I opened my eyes and everything was dark; in the distance, a bit of light could be seen entering this place. "?Where the fuck am I?", was the first thing I thought. The pressure in my head was torturous; I was face down. "?What happened? I only remember getting hit and...". I was disoriented, as if I had a hangover.

  I tried to move, but I couldn't; something was preventing me. There was a viscous substance imprisoning me, and I noticed a slight smell of iron; I think it’s blood. The aroma began to intensify slowly, while something could be heard crawling in my direction.

  —Shit! —I cursed, trying to get out of where I was without success. Slowly, whatever was coming got closer, until I felt a breath hitting my face. It was disgusting; suddenly, a fire ignited a few feet away, providing a bit of light. With that, I was able to visualize what was happening.

  In front of me was a black creature with green veins and totally white eyes; its teeth were yellow and protruded from its mouth. Its smile was as foul as its breath; I could see its long claws and its horns that pointed downward. It was crouched, staring at me fixedly like an animal.

  "?What is this supposed to be? ?A kidnapping? ?Since when do animals do that?" Well, Priya never ceases to surprise me. I turned to one side and saw a poor bastard just like me. He was of another species, but from the situation, I knew we were screwed.

  The beast approached and plunged one of its claws into the unfortunate guy's shoulder; I only heard his screams as the organic steel delved deeper and deeper. The bastard was enjoying it. The light intensified, and I was able to better observe my surroundings: viscera, limbs, half-eaten bodies rotting, and liters of blood everywhere. The monster continued with its butchery.

  It brought its hands to the other’s chest and ripped it open in a single movement. "?I have to get out of here!", my mind screamed while I struggled. I managed to detach one of my claws and began to tear at the substance binding me.

  —Hurry up, Samuel, they’re going to kill you! —I whispered with anxiety. Surprisingly, my binding gave way easily; without realizing it, I already had one arm free. The beast was feasting when, suddenly, it turned and looked at what I was doing. It stood up, and I observed it better; it had long, bony legs, stood about seven feet tall, and something was glowing in its belly.

  It didn't approach quickly; it just stood there watching me free myself. I managed to get loose, fell to the ground, stood up with speed, and stood on guard. When I got up, I no longer saw it anywhere. ?Did it disappear? No, I guess it wants to play with its prey. A drop of something fell on my shoulder; I looked up, and there it was, drooling with its deranged face.

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  I can't fight this. I started running, and it began to follow me. I couldn't even take two steps before tripping; I fell face-first onto a pile of decomposing meat. The squishy sensation and the smell almost made me vomit.

  —Shit! ?Why is this happening to me? —I stood up again, this time grabbing a long bone that was on the ground. At least I'm going to fight before I die. That thing disappeared again.

  —Stop playing with me! —I shouted, full of rage, searching for any movement in the shadows.

  Suddenly, I felt a slight tremor under my feet. The ground opened up, and from there, the beast sprouted. Before I could react, it crushed my arm with inhuman strength and slammed me against the floor. The impact was so blunt that I almost lost consciousness; my vision blurred for a second. It's too strong.

  I tried to get up, but my legs faltered. Frustration and pain burned inside me. I could see the beast in front of me; it didn't attack again, it just stayed there, emitting a guttural sound that I would swear was a laugh. "It doesn't see me as a threat; I’m nothing more than a toy to it."

  It lunged forward with fury. "I’m already dead" was what I thought. Just at that moment, I felt my adrenaline peak.

  —It won't be that easy, you deformed bastard! —I waited for it with the bone in my hand. When it was a few steps away, I lunged and drove my weapon into its belly, right where the glowing thing was.

  It began to moan in pain. It scratched my back and even drove a claw into my eye; I didn't even flinch, I just watched how its eyes dimmed and it died slowly.

  —Hell! —I threw myself to the floor with my chest heaving; I was short of breath and could feel my blood running down my skin.

  —I don't want to die again! —Suddenly, the ground vibrated again, this time with more intensity. In the distance, something like a herd could be heard running toward my position.

  "?What now?! I have to hide," I thought desperately, but there was nothing around but desolation. I observed the body of the beast I had just killed, and the only thing that occurred to me was to use it. With my claws, I tore open what was left of its stomach and crawled inside. It’s the most disgusting thing I’ve done in all my lives, but it was necessary to survive.

  Its interior felt like burning lava. The pack approached and passed by; I peeked out a bit and saw that there were many of these monsters. "?What the hell is this place?" When everything was clear, I crawled out of the creature's body.

  —Hey, System! —I barked at the air—. I know you’re watching! ?Where am I? And ?What is happening?

  —Samuel could be seen coming out of the creature and talking to himself like a madman. ?Perhaps he has already gone insane?— the System's voice narrated with its usual mocking tone.

  It had made itself present again; it had been three years since I had any sign of it.

  —Answer what I asked you.

  [You do not have access to that information]

  —You’re never any help! —I fell to my knees, coughed, and spat out some blood—. I have to get out of here.

  I couldn't hold it any longer; I passed out.