chapter 7

Chapter 7: A Deadly Encounter

The forest was a living nightmare. Moonlight struggled through the dense canopy, painting the undergrowth in pale silver while deep shadows swallowed most of the terrain. Mike’s heart hammered in his chest as he crouched behind a gnarled oak, every sense on high alert. The chaos of the Shuffle Selection had erupted into a full-blown bloodbath; shouts, screams, and the crunch of underbrush mingled with the distant roar of ferocious beasts.

He’d barely recovered from his encounter with the Shadow Fang—a savage, red-eyed beast he’d managed to wound before it retreated into the darkness—when a low, mocking chuckle echoed from behind him.

“Not bad for a rookie,” the voice sneered.

Mike spun around, his eyes meeting those of Ares “The Bloodhound.” The tall, lean fighter’s dark-red hair caught the moonlight, and his piercing golden eyes seemed to burn with an almost predatory intensity. His stance was relaxed but confident, as if he were used to the terror he instilled in others.

“Thought you’d be faster on your feet,” Ares continued, stepping closer with the silent grace of a hunter. “I can smell your fear, kid. It’s delicious.”

Mike’s grip tightened on his makeshift weapon—a sharpened wooden stake he’d scavenged from the forest floor. He had trained hard with Lily, and every ounce of his training now coalesced into a desperate will to survive.

“I don’t have time for your games,” Mike spat, though his voice betrayed a tremor. “I’m here to win.”

Ares smirked. “Winning, eh? Let’s see if you can even land a single clean hit.”

Without another word, Ares lunged. The movement was so swift it blurred, and Mike barely managed to pivot away from a vicious slash aimed at his side. The forest around them seemed to quiet, as if holding its breath for the imminent clash.

The first few seconds were a frenzied dance of dodges and counterattacks. Ares’ special ability—“Predator’s Instinct”—made him nearly impossible to surprise; every feint and hesitation on Mike’s part was immediately exploited. Yet, every blow that landed on Mike was tempered by his growing resolve.

Mike’s arms burned from the impact of Ares’ rapid strikes, and a deep gash began to form on his forearm. But as he retreated, a sudden flash of movement caught his eye—a distraction in the shadows.

From behind a thick cluster of ferns emerged Felix “Phantom Stride,” a slender figure cloaked in dark fabric. His ability, “Shadow Phase,” allowed him to slip in and out of visibility like a ghost. In the chaos of the duel, Felix appeared for a split second and then vanished, his presence sending shivers down Mike’s spine.

“Focus, Mike!” Ares bellowed, forcing him back into the fight.

Driven by desperation, Mike mustered a counterattack. He feinted to the left, then spun sharply to deliver a quick jab with his stake. Ares parried effortlessly, but the slight contact was enough to distract him for a split second. In that moment, Mike managed to land a glancing blow to Ares’ shoulder. Ares staggered, his eyes narrowing as he tasted a hint of real challenge.

The duel escalated. Every clash of their strikes echoed like the tolling of doom. Mike’s heart pounded so fiercely he almost forgot his training. Ares pressed his advantage, his movements a blend of lethal precision and raw power. But as the fight wore on, Mike began to notice a rhythm—his own body began to react with a surge of clarity.

Muscle memory took over. He started to predict Ares’ moves, stepping aside with growing confidence, his stake now a natural extension of his will to survive. He countered with desperate thrusts, and though many of his attacks were deflected, one hit finally connected—barely—a sharp jab to Ares’ forearm that drew a thin line of crimson.

Ares snarled, backing off for a split second. “Not bad, kid,” he admitted, voice laced with both respect and menace. “But don’t get cocky. This is only round one.”

Before Mike could recover, the sounds of battle shifted behind them. A cacophony of fighting erupted in a nearby clearing—shouts, the clash of steel, and the guttural roars of creatures. The Shuffle Selection wasn’t only about human combat; every corner of the forest was a gauntlet.

Mike took a brief glance around. In the distance, he could see Hector “Steel Jaw” brawling with an opponent whose strength seemed superhuman. The sheer force with which Hector shrugged off blows was terrifying. Meanwhile, Koji “Bladewind” moved like a silent gust, his katana slicing through the air with an almost musical precision. Every rival had their own lethal signature.

Ares lowered his stance, and for a moment the two adversaries locked eyes in mutual acknowledgment of each other’s abilities. “This isn’t over,” Ares hissed. “We meet again.” With that, he pivoted and melted into the shifting shadows, leaving Mike panting and alone—at least for now.

Mike’s gaze drifted to where Felix had vanished, and then his ears picked up a series of quick, light footsteps. His breath hitched as Selene “The Huntress” emerged, bow in hand. Her eyes, sharp and calculating, flicked over Mike with cool indifference. She nodded once—a silent signal—then melted back into the forest like an arrow disappearing into the night.

The arena of chaos was vast and filled with death, and Mike knew that this was only the beginning of the Shuffle Selection’s deadly trials. His body ached from the duel with Ares, but the taste of even a slight victory spurred him on. He could feel his heart pounding with adrenaline, every sense alert for the next attack—whether from a rival, or from a beast lurking in the dark.

Drawing a ragged breath, Mike adjusted his grip on his stake and began to move cautiously through the forest. Every step was measured. His mind replayed the duel—the quick parries, the missed opportunities, the single clean hit that gave him hope. He realized that each moment was a lesson; each scar was a story of survival.

In the distance, a guttural roar vibrated through the trees. Mike’s stomach churned. He wasn’t sure whether it was another beast or a human combatant testing their might. As he crept forward, the underbrush rustled violently. From behind a fallen log, Vira “Venom Dancer” emerged with a fluid grace. Her eyes gleamed with a predatory focus, and twin daggers glinted as she moved. A thin, almost imperceptible green mist seemed to swirl around her—a manifestation of her ability, “Toxic Veil.”

Before Mike could decide whether to engage or evade, Rosa “Crimson Tempest” appeared at the other side of the clearing, her twin swords ignited with a subtle, fiery glow. The flames danced along the edges of her blades, casting eerie shadows on the forest floor. Her gaze swept over the clearing, settling momentarily on Mike before she turned her attention to another combatant.

Mike’s thoughts raced—each encounter was a reminder of the stakes. Every rival held a unique power that could tip the balance of survival. Hector’s raw strength, Felix’s stealth, Ivan “Thunderclap’s” explosive assaults, Koji’s relentless precision, Luther “The Reaper’s” deadly silence, and Gareth “The Juggernaut’s” overwhelming force—all of them were predators in this deadly game. Now, with Selene’s watchful eyes, Vira’s poisonous allure, and Rosa’s blazing fury, the field was more perilous than ever.

He pushed his racing thoughts aside and focused on the immediate danger: a massive boar charging out from the undergrowth. Its tusks gleamed, and it roared as it barreled toward him with surprising speed. Mike sidestepped, feeling the ground tremble as the creature thundered past. With no time to waste, he leaped into action, using his stake to drive the creature off balance. The boar reeled, crashing into a tree with a bone-shattering thud. A brief moment of silence followed, and then the forest erupted in chaos once more.

Mike’s head spun with the relentless barrage of events—fights between humans, beasts rampaging, rivalries colliding. In the midst of this maelstrom, he realized that his true test was not just in combat, but in learning to navigate a world where every moment was an unpredictable battle for survival.

As he pressed on, the sounds of distant conflict and agonized cries merged with the whispering wind through the trees. Mike’s muscles burned, his body was battered, but his spirit remained unbroken. He had tasted the bitter flavor of defeat and the fleeting sweetness of a small victory against Ares. Now, he knew that every scar would forge him into something stronger, something that could one day stand against these deadly foes.

The night grew colder, and a dense fog began to roll in, muffling the sounds of combat. Mike paused, heart pounding, as he surveyed the dark expanse before him. In the haze, he could see figures moving silently—each a potential threat or ally, depending on how the battle unfolded.

A voice echoed faintly through the fog—a soft murmur that felt almost intimate amid the brutality. It was the sound of someone calling his name, carried on the wind. Mike strained his ears, trying to discern if it was real or just his mind playing tricks. For a moment, he felt a twinge of hope, the idea that he might not be entirely alone in his struggle. But as quickly as it came, the sound dissolved into the night.

Clenching his jaw, Mike continued onward. Every step was a step deeper into a gauntlet of human savagery and wild, untamed nature. The Shuffle Selection was far from over, and the real test—facing his rivals head-on—loomed on the horizon.

Sneak Peek of Chapter 8: The Bloodshed Unfolds

As dawn’s first light threatened the horizon, an eerie silence fell over the battlefield.

A guttural roar and the distant clash of weapons signaled that the next round was about to begin.

Mike would soon find himself pitted not only against the beasts of the wild, but also against a cunning alliance of enemies.

Could he rise above the chaos and claim his place among the survivors?

Next time: The bloodshed unfolds as alliances form and betrayals run deep in the brutal dance of survival.

Author’s Note:

What do you think of Mike’s first deadly encounter?

Which rival do you fear might be his greatest challenge?

Stay tuned for more action-packed, heart-pounding chapters of The Life of the Ordinary!

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