The atmosphere inside the mine grew increasingly oppressive. The walls seemed to close in, the air thick with the anticipation of danger. Every step Yun Xuan's party took seemed to echo louder, the sounds of their breaths growing heavier. But Yang Kai, calm and composed, walked a few paces behind, his eyes focused and his mind sharp.
He knew what lay ahead. He had lived this moment before in a different timeline. The appearance of the Charm Monster was inevitable. But despite knowing the fate that awaited these people, Yang Kai remained indifferent. Their lives, to him, were of no concern. He had no reason to intervene—not yet.
Yang Kai (thinking to himself): "Let fate unfold as it will."
---
The Lurking Presence
The mine twisted deeper into the earth, the light from their torches flickering in the damp air. As they pushed forward, the oppressive energy in the mine began to shift. A presence—dark and sinister—began to make itself known, subtly at first, but then unmistakably.
Yun Xuan, ever the leader, felt the shift too. She halted her party, her voice steady but carrying an edge of fear.
Yun Xuan (nervously): "Who's there? Show yourself. We're from Bold Independent Union. We've only come to hunt the Metal Devouring Beasts. If we've done something wrong, we apologize."
But her voice was met with eerie silence, the kind that chills the spine. Then, a soft laugh echoed through the cavern—light, musical, and laced with malevolence. It came from nowhere and everywhere at once, sending shivers through the group.
Charm Monster (her voice echoing, taunting): "You dared to touch what's mine. Now you'll pay."
The voice twisted through the air, making it impossible to locate the source. Every member of the party looked around, eyes wide with fear, but Yang Kai remained still, watching, waiting. His calm demeanor contrasted starkly with the panic that began to spread among the others.
---
Yang Kai's Decision to Wait
He had no intention of stepping in just yet. This wasn't his fight, not until the Charm Monster fully revealed herself. He knew what was coming, and intervening too soon could disrupt the course of events. So, he watched with cold detachment as the Charm Monster toyed with them.
The fear among Yun Xuan's companions grew, their nerves fraying as they realized they were no match for the unseen enemy.
Suddenly, one of the disciples, Ji Hong, couldn't take the tension anymore. Gripping his great axe in both hands, he roared into the shadows, his voice cracking with anger.
Ji Hong (shouting): "Come out! Are you so cowardly you have to hide?!"
As soon as the words left his mouth, the temperature in the mine seemed to drop. Before anyone could react, Ji Hong's body stiffened, his axe frozen in mid-air. His vitality vanished in an instant, and within seconds, his lifeless body collapsed to the ground.
---
Panic Unfolds
Yun Xuan gasped, her face turning pale as realization hit her. Her heart raced, the fear palpable. One by one, her companions—people she had known for years—began to fall. The Charm Monster was picking them off, using her sinister Spiritual Energy to crush them without ever showing herself. Panic spread like wildfire through the group.
Yun Xuan (voice trembling): "It's a Charm Monster..."
Her words confirmed the worst. A Charm Monster was not just a beast; it was a creature capable of manipulating the deepest desires and fears of its prey, twisting them to her will. The rest of the group—Ruan Xin Yu, Zhou Luo, and the others—stood frozen, fear coursing through their veins.
Meanwhile, Yang Kai stayed silent, his eyes cold as he watched the scene unfold. He was more than capable of handling the situation, but he chose to let it play out. His concern wasn't for these people. He had no emotional attachment to them, and in his mind, their fates were already sealed.
Yang Kai (thinking to himself, smirking slightly): "I'll wait. Let her reveal herself."
---
The Charm Monster's Approach
Another disciple fell to the ground, their lifeless body crumpling like a puppet with its strings cut. As the survivors looked around in despair, the eerie voice of the Charm Monster rang out once again.
Charm Monster (laughing softly): "Such fear... yes, this is more fun than simply killing you. Struggle more... entertain me."
Her voice danced through the shadows, filled with sadistic pleasure. Yun Xuan's party was crumbling, one by one. The fear in their hearts had taken hold, and there was nothing left but panic.
But Yang Kai, standing in the midst of it all, was unmoved.