As I sat in front of the smart TV, a never-ending stream of movies and documentaries kept me glued to the screen.
With every passing hour, I gained a better understanding of human nature and the world around me.
I couldn't help but notice the security devices like cameras and many other types of equipment in the movies. It was fascinating to learn about them and see how they were used to maintain order in the world.
But it wasn't just entertainment that I was soaking up. I also delved into the general knowledge of this world.
I learned about the latest technology, scientific breakthroughs, and even some of the loopholes in the law and order system.
As the hours ticked by, I mapped out the different segments of this world in my mind. I started to feel more and more like a part of this society as if I had been living here for years.
"Ah, got it," I whispered to myself as I finally understood the intricacies of the world around me.
But there was still one thing missing - an identification. Without it, I was just a nobody in this world.
I slowly got out of bed and looked through the window. The moonlight crept in through the half-closed curtains, casting eerie shadows across the room.
I dressed in my black jacket and a simple T-shirt, which I 'borrowed'.
As I made my way out of the hotel, I couldn't help but feel an uneasy energy in the air. The town had been plagued by a series of murders.
I slunk along the alleyways, trying to stay hidden from prying eyes.
The stores were all closed by this time, including the medical ones and the streets were deserted. I could feel the weight of the dark energy hanging in the air, thick and chaotic.
But most of the people in this town were oblivious to it, unable to sense the energy coursing through their bodies.
I turned towards the university, following the pull of the dark energy. The building loomed before me, its shadowy silhouette stretching towards the sky, that was when I noticed the name on the building. Edenwood College, Men's Hostel.
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[POV: Angel]
I go by the name of Angel, an alias, a member of the special forces division of nightwalkers, a security branch of 'Ankarath' and I'm only called upon for tasks in rare situations. Once given a task, it becomes a matter of emergency.
Yesterday, I arrived in Valtoria and began exploring the city in order to find the designated unregistered walker that recently appeared.
Walkers are individuals with the unique ability to harness the power of Qi - nature's life force - a rare and elusive gift.
While some are born with this power due to genetics, others acquire it through a harrowing ordeal that enables them to fully maximize their capabilities.
However, the second type; they may not possess the natural gifts of the first, but they lack self-awareness and are prone to being misled by their newfound abilities.
Such individuals fall prey to their desires, often losing touch with reason.
As I made my way through the city, a powerful surge of negative Qi caught my attention. It was emanating from the university, drawing me closer to investigate.
I quickly made my way to the hostel building and headed towards the top floor.
That's when I found a young boy lying unconscious in front of an advanced-grade three-headed dark mantle.
These mantles lack intelligence, but they have an abundance of patience and wait until nightfall to find their prey.
Without hesitation, I pulled out a black talisman with red inscriptions and faced the creature.
"Geländever - Morphed Terrain," I muttered as the mantle charged towards me with immense pressure from its four legs.
My words sent shockwaves into the ground, causing it to turn from solid to semi-liquid. The mantle slowed down, giving me the opportunity.
"Molekylárē," I said as I touched the middle head with my palm. The creature's body petrified and crumbled into dust.
Suddenly, three new mantles materialized out of thin air and surrounded me.
'So, this is not your real body?', I thought to myself, analyzing the situation.
I quickly took action, jumping into the air and somersaulting over one of the creatures. As I landed, I swung my leg out, delivering a powerful kick to another mantle's head.
The third creature lunged at me, but I sidestepped it and delivered a swift punch to its abdomen, causing it to stagger backwards.
"Īgnis Incendia," I whispered as a ball of fire materialized in my hand. I hurled it towards the creatures, engulfing them in flames.
"What?", but this time, not even a scratch or burn was inflicted on them.
"I suppose you take me as an advanced grade in your terms?" it taunted.
"An elite grade?" I muttered. Only the elite and supreme grades had the capability of rational reasoning.
"Something like that," it said, merging all three of its bodies together. Blue flames enveloped it, and the pressure of Qi increased tremendously, enough to destroy the whole university with one move.
As the flames settled down, a dark black-furred wolf with three heads and each head with four nasty bloody eyes appeared before me.
"Very well, bring it," I said, grinning. It had been a while since I fought an elite grade.
"
The mantle, taking this as a sign of beginning, rushed forward at me. The inscriptions on its body glowed, and a massive surge of Qi materialized above three of its heads and fired at me.
"
Threads of fire cut the legs of the mantle, the moment it came in contact with the wall of fire covering us, losing control.
Losing control over its momentum, the elite-grade mantle crashed into the wall of fire, and there was a deafening explosion that shook the entire building.
The force of the impact shattered windows on the last floor of the hostel building and caused significant damage to the surrounding walls. Fortunately, no one except he boy was in the building.
I felt the ground beneath me tremble as I struggled to maintain the phalanx formation.
Flames surrounded me and the boy lying down, but I could feel the heat seeping through the talisman's barrier.
The mantle's body was burning, but it was not giving up yet. Its fabulous regeneration powers kicked in, and I could see its body starting to heal itself. Something then felt off.
That was when I started feeling a strange sensation, dizziness that was slowly creeping up on me.
I realized too late that the odourless gas emanating from the mantle was not just a physical attack. It was poison, and it was suffocating me.
My talismans, burning brightly just moments ago, suddenly died down and dissipated into the air. I fell to my knees, struggling to stay conscious and not give up.
As I stared at the three-headed wolf mantle, I could see a glint of amusement in its eyes.
The mantle chuckled, clearly enjoying my suffering. I cursed myself for underestimating the strength of an elite-grade creature.
"Damn it, I messed up," I muttered, trying to push through the pain and disorientation.
'Guess I have no choice but to use this', With no other options left, my gaze fell upon the black pendant nestled in my pocket.
"Why are there so many fucking stairs? It's hard to walk this up for an old man like me," a voice of a man resounded from behind.
I turned around to see a man with a little bulk build, his face hidden behind a handkerchief, huffing like crazy.
"I'll be lucky if I don't have a heart attack before I reach the top!", he spoke in frustration.
"Wait...Did I reach the top?" he asked, looking around in confusion.