Sid crouched low at the edge of the tree line, staring across the moonlit sprawl. It was quiet here, but not empty. He could sense the wildlife hiding in the overgrowth, the hush of small movements just out of sight. He leaned closer to Evelise, whispering,

"Stay sharp. Quiet doesn't mean safe. Out there, something's always listening."

Her red eyes glimmered faintly, unreadable, but she nodded once. Sid exhaled, steadying his breath, and prepared to lead her across the heart of Nexus Green Park.

Sid crouched low, scanning the vines and cracked ground of Nexus Green. He had mapped out a path in his head— slip between the toppled statues, cross the dry fountain, and cut through the ivy covered underpass. If they timed it right, they'd make it through unseen.

He gave Evelise's hand a light squeeze, ready to move. But then her body jolted, a violent shiver running through her. Her grip tightened, trembling hard, and suddenly her weight dragged against him.

"Evelise?"

Sid whispered sharply, glancing back. Her eyes were wide, unblinking, as if staring into something he couldn't see. Her lips parted, stammering out broken whispers.

"No… no… no… I can't… I can't go there…"

Before Sid could steady her, she pulled her hand back, her body stumbling against the mossy stone. The movement knocked her off balance, and she slipped.

The sound was small— stone scraping under her boots but in this world, it was a scream.

Every ghoul in earshot snapped to attention. Heads moved violently, nostrils flaring, and then came the snarl.

"GGGRRRHHHAAAHHH!"

"Shit—!"

They sprinted, claws tearing into the ground as they launched toward the two of them. Evelise crumpled where she sat, frozen, while one ghoul lunged straight at her.

Sid didn't think. Did not even checked what keyboard button appeared. He just threw himself forward, slamming into the creature mid-air. His shoulder rattled with the impact as the ghoul's jagged teeth snapped inches from his face.

[Right Mouse Button] He drove his knife up under its chin, twisting until it stilled, then shoved the corpse aside.

Another came from the left, claws outstretched. [Tap Ctrl] Sid ducked low, pivoted, and [W + Left Mouse Click] slammed his foot into its chest, driving it into a tree trunk. [Right Mouse Button] He followed with a vicious stab to its temple.

The third was already on Evelise. Its claws raked across the ground as it lunged. Sid cursed, [Left Mouse Button while Aiming] throwing his blade with all the force he had left. The knife struck home, burying itself in the side of its skull. The ghoul collapsed mid sprint, landing inches from her legs.

Panting, Sid staggered back, wiping blood from his arm. He glared at Evelise, who still sat trembling, her breath ragged.

"You… damn it, Evelise! You can't freeze up like that. You'll get us both killed!"

But before she could respond, the echo started. More snarls. Dozens this time. The fight had drawn them in, and the ghouls were converging fast. Sid clenched his fists, teeth grinding.

"No choice. I didn't want to do this…"

His voice dropped, hard as stone.

"Follow me. Now!"

Her body stiffened, her red eyes glowing faintly as the system seized her will. Slowly, shakily, she rose to her feet. Sid grabbed her arm this time, pulling her tight to his side.

"Run!"

They bolted into the overgrowth, Sid weaving them through vines and cracked stone as the howls of ghouls closed in behind them. Their footsteps thundered against the earth.

Nexus Green loomed ahead, a twisted sprawl of nature reclaiming the ruins, and the pack of ghouls followed, their snarls filling the night like a storm.

The overgrowth of Nexus Green swallowed them whole. Vines hung heavy from lampposts, roots split the pavement, and trees had punched through old concrete, reclaiming the park. Moonlight filtered through the canopy, streaking their path with silver.

Behind them, the snarls and pounding footsteps of ghouls tore through the night.

"Don't stop!"

Sid barked, vaulting over a rusted bench and dragging Evelise along. She stumbled, nearly falling.

"Sh*t, I didn't think about her…"

But then something shifted. At his command, she pushed herself upright, grabbed her skirt, and ripped it clean for easier movement. Her green thighs caught the moonlight as her body adjusted. Her movements sharpening, her stance lowering like a trained sprinter. Her red eyes flickered faintly, as if the system itself was guiding her. Sid risked a glance back.

"Oh, damn… she really is the rabbit variant. You can actually keep up! Come on, White Rabbit!"

Evelise leapt the bench he'd cleared a moment earlier, landing with startling grace. Her legs moved in quick, explosive bursts, like a hare tearing through the underbrush. She wasn't dead weight anymore— she was running with him.

Sid's pulse quickened, and for a fleeting second, he almost forgot the pack chasing them.

"Good… good girl! Just follow my lead!"

They wove through the park like shadows. Sid climbed a toppled statue, hands finding holds in the mossy stone, then flipped over to the other side. Evelise mimicked his motion almost perfectly, her veil snapping behind her as she landed. The ghouls tried to follow, but their blind frenzy betrayed them— one crashed headfirst into the statue and tumbled back with a broken snarl.

Sid seized the opening. He slipped behind the ghoul, his blade sliding quick and silent into its skull before lowering the corpse soundlessly into the grass.

"One less to worry about…"

He gestured forward, and Evelise darted past him, light on her feet. She wasn't speaking, but her movements told him enough: instinct, survival, fear yet sharpened by the system's hold on her.

The chase carried them deeper into the nexus. The park opened into a clearing, where the ruins of a fountain lay blanketed in ivy. Deer scattered at their approach, their white tails flashing in the moonlight. Squirrels skittered up tree trunks, chattering nervously at the noise. Sid swore under his breath.

"These bastards… they don't just threaten us. If I leave them here, they'll tear through the wildlife too. Time to put the ghouls down."

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