Jorden Moore had spent the last week and change running.

He’d run from monsters, hostile citizens, and a few cats and dogs.

To be fair, his Class had made him very good at running.

Are Those New Shoes?

Rarity: epic

Effect: cast a random movement Skill. Ignores Skill costs and requirements.

Range: X

Duration: X

Cooldown: X

Jordan activated his Skill, and turquoise light erupted around his feet. His speed increased, doubling, maybe even tripling. He flew across the snow, each step taking him several yards.

He’d already gotten this Skill once and had immediately eaten shit.

But, after a week and change of constantly having new movement Skills sprung on him, Jorden had learned to adapt.

He frantically searched for any sort of timer or indication of the Skill length.

At the corner of his vision, next to the grayed-out box of a pair of brand new tennis shoes, was a timer counting down from 10.

Jordan sprinted until the countdown hit 3, then quickly slowed down, managing to slow himself enough that when the Skill ended, he was merely in a flat-out sprint instead of moving like a goddamn horse.

Jordan didn’t stop, keeping his breakneck pace.

He could do this! Just a little bit further!

He reached the parking garage just as a furious screech sounded in the distance.

He sprinted inside the concrete building, his sneakers slapping against the cold stone and echoing through the mostly empty building.

He passed by rows and rows of empty parking spots before finding an occupied one.

He ran to a bright red truck with a gray and brown tarp lying in his bed.

Another screech sounded, the terrible call echoing around the garage.

Jordan moved with an athleticism he’d barely used a week ago and vaulted into the truck's bed.

He grabbed the tarp and rolled himself up. He took deep breaths for several long seconds before slowing down.

He focused on quieting his breathing as much as he could.

You can do this. Just stay quiet. Just. Be. Quiet.

A third screech, so close his ears rang, and then silence.

Jordan wasn’t dumb enough to think it was over. He kept his breaths shallow and didn’t move a muscle.

After close to 30 seconds, claws scraped on concrete.

Scratch.

Scratch.

Scratch.

Quiet breaths. Just keep taking quiet breaths, and you’ll be fine.

The sound of the claws didn’t pause as it reached his hiding place, as a fevered part of his brain had feared, but he still felt like his heart might stop as it drew near.

What the fuck was his luck?

First, he’d been thrown into a Scenario that he’d survived by the skin of his teeth, then attacked FOUR TIMES over the next week, both by monsters and people, and then the stupid contest.

The fucking System had put him against a crazy woman.

”Both of your Classes function on similar if distinct principles. So we are going to discover which of you is better by having a little game of ‘tag.’”

”Science is fun.”

And now, two days later, he was in another Scenario.

As a monster from his nightmares stalked by, Jorden shot a furious thought towards the System.

“Be honest. Do you have it out for me?”

After a beat, the System answered in its monotone voice. ”…No.”

“Why did you hesitate.”

”You are an intriguing research subject. I am merely conducting research.”

“Research my ass! You’re just putting me through hell.”

“False. You have survived, as did most in your first Scenario. And speaking of Scenarios, perhaps you should check this one.”

With a lump in his throat, Jorden brought up the prompt.

Hunters And The Hunted

Scenario difficulty: hard

The hunters have been released into downtown Anchorage. As the hunted, your role is that of the hare to the fox. Run, and hope you survive. Fighting is not recommended for any longer than it takes to run again.

Survive for one hour to clear this Scenario.

Hunters released: 2

Hunters in holding: 3

He stared at it. The Scenario had started 15 minutes ago, and Jorden had been running and hiding the entire time. Why was it telling him to check-

Hunters released: 3

Hunters in holding: 2

Oh.

As one of the said hunters slowly walked by, Jorden eyed his Skill cooldown.

Are Those New Shoes? Mirrored the cooldown of whatever Skill it copied. The speed boost Skill had a cooldown of 15 seconds, so he could activate his Skill again. But since he had no fucking clue what it would do besides being related to movement, that was a risky option.

It might teleport him to the roof, or it might start shouting behind his head while shoving him forward.

He’d actually gotten that Skill, twice.

So his best bet was just to sit here and wait…doing nothing as the monster stood there, out of sight.

Jorden clenched his eyes shut. He hated this. He wasn’t built for this shit. He worked in accounting, for god's sake, he wasn’t a soldier!

He used to joke with his friends about what he’d do if he were in a horror movie and how dumb the characters were. He wasn’t finding it very fun anymore.

The scratching steps faded as the hunter lost his trail.

Once he was sure it was gone, he should…well, wait it out, shouldn’t he? He was hidden here. The hunter just waltzed past him. He didn’t need to do anything to end the Scenario, only survive.

Three hours in a cold parking garage wasn’t going to be comfortable, but he’d take the risk of hypothermia over getting torn limb from limb.

His heartbeat slowed as the fear pulled back. It didn’t vanish. It was still very much alive and well, setting in his stomach like a stone and making his shallow breaths burn his chest. But it wasn’t quite as overpowering.

Baby steps.

As Jorden settled into his new plan, a new sound pierced the night.

It wasn’t the high-pitched screech of the first hunter. It was a deep bellow that shook the walls like an earthquake.

Oh shit.

The bellow sounded again, closer, and then another sound started up as the bellow faded.

Sniffing. Like an excited dog…or a wolf.

The sniffing intensified, growing closer and closer before abruptly cutting off.

Jorden’s breath froze in his chest.

The tension built, pressing against his head like a vice.

Had it found him? Should he run? What if-

Heavy feet slammed into the ground as something barreled toward Jorden with terrible speed.

He activated his Skill like a panic button, and turquoise light enveloped the truck.