As morning arrived and everyone began their day, Nicholas and the others remained asleep in their beds despite the noise outside. Suddenly, Joseph burst into the cabin, yelling, "Wake up, you idiots! You've been summoned!"Everyone groggily got up from their beds, looking at him with tired faces. Joseph continued quickly, "Get up! You've been summoned, you have to leave now!"Jesse replied in a tired voice, "Calm down, what's with all the panic?"Joseph, breathing rapidly, answered, "It's Marcus. He wants you to come, and he doesn't like delays. Jenny's outside too, so hurry up and don't keep her waiting."
Surprise appeared on Jesse's face as he asked in confusion, "Marcus? Who's that?"At the same time, shock spread across Nicholas's face as he exclaimed, "Marcus? That bastard who imprisoned us before?"Joseph replied, "Yes, it's him. Now hurry up—I don't want any trouble with him."Joseph left the cabin, and the others followed him.
After a few minutes, they reached the center of the village and stopped in front of a flower field to catch their breath. Joseph closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and said tiredly, "Finally, we're here."Seconds later, they heard the loud creak of a door opening. Joseph quickly opened his eyes and saw Nicholas standing in front of it.
Nicholas stormed in, looking around angrily, thinking, "Where is that bastard? I'll beat him for what he did to us."After a few moments, Nicholas spotted someone standing by a map on the wall. He walked over, pointed a finger at him, and shouted furiously,"Marcus, you bastard! Do you think I'd forget how you left us to die in those cursed rooms?"Marcus stood still, which only fueled Nicholas's anger."Say something, you bastard!" Nicholas shouted again.
Still, Marcus didn't react. Nicholas clenched his fist, ready to strike—but as soon as he took a step, he collapsed to the ground, pain flooding his entire body.Confused and shocked, he thought, "What? What happened? Why does my body hurt so badly?"
Then, he felt something strange in his nose. He wiped it and saw blood on his hand."Since when am I bleeding? What's happening to me?"
Suddenly, Jesse appeared and helped him into a chair. Meanwhile, Joseph ran toward Marcus and said anxiously,"Okay, stop it, Marcus! You hurt him too much!"
Nicholas's face turned pale with shock."What? This is all because of him? But how? He didn't even move!"
Jesse glanced at Marcus, now recognizing the description Nicholas and Jenny had given—slightly taller than Joseph, wearing loose black pants and a matching shirt with a strange symbol in the center, and a bright orange mask with dark goggles.
Marcus spoke sharply, "That's not important. Everyone sit."They all sat down, tense and nervous, while Ethan watched Nicholas's injured face with concern.
After a short silence, Marcus said,"Well, Joseph, since your friend knew my name, I assume you already told them about me.""Yes, sir," Joseph replied."Good. Saves me the introductions. To the point—there's been an outbreak in the village. It hasn't spread much because we isolated the infected. I'll be heading to Willowood with three of you to get medicine."
Then, Marcus looked toward the door and said calmly, "Late as usual."Everyone turned and saw Mira standing there."I'll come whenever I feel like it, dumbass," she said, annoyed."Alright, let's just get started," Marcus responded.
They walked toward each other and stopped when they met. Then both raised their fists and said at the same time,"Rock, paper, scissors."Mira chose scissors; Marcus chose paper.
A wide smile spread across her face as she pointed to Jesse, "I'll take Jesse."Jesse blinked, confused. "What do you mean?"Marcus sighed and pointed at Nicholas. "I'll take this one."Jesse and Jenny looked at each other, puzzled, waiting for an explanation.
Mira pointed at Joseph, "I'll choose Joseph, and you can have the rest."Marcus walked toward the exit and called out, "Those I chose, follow me."
Nicholas, Ethan, and Jenny followed him, while Joseph and Jesse stayed behind.After they left, Jesse turned to Mira and asked, "Can you explain what's going on?"Mira placed a hand on her head, annoyed, "You ask too many questions. Basically, the ones Marcus chose are going to Willowood for medicine. We'll take care of the village till they're back."
Joseph patted Jesse on the shoulder and joked,"Hahaha, don't believe her, my friend. Every time Marcus leaves, she just messes around all day."Mira laughed, covering her mouth, "Haha, like you don't have fun with me every time that happens."Joseph smiled slightly. "You're right about that."Mira headed for the exit, "Alright, let's get out of here. We've got a full day of fun ahead!"
(With Marcus and the group)Marcus kept walking until he reached the village gate. He handed the guard a card with strange symbols. The guard looked it over and opened the gate.After Marcus got the card back, they all stepped outside and noticed two huge carts filled with mushrooms, wheat, and other items.
Marcus turned and said sharply,"Alright, start pulling those carts."Nicholas scowled, "What? You said we're getting medicine—why are we dragging all this stuff?"Marcus sighed and rubbed his face,"Did that idiot Joseph teach you nothing? You really think they'll give us medicine for free? This is the trade."
Nicholas protested, "Even so, how do you expect me to pull anything in this condition? You're the one who beat me up!"
Marcus walked toward him, grabbed his shoulders, and stood him straight."What are you doing—" Nicholas started, but Marcus suddenly punched him hard in the head.Nicholas groaned in pain, "You bastard! Why did you do that—"But then, the pain vanished, replaced with a rush of energy."What's happening? I feel lighter… full of energy… The pain's gone!"
Marcus did the same to Ethan and Jenny, stunning them with the sudden strength they felt.Marcus said,"Now you have no excuse. Get to work—we're on a schedule."
They all looked at him in confusion, then moved toward the carts.Nicholas pulled one cart alone, while Ethan and Jenny worked together on the other.The carts were heavy, but with their newfound strength, they managed to pull them easily.
An hour later, Nicholas approached Jenny."Hey, were you there when I tried to attack Marcus?""Yeah, why?""Did you notice anything strange?""No, not really.""You've got to be kidding. I collapsed full of bruises—Joseph said it was him, but he never moved! How did he hurt me?"Jenny looked confused."Are you okay, Nicholas? What do you mean he hurt you without moving?""You were there! How didn't you see it? I went to attack him, then suddenly collapsed!"Jenny hesitated, concerned."You did attack him. He beat you up after that."Nicholas blinked in shock. "I attacked him? He fought back? I don't remember any of that."Jenny noticed his expression, "You don't remember it?""No, nothing.""Maybe the pain made you forget.""Yeah… maybe," Nicholas replied, but doubts still lingered in his mind.
After hours of walking under the burning sun, they stopped near a green forest.Nicholas and Jenny looked uneasy—it was the same forest from their last dangerous mission.Nicholas approached Marcus."We should avoid this forest—it's not safe. We almost died here twice."Marcus replied calmly,"Don't worry. I know this place well and how to handle it."
He turned to Ethan and Jenny."Put the cart down. We'll rest a bit."
They sat beneath the thick trees for shade. Marcus fetched a small bag from the cart and handed out three pieces of bread while he remained seated.
After eating, Nicholas walked to a tree to rest—but suddenly, fatigue and pain overwhelmed him. He collapsed.Jenny ran to help, but then she too felt sharp pain in her arms and stomach.She gasped, "What the..." and fell unconscious.
Ethan panicked and rushed to check on them, relieved to find they were still breathing.He turned to see Marcus watching calmly from a tree. The silence grew tense.
Finally, Marcus broke it,"How interesting. They both fell, but not you. I thought you'd collapse too, but you're still standing."
Ethan's face darkened. He pointed accusingly at Marcus.Marcus smirked, "Want to know what I did to them?"Ethan nodded.Marcus mockingly replied,"Maybe they're infected… maybe they're dying."
(Anger intensified in Ethan's eyes.)Marcus continued harshly,"Even if they die, what can you do about it?"
Ethan clenched his fists and advanced.Marcus remained still,"Seriously, you think you can hurt me? Even your friend had no chance."
Ethan ignored him and reached him, swinging a punch—Marcus caught it effortlessly and stood.
"You're really that stupid? If I wanted you dead, you'd already be dead. You didn't even tire me. Do you know why? You're facing something beyond your level."
Ethan struck with his other hand, but Marcus blocked it too.Marcus took a breath."Let me give you some advice—next time, don't let your emotions cost you your life. Think before you act."
He raised his hand and punched Ethan in the face, knocking him out.Marcus stood alone in the forest, staring at Ethan's unconscious body.
(The End)