Elena's voice echoed in my mind, soft yet sharp. "Eric… stay alert. Something's not right here."
I took a steadying breath, pushing past the lingering shadows of Macvon's final words. The silence was eerie, charged with a strange heaviness that felt like poison in the air. "Right. Let's move," I murmured, steeling myself.
When we arrived at Cumilla National train station, the atmosphere changed instantly. A throng of people was fleeing the building, panic twisting their faces as they screamed, "Save us! Run!" The desperate cries added to the tension clawing at my senses. I glanced around, my instincts screaming that we were in the middle of something much bigger.
"Elena," I whispered, "why does the air feel so... wrong?"
"The miasma… it's thick here," she replied, her voice tinged with urgency. "It's like a dungeon break, but I can't locate the rift. Be careful—this isn't like any break we've encountered."
The ground beneath us shuddered, a low, ominous rumble, and then came a gut-wrenching screech. Emerging from the shadows were creatures—twisted, snarling beasts unlike any I'd ever seen. Each creature had a look of utter madness in its eyes, as though sanity had been stripped away, leaving behind only primal rage.
"Oh-ho, what's this? A welcoming party just for me?" I smirked, the thrill of the fight pumping through my veins. This was no ordinary encounter. It was an invitation to chaos. And I was more than ready.
"Elena, what do I have in my arsenal?"
"There's one new weapon available on the Dark Web. It's… unique." An interface popped up in front of me, showcasing a single item: Puppet Master Machine. My eyes widened as Elena continued, "This device allows you to control the minds of those who have lost their sanity—monsters, humans, anyone lost to madness."
The grin that spread across my face was involuntary. "A mind-control weapon, huh? Looks like this is going to be interesting."
Without hesitation, I spent the experience points. The machine materialized in front of me, sleek and intimidating, designed like a dark jacket with a matching headband and gloves covered in intricate circuitry.
I slid the headband on, feeling the Puppet Master power synchronize with my Anium. My senses expanded, reaching out, touching the chaotic minds of the creatures before me.
"Let's dance!" I roared, raising a hand as I seized control of one of the closest monsters—a massive, four-armed ogre. Its eyes glazed over as it fell under my command, the madness in its gaze replaced by the cold obedience of my control. I turned it toward its fellow monsters and sent a single mental command. "Attack."
With a bone-rattling ROAR, the ogre charged into the fray, swinging its colossal fists into the snarling horde. BOOM! CRACK! The sound of bones shattering and flesh tearing filled the air, and I laughed, feeling the raw power coursing through me. This Puppet Master machine was no mere weapon; it was the ultimate tool for chaos.
One of the creatures, a twisted, snake-like beast with metallic scales, lunged at me, its fangs gleaming. "Oh, you're eager? Fine, let's play!" I shifted my stance, channeling Anium into my fists, and struck out with a devastating punch. "ORA!" My fist connected with its face, scales splintering as the creature recoiled in pain.
Behind me, Sheena and Neha watched with a mix of horror and awe.
"Eric… this is insane," Sheena whispered, her eyes wide.
"Insane?" I grinned, dodging another attack from a horned beast. "This is just the beginning."
I raised both hands, directing my puppets with deadly precision. One creature, a horned beast under my control, slashed at another, its claws ripping through flesh with a sickening SCHLAAK! I laughed as the monsters turned on each other, driven by my will.
A new wave of creatures swarmed in—some with clawed wings, others bearing oversized fangs dripping with venom. Their sheer numbers would have overwhelmed anyone else, but I had the Puppet Master suit and Anium. I summoned another burst of energy, linking with a clawed beast and sending it hurtling into the oncoming horde like a wrecking ball.
"You fools don't stand a chance! Come at me!" I shouted, the thrill of power surging through me as I controlled the battlefield.
With a mental command, I made one of my puppets leap into the air, bringing down its weight on an ogre, crushing it with a brutal CRUNCH.
Another monster came at me with a flurry of strikes, but I shifted into a martial stance, blocking each blow with the grace of a master. "Sorry, but this is my special move!" I lunged forward, delivering a powerful roundhouse kick that sent it flying across the station.
Then I heard Elena's voice, sharp and urgent. "Eric, don't lose yourself in the power. Remember, control without discipline can lead to disaster."
I smirked, feeling the intoxicating surge of Anium coursing through my veins. "Disaster? I live for disaster!"
With one final surge of Anium, I commanded all my controlled creatures to launch an all-out assault. Monsters tore into each other, claws and fangs clashing in a brutal symphony. Blood splattered across the station floor, painting the scene in hues of chaos and destruction.
And as the dust settled, I stood amidst the carnage, victorious. My breath was ragged, my body buzzing with the residual energy of Anium.
I took a deep breath, feeling the rush of victory, and looked around. People were slowly emerging from their hiding places, eyes wide, as if salvation had finally arrived.
But then—CLANG! CLANG!—slow, deliberate footsteps echoed from the shadows of a side room. A figure emerged, cloaked in darkness, his attire sharp and unnervingly clean despite the blood that splattered his regal, navy-blue robes. He wore a white mask with intricate patterns, like something pulled from an old European drama, and his long, dark curls flowed beneath a hat styled after the French aristocracy. His clothes, pristine and sharp, were smeared with the blood of countless innocents.
"Well, well, who do we have here?" His voice was calm, almost amused. His eyes gleamed beneath the mask, locking onto me with a chilling intensity.
I tensed, instinctively tightening my grip. This wasn't some ordinary guy who'd wandered into the chaos. This man was deadly.
"Ah, you must be Eric, the one everyone's talking about." He raised his hand, and a series of spectral, animal-like shadows rose behind him, each one radiating a sinister energy.
"Who the hell are you?" I demanded, my voice colder than steel.
He chuckled softly, taking his time to answer. "My name is Charlie Jones," he said, giving a mock bow. "A French sword champion and a Puppet Master." He raised his head, eyes flashing with dark delight. "But unlike you, I don't need machines to control minds. I possess the gift of Hiccup power."
A slow, creeping realization dawned on me. "Hiccup power…?"
"Precisely." Charlie's smile widened beneath the mask. "I don't just control puppets. I command monsters who have lost their sanity, creatures that even death fears." He gestured to the army of beasts behind him, and they responded like soldiers ready to obey.
This guy's no joke, I thought, my pulse quickening. Behind me, Sheena and Neha stood tense, watching with a mixture of horror and fascination.
Charlie spread his arms, relishing the tension. "You see, I'm also a Nano Summoner. I have the power to summon creatures from failed dungeon breaks and bind them to my will. These monsters…" He looked over his menagerie of twisted beasts with pride. "They're more than just puppets; they're my loyal pets."
The weight of his power pressed against me. But I wasn't here to exchange pleasantries.
"Enough talk," I growled, raising my fists. "Let's see if your pets are as tough as you say!"
In one swift motion, I launched myself forward, summoning my Anium. The energy pulsed through me, amplifying my speed and strength as I closed the distance between us. Charlie, however, remained calm, his hand flicking in a casual gesture.
"ATTACK!" he commanded.
The monsters surged forward like a tidal wave. Each one moved with terrifying speed, snarling, fangs bared. I ducked as a clawed beast lunged at me, its talons slicing the air inches from my face. Without missing a beat, I struck it with a powerful blow infused with Anium, sending it crashing into the wall with a sickening CRUNCH!
But they kept coming.
Another creature, this one with six eyes and a twisted, serpentine body, lashed out at me. I dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding its venomous fangs, and drove my fist into its face with an explosive WHAM! It screeched, recoiling, but I wasn't done. I grabbed it by its elongated neck, swinging it into another creature with a resounding BANG!
As I fought, Charlie laughed. "Impressive, but you're outnumbered." He raised a finger, and a wave of new monsters emerged from the shadows, snarling and snapping, their eyes burning with madness.
I grinned, the thrill of the battle intensifying. "Outnumbered, huh? I like those odds."
I summoned my Puppet Master Machine, adjusting the controls. In a flash, I sent out a pulse of energy, seizing control of a few of Charlie's monsters, turning them against each other. "ROOOAR!" One of his beasts lunged at another, tearing into it with wild ferocity, and for a moment, I saw surprise flicker in Charlie's eyes.
"You… you're using the Puppet Master Machine to turn my own creatures against me?" he hissed.
I smirked. "What's wrong? Afraid I'll steal your thunder?"
Charlie's expression twisted into a scowl, and he raised his hand. "Enough!" With a single motion, he summoned a colossal, armored beast, towering above the others, with glowing red eyes and razor-sharp claws.
"This one won't be so easy to control," he sneered.
The beast lunged, moving with unexpected speed for its size. I barely dodged as its massive claws tore through the floor where I'd been standing, leaving deep gouges in the stone. It roared, the sound shaking the walls, and swung its claws again, this time grazing my side.
I stumbled back, gritting my teeth as pain flared through me. But I wasn't about to let some oversized puppet get the best of me. "Let's see how you like this!" I channeled Anium into my fists, aiming a punch directly at its chest.
"ORA!"
The impact echoed, and the beast staggered back, but it wasn't enough to bring it down. It lunged again, snapping its jaws. I ducked, dodging the fangs, and aimed another punch, this time at its leg. "ORA! ORA!" With a series of rapid strikes, I managed to crack the armor on its knee, causing it to stumble.
But before I could finish it off, I felt a sudden, crushing force slam into me from behind. I hit the ground hard, gasping for air. Glancing up, I saw Charlie standing over me, a wicked grin on his face, holding a blood-stained sword.
"You didn't think I'd let my puppet do all the work, did you?" He slashed down, aiming for my neck, but I rolled away just in time, his blade slicing into the floor instead.
"That's the Blade of Death," he said, his tone dripping with malice. "One cut, and it's over. You'll be dead before you realize it."
Behind him, the monsters surged forward, each one snarling with renewed ferocity. I scrambled to my feet, realizing I was running out of options. My Puppet Master Machine wouldn't be enough for this.
"Elena!" I shouted. "Open up the Dark Web!"
"Eric, what are you planning?" Elena's voice was urgent, but I ignored the question. I opened the shopping interface, scrolling through the options until my eyes landed on a sleek black pistol: the Pistol 25.
"Yes. That'll do." I tapped the purchase button, ignoring Charlie's look of confusion.
He raised an eyebrow. "You're… shopping? In the middle of a fight?"
I grinned, my heart pounding. "Just wait."
The pistol materialized in my hand, sleek and deadly, a masterpiece of modern weaponry. I aimed it directly at Charlie, pulling the trigger with a smirk. The shot echoed, and the bullet whizzed through the air, striking him in the shoulder.
Charlie laughed, barely fazed. "You fool! Did you really think a mere gunshot would take me down?" He raised his Blade of Death, rallying his monsters for a final assault.
But I stood my ground, unfazed, while Sheena and Neha watched in horror. "Eric… why aren't you moving?" Sheena called out, her voice trembling.
Charlie lunged, his blade slicing down, his monsters following his lead, jaws snapping. But just as his blade was about to reach me, I snapped my fingers.
"Stop," I commanded, my voice resonating with authority.
Charlie froze, mid-attack, his eyes widening in confusion. His arm, his monsters—everything stopped. The entire battlefield went eerily still.
"What… what's going on?" he stammered.
I chuckled, lowering my pistol. "You thought this was just any pistol, didn't you? Welcome to 2095, Charlie. This is a Pistol of Death 99."
I watched as his face twisted in disbelief. "This pistol doesn't need to harm you directly to be deadly. The bullet it fires… it's special. It turns the very air around you into poison." I gestured around him, watching the realization dawn on his face. "What you're seeing right now? It's not real. Your mind is playing tricks on you. You're frozen in place, while the poison disrupts your brain's functions. That's why your puppets stopped."
Charlie's eyes filled with terror as he glanced around, struggling to break free, but his body wouldn't respond. The monsters, too, had stopped, their bodies locked in place.
And then, with a roar, his own creatures turned on him, as if driven by a force they couldn't resist. Claws, fangs, and scales tore into him, ripping him apart in a frenzy of violence. Charlie screamed, his voice echoing through the station, but there was no escape. The monsters he had controlled were now his executioners, tearing him apart piece by piece.
After a few agonizing moments, Charlie's screams faded, leaving only silence and a trail of blood seeping into the cold station floor. His once-proud, regal form lay shattered, his clothes torn and soaked in crimson, while his monsters, having fulfilled their twisted duty, began to disintegrate, dissolving into ash.
I took a deep breath, steadying myself as the eerie silence took over. Even the ever-present hum of the station seemed muted, as if the place itself was in shock from the brutal end it had just witnessed.
Sheena and Neha looked horrified, their faces pale as they took in the gruesome aftermath. They staggered back, barely able to look at the remains of Charlie's twisted "family."
With a wry grin, I shrugged. "Just another day, huh?"
They stared at me, stunned, until Sheena finally managed to stammer, "Eric, that was… that was brutal. I didn't think you'd go that far."
I raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Hey, I warned him. Don't mess with someone who shops mid-battle."
The girls shared a glance, as if processing what they'd just witnessed. But before they could say more, a sickening squelch echoed from the remains of the monsters. I turned, watching in shock as their bodies began to swell, bloating unnaturally.
And then—BOOM! Each corpse exploded, splattering the station with a shower of viscera and gore. Blood, bones, and chunks of flesh rained down, painting the entire platform in a macabre display.
I threw up a shield of Anium, protecting myself from the worst of it. But Sheena and Neha weren't so lucky. They stood there, drenched, looking like they'd just walked out of a horror show.
They were trembling, visibly traumatized. "I… I can't do this anymore," Sheena whimpered, her voice barely a whisper. Neha nodded, equally shaken. "Please, Eric… let's just get to the train and leave."
I glanced around at the carnage one last time, taking in the remnants of Charlie's final act of madness. With a sigh, I turned to the train, leading the way. "Come on. Let's get out of this nightmare."
The three of us boarded, and Neha turned to the driver, desperation in her eyes. "Please, just… take us to Cox's Bazar. Get us as far away from here as possible."
The driver nodded, as eager to leave as we were. As the train pulled away, I leaned back, closing my eyes, the weight of the fight settling over me. This was only the beginning—and somehow, I knew things were going to get even darker from here.
But for now, at least, we had a moment to breathe.