Ready. Set.

I take off my robe and toss it on my bed. I have no time. I can hear the commotion in the hall. I tighten the straps on my armor. My armor has almost become a part of me at this point but today it feels heavier.

I’ve been an adventurer for a couple months now but today everything feels more real. There are lives on the line this time and it’s not just my life at stake.

Can I really do this? I know I am fast but am I fast enough? Even if I make it to the bottom of the dungeon will I be able to help?

I shake my head.

There is no time to think. Momo’s life is in danger. She must be holding back as many as she can. Knowing her, she would rather die than let this town fall to ruin.

I can’t let that happen. I don’t want to lose her. Why am I so worried about her? Is it because I want to go on more adventures with everyone in Death Clap?

No time to think. I shouldn’t let my mind wander.

I shake my head and try to regain some focus.

I lower my helmet over my head. I love the design of this helmet. I don't know what this helmet was designed for but it perfectly suits my needs. It allows me to still wear my goggles underneath and I can view through the tiny slit in the metal. My hands are shaking. The nerves are getting to me.

Running solo in the dungeon is one thing but doing this…

The whole town is hinging on what I am able to figure out about the dungeon. If I fail will the town be okay? Will the dungeon ever cease its endless flood of monsters?

Endless flood…

I shake my head. I can’t worry about that now. I dig through my wooden chest and grab both of my shields. They are exactly what I will need to get me through this. In my last record speed run I wielded two shields. This time is going to be no different.

I tighten the straps on my arms. My arms stop shaking. The weight of the shields help to calm my nerves. I draw my short sword from its sheathe on my lower back to inspect it.

The blade looks sharp. I hope all I need to do is run in there and get out without any real issues. Will the Guildmaster be able to get the items on my list? I can’t waste anymore time. I glance back at the room I have been living in for all my time in Freehearken.

Hopefully this isn’t the last time I see it.

As I descend the stair I can hear the murmurs of those still in the Guild hall.

“Wow! That dude really is the speed demon.”

“It has to be the helmet! It really changes his look.”

“Yeah once he gets out of those baggy clothes you can see how lanky he is. Definitely the speed demon.”

“Wonder why he has two shields?”

Jim walks forward and breaks gently through the crowd.

“Tai the Guildmaster is this way I'll take you.”

“You sure you are doing okay Jim you can just point the way and I'll head–”

“Don’t worry about me. Once I take a moment to rest I'll be back out there with Momo and the others! So don’t you worry.”

That is comforting. I hope they are hanging in there. I will be there as soon as I can, everyone. Jim leans in and attempts to whisper.

“I always knew it was you.” His ears flick proudly. “It's because all the demons are dead.”

“Because of what you read in your book. Right Jim?”

“Yup! When you ran past the jellyfish I was able to get a whiff of you.”

“Do I really smell that bad?”

This is definitely starting to worry me. I sniff myself but I don’t notice anything out of the ordinary.

“No, it's a nice smell.”

I guess that's comforting. I think.

We turn the corner and the Guildmaster is standing over a table of assorted items. He notices us. He seems distraught. He is trying hard not to show it.

“Tai. I got everything I could. I was only able to get one recovery potion. The master alchemist hasn’t been in town for a while.”

“It's okay I will try and make do. The fact you were able to find everything else is good.”

Sheep leather gloves.

Crystal ice potions and other bottled goods.

A thinly flattened sheet of dried monster slime sewn together like a poncho with a hood.

I load up the bigger items in a backpack. The rest I attach to the belts and straps across my body.

I dump out my pouch on the table that has my set of throwing knives and the glowing crystal. I pick up the knives and I tighten the holster to my chest. The Guildmaster seems intrigued by the crystal.

“Tai, are you aware of what this is?”

The Guildmaster is holding the glowing crystal in the palm of his hand. He gently places it back in my hand. I really don’t have a clue. I shake my head.

“It is a teleportation crystal. They are truly a rare item. How did you come across one?”

“Um–”

“Never mind we don’t have the time. Should you think your life is in danger, crack that crystal and it will teleport you.”

That item seems a little powerful. But where would it teleport me? I guess it wouldn’t matter if I was going to die anyway. There are tons of items like that in video games and they can be really useful in a speed run…

In this case it would be more of an extra life for me if I screw up.

“Tai. Do the best you can. Get as far as you can. If you think you need to, crack that crystal if it is too much for you to handle.”

I gently place it back in the pouch on my back. I think I have everything I need. I’m really going to do this. I better start running. I take off.

The others yell out something but I am already gone. I don’t know how much time Momo can hold out.

I need to run as fast as I can.

Faster than I have ever ran before.

I pass a group of children being escorted back to the Guild Hall. I can see Gracie waving at me while a sprint past them all. She screams out to me but I am already too far away to hear.

I can’t let this town down.

This town really has become my home.

I know I can do this. This is what I live for.

This rush, this feeling.

I know it well and I know deep inside I am the only one that can pull this off.