I decided to head toward the center of the city. At first, my steps were steady, and I cautiously observed my surroundings. But as I walked, an inexplicable sense of urgency began to grow within me. My pace quickened, and my heartbeat began to match its rhythm.
Before I knew it, I started running.
The wind howled past my ears as the ground and abandoned buildings blurred into streaks on either side of my vision. My movements felt strangely light, as though each step was charged with immense power, propelling me forward.
I glanced down at my feet and saw faint afterimages. My strides were so swift that they left a hazy trail in the air.
Speed—it made my heart race.
I pushed my body harder, my steps growing larger, my pace accelerating. The world around me began to blur; the dim structures and ruins stretched into lines, as if I was sprinting through a tunnel of time.
I was no longer just running—I was racing, like a car on the highway, tearing through this desolate cityscape. My body felt no fatigue; instead, every ounce of energy was utilized to its fullest.
The broken pavement underfoot was already a distant blur behind me. Watching my own movements, it felt as if I had shed the restraints of gravity. The speed was exhilarating, with the wind roaring around me like a symphony. Yet, even at this incredible pace, my mind remained clear, and I retained full control over my actions.
Was this the power of consciousness?
I felt a mix of excitement and apprehension. This newfound strength made me yearn to test my limits, yet I began to wonder: how long could I maintain this speed? Where were the boundaries of this power?
As I drew closer to the city center, an unsettling sight began to take shape.
Approaching the heart of the city, a sudden chill crept over me. It was as if something unseen was watching, its gaze predatory, like a hunter locking onto its prey. A cold sweat trickled down my spine.
I instinctively scanned my surroundings. Beyond the ruins, my eyes landed on an anomaly—a deep black steel tower. It stood in stark contrast to the city, a monolith piercing the heavens, exuding a chilling and oppressive aura.
Just then, a shadow streaked toward me from the side, fast and silent!
Instinct took over, and I dodged to the opposite side just in time. The motion was almost reflexive, barely enough to avoid the sudden attack.
I came to a stop, my heart pounding like a drum, and stared warily at the shadow. It halted as well, its crimson eyes locked onto me.
The being was grotesque.
Its body was pitch black, standing around two meters tall, with a form so indistinct it seemed both unreal and undeniably present. Its glowing red eyes were cold and malevolent. Its hands had only three thick claws, each sharp as a blade. It resembled a humanoid figure yet seemed more like a monster born from the depths of darkness.
It tilted its head slightly, as if studying me with a twisted curiosity. But the air of hostility never wavered.
I held my breath, my heart racing as alarm bells rang in my mind. Where had this creature come from? Why was it here?
And worse—was this just the beginning?
The shadow being lunged again, its movements swift and powerful, pressing down on me like a storm. I spun around and dashed toward a nearby shopping mall, the creature hot on my heels. Its speed was terrifying, a blur in the corner of my eye, as if it could swallow me whole. My heartbeat thundered in my ears, and I pushed myself harder, desperate to widen the gap.
Inside the mall, my eyes darted around until they landed on a metal pipe lying amidst the rubble. I snatched it up without hesitation.
The shadow being closed in. Its arm morphed into a razor-sharp shadow blade, slicing through the air toward me.
"Clang!" I swung the pipe, barely deflecting the strike. The impact sent a numbing shock through my hands, forcing me to stagger back. Before I could recover, it slashed again, aiming straight for me. I managed to sidestep the blow, retaliating with a horizontal swing of the pipe, forcing it to retreat briefly.
But the creature didn't let up. It advanced again, its shadowy blade slashing down relentlessly. I gritted my teeth and raised the pipe to block, sparks flying from the impact. The metallic clash echoed sharply, drowning out everything else. I searched for an opening, but its movements were swift and precise, evading every counterattack.
"Damn it!" I cursed under my breath, narrowly dodging another attack. I seized the opportunity, circling to its side, and swung the pipe with all my might. The blow struck its shoulder, causing it to stumble. But it recovered almost instantly, spinning around with a vicious horizontal slash. I barely managed to parry, the force threatening to wrench the pipe from my hands.
Finally, I saw an opening. Clutching the pipe tightly with both hands, I channeled every ounce of strength into a crushing strike aimed at its head.
"Boom!" The impact sent the shadow being flying several meters, crashing into a wall and leaving cracks in the concrete.
Its body collapsed, beginning to disintegrate into countless tiny particles. I stood there, panting heavily, gripping the pipe tightly, my eyes locked on the creature.
As I cautiously approached, the dark particles suddenly surged toward me, enveloping me completely.
A strange sensation flooded my mind—a warmth intertwined with immense power, seeping into the depths of my consciousness. I froze, stunned, as I realized my awareness had grown even stronger.
What had just happened? What was this power, and what did it mean for me?