Juho rushed out of the apartment lobby, knowing it wouldn't be safe to stay there much longer. Around him, buildings were already crumbling, some on the verge of collapse.
His mind spun with questions. Is there really a monster? Like the one in the novel? The thoughts were ridiculous, almost impossible, but the chaos said otherwise.
His thoughts scattered as he was stopped by a scream. He turned toward the sound and spotted a woman frozen in fear, holding on to an elderly woman who seemed to be her grandmother. And behind them... a monster in the distance?!
The monster loomed large, its strange appearance twisting in a way that made him shiver.
"This is so absurd..." Juho cursed under his breath. He scanned the crowd to see if anyone would help, but no one even turned their attention to them.
He gritted his teeth, conflicted between the instinct to run away and the desire to help. At first, he considered ignoring them, it wasn't his responsibility, besides, it might slow him down and put himself in danger. But even as that thought crossed his mind, another part of him was reluctant to leave them behind. The guilt would eat him later, and he would make sure he avoided that.
After scanning his surroundings, Juho went to pick up a piece of debris and threw it at the monster. Despite the distance, he managed to land a headshot! A small grin appeared on his face, he had never been so proud of himself until now.
Then, without a word, he turned and fled from the scene. Who cares? He already did what he could, now, all that matters is that he needs to run away first!
As he ran, he shouted to the people around him, urging everyone to get away as quickly as possible. He felt a little embarrassment but quickly pushed the thought aside. If he didn't warn them to move, it'll be more hard for him to push through the panicked crowd.
He didn't know where he was running now. This was the craziest thing that had ever happened to him. His heart was pounding so hard it felt like it was going to explode, and his legs were shaking as he forced them to keep moving.
A few years ago, when he was still a student, he had been known as the fastest runner at school events, at least until his senior year, and somehow his body still remembered the rush of outrunning whatever came his way, especially when skipping school with his friends (professionals only, do not attempt).
But even with that past experience kicking in, he was on the verge of collapse. Was this monster having a crush on him?!
Juho risked a glance over his shoulder, and his heart sank as he saw the monster trying to push through the crowd, targeting him. It probably vengeful because of the debris he had thrown?
After what felt like an eternity, the sound of heavy footsteps slowly faded away. Juho's breathing was shallow and rapid as he stumbled into an alleyway, leaning against the wall to steady himself. The dust in the air irritated his throat as he struggled to inhale.
''Did it finally give up? Did I really outrun it?'' Relief washed over him, though his heart still pounded in his chest, refusing to calm down.
Unfortunately, that relief doesn't last as long as he wanted. Suddenly, a loud crash erupted from above, making him flinch. His stomach sank, he didn't even have time to enjoy his relief. Chaos was chasing him everywhere he went.
Juho glanced upward, his breath catching in his throat. A swarm of drone-like machines descended, slamming into the building with precision. Some targeted civilians and seemingly unleashed chaos wherever they landed.
He shake his head in frustration, unable to comprehend what was happening. As if the monster wasn't enough, now these drones were the ones causing destruction. It almost felt like this was some kind of coordinated attack.
A lot of debris fell to the ground as Juho tried his best to avoid it, he could hear faintly echoing screams in the distance and a fire burning in some areas. Everything turned into extreme chaos.
Turns out, monsters aren't the only reason these buildings are collapsing. Drones, a part of technology, seems to be playing a role as well. But the most confusing question is, where did they come from?
The air is thick with dust, and the sound of sirens echoes everywhere. People shoved past each other, their faces filled with fear, as some fell and tripped, crying for help.
Juho couldn't stop running, at least not yet. His chest burning with every step he took, fear crept at the edge of his mind as he wondered if his family was safe now.
He barely registered where his feet were taking him. The chaos around him consumed everything. Then dizziness hit, and strange pressure filled the air, making it harder to breathe.
Juho staggered forward, his knees almost buckling as his vision blurred. He coughed, reaching out one hand to steady himself against the rough surface of a nearby wall.
For a brief moment, the chaos seemed to pause. The drones that were previously attacking nonstop a moment ago seemed to have stopped as if there were someone who controlled them.
"What? What is this...?" Juho mumbled, rubbing his eyes with a trembling finger.
Nearby, a man's panicked voice broke through the silence. "Can someone explain what's happening?!
His frantic movements drew attention as he shoved away a friend who tried to calm him down. "Get off me!" he snapped, his eyes darting around in panic.
Juho, for a split second, was taken aback by the interaction. The man seemed too overwhelmed to accept help, and honestly, who could blame him?
The sun shone down over the burning city, and Juho shielded his eyes from the harsh sunlight, his breathing still unsteady. But for some reason, the air felt heavier.
Just then, Juho's attention was drawn to the commotion around him. People were shouting and nervously pointing towards the sky.
"Look! Up there!" someone cried out.
Juho squinted through the haze, adjusting his glasses as he followed their gaze. At first, he thought it was another drone or some kind of monster. But then he froze.
It wasn't a machine. It was... a person?
No wings, no wires that are usually used in a film, no machine holding them up. Just a figure floating in the sky, wrapped in a flowing cloak of light silk, untouched by the chaos below.
A sharp, high-pitched laugh echoed across the ruined city. Making everyone present turn their eyes toward the sources.
A haunting smile spread across their lips as they examined the broken world like a twisted stage created especially for them. Their skin was pale, almost glowing, contrasting with the blue-black hair that framed a striking, sharp, glass-like face.
Juho couldn't tear his eyes away. The figure above tilted their head slightly, as if surveying the chaos with amusement. Even from this distance, their presence was magnetic and... otherworldly.
The figure clapped their hands and spread their arms wide, as if embracing the chaos. "Welcome, my dear guests," they purred, their voice oddly warm. "Before we begin today's... activities, it would be rude of me not to introduce myself."
They paused, letting the silence make everyone hold their breath, their eyes glimmering with amusement. With a graceful motion, he placed a hand over his chest, relishing the moment. "Lucian Caelum," he finally said, each word leaving from his lips with elegance. "A pleasure to be your host in this delightful pandemonium."
With that, Lucian chuckled, a low, sinister one. A lazy smile appeared on his lips as his gaze swept across the crowd. "I trust the journey has been... thrilling."
"But this..." He pointed to the confusion all around him. "Is only the beginning. Shall we dive deeper into this beautiful nightmare together?"
His rich and resonant laugh lingered in the air, as if he took pleasure in the fear it caused.
Juho frowned, a chill running down his spine as the eerie laughter echoed around him. But he stayed put, narrowing his eyes. "And here I thought today couldn't get any weirder," he muttered, barely masking his unease with sarcasm.
Hold on a second, he looked up at the man once more. This moment felt strangely close to something he had read before. He recalled the host's dramatic entrance in the novel, the flair that had captivated both the characters and the readers. He certainly remembered him.
That ominous presence, the grand entrance, the chilling laugh. It was all too familiar, like what he'd read in Villain Overkill.
A wave of dread twisted in his stomach as he realized he was no longer just a reader. He was now part of the story he'd once only read on his phone. The line between fiction and reality grew thinner, and he couldn't shake the feeling of being trapped in a nightmare.
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To be continued...