Anomaly Chapter 22 – Threat from the shadows [5]

Novel Recomndation: Untouchable (A VRMMO LitRPG ManhwaBook)

Synopsis: Debated as one of the best players of all ti in the competitive VRMMO 'Champions of Andartha,' Yuusha 'the Untouchable' suddenly disappeared from the pro scene without a trace. Years later, at the height of the ga's popularity, a chance eting with an up-and-coming strear draws her in once more to their world. Will this fateful encounter rekindle her competitive spirit to rise once again and reclaim her forr glory?

A great story for those who like e-Sports

My current situation could be considered strangely curious. The reason? Even though not much ti has passed, the shadow hasn’t attacked us; it just stood there, moving peculiarly back and forth. Of course, I didn't attack it either.

And what would be the reason? How exactly does one attack a shadow? Or, better yet, is that even possible? Just imagining it feels odd; my hands would probably pass right through the shadow if I tried to hit it. I wasn’t quite sure why it was afraid of , but once it realized I was harmless, I would definitely be in trouble.

“Uhhh... Boss, it’s been a pleasure eting you and working by your side. I hope we can et again in the next life”

Laura, behind , was in total despair, rambling incoherently while crying. Although Emily seed calr compared to Laura, it was evident that she was paralyzed with fear; if I touched her, she would probably collapse to the ground due to her trembling legs.

In the end, I had no choice but to act. The goal was clear: approach that floating sphere. I didn’t expect it to be easy, but it would surely be better than just sitting and waiting for my death.

Slowly, I began to approach the sphere. The shadow flickered even more with my presence, seeming unsure whether to flee or fight to protect the floating object. I kept my eyes locked on the shadow the entire ti, not out of fear, but because I knew that looking away might give it a chance to strike.

Anyway, when I was just a few steps away from the sphere, the shadow made a sudden move. A part of its body wrapped around my arm. Although I managed to pull away quickly, the arm that had been covered by the shadow simply vanished. Strangely, I could still feel my arm, but I couldn’t see it anywhere.

But the problems didn’t stop there. After attacking , the shadow ceased its trembling and rose before . It probably expected to retaliate, but upon realizing that I wouldn’t do anything, it must have considered harmless. However, the last thing I saw was the shadow completely engulfing .

(... So, where am I now?)

When I realized it, I was in a completely new and strange place. There was nothing on the horizon except for black columns that seed to stretch infinitely toward the sky. Though they were quite far apart from each other, that didn’t lessen the strangeness of the situation.

Where the ground should have been, there was black, slightly muddy water that, while not hindering movent, made it quite difficult. Moreover, in the sky, a completely dark sun burned; of course, the part about “burning” was rely taphorical, as I felt no heat emanating from it.

I didn’t know where to go or what to do, but first, I looked for any weak point in that place. As I expected, a thin line, glowing in various colors, appeared in my line of sight. Without hesitation, I followed the line.

Currently, I had been walking for at least ten minutes, and by this point, I began to suspect whether I was actually going anywhere. Had my power failed in so way? As I pondered whether to give up or not, I spotted sothing ahead of .

It was one of the thousands of black columns rising toward the sky, but one of them shone brightly in rainbow colors. I looked around to confirm, and noticed that none of the other columns emitted light, only this one in particular. I didn’t think too much about it; the only thing that crossed my mind was that destroying this pillar could be the key to freeing myself from this place.

I began to approach the pillar, admiring its imposing size. However, before I could reach it, sothing erged from the black, muddy water. It was a creature made of the sa material as the mud, with a relatively human appearance, except for its face, which looked completely lted.

Its mouth opened strangely, as if it were lting, and its sunken eyes glowed a bright red. However, unlike other creatures I had observed, which had a specific weak point, this thing emanated an iridescent glow all over its body. The monster moved briefly toward , and without a second thought, I punched its abdon.

Of course, I chose to attack this spot because it was that or aim for its legs. And wanting to keep my dignity intact, I opted for the most “normal” point possible. As soon as my punch hit the muddy creature, it instantly disintegrated, blending back into the black water that covered the whole place.

Finally, I was able to breathe again as I realized the situation had cald down. In truth, I wasn’t really breathing, but the act brought a sense of relief. However, seconds later, I found myself surrounded by dozens of those bizarre, muddy monsters.

(... Am I really screwed now?)

***

(POV - Laura Cavendish)

When Laura saw the anomaly lady being completely engulfed by the shadow, she felt as if her hopes were dissipating along with her. Before, Laura could see a promising future while the anomaly lady was by her side, but now she could only contemplate the sad fate of that creature being dragged into darkness before her eyes.

Tears stread down Laura's cheeks, and her legs trembled so much that she could only drag herself backward. At that mont, Laura couldn’t see any hope in her situation; she knew she would disappear to an unknown place where not even God could find her.

Laura couldn’t see Emily’s expression, who was just a few ters away from her. Her vision was completely obscured by the shadow slowly approaching, like a specter—a predator searching for its next prey.

(I’m dood! This ti, I’m really going to die. Mom, Dad, forgive for not listening to you and for not choosing to be just an ordinary teacher)

However, when everything seed lost, and Laura was sure she would be swallowed up, a white, translucent arm suddenly erged from the shadow. At that mont, a single word escaped her lips.

“... what?”

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