1 Weird Creature (1): Pursuit of the Weird Creature!

The first rays of the sun shone brightly on the Earth's surface, just like any other normal day.

I woke up from my deep slumber and, glancing at the wall clock, realized it was 6:00 AM.

With a yawn, I rubbed my eyes to alleviate the sleepiness that still clung to me. It wasn't anything special since it was my usual morning routine to dispel the drowsiness.

"I guess it's time to do some exercises," I said as I got out of bed. I entered my clean and dust-free indoor training room, a space I meticulously maintained since I used it every day.

This ensured that, it remained a welcoming and refreshing room, allowing me to feel comfortable and motivated for my exercises.

My training room was truly impressive, filled with various types of sports equipment. It was quite an astonishing sight to behold, seeing such a wide array of sporting gear.

I picked up a push-up bar from the section dedicated to push-ups and began my workout.

I knew that many people didn't perform push-ups correctly, but I couldn't blame them since they weren't as passionate about sports as I was.

In fact, I doubted many would be interested in learning the right technique. I was, without a doubt, an enthusiast when it came to sports-related activities.

As I lowered my body to the ground, keeping my back straight and bending my elbows, I commenced the push-ups.

I counted each repetition—1, 2, 3... until I reached 5,000 push-ups. "5000 push-ups; it seems like I've made some improvement," I mumbled as I took in deep breaths.

Even for an ardent sports lover like myself, such activities were taxing, but I had grown accustomed to it.

I moved on to my second exercise—jumping jacks. It was a relatively simple exercise, and I executed it with precision.

I maintained the correct standing position, ensuring my feet were together and my arms rested by my sides. I jumped up, spreading my legs apart and raising my arms out to the sides.

I repeated this movement, ensuring my legs and arms returned to their original positions with each jump. I performed a total of 10,000 jumping jacks, inhaling deeply and exhaling forcefully.

Next up were lunges, a fundamental exercise. I assumed the starting position with my feet hip-width apart.

Stepping forward with one leg, I lowered my body while ensuring that the knee of my leading leg did not extend beyond my toes. I alternated legs to make the exercise more effective, completing a total of 15,000 lunges.

I contemplated doing Russian twists next, followed by my usual exercises and a cool bath.

After hours of rigorous training, sweat drenched my body, and I had developed a distinct odor.

Despite this, I was accustomed to it and knew it was time for a refreshing bath. I hummed a song as I bathed, dancing beneath the shower.

After about 15 minutes, I finished freshening up, wearing a simple trouser and shirt—nothing particularly noteworthy, except for the fact that it was one of the most trendy sportswear outfits available.

With a smirk on my face, I headed out to buy some airtime. I could have obtained it online, but I considered the short walk a chance to stretch my legs and get some exercise.

I was almost addicted to reading novels and couldn't go a day without it, or at least once a week if I was incredibly busy. It was one of my greatest passions.

Humming a song, I left my house and headed to the stall, which was a few meters away.

Calculating the exact distance didn't interest me, as I was quite familiar with the area. I thought of it as roughly a 100-meter race. "Who cares, anyway," I thought, continuing to hum to the melody of my headset.

As I strolled leisurely, I realized that the walk, which should have taken less than a minute, had extended beyond two minutes.

I pondered whether the music was to blame or if my feet were responsible for the delay. Lacking a clear answer, I pushed the thought aside.

I raised my head to gauge my distance from the stall when I suddenly spotted a figure. It was hard to distinguish the figure's features, as I could only see its back, covered in unusual attire.

In front of the figure stood a man with a look of fear and horror on his face. The mysterious figure made eerie sounds and noises, leaving me both intrigued and apprehensive.

I was standing a few meters away and decided to remove my headset, captivated by the unfolding scene.

I wondered why the man was so terrified of the figure. It almost felt like a movie, but I couldn't see any film crew around.

My questions were answered abruptly. The figure performed an unbelievable and gruesome act: it opened its mouth wide and severed the man's head, completely detaching it from his body.

The man's lifeless head rolled to the side, and even in death, his face was etched with fear and horror.

My expression turned solemn, and fear gripped me. I was utterly terrified, unable to believe the shocking reality that played out before my eyes.

I attempted to move, but my body refused to respond. I couldn't break free from the immobilizing fear.

Suddenly, the figure turned its grotesque face towards me, and my heart raced.

Although I felt a wave of nausea and an urge to vomit, I restrained myself. I couldn't predict how the creature would react if it realized I was repulsed by its appearance.

The creature's eerie gaze sent shivers down my spine, and a voice within me screamed, "Run! Run! Run!" I took a deep breath, forcing myself to calm down and, without looking back, I started running. The creature, although it moved in a strange, drunken manner, was closing in on me.

I knew this from the eerie sounds and voices I heard, approximately 10 feet behind me. Although I didn't dare to glance back to ascertain if I was right, but the eerie sound I was hearing approximately 10 feet behind me couldn't possibly be wrong.

Without needing to be told.

I pushed myself to run harder and faster.

As I reached my house, just three feet from the entrance, the monstrous creature was nearly upon me, its sharp claws poised to strike my head. I barely dodged in time, rolling through the open gate and quickly locking it.

I heaved a sigh of relief, although I didn't dare to celebrate. I decided it was time to calm down, and calm my state of mind.

But just as I was about to enter my room, I heard a disturbing sound.

A sound that my body didn't seem to like.

I couldn't fathom what had produced the sound until I witnessed it.

The bizarre creature was now standing on the glass-covered fence surrounding my house, its body riddled with shards of glass. Our eyes locked, and I swallowed hard. Without needing further instruction, I dashed towards my room. The first place I sought refuge in was...