Chapter 8: A Small Light in the Darkness

In the moments before the sword struck Evan’s neck, a car suddenly turned and illuminated Evan with its blinding headlights.

Tiinnn!!

Evan didn’t think twice. He jumped in front of the car and closed his eyes.

Citttt!

Brughh

Evan felt a heavy impact. But due to his high endurance stat, he was able to get up quickly.

“Hey?!! Are you okay?!!” The driver of the car got out and looked at Evan’s body. “I’ll take you to the hospital!”

Evan ignored the driver. He scanned his surroundings, searching for the thief who had attacked him.

“Kid?”

Evan looked back at the driver. “I’m fine. I’m okay.”

The driver was silent. He was sure he had hit Evan hard. The front bumper of his car was even dented, but Evan only had minor injuries. Was that even possible? The driver wondered to himself.

After ensuring the area was safe, Evan ran back across the street to the shop.

The chime of the door greeted Evan as he entered.

“Hello Evan. What do you need?” asked the shop owner, kindly.

“Do you have a large flashlight, Mrs. Margarita?” Evan asked.

The shop owner nodded. “Just a moment.”

Panicked, Evan glanced out the window. In the dark alley, he felt a piercing gaze from the darkness lurking.

“Here’s what you asked for.” The shop owner handed the flashlight to Evan.

“Um… Can I pay you later?” Evan asked, hesitantly.

The shop owner nodded. She knew Evan well because he often helped her in the shop without expecting payment. “No problem. You can have it.”

Evan lowered his head. “Thank you, Mrs. Margarita. I’ll pay you later.”

After bowing to Mrs. Margarita, Evan hurried back toward the Chang family’s shop. He hoped he wasn’t too late. Evan’s once-fast pace began to slow as he neared the dark figure standing in the shadows.

“I wonder why you’re still alive after being hit so hard.”

Evan stopped. He regulated his racing heartbeat. “Consider me lucky,” Evan replied.

The man grinned. “Let’s find out. Will the flashlight and luck help you stay alive or not.”

The man then vanished from Evan’s sight. Quickly, Evan turned on the flashlight he held and directed it into the darkness. This time, Evan could see the man’s trail. “I’ll catch you!”

From the side, an attack with lethal intent came like lightning.

“Ughh!!” Evan was thrown back by the man’s hard kick. The attack was even more painful than being hit by a car. Evan struggled to stand because his life was at stake.

“You can still stand?”

Evan didn’t answer the question. If he had any other option, he might have fled earlier. But he wouldn’t do that. What’s the difference between dying now or later? Evan was ready to risk everything. “I’m going to finish this damned quest!” Evan directed the flashlight in various directions while gripping his knife tightly. His Sensitivity stat was high enough to sense movement in the darkness. His reflexes were quick enough to dodge, and he was sure his strength was enough to deliver a single attack. “Come on!”

From behind, Evan felt an overwhelming sense of dread. After thinking for a moment, Evan realized he was always attacked from behind.

“Not yet!” Evan remained still. He closed his eyes and focused on one crucial moment. “Not yet!”

The night wind blew, animal noises, distant vehicles, rustling branches, then faint footsteps.

Evan closed his eyes and counted in his mind. In slow motion, a sword moved quickly toward Evan’s body. This time Evan remained calm. He had to face it.

In just a few seconds, before the sword could pierce his body, he turned around skillfully and directed the flashlight at the man’s body.

“It’s too late, kid!”

Evan saw everything in slow motion—the sword and the death approaching him.

“Move!!” Evan urged in his mind. “Please, move!!”

***