---
Ethan gripped his blade tightly, feeling tension paralyze every muscle. The air around him seemed heavy, warning of the imminent threat. In the distance, heavy footsteps echoed rhythmically, each step reverberating through the ground.
"Are they always this... loud?" Ethan whispered, trying not to betray his fear.
"Sometimes," Marcus replied curtly, his eyes fixed on the darkness. "It depends on their intent. If it's hunting, it'll take its time, playing with the prey."
"And if it's not?"
Marcus smirked.
"Then you'll find out too late."
A figure emerged from the shadows, as if birthed by the earth itself. The creature was colossal, nearly three meters tall. Its skin was rough, cracked like scorched earth. Dark veins crisscrossed its body, oozing a foul black liquid. Its eyes glowed with a venomous green light, giving it a demonic aura.
Ethan felt something tighten inside him—a primal fear.
"That's... that's a 'lesser one'?"
Marcus nodded, moving slowly to the left.
"Yeah, and trust me, you don't want to meet a 'greater one.'"
The monster moved forward, its steps accompanied by a low growl. Each step was like a hammer blow to the ground, leaving deep dents in its wake.
"Remember," Marcus said in a low voice, "their strength isn't just in their muscles. They're tied to the corruption. Stay away from its hands."
Ethan watched as the creature's clawed hands began to emit a faint green glow. Suddenly, it struck the ground, and shards of stone exploded outward, knocking Marcus off balance.
"Damn!" Marcus cursed, quickly regaining his footing. "Don't just stand there—move!"
Ethan darted to the side, narrowly avoiding another strike. The monster growled, turning its glowing eyes toward him, watching his every move.
"Do they have intelligence?" Ethan asked, trying to maintain a safe distance.
"In a way," Marcus replied, hurling his spear. "But it's not their own. It's the corruption. It controls them like puppets."
The spear struck the creature's shoulder, forcing it to stagger back. The monster let out an inhuman screech, one so piercing that Ethan's ears rang.
"Now! Attack!" Marcus shouted.
Ethan rushed forward, his blade gleaming in the dim light. He swung at the creature's knee, but the strike was too weak. The blade barely scratched the monster's skin, causing no significant damage.
The monster turned, swinging its massive claw. The air whistled as the claws passed just inches from Ethan, tearing through the space where he had stood. He fell but quickly scrambled to his feet, adrenaline surging through him.
"Put more force into it!" Marcus yelled. "Give it everything you've got!"
This time, Ethan focused. He felt something stir inside him. The light on his hand intensified, and his movements became quicker. He struck with all his strength, aiming for the creature's leg. The blade sank deeper, and the monster staggered.
"Good! Now go for the neck!" Marcus bellowed.
Ethan didn't hesitate. He jumped, feeling his body grow lighter, as if the corruption itself was aiding him. His blade pierced the creature's neck, and the monster collapsed to the ground, shuddering one final time.
---
The monster lay dead, its body emitting a faint hissing sound as black liquid evaporated from its wounds. Ethan stood over it, panting, his hands trembling and covered in blood. The light on his skin grew brighter, pulsing in time with his heartbeat.
"Do you feel it?" Marcus asked, watching him intently.
"Feel what?" Ethan replied breathlessly, still trying to steady himself.
"The corruption. It's waking up inside you. Every time you use its power, it grows stronger."
Ethan frowned, staring at his glowing hand.
"I don't want to become one of them."
"Then learn to control it," Marcus snapped. "This isn't a choice. Either you control the power, or it destroys you."
Ethan clenched his fist, trying to suppress the trembling in his body.
"I'll manage."
Marcus sighed and looked into the distance, where shadows began to thicken once again.
"Let's hope so. Because that was just one. It's going to get worse."
A new sound echoed in the distance—loud and resonant, as if something massive was approaching. Marcus tensed, gripping his spear tightly.
"We're not staying here," he said sharply, turning around. "If you want to survive, stick with me."
Ethan nodded, gripping his blade more firmly. He could feel the corruption whispering to him, promising more power.
"Take us... use us... we will make you stronger."
But Ethan ignored the voice, focusing on one thing: survival.
Marcus gestured for him to follow, and they disappeared into the shadows, leaving behind the dead monster and the murmurs of the darkened earth, hungry for new victims.