhale steaming against the visor. Sap clung to the scythe’s blade from earlier fights, but its edge remained bright, almost humming with readiness.
The first Blightspawn lunged, its twisted fingers stretching like gnarled roots. Tyler shifted sideways, the scythe slicing through its torso in a clean arc. Sap exploded outward, spraying his armour in viscous black streaks. The creature’s head turned mid-slice, its mouth hanging open as though screaming for help that would never come. Its face twisted, not in rage — but in pain.
That look again… they’re suffering… not mindless…
Tyler didn’t hesitate. Another Blightspawn crashed forward, dragging a torn leg. He spun, the scythe cleaving it from shoulder to hip. Its eyes seemed to follow him even as it crumbled, glimmering as if pleading for release.
A third figure lunged from his right. Tyler pivoted, swung low — and suddenly a sharp sting cut across his side. A tendril shot from the dark, slipping between his armour plates. An acidic burn surged through his veins, his muscles tightening like clamps.
Without thought, he slammed his mind into focus.
[Activated Skill: Undying Tenacity]
A white-hot surge blasted through his body. The pain receded, the corrupted sap sizzling and evaporating. Vision snapped back. With a snarl, he turned, severing the tendril’s source with a brutal upward stroke.
He stepped forward, cutting down two more Blightspawns. One twisted as it fell, its empty eyes lingering until its head split open. Another stumbled even after its arms were gone, jaw trembling, bark-skin cracking as if it wanted to sob.
Tyler’s mind churned.
What were they before? Did they understand this pain?
He pushed the thought down, focusing on the scythe’s arc. Each swing felt like wind slicing water, smooth and ghostly fast. His arms moved instinctively, carving paths of black sap and broken bark.
Then, something shifted.
The blade struck a Blightspawn’s chest, splitting it completely. A blinding light pulsed up the shaft. A sudden vacuum-like tug filled the air, and the creature disintegrated — not torn, but reduced to fine grey dust that vanished on the breeze.
Tyler’s eyes widened.
[Activated Passive Skill: Annihilation]
A sharp crack vibrated up his arms. He looked down as the scythe shimmered, fractures crawling like spiderwebs along its handle. Then, in one sigh, it crumbled entirely, falling away in a gentle rain of dust and splinters.
Tyler stood frozen.
“No… why…”
His fingers curled around empty air. The weight that had been an extension of his will was gone. His pulse slammed against his ribs, confusion flashing across his face.
“Was it because of that skill? Or was it never meant to last?”
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He barely had a moment before two Blightspawns lunged, arms outstretched. Tyler snapped up his palm, teeth grinding.
[Activated Skill: Fireball]
Twin orbs of flame burst forth, slamming into the advancing creatures. The clearing flared orange, shadows writhing against the trees. The Blightspawns stumbled back, convulsing violently as flames danced up their bark-skin. Their faces contorted — mouths gaping in silent, unbearable screams, eyes bulging in molten anguish. The stench of burning sap choked the air.
Even as they fell, Tyler glimpsed regret, fear, something that looked almost like pleading. It twisted something inside him, a cold hook beneath his ribs.
The rest of the Blightspawns paused, startled by the shrieks. Some faltered and retreated, but many continued, driven by instinct or something deeper.
A sudden crashing noise rolled through the forest. More Blightspawns poured in from every side, drawn by the light and wails.
[Enemies Identified: Blightspawn, Level 11 x16]
Tyler’s eyes darted to Bongo Banana and Cupcake Crab. He straightened, breath sharp.
“Run!” he roared. “Go! Now!”
Bongo’s eyes went wide. He hesitated, then grabbed Cupcake Crab’s claw and dragged him away. The small crab stumbled after him, torch sputtering wildly.
Tyler exhaled, stepping forward, hands curling into fists. His pulse thundered, each beat a final drumroll.
[Activated Skill: Firestorm]
Fire erupted around him in a spiralling torrent. The forest burst into hellish brilliance. Blightspawns writhed and shrieked, clawing at each other and themselves to escape. Their bark flesh cracked and blackened, vines curled and shrivelled, white eyes closing in smoky surrender.
Tyler stood in the centre, fire dancing around him like a furious halo. He didn’t flinch, though the heat cracked his armour and ash flecked across his visor. His eyes stayed locked on the burning horde, every motion carved into memory.
When the last scream faded and only smouldering husks remained, Tyler exhaled shakily. Smoke drifted above the charred earth, curling toward the stars.
Cupcake Crab returned hesitantly, claw twitching. He glanced at the remains, then up at Tyler, eyes wide and trembling.
Cupcake Crab shifted forward, lowering his claw to offer something. In its trembling pincer was a flower — the Chrysopteryxiella Umbrosynth. The petals shimmered in moonlight, rippling softly like a living ember.
Tyler’s gaze softened. His mouth opened as if to speak, but he faltered.
“Where… where did you even get that… Chrysop—Chrysopter… damn it,” he muttered.
Cupcake Crab tilted his head and gave a soft, pitying click. “Oh! You mean Chrysopteryxiella Umbrosynth? Well… you could say I got it from a friend…”
Then the crab’s shoulders slumped, and he tapped his claws together before gesturing frantically east. His eyes glimmered with a desperate, watery sheen.
“Please… guide me back to Noobia… I was looking for treasures… and hehe… I kind of got lost.”
Tyler shook his head slowly. “I don’t know the way either,” he said.
Bongo Banana stepped forward, eyes darting anxiously. He lifted a hand in a sharp hush gesture, his mouth working silently.
Tyler turned sharply. “Bongo… you’ll guide him.”
Bongo froze, mouth opening and shutting. “Me? You expect me to take him back? Do you realize how dangerous that route is now? I can’t—”
Tyler stepped forward, the scythe dust still clinging to his gauntlets. His presence loomed, quiet and absolute. “I don’t trust you yet,” he said flatly. “You said only you could leave your settlement safely. You know the hidden paths. You’ll guide him to Noobia. No questions.”
Bongo’s fingers twitched, curling into trembling fists. His yellow peel-like skin shifted uneasily, sweat sliding down his forearm. “If I leave… if they find out I led someone out… I’ll never be allowed back in. I’ll lose everything — my cover, my people’s trust. Don’t you understand?!”
Tyler’s visor dipped slightly. “If you want to protect your people, then keep them hidden. You can’t drag others into your secrets. He,” Tyler gestured at Cupcake Crab, “needs help now. You’re the only one who can do it.”
Bongo’s teeth ground together, a strangled sound escaping. He shook his head violently. “You can’t decide that for me! You don’t know what it took—”
He’s right… I don’t know everything, Tyler thought, a brief flicker of regret beneath his helmet. But I can’t risk another innocent life.
“I know enough,” Tyler cut in sharply, voice low but cutting. “You’ve been masquerading here, hiding in plain sight. You claim to protect your people, but you risk everything alone. You’re going to finish this — guide him home, then disappear again if you must. That’s the price of your freedom.”
A long silence hung heavy between them. Bongo’s eyes glistened, his breath ragged. Finally, his shoulders slumped, tension leaking out in one exhausted shiver.
“You… you really are a devil in human skin,” Bongo muttered.
Tyler felt a tremor beneath his ribs — an echo of the accusation. A devil… or just someone too broken to stop? The thought vanished before it could root.
“Fine… You win.”
He reached into his cloak and handed Tyler a worn merchant card and a thick sack of supplies. “These were meant for supplies. Follow the river north. When the fog starts to choke the trees, you’re close. But watch yourself — the Blightspawns get thicker near Ashborough.”
Tyler accepted the items silently, fingers closing around the card like a final seal.
Bongo’s gaze faltered, lingering on the crab beside him. “I’ll do this… but don’t expect me to thank you.”
Tyler’s visor glimmered faintly, but no words came. He simply turned, stepping toward the dark treeline, moonlight casting long shadows behind him.
As he stepped away, he heard Bongo’s last resigned sigh behind him. Then, the rustle of Cupcake Crab’s hurried steps fading into the night.