As night fell, Yan Dahai, who was running at full speed, vaguely heard a shrill scream.
He knew the voice came from Su Su; she was dead.
The sound resonated with Yan Dahai, sending chills down his spine and filling him with fear.
If the Headless Knight was chasing him instead of Su Su, then he would be the one screaming now.
He had absolutely no confidence in facing this Headless Knight.
Despite having experienced many Instances before, he had never felt so desperate and helpless.
He saw no hope, and there was no way to escape his predicament.
Now all he can hope for is that the Headless Knight won't find him.
But the hope is really slim.
This is only the first day; he'll have to stay here for at least two more days before he can leave the Instance.
Even if we manage to avoid it today, what about tomorrow?
He couldn't imagine where he could hide and survive for another two days.
His brain was racing, racking his brains, but he couldn't come up with a solution.
Behind him, the faint neighing of warhorses could be heard, Yan Dahai immediately broke out in a cold sweat.
A chill ran down his back, making him shiver.
He knew the Headless Knight was coming after him.
He suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of despair, and fear spread uncontrollably to every part of his body.
He is not easily frightened; he has excellent mental fortitude.
But facing this Headless Knight, he was truly terrified; he couldn't imagine how the previous team had survived this Instance.
He felt that this was simply impossible.
Perhaps the Headless Knight they encountered was not the same one as the Headless Knight encountered by the other teams.
There's definitely something wrong here.
But thinking about these things now is pointless, because he probably won't live much longer either.
Thinking of how tragically his teammates had died, Yan Dahai's fear intensified.
It's incredibly difficult for someone not to be afraid when they know they will leave this world in a very tragic way and they can't change it.
"I can't die here, absolutely not!" he kept repeating to himself.
He thought of his daughter waiting at home; what would happen to her, only eight years old, if he died?
Even with the guild's help, an 8-year-old girl who has lost her father will undoubtedly face a difficult life.
Thinking of this, he felt even more desperate. He really didn't want to die, and he couldn't die.
He still has attachments in this world that he can't let go of.
Behind them, the sound of horses' hooves grew closer.
He turned around abruptly.
The headless knight, engulfed in eerie green flames, was not far behind him.
He quickened his pace without realizing it.
Even though he knew it was pointless, he couldn't help but quicken his pace to escape.
This is human instinct.
He ran for his life, glancing back every now and then. The Headless Knight followed him at a leisurely pace, always keeping a distance that was neither too close nor too far.
Looking at the Headless Knight strolling behind him, the feeling of despair intensified.
He even lost the will to continue running.
He knew very well that the Headless Knight behind him could catch up with him immediately if he wanted to.
He could be killed in just a few breaths.
However, the other party did not do that.
That means the other party believes that no matter how he runs, he can't escape.
The feeling of despair in my heart intensified.
"Ah--"
Yan Dahai let out a desperate roar.
In his deepest despair, that despair suddenly transformed into courage, and he abruptly turned around to look at the Headless Knight behind him.
The other party didn't take him seriously at all; it seemed that in their eyes, he was just an ant that could be crushed at any moment.
He was furious at that moment; this was a severe humiliation.
There was no way to escape anyway, and fate had already been decided.
Since he couldn't avoid that outcome no matter what, he decided to stop running for his life like an ant.
He needs to face all of this.
To uphold one's dignity with final courage.
"Come on, Headless Knight, I'm not afraid of you anymore!"
Yan Dahai stared resolutely at the Headless Knight before him, his eyes filled with unwavering determination.
Several wisps of black mist flew out from his body and swirled around him.
Upon closer inspection, one could vaguely discern human faces within the black mist; the black mist itself represented the souls of individuals.
He is a very rare Soul-type Ability User; those souls are the ghosts and monsters he keeps.
Several wisps of black mist rushed toward the Headless Knight, the mist carrying with it human resentment and distorted sounds.
But the moment those souls approached the Headless Knight, the Soulfire on the Headless Knight suddenly intensified, instantly devouring those souls.
The souls, enveloped in the Soulfire, emitted a ghostly green light in the air.
Those souls, consumed by pain, danced and struggled in the air like a dazzling display of fireworks.
Soon, those souls were completely burned to ashes by the flames, turning into sparks that fell to the ground.
Finally, it went out completely.
Yan Dahai was filled with shock; the ghosts he had raised were so utterly helpless in front of the Headless Knight.
He is Soul-type Ability User, so in theory his abilities should be very effective against ghosts like the Headless Knight.
However, the difference in their Mental Attributes was too great, and the Headless Knight possessed flames capable of burning the soul, which made him the one who was restrained by the Headless Knight.
His abilities were completely ineffective against the Headless Knight.
His strength seemed so insignificant; he didn't even have the right to struggle.
Now it seems there's nothing left but to accept one's fate.
Despite having mentally prepared himself for this, his body still trembled uncontrollably.
He was truly unwilling to accept this fate; he still had too many things to worry about and was unwilling to leave this world just like that.
But the cruel, cold-blooded Headless Knight wouldn't understand his feelings, nor would he care.
The Headless Knight charged forward on his warhorse, transforming into a ball of eerie green flame that pierced directly through Yan Dahai's body.
The warhorse raised its front hooves and let out a neigh.
The Headless Knight didn't linger any longer, but rode his warhorse straight into the distance.
Because the outcome is already decided.
An eerie green flame erupted from Yan Dahai's body, instantly engulfing him.
The excruciating pain radiated from every inch of his skin, causing him to completely lose his mind.
He rolled on the ground, letting out piercing screams.
He no longer cares about matters of dignity.
Hearing the screams, Shen Hao grew even more fond of the Soulfire ability.
No matter how powerful a person is, they will scream in agony if they are hit by such flames.
This is simply a torturous technique.
After leaving the Instance, he will gain one of the Headless Knight's abilities, which he desires to inherit: the Soulfire.
Of course, his Mental Perception ability is also quite good, allowing him to sense the situation of his prey at any time.
However, his support abilities don't significantly enhance his combat power.
If he had to choose between the two, he would still choose the Soulfire.
Yan Dahai's screams gradually subsided, and soon he could no longer make a sound.
"Your prey is dead. You have gained 1000 Fear Points."
Now there's only one person left.
He had pinpointed the woman's location.
She absolutely cannot escape.