"Huff... huff... huff..." A young man sprinted through the dense forest, his breath ragged, each step heavier than the last.
Fear etched itself deeply into his face as he
glanced over his shoulder every few seconds, as if expecting
someone or something-to appear from the shadows.
But the only sound accompanying him
was the rhythmic pounding of his
own footsteps.
Realizing no one was behind him, the tight grip of anxiety in his chest loosened, but only slightly. He didn't dare slow down. His legs burned, his lungs ached, and his weak body screamed for rest, yet he pushed himself harder.
Stopping wasn't an option. Not now.
If I can just reach the safe house... I'll survive. I'll have time to regroup, to fight back. But first-I have to make it there alive.
Hope began to flicker in his heart as the minutes dragged on. He was close now. Just a little further, and the secret house-his
salvation-would appear.
Hidden deep in the forest, it held a teleportation portal that could whisk him away from this nightmare.
Finally, through the veil of dense trees, he saw it-a small house cloaked in shadows, just as he remembered. Relief surged through him like a tidal wave, and for the first time in what felt like hours, his frantic breaths steadied.
But as he stepped into the clearing, his heart plummeted. Two figures stood in front of the
house. Both wore black, their attire blending seamlessly with the surrounding darkness.
The man on the left had removed his mask,
his bloodstained face illuminated faintly by the moonlight. His fiery red eyes and hair gleamed with a malevolent intensity, matching the cruel smile stretching across his face.
The other man stood motionless, his posture rigid, his face blank as if carved from stone.
The sound of Ash's footsteps faltered, replaced by mocking laughter from the red-haired man. "Well, look who finally showed up!" the man jeered, his voice dripping
with disdain. "What took you so long, Ash? I was starting to feel lonely in this creepy forest. I even considered sending someone to fetch you-thought maybe you'd been eaten by a wild animal." His laughter grew louder, filling the clearing like a twisted symphony.
Ash froze, terror rooting him to the
spot. The red-haired man sauntered forward, contempt radiating from him. "Let's pick up where we left off, shall we?" Before Ash could react, a sharp kick struck his side. The force sent him flying, his frail body
slamming into a tree.
Pain exploded through him, but he didn't fight back. Fear had paralyzed him, leaving him defenseless.
"How...?" The word echoed in Ash's mind, disbelief clouding his thoughts. But Zach, the red-haired man, didn't give him time to process.
He approached slowly, his crimson eyes gleaming with sadistic delight.
"Our last meeting ended abruptly thanks to your blind little sister," Zach sneered. "Who would've thought she'd have such an irritating talent tied to time? But trash is trash-what a waste of a rare affinity. At least she was entertaining for a while before I
killed her. Don't worry, though. You'll be joining her soon."
Ash's breath hitched. He tried to summon the strength to move, to fight, but his body refused to obey. Zach paused suddenly, a mock expression of realization crossing
his face. "Oh! I almost forgot- I brought you a gift. Aren't I just the best brother?"
With a wave of his hand, a corpse appeared, crumpling to the ground in front of Ash.
Time seemed to stop. Ash's wide eyes locked onto the face of the body, his mind refusing to process what he saw.
His blood ran cold, and his chest tightened as emotions he couldn't name flooded his senses.
Zach's grin twisted into something darker as he watched Ash break. "Priceless," he muttered, satisfied. The silence shattered as Ash's despair morphed into rage.
He lunged at Zach, ignoring the pain in his body, a guttural scream tearing from his throat.
"ZACH! I'M GOING TO KILL YOU! I'LL KILL YOU, YOU SON OF A—"
His words were cut off by a single kick, sending him crumpling to the ground beside his sister's body. Zach crouched and grabbed Ash by the hair, yanking his head up.
"What's the matter? No more fight
in you?"
"Stop wasting time," the other man interrupted, his voice cold and emotionless.
"Finish it. We have work to do."
Zach sighed, a mock pout on his face. "Fine. I guess playtime is over." He leaned closer to Ash, his grin returning. "Look on the bright
side-you'll die next to your beloved sister. All thanks to me. Aren't I the best brother?"
Without waiting for a response, Zach's hand glowed with fiery energy. He plunged it into Ash's chest, effortlessly crushing his heart.
Ash gasped, choking on blood as the world around him dimmed. With the last of his strength, he reached for his sister's lifeless
hand, guilt and regret consuming him.
But then, through his fading vision, something appeared.
[ Ding]
[ All conditions have been met. ]
[Activating the Great Devourer
System.]