The night was thick and dark, like a blanket of shadows that stretched over a world devoid of hope. A dense fog enveloped the surroundings, blurring the shapes and hiding the reality in a layer of uncertainty. Silence, dense and impenetrable, reigned in that secluded corner, where hope was a barely audible whisper and fear had become the only constant. In the center of this gloomy void, a figure stood tall and menacing, like a tower of darkness casting an even deeper shadow. He was Jack, a man whose deepest desire was to see the world plunged into chaos and darkness. His eyes, cold as steel, glowed with a pure malevolence, a madness that impelled him to carry out the most heinous acts, acts that would destroy the weak structure of civilization and leave only ruins in their wake.
Jack was not alone. Next to him, a scary-looking woman was accompanying him. His body was an amalgam of human and insectoid features, a creature shaped by the darkest nightmares. She was Sara, a faithful follower of Jack, whose devotion to him was surpassed only by her hatred of everything that represented life and hope. Her pink hair, which fell in wavy strands, and her body, which resembled a mantis, were symbols of her lethal power. His eyes, of a brilliant green, flashed with a ferocity that reflected the chaos that nested inside. He was observing the landscape with a mixture of rage and contempt, as if the very fact of existing was an insult to his own existence.
The memories of the last battle against Leon, that being who for her was a fallen god, were still fresh in her mind. Leon had represented the last barrier between her and the destruction she longed to unleash on the world. But more than the battle, what really angered her was the existence of Benjamin and his neighborhood, a place that had survived the devastation by sheer stubbornness. To Sara, Benjamin was a simple insect, someone who did not deserve the air he breathed, someone who should be crushed under his boot. Her desire to destroy him had become an obsession, fueled by the constant manipulation of Jack, who had made sure that irrational hatred grew inside her, feeding on her frustration and hopelessness.
Jack, for his part, did not share Sara's irrational hatred of Benjamin, but he saw in him an obstacle, a stone on the way to the chaos he so desired. The neighborhood Benjamin had helped build posed a threat to his plans to plunge the world into eternal darkness. It was a place where hope still survived, and that was something Jack could not tolerate. Hope was the antithesis of everything he stood for, a spark that had to be extinguished before he could light a flame. So he had decided to send his most loyal followers to destroy it, to destroy everything that represented a resistance to his vision of a world plunged into chaos.
Accompanying Sara were three other beings, all of them controlled by Jack. They were living nightmares, creatures that had been shaped by their own darkest fears and desires. Nightmare, a sinister figure with black teeth and a blood-chilling smile, was the personification of the night terror, a shadow that moved with an eerie grace, leaving a trail of despair in its wake. Taira, a muscular woman whose strength was surpassed only by her brutality, was the embodiment of uncontrolled violence, a hurricane of destruction that knew no mercy or compassion. And Sam, a short-haired young man who seemed harmless at first glance, but whose combat prowess made him lethal, was the silent killer, the predator lurking in the shadows, waiting for the right moment to strike. These four beings were in charge of carrying out the mission of destroying Benjamin's neighborhood and razing everything they found there, of turning that place into a pile of rubble and ashes.
The plan was simple, in its brutality. First, they would capture a resident of the neighborhood, someone young and vulnerable enough to be manipulated and used as a source of information. A child, innocent and defenseless, whose mind would be easy to break and mold to his will. Their target was a student just 14 years old, someone who, in the confusion of the night, was caught and brought before Jack and his followers. The boy, whose name had been forgotten in the whirlwind of terror his life had become, was trembling with fear, unable to understand why they were doing this to him. His mind, a hive of unanswered questions, was desperately trying to find a logic in the chaos that surrounded him, but he found only darkness.
Jack, with his icy gaze and silky-smooth voice, leaned towards him, whispering words that were like blades in the young man's mind. Words that cut, that tore at his sanity, that plunged him into an abyss of despair from which there was no escape. Every word, carefully chosen, was a poison that seeped into his soul, corrupting his essence, transforming him into something that even he would not recognize.
Sarah, who had remained silent, could not contain her anger. The hatred he felt towards the neighborhood, towards León, towards everything that life represented, boiled up inside him, demanding a liberation. He shot a murderous glance at the boy, a glance that contained all the fury of a being whose sole purpose was to destroy.
Sara: "You... You are part of this dirty place. Everything that represents that place they call home must be exterminated! It's his fault that the Lion god is in such a state!"
His voice, charged with poison, echoed in the air, filling the space with an evil energy that seemed to suck the very light from the surroundings. Sara's words were like whips, each one striking with brutal force, tearing apart any hope the boy might have had of escaping that nightmare. The boy felt as if his heart stopped in that instant, as if life itself was being torn from his chest, leaving him empty, just a shell of fear and despair.
But he couldn't escape, he couldn't do anything but watch as the shadows surrounded and consumed him. The darkness, tangible and alive, was closing in on him, oppressing him, suffocating him, while the laughter of his captors echoed in his mind, an echo that repeated endlessly, an endless torture.
While his followers were accomplishing their task, Jack went deep into his thoughts, into the depths of his mind, where the darkest plans were brewing, where madness mixed with genius. He knew that Benjamin would not be an easy enemy to defeat. There was something about him, an inner strength that made him different from others, a spark that separated him from the crowd. But Jack was convinced that, like everyone else, Benjamin would fall to his power, to the chaos that he represented. Chaos was inevitable, and he would be the architect of its destruction. No matter how strong the light was, it would always be devoured by the darkness. And Jack was the embodiment of that darkness, an abyss that consumed everything that dared to challenge it.
Jack: "This world... this world is rotten. And I'll be the one to purge him. I'll start with that damn place you call home so much.. hahahahahahaha!!..."
His laughter echoed in the darkness, a sound that chilled the blood of anyone who heard it. It was a laugh full of madness, of a perverse pleasure, of a delight in destruction that few could comprehend. For him, destruction was not just a means to an end; it was an art, a form of expression, a way to impose his vision on a world that he considered flawed. And Benjamin's neighborhood would be his next masterpiece, a blank canvas that he would fill with chaos and despair.
far away, in the neighborhood that Jack hated so much, Leon lay on a stretcher, unconscious and trapped in a deep sleep. His body, scarred by the scars of battle, was barely clinging to life. The mighty warrior who had saved so many lives was now helpless, his soul struggling to remain intact in a world where chaos threatened to devour him.
Her breathing was slow, barely a whisper escaping from her parted lips. Every breath seemed like a struggle, a titanic effort to maintain his connection with the world of the living. Leon had given everything in the battle against the humanoid spiders, he had faced the darkness with a determination that few could match. But now, he was stuck in a limbo between life and death, his mind wandering in a sea of shadows and fragmented memories.
Benjamin, the ward leader, was sitting next to Leon's stretcher, watching his pale face with a mixture of sadness and worry. By her side, Leon's girlfriend Ilulu was struggling to hold back the tears that were threatening to overflow from her eyes. They both knew that Leon's time was running out, that every second that passed brought him closer to the abyss from which he might not be able to return.
Benjamin: "We can't lose him, Ilulu. Not now. Not after everything we've been through."
His voice was grave, charged with a barely contained despair. He knew that León was more than just a simple warrior; he was the symbol of resistance, the embodiment of hope that had held the neighborhood together in the darkest moments. Without him, she feared that everything would fall apart, that the fragile peace they had managed to build would vanish like a dream at dawn.
Ilulu nodded, but said nothing. His eyes, red and swollen from crying, were fixed on Leon's face, looking for some sign of improvement, some indication that his beloved could return from that dark place in which he was trapped. But he found nothing, only the cold reality of his condition, a cruel reminder that even the strongest can fall.
After a while of silence with Leon, Benjamin left the hospital accompanied by Ilulu. All his companions were waiting for him at the entrance, some with forced smiles, others avoiding his gaze, aware that Leon's condition had not improved. Benjamin, however, smiled determinedly, looked up, and spoke loudly for all:
Benjamin: Why are you so quiet and sad, friends? Do they not see the paradise that we have created thanks to him?
Benjamin walked slowly towards them, pointing to the lights illuminating the village they had rebuilt from the ashes. Rosario had founded a small orphanage where she took care of abandoned, injured or children whose parents could not take care of them because of the missions imposed by the cruel system. Sasha and Jamal opened a training center where Markitos, one of the most experienced thanks to Leon, taught the choice of gods and the creation and training of skills. Brenda, Valentina and Victoria set up the hospital, with Valentina and Brenda tasked with keeping Leon alive in a special ward, which worked thanks to Victoria's regeneration magic and Brenda's floral soul magic.
Benjamin had rebuilt the school, teaching the younger ones about the dangers of the new world, imparting knowledge about the physiology of monsters and their weaknesses to those who went out on hunting and conquest missions. Ibarra, together with Julián, Chino and Russo, created the House of Survivors, the busiest place in the neighborhood, where the missions of the system were annotated and investigated, functioning as a monster research laboratory and study of the system.
For his part, Pato had created a building where humans could communicate with their respective gods, socialize with them in peace and consult a catalog that detailed each god, demon, entity or mythical being, along with the abilities they offered and their side effects. There, the gods could materialize without suffering punishments from the system, allowing physical interactions between them and humans, although not everyone used it for such pure purposes, especially the followers of the god Apollo.
All this had been built in just five months, and all thanks to that man who lay in a coma, fading day by day in that room.
Benjamin: We shouldn't be sad. We should live with pride for the sacrifice of a man who has now become a legend worthy of a god. And if he dies... we know that, somewhere, someone will have his protection, because just like the gods who protect us, he is a story that is on everyone's lips all over the world.
With those encouraging words, everyone smiled as they looked at the village they had built together. The cozy silence was harmonious and full of happiness; although Leon was not physically next to them, everyone could feel his presence, his aura protecting them, even without being able to see him.
The silence was interrupted by Rosario, who broke the solemnity with a proposal:
Rosario: Well, enough of the sadness and cheesy stuff. Why don't we have a little party at the bar we opened in honor of Leon? If I remember correctly, Santiago named it as his favorite game.
Everyone laughed out loud at the suggestion, breaking with the solemn atmosphere, but the idea of a party seemed just what they needed.
Ibarra: I'm not a drinker, maybe I'll have a juice.
Pato: If there's food, I'll come. I have no problem.
Jamal: One at a time! But don't complain if all the drinks disappear.
Brenda: I don't get drunk easily, but a first time with friends wouldn't be bad.
Benjamin: Let's go then in his honor, and let's all have a drink for him.
So, everyone headed to the bar that was in front of the hospital, with a bright neon sign over the entrance that said "Devils Never Cry". The bartender, Santiago, a 1.90 meter man who always wore black, received them. His face was hidden by a white mask with a painted smile, and he was wearing a fine and elegant suit. With a gesture, using magic, he created a long table next to the bar, filling it with food and all kinds of drinks. The party started with laughter, jokes and games.
Jamal, an expert in the pool, bragged while the others lost, and even Pato joked that he was a hacker. The girls, on the other hand, were playing tricks, drinking every time they lost, while Benjamin and Ilulu shared a moment together, holding hands at the bar, drinking wine. Later, the girls used the music machine to start a karaoke, where some, already drunk, sang sad songs with angelic voices, while the boys, taking the microphone, seemed rather to be invoking the devil with their out-of-tune voices.
The night passed between laughter, games and songs until, at dawn, the bar was a total disaster. Some were sleeping on the floor, the girls were curled up on the cushions, and Pato was lying asleep on the pool table. Benjamin and Ilulu, hugging, were sleeping on the bar, covered with the sack of Santiago, who had quietly withdrawn. Santiago had jumped the walls of the neighborhood, sitting on a roof to observe the full moon. Slowly, he took off his mask, revealing a dark blue eye that glowed under the moonlight. He remembered how Leon had given him that mask the day he saved him in a dark cave, when he was surrounded and hopeless, bleeding everywhere.
Leon: Don't let anyone know how you feel inside; that way you'll never have to fear losing. A mask helps to calm the weight of our emotions.
From that day on, Santiago decided that one day he would return the favor to Leon. She knew that when that moment came, he would smile and stand firm for others, but she felt that that moment had not yet come. Santiago put on his mask again and, sitting on the roof, silently begged the gods to save his friend, the only one he had, the person he saw more as a brother than a friend. Thus another day of peace passed in the village, but where peace reigns, chaos will always come.
The next day, in the afternoon, Benjamin went to visit Rosario at her orphanage. On the way, he noticed a boy dressed in old black clothes, with his face painted black. He did not speak and seemed off, holding a small musical box. Thinking that perhaps he was a child who had arrived alone from abroad, he took him to the orphanage so that Rosario could receive him. She kindly accepted him and left the child with the others to socialize. Then, Benjamin asked Rosario to talk in private.
Once in a guest room, Rosario offered him tea, and straightforwardly, Benjamin gave him a news:
Benjamin: I want to marry Ilulu and I would like you to be the godmother at the wedding. What do you think?
Rosario was surprised and answered him coldly:
Rosario: It's only been five months together, don't you think it's too early in this situation?
Benjamin looked away for a moment, but then he smiled and looked into her eyes.
Benjamin: This is no longer the world we knew. We don't know what might happen tomorrow; we could all die, or maybe not. That's why I prefer... I prefer to spend my time with the woman I love, married to her, instead of waiting for a time that I don't know if I have.
Rosario sighed resignedly, but smiled kindly at her, taking her hands gently.
Rosario: You have my blessing. I hope they will be happy. Leave it to me; I will organize everything and make the dress for you.
Benjamin thanked and got up to leave, but at that moment, they both noticed that there was an eerie silence. The children were not laughing or playing; the only thing that could be heard was the sound of a small musical box. They decided to go and see what was going on, only to find a scene they could never forget: the corpses and severed parts of the children were scattered all over the room. They were both left in shock, shaking with helplessness and horror, as they read a message written on the wall.
"It looks like they had a lot of peace, didn't they? I hope you like my art. I'll see you soon.
Byline: The Laughing Jack"
when Benjamin read the message, the air around him seemed to stop. Every god watching the scene was left in a state of shock. Even the evil gods, those who harbored the purest evil, couldn't believe that someone could be so vile as to hurt innocent children. However, despite her revulsion, all her eyes were focused on Benjamin.
He wasn't moving, he wasn't saying anything. It was as if his whole being had been trapped in that terrible moment, frozen in an abyss of pain. Rosario, with a tight heart, decided to approach him, her expression more serious and calm than ever. I knew I had to be there for him, if only to offer a little comfort.
Rosario: "Benjamin, are you okay? Do you want... do you need anything?"
Before Benjamin could respond, Rosario felt a presence she had never perceived before. She turned her head and saw something that made her shudder: the eye of a god they did not know was fixedly resting on Benjamin. This god, full of a dark interest, drew nearer to him, his words full of temptation and promises of vengeance.
The figure materialized in front of them, without needing to ask the system for permission, which demonstrated its immense power. His presence was so overwhelming that the air became dense and heavy, as if the very essence of evil had taken shape.
Belzebub: "I, the Lord of the Flies, the god Belzebub, promise you that I will make everyone suffer for you. You just have to give me your body, and I will take care of making your wish come true."
the offer of Belzebub was seductive, a tempting outlet for the unbearable pain that consumed Benjamin. However, with an effort that cost him more than he could have ever imagined, Benjamin shook his head, rejecting the help of the god.
Belzebub smiled mischievously, knowing that, although she had rejected him at that moment, the pain and anger in Benjamin were like seeds that just needed time to germinate.
Belzebub: "I'll be waiting, Benjamin. I know that at some point you will give in. Your pain, your anger, your bloodlust... they are exquisite. Something I want... and I need."
With those last words, Belzebub disappeared, leaving Benjamin with his mind on the edge of the abyss. Rosario, trying to stay calm, gently touched Benjamin's shoulder, giving him a concrete task to keep him focused.
Benjamin: "Rosario, go get everyone together. We need to discuss this matter."
Rosario nodded without hesitation and ran to find everyone, knowing that every second counted. However, once she was alone, the reality of the situation fell on her like a blow, but she did not let the panic consume her. He had to stay strong.
When Benjamin was left alone, already without the reassuring presence of Rosario, his body finally gave in to the weight of the pain that overwhelmed him. She dropped to her knees on the floor, sobbing with an intensity that echoed in the darkness. Her heart-rending scream echoed through the room, a mixture of pain, rage and despair.
As time passed, her crying turned into a desperate and chaotic laughter, her mind starting to crack under the weight of the grotesque scene she had witnessed. Madness was beginning to insinuate itself into his soul, like a slow and relentless poison.
Meanwhile, not far from there, Jack was observing everything with a crooked smile, using his "Eye of Malice" skill to see every detail of Benjamin's suffering. His laughter, at first soft and restrained, soon grew into a sinister cackle.
Jack: "Phase 1 of our plan has started. It's time to pay Benjamin a visit... personally. Hahahahaha!"
Jack's laughter echoed in the dark of the night, cold and malicious, as he contemplated the devastation he had caused. His goal was clear: to break Benjamin from the bottom of his soul, until there was nothing left but an empty shell thirsty for revenge.
At the same time, at the orphanage, Rosario was running through the silent streets of the village, her heart clenched and her mind in chaos. The memories of the massacre they had just witnessed haunted her, like shadows impossible to shake. He arrived at the center of the village, where everyone else was celebrating the party in honor of Leon. Her friends saw her coming, with a pale face and a lost look, and immediately they knew that something terrible had happened.
Rosario, with a broken voice and tears in her eyes, told them what happened at the orphanage. The news fell on them like a heavy slab, crushing any vestige of joy that was in the atmosphere. The smiles faded, replaced by expressions of horror and anguish. It was not only the loss of the children, but the brutal and sadistic message that accompanied the scene. A clear message that the peace they had achieved was being threatened by a new evil.
Benjamin, after his emotional collapse, managed to get up from the ground. His body was shaking, but there was a dark determination in his eyes. Beelzebub's voice was still echoing in his head, tempting him with the promise of power and revenge. But Benjamin could not give in, he could not allow that darkness to completely consume him. He needed to be strong, not only for him, but for those who remained and depended on him.
When Rosario returned to the others, Benjamin had already wiped away his tears and stood up. His face was serious, and in his look there was a firm decision. Without saying a word, he led everyone towards the center of the village, where they decided to convene an emergency meeting at the Survivors' House. It was the safest place to discuss what they should do next.
Once there, Benjamin took the floor. In a low, controlled voice, he explained the situation, showing them the message left by Jack. There was no time to lose. The enemy had struck the first blow, and now they must prepare for what was to come.
Benjamin: "We cannot allow what we have built to be taken away from us. Jack has made a mistake in underestimating our determination. I don't know who exactly he is or why he's doing this, but I promise you one thing: we won't let this go unpunished. We will defend our home, and avenge every soul he has taken."
The decision was made. They were not going to wait to be attacked again. Ibarra, Julian, Chino, Russo, Sasha, Jamal and the others all vowed to protect the village and hunt down Jack before he could do any more damage. Meanwhile, Rosario, Brenda and the other women would be in charge of reinforcing the security of the hospital and the orphanage, protecting the most vulnerable.
The next night, Benjamin and his team got ready to go out to look for Jack. They knew it would be a difficult battle, but they also knew they couldn't lose. Before leaving, Benjamin stopped at Leon's room. She watched him for a few moments, allowing herself to feel the pain she had been holding back. Then, with a last look of determination, he headed for the door.
Benjamin: "Brother, I don't know if you'll wake up soon, but when you do, this world will be safer. I promise I'll find Jack.. and when I do.. I'll kill him..."
With those words, Benjamin left the room, ready to face the darkness that was looming over them
With those words, Benjamin left the room, ready to face the darkness that was looming over them. Jack, the man behind the massacre, didn't know what was in store for him. The survivors were not going to allow evil to prevail.
And so, as the moon rose in the night sky, Benjamin's team set out in search of their enemy, with the firm conviction that, no matter the cost, they would protect their own and do justice for the innocent souls Jack had destroyed.
The hunt had begun.