Meanwhile, a motley crowd of journalists, streamers, spectators, and protesters gathered near the entrance of QRST Tower.
•• Live Coverage — BREAKING NEWS — Livestream
Condelucia News Network: That's why we are reporting verified information, NOT speculations and conspiracy theories! It is chaotic here. We just don't know what exactly happened inside the building. As of this time, the management has not released a statement—
Condelucia Inquirer: While employees exited the building, streamers flocked to the entrance. They wanted a piece of the action and insisted on entering the building. But they were apprehended by the security. That's the standoff you're seeing right now! Oh, let's interview an employee! Ma'am, are you alright? Can you tell us what happened?
Unnamed Employee: I'm shocked! What?!... I don't re-really know! I just came from a break… And then there was this… This earthquake! And we ran off to the exit! My fri-friend from the marketing department messaged me. She said there might be a gas leak because they smell something noxious! They said there was an explosion on the 22nd floor. I ca-can't contact my friend! Please help my friend—
Blake City News TV: Yes, that's right. The National Army took over control of securing the perimeter from the police. But what really surprised us was the presence of PANATO soldiers! Our country is a member of the Pacific Nations Treaty Organization or PANATO. The organization responds to counter-terrorism in the region and defense against invaders of a member state. We saw our Condelucian soldiers and some foreign troops among the military personnel deployed. As of this time, we are still waiting for the official statement from our government regarding the involvement of international alliance in this domestic case—
News Vlogger: Remember #LabLeakReal? #WheresTheVoid? How about the missing whistleblower of that lab leak? We broke that news! But mainstream media accused us of spreading fake news. They colluded with the government to silence us. Do you still refuse to believe us? Well, here it is! Our city is the first epicenter of the Void. Look! Even mainstream media is barred from entering the QRST Tower. This is a massive coverup, people! Those reporters are a bunch of sheep! We are not! So we will report the truth; even if we… get arrested! Oh, we just got past the security… Those bastards think they can outsmart us! We have information… that the Void is on… the 22nd floor! We will continue… to stream this incident for everyone to see—
Random Guy Livestream: Hey, guys! I just closed a successful marketing proposal. I'm heading back to the office and saw this commotion outside QRST Tower. So this is the cause of the traffic, huh?! This is the financial district of Blake City. And it has become sort of a convention of the weirdos, haha! Are they cosplaying something? Reminded me of the launching of some washed-up MMORPG with a creepy crypto tie-in! Haha! What the f*ck is Fellowship of the Feathered?
A Religious Group Livestream: The Great Purge is upon us. The Hounds of Hell descended on Earth to Punish the wicked, Judge the morally corrupt, and Whip the sinful. The Children of God will suffer the Great Tribulation and once Triumphant, this Violent Transformation will usher the New Age of Heaven on Earth. We, the Fellowship of the Feathered, Seeker of Truth and Steward of the Land, Surrender our Hearts to the Glory of the One True God, for He will deliver us from evil. May our Hearts be Weighed and found worthy of Salvation—
A Political Activist Vlogger: We don't trust the government and the mainstream media to provide us with reliable information. Since they're lying to us, we are here to tell you the truth. The leaked documents are real, people! The Void is real! The scientists involved in the Void research are missing. But H•EXL Corp kept on denying the allegations of their involvement in those cases. The Congress Inquiry into these leaked documents failed to summon the representatives of the H•EXL Corp. Why? Because they are political lobbyists and financiers of incumbent officials. And so we're here. This isn't a gas leak or an earthquake. And what you're seeing now are soldiers violently dispersing the crowd. Protesters are fighting back, resulting in an altercation with the military force—
Meanwhile, the protesters pushed forward while chanting "We want the truth!"
The standoff between protesters and the soldiers was disrupted when the ground shook. Debris of various sizes fell from the building. For some, it was too late to escape because they were already crushed by the rubble.
From a distance, the partly collapsed building revealed a rampaging otherwordly dog feasting on its hapless meal. Its colossal stature was partially shrouded by the noxious smoke. Utter chaos, pained screams, and pleas for help echoed. Everyone scrambled to their feet, fleeing from death's grip. And that pulsating void served as an ominous backdrop for everyone to see.
Numbed by the commotion around him and his helplessness, Theo just stared at what was once the symbol of luxury—the Golden Elevator, which by now has become part of the void—as if mesmerized by the black emptiness that devoured it. The ominous thing resembled a disc-like void that pulsated steadily, growing, spreading its inky presence. Whatever object it touched was lost to the void. A faint bzzzt noise crackled intermittently, setting off lightning sparks at its edge.
Overwhelmed by fear and disbelief, he couldn't process what was happening around him. He neither fought nor fled. His weak mind had succumbed to defeat; as if resigned to death.
Resentment and regret washed over him. It's no wonder he stayed at this job despite being burnt out. He never once stepped up to a challenge or initiated strategies to advance his career. He was content existing in the background because he felt weak. He never succeeded in creating a better version of himself. So a few months ago, he gave himself an ultimatum. He would resign from this job and start doing what he loved most.
He was desperate to start over, to make up for lost time. In fact, in two days, he would celebrate his 40th birthday.
They say life begins at 40, but by the looks of it, this is the end of the line for him.
But what was that thing he loved the most? What was he passionate about? Eventually, he concluded it was too late to think about the future. The harrowing experience had left him with psychological strain.
Suddenly, the hellish dog snatched Theo's arm. The colossal hound of a beast was an insatiable glutton. Even though its mouth was stuffed with hapless, mangled victims, it still managed to bite his arm.
The extreme shock and inexpressible pain caused him to lose consciousness.