Five days had passed since the lockdown, and now the setting was an exquisite night. It was a night when time appeared to slow, blending the ordinary with the extraordinary. In this fleeting moment, the lines between reality and imagination blurred, etching an indelible memory for those fortunate enough to witness the enchantment.
From the hidden corners of the night, creatures emerged, embracing the mystical ambiance that saturated the air. The soft hoots of owls mingled with rustling leaves and the distant howls of unseen beasts, creating a symphony of nature that was meant solely for those who embraced the nocturnal world.
On this night, the city's guardians, entrusted with its protection, stood watch in the embrace of darkness. They patrolled the ramparts beneath the moon's gentle glow, their footfalls echoing softly along the stone walls. With unwavering alertness, they scanned their surroundings, vigilant for any signs of danger. The cool night breeze whispered through the courtyard, carrying the gentle rustle of leaves and the distant hoot of an owl.
And then, a creak.
"Did you hear that?" A guard clad in gleaming silver armor and wielding a spear approached a fellow sentinel standing several meters away. Together, they sought the source of the peculiar sound.
Positioned by the city's main gates, they hadn't anticipated trouble from such an open entry point.
To their astonishment, the sound originated from a nearby thicket. Approaching cautiously, their eyes beheld a sight that would be etched in their memories for years to come.
Two guards who had volunteered to deliver dinner were now lifeless on the ground, their bodies drenched in blood. Their open eyes revealed a grotesque hole in their chests, where their hearts had once throbbed. Blood-soaked hearts lay nearby, an eerie tableau that sent shivers down the guards' spines.
"Who could commit such an atrocity?" A guard's voice trembled as sorrow, guilt, and anger mingled within him.
They felt grief for their fallen comrades, guilt for not saving them, and anger for not being present when the tragedy struck. They had naively believed that the main entrance would be safe from such an assailant.
"I am," a cold and playful voice sounded from behind them.
Turning to face their adversary, the guards were met with an unexpected figure.
With bloodshot eyes and disheveled dark hair, the individual wore a black leather jacket and pants that seemed to have weathered weeks of neglect. Pale skin radiated eerily in the moonlight, shrouded by an aura of derangement.
As the figure approached, the guards instinctively retreated, putting distance between themselves and this enigmatic presence.
Unease settled over the guards as they failed to discern the stranger's realm of cultivation or any common traits exhibited by mages and heroes.
"What in the world... Why are you here on our planet?" a guard exclaimed, struggling to control his overwhelming emotions and the impulse to strike down the person before him. "Did you murder our friends? Are you responsible for the killings in our city?"
"Such a barrage of questions, it's giving me a headache," the stranger retorted, clutching his head with both hands, as if symbolizing the burden of his overwhelmed thoughts.
"How about we engage in a little game? You all run as fast as you can," a maniacal grin spread across the stranger's face. "Let's see if you can escape me. It's a rather straightforward concept, isn't it?"
"Why do I always have to deal with lunatics?" Another guard cursed his fate, regretting his decision to join the city guard.
The guards' patience wore thin quicker than politicians' promises. Finally, one guard had had enough and discreetly activated the alarm button in his pocket.
The siren-like sound reverberated throughout the city, startling those who had succumbed to sleep.
"We could have been friends if you hadn't spoiled the fun. We could have played together while I cut our hands and legs with a fork knife," the stranger retorted, unsatisfied.
"What kind of childhood did you have? Amusing yourself by cutting your arms?" The guards, faced with an unpredictable, pale-skinned stranger, found themselves drenched in sweat.
...
SIREN!
Jin's eyes snapped open, jolting him from his slumber.
Quickly, he donned his armor and retrieved his Admantine sword from its resting place on the wall.
He dashed out of his chamber, propelled by determination, and headed toward the source of the alarm. Like a bullet piercing the air, he covered the distance, drawing upon his sage realm mana cultivation.
....
Sam, deeply immersed in peaceful slumber, was abruptly awakened by the blaring alarm.
He glanced outside, observing the guards rushing toward the main entrance, evidently preparing for battle.
"Has the killer finally revealed themselves?" Sam wondered, his thoughts muddled with uncertainty.
He lingered outside briefly before deciding on a course of action that was certain to displease his mother.
Donning his lightweight, silvery armor designed for agility, he retrieved the gleaming sword gifted to him by his grandfather. Swiftly, he left his room but was intercepted by his wide-awake mother.
"You are not going anywhere. Return to your room," she instructed firmly.
"Fine," Sam acquiesced, seemingly complying as he retreated back into his chamber. However, he secretly opened the window and swiftly jumped out.
His mother, sensing mischief, swung open his bedroom door to investigate his actions.
"I can't believe I fell for that again," she muttered, frustrated.
Without delay, she informed the guards stationed outside the house, prompting them to depart immediately in search of their young master.
....
Jin arrived at the scene swiftly, witnessing a pale-skinned figure ruthlessly ripping out a guard's heart. Fury ignited within Jin, prompting him to exclaim, "You damned bastard!"
Hearing this, the pale-skinned individual smirked with maniacal glee. "Hahah, look who's here. Another friend or perhaps my next meal?"
"Your end," Jin declared as he vanished from his spot, reappearing near the killer.
Gripping his sword with unwavering determination, Jin unleashed his power, aiming to cleave the murderer in two.
However, just as his blade was about to strike true, the killer's form darkened like the night sky, dissolving into the surroundings.
Jin stood bewildered, not because he had missed his mark or due to the killer's elusive ability, but because he recognized the nature of that power. "Is that...?"
"Hahaha, it seems my death will be postponed for a little while longer." The killer's voice resonated from the depths of the woods. "Shall we indulge in a game? You can attempt to kill me if you manage to catch me. Come, let's have some fun."