A few Minutes Later ~
[Hopefully, you learned from my fight just now, the last time I possessed your body, your soul was unconscious unlike now, I hope you saw and learned all the techniques I used because I won't be coming out that easily from now.] Abyssal cold voice echoes in Morningstar's head.
_Yes I did._
[Good, now pick those runes and let's go find more people to hunt.]
"But I have to find my mother first," Morningstar let out, his voice holding a bit of emotion. "She's the only family I have left." He couldn't help but remember how his childhood had been difficult if not for his mother and grandmother. They were the ones who made his life worth living. The latter events of his life had left him numb and cold. He had no desire to feel anything, to connect with anyone or anything. He simply existed as a shell of a person, going through the motions of life. That was why he valued his mother and wished to repay her.
[... Alright, we will do as you say but on the way kill whoever wrongs you or beasts. So that you get stronger in time.]
_Alright._ Morningstar replied while looking at ten or so bloody bodies pooled around him. It was some of the thugs' bodies scattered around him, their faces frozen in terror as spear-shaped marks protruded from their chests, stomachs, and heads, leaving blood to drip out of those parts.
The sight was both horrifying and heartbreaking.
It was clear that these men had been scared out of their wits in their final moments, and it was a tragic end to their lives. Yet, Morningstar knew that he had no choice. He had to defend himself, and he had done what he had to do.
Even so, the sight of all those dead bodies left him feeling uneasy and... Excited?
[Tsk... If you keep thinking like that, you're going to end up getting yourself killed. Didn't you see the expressions on the faces of the thugs who escaped? They were terrified, and they're not going to forget what they saw today. In the future, they're not going to mess with you easily again.]
Morningstar considered the situation and felt it was true. In a world where power ruled, those without it were at the mercy of those who did. It was a brutal environment, one that forced people to adapt or die. Li Xi, who had only been a student a few hours before, was now facing this reality for the first time. She was clearly struggling with the changes that had occurred especially after having her first kill. But Morningstar knew that she would have to adapt if she wanted to survive.
He had his own struggles too, but he pushed them aside for the moment as he continued to communicate with Abyssal while picking all the runes that dropped from the dead thugs.
_I understand Abyssal, but why the hell do you keep calling me kiddo?_ Morningstar grumble.
[Because you are not...]
RUMBLE!
Without warning, the ground beneath them began to shake, rumbling and trembling with such force that Morningstar and Li Xi nearly lost their footing. In the distance, buildings trembled and swayed, and then, with a deafening crash, they collapsed to the ground, sending dust and debris flying into the air. Even the sky darken a bit.
Morningstar and Li Xi looked at each other in alarm. They had no idea what was happening, but they knew that it was not good.
[Morningstar... This is bad! This isn't supposed to happen anytime soon. It seems your future self has caused the timeline to change a bit and something which was supposed to descend next week has arrived earlier.] Abyssal voice resounded, Morningstar could feel the anxiousness in it.
_Wh... What do you mean?_ Morningstar stuttered.
[I will explain later, for now, try and gather all the humans you can. Save them, train them. Humanities are about to lose billions of lives if care isn't taken. A dark magical substance which was supposed to come in a week has arrived a bit earlier than expected. With it here all beasts will go berserk and experience 2 times their previous strengths. Morningstar, you have to grow fast now because it looks like dungeons are bound to open sooner than expected.]
While Morningstar was feeling shocked and dazed from the information a dark substance had already landed somewhere and strangely Jayden was heading there.
****
Jayden's lungs burned as he ran through the streets, the acrid air leaving him gasping for breath. He was still shaking from his encounter with the beasts, then suddenly the environment changed and house breaking down and he wanted nothing more than to get as far away from everything as possible.
_God damnit! Morningstar, it was all because of you! If you haven't made me run away I won't have encountered those damn strange beasts who are stronger and more fearless than me and those collapsing buildings which almost ended my life!_
Groooooowl!
Jayden who had barely managed to escape some beasts couldn't help but groan as soon as he heard another beast's growl, instinctively he dived into one of the depleted half-collapse houses for protection.
But as soon as he entered the room, he saw something that made his heart stop for some unknown reason. There, lying in the middle of the room was a small black ball and it seemed to be pulsing with some kind of strange energy!
With a little more strength, Jayden would have noticed the oppressive and foreboding aura that hung around the small, black ball. But in his current state, all he could feel was the gloom and darkness that emanated from it and an enticing scent.
The roaring of beasts outside didn't lessen rather it kept getting stronger.
_If I'm not wrong, something is clearly attracting those beasts and I'm sure it's not me but maybe it's this black substance. For me to stumble on it shows I'm heaven's favourite child!_ Jayden's eyes lit up as he reasoned that the source of the beasts' interest must be the small, black ball that lay in the middle of the room. It was almost as if it was calling to them, drawing them in. But even as he considered this, he couldn't help but feel a glimmer of pride. After all, he had found the ball, and maybe that meant he was somehow chosen by the heavens.
Without hesitation, he quickly reached out to grab it while thinking, _Bitch son! Just wait, after I get this power let's see how unfazed you will remain when I show up and beat you with only a finger._
As soon as Jayden's hand closed around the ball, he felt a strange tingling sensation. It started in his fingertips and spread up his arm. He tried to let go of the ball, but he couldn't seem to make his hand obey. Panic began to set in as he realized the ball seemed to be melting into his hand.
As the tingling sensation intensified, he felt his body began to feel hot, like he was standing in front of a chemical fire. His breath quickens as sweat soaks his clothes,
As the tingling sensation continued to spread through Jayden's body, unknowingly his cells started morphing into something totally different from humans, his DNA altered and his muscles grew stronger. It was as if his entire body was being transformed from the inside out. He felt powerful like he could do anything.
Not only did his body undergo such a transformation, but even his personality was changing, his dark side which was half awake has suddenly merged with his main personality and made him twisted.
"Hahahahahaha This... Is fun!"
Just like the Joker, Jayden's sense of humour became twisted and cruel. His laughter no longer sounded joyful, but rather like a high-pitched cackle that seemed to emanate from the darkest parts of his soul. His face no longer showed his true emotions, but instead, he wore a wide, menacing grin that never seemed to leave his face. And most frightening of all, he could feel himself beginning to enjoy the darkness within him, and he knew that there was no going back.
****
"Kids, don't make any noise. Let's find somewhere to stay for the day." A woman is in her mid-forties, with messy black hair that falls in waves around her shoulders. Her brown eyes are heavy-lidded, and there are faint lines around them that suggest she's survived through a lot. Her skin looks pale white and dotted with bruises and bloodstain that tell a story of hard living. She's of average height, about five feet and six inches tall, and her jeans are stained with dirt and blood.
Behind her are 3 girls around the same age, ranging from 10 to 13 years old. Their clothes are worn and torn, and their hair is unkempt. Their eyes are wide and fearful, and their faces are smudged with dirt. The boys are slightly older, about 14 and 15 years old. They're taller than the girls, and they have the same wary look in their eyes.
The woman couldn't help but sigh in tiredness. Ever since she was sent here she has struggled to survive but compared to her these kids seem to be in worse condition.
_I hope these kids can last through the day without food. Wish I could find where to get them some food. Plus it feels odd seeing a lot of monsters roaming close by even when half the buildings just collapsed._ Just with such thought her eyes looked around to find any half-intact house for the night, just then.
"Hahahahahaha This... Is fun!"
A voice which lacks reason resounded in one of the house close by.
( ꈍᴗꈍ)