"Joden! What the hell is this?" Xin yelled, his voice echoing in the empty, decrepit hall.
Joden shuffled forward, his movements slow and deliberate, yet unnervingly unnatural. His wide, disturbing grin stayed fixed on his face.
"When I saw you guys on the highway, I truly felt grateful to God. After so long, I finally have new guests," Joden said, his voice eerily calm as he inched closer to Xin.
"What do you mean?" Xin demanded, his fists tightening.
Joden ignored him, his eyes glassy and distant. "When my wife and boy died, I was left with nothing. Melina was never around—always off with friends, boyfriends, parties, blah, blah, blah." His tone wavered, a grotesque mix of sorrow and glee.
"Shit. What's going on here? Is my sister okay?" Xin thought to himself, his pulse racing as he kept his gaze locked on Joden.
"But then," Joden continued, his voice dropping to a near whisper, "they gave me an offer. They promised to bring her and my boy back. There was just one condition—they needed vessels for their experiments. They told me they'd transfer my wife's consciousness…" He paused, tilting his head like a deranged puppet.
"…into a parasite body."
Xin felt his stomach churn. The horror in Joden's words wasn't just in what he said but in the way he said it—as though he believed it was normal.
"This can't be real. Am I dreaming?" Xin thought, struggling to comprehend the grotesque reality unfolding before him. Out loud, he snapped, "I don't know what kind of messed-up deal you made, old man, but leave my sister and me out of it!"
Joden let out a low chuckle, then raised his axe, pointing it at Xin. "This place is empty because of me. Every guest I've had has served a purpose. You ruined my setup when you destroyed my tools."
"Wait…" Xin's breath hitched as realization dawned. "You killed them? You killed everyone who came here? You sick fuck"
"Very good," Joden said with a slow, mocking clap. "You finally get it. But it's useless knowledge for you, boy. You won't leave here alive." His smile widened unnaturally as he raised the axe in a striking pose and rushed forward.
Xin squared his stance, bracing himself for the attack. "He's not normal. His body—it's too fit for his age. What the hell is going on?" Xin thought, his heart pounding.
The axe swung with terrifying speed. Xin narrowly dodged it, the blade embedding itself deep into a nearby wall, shattering a painting and leaving a jagged hole.
"Too fast! Too strong! No way he's human!" Xin thought, beads of sweat rolling down his face.
"You think you can outmaneuver me?" Joden sneered, swinging again. Xin dodged, but this time the blade grazed his shoulder, slicing through his shirt and flesh. Blood spilled instantly.
"Agh! Damn it!" Xin winced, clutching his shoulder. The pain was sharp but manageable.
"You're not human anymore, are you?" Xin growled. "What the hell are you?"
Joden's laughter deepened, his voice echoing unnaturally. His eyes turned blood-red, and his face contorted, sharpening into something monstrous. He began to growl, his words devolving into guttural roars.
"GIVE ME YOUR FUCKING BODY!" he bellowed. "GIVE YOUR FLESH TO THE MASTERS!"
"You sick bastard," Xin spat. "You killed innocent people, and now you're coming after my sister and me? You'll regret it!"
Summoning his courage, Xin charged at Joden. The old man swung again, but Xin dodged and landed a solid punch to his stomach.
"What the fuck?" Xin gasped. His punch had no effect. It felt like hitting steel.
Joden smirked and shoved Xin hard, sending him sprawling to the floor. "You're nothing, boy. I'm injected with the Spinat Symbol. Your pathetic punches are useless against me. Not even bullets can hurt me!"
"Spinat Symbol?" Xin thought, panic rising. "His body—it's like armor, but he's not wearing anything. Is there a weak spot?"
Joden charged again, his speed increasing. Xin's sharp eyes noticed something: the front of Joden's torso remained stiff, but the sides moved normally.
"There!" Xin realized. Without hesitation, he ducked under another swing and aimed a powerful punch at Joden's side.
The impact made Joden stagger, slamming him into the wall.
"You piece of shit!" Joden roared, his voice now distorted. He lunged again, but Xin was ready. He grabbed a heavy showpiece from the floor and smashed it into Joden's face, specifically his eyes.
"Aghhh! My Arsen! My boy Arsen!" Joden screamed, clutching his face.
"What are you talking about?" Xin yelled, breathing heavily.
"You hurt my Arsen's body part!" Joden snarled. "I'll fucking eat you alive! I'll fuck your sister and make her ours!"
That crossed the line. Xin's face darkened with rage. "Shut the fuck up old man. Don't put my sister into this."
With renewed fury, Xin unleashed a barrage of punches on Joden's sides, finally forcing the old man to the ground.
Joden began laughing and sobbing simultaneously, a grotesque cacophony of emotions. "KILL ME," he whispered hoarsely. "Before Arsen comes out. Kill me, you piece of shit, before he rips your soul apart. Kill me, or the Dive will take everything."
Xin froze, horror-struck. Joden's head began to bulge unnaturally, flesh tearing as something writhed inside.
"Ar-Arsen is… coming… out," Joden stammered, his voice breaking as his head split open. A fleshy, writhing mass emerged, grotesque and alive.
Xin didn't hesitate. With a scream, he punched Joden's head with all his strength. The sickening crunch of bone and flesh was followed by an inhuman wail.
Panting and trembling, Xin stared at the lifeless body, his hands stained with blood. "What the hell is happening here?" he muttered, tears welling up—not for Joden, but for the madness he'd been forced to endure.
Then, a distorted, glitched voice came from behind him.
"Da… ddy? Are… you… there?"
Xin's heart sank. He turned slowly to see a nightmare.
Standing in the doorway was a creature with a grotesquely oversized head, pale white eyes devoid of pupils, a wide, toothy grin, and a skeletal body supported by four spindly legs. Its two arms dangled unnaturally, as large as its monstrous head.
"Di… d… you… do… this… to… Da… ddy?" it asked, every word glitching like a corrupted recording.