Strongest Radioactive System

Volk's heavy boots crunched against the ground as he marched onward, the gauntlet on his arm humming softly with latent energy.

The forest around him began to thin out, giving way to a peculiar crossroads of terrains.

He stopped abruptly, his crimson eyes narrowing as he scanned the expanse before him.

To his left, a sprawling forested area stretched as far as the eye could see.

The canopy was dense, the undergrowth thick with tangled roots and shrubs. Shadows danced between the trees, making it both a haven for ambushes and a labyrinth for the unwary.

Straight ahead lay a towering rock mountain, its jagged peaks clawing at the sky.

The air grew colder as it loomed in the distance, its steep cliffs and loose scree presenting both a challenge and an opportunity.

And to his right, an ominous underground cave yawned open, its entrance a black void that seemed to swallow the light.

A faint, damp breeze wafted from its depths, carrying with it the faint stench of decay and something… alive.

Volk crossed his arms, his brow furrowing in thought. "Three paths," he muttered, his voice low and gravelly. "Each one could lead to either an advantage… or my failure on the Mission."

He turned his gaze back to the forested area, his sharp eyes scanning the treetops.

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The forest seemed like the most logical choice at first glance.

It offered cover, natural barriers, and countless opportunities for ambushes. A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.

"If it were just me," he muttered, tapping the gauntlet against his thigh, "I'd tear through them in there like a shadow in the night. The trees would block their sight, the undergrowth would slow their mounts, and I could pick them off one by one." He paused, his smirk fading. "But…"

Volk shook his head, his expression darkening. "The cavalry isn't stupid. They're well-trained, and I'd wager they're prepared for terrain like this. Hell, they might even see it as the most obvious place for me to go."

He took a step closer to the edge of the forest, letting his hand brush against the rough bark of a tree.

The forest felt alive, pulsing with the energy of countless creatures hidden within.

For a moment, he entertained the idea of using the terrain to his advantage, but then his instincts screamed at him to reconsider.

"No," he muttered, shaking his head. "Forests are a trap, but not for them—for me."

Volk began pacing, his boots leaving faint imprints in the dirt as he continued to speak aloud, reasoning with himself.

"First," he said, holding up a finger, "they probably have incendiary weapons. That blonde brat I crushed was no simple soldier; he was a noble. If his father's men are anything like him, they'll come prepared to smoke me out."n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

He glanced back at the forest, imagining it ablaze. "Doesn't matter how thick the trees are. One spark, and the whole place becomes an inferno."

He raised a second finger, his gaze narrowing further.

"Second, it's too predictable. If I can see the forest as a viable ambush point, they can too. They'd expect me to hide there, to use the shadows and the cover to my advantage. That means they'll send scouts or even lure me into a trap of their own."

Volk stopped pacing, turning back to the forest with a scowl. His gauntlet hummed softly, almost as if agreeing with his assessment.

"Third," he growled, clenching his fist, "the forest is a double-edged sword. Sure, I can move quickly and strike from the shadows, but so can they. Cavalry might not navigate well in there, but infantry will. And if they're smart—and I'm betting they are—they'll deploy both. I'd be surrounded in no time."

He exhaled sharply, his breath misting slightly in the cool air. The forest, once appealing, now felt like a death trap waiting to spring shut.

"Not worth it," he muttered, taking a step back from the treeline. "Too many variables. Too many ways to die."

He turned his gaze toward the other two paths, his mind already weighing the pros and cons of each. But as he moved, he couldn't help but glance back at the forest one last time.

"Beautiful place," he said softly, almost wistfully. "Shame it's useless to me right now."

With that, Volk adjusted the gauntlet on his arm and turned away, his steps resolute as he prepared to choose another path.

Soon, his eyes shifted from the forest to the dark, gaping maw of the underground cave to his right.

The damp air wafting from its depths felt like the exhale of some ancient beast, heavy with moisture and laced with decay.

He took a few steps closer, his boots crunching softly on the rocky ground.

"Hmm…" He tilted his head, scrutinizing the cave entrance. "Underground… A place to hide, maybe ambush, but…"

He paused, running a gloved hand along the edge of the gauntlet. Its surface shimmered faintly in the dim light, its power humming softly as though attuned to his thoughts. His crimson eyes narrowed, and he let out a low grunt.

"Something doesn't sit right," he muttered, crossing his arms. "Caves have their advantages, sure. Narrow paths, low visibility—forces them to fight me one-on-one." He smirked for a brief moment, imagining the cavalry's helpless faces as they funneled into the cramped tunnels, only to be met with his raw power.

But then his smirk faded. His instincts screamed against it.

"No," he muttered, shaking his head. "Caves aren't just confined spaces. They're traps—worse than the forest." He turned to look at the entrance again, this time with a hint of disdain. "And if I've thought about using it, so have they."

He began pacing again, his heavy footfalls echoing faintly. His voice grew more resolute as he listed off his reasoning.

"First," he began, holding up a finger, "water. Caves always have water somewhere—pools, underground streams, something. And water doesn't care who you are. If they figure out I'm in there, all they'd need is a few clever tricks. Flood the damn place, and I'd drown like a rat."

He stopped, turning to glare at the cave entrance as though it were mocking him.

"Second," he growled, raising another finger, "visibility. Sure, I can see in the dark better than they can, but that doesn't mean I'm untouchable. They could light the place up with torches, or worse, smoke me out like a hive of bees. One good choke point, and I'd be cornered."

Volk rubbed his jaw thoughtfully, his eyes narrowing further.

"Third," he said, raising a third finger, "terrain. Sure, it's tight and confined, but that doesn't just apply to them. My movements would be limited too. Swinging my axe? Forget it. Using the gauntlet's full power? Risky as hell. The ceiling could collapse, or worse, the whole damn cave could cave in."

He stopped pacing, planting his feet firmly on the ground. His crimson gaze bore into the cave entrance, his scowl deepening.

"No, this isn't a place for a fight," he muttered. "Too much can go wrong, and I'm not in the mood to test my luck against rocks and water."

Volk took a step back, turning his gaze to the remaining path: the towering rock mountain ahead.

"At least up there," he said, pointing toward the rugged peaks, "I'll have the high ground. And if they try anything clever, I can just toss boulders down at them."

He turned away from the cave, his mind made up.

"Clever bastards might think I'd hide in there," he said over his shoulder, addressing the cave as if it were listening. "But I'm not stupid enough to walk into my own grave."

With that, Volk adjusted the gauntlet once more and began walking toward the rock mountain, his steps firm and purposeful. Behind him, the cave entrance loomed, a dark reminder of the dangers he chose to avoid.