《Forsaken Hunter》


 Chapter 1: The Unforgivable Past

    Chapter 1 - The Unforgivable PastA Sky That Won''t Look Down on Me


    Beno Mark hated the sky.


    It stretched above him, boundless, beautiful¡ªmocking him.


    A vast world where only the strong could soar. But him? He was nothing. Just another forgotten stain on the streets of Veno City.


    He exhaled, watching his breath fog in the cold night air. The neon lights of the restaurant flickered overhead, buzzing like dying fireflies. Inside, the murmur of drunken laughter and clinking dishes filled the space, but he stood outside, gripping the handlebars of his rusted bicycle.


    Across the street, a giant screen played the news.


    [BREAKING NEWS: RENZO MARK RETURNS FROM THE GATE OF NO RETURN!]


    His younger brother''s name thundered across the city like gospel.


    The camera zoomed in, capturing every inch of Renzo''s perfect form¡ªsilver hair matted with blood, his combat suit torn yet regal, like a war god stepping out of legend.


    The crowd roared. The city shook with his name.


    Beno stared. His hands tightened on the bike''s grips, knuckles white.


    "With my will," Renzo had said. Just three words. And the world bowed.


    A sharp laugh caught in Beno''s throat.


    Of course.


    Renzo, the youngest S-Rank hunter. The legend. The perfect son.


    And Beno?


    Just a washed-up dropout scrubbing dishes for men who spat at his name.


    A Name Drowned in the Past


    The restaurant door swung open behind him, and a gruff voice barked,


    "Oi, dumbass! You deaf?!"


    A metal pan smacked the back of Beno''s head.


    He gritted his teeth as pain flared through his skull. He turned, rubbing the sore spot.


    "Yeah, yeah, I hear you."


    The old man sneered.


    "Then move your damn ass!" He stomped back inside.


    Beno sighed, dragging his feet through the doorway. The stink of fried oil and cheap alcohol clung to the air. The same damn routine.


    This is life. Just keep moving.


    The screen in the corner of the restaurant glowed¡ªRenzo''s face again, projected for the whole world to admire. The customers erupted into conversation.


    "Renzo Mark, huh? The kid''s a damn monster," a burly man muttered, rocking back in his chair.


    "Youngest S-Rank ever. Straight from this shithole city!" another laughed, raising his drink.


    "Unlike some," a voice cut in, sharp and laced with venom.


    The air changed.


    Beno didn''t turn, didn''t need to. He felt their eyes stab into his back¡ªdisgust, mockery, disappointment.


    He kept wiping the counter. His hands trembled.


    "Yeah... unlike the failure."


    The words clawed at his chest.


    "Bet even Renzo wouldn''t waste spit on trash like him," someone snickered.


    Beno swallowed hard. His throat burned.


    He knew it was true. Renzo had proven it himself.


    Their last conversation still echoed in his mind.


    "Don''t you ever try to contact me again."


    "If you do... I''ll kill you."


    Beno gripped the cloth in his hand, squeezing until his fingers ached. His vision blurred, the weight of his past pressing down.


    His father''s lifeless body.


    The empty space where his mother should have been.


    Renzo, standing in the ruins, staring at him like he was nothing.


    "You weren''t there."


    The ache in his chest deepened, twisting like a knife.


    A sharp ring cut through the air¡ªhis boss barking at him again. Beno exhaled, forcing the memories back.


    Just keep moving.


    A Night That Should''ve Been Normal


    Minutes later, Beno wheeled his bike onto the empty street, letting the cool air numb his thoughts. The city lights stretched far beyond him¡ªvibrant, alive.


    A place for people who mattered. S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Not for him.


    He pedaled forward, the gears groaning under his weight. The city''s pulse drummed in his ears.


    Then¡ªBOOM.


    The air rippled.


    A high-pitched screech split the night, jagged and inhuman.


    Beno skidded to a stop. His breath hitched.


    The sky... cracked.


    A jagged wound tore open above the main road, black mist swirling at its edges. Then came the shadows¡ªdozens of them, spilling forth like a nightmare given flesh.


    Eyes glowed in the dark.


    The goblins had arrived.


    Run, Or Die


    The screams started instantly. Pedestrians ran, tripping over themselves. Cars screeched to a halt. Horns blared.


    Beno''s heart pounded. His fingers locked on the handlebars.


    Move.


    But his body froze.


    The goblins poured out of the Gate, their jagged weapons gleaming under the streetlights. Their shrieks pierced the air.


    One locked eyes with him.


    Beno''s stomach plummeted.


    It grinned.


    Oh shit¡ª


    The goblin lunged.


    Beno yanked the handlebars¡ªtoo late.


    Something slammed into his back, and the world flipped. Pain exploded in his ribs as he crashed onto the pavement. His bike skidded away in a spray of sparks.


    The taste of blood filled his mouth.


    Shadows loomed over him. A putrid stench choked the air.


    A goblin stood there, club raised high.


    Beno''s breath hitched.


    Move. Move, dammit!


    The club came down.


    Beno twisted¡ªBOOM! The ground cracked where his head had been. Stone shards cut into his skin.


    His heartbeat roared in his ears. He scrambled backward, hands scraping against rough pavement. The goblin grinned wider.


    More were coming.


    Beno turned, feet slamming against the ground. He ran.


    His ribs screamed, his breath ragged, but he didn''t stop. The goblins'' guttural laughter chased him through the streets.


    Then¡ªa shadow.


    Beno barely had time to register it before¡ª


    WHAM!


    Something huge collided into him, sending him crashing down a set of stairs. His back slammed into cold concrete. The world blurred.


    Footsteps. Heavy. Echoing.


    Beno''s vision cleared, and he saw it.


    A Goblin Giant.


    Ten feet of scarred muscle, a battle-axe dragging against the ground, sparks dancing in its wake.


    The goblins fell silent.


    Beno''s body locked up.


    No weapons. No strength. No way out.


    He lifted his head, staring up at death itself.


    The Giant raised its axe.


    A bitter laugh curled in Beno''s throat.


    "Weak ''til the end, huh?"


    The axe fell.


    [TO BE CONTINUED]

 Chapter 2: Broken Gate Incident

    Chapter 2 - Broken Gate IncidentThe Libeus Government Office buzzed like a hive on fire¡ªphones shrilled, papers fluttered in frantic hands, and boots thundered against cracked tiles.


    At the storm''s center, Agent Mara hunched over her station, chestnut hair a wild mess, fingers trembling as she clutched the comms device. Sweat glistened on her brow, her hazel eyes wide with raw panic as static hissed through the line.


    "Anyone... please!"


    Her shout tore through the chaos, desperate and jagged. "A broken Gate''s ripped open near Veno Road! I''m begging¡ªE-rank Gate at Veno Road! We need backup now!"


    Her voice cracked, a blade of fear slicing the air. For a heartbeat, the room froze¡ªevery head snapping toward her, breaths held.


    Then¡ªpandemonium. Officers bolted, barking into headsets, fingers hammering keyboards to blast the alert across guilds and hunters citywide.


    The air thickened, heavy with dread, the fluorescent lights flickering like a brewing tempest.


    Mara slumped back, chest heaving. "Come on... someone answer," she muttered, gripping the comms so tight her knuckles bleached. Her eyes darted, pleading with the silence.


    In the Moonlight Guild''s common room, dim light spilled over scarred wooden tables, laughter mingling with the clink of mugs.


    Hunters lounged on worn leather couches, armor dented, faces flushed from cheap ale, the air ripe with sweat and bravado. A massive screen glowed blue¡ªuntil a shrill BEEP slashed through the revelry.


    The guild operator¡ªa wiry guy with glasses teetering on his nose¡ªjerked upright.


    "Emergency alert!" His voice cracked, sharp and urgent, as the message scrolled: Broken E-rank Gate ¨C Veno Road.


    "Shit, another one?!" A burly hunter slammed his mug down, ale sloshing over the edge. His scarred hand raked through his beard, a growl rumbling in his chest. "These damn Gates never quit!"


    The guild leader¡ªa lanky figure with a perpetual scowl¡ªgroaned, rubbing his temples. "Send some E-ranks.


    Just a broken Gate¡ªnothing worth sweating over." He flicked a dismissive hand, leaning back like it was already handled.


    The tension melted¡ªhunters shrugged, grumbling half-hearted curses.


    Just another mess to mop up. No one caught the operator''s trembling fingers as he punched in the orders, a quiet dread gnawing at him.


    The Rose Guild''s training hall thrummed with life¡ªsteel clashed, sparks flew, and grunts echoed off stone walls.


    Elite hunters moved like shadows, their drills a dance of precision and power, sweat gleaming under the torchlight.


    At the hall''s edge, a young hunter with a cocky grin jogged up to a figure in a sleek black combat suit¡ªRenzo Mark.


    "Hey, Renzo!" The kid wiped his brow, smirking. "Word''s out¡ªa broken Gate just popped near Veno Road."


    Renzo froze, broadsword mid-swing, its blade catching the light. His jaw clenched, and a cold smirk twisted his lips.


    "Good," he spat, voice dripping venom. "Maybe that worthless brother of mine will finally die there. Save me the hassle of looking at his pathetic face again."


    The hall stilled¡ªhunters faltered, blades hovering as his words hung like a noose.


    A low chuckle shattered the silence. Sophia, an S-rank with cascading silver hair, leaned against a table, crimson eyes glinting with dark amusement as she twirled a dagger.


    "Damn, that''s ice-cold," she teased, voice smooth as silk. "You really despise that brother of yours, huh? Gotta say, though¡ªseeing you pissed off..." She tilted her head, smirking wider. "It''s a hell of a show."


    Renzo''s face didn''t budge¡ªstone carved from glaciers. He sheathed his sword with a sharp click, boots echoing like war drums as he stalked off. Sophia''s laughter trailed him, fading into a thoughtful hum.


    The Noak Guild''s main hall pulsed with raw energy¡ªhunters bartered gear with shouts, elbowed past each other at the mission board, voices clashing in a chaotic roar. Guild Master Franky stood at the center, scarred face twisted in irritation as the emergency call blared overhead.


    "Again?" He pinched his nose, muttering under his breath. "Send the low-ranks. Good practice for the grunts." Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He''d barely finished when a voice sliced through. "Wait!" Mora, a C-rank with short-cropped hair, shoved forward, her face pale as ash. "Luna''s already gone there!"


    The hall hushed, unease rippling like a stone in still water. "What?!" A wiry hunter with a missing tooth gaped, voice pitching high. "She''s just D-rank! Why the hell would she run off?!"


    Mora''s fists clenched, her nod grim. "I asked her. She said... someone precious to her is in danger."


    A heavy silence fell, broken only by Franky''s low grunt. "That damn girl..." he muttered, shaking his head. His golden eyes narrowed, worry flickering beneath his gruff mask.


    Back in the subway, the tunnel quaked as the Giant Goblin towered over the shattered platform, its roar shaking dust from the ceiling. Its massive axe gleamed under flickering lights, crashing down with a force that split the earth. Beno flinched, a scream ripping from his throat¡ªthen stopped. No pain.


    "You idiot, keep your damn eyes open!"


    His vision snapped clear. Luna stood before him, her sword locked against the goblin''s axe, sparks flying like a storm of stars. Her blonde hair whipped wild, arms trembling under the strain, but her eyes blazed with defiance. Blood streaked her armor, breaths ragged, yet she stood unyielding.


    "L-Luna..." Beno''s whisper trembled, barely a breath.


    "Stay behind me," she snapped, voice cutting through the chaos like steel.


    "O-Okay..." He scrambled back, legs shaking, heart pounding so loud it drowned the goblin''s snarls.


    The beast swung again¡ªa brutal arc aimed to split her in half. Luna dodged with ghostly grace, her blade flashing as it carved a crimson line through the goblin''s chest.


    Blood sprayed, painting her face, but she didn''t flinch. She moved like a tempest¡ªslashing, weaving, cutting down dozens in a blur of glowing steel.


    The lights flickered with each kill, bathing her in an eerie, radiant glow.


    Beno watched, awe and terror warring in his chest. She was a force¡ªbut the fight wasn''t done.


    As the last goblin crumpled, its body thudding lifelessly, Beno''s legs gave out.


    He collapsed, shaking uncontrollably, breaths shallow gasps.


    Luna turned, wiping blood from her cheek, and sighed. "You''re safe now, you big idiot."


    Before she could move, Beno lunged, wrapping his arms around her waist.


    His body quaked, face buried against her armor. "I-I thought I was dead..." he choked, sobs breaking his voice.


    Luna stiffened, her face flushing crimson. "S-Stop crying like a damn kid!" she barked, shoving at him. "Grow up already!" But her hands lingered, her tone softening just a hair.


    They stumbled out into the night, the cool air hitting like a slap¡ªonly to freeze.


    Hundreds of goblins swarmed the streets, their guttural cries a death knell. Luna''s eyes widened, grip tightening on her sword. "Shit... we''re screwed."


    Beno''s vision blurred, blood seeping from his wounds as the goblins'' aura crushed him. His lungs burned, each breath a fight.


    "L-Luna... I can''t... breathe..." He rasped, collapsing as darkness clawed at him.


    "No! Stay with me, Beno!" Luna''s voice cracked, panic bleeding through as she dragged him to a crumbled wall, shielding him with her body.


    The ground quaked¡ªa ROAR split the night. The Goblin King loomed, its hulking frame swallowing the streetlights, jagged teeth glinting, eyes glowing with malice as it lumbered forward.


    Luna''s resolve hardened, sword steady. If she fell, Beno was done. With a fierce cry, she charged.


    The Goblin King''s bellow shook the earth, its massive fist slamming down toward Beno''s limp form. Luna planted herself between them, blade flashing as she roared, "You won''t touch him, you ugly bastard!"


    Its minions surged¡ªa snarling tide of claws and teeth. Luna''s eyes narrowed, and with a sharp breath, she unleashed Air Wind Strike.


    A torrent of razor-sharp wind erupted, slicing through the horde like a scythe through flesh. Heads rolled, limbs flew, blood arced across the pavement in grotesque streaks.


    She darted for the King''s thick neck, blade gleaming¡ªwhen a blaze of blue flame streaked past, forcing her back. She landed hard, boots skidding. "Tch!" she spat, glaring up.


    Hovering above, astride a flaming blue eagle, was Renzo.


    His dark hair billowed, face a mask of icy disdain as the eagle''s wings crackled with azure fire, casting an unearthly glow.


    "Goddamn show-off..." Luna muttered, grip tightening.


    Renzo leapt, plummeting like a comet. He crashed into the Goblin King with a thunderous BOOM, the street fracturing, debris soaring.


    The beast crumpled¡ªskull caving in with a sickening crunch under his S-rank fury. His blade spun in a whirlwind of death, goblins falling like wheat before a storm.


    But Luna saw it¡ªno purpose, just destruction. She snapped back as a stone slab teetered above Beno.


    "No!" She channeled her mana, halting it mid-air, then flung it aside with a grunt. It crashed inches from him, dust swirling.


    "Why waste time on these E-rank trash?" she yelled, voice cutting through.


    "You''re S-rank¡ªgo fight something real!"


    Renzo paused, blade dripping blood. His cold gaze locked onto her.


    "Shut your mouth, bitch," he sneered. "I''m just blowing off steam."


    Luna''s fists clenched, fury blazing¡ªuntil a faint voice stopped her.


    "Renzo... my brother..."


    Beno dragged himself up, bloodied hand trembling, hazel eyes pleading through dirt and tears.


    Renzo froze, breath hitching. For a split second, vulnerability flickered¡ªthen vanished, replaced by a sneer. "Oh? Big brother''s still kicking? Figured the monsters would''ve eaten your sorry ass by now."


    "You bastard!" Luna stepped forward, voice raw. "That''s how you talk to him after everything? Have you got no soul?"


    Renzo''s gaze darkened, sword rising. "He''s not my brother.


    My brother died when he ruined us¡ªleft us orphans, broke our home. Now he crawls around playing hero." His blade leveled at Beno''s chest. "You should''ve died years ago, you weak, pathetic wreck."


    Beno struggled to his knees, pain screaming through him. Before Renzo could strike, a CLANG rang out¡ªLuna''s sword met his, unwavering.


    "Don''t you dare!" she screamed, defiance blazing.


    Renzo''s blue flames flared, scorching the air. Luna gritted her teeth, blade trembling against his power. With one brutal swing, he sent her sprawling, armor scraping pavement.


    He seized Beno by the throat, lifting him like a doll. "Big brother," he hissed, voice chilling, "do me a favor. When you see Father up there... tell him I miss him."


    Beno''s vision faded, tears mixing with blood. Yet a faint smile curved his lips. "I will... with a smile," he rasped.


    Renzo''s eyes widened, grip faltering. That smile¡ªtheir smile, from a lost time¡ªhit him like a blade. A tear slipped free.


    "Why... am I crying?" he muttered, voice breaking. "Why the hell...?"


    A deep voice cut through. "That''s enough, Renzo."


    Franky strode in, towering with authority, scarred face grim, golden eyes piercing.


    "Step off, Franky," Renzo snarled, flames surging. "This is mine."


    Franky smirked, unshaken. "Yours? Don''t kid yourself. You think we''ll just watch you gut your own blood?"


    Their auras clashed¡ªground trembling, cracks spiderwebbing the street. Civilians fled, screaming. "I''m warning you, old man," Renzo growled, "stay out."


    Franky''s eyes hardened. "I''ll step in wherever justice bleeds."


    The standoff stretched, electric¡ªuntil Renzo spat on the ground.


    "Listen good, Big Bro," he sneered, glaring at Beno. "Don''t ever show me that face again." He flung Beno at Luna, who caught him with a gasp.


    "Beno! Hold on!" she cried, cradling him. "Get an ambulance¡ªnow!"


    Three days later,


    Beno lay in a hospital bed, tubes snaking from his fragile frame, monitors beeping faintly. Dungeon mana had ravaged him, leaving him a shell.


    Luna sat beside him, red eyes raw from sleepless nights.


    The TV blared: "Breaking News! Violet Gate crisis escalates! S-Rank Hunter Renzo Mark and 177 others vanished inside two days ago!"


    Luna lunged, shutting it off, heart racing. "No..." she muttered. "If he hears Renzo''s gone... it''ll break him."


    Her chest tightened. She couldn''t shield him forever.


    And deep down, she knew¡ªtime was running out.

 Chapter 3: The Shattered Dream

    Chapter 3 - The Shattered DreamDarkness swallowed Beno Mark whole¡ªan endless, suffocating void that pressed against his chest, stealing his breath.


    At first, there was nothing but silence, a black tide drowning him.


    Then¡ªa faint flicker, a distant star piercing the abyss. Light bloomed, and suddenly he stood in a golden wheat field, stalks swaying under a warm afternoon sun.


    The air carried the rich, earthy scent of harvest, a soft breeze weaving through, lifting the sound of two boys'' laughter into the boundless sky.


    Beno''s heart clenched, a raw ache blooming as his gaze fell on the smaller boy racing toward him.


    Messy white hair bounced with each eager step¡ªRenzo, his brother, young and untouched, barely ten.


    His face glowed with innocence, blue eyes sparkling as he clutched a wooden sword like it was his whole world.


    "Brother!" Renzo''s voice rang out, pure and bursting with joy.


    Beno''s chest tightened, a bittersweet pang flooding him. Those bright blue eyes shimmered¡ªunchanged from the memories he''d buried deep.


    Renzo skidded to a stop, grinning wide. "I love you, brother!" he shouted, words fierce and unshakable.


    "You''re my hero!"


    Warmth surged through Beno, a fragile, aching glow. He crouched, knees sinking into the soft earth, and ruffled Renzo''s hair with a tenderness he''d forgotten he could feel.


    "You can count on me... my dear brother," he said, a smile breaking free¡ªreal, unguarded, alive.


    But the second those words spilled out, the sky twisted.


    The golden wheat withered to lifeless gray, curling like ash under an unseen blaze. The sun bled into a blood-red moon, its eerie light slashing jagged shadows across the desolate field.


    The air turned cold, thick with dread that clawed at his spine.


    The scene shifted.


    Beno''s breath snagged as Renzo appeared again¡ªolder now, towering on a dark battlefield, mist curling around him, the air heavy with blood and ruin.


    His aura crackled, a violent storm barely leashed. Across from him stood Luna, her golden hair wild and tangled, blue eyes blazing with defiance.


    Her sword gleamed, raised and ready.


    "Renzo! Stop¡ªyou''ll hurt her!" Beno''s shout ripped from his throat, desperate, but it echoed into nothing, swallowed by the howling wind.


    The ground quaked as their blades clashed¡ªsparks exploded, metal screaming in a brutal symphony.


    Beno''s fists clenched, nails biting into his palms, powerless as the fight spiraled beyond him.


    Then¡ªthe world lurched. A cold grip seized his throat, iron-tight, choking off his air.


    His feet dangled, body jerking as he gasped. Renzo loomed over him, lifting him like he weighed nothing, his once-warm eyes now icy pits of hate.


    His fingers tightened, merciless.


    "I hate you," Renzo snarled, voice a venomous hiss. "You weak, pathetic trash."


    Beno''s vision blurred, chest burning as he clawed at Renzo''s arm¡ªuseless, weak.


    "Why...?" he rasped, voice breaking. "Why do you hate me so much... my brother?"


    Renzo''s lips twisted into a cruel smirk, eyes glinting with malice. SNAP. Everything shattered.


    Beno jolted awake, drenched in sweat, chest heaving as he sucked in air.


    His wild eyes darted around the dark hospital room, shadows twisting under the faint glow of machines.


    The steady beep of the heart monitor cut through the silence, anchoring him. "Where... am I?" His voice scraped out, hoarse and raw.


    The walls loomed¡ªsterile, cold, unfamiliar. The clock glowed¡ª12:43 AM, a midnight shroud.


    He dragged a trembling hand through his damp hair, the dream clinging like a second skin.


    "Just... a dream," he whispered, but the words rang hollow. Why did it feel so real?


    He glanced aside¡ªthe chair beside him sat empty. No Luna. No doctors. Alone.


    The silence crushed him, amplifying the ache in his chest.


    Gritting his teeth, he swung his legs over the bed, ignoring the sharp protests of his body. Bare feet hit the icy floor with a thud, and he staggered toward the hall, each step a war against his own frailty.


    He needed air. Needed to move.


    Near the waiting room, a blue glow flickered across the walls. The TV buzzed, casting eerie light over empty chairs. A news anchor''s voice sliced the stillness.


    "Day six since the disaster at Gate 07. The death toll climbs... 177 hunters missing."


    Beno''s blood turned to ice. His steps faltered as faces flashed onscreen¡ªnames, ranks, lives lost.


    Hunter 176 ¨C Jason Keller, B-rank, Steel Fang Guild.


    Hunter 177 ¨C Elise Mare, A-rank, Shadow Fang Guild.


    The anchor''s tone sank, heavy. "Among them... S-Rankers Sophia of Rose Guild and George of Moonlight¡ªgone without a trace."


    Beno''s breath shuddered. Sophia? George? Titans¡ªunbreakable. If they fell... his stomach twisted.


    "And lastly..." The anchor paused, voice grave.


    The floor dropped out from under him.


    "Our most powerful S-Rank... Renzo Mark, lost in a Violent Gate."


    Beno''s world shattered. His breath caught, a cold wave crashing over him.


    His knees buckled, vision warping as he whispered, "What...?"


    It couldn''t be. Renzo¡ªhis invincible brother, his idol, his nightmare¡ªgone? "No... that''s... impossible."


    A mistake. A lie. His heart slammed against his ribs as he turned to Luna, who''d just stepped in with a doctor. Her face¡ªrelief melted into devastation, blue eyes wide with horror as she saw the screen.


    Beno pointed, hand shaking, voice cracking. "This... it''s a prank, right?" he begged, desperation raw. "Just a nightmare... tell me it''s not real!"


    Luna''s lips trembled, tears welling. She couldn''t speak. The silence roared, shredding his hope.


    Beno''s breaths came fast, ragged. His legs gave out, and he hit the floor, hands clawing at his chest. "This isn''t real," he gasped, voice breaking. "It''s not..."


    His fists slammed into his arm, his face¡ªeach hit a frantic plea. "I just need to wake up!" he choked, tears burning. "Then I''ll see him¡ªRenzo, smiling on TV, alive... my brother..."


    Sobs tore from him, a flood of grief as he crumpled. Luna dropped beside him, pulling him close, her arms a lifeline.


    "It''s okay..." she murmured, voice trembling. "You don''t have to be strong... not now."


    Beno broke in her embrace, cries echoing through the sterile void¡ªraw, haunting. Doctors lingered at the door, faces shadowed with unease. They''d seen loss, but this was a fracture, a wound too deep to heal.


    That night, he clung to Luna, praying to escape¡ªbut the truth held firm, unrelenting.


    The afternoon sun stretched long shadows across the city skyline, its warmth a stranger to Beno. He sat by the hospital window, staring blankly, skin pale, cheeks hollow. His once-sharp eyes were dull, framed by dark circles¡ªa shell of torment.


    Luna stood beside him, heart twisting. "Beno... eat something," she pleaded, voice soft but urgent. "I''ll find him¡ªI promise."


    His gaze shifted, cold and empty.


    "You don''t have to, Luna," he said, voice flat, stripped bare. "This is my fight."


    She flinched, breath catching. "How?" Her tone sharpened, worry bleeding through. "You''re not even a hunter!"


    His fists clenched, knuckles whitening. "I don''t care." His voice hardened, edged with fire.


    "No matter what... I''ll find him. With my own strength."


    Luna froze, stunned. Grief fueled him¡ªrage, loss, a blade forged in pain. But in his eyes burned a resolve, unyielding and fierce. He meant it¡ªevery damn word.


    Beno lay still, exhaustion a crushing weight. His breaths rasped, face pale, shadows under his eyes a testament to his breaking soul. S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Luna sat beside him, gaze locked on his fragile form. Her fingers trembled as she reached out, hesitating, then gently ran them through his hair¡ªa tender anchor.


    Her throat tightened. He looked like he did back then¡ªalone, hurting, fighting to hold on.


    "You''re just like me now..." she whispered, voice cracking, "...back when they called me Witch."


    The classroom buzzed¡ªlaughter and chatter a distant hum around Luna.


    She gripped her worn notebook, head low, golden hair curtaining her face. Whispers cut through, sharp and cruel.


    "She''s here again."


    "Demon girl."


    "Why even bother showing up?"


    She shrank, wishing she could vanish.


    Awakened too young, she was a pariah¡ªcursed, a freak. She sat alone, ate alone, unseen even by the teacher, as if her existence was a plague.


    By the window, three kids snickered. "Bet she talks to ghosts at night."


    "Heard she cursed someone last week."


    Her fists clenched under the desk, nails biting skin. Then¡ªa shadow. She looked up into bright eyes¡ªBeno Mark.


    He stood tall, hands on hips, radiating defiance. "No way!" His voice boomed, silencing the room. "She''s no witch¡ªshe''s an angel!"


    The kids gaped. Beno grinned, leaning in. "You''re too damn cute to be a demon."


    Luna blinked, stunned. No one had ever... seen her. He laughed, loud and free. "Seriously, look at her! She''s a hero straight out of a story¡ªgolden hair, magic vibes, the works!"


    Her chest cracked open¡ªwarmth, hope, flooding in. For the first time, she wasn''t alone. Beno became her anchor, her first light.


    Dawn crept into the hospital room, golden streaks painting the cold floor. Machines hummed, antiseptic sharp in the air. Luna stirred, stiff from a night hunched over¡ªthen saw the bed.


    Empty.


    Her breath snagged. Sheets crumpled, IV dangling with blood droplets, gown folded neatly. A chill gripped her spine.


    "Beno?" Her whisper trembled.


    She bolted up, heart racing, eyes sweeping the room. Gone. Panic surged¡ªshe sprinted to the hall, grabbing a nurse. "Did you see him? Room 306¡ªhe''s gone!"


    The nurse paled, shaking her head. "No... he wasn''t stable. He shouldn''t be moving!"


    Luna''s chest tightened. He could barely stand¡ªwhere could he go? She raced outside, doors slamming open, cold air biting her face.


    The streets stirred faintly, but no Beno.


    Her fists clenched. He''d left¡ªfor Renzo. A deep ache swelled in her.


    "You idiot..." she whispered, eyes burning.


    As the city woke, one truth consumed her¡ªshe had to find him, before he broke beyond saving.


    [To Be Continued...]

 Chapter 4: The Vanishing Gate and the Rising Star

    Chapter 4 - The Vanishing Gate and the Rising StarRain lashed the desolate street, each drop a cold sting against Beno Mark''s skin as he stumbled forward.


    The flickering streetlights cast weak amber pools across the cracked pavement, their hum a faint pulse beneath the storm''s howl.


    His silhouette wavered¡ªhunched, broken¡ªhis hand pressed tight against his side where blood seeped, warm and sticky, soaking his tattered shirt a deep, wet crimson.


    His face was a canvas of torment: sunken eyes glistening with unshed tears, lips trembling in a pained gasp, sweat and rain mingling as they dripped from his dark, matted bangs.


    Beno (Inner Monologue): "One more step... come on, just one more... My body''s screaming¡ªevery muscle, every bone¡ªbut it''s nothing next to this ache. Renzo... where are you? Are you even alive out there?"


    The wind roared, clawing at his clothes, the city''s jagged skyline looming like a predator¡ªcold, unyielding, watching him falter with silent disdain.


    Each breath burned, a jagged shard slicing his lungs, but he pressed on, driven by a desperate thread of hope fraying at the edges.


    Beyond the street, a desolate park stretched into the shadows¡ªskeletal trees reached for the sky, their gnarled branches swaying like mourners in the wind.


    A lone streetlamp buzzed, its sickly yellow glow spilling over a weathered bench where an old man sat, undisturbed.


    His silver hair caught the light like spun starlight, a crumpled newspaper rustling in his steady hands, the sound a soft whisper against the storm.


    Beno (Inner Monologue): "Rest... I need it. My legs are heavy as stone, my chest a furnace ready to collapse. Just... just a moment to breathe..."


    His boots scraped the gravel, a rough, uneven rhythm, as he collapsed onto the bench.


    The wood groaned beneath him, a tired echo of his own exhaustion.


    His breaths came shallow, each one a fight, and he pressed his trembling hand harder against his wound, feeling the warmth pulse beneath his fingers.


    The old man didn''t stir¡ªhis deep-set eyes glinted with quiet wisdom, a calm anchor in the chaos.


    Beno''s gaze drifted, catching on the newspaper clutched in the man''s hands.


    The headline screamed in bold, jagged font: "March 20, 2025 - The Unknown Gate Emerges! Hunters Missing Without a Trace!" The ink smudged faintly, as if the words bled dread into the page.


    His heart lurched, a frantic drumbeat drowning the storm''s wail. Fear coiled in his gut, cold and tight, twisting as he forced the words out.


    "Sir..." His voice rasped, raw and hesitant, barely above a whisper. "What... what exactly happened on March 20?"


    The old man lowered the paper slowly, his face etched with sorrow and steel, lines carved by years of burdens.


    His eyes cut through the dimness, heavy with memory, and his voice rolled out like distant thunder¡ªlow, steady, tinged with unease.


    "It was a disaster..." He paused, letting the word hang. "A nightmare the world still hasn''t shaken off."


    He folded the paper with deliberate care, the crinkle sharp against the silence, his hands steady despite the weight in his tone.


    "An unknown gate ripped open¡ªnothing like we''d ever seen. Its aura... it wasn''t just power. It was alive, suffocating. Even the weakest hunters felt it¡ªice in their veins, dread sinking into their souls. S-rank gates?" He scoffed softly, a bitter edge creeping in. "Child''s play next to this... thing."


    The air shifted as memory unfolded¡ªa towering gate loomed in Beno''s mind, its edges swirling with inky blackness, tendrils of shadow writhing like serpents hungry for life.


    The ground trembled faintly beneath the boots of hunters who stood before it, the air shimmering with a malice that pressed down like a living weight.


    Beno (Inner Monologue): "Beyond S-rank...? That''s... impossible. Renzo¡ªhe always said in his interview that S-rank was the limit, the peak no one could climb past. What could scare him? What could take him from me?"


    The old man''s voice tugged him back, firm yet grim. "Libeus threw everything at it¡ª117 elite hunters, a force that could shatter an S-rank calamity like glass. And leading them..." A pause, heavy with meaning. "Renzo Mark."


    Beno''s breath hitched, a sharp stab in his chest. His eyes widened, pupils shrinking to pinpricks, the name a blade twisting deep. His hands trembled, the world tilting as he fought to steady himself.


    Beno (Inner Monologue): "Renzo... my brother... No... no, it can''t be... Not him..."


    "They stepped inside," the old man continued, voice dropping low, "and then... nothing. Vanished. Swallowed whole.


    No screams, no blood, no trace¡ªjust silence, like the gate erased them from the world."


    The flashback gate stood frozen in Beno''s mind, its gaping maw an abyss of quiet horror.


    The air thickened, oppressive, as if it held its breath, waiting for something¡ªor nothing¡ªto emerge.


    "The world lost its mind."


    The old man''s tone hardened. "Governments¡ªUSA, South Korea, India, Australia¡ªthey demanded answers, screaming for control. Scientists swarmed Libeus, poking, prodding... but that gate?" His lips curled faintly, a shadow of disdain.


    "It just sat there¡ªsilent, mocking us. What was it? Where did it take them? No one knows... and maybe no one ever will."


    Beno''s fists clenched, knuckles whitening until they ached, the pain grounding him as tears welled, hot and stinging.


    They hovered at the edge, threatening to spill, a dam straining under too much weight.


    "It''s been a week..." His whisper trembled, voice fragile as glass.


    "I just... I hope they''re okay... Please, let them be okay..."


    The old man turned, his gaze softening¡ªa flicker of compassion breaking through the storm in his eyes.


    "You''ve got someone in there... don''t you?"


    Beno nodded, slow and shaky, his lips quivering. A tear broke free, tracing a glistening path down his dirt-streaked cheek, catching the lamplight like a shard of lost hope.


    "My brother..." His voice cracked, barely holding. "He was on that mission."


    The old man''s face shifted¡ªshock flared, then melted into a deep sadness, a quiet weight settling over him.


    "I see..." He paused, voice low. "That''s a burden no one should have to bear."


    The words unraveled something in Beno. His control shattered¡ªtears flooded his face as he gripped his hair, yanking hard, as if he could tear the pain out by the roots.


    "I''m weak!" His shout broke, raw and jagged, echoing through the empty park.


    "I''m nothing! I couldn''t stop him¡ªI couldn''t protect him! And now he''s gone!" He choked, sobs clawing free. "I''m not even awakened... how can I save him?


    How can I do anything when I''m this... this useless?"


    Each cry ripped open a wound, his chest caving under the weight of his own helplessness.


    His hands shook, fingers tangled in his hair, breaths hitching as he drowned in despair.


    The old man watched, silent but steady, a rock against the torrent.


    Then, he leaned closer, his voice cutting through the chaos¡ªlow, resolute, a lifeline.


    "Listen, young one..." He paused, letting the words sink in.


    "Every mighty hunter started as a frail human¡ªjust like you."


    Beno froze, his tear-streaked face lifting slowly, eyes wide, searching through the haze of grief.


    "Strength isn''t born."


    The old man''s tone grew firm, unyielding. "It''s forged¡ªin fire, in agony, in the will to keep moving.


    Your brother walked his path. Now..." Another pause, sharp and deliberate.


    "It''s your turn. But tell me¡ªdo you have the fire to fight for it?"


    Beno stared, the words seeping into his fractured soul. His tears slowed, a faint ember flickering in his gaze¡ªsmall, fragile, but alive.


    He hesitated, breath trembling as he wrestled with the weight.


    Beno (Inner Monologue): "Fight... forge it... Can I? After all this¡ªafter failing him¡ªcan I really become something more? Or am I just... too broken?"


    "Power isn''t handed to you," the old man pressed, voice a quiet thunder.


    "It''s a prize you seize. If you want your brother back... stand up. Walk forward¡ªno matter how much it bleeds you dry."


    Beno rose, slow and unsteady, wiping his face with a trembling sleeve.


    His voice wavered, but a thread of steel wove through it. "Thank you... sir."


    He bowed, a shaky gesture, then turned into the shadowed park, steps faltering but deliberate. The old man''s hand snapped out, gripping his wrist with surprising strength.


    "Wait."


    Golden light erupted from the man''s fingertips¡ªradiant, warm like a sunrise breaking the night. It washed over Beno, stitching his wounds shut, soothing the fire in his muscles.


    His eyes widened, awe painting his face as the pain ebbed away.


    "You..." He gasped, voice catching. "You''re a hunter?!"


    The old man chuckled, a deep, rumbling sound that rolled through the stillness.


    The glow faded as he leaned back, silver hair glinting faintly. "Long ago, yeah.


    An S-rank from China." He shrugged, a wry twist to his lips. "Now? Just an old soul kicking back in the quiet."


    Beno (Inner Monologue): "An S-rank... right here, healing me? Who is he? What kind of life leaves a legend on a park bench?"


    "Titles are dust now," the old man said, voice softening. "But you... your road''s just starting. Walk it with guts, kid."


    Beno bowed low, heart pounding with a fragile, newborn resolve.


    "Thank you, sir... I swear¡ªI''ll get stronger."


    The old man''s smile was faint, warm, etched with knowing. "I''ll be watching. Go... your story''s only just begun."


    Beno vanished into the night, his figure swallowed by the dark.


    A sleek black Rolls-Royce purred up to the curb, its polished surface gleaming like obsidian under the lamplight.


    A sharply dressed man stepped out, bowing with crisp reverence.


    "Master Wong," he said, voice smooth and deferential, "we''ve been searching for you."


    Wong laughed¡ªa hearty bellow that shook the air, his eyes still tracing Beno''s fading trail.


    "I was watching something worth seeing."


    The man blinked, hesitant. "Sir?"


    "A rising star," Wong said, grinning wide. "One that''ll burn bright enough to shake this damn world."


    Across the city, Luna prowled beneath a flickering neon sign, its harsh buzz clashing with the wind''s mournful howl.


    Her silver hair whipped wild, sharp eyes scanning the shadows¡ªevery alley, every corner. Her jaw was tight, worry etched deep, lines of tension framing her fierce gaze.


    Beno (Inner Monologue): "Beno, you reckless idiot... where are you? Don''t you dare get yourself killed¡ªnot after everything..."


    Her phone buzzed, shrill and insistent, cutting through her spiraling thoughts. She yanked it up, voice sharp. "Mora?"


    Mora''s voice crackled through, tight with panic. "Luna... have you seen Beno Mark?"


    "No¡ªwhy?!" Luna snapped, dread clawing up her spine.


    "An unregistered civilian slipped into an E-rank dungeon." Mora''s words tumbled fast, breathless. "It''s him, Luna. It''s Beno."


    Luna''s world tilted. Her grip tightened, knuckles blanching, fear surging cold and sharp.


    "What?!" Her shout cracked, raw with disbelief. "Why the hell didn''t you stop him?!"


    "That''s not the issue!" Mora''s voice pitched higher, urgent. "The dungeon¡ªit''s changed."


    The flashback hit hard¡ªthe dungeon gate pulsed, its calm blue glow twisting into a sinister, stormy hue.


    The air thickened, crackling with unseen power, a malevolent hum vibrating through the stone.


    "It was E-rank when they went in," Mora said, breathless. "But the second they did... it turned dark blue."


    Luna''s teeth gritted, a growl rumbling low. "That means¡ª"


    "Yeah," Mora cut in, grim. "Whatever''s inside... it''s not E-rank anymore."


    Inside the dungeon, a cavern of jagged stone stretched into shadow, its walls slick with moisture, dripping like slow tears.


    The air hung heavy¡ªrotting, thick with decay¡ªclinging to Beno as he stood among three hunters.


    Their faces were taut, etched with dread, eyes darting as hound-like beasts prowled the edges. Red eyes blazed like hellfire, saliva gleaming on razor fangs, their growls a low rumble that shook the cavern floor.


    "This is an E-rank?!" Hunter One''s yell broke the tension, voice sharp with panic. "You''ve gotta be kidding me!"


    "No..." The female hunter''s voice trembled, barely a whisper. "This... this isn''t right..."


    Beno''s hands shook, sweat slicking his palms, the growls vibrating deep in his chest. His legs locked, rooted to the stone. sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Beno (Inner Monologue): "I can''t move... my body''s begging me to run¡ªscreaming it¡ªbut I''m stuck. Weak... so damn weak... What am I even doing here?"


    A bone-shaking howl ripped through the air, the sound a primal roar that rattled his skull.


    From the shadows, a colossal three-headed hound emerged¡ªeach maw snarling, fur bristling like spiked midnight, eyes glowing with primal fury.


    The ground quaked under its weight, cracks spiderwebbing the stone as it loomed closer.


    Beno (Inner Monologue): "That... that''s no E-rank... What the hell have I walked into?! I''m not ready¡ªRenzo, I''m not him, I can''t¡ª"


    The beast lunged¡ªclaws slashing, jaws gaping wide in a triple roar.


    Time slowed, the world narrowing to the thunder of Beno''s heart, his breath a frozen gasp as death barreled toward him.


    His mind screamed, torn between flight and the weight of his own failure.


    Beno (Inner Monologue): "Renzo... I''m sorry... I couldn''t become strong enough¡ªnot yet¡ªnot ever¡ª"


    [TO BE CONTINUED]

 Chapter 5: Baptism in Blood A Desperate Entry

    Chapter 5 - Baptism in Blood A Desperate EntryThe E-Rank dungeon gate loomed before Beno Mark, a swirling vortex of shadow and light, pulsing like a wound torn between worlds.


    Its edges churned with an otherworldly energy, tendrils of darkness curling outward, whispering of danger and power in a language he couldn''t grasp.


    The air crackled, an electric hum prickling his skin, stirring the hairs on his neck. His fists clenched tight, knuckles whitening, a resolve hardening in his chest¡ªforged in grief, tempered by desperation.


    This is it. My shot. I''ll claw my way out of this weakness... for Renzo.


    He drew a shaky breath, the gate''s eerie glow casting jagged shadows across his face, igniting the fire in his hazel eyes.


    The light danced in his gaze, a flicker of hope warring with doubt as he took a step forward¡ªonly to freeze. A towering security guard in black combat gear blocked his path, a wall of muscle and authority.


    The clank of his gear echoed faintly, his shadowed face unreadable beneath a stern helmet, his raised hand a steel barrier.


    "ID and hunter proof," the guard growled, voice a low, monotone rumble that demanded obedience, cutting through the gate''s hum like a blade.


    Beno''s heart stuttered, a cold jolt spiking through him. "I..." He swallowed, the words bitter, scraping his throat. "I don''t have one."


    The guard''s eyes narrowed, a glint of disdain sharpening his gaze. "Then you''re not getting in." His tone was final, a door slamming shut.


    Frustration erupted¡ªa hot, churning tide flooding Beno''s chest, threatening to drown the fragile spark he''d clung to.


    How am I supposed to get stronger if I can''t even start?!


    The rejection hit like a shove, knocking him back. He stumbled away, legs unsteady, until his back scraped against the rough bark of a nearby tree. He slid down, collapsing into the dirt, hands gripping his hair as if he could tear the despair from his skull. No way out... I''m trapped¡ªweak, useless, nothing.


    The wind rustled through the leaves overhead, a mournful sigh weaving through the branches, tugging at his tattered resolve.


    His vision blurred, tears stinging, hovering on the edge as he stared at the ground¡ªlost in the storm of his own failure. He didn''t hear the footsteps, didn''t see the shadow until a voice cut through, sharp and smooth.


    "You look lost."


    Beno blinked, the words jarring him back. He lifted his head, tears catching in his lashes, and met the gaze of a girl standing over him.


    She smirked, confident and unshaken, her short pink hair catching the gate''s glow like a defiant flame. Her black combat suit hugged her frame, sleek and worn, the hunter emblem glinting on her chest¡ªa stark contrast to his ragged shirt and broken spirit.


    "You a new hunter?" she asked, tilting her head, voice light but edged with curiosity.


    He shook his head, slow and heavy, the motion a confession. "No."


    Her brow arched, smirk twitching. "Then what''re you doing here? Get turned around or something?" Her tone teased, playful, but her eyes¡ªsharp, piercing¡ªstudied him like she could see through his skin.


    Beno''s voice came quiet, firm despite the tremor in his chest. "I want to enter the dungeon."


    She paused, surprise flickering before her smirk widened. "Why?"


    His fists clenched tighter, nails biting into his palms, drawing faint lines of pain as resolve flared¡ªhot, unyielding. "To fight those damned creatures... and get stronger." For him. For me.


    She whistled low, a spark of amusement dancing in her gaze. "Youthful passion, huh? I like it." Then her expression softened, turning thoughtful, a shadow passing over her face. "Well... maybe I can help."


    She extended a hand, grin returning with a mischievous twist. "Name''s Clara. You?"


    "Beno Mark," he said after a beat, voice steadying as he took her hand, her grip firm and warm against his clammy skin.


    Clara tilted her head, eyes lingering with a strange, searching glint¡ªlike she saw something beyond him. She chuckled softly, almost to herself. "You know... you look exactly like my little brother."


    Beno blinked, caught off guard. "Your brother?"


    She nodded, her gaze drifting, caught in a memory tinged with shadow.


    "Yeah. A total pain in the ass¡ªalways acting like he''s king of the world. But deep down?" Her voice softened, a crack of vulnerability slipping through. "He''s just a stubborn idiot who can''t say what he really feels."


    Then she snapped back, grinning wide. "Oh, crap¡ªforgot to introduce my crew!"


    She waved toward a cluster of hunters near the gate, their silhouettes sharp against its pulsing light. "Hey, guys! Meet Beno Mark. He wants in on the dungeon action. Thoughts?"


    Hunter 1, an older man with a weathered face, scratched his chin, voice gruff. "Hmph... could use an extra pair of hands for mana stones and loot."


    Clara cut in, practical and sharp. "He''s got no docs, though."


    Hunter 3, younger, wiry, frowned, brows knitting tight. "Then how the hell do we get him past the guard?"


    Hunter 1 smirked, pulling a crisp $100 bill from his pocket¡ªit gleamed in the dim light, a quiet promise. "Relax. I''ve got this."


    He sauntered to the guard, holding the bill between two fingers, eyes glinting with sly confidence. "Hey, buddy... let''s keep this easy. Slip the kid through, and this is yours."


    The guard''s face darkened, jaw tightening like iron. "Bribing a gate officer''s illegal."


    Hunter 1 chuckled, low and rough. "Oh, come on. You really the law''s loyal lapdog? Or do you want something tastier than instant noodles tonight?"


    The guard''s fingers twitched, temptation warring with duty in his shadowed eyes. A beat¡ªthen a grunt as he snatched the money, guilt flashing briefly. "Get lost before I rethink this."


    Hunter 1 grinned, sharp and triumphant. "That''s the spirit."


    He turned to Beno, jerking his head. "Come on, kid. Let''s tear this bastard dungeon apart."


    They stepped through, the air shimmering as the gate sealed with an ominous hum. Above, cold letters glowed: "Survival: 4/4"¡ªunfeeling, a quiet countdown to fate.


    The guard frowned, unease prickling his spine like a warning he couldn''t name. Something felt... off. Then¡ª


    BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!


    A piercing alarm shattered the stillness, relentless and shrill. "Sir!" Another guard bolted up, eyes wide with horror. "It''s a Cursed Dungeon Gate!"


    The guard''s face drained, blood turning to ice. A death trap. And he''d just let four souls walk into it.


    The dungeon swallowed them, Beno''s boots crunching against uneven stone, the sound swallowed by the cavern''s vast, damp silence.


    The air clung heavy¡ªmoss and decay weaving a shroud around his lungs, sharp and sour. Jagged rock walls glistened faintly, slick with moisture, stretching into a darkness that devoured their torchlight¡ªa cave-like maw alive with secrets.


    "So this is a dungeon..." Beno murmured, voice a whisper lost in the void. It''s suffocating... but it''s alive.


    Hunter 1 nodded, voice rough but steady. "E-Ranks usually got caves like this. Higher ranks? You might see cities, forests, even islands¡ªdepends on the juice."


    Hunter 3 smirked, eyes glinting with bravado. "One day, I''ll hit S-Rank and rip through the deadliest dungeons alive."


    Beno''s chest stirred, a faint ember of ambition catching. "I''ll do the same." For Renzo.


    Hunter 3 laughed, sharp and bright. "Oh, yeah? Race you to the top, then!"


    For a fleeting moment, warmth flickered¡ªa fragile thread of companionship weaving through the cold stone. Beno''s lips twitched, almost a smile¡ªuntil Hunter 1''s voice cut through, low and tense. "Weird... 15 minutes, and no monsters."


    Hunter Girl''s frown deepened, her voice tight. "Yeah... this ain''t normal."


    Then¡ªtwin red eyes flared in the distance, embers of malice piercing the dark.


    Beno''s breath snagged, a cold jolt spiking his spine. "There... look."


    Hunter 1''s eyes gleamed, a predator''s hunger flashing. "Hah! Hiding, you little bastard? Today''s your last damn day!"


    The girl''s warning¡ª"Wait!"¡ªwent unheeded as he charged, blade drawn, a storm of steel unleashed.


    The others followed, weapons glinting as they plunged into the shadows, torchlight dancing wildly.


    In the clearing, they stopped¡ªa small, monstrous puppy stood trembling, fur patchy, claws scraping stone. Its red eyes blinked, weak and pitiful.


    Hunter 1 didn''t hesitate. His blade flashed¡ªslash¡ªsplitting it in half. Blood shattered, a crimson stain glistening in the flickering light.


    Hunter Girl''s face twisted, voice sharp with disgust. "That was cruel. It was just a baby."


    Hunter 3 snorted. "Aw, relax¡ªit''s just a dungeon mutt."


    Beno chuckled, tension easing as the group softened¡ªa brief, fragile reprieve. He let out a shaky breath, shoulders loosening¡ª


    Until a low growl rumbled through the cave, deep and guttural, sinking into their bones¡ªprimal, menacing.


    They turned, slow, dread creeping in.


    Dozens of red eyes blinked awake, a constellation of malice lighting the dark. Massive, blood-soaked hounds emerged¡ªiron teeth bared, matted fur bristling, saliva dripping in viscous strands that gleamed like poison.


    The hunters froze, breath caught.


    Hunter 3''s voice cracked, high and frantic. "This... this is an E-Rank dungeon, right?!"


    Hunter 1 swallowed hard, jaw tight. "Take positions¡ªNOW!"


    The hounds charged¡ªa tidal wave of claws and fangs, a roar shaking the cavern.


    Hunter 1 moved first¡ªhis blade a blur of steel, slashing through flesh with ruthless precision. Heads rolled, limbs flew, blood arced in crimson sprays, pooling around him in a grotesque dance of death. The torchlight flickered, casting his silhouette like a warrior carved from shadow.


    But Beno¡ª


    He couldn''t move.


    His stomach churned, the sight of torn flesh and severed limbs twisting his insides into knots. His vision swam, nausea clawing up his throat, hot and bitter. He collapsed, knees slamming stone, retching bile onto the cold floor¡ªhis body betraying him, weak and trembling. I can''t... I can''t do this...


    "Get back, kid!" Clara''s shout pierced the chaos, sharp with urgency. S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    She thrust her hands forward¡ªscorching flames erupted, a roaring inferno slamming into the walls. Fire blazed, melting stone, carving a narrow gap in a burst of heat and fury. Smoke stung his eyes, embers danced like fallen stars, the air suffocating with ash.


    "Get inside¡ªnow!" she barked, shoving Beno toward the opening, her grip iron on his shaking shoulders.


    He hesitated, eyes darting¡ªhounds snarling, his team bleeding. I can''t leave them... I can''t¡ª


    "No buts!" Clara snapped, cutting through his doubt. "We''ve got this¡ªstay hidden, keep quiet!"


    A monstrous howl split the air¡ªa hound lunged, jaws gaping. Clara threw up a wall of flame, forcing it back¡ªits fur singed, its roar twisting into a snarl of pain as it recoiled.


    Beno''s fists clenched, shame burning hotter than the fire. Hiding... like a damn coward... His legs shook, resisting, but fear won. He forced himself into the gap¡ªstone scraped his skin, tearing his clothes, each inch a battle against his own disgust.


    Through the crack, he saw them¡ªsilhouettes in firelight, fighting, bleeding, struggling. His breath hitched, chest tight as he pressed against the stone, helpless.


    Then¡ªthe nightmare ignited.


    Hunter 1 faltered, breaths ragged, sweat gleaming. A hound lunged¡ªits steel jaws clamped his arm and tore.


    Flesh ripped, bone snapped¡ªhis scream ripped through the cave, raw and guttural, echoing as hounds swarmed. They shredded him¡ªlimbs torn, blood pooling, cries fading to wet gasps, then silence.


    Hunter 3 dropped, vomiting, hands shaking. "No... no, no, no¡ª" Terror stripped him bare, voice a broken plea.


    A shadow loomed¡ªmassive, oppressive.


    A 13-foot, three-headed beast emerged¡ªHoundler. Matted black fur bristled, each snarling head a nightmare of iron fangs and red eyes burning with hunger. The ground quaked under its claws, stone cracking like brittle bone.


    Hunter 3 spun to shout¡ª"Run!"¡ªbut too late.


    A head lunged¡ªcrunch. His upper body vanished in a spray of blood, legs crumpling like a broken doll.


    Clara screamed¡ªflames exploded, a wildfire consuming the cave in an orange roar, heat warping the air.


    The Houndler didn''t flinch.


    It stepped forward, claws gouging stone, heads locked on its prey.


    Clara staggered, blood dripping, body trembling under the weight of her fight.


    She''d burned everything¡ªmana, strength, will¡ªbut it wasn''t enough. Her arms shook, vision blurring as the Houndler loomed, its red eyes blazing like hellfire.


    In that final heartbeat, her gaze found Beno¡ªcowering in the gap, wide-eyed, helpless.


    For a split second, it wasn''t him.


    It was her little brother.


    Desperate eyes, pleading, fragile¡ªa memory crashing through her: a boy clutching her hand, begging her not to leave, a promise she''d shattered. Her lips trembled, but she forced a soft smile, faint and warm¡ªa last gift through the pain.


    "I saved you..." Her voice was weak, breaking, but steady. "That''s all that matters."


    She paused, breath hitching, eyes locking on his. "Beno... be strong." And protect my brother...


    The beast struck.


    Crunch.


    Clara vanished in its jaws¡ªconsumed in an instant, her smile lingering like a ghost.


    Beno''s heart stopped.


    His breath snagged, a cold void swallowing him whole. Clara... she saved me.


    Her Lifeless eaten body was¡ªall that remained¡ªlanded near the gap, blood pooling, stark against the stone.


    Dread clawed his spine, icy and sharp. His stomach twisted, tears blurring as bile surged. She smiled... for me... He bit his lip¡ªhard¡ªblood seeping, nails digging into his arms, carving red lines as he shook. Why? Why am I so weak? Why did I just watch?


    His breaths shattered, mind screaming¡ªguilt, rage, helplessness crashing in waves. His body froze, locked in the gap, eyes fixed on the horror.


    The Houndler turned¡ªits red eyes locked onto him, burning through the dark.


    Outside, Luna paced beneath the evening sky, arms crossed, foot tapping a restless rhythm against the dirt.


    The cool air carried unease, but it was nothing compared to the fear gnawing her chest¡ªsharp, relentless. She''d been waiting for Beno, each minute stretching into an eternity, her nerves fraying like worn thread.


    Hunters murmured nearby, eyes flicking to the dungeon display. Luna glanced up¡ªand her heart froze.


    "1/4."


    One survivor. Three dead.


    A chill stabbed her spine, realization crashing like a fist to her gut¡ªthree gone, one trapped. Her fingers clenched, nails biting her palms as her throat tightened.


    Beno... are you alive? She couldn''t face it¡ªthe worst¡ªbut dread clawed deeper, a shadow she couldn''t shake.


    "No... no, no..." Her whisper slipped out, voice lost, heart pounding a desperate countdown.


    A guild official barked into his comms, voice tight. "A cursed gate... Shit! We need a team¡ªnow!"


    Luna grabbed his arm, nails digging hard, desperation cracking her voice. "Can we check the survivor?! Please¡ªsomeone''s alive in there!" Her eyes pleaded, wide and glistening.


    He hesitated, jaw tight. "Can''t see inside. It''s cursed¡ªmonsters way past E-rank."


    Her vision blurred, tears threatening. Beno, please... hold on. She pressed her hands together, lips moving in a silent prayer. "Lord, don''t take him..."


    The gate''s red glow pulsed, sealing the horrors within¡ªa heartbeat of doom.


    Inside, the Houndler''s eyes burned, fixed on Beno.


    The hunt wasn''t over.


    [To Be Continued...]

 Chapter 6: The Awakening of Power

    Chapter 6 - The Awakening of PowerBeno Mark lay sprawled across the cold, blood-soaked ground, a broken shell amidst the dungeon''s carnage.


    The air hung thick with death¡ªa metallic tang so sharp it coated his tongue, blending with the damp rot that seeped from the cavern''s depths.


    Silence pressed down like a shroud, suffocating, broken only by the faint drip-drip of blood pooling beneath the slaughter.


    His chest heaved, each breath a jagged rasp tearing at his lungs as he forced trembling hands against the slick stone, dragging himself forward through the mire of gore¡ªeach inch a battle against his failing body.


    His hazel eyes, dulled by pain, landed on Clara¡ªRipen, the pink-haired hunter who''d burned herself out to save him. She lay still, her torso split by a ragged gash, crimson soaking her black combat suit until it glistened wetly under the dim torchlight.


    Her intestines spilled outward, coiled and glistening like a grotesque serpent, the torn edges of her flesh frayed and raw. Her dagger¡ªher last stand¡ªlay broken beside her, its snapped blade smeared with the blood of hounds she''d fought to her final breath.


    A few feet away, Hunter 1''s corpse sprawled in ruin¡ªhis arm torn off at the shoulder, sinew dangling like shredded rope.


    His watch clung to his wrist, its cracked screen flickering faintly, casting a ghostly glow over his mangled form¡ªchest caved in, ribs jutting through torn flesh like splintered ivory, a grim monument to his fall. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Then there was Hunter 3, the youngest¡ªhis youthful face now a memory.


    His ID pass lay fallen, and Beno''s blood-streaked fingers shook as he picked it up. The photo smiled back¡ªbright eyes, a grin full of dreams. "I want to be an S-rank hunter one day," he''d said, voice alive with naive fire, now snuffed out. His body was a shredded mess¡ªlegs twisted unnaturally, lower jaw gone, leaving a bloody, gaping maw where his hope had died.


    Beno''s chest tightened, a vise of guilt and rage squeezing until he couldn''t breathe.


    His teeth gritted, a sharp pain surging through his swollen leg¡ªpurple and black beneath torn skin, throbbing with every heartbeat. But it was nothing¡ªnothing¡ªcompared to the hollow despair clawing his soul.


    He bowed his head, slow and heavy, fingers trembling as he clutched the ID, its edges cutting into his palm, drawing fresh blood that mingled with the filth.


    "Forgive me..." The words scraped out, barely a whisper, raw and broken. "I couldn''t save you... couldn''t even avenge you..."


    His throat seized, choking on sobs he couldn''t release. Helplessness crashed over him, a tidal wave of shame drowning the flicker of resolve he''d clung to.


    He hesitated, breath hitching as he stared at their bodies¡ªClara''s smile, Hunter 1''s grit, Hunter 3''s dreams¡ªeach a wound deeper than the flesh. I should''ve done something... anything...


    But there was no time to linger. His leg pulsed with infection, his body battered beyond limits¡ªhe had to escape, or he''d join them in the dirt.


    Dragging himself forward, Beno clawed toward the exit, vision blurring as pain and tears streaked his face. His nails scraped stone, splitting and bleeding, leaving red smears as he pressed against the jagged walls, their edges slicing his palms.


    He hauled himself up, his swollen leg dragging uselessly¡ªa crimson trail marking his path like a dying man''s signature.


    "Help... Guard... someone... please..." His voice cracked, a pitiful whimper swallowed by the dungeon''s vastness.


    Silence.


    His breaths grew erratic, shallow gasps burning his lungs. "Luna... anyone..." He sucked in air, desperation surging. "HELP ME!"


    His scream echoed, a frantic plea bouncing off the walls in a mocking chorus, amplifying his isolation.


    His strength faltered¡ªlegs buckled¡ªand he slumped against the stone, a trembling wreck, hands clawing at the wall as if it could save him.


    Then¡ªa deep growl rumbled, a predator''s heartbeat vibrating through the ground.


    Beno''s head snapped up, blood running cold. His eyes widened as a hound emerged¡ªyellow eyes glowing like lanterns of malice, cutting through the shadows.


    Its sharp teeth bared, glistening with saliva and blood, claws clicking with deliberate menace as it stalked closer.


    "You piece of shit..." Beno hissed, defiance sparking through his dread.


    With a surge of grit, he grabbed a blood-slick stone, its weight rough in his hand, and hurled it¡ªthud¡ªcracking the hound''s skull. Bone splintered, the beast staggering before collapsing, twitching in a pool of its own fluids.


    For a heartbeat, he thought it was over.


    Then¡ª"WOOOOOOOO!"


    The hound''s howl split the air, a banshee''s wail of rage that pierced his ears and sank his heart.


    "No..." His stomach dropped, voice trembling. "No, please! I didn''t mean¡ªdon''t call your damn pack!"


    Too late.


    Shadows stirred¡ªa swarm of hounds erupted, fur matted with blood, hungry eyes locking onto him. They circled, crows over a corpse, snarls a guttural symphony shaking the air, their fetid breath washing over him in hot waves.


    Beno''s fists clenched, frustration boiling over, a primal scream tearing free. "I am DONE with this!"


    With nothing left, he charged¡ªa broken man fueled by desperation and rage.


    His fist slammed into the nearest hound''s nose¡ªcrunch¡ªcartilage shattering, blood streaming as it yelped and staggered back. Another lunged, jaws snapping¡ªsnap¡ªclamping his arm, teeth sinking deep into muscle, scraping bone. Hot blood gushed, soaking his sleeve as he screamed, "Let go, you bastard!"¡ªvoice raw, guttural, a beast of its own.


    He snatched a stone with his free hand, slick with his own blood, and smashed it into the hound''s eye¡ªpop¡ªvitreous bursting, crimson mixing as the beast released him, thrashing in agony. He stumbled back, clutching his torn arm, flesh hanging in strips, breaths a wheezing mess.


    But they were everywhere.


    The pack pounced¡ªa frenzied storm of claws and fangs. One tore into his calf¡ªrip¡ªtendon shredding, a wet tear as he buckled. Another latched onto his shoulder¡ªcrunch¡ªbone splintering, blood splattering as he roared, the sound swallowed by their snarls. Fangs sank deep, flesh parting, muscle shredding¡ªhis body a canvas of torment.


    Pain was unbearable.


    Every nerve screamed, skin flayed open, raw flesh pulsing beneath the assault. Bones battered, splintering, breaths bubbling with blood as his vision blurred¡ªa crimson haze washing over him. The ground gleamed like polished obsidian, soaked in his blood, steaming in the dim light. His limbs shook, each twitch a fresh wave of agony, tearing at his soul.


    The hounds circled, yellow eyes gleaming with hunger¡ªa ring of death tightening. Snarls echoed, a cacophony drowning his fading pulse.


    "No..." His croak was wet, barely lifting his head, voice a broken whisper.


    He dragged himself an inch, nails snapping as he clawed the dirt, desperate for anything to hold. I can''t... I can''t just die here... Pain stabbed like hot knives, searing every nerve, his body pleading to stop¡ªbut his mind refused.


    Nothing.


    Alone.


    "Please..." His voice cracked, trembling as he rasped, "System... awaken me... PLEASE!"


    Silence.


    No light. No power. Just his labored breathing and the hounds'' growls, jaws dripping with his blood.


    A bitter laugh broke free¡ªhollow, choking, edged with despair. "In the end..." His vision flickered, edges blackening. "The weak always die... in this world of power."


    The ID slipped from his fingers, landing with a soft plop in the blood.


    His body slumped, cheek pressed into the gore-soaked stone, sinking into darkness¡ªa cold tide numbing the pain as his consciousness frayed.


    His heartbeat slowed¡ªthud... thud...


    Over.


    The hounds lunged¡ªfangs tore into him: arms shredded, muscle peeling in ribbons; legs punctured, tendons snapping; back raked open, spine exposed as claws carved deep. Blood spilled, a steaming flood, his screams fading to wet gurgles as it filled his throat.


    But then¡ª


    Memories flickered through the haze.


    Renzo¡ªsmall, smiling, trusting. "Big bro! I wanna be like you!" His voice, bright and innocent, stabbed Beno''s heart.


    His relatives¡ªscornful glares, hissing, "Useless... a disgrace." Each word a lash, deeper than the hounds'' claws.


    His cowardice¡ªrunning, hiding, abandoning Renzo, guilt festering like rot.


    "No... stop..." he rasped, lost in the void.


    Darkness deepened, pulling him under.


    Then¡ªa voice.


    Soft, piercing.


    "Big bro... if I''m in danger, will you save me?"


    Innocence clawed him back.


    "Big bro... save me, okay?"


    And then¡ª"I love you, Big Bro."


    Beno''s eyes snapped open.


    A violent storm erupted within¡ªa fury buried deep, shaking the dungeon''s core.


    He roared¡ªdefiance incarnate¡ªbody convulsing as power surged, a tidal wave tearing through his broken flesh. The air crackled, lightning snapping. Stone trembled, dust raining as cracks spiderwebbed the walls.


    A black aura burst from him¡ªthick, suffocating, swirling with violet tendrils like living shadows. Blood beneath boiled, evaporating into a red mist cloaking him in a spectral haze.


    The hounds froze, twitching, primal terror seizing them. They whimpered¡ªbut too late.


    Beno''s eyes glowed¡ªviolet and abyssal black, twin flames piercing the dark with unrelenting wrath.


    Pain vanished.


    Fear evaporated.


    Only wrath remained.


    He clenched his fists, voice thundering, "I AM NOT DYING HERE!"


    His rage exploded¡ªbody blurring before his mind caught up, fueled by a power he couldn''t grasp.


    A hound lunged¡ªfangs bared, saliva dripping.


    Beno caught its skull mid-air¡ªfingers sinking into flesh with a wet squelch. He roared, squeezing¡ªCRACK¡ªbone shattering, brain oozing as blood splattered, painting his face. The corpse thudded down, lifeless.


    The pack faltered, growls fading to whimpers.


    He wasn''t done.


    Another charged¡ªjaws snapping. He snatched its leg, twisting¡ªRIIIP¡ªsinew snapping, blood arcing as it shrieked, collapsing on its gushing stump.


    His fist met another''s snout¡ªBOOM¡ªskull caving, eyes bursting in a gore spray, body skidding across the stone.


    The survivors backed off, tails low, trembling.


    They bolted for the altar¡ªrefuge in shadows.


    Beno smirked¡ªdark, merciless.


    His fingers twitched.


    The ground stirred¡ªtwo bloodied daggers rose, hovering, trembling with his will.


    A flick of his wrist¡ªSHING! SHING!


    Blades tore through the air¡ªheads rolled, limbs flew, hounds collapsing in a carpet of carnage, blood pooling beneath twitching corpses.


    Silence fell.


    The last hounds bowed, urine pooling in terror.


    Beno stepped forward¡ªhis violet-black aura warping the air, radiating dominance.


    "Fools..." His voice thundered, cold and sharp. "Shut the fuck up."


    An invisible force crushed down¡ªPOP! POP! POP!¡ªskulls±¬ed, brains spraying, bodies slumping in a grotesque fountain.


    A snarl rumbled¡ªthe Houndler Boss emerged, a three-headed hellhound, massive and bristling with infernal energy. Flames dripped from jagged fangs, molten-red eyes blazing as it stepped into the blood-soaked light.


    It lunged¡ªjaws snapping, heat scorching.


    Beno pivoted¡ªfluid, unnatural¡ªclaws grazing his sleeve. His hand snapped out, gripping its throat, blood welling beneath his fingers.


    BOOM!


    He hurled it into the wall¡ªstone splintered, cracks racing as dust choked the air. The beast howled, ribs cracking, convulsing in agony.


    It scrambled up, flames swelling¡ªWHOOSH¡ªa fiery tsunami roared toward him, blackening stone.


    Beno didn''t flinch.


    A swipe of his hand¡ªflames parted, embers dying in smoke.


    The dungeon trembled¡ªhis crimson aura surged, shadows bending toward him.


    Floating midair, he crossed his arms¡ªsilence fell, oppressive.


    "Kneel..." His voice was ice, absolute. "...or bleed."


    The Houndler shuddered, terror seizing it¡ªa predator facing its master.


    It turned to flee, whimpering.


    Beno smirked¡ªcruel, slow.


    "Behold the power of God."


    His aura exploded¡ªforce crushing the air, ground quaking.


    The beast jerked upward, flailing¡ªthen¡ªCRACK!


    Bones shattered, body folding into a gore sphere, blood spraying the altar as it crashed down, a steaming ruin.


    Silence.


    "Be strong..." Beno murmured, cold and unshaken. "You were my first prey."


    He exhaled¡ªvision blurred, body trembling as power drained.


    He collapsed, a faint smile curling his lips, sinking into darkness atop the blood-soaked stone.


    Outside, Luna''s heart pounded¡ªthe dungeon''s status flickered: "1/1". The boss was dead.


    "Beno!" She crushed a teleportation stone¡ªglow flaring as she vanished.


    The sight was horror.


    Corpses littered the ground¡ªClara''s guts spilled, Hunter 1''s torso shredded, Hunter 3 headless¡ªblood a crimson sea, stench choking the air. Hounds lay mangled¡ªheads±¬ed, limbs torn.


    Beno lay near the boss''s ruin¡ªwounded, smiling, aura fading.


    Luna rushed to him, cradling his cold, bloodied face. "Beno... wake up! Please!" Her voice shook, tears falling as she poured a potion past his cracked lips.


    He''d survived.


    He''d awakened.


    [End of Chapter 6]


    [System Message]


    Ding!


    A command has been issued.


    [King''s Order: Strengthen Forsaken Hunter]


    Objective: Add Forsaken Hunter to your collection and offer a Power Stone to fuel its rise.


    Failure Penalty: Instant Death.


    Reward: 1 Bonus Chapter unlocked.


    A cold voice echoed in your mind¡ª


    "The hunt never ends... Strengthen it, or be erased."


    A chilling aura wrapped around you. There was no escape.


    [YES] [NO (Death is certain.)]

 Chapter 7: Shadows of Survival Emergency Room – Libeus City Hospital

    Chapter 7 - Shadows of Survival Emergency Room ¨C Libeus City HospitalThe fluorescent lights buzzed faintly overhead, casting a sterile glow across the cluttered desk where Dr. Roy hunched over a mountain of paperwork. His pen scratched furiously against the forms, the only sound in the otherwise still room¡ªuntil the door slammed open with a BANG. Papers fluttered to the floor as Nurse Lila burst in, her face flushed and her breaths coming in sharp gasps.


    Nurse Lila (panting): "Doctor Roy, it''s an emergency!"


    Dr. Roy''s head snapped up, his tired eyes narrowing behind his glasses. He shoved the pen down, ink smearing across the page. "What now?" he growled, his voice rough with exhaustion.


    Nurse Lila (stammering): "The patient... he''s back."


    Dr. Roy''s brows furrowed, his fingers tightening around the edge of the desk. "Who?" The word came out sharp, like a blade slicing through the tension.


    Nurse Lila swallowed hard, her hands trembling as she clutched her clipboard. "Beno Mark. He survived."


    For a heartbeat, the room froze. The air grew thick, heavy with disbelief. Then¡ªCRASH¡ªDr. Roy shot up, his chair skidding back and his coffee mug teetering dangerously on the desk''s edge. His pulse thundered in his ears, a wild drumbeat that drowned out everything else. Beno Mark¡ªalive? It was impossible. He''d seen the kid''s odds, calculated the risks. A ghost couldn''t walk back through those hospital doors.


    Dr. Roy (shouting): "Move! Out of my way!" S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He bolted past Nurse Lila, his white coat flapping like wings as he tore down the hallway. Nurses flinched out of his path, patients peeked from their rooms, wide-eyed and whispering. His footsteps echoed off the tiled floors¡ªthud, thud, thud¡ªa relentless rhythm matching the storm raging in his chest.


    Hospital Ward ¨C Beno''s Room


    The door to Room 304 creaked open, revealing a figure propped up against a pile of pillows. Beno Mark grinned weakly, his face pale beneath a mess of tousled black hair. Bandages crisscrossed his chest and arms, stained faintly with dried blood. His hazel eyes flickered with a spark of defiance, despite the exhaustion weighing him down.


    Beno Mark (hoarse): "Hey, Doc."


    Dr. Roy froze in the doorway, his breath catching. Relief flooded him first¡ªwarm and overwhelming¡ªonly to be swallowed by a tidal wave of fury. This reckless, infuriating kid¡ªalive. He stormed forward, his hands clenched into fists.


    Dr. Roy (roaring): "You reckless idiot!"


    Beno barely had time to blink before Dr. Roy grabbed him by the collar of his hospital gown, yanking him forward. The bed creaked under the sudden movement, and Beno winced, his body protesting the jolt.


    Dr. Roy (voice trembling with rage): "Do you have a damn death wish?! Sneaking into a dungeon without telling anyone?! Do you have any idea how worried I was?!"


    Beno''s grin faltered, his hand drifting to rub the back of his head. "Uh... sorry?" he mumbled, his voice small against the doctor''s thunder.


    Dr. Roy (snapping): "SORRY?! Look at yourself! Do you even see how wounded you are?! Every damn time, you come back looking worse!"


    Beno glanced down, his eyes tracing the bandages wrapping his torso like a second skin. Blood had seeped through in patches, a grim map of his latest brush with death. He hadn''t noticed¡ªhadn''t let himself notice¡ªuntil now. The sight made his stomach twist.


    Dr. Roy exhaled sharply, his grip loosening as his anger ebbed into something softer, more fragile. "...I swear, kid," he muttered, his voice dropping to a near-whisper. "You pull another stunt like this, and I''ll personally break your legs. You''ll be stuck at home for the rest of your life."


    Beno (stunned): "Wait, what¡ª?!"


    Dr. Roy smirked, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "Test me."


    A ripple of stifled laughter broke the tension as the nurses hovering near the door nodded in silent agreement. Beno slumped back against the pillows, defeated. "Understood, Doc," he sighed. "I''ll behave."


    Luna''s Arrival


    The room settled into a fragile calm¡ªuntil the door creaked open again. A slender figure slipped inside, her silver hair catching the light like moonlight on water. Luna carried a small burlap sack of apples, her steps silent as a shadow. She didn''t speak, didn''t even glance at Dr. Roy or the nurses. She simply crossed the room and sank into the chair beside Beno''s bed, her movements deliberate, almost mechanical.


    Beno watched her, his throat tightening. "Hey, Luna," he said softly.


    No response.


    He tried again, gentler this time. "Luna?"


    Her hands moved with practiced precision, peeling an apple with a small knife. The blade glided through the skin in smooth, curling strips¡ªbut her fingers trembled, betraying the storm beneath her calm exterior.


    Beno Mark (guilt creeping in): "I... I should''ve told you about the dungeon."


    A single tear splashed onto the apple''s glistening surface, shimmering like a jewel. Luna''s shoulders stiffened, her breath hitching.


    Luna (voice shaking): "You... you weren''t breathing."


    Beno''s body went rigid, his blood turning to ice.


    Luna (sniffling, still peeling): "You were ice cold, covered in blood... if I hadn''t brought a healing potion..."


    Her voice cracked, and the knife slipped, slicing a thin red line across her finger. She didn''t flinch¡ªdidn''t even seem to notice¡ªuntil Beno lunged forward, panic flaring in his chest.


    Beno (shouting): "Luna!"


    He grabbed her hand, his rough fingers brushing against her soft skin as he inspected the cut. It was shallow, barely a scratch, but the sight of her blood sent a jolt through him.


    Luna (tears streaming now): "I thought I lost you."


    The words hit him like a punch to the gut. Beno wasn''t used to this¡ªto people caring enough to cry over him. His chest tightened, a strange, unfamiliar ache blooming there. Slowly, he squeezed her hand, his bandages rasping against her skin.


    Beno Mark (softly): "I''m sorry. For making you worry."


    Luna nodded, biting her lip to stifle a sob. Beno forced a weak smile, trying to lighten the weight between them. "But I''m not dying anytime soon."


    She wiped her tears with her sleeve and punched his arm¡ªlightly, but enough to make him wince. "You better not," she pouted, her voice still thick with emotion.


    Libeus Investigation Team ¨C Arrival


    The tender moment shattered as the door swung open with a sharp click. Two men stepped inside, their black suits crisp and their expressions colder than the steel walls of a dungeon gate. The air grew heavy, suffocating, as their polished shoes tapped against the floor.


    Man 1 (calm but firm): "Beno Mark?"


    Beno turned, his stomach sinking. He knew those uniforms¡ªLibeus Dungeon Investigation Team. The badge on their chests glinted ominously under the hospital lights.


    Man 2 (nodding): "We''re glad to see you alive and well. May we have five minutes of your time?"


    Luna shot to her feet before Beno could respond, her eyes blazing. "Are you serious?!" she snapped, planting herself between him and the investigators. "He''s injured! He needs rest, not questioning!"


    Beno (raising a hand): "It''s fine, Luna."


    She hesitated, her fists clenched, but stepped back with a reluctant huff. The investigators exchanged a glance before closing the distance, their shadows stretching across the bed.


    Investigator 1: "We''ll keep this short. We need details about the dungeon you entered."


    Investigator 2: "A Cursed Dungeon, reportedly D-rank. Four hunters entered... and died." He paused, his gaze piercing. "Except you."


    The room fell silent, the weight of his words pressing down like a guillotine. Beno''s fingers twitched, memories flickering in his mind like a broken reel¡ªblood, claws, burning eyes.


    Investigator 1: "Yet you¡ªan unawakened¡ªwalked out alive. And according to reports, the boss was a C-rank monster. A Houndler."


    Beno''s breath hitched. He could still see it¡ªthe Houndler''s jagged fangs, its molten gaze. But beyond that... nothing. A void swallowed the rest.


    Investigator 2 (voice low): "Who killed the boss?"


    Beno''s lips parted, but no sound came. He didn''t know. The question hung in the air, unanswered, as the investigators leaned closer, their eyes dissecting his every twitch.


    Closing Scene ¨C The Whisper


    The atmosphere thickened, the investigators'' stares boring into him. "Mr. Mark," Investigator 1 pressed, "did you¡ªpersonally¡ªslay the Houndler?"


    Beno''s heartbeat roared in his ears, drowning out the room. The truth clawed at him¡ªhe couldn''t remember. But deep within, something stirred, a shadow unfurling in the recesses of his soul. A voice¡ªnot his own¡ªwhispered, low and chilling.


    ??? (echoing):"Glory of the Dead."


    His breath caught, his body locking up as the words slithered through his mind. Something was wrong¡ªterribly wrong. The air grew colder, heavier, as if the shadows themselves were watching.


    Investigator 1 (sharper): "Mr. Mark?"


    Beno jolted, blinking rapidly as the room snapped back into focus. "S-Sorry," he stammered, shaking his head. "I was just... lost in thought."


    The investigators exchanged another glance, their expressions unreadable. "Can you recount what happened in the dungeon?" Investigator 2 asked, his tone deceptively calm.


    Beno rubbed his temples, fragments of memory cutting through the haze. "I... I remember entering the dungeon," he began, his voice unsteady. "It was supposed to be simple. D-rank. But then... something went wrong."


    His fingers clenched the bedsheet, the terror flooding back. "I saw the Houndler. Its eyes¡ªthey burned. And then... I saw my brother. Renzo." His voice dropped to a whisper. "I was dying."


    Luna tensed beside him, her hand hovering near his.


    "I remember the hounds tearing into me," Beno continued, his gaze distant. "I collapsed. Everything blurred... and then I woke up in Luna''s arms." He exhaled, frustration etching his features. "That''s all I know."


    The investigators scribbled notes in silence, their pens scratching like claws on stone. Then, Investigator 1 looked up. "Would you be willing to take a mana test?"


    Mana Test ¨C Awakening


    Beno blinked. "Mana test?"


    Luna cut in before the investigators could explain, her voice steady despite the tension. "It''s a device that measures the mana flow in your body. If it''s higher than average, you''re officially ''Awakened.'' Standard procedure for kids at ten."


    Beno''s mind flashed to Renzo¡ªhis brother''s wide grin when his own test had barely tipped the scale. He took a deep breath and nodded. "Alright. Let''s do it."


    Investigator 2 pulled a sleek, silver device from his coat and fastened it around Beno''s wrist. It hummed faintly, a soft vibration tingling against his skin. For a moment, nothing happened. Then¡ªBEEP!¡ªa faint glow pulsed from the device, and numbers climbed rapidly on its screen.


    Investigator 2 (impressed): "Congratulations. You''re officially Awakened."


    Beno''s heart thudded. He''d suspected it, but hearing it confirmed felt like a spark igniting in his chest. "Do you see anything unusual?" Investigator 1 asked. "A status window, health bar, system interface?"


    Beno frowned, scanning the air around him. "No... nothing."


    The investigators shared a look, their brows creasing. "That''s strange," Investigator 2 muttered. "Normally, those who awaken¡ªnaturally or through mana exposure¡ªget a System interface." He handed Beno a card, his tone firm. "If you notice anything unusual, contact us immediately."


    Beno took the card, his mind racing.


    Luna''s Explanation ¨C The System''s Rules


    As the investigators left, Beno turned to Luna, his voice low. "What''s this about status windows? Why don''t I have one?"


    Luna hesitated, then sighed, setting the half-peeled apple aside. "Status windows don''t appear for everyone. They''re tied to Double Dungeons or Dark Systems¡ªrare cases where someone''s forcibly bound to a higher power."


    Beno''s brow arched. "So those people become... overpowered?"


    "Sort of," Luna said, nodding. "They get quests, tasks¡ªabilities that grow unnaturally fast." She leaned back, her silver hair spilling over her shoulders. "But for normal hunters like me, it''s different. We awaken through exposure or training. Killing monsters boosts our mana, and our rank climbs over time."


    Beno tapped his fingers against the bed. "Rankings... how do they work?"


    Luna''s eyes lit up, eager to explain. "It''s based on mana density. Hunters start at F-rank and climb to S-rank. At C-rank, you unlock Inventory¡ªa function to store weapons, potions, anything you need." She grinned. "The higher your rank, the more the System reveals itself. S-rankers can sense power levels instantly."


    Beno absorbed it all, a flicker of excitement stirring within him. But one question lingered. "So... how do I know my rank?"


    Guild Master Franky''s Arrival


    A deep, gravelly voice rumbled through the room. "By taking a Mana Stone test at the Guild."


    Beno and Luna whipped around. A towering figure filled the doorway¡ªGuild Master Franky, his broad shoulders straining against his leather coat. A jagged scar slashed across his nose, and his golden eyes gleamed like a predator''s. He radiated power, an aura that made the air hum.


    Luna (shocked): "Guild Master Franky?!" she greeting


    Franky''s laugh boomed, shaking the walls. "Hoohoho! You still listen to me, huh? Good."


    Beno studied him warily, unease prickling his skin. Then¡ªFranky''s gaze sharpened, and for a split second, Beno felt a strange pressure, like invisible hands probing his core. Franky''s expression flickered¡ªsurprise, curiosity, something darker¡ªbefore smoothing into a grin.


    Franky (calmly): "Beno Mark, you should join my guild."


    Beno jolted. "Wait¡ªwhat?"


    Franky: "You''re Awakened now. I''d be happy to have someone like you in my ranks."


    Luna''s face lit up. "Really?! He can join?!"


    Franky chuckled, crossing his arms. "Of course. I always welcome talent."


    Beno''s pulse quickened, a fire igniting in his chest. This is it, he thought. My chance to get stronger. To save Renzo. He clenched his fists, resolve hardening his voice. "I accept."


    Guild Master Franky''s Condition


    Franky''s grin widened, but he held up a hand. "Before you get ahead of yourself, kid, you need to pass the guild ranking test."


    Beno tensed. "Guild ranking test?"


    "Once you recover," Franky said, "come to the Guild Hall. We''ve got a device for newcomers. Measures your true combat potential and assigns your rank."


    Beno nodded, his determination flaring brighter. "Fine. I''ll do it."


    Franky''s golden eyes glinted. "Good. That''s the spirit."


    Doctor Roy''s Revenge


    A smug voice cut through the air. "Alright, alright, enough talking. Now it''s my turn."


    Beno turned¡ªand froze. Dr. Roy stood there, a massive syringe gleaming in his hand, the needle glinting like a dagger. Horror washed over Beno''s face.


    Beno Mark (stammering): "W-Wait... what is that?!"


    Dr. Roy adjusted his glasses with a smirk. "An injection. You''ve been exposed to dungeon bacteria and infections. We need to make sure you''re healthy."


    Beno scrambled back, his bravado crumbling. "W-Wait a second! I''m Awakened now, right?! I can heal myself! No need for needles!"


    Franky''s laugh roared again. "Nope. That''s not how it works, kid. Guild rules¡ªmedical protocols come first."


    Beno shot Luna a pleading look. "Luna! Help me!"


    She smirked, crossing her arms. "This is your punishment for making me worry."


    Laughter erupted¡ªnurses, patients, even Franky joining in. Beno groaned, trapped. "This isn''t fair..."


    Dr. Roy stepped forward and¡ªjab¡ªthe needle sank into his arm. Beno yelped, "Ouch ohh ouch!" as the room dissolved into chaos and laughter.


    But beneath his complaints, a small smile tugged at his lips. For the first time in forever, he felt it¡ªwarmth, camaraderie, a flicker of hope.


    It wasn''t just survival anymore.


    It was a new beginning.


    [End of Chapter 7]


    ---


    [System Message]


    Ding!


    A presence looms before you.


    Beno sits in silence, his piercing gaze locked onto you. The storm has quieted... but the true disaster has yet to begin.


    [Reader Quest: Join the Forsaken]


    Objective: Add Forsaken Hunter to your collection and offer a Power Stone.


    Reward: A glimpse into the truth... and a bonus Chapter.


    Beno''s voice is low, unwavering¡ª


    "Join me... and I will show you what is truly coming."


    [YES] [NO (Then face the storm alone.)]

 Chapter 8: Stepping Into Strength

    Chapter 8 - Stepping Into StrengthHere''s the rewritten version of your Chapter, crafted into a gripping fantasy Manhwa-style NovelFire with deep emotion, visceral character reactions, and lush, immersive world-building. The dialogue is sharp, intense, and brimming with personality, with dramatic pauses heightening the stakes. Action moments surge with dynamic energy, while the pacing flows naturally, slowing for emotional beats to let hesitation, tension, and inner conflict breathe. Descriptions weave a vivid world without overloading, and key moments linger to amplify their weight. The language stays smooth and engaging, avoiding heavy English, with key words highlighted for emphasis.


    The hospital room was a sterile prison¡ªwhite walls pressing in like a vice, the air sharp with the sting of antiseptic, a bitter edge that clawed at Beno Mark''s senses. Machines hummed softly, their relentless rhythm ticking like a countdown to something he couldn''t name. He perched on the bed''s edge, rolling his shoulders slow and cautious, testing the limits of a body that still remembered the dungeon''s wrath. A week had dulled the bruises to faint shadows on his skin, the pain a distant echo¡ªbut every twinge whispered of survival, a scar etched deeper than flesh.


    Dr. Roy stood beside him, clipboard gripped in steady hands, his graying hair glinting under the harsh fluorescent light. He scratched a final note, then flicked his gaze to Beno¡ªa knowing smile crinkling his eyes, warm but weathered. "You''re good to go, kid." His voice was gravelly, laced with a tired kindness. "Just... don''t push it, yeah? You''re like my old mutt¡ªstubborn as hell, but tougher than you let on."


    Beno blinked, caught off guard, a flicker of confusion breaking through his haze. "Cling¡ªwhat?"


    Dr. Roy waved it off, a dry chuckle rumbling out¡ªexhausted, but genuine. "Forget it. Point is, listen to me for once. Pull another reckless stunt, and I''ll chain you to this damn bed myself."


    A faint grin tugged at Beno''s lips¡ªweary, but real, cracking through the weight he carried. "Noted, Doc. I''ll behave... promise." His voice scraped like boots on gravel, rough from disuse, but a spark of amusement flickered through.


    "Good." Dr. Roy''s tone shifted, heavier now, his smile softening into something almost fatherly¡ªa quiet ache beneath it. "You''re free. Take it easy out there... okay?"


    Beno stood, a sharp wince flashing across his face as his muscles groaned in protest. He steadied himself, masking it with a quick nod, but the motion stirred the storm inside¡ªunspoken questions, shadows of blood and hounds clawing at his mind. "Thanks, Doc. For everything."


    "All the best, Beno," Dr. Roy said, voice low, sincere¡ªa farewell that lingered like a weight.


    Beno dipped his head, hiding the tightness in his chest, the dread he couldn''t shake. "Yeah... I''ll be fine. Take care."


    His boots clicked against the tile, each step echoing in the small room¡ªa rhythm of escape. One last glance at the sterile white, the cage he''d survived, then he pushed through the door. The air outside hit like a cold slap¡ªraw, untamed, whispering of a world far wilder than the one he left behind.


    A thin ray of sunlight sliced through the grimy window, spilling across Beno''s face like a blade of warmth. He groaned, burying his head deeper into the pillow, the rough fabric scraping his cheek¡ªa lifeline against the ache screaming through his body. Muscles burned, bones weighed heavy¡ª echoes of the brutal training he''d forced on himself last night. Hundreds of push-ups until his arms trembled. Squats until his legs blazed. A ten-kilometer run through Veno City''s shadowed streets, lungs clawing for air under a sky that offered no mercy.


    His mantra pulsed in his skull: Get stronger. Be ready. Don''t be weak. Weakness was death¡ªhe''d learned that in blood.


    But right now? He''d kill for five more minutes of sleep.


    BZZZ! BZZZ!


    His phone jolted awake on the nightstand, buzzing like a furious hornet. Beno ignored it, yanking the blanket tighter, a fortress against the world.


    BZZZ! BZZZ! BZZZ!


    Still ignored.


    RIIING!


    A call. He cursed under his breath¡ªlow, guttural¡ªhis hand fumbling blindly, knocking over a glass before snagging the phone. He answered, voice a hoarse rasp, eyes still shut. "...Hello?"


    "YOU IDIOT!!"


    Beno flinched, yanking the phone from his ear as Luna''s voice erupted¡ªsharp, furious, a war cry that could wake the dead.


    "Where the hell are you?!" she roared, each word a blade.


    He blinked, brain slogging through fog. "Huh? I''m... home. Why?"


    A pause¡ªthick, dangerous. Then, venom dripping slow: "You. Forgot. Again."


    His eyes flicked to the clock¡ª9:45 AM. Realization slammed into him like a freight train. "SHIT!" He bolted upright, sheets tangling as he nearly toppled off the bed. The Hunter License Test. 10 AM. Today.


    "YOU OVERSLEPT?!" Luna''s scream was a thunderclap.


    "No, no! I was just... meditating!" He lied, scrambling into a shirt¡ªone arm stuck, hopping as he hunted for shoes, panic a live wire in his veins.


    "MEDITATING MY ASS!" Her voice cracked with fury. "Get your dumb self out here NOW! You''ve got FIFTEEN MINUTES!"


    Click. Silence.


    Beno moved¡ªchaos unleashed. Shoes half-tied, jacket snatched from a chair, he shoved the door open¡ª


    And froze.


    A sleek black vehicle idled outside, Noak Guild''s emblem glinting like a predator''s eye. A man in a dark gray uniform leaned against it, arms crossed, smirking like he''d bet on Beno''s failure and won. "Took you long enough."


    Beno gaped, words stalling. "Uh... what?"


    The man scoffed, pushing off the car with lazy grace. "Franky sent me. Said you''d probably screw this up and need a ride." He jerked his head toward the door, voice flat. "Get in. Now. Or don''t¡ªI don''t give a damn."


    Beno hesitated¡ªhalf a heartbeat, weighing the surreal¡ªthen dove in. The door slammed, engine roaring to life, tires screeching as they peeled away.


    The drive was a blur, but Beno''s pulse thundered¡ªNoak Guild wasn''t just any guild. It was a titan, one of Lebius Country''s Five Strongest¡ªa fortress of elite hunters forged in blood and steel. And he''d been invited into its jaws.


    The car rounded a bend, and it loomed into view: Noak Guild''s headquarters¡ªa towering monolith of glass and steel stabbing the sky, its edges sharp as a blade. Banners fluttered, emblazoned with a snarling wolf beneath a crescent moon, rippling in the wind like war flags. Below, a courtyard pulsed with life¡ªhunters training, blades clashing in flashes of silver, shouts cutting through the morning air.


    Beno swallowed, throat dry as ash. "Am I... really gonna work here?"


    The driver smirked, eyes fixed ahead. "If you pass."


    They screeched to a halt at the entrance. Beno fumbled the buckle, adrenaline spiking¡ªthen¡ª


    "You''re late."


    He turned. Luna stood there, arms crossed, foot tapping a furious beat against the pavement. Her dark hair whipped in the wind, eyes narrowed to slits¡ªblue fire blazing with impatience.


    "Not my fault!" Beno stumbled out, voice cracking. "Franky should''ve told me to set an alarm!"


    Luna''s scoff cut like a whip. "Oh, so it''s Franky''s fault you sleep like a damn corpse?"


    He sighed, shoulders slumping¡ªalready defeated. No winning this war.


    "Come on," she snapped, jerking her chin toward the towering doors, her tone brooking no argument. "You barely made it. Test''s starting."


    Stepping inside was a punch to the gut. The grand hall stretched vast and endless¡ªmarble floors gleaming under massive chandeliers that cast a golden glow, digital boards flickering with dungeon missions and rankings in cold blue light. To the left, a training ground roared¡ªblades ringing, hunters clashing, sweat and grit thick in the air. To the right, a reception swarmed with nervous examinees, voices a low hum of fear and hope.


    But the exam arena stole his breath.


    Hundreds filled the space¡ªsome stretching, muscles taut; others muttering prayers, heads bowed; a few glaring at rivals, eyes sharp with hunger. A giant screen loomed overhead, names scrolling in icy blue¡ªa silent judge. The air buzzed, electric and heavy, tension coiling like a storm about to break.


    Then¡ªsilence.


    A towering figure stepped onto the platform¡ªbroad shoulders, a deep scar slashing his face like a battle trophy. Franky, the Guild Master. His presence crushed the room, a force that demanded stillness. He gripped the mic, voice a low rumble shaking the walls.


    "Welcome to Noak Guild... weaklings."


    No one dared breathe.


    "Today, you either prove you''re hunters¡ªor crawl home as failures. No second chances."


    His gaze swept the crowd¡ªlingering on Beno for a heartbeat, long enough to twist his stomach into knots¡ªbefore sliding away.


    "The Hunter License Exam. Four stages."


    He paused, letting it sink in¡ªeach word a hammer strike. "Mana Affinity Test¡ªan orb gauges your raw mana. Too weak? You''re done. Written Exam¡ªdungeon lore, boss tactics, system rules. Flunk it? Out. Combat Test¡ªone-on-one. Real fights. Real stakes. Dungeon Survival¡ªa live raid. Survive... or don''t come back."


    Franky''s eyes gleamed¡ªpredatory, glinting with dark promise. "Think this is a game? Leave now."


    No one moved¡ªfrozen, breathless.


    He smirked, a slash of teeth. "Good. Ten minutes. Eat, piss, pray¡ªwhatever keeps you alive."


    The room erupted¡ªnervous chaos, voices rising, bodies shifting.


    Beno exhaled slow, heart slamming against his ribs. This is no joke. His fists clenched, nails biting his palms. "Since when has anything been easy?" he muttered, voice low, resolve hardening. Time to prove he belonged.


    The waiting hall thrummed with restless energy¡ªexaminees pacing, whispering, stretching, each chasing the same jagged dream. Beno stood among them, rolling his shoulders, cracking his knuckles¡ªa ritual to steady his nerves. Luna jabbed his arm, smirking. "What, still meditating, genius?" Her tease was sharp, playful, cutting through the tension.


    He laughed¡ªa rare, rough sound, light against the weight pressing down. "Yeah, deep thoughts about not screwing this up."


    But he didn''t see the eyes watching.


    Across the room, a red-haired man leaned against the wall, cloaked in a long magician''s coat¡ªblack with silver runes stitched along the hem, swaying faintly as he shifted. His posture screamed casual¡ªtoo casual¡ªbut his fingers gripped a crumpled photograph, knuckles white, veins bulging under pale skin. His sharp gaze locked on Beno¡ªunblinking, burning with a quiet, seething hatred.


    "So this is how you live..." His whisper was low, venomous, swallowed by the crowd''s hum. "Carefree... like nothing happened?"


    His smirk twisted¡ªbitter, dark¡ªas he watched Beno laugh with Luna, oblivious. The photo crinkled further in his fist¡ªa frozen moment of a past Beno didn''t know was clawing closer. "You disgust me."


    A dark chuckle slipped free, cold as dungeon stone. He tilted his head, red hair falling over one eye, voice a murmur dripping with menace. "I''ll kill you... make you pay for what you did to my life."


    Beno turned, still blind to the threat, following Luna toward the arena doors¡ªsteps steady, unaware.


    The red-haired man straightened, slipping the photo into his coat with a slow, deliberate hand. His eyes glinted¡ªpredatory, alive with a promise.


    The exam was starting. S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    And so was his revenge.


    [To Be Continued...]

 Chapter 9: Who is Charles Verdant.???

    Chapter 9 - Who is Charles Verdant.???The waiting room buzzed like a restless hive¡ªnervous murmurs threading through the air, footsteps pacing uneven rhythms across the worn stone floor, whispers of desperate strategies clawing at the edges of silence.


    The space was a cavern of tension¡ªwalls of chipped gray brick looming high, flickering torches casting jagged shadows that danced like specters.


    Beno Mark sat tucked in the corner, legs crossed, a weathered book splayed open in his lap. His fingers traced the faded pages with a lazy rhythm, eyes half-lidded, a faint smirk curling his lips¡ªtoo calm, a stillness that felt like defiance amid the chaos.


    Across from him, Luna perched on a desk''s edge, her fingers drumming a sharp, impatient beat against the splintered wood.


    Her shining hair framed a face etched with focus, blue eyes glinting like twin blades, cutting through the dim light.


    "Alright, Beno¡ªlisten up." Her voice sliced the din, firm, unyielding, a command wrapped in care. "Dungeons aren''t a game. They''re ranked by what''s inside.


    E-rank? Goblins, slimes¡ªpathetic little pests you can crush under your boot. S-rank?" She paused, letting the weight settle.


    "Beasts so vicious even veterans wake up screaming."


    Beno nodded, flipping a page without lifting his gaze, voice low and casual. "Mhm. So, no sprinting into an S-rank unless I''m begging to die. Got it."


    Luna''s frown deepened, her glare pinning him like a spear. "Exactly. And it''s not just raw power¡ªmonsters think. They strategize, talk, ambush. You can''t just swing blind and hope."


    He leaned back, the chair creaking under his weight, a cocky smirk flashing as he met her eyes. "Don''t mess up.


    Don''t get reckless. Don''t get killed. Anything else, oh wise teacher?"


    Luna sighed, sharp and exasperated, rubbing her temples with a groan.


    "I swear, Beno, if you bomb the written exam, I''ll drag your sorry ass back to that hospital myself¡ªand this time, I''ll lock the door."


    A crackling voice burst from the loudspeaker, shattering their rhythm like a thunderclap. "Attention, candidates! The entrance exam begins in five minutes.


    Proceed to the exam hall¡ªnow. I repeat¡ªfive minutes."


    Beno snapped the book shut with a flick, rising with a slow stretch¡ªmuscles flexing against the dull ache of yesterday''s grind, a ripple of strength beneath his worn jacket. "Showtime,"


    he said, grin widening, a glint of defiance sparking in his hazel eyes.


    Luna''s stern mask faltered¡ªa flicker of concern softening her edges, her voice dropping low. "Just... be careful, Beno." She hesitated, breath catching. "Some guilds play dirty¡ªreal dirty."


    He winked, already turning, boots scuffing the stone with purpose. "When do I ever play fair?"


    Her head shook, exasperation chasing him as he strode off¡ªa lone figure cutting through the crowd, the echo of his steps a quiet promise.


    The exam hall was a colossus¡ªa sprawling arena of cold marble and steel, its tiered seats rising like a coliseum, packed with guild officials and spectators peering down like vultures.


    The air thrummed, thick with tension, a weight you could choke on. At the heart stood the Orabs, a crystalline obelisk pulsing faintly¡ªits surface alive with an otherworldly glow, veins of light shimmering beneath the facets like a trapped storm.


    Shadows stretched long across the polished floor, the hum of mana vibrating in the bones.


    Franky loomed at the front¡ªa scarred titan, arms crossed over a chest built like a fortress.


    His deep, jagged scar slashed from cheek to jaw, catching the light with every shift¡ªa brutal mark of battles won.


    His smirk was predatory, eyes sweeping the sea of trembling candidates with dark amusement.


    "Alright, weaklings¡ªlisten up!" His voice boomed¡ªa thunderclap that made the timid flinch, rattling the steel rafters.


    "You crawled here chasing hunter dreams. But this world doesn''t give a damn about your little fantasies.


    Power is everything¡ªand we measure it right here." He slammed a hand against the Orabs¡ªcrack¡ªthe sound reverberating like a war drum. "The Mana Indicator.


    Touch it. It ranks you. Fail to light it up..." He paused, grin sharpening. "...and you''re done."


    The crowd shifted¡ªuneasy glances, breaths held tight. Franky''s smirk stretched into a mocking laugh, rough and guttural. "Let''s start. Candidate 1¡ªstep up!"


    A scrawny young man stumbled forward, sweat beading on his brow, hands trembling as he approached. The room stilled¡ªsilent, suffocating¡ªas his palm pressed the Orabs.


    Nothing. The crystal stayed dim, lifeless as stone.


    Franky''s laugh roared, a cruel bellow. "A joke! Not a spark of mana? Pathetic!"


    The candidate''s face crumpled, voice quaking as he clutched his hand. "P-Please, sir! There''s a mistake¡ªI trained so hard¡ª"


    Franky cut him off, eyes glinting like steel. "Wanna talk fairness?" He spread his arms wide, a dare to the crowd. "Fine.


    Here''s your shot¡ªchallenge me. Land one hit, and I''ll bump your rank myself. Who''s got the guts?"


    Whispers rippled¡ªfearful, sharp:


    "He''s a high-ranker¡ªno chance!" "He''s just humiliating us..." "No one''s that stupid, right?"


    The candidate''s fists clenched, pride warring with despair¡ªeyes darting, breath hitching. Then his shoulders sagged, defeated. "...I accept my weakness," he whispered, voice breaking as he retreated into the shadows.


    Franky scoffed, a dismissive grunt. "Next!"


    "Candidate 2¡ªCharles Verdant!"


    A tall figure carved through the crowd¡ªwild red hair blazing like a wildfire, amber eyes sharp with unshakable confidence. Whispers trailed him like smoke:


    "That hair¡ªcrazy!" "He''s got a vibe..." "Kinda hot, huh?"


    Franky raised an eyebrow, sizing him up. "A shiny brat, eh? Show me what you''ve got¡ªor get lost."


    Charles didn''t flinch¡ªsilent, stepping to the Orabs with a predator''s grace, boots clicking against the marble. His hand pressed down¡ªfirm, unflinching.


    A heartbeat of stillness¡ªthen¡ªBOOM. A brilliant red glow erupted, the crystal flaring like a supernova, bathing the hall in crimson light. The air vibrated, a low hum shaking the floor, mana pulsing wild and free.


    The official choked, voice trembling. "C-rank potential!"


    The hall detonated¡ªchaos unleashed:


    "WHAT?!" "C-rank right off the bat?!" "The Orabs is busted, right?!"


    Franky''s smirk flickered¡ªthen settled into a grinning approval, eyes narrowing with interest. "Not bad, kid. Finally... someone worth a damn."


    Charles turned, expression cold, unfazed by the storm he''d ignited¡ªred hair catching the light like blood on fire. In the crowd, Beno snapped his book shut with a quiet snap, eyes narrowing as he rose¡ªslow, deliberate, a spark flickering in his gaze.


    The hall turned into a graveyard of dreams. One by one, candidates faced the Orabs¡ªmost fell:


    "E-rank!" "Failed!" "E-rank!" "Failed!"


    The official''s voice cut like a blade, each call a heavier blow, disappointment carving hollows into hopeful faces. The air thickened¡ªstifling, heavy with broken ambition¡ªsweat and despair mingling in the torchlight.


    Then¡ª


    "Next! Candidate 79¡ªBeno Mark!" S§×arch* The ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Beno froze¡ªhis name a punch to the gut, heavier than it should''ve been. Why today? Why now? His breath snagged, chest tightening as whispers erupted:


    "Mark? Like Renzo Mark?" "The legend''s kin?" "No way..."


    From the front, Charles''s lips curled¡ªa smirk, sharp and venomous. His voice sliced through, loud and deliberate. "Oh, you heard right. He''s Renzo Mark''s older brother."


    The crowd exploded¡ªa wildfire of shock:


    "Renzo had a brother?!" "Why''s he a nobody then?" "He''s gotta be a monster, right?"


    Beno''s jaw clenched, fingers twitching¡ªanger simmering, a quiet storm. He hated this¡ªhated the shadow Renzo cast.


    Not because he despised his brother¡ªRenzo was his heart, his light¡ªbut because Beno was just... ordinary. A flicker next to a blazing sun.


    Charles''s amber eyes gleamed, catching Beno''s flinch¡ªa predator sensing weakness. Perfect, he thought, a dark chuckle rumbling in his chest. Let''s see you squirm.


    He leaned toward a nearby candidate, voice carrying like a taunt. "Oh, by the way¡ªBeno Mark? Cleared a Cursed Dungeon solo. Killed a C-rank boss¡ªall by himself."


    The hall ignited¡ªawe crashing over doubt:


    "Alone?!" "No awakening, and he did that?!" "Impossible!"


    Beno''s head snapped toward Charles, locking onto that mocking grin. A trap¡ªbait laid with precision. But why? His pulse quickened, suspicion coiling tight.


    The weight of thousands of eyes pinned him¡ªwhispers clawing at his ears:


    "Renzo''s brother? No way he''s that good." "Cursed Dungeon? Total liar." "Fraud."


    His chest tightened¡ªpulse hammering, the room spinning for a heartbeat. He could run¡ªbolt before the laughter broke him.


    I''m not enough... not for this... Doubt gnawed, cold and sharp, threatening to swallow him whole.


    Then¡ªa warmth. His gaze flicked upward¡ªto the observation deck, a glass fortress gleaming above the chaos.


    Luna stood there, blonde hair glowing under the lights, blue eyes locked on him¡ªsteady, unshakable. She grinned¡ªwide, fearless¡ªand flashed a thumbs-up. "Go get ''em, Beno!"


    The fog shattered. He wasn''t here for them¡ªfor their whispers, their judgment. He was here for Renzo. His brother. His reason.


    Beno straightened¡ªshoulders squaring, spine steeling. "I''m ready," he declared, voice cutting through the noise, steady as stone.


    The hall hushed¡ªbreathless, taut. Franky''s piercing gaze had tracked it all¡ªBeno''s doubt, his resolve.


    A grin split his scarred face, wild and fierce. "SHUT THE FUCK UP, WEAKLINGS!" His roar shook the walls, silencing the crowd in an instant¡ªtorches flickering, marble trembling. "You got breath to yap, you got breath to fight. Sit your asses down and watch!"


    He nodded at Beno, smirk sharpening¡ªa challenge glinting in his eyes. "Brat... show ''em. Prove us wrong."


    Beno met his stare¡ªa spark igniting, fierce and raw. He stepped to the Orabs, boots echoing like war drums.


    His hand pressed the crystal¡ªa beat of nothing, the air still, expectant.


    Then¡ªBOOM. A blinding pillar of golden light erupted¡ªshooting skyward, rattling the glass ceiling. Gasps ripped through the hall:


    "Holy¡ª!" "That''s insane!"


    Officials scrambled, voices frantic. "Above B-rank! Maybe higher¡ª!"


    But then¡ªthe light flickered. A darkness bled in¡ªinky tendrils swallowing the gold, spreading like a stain.


    The air turned cold, heavy¡ªunnatural, pressing down like a storm''s edge. The Orabs groaned, trembling, a low rumble shaking its core.


    BOOM! The light vanished.


    Silence¡ªdeafening.


    The screen flashed¡ªE-Rank.


    The crowd detonated¡ªa wave of scorn:


    "E-RANK?!" "After THAT? Total fraud!" "What a letdown!"


    Laughter and sneers drowned the air¡ªsharp, cutting. Charles''s smirk widened, amber eyes glinting with malice.


    Nothing but a fake, he thought, venom coiling tight. I''ll bury you.


    Beno stood rooted¡ªfists clenched, nails biting into his palms, drawing faint lines of pain. His head dipped, chest aching¡ªshame crashing, a tide pulling him under.


    All that pain... all that fight... for this? His eyes burned, vision blurring, the jeers echoing like blades in his skull.


    "Beno! Congratulations!"


    The jeers stopped¡ªsharp, sudden. His head snapped up, searching through the haze.


    Luna waved from the deck¡ªher smile a beacon, blue eyes alight with unshakable faith, cutting through the dark. "You passed!"


    The weight lifted¡ªdoubt melting, a slow warmth spreading through his chest. He wasn''t here for their cheers, their approval. He was here for Renzo. For himself.


    Beno straightened¡ªwiping his eyes with a shaky hand, a grin breaking free.


    He raised a fist, voice ringing¡ªraw, triumphant. "Yes! I passed!"


    The crowd faltered¡ªconfusion rippling:


    "He''s... happy?" "E-Rank, and he''s grinning?"


    Franky barked a laugh¡ªloud, rough, echoing off the walls. "Kid, you''re a damn surprise. Got guts!"


    Charles''s face darkened¡ªteeth grinding, a faint red haze leaking from him, thick with rage. Why''s he smiling?


    His hands shook, nails digging into his palms¡ªdrawing blood, a quiet promise.


    He turned away, hissing under his breath¡ªlow, venomous. "I''ll make you pay, Beno Mark. I swear it."


    The hall buzzed on¡ªoblivious to the seed of hatred taking root, its shadow stretching long and dark.


    [End of Chapter 9]

 Chapter 10: Trial by Combat

    Chapter 10 - Trial by CombatThe guild hall was a maelstrom of life¡ªa sprawling cavern pulsing with a chaotic symphony of sound that battered the senses.


    Nervous chatter ricocheted off rough-hewn stone walls, a jagged chorus of voices¡ªsome sharp with brittle triumph, others low and fractured with despair.


    Candidates milled in restless clusters, their boots scuffing the worn floor, kicking up faint dust clouds that shimmered in the flickering glow of mana-infused sconces.


    The victors of the Mana Test buzzed with fragile pride, their laughter edged with nerves¡ªlike sparks threatening to ignite dry tinder¡ªwhile the defeated slumped against chipped pillars or hunched on benches, faces shadowed, eyes hollow as their dreams crumbled under the trial''s ruthless verdict.


    The air hung thick and heavy, laced with the sour sting of sweat, the metallic bite of anxiety, and the greasy whiff of abandoned trays¡ªhalf-eaten bread crusts and congealed stew left to rot in the chaos.


    At the storm''s heart stood Franky¡ªa scarred colossus, forged in blood and fire. His broad shoulders strained against a battered leather coat, the deep scar slashing his cheek glinting like a blade under the dim light.


    His presence hit like a hammer, silencing the din as his gravelly voice erupted¡ªa landslide of raw power. "Alright, brats! Results are in!" He paused¡ªletting the words settle like ash after a blast, his cruel grin baring yellowed teeth worn by years of grit. "72 passed. 87 failed. That''s the hunter world¡ªsink or swim."


    His massive hand rose, fingers splayed¡ªa gesture dripping menace as he drank in the crowd''s unease.


    "You survivors... round two''s next. Written exam. Yeah, I know¡ªboo-hoo. Pens up, heads down. Too dumb to pass? Crawl home and cry about it."


    A tidal groan swept the hall¡ªdismay crashing like a wave. Curses slipped out in jagged whispers¡ª"Shit, seriously?"¡ªwhile nervous chuckles faltered, fragile as embers in a damp wind.


    Tension coiled tighter, a serpent poised to strike. But Beno Mark stood apart¡ªhazel eyes sparkling with a reckless thrill, lips twitching into a faint, defiant grin.


    His lean frame buzzed with energy, a live wire defying the room''s weight. Where others saw a wall, he saw a door¡ªand he was itching to kick it down.


    Franky''s voice still echoed as Beno bolted¡ªboots pounding the stone in a staccato rhythm, a wild pulse that reverberated through the hall.


    His grin stretched wide¡ªa slash of white against his tanned face, messy brown hair bouncing with each stride.


    His movements were light, almost buoyant¡ªlike he''d swallowed a storm and it was lifting him off the ground.


    The Mana Test''s brutal weight sloughed off, replaced by a throbbing exhilaration igniting his veins.


    The waiting room was a pocket of stillness¡ªwalls draped with faded tapestries, threads unraveling under time''s slow decay, depicting hunters long turned to dust.


    Luna leaned against the far wall, her slim frame wrapped in a worn leather jacket, arms crossed tight. Her dark hair fell in loose waves, catching the faint glow of a lantern, while her amber eyes tracked Beno''s approach with an amused smirk teetering on warmth.


    "Not in a hurry to chill, huh?" Her voice was dry as desert sand, laced with a teasing edge that danced like a blade''s tip.


    Beno skidded to a halt, chest heaving, grin unshaken. "Too pumped!" His laugh burst free¡ªbright, unrestrained, chasing shadows into the corners.


    "That was easy!" His hands flexed, fingers twitching with restless fire, as if he could punch through the next trial right then.


    Luna''s brow arched, smirk sharpening. "Don''t get too full of yourself. Second trial''s waiting to chew you up." Her tone cut, but her eyes softened¡ªa flicker of pride she couldn''t hide.


    His grin widened¡ªfists clenching, a tremble of excitement rippling through him. But beneath it, a shadow of sorrow flickered¡ªso quick it could''ve been a trick of the light.


    "Easy!" he shot back, voice bold and brash. "We''ll find Renzo in no time¡ªonce I''m strong enough." His tone dipped¡ªa raw, unguarded vow slipping free: "Wait for me, Renzo... I''ll find you. I swear it." His gaze clouded, staring past her¡ªlost to a memory of a brother, a promise unkept, heavy as chains.


    Luna caught it¡ªthe crack in his armor, the ache behind his fire.


    Her smirk faltered¡ªsoftening into a gentle curve, her eyes lingering with a tenderness she buried fast. She tossed a playful jab, voice light to pull them back. "Confidence bites back, you know. Don''t trip over your own ego."


    Beno blinked¡ªthe haze lifting, a wink flashing with his old spark. "With you around, I can handle anything!"


    Her cheeks bloomed pink¡ªa faint flush creeping up her neck. She turned her head sharp, hiding the smile tugging her lips, and cleared her throat with a dramatic huff. "Hmph.


    Just study, alright? Don''t embarrass me out there."


    "You''re the best teacher I''ve got!" he chirped, voice a lifeline of light piercing the dim.


    Their banter wove a fragile shield¡ªa moment''s peace against the storm beyond.


    But in the shadows, a darker gaze pierced their warmth. Charles lingered near the doorway¡ªhis tall, wiry frame half-shrouded by a tapestry''s edge.


    His wild red hair gleamed like embers, but his amber eyes were ice¡ªlocked on Beno''s grin with unblinking fury. His fists clenched¡ªnails biting deep, drawing dark beads of blood that glistened against pale skin.


    A sickening disgust churned in his gut, twisting tighter with every laugh Beno let slip. That smile... so damn infuriating. He doesn''t belong here¡ªnot after what he did.


    His jaw tightened¡ªteeth grinding with a faint creak¡ªa vow hissing out, low and venomous: "I''ll crush you, Beno Mark. Just wait."


    The exam hall was a sea of dread¡ªits vastness swallowed by rows of scarred wooden desks stretching into the gloom.


    The ceiling towered high, studded with mana-lit chandeliers casting a cold, flickering glow¡ªjagged shadows spilling across the stone floor like spilled ink.


    Examiners prowled the aisles¡ªdark guild uniforms crisp, silver badges glinting like eyes in the dark, their sharp gazes enforcing a suffocating silence that pressed like stone on the chest. The air thickened¡ªdense with the sharp scent of ink, undercut by the metallic tang of fear.


    Papers hit desks with a soft thud, pages rustling¡ªa fragile thread in the stillness. A wiry candidate near the front¡ªhair plastered with sweat¡ªwhispered, voice trembling: "A written test? This ain''t some damn school!"


    A broad-shouldered girl with a scarred cheek groaned into her hands, muffled and raw: "I''m screwed. This is impossible."


    Beno sat midway back¡ªhis paper a battlefield before him. He skimmed the first question¡ª"List three strategies for surviving an E-rank goblin horde"¡ªand blinked.


    Then flipped to the next¡ª"Describe the mana flow of a D-rank slime core"¡ªand the next¡ª"Explain the ecological impact of a dungeon break." A grin broke free¡ªbright, unguarded, lighting his face like a torch in the dark. "Woah! This is easy!" he blurted¡ªa thunderclap shattering the silence.


    The room froze¡ªheads whipping toward him, jaws dropping in shock. A sea of eyes¡ªsome incredulous, some furious¡ªpinned him like arrows.


    An examiner¡ªa stern woman with a tight bun, clipboard clutched like a shield¡ªglared over wire-rimmed glasses. "Maintain silence, or you''re disqualified!" Her bark was cold, each word a lash cutting the air.


    Beno scratched his head¡ªcheeks reddening, sinking low in his seat. "Uh... sorry," he mumbled, grin fading to a sheepish quirk, his voice small under her stare.


    Whispers hissed fast¡ªvenom spreading:


    "What the hell''s wrong with him?" a girl with braided hair snarled, leaning close to her neighbor. "He''s a damn psycho," a boy with a patchy beard muttered, shaking his head.


    Beno''s mind drifted¡ªunfazed, a vision blooming. Luna perched on a golden throne, her dark hair cascading like midnight, amber eyes glowing with wisdom.


    Thanks, Luna. Every late night, every quiz¡ªyou drilled this into me. Her voice echoed¡ªsteady, sure: "You''ve got this, Beno." He bent over his paper¡ªpen flying, answers flowing like a river unleashed.


    Two hours later, a deep bell tolled¡ªvibrating through the hall. Papers stacked in uneven piles, the room exhaled¡ªtension easing like a bow unstrung.


    Beno burst into the hallway¡ªheart pounding, boots skidding on polished stone as he spotted Luna by the results board.


    The massive slab loomed¡ªrunes pulsing faintly, a judge of fates. Luna stood with arms crossed¡ªher knowing smirk a quiet welcome, leather jacket creaking as she shifted.


    "So easy!" he crowed¡ªbouncing on his heels, voice ringing with joy. "You''re amazing, Luna!" His eyes shone¡ªwide, bright, reflecting torchlight.


    She chuckled¡ªsoft, warm, curling around him like a shield, brushing hair from her face with a flick. "I know. No big deal," she teased¡ªher smile crinkling her eyes, real and unguarded.


    A staff member''s voice boomed¡ªamplified, cutting through: "Exam results in 15 minutes. Check the board." The words echoed¡ªa proclamation of destiny.


    Beno''s excitement surged¡ªbody vibrating, eyes feverish. "This is it, Luna! My chance!" His voice trembled¡ªhope raw and heavy.


    Whispers slithered nearby¡ªsharp, cutting:


    "That guy''s weird..." a lanky boy muttered, eyeing Beno with disdain. S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Up one second, down the next¡ªtotal roller coaster," a girl with a sharp nose snickered, mocking.


    Luna''s eyes narrowed¡ªa chill radiating, air thickening. Her glare sliced through¡ªthe gossipers froze, skin prickling:


    "Uh... washroom''s that way¡ª" the boy stammered, backing off, tripping over his feet. "Wait up!" the girl squeaked¡ªbolting after him, bravado crumbling.


    They scattered¡ªroaches under torchlight. Luna sighed¡ªexasperation softening to concern. Beno''s grin faded¡ªhands trembling, a battle flickering in his eyes¡ªpride clashing with doubt. She grabbed his wrist¡ªfirm, warm.


    "Forget them," she said¡ªlow, steady, cutting his haze. "You''ve earned food. Let''s go."


    She tugged him toward the cafeteria¡ªher touch a lifeline. The world warped¡ªcolors sharpening, sounds fading¡ªher presence a tether he hadn''t known he needed.


    Fifteen minutes later, the hall was a throng¡ªcandidates shoving to the board, runes flickering, names solidifying. Beno elbowed through¡ªbreath catching, eyes locking on:


    Rank 2: Beno Mark.


    His chest swelled¡ªpride and disbelief crashing, a grin forming¡ªslow, unsteady, then blazing. "I... I did it. Rank 2... thank you, Luna," he whispered¡ªvoice thick, fingers brushing the air, tracing her name in his mind.


    Charles strode in¡ªhis red hair a fiery crown, amber eyes hitting the board: Rank 1: Charles. His smirk twisted¡ªcruel, sliding to Rank 2. Contempt flared¡ªlow, venomous: "Disgusting," he spat.


    Cheers buzzed¡ª"Charles, you''re a legend!"¡ªbut his smile was ice, praise twisting thorns in his pride.


    "Luna..." Beno''s joy dimmed¡ªa frown creasing his brow. "I don''t know my ability from the awakening."


    Her head snapped toward him¡ªeyes widening, shock trembling her voice. "What?! No notification? No flash? Nothing?"


    He shrugged¡ªfrustration etching lines, hands flexing. "Nope. No voice, no pop-up. Like it never happened."


    Luna''s face darkened¡ªconcern swallowing her tease, eyes searching his with intensity. She stepped closer¡ªboots scuffing, voice dropping urgent. "It''ll show in combat. That''s the only way."


    Doubt cracked his bravado¡ªgaze dropping to his scarred hands, trembling. "What if it''s useless? What if I''ve got nothing?"


    Her hand found his¡ªsqueezing with quiet ferocity, warm and steady. "You''ll fight," she said¡ªfirm, unyielding. "You''ll push through. I know you will." Her eyes softened¡ªtrust shining, piercing the storm. "I trust you, Beno. More than anything."


    "Combat Skill Test, White Room Hall Underground. Passed candidates, proceed." The announcement cracked over the speakers¡ªa call to arms.


    Beno wove through¡ªheart racing, pulse a drumbeat. The White Room loomed¡ªa stark descent, 18 candidates scattered at the threshold¡ªRio, Joy, Annie, Charles among them, the rest dust. The air thickened¡ªmetallic, a prelude to blood.


    The White Room was a void¡ªblinding white walls smooth as glass, reflecting harsh lights in a dizzying glare. The floor gleamed¡ªpolished stone mirroring every move. Silence pressed¡ªbroken by a mana hum. Beyond a thick glass panel, Franky and officials watched¡ªeyes cold, predatory.


    "Beno Mark!" Franky''s voice roared¡ªa thunderclap.


    Beno stepped forward¡ªbreath shallow, chest tight. "Yes, Sir," he said¡ªsteady, despite trembling hands.


    The door hissed shut¡ªsealing him in, air shifting¡ªcharged, prickling his skin. A robotic wolf faced him¡ªsleek metal glinting, red eyes glowing with menace, claws clicking a rhythmic tap-tap-tap.


    Beno grimaced¡ªgripping his notched sword. A robot? That''s it? Disappointment flickered.


    It lunged¡ªblindingly fast, claws slashing¡ªmissing his chest by a breath, wind ruffling his shirt.


    His sword snapped up¡ªclang¡ªmetal meeting metal, force shoving him back, boots squealing. His heart hammered¡ªunease creeping, breath catching.


    Beyond the glass, Rio sneered¡ªvoice dripping mockery: "He can''t keep up. Pathetic."


    Joy snickered¡ªarms crossed: "Two minutes ''til he''s scrap."


    Annie smirked¡ªcruel: "Weak. Why''s he even here?"


    The wolf circled¡ªrelentless. Beno blocked¡ªimpact jarring, stealing breath in ragged gasps. Think, damn it! Sweat stung his eyes, legs trembling.


    Officials murmured¡ªdisdain humming:


    "He''s flailing. Done," a thin man muttered. "A joke," a woman agreed¡ªflat, dismissive.


    Franky''s voice cut¡ªcold, commanding: "Take it seriously. Show the dark power."


    Beno collapsed¡ªknees slamming stone, pain shooting up his spine.


    Sweat soaked him¡ªbreaths desperate. The wolf loomed¡ªclaws poised. I failed... The thought sank¡ªheavy, final¡ªvision blurring.


    Then¡ªa surge. Electricity crackled¡ªwild, igniting his veins with ferocious heat. His aura flared¡ªlightning dancing, blue-white tendrils snapping, illuminating the room in a blinding flash. His hands shook¡ªsword trembling with power.


    "I''m not done!" he growled¡ªlow, guttural, defiance clawing free. The wolf lunged¡ªhe swung. A lightning bolt erupted¡ªsearing, smashing the beast with a deafening crack. A shockwave rippled¡ªmetal exploding into sparks and ruin, red eyes winking out.


    Beno stood¡ªchest heaving, sparks skittering. Silence rang.


    Rio choked¡ªsneer gone: "Lightning?!"


    Joy gaped: "What is he?"


    Annie stared¡ªsmirk erased: "How...?"


    Franky grinned¡ªslow, intrigued: "Well, well. A contender."


    Charles watched from the shadows¡ªmalice alive, amber eyes gleaming feral. His smile bared teeth¡ªwicked, fingers scraping glass, a faint crack spreading. "You think you''ve won, Beno Mark?" His murmur dripped venom¡ªlost in the hum. "You''ve barely begun."


    His eyes flashed¡ªrage storming, unrelenting. "I''ll avenge my sister," he hissed¡ªa vow carved deep. "You''ll pay for abandoning her to die." His mana flared¡ªred heat pulsing, fading as the glass creaked.


    [End of Chapter]

 Chapter 11:

    Chapter 11 - "The Broken Chains of Fate"The White Room was a graveyard of steel¡ªa sterile tomb reeking of burnt metal and fried circuits, the air thick with an acrid sting that clawed at the lungs.


    Beno stood at its center, chest heaving, each breath a ragged scrape tearing his throat raw. His body buzzed¡ªa restless hum of lightning dancing beneath his skin, crackling faintly at his fingertips like a storm refusing to fade.


    The robotic wolves lay sprawled across the gleaming floor¡ªtwisted husks of once-sleek frames, circuits smoking, limbs twitching in death throes, their red eyes dimming to lifeless black voids.


    For a fleeting heartbeat, he thought it was over. His shoulders slumped, sword drooping in a grip slick with sweat, exhaustion tugging at his bones like chains. I did it... right? The thought flickered¡ªfragile, hopeful.


    Then¡ªa growl, low and guttural, rumbled through the silence¡ªa machine clawing back from oblivion.


    Beno''s head snapped up¡ªeyes wide, pulse spiking.


    The second wolf jerked alive¡ªmangled limbs sparking wildly, arcs of electricity snapping between broken joints like miniature storms.


    With a shriek of grinding metal, it launched¡ªa feral blur of claws and steel, desperate and unyielding.


    "Tsk!" Beno''s tongue clicked¡ªa sharp, instinctive snap as adrenaline roared back to life. His muscles screamed¡ªaching, protesting¡ªbut he shifted, boots scraping the slick floor with a gritty squeal.


    The wolf leaped¡ªjaws gaping, a maw of jagged steel¡ªand Beno thrust his hand forward, fully embracing the storm within.


    BOOM! Lightning erupted¡ªa jagged bolt of blue-white fury tearing through the air with a deafening crack.


    It slammed into the wolf''s chest¡ªpunching through its core in a shower of sparks and molten metal, the beast convulsing mid-flight, limbs flailing in a chaotic dance.


    It crashed¡ªthud¡ªa smoking heap shuddering once before stilling, forever broken.


    Silence swallowed the room¡ªdead, heavy¡ªonly the faint hum of mana pulsing through the walls remained, a heartbeat beneath the wreckage. Beno''s arm trembled¡ªaftershocks buzzing, his breath fogging in the suddenly cold air, chest tight with the weight of survival.


    Clap. Clap. Clap.


    A slow, deliberate applause pierced the quiet¡ªeach sound dripping with mockery. Beno''s gaze darted¡ªlanding on Charles, leaning against the chamber wall, arms crossed over his chest.


    His wild red hair glinted under the harsh lights, but his amber eyes were unreadable¡ªa storm brewing behind a mask of calm.


    His fists, though, betrayed him¡ªclenched tight, knuckles white, veins bulging like rivers of rage beneath pale skin.


    "Not bad," Charles muttered¡ªvoice cold as frost, slicing the silence like a blade.


    "But let''s be real..." He paused, eyes narrowing, venom seeping into every word. "If those were real monsters, you wouldn''t last ten seconds."


    Beno''s eyes narrowed¡ªchest still heaving, sweat stinging as it dripped into them.


    Something was off¡ªa poison in Charles''s tone, a weight in his stare that cut deeper than rivalry. Before he could snap back, Franky''s voice boomed¡ªa gravelly thunderclap shaking the chamber.


    "Well, well, look at that." The guild master stepped forward¡ªhis scarred grin flashing, tapping his clipboard against his palm with a rhythmic thwack-thwack.


    "Expected something flashier, but..." He shrugged, voice rough with amusement. "I''ll take it."


    Beno exhaled¡ªsharp, shaky¡ªwiping sweat from his brow with a trembling hand. "So... I passed?" Hope threaded his voice, fragile beneath the exhaustion.


    Franky''s smirk slashed wide¡ªa glint of teeth. "Yeah, yeah. You passed. Barely."


    Relief hit¡ªa faint crack in the tension, shoulders easing as a shaky breath slipped free.


    Franky turned¡ªjerking his head toward the door. "Next. Charles¡ªget your ass in here."


    Beno stumbled out¡ªlegs wobbling, collapsing against the outer wall, cool stone a balm against his overheated skin.


    Charles brushed past¡ªhis shoulder clipping Beno''s with a deliberate edge, though his face stayed a blank mask. For a split second, Beno felt it¡ªa shift in the air, a prickling static raising the hairs on his neck, like the calm before a tempest.


    Charles stepped into the White Room¡ªboots echoing in the sterile silence.


    The door hissed shut, and before the official call, the wolves¡ªreset, gleaming¡ªcharged, claws screeching against the floor in a metallic wail.


    BOOM!


    A massive fireball erupted from Charles''s hands¡ªa roaring sphere of crimson and gold swallowing the air in a blistering wave.


    It engulfed both wolves before they could close the gap¡ªthe explosion rattling the walls, a shockwave vibrating through the stone into Beno''s chest outside. Inside, Charles stood¡ªunmoving, hands raised¡ªflames dancing at his fingertips like living tendrils.


    The wolves were smoldering heaps¡ªmetal warped, blackened, wisps of smoke curling upward into the stillness.


    Franky blinked¡ªthen barked a rough laugh. "Hah! No hesitation. You''re full of surprises, kid."


    Officials behind the glass murmured¡ªapproval humming, scribbling notes with quick strokes. One by one, Rio''s swift daggers, Joy''s brute punches, Annie''s icy shards¡ªeach cleared the test, the room a gallery of raw power, sharp and vivid.


    Beno''s body ached¡ªa dull throb pulsing through every muscle as he stood among the candidates, the White Room''s glare still searing his vision.


    He could barely stand¡ªfeet rooted¡ªas Franky loomed, a rough sheet clutched in scarred hands. Officials whispered¡ªglances flickering with amusement, murmurs a soft buzz beneath the tension.


    Franky smirked¡ªvoice a blade cutting through. "Alright, listen up. Got the results¡ªand only five of you passed."


    Beno''s chest tightened¡ªa vise clamping his ribs. His hands grew clammy¡ªsweat slicking his palms¡ªheart pounding a frantic drumbeat drowning the world.


    "First... Charles Vegnert."


    Charles stood¡ªarms crossed, sharp gaze unwavering, a statue of ice and fire. No reaction¡ªjust silence.


    "Next, Joy... then Rio... Annie..."


    Beno''s breath hitched¡ªeach name a hammer strike, chipping at his hope. Four down. One left. His stomach churned¡ªbile rising, pulse racing as Franky dragged the pause, eyes scanning with deliberate slowness.


    "And lastly..." Franky''s grin widened¡ªsavoring the suspense, "...Beno Mark."


    Relief crashed¡ªa tidal wave, legs wobbling but locking upright. A shaky exhale slipped free. I made it.


    Franky tucked the paper away. "Those who failed¡ªget out. You don''t belong."


    His tone turned wicked¡ªeyes glinting. "You who passed? Gear up for the final dungeon exam."


    Dungeon. The word slammed into Beno¡ªa fist to the gut. His vision blurred¡ªroom tilting as memories clawed free: a Cursed Dungeon, damp air choking him, screams of a collapsing party, a girl''s voice fading in the dark. His hands shook¡ªbreath shallow¡ªthe past a specter looming, cold and relentless.


    Muttered curses filled the room¡ªboots kicking stone, glares piercing the five who remained. Charles stood apart¡ªgripping a worn photo, edges frayed. His amber eyes shimmered¡ªtears brimming, lips trembling as he whispered, "Big sister Clara... I miss you."


    His voice¡ªa fragile thread¡ªdrowned in the chaos.


    Beno stumbled out¡ªexpecting relief, but an emptiness gnawed, a hollow ache he couldn''t shake.


    Luna waited outside¡ªperched on a low wall, dark hair catching the late sun''s glow. Her grin faltered¡ªdying as she saw him.


    His shoulders hunched¡ªcarrying a mountain, hands trembling. His hazel eyes¡ªonce fierce¡ªswirled with fear, a storm over a restless sea.


    "Beno?" She stepped forward¡ªvoice soft, urgent. "What happened? You okay?"


    He forced a smile¡ªweak, brittle. "Yeah... I''m fine." The lie hung heavy¡ªglass ready to shatter.


    Luna frowned¡ªunconvinced¡ªfollowing as he shuffled to a bench beneath a lone tree, branches rustling in the wind.


    He sank¡ªstaring at the gnarled trunk, a mirror to his tangled thoughts. His fists clenched¡ªnails biting palms, wrestling the ache blooming inside.


    She sat close¡ªshoulder brushing his, gaze piercing yet soft. "I know you, Beno. Something''s wrong. Talk to me."


    He hesitated¡ªbreath hitching, then inhaled¡ªcool air stinging his throat.


    "Remember when I tried to enter a dungeon illegally?" His voice¡ªlow, rough¡ªscraped like gravel.


    Luna nodded¡ªsteady. "Yeah. You were desperate to get strong."


    His fists tightened¡ªknuckles whitening. "They wouldn''t let me in... but someone helped.


    A girl." His voice wavered¡ªmemories surging, a flood breaking free. "She and her party let me tag along. We talked... I asked why she helped me. She said..."


    His throat seized¡ªher face flashing: pink hair, bold and bright, a warm smile cutting the dungeon''s gloom.


    Her voice echoed¡ªsoft, clear: "You remind me of my younger brother. He was weak, just like you... always sat near a tree when things went wrong... like you''re doing now."


    Luna leaned closer¡ªsensing the weight, her breath quiet.


    "Then... the dungeon collapsed." His voice cracked¡ªeyes glazing, the past replaying.


    "Houndler broke through¡ªhuge, unstoppable. Chaos. She protected me¡ªshoved me into a passageway... then..." He swallowed¡ªloud, jagged. "She sacrificed herself."


    Luna''s breath hitched¡ªmirroring the stab in his chest.


    "Before she died... she said something." His head dropped¡ªhands trembling violently. "I remember: ''Take care of my brother.'' But... two more words..." His voice broke¡ªa whisper lost in the wind. "I can''t remember."


    Luna''s hand found his shoulder¡ªgentle, firm, grounding. "We''ll find her brother, Beno," she said¡ªresolve steeling her voice. "And we''ll help him. Whatever it takes."


    He closed his eyes¡ªnodding faintly, ache easing just enough to breathe. A bus honked¡ªshrill, jarring.


    Franky''s bellow shattered the quiet: "Get your damn weakling asses on the bus! Dungeon test''s starting!"


    Beno stood¡ªlegs unsteady but moving, driven by a flicker of will.


    The bus screeched to a halt near a massive dungeon gate¡ªa swirling vortex of dark energy, pulsing like a living heart, tendrils of shadow licking the edges.


    The test site loomed¡ªa wound in the earth, swallowing light and hope. Five candidates piled out¡ªboots crunching gravel, air heavy with damp stone and faint rot.


    Franky stepped forward¡ªwicked grin glinting in the fading sun. "I''m splitting you into two teams. One gets an edge¡ªbut it''s fair in my eyes."


    He turned¡ªeyes gleaming. "Team 1: Beno Mark and Charles."


    Beno tensed¡ªa jolt racing through him. Charles glanced over¡ªamber eyes flat, but the air crackled with tension.


    "Team 2: Rio, Joy, Annie."


    Franky crossed his arms¡ªleather creaking. "Objective''s simple. Bring me a Goblin Crown. First team to nab it passes. One hour. Move!"


    Goblin. The word unlocked a flood¡ªBeno''s mind reeling: a Goblin Giant, its roar, him cowering as Luna fought¡ªthen Renzo, a blur of steel, wiping out the horde with one strike.


    The scene shifted¡ªRenzo''s hand on his neck, lifting him, eyes cold. The last time he''d seen his brother.


    Lightning crackled¡ªunbidden, his aura flaring wild, blue-white tendrils snapping. His eyes burned¡ªnot with fear, but a hunger for revenge.


    The gate swallowed them¡ªcold air rushing over Beno as he stepped through.


    He blinked¡ªstunned. No damp crypt¡ªjust crisp air, alive with pine and earth. Sunlight filtered through towering trees, branches swaying, birds chirping over rustling leaves. The ground was soft moss, dotted with wildflowers¡ªa forest, vibrant, real.


    "It feels... alive," Beno muttered¡ªawe threading his voice, scanning the canopy.


    Charles scoffed¡ªsharp, cutting. "Quit gawking and follow me." His tone was ice¡ªstride purposeful, red hair a flare against the green.


    Beno nodded¡ªsword gripped tight. Movement flickered¡ªfour goblins, gnarled and hunched, spears and clubs raised, yellow eyes glinting malice.


    Charles smirked¡ªdangerous. "Listen up, Weirdo. I''ll take two¡ªyou handle the rest."


    Beno steadied himself¡ªdeep breath. "Alright."


    The goblins shrieked¡ªcharging. Beno dashed¡ªducking a spear''s swing, air whistling past. His fist slammed a goblin''s gut¡ªwheeze¡ªtoppling it.


    Another swung a club¡ªBeno twisted, snapping its arm with a crack. It howled¡ªcut short as his sword pierced its neck, green blood spurting.


    Charles dispatched his pair¡ªfire roaring, incinerating them into ash in seconds.


    He turned¡ªexpecting Beno faltering¡ªbut froze. Beno''s chest heaved¡ªeyes glinting with wild excitement, a faint smile curving his lips.


    Something in Charles snapped.


    His grip tightened¡ªveins pulsing, rage flooding like molten steel. He stepped forward¡ªstance shifting, ready to strike.


    Beno exhaled¡ªa small smile¡ªthen¡ªBOOM.


    He rolled¡ªdodging as the ground erupted, dirt and embers raining. Smoke choked the air¡ªhe coughed, vision blurring. "Charles?! What the hell?!" His voice¡ªraw, ragged.


    A wicked laugh echoed¡ªchilling the forest''s calm.


    Charles''s aura twisted¡ªdark, seething, a killing intent flooding the dungeon, wrapping Beno like chains. His body tensed¡ªmuscles coiling¡ªas Charles advanced, fiery rage blazing in his amber eyes, his calm shattered.


    He attacked.


    A cyclone of fire spiraled¡ªa roaring vortex of heat and light.


    Beno''s instincts flared¡ªLightning Step crackling, teleporting him away, the cyclone scorching trees black. Charles snarled¡ª"Fire Arrows!"¡ªflaming projectiles raining like molten stars.


    Beno clenched his fists¡ªLightning Strike surging, bolts intercepting them in a cascade of embers.


    Charles rushed¡ª"Fire Blast!"¡ªa sphere of flames roaring for Beno''s chest. He twisted¡ªheat searing his shoulder, pain lancing as his shirt smoldered. He stumbled¡ªgritting teeth. Damn it¡ªhe''s too strong!


    Charles struck with precision¡ªhoned, relentless¡ªexploiting Beno''s sloppy swings, shaky footing.


    Before Beno could recover¡ªchains of fire lashed out¡ªred-hot, whip-fast.


    He bound his arms and legs¡ªyanking him into the air, a cross of torment. Heat seared¡ªskin sizzling, the stench of burnt flesh choking him. "AAAGHH!!" he screamed¡ªthrashing, flames tightening.


    "WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS?!" His voice cracked¡ªdesperation bleeding through, pain blurring his world.


    Charles shook¡ªnot fatigue, but raw emotion clawing free. His fists clenched¡ªblood dripping from his palms.


    "JUST STOP!" His roar broke¡ªanguish tearing through. "Why act dumb?!"


    Tears cut through soot¡ªrage burning hotter. "I know you hid your strength! I KNOW IT!"


    Beno coughed¡ªweak, straining. "Listen, Charles¡ªyou''re wrong! I was weak¡ªI awakened through tragedy!"


    Charles''s eyes flared¡ªchains scorching deeper. "DO YOU REMEMBER MY SISTER?!"


    Beno''s face twisted¡ªconfusion clashing with pain. "Who...? Sister?"


    Charles''s breath hitched¡ªtrembling, lips quivering. "Clara Hela..." The name slipped¡ªsoft, broken.


    Memories flooded¡ªpink hair, a warm smile, a dungeon''s collapse. A voice: "Take care of my brother, Beno..." His eyes widened¡ªhorror sinking. "Clara..."


    Charles''s voice cracked¡ªa wound bared. "The one you abandoned... to die... in the Cursed Dungeon."


    Beno froze¡ªheart stopping, realization crushing.


    Charles dropped¡ªknees buckling, hands clutching his chest, holding a breaking heart. Sobs tore free¡ªragged, guttural. "Because of you..." His voice splintered¡ªchoking on grief. "My sister never came home."


    The words hung¡ªa noose, suffocating the forest. His amber eyes¡ªdrowning in tears¡ªlocked on Beno with aching sorrow. "Because of you..." He gasped¡ªshoulders shaking, "She missed my birthday..."


    Tears fell¡ªa torrent, carving paths through soot, his fiery presence crumbling. "You stole my only happiness, Beno," he whispered¡ªa knife twisting in his soul.


    Beno hung¡ªguilt suffocating, words trapped in a raw throat. How did I survive? The question gnawed¡ªa truth buried deep.


    Charles''s fists clenched¡ªblood dripping, aura erupting¡ªa vortex of flames spiraling wild. "Why were you saved... and not her?!" His scream broke¡ªanguish lashing out. "WHY DID YOU LIVE AND NOT HER?!"


    The Fire Cyclone flared¡ªflames licking trees, blackening leaves as rage surged, a wildfire of chaos. Beno''s breath hitched¡ªThis isn''t just anger... it''s agony¡ªdeeper than I''ve known.


    Charles lost control¡ªchains burning hotter, Beno''s hands blistering, pain consuming.


    A black arrow whistled¡ªa streak of death¡ªstriking Charles''s chest. He staggered¡ªa cry ripping free¡ªcollapsing as the chains faded. Beno fell¡ªcrashing, dirt cushioning his battered body.


    From the forest''s shadows, three figures emerged¡ªsilhouettes sharp, auras oppressive, rippling sunlight into jagged patterns. Their cold eyes glinted¡ªpromising violence¡ªas they approached, steps slow, deliberate. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    [End of Chapter]

 Chapter 12: ENSLAVED BY THE CULT

    Chapter 12 - ENSLAVED BY THE CULTThe forest was a crypt of silence¡ªa heavy shroud pressing down, thick with the weight of death.


    The faint rustle of leaves trembled in the night breeze, fragile whispers against the mournful hoots of unseen creatures, their calls echoing like lost souls.


    The air carried a cloying stench¡ªdamp earth soaked with blood, a bitter tang that coated the lungs and lingered like a curse.


    Crimson streaks stained the mossy ground, glinting wetly under fractured moonlight spilling through skeletal branches, casting long, jagged shadows that clawed across the clearing.


    Beno lay sprawled¡ªa broken silhouette amidst the carnage, trembling with exhaustion.


    Every inch of him ached¡ªarms limp, muscles screaming with each twitch; legs heavy as lead, bones grinding beneath torn flesh; his chest a battlefield, each breath a ragged rasp under an invisible weight crushing his ribs.


    He clawed at the dirt¡ªfingers sinking into cold soil, willing his body to move¡ªbut numbness spread like ice, betraying him.


    Damn it... I can''t fall here. The thought burned¡ªdesperate, flickering¡ªhis will clawing against the dark.


    A sharp clang pierced the stillness¡ªmetal striking metal, a shriek slicing the night.


    Beno''s neck protested¡ªa dull ache flaring¡ªas he forced his head to turn.


    His blood ran cold, a primal chill sinking into his marrow.


    Three cloaked figures emerged¡ªwraiths born from shadow, their forms materializing with eerie grace.


    Deep black hoods swallowed their faces, light vanishing into voids where eyes should gleam. Their robes shimmered with twisted crimson symbols, pulsing faintly like living veins, a rhythm that thrummed dread into the air.


    But it wasn''t the robes that froze him¡ªit was their aura: cold, calculated, unnatural, a presence so alien his instincts screamed run even as his body lay shattered.


    They''re not hunters... they''re something else.


    Before Charles could react, cold steel clamped his wrists¡ªclank¡ªa death knell echoing through the trees.


    Iron cuffs bit deep, edges cutting into flesh, blood trickling down his forearms in thin, dark rivers. The shadows moved¡ªprecise, silent¡ªgloved hands gleaming wetly in the moonlight, restraining him in a heartbeat.


    One cultist drew an orb¡ªits surface swirling with ominous red light, a vortex of malice trapped in glass. He activated it¡ªair shimmering, reality rippling¡ªand a deep, guttural voice growled from within, dripping with authority.


    The figures dropped to one knee¡ªrobes pooling like spilled ink, heads bowed in unison.


    "Praise to the Devil, our Master," the lead cultist intoned¡ªvoice low, reverent. "We have the target."


    "Good," the orb rumbled¡ªa pause heavy with menace. "Bring him here. Alive. No matter what."


    A beat¡ªsilence stretching taut. "Do not fail me."


    "Yes, Master," the cultist replied¡ªvoice flat, obedient. The orb flickered¡ªred fading to a dull pulse, connection snapping shut with a soft crack.


    Beno clenched his fists¡ªnails digging into palms, drawing faint stings of pain as he pushed against the ground. His body burned¡ªtorn muscles pulsing, exhaustion chaining him down, vision swimming with black spots.


    But seeing Charles¡ªdragged like a broken doll, wrists bound, body limp¡ªlit a wildfire in his chest, fury roaring through his veins.


    "Who the hell are you?!" His voice scraped¡ªhoarse, raw¡ªtearing from his throat. "How''d you get in?!"


    A cultist turned¡ªhead tilting, voice slithering with amusement, venom lacing every word. "Beno Mark. E-rank candidate."


    Beno''s breath snagged¡ªshock twisting his gut. They know me?!


    "How do you know me?!" He bared his teeth¡ªrage trembling in his fists. "Who are you?!"


    Laughter erupted¡ªsharp, cruel, a chorus of glass shards piercing the night. His blood boiled, chest heaving as fury clawed free.


    Charles lay crumpled¡ªclutching his chest, blood slicking his fingers, the arrow pulsing with each ragged heartbeat.


    Crimson flecked his lips¡ªcoughs wet, gasping¡ªas he forced his eyes to focus, defiance burning through pain. "They''re... cult dogs!" he shouted¡ªvoice breaking, blood spraying. "Worship the Devil!"


    The laughter died¡ªrage darkening their gazes, a storm brewing. Rio, Joy, Annie shed their hoods¡ªfaces twisted with hatred, stepping forward like predators.


    "What did you just call us?" Rio hissed¡ªvoice low, lethal.


    Joy snarled¡ªteeth bared. "Who''s a dog, huh?"


    Before Charles could answer, Annie struck¡ªher slim frame a blur of fury. CRACK! Her boot slammed his stomach¡ªa wet snap echoing as ribs splintered.


    Blood spewed¡ªcrimson glinting in moonlight¡ªhis body curling as kicks rained down¡ªthud, thud, thud¡ªgasps turning to gurgles, hands clawing dirt.


    Beno''s vision blurred¡ªrage swallowing his sight. "NO! Leave him alone!" His scream tore free¡ªdesperate, primal. "Don''t you dare hurt him!"


    Annie kicked again¡ªCharles shuddering, bones creaking, flesh blackening.


    Joy chuckled¡ªcruel, watching Beno crawl, hands scraping mud, legs dragging uselessly.


    "Look at him!" Joy laughed¡ªsharp, mocking. "Crawling like a worm. Pathetic."


    Charles turned¡ªbloodied face toward Beno, eyes half-lidded, pain and regret shimmering. "I''m... sorry, Beno," he rasped¡ªweak, fading. "I lost control... wounded you..."


    Beno trembled¡ªfists clenching, nails piercing flesh, blood dripping into dirt.


    The air choked¡ªhelplessness and fury a storm ready to break.


    "Well, mission''s done," Joy said¡ªgesturing lazily at Beno. "What about this one?"


    Charles''s voice¡ªfaint, pleading¡ªcut through. "No... don''t... hurt him..."


    Rio grinned¡ªcold, predatory. "Objective was you. We''re done."


    He slung Charles over his shoulder¡ªlimp, bleeding¡ªa steady drip staining the ground as he turned.


    Beno pushed to stand¡ªknees buckling, vision blurring, tears stinging. Useless. Helpless.


    His chest tightened¡ªfailure a blade twisting deep.


    A soft voice whispered¡ªtelepathic, haunting: "Please... take care of my brother..." Clara''s words sank into him, pain slicing sharper than any wound.


    "I can''t... I can''t save him..." His whisper broke¡ªlost to the wind.


    The world blurred¡ªpain, betrayal, hatred boiling over like a volcano.


    His nails clawed furrows in the dirt¡ªbreath snarling, veins burning with unrelenting fury. His vision darkened¡ªrage clawing at his sanity, a beast breaking free.


    His head snapped up¡ªteeth bared, a feral growl rumbling deep.


    BOOM!


    Energy detonated¡ªa shockwave tearing through the forest. Lightning didn''t crackle¡ªit roared, blue arcs ripping the air with a deafening explosion, shattering rocks, distorting reality.


    His eyes glowed¡ªelectric blue, sparks dancing in pupils, twin storms illuminating his blood-streaked face.


    "I WILL MAKE YOU PAY!" His scream shook the night¡ªraw, unhinged.


    Annie stepped back¡ªwhistling, grinning. "Well, well... full of surprises."


    Joy clicked his tongue¡ªunimpressed. "Bring out the throne."


    A guttural chorus echoed¡ªmalice spilling from the trees. Goblins swarmed¡ªdozens, twisted bodies scuttling, greenish-gray skin glistening, jagged teeth bared, saliva dripping.


    They dragged a makeshift throne¡ªbones, rotting wood, scraps of metal, stained with old blood, a tattered red cloth fluttering atop it, a grotesque mockery.


    They chanted¡ªhowling, kneeling before Rio like a god. Joy clapped¡ªlaughing. "Your Majesty, your throne''s ready!"


    Rio smirked¡ªbrushing his cloak, sitting casually, leg crossed, chin on knuckles. His eyes glowed¡ªarrogance, cruelty. "Ahhh... now this is more like it."


    Goblins cheered¡ªweapons clanging in chaotic revelry. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Beno''s breath heaved¡ªeyes locked, lightning crackling around fists.


    He snapped.


    A burst of speed¡ªa storm of death tearing through goblins, lightning trailing in sizzling arcs. Skulls shattered¡ªwet cracks, torsos split, guts spilling¡ªscreams cut short as blood sprayed, painting the ground red.


    Rio settled deeper¡ªbones creaking under him, smirking with sadistic delight. "Joy, bring me a toy to entertain me."


    Joy grinned¡ªwide, wicked. "As you command, my king."


    Annie cackled¡ªsharp, gleeful, reveling in the mockery.


    Joy lifted a hand to the dark forest. "Come forth, Goblin King."


    The air thickened¡ªsuffocating, footsteps shaking the earth with deep thuds.


    A ten-foot shadow emerged¡ªmuscular, scarred, bloodshot eyes glowing feral, jagged teeth dripping venom.


    Beno felt it¡ªterror, a primal scream to run pulsing through him.


    But he couldn''t¡ªCharles''s blood dripped, a lifeline he wouldn''t abandon.


    The Goblin King roared¡ªtrees trembling, swinging a massive trunk like a club.


    BOOM!


    Beno darted¡ªLightning Step crackling, the trunk smashing down with a crunch, dirt exploding. The King moved¡ªfaster, a blur of rage.


    Beno struck¡ªlightning surging, targeting throat, chest, eyes¡ªthunder cracking, flesh sizzling.


    Useless.


    Silence fell¡ªburnt flesh and blood choking the air. The Goblin King regenerated¡ªwounds sealing with a sickening squish, unharmed, unyielding.


    Annie yawned¡ªgolden eyes glowing amusement, watching Beno dodge¡ªlightning flickering, narrowly evading massive fists.


    "Boring," she drawled¡ªmocking. "He only knows how to run."


    She flicked her fingers¡ªcasual, dismissive.


    CRASH!


    Beno slammed down¡ªan unseen force crushing him. Ribs snapped¡ªsharp pops, lungs caving, air forced out in a wheeze. Bones creaked¡ªgrinding under pressure, dirt fracturing beneath him.


    Agony hit¡ª instantaneous, blinding. His ears rang¡ªhis body locked, fingers twitching uselessly. He couldn''t breathe¡ªblood bubbling at his mouth, chest burning.


    Annie smirked¡ªvoice cutting. "Poor Beno. That''s just 1/3 of Mercury''s gravity. Can''t move? How sad."


    Her laughter pierced¡ªcruel, sharp.


    The Goblin King roared¡ªeyes glinting triumph.


    BOOM!


    A colossal fist descended¡ªjudgment slamming down.


    CRACK!


    Pain¡ªunimaginable. His skull fractured¡ªa crunch as bone caved, a gash splitting his forehead. His head snapped back¡ªthudding into dirt, spine reverberating.


    Blood gushed¡ªcrimson flooding his face, pooling in eyes and mouth, copper choking him. His ears screamed¡ªnerves misfiring, limbs spasming, clawing dirt. Pain radiated¡ªmolten lava in his bones, thoughts scattering, mind fading.


    Rio''s laughter¡ªcold, triumphant¡ªechoed as darkness swallowed him.


    Beno didn''t scream.


    [To Be Continued...]

 Chapter 13:

    Chapter 13 - "Kneel or Bleed"The atmosphere was thick with dust and the scent of blood, a suffocating miasma that clung to the lungs like wet ash.


    The arena, once a lush patch of green, had been ravaged into a battlefield, its earth churned into a mire of mud and gore, stained crimson with rivers of blood that pooled and glistened under the flickering sky.


    The echo of battle faded into an eerie silence, broken only by the faint drip of blood and the wind''s mournful howl through shattered trees.


    In the center of the chaos lay Beno Mark, his lifeless body sprawled against the dirt, a broken marionette in a macabre tableau.


    Blood pooled around him like a painting, a dark, viscous halo spreading outward, soaking into the earth until it gleamed wetly.


    His chest barely rose and fell, each breath a faint wheeze, a rattling gasp that bubbled with blood, the only sign he clung to life.


    The brutal punch from the Goblin King''s massive fist had shattered his skull, bone fragments jutting through torn flesh, his forehead caved in, a jagged ruin dripping crimson.


    His neck bent at an unnatural angle, vertebrae snapped, a grotesque twist that made his head loll lifelessly.


    His lungs, once full of air, were now scattered inside his chest cavity, shredded by the impact, blood seeping from ruptured vessels to flood his torso.


    His vision was a haze of red, blood seeping into his eyes, stinging and blinding as he fought to stay conscious, his mind teetering on the edge of oblivion. It was clear:


    he was on the brink of death, a thread away from the void.


    A faint twitch of movement, then the guttural roar of the Goblin King split the air, a primal bellow that shook the trees above, leaves raining down like ash.


    Its massive chest heaved, muscles rippling beneath scarred, greenish-gray skin as it loomed over Beno''s broken form, its bloodshot eyes glinting with savage triumph.


    From his high throne made of skeletal remains, Rio stood and began clapping mockingly, his hands striking together with a slow, deliberate rhythm, his voice a dark melody that slithered through the hollowed-out space.


    "Bravo, Goblin King. Bravo," he sneered, his voice dripping with mockery, a venomous edge that curled around every word.


    The other goblins followed suit, their guttural laughter erupting in a cacophony of glee, clapping their clawed hands as if they''d witnessed a spectacle, not a slaughter.


    Even Joy and Annie joined in, whistling in excitement, their shrill notes piercing the air, their faces alight with sadistic delight.


    Charles Ragly, chained and bloodied, stared in disbelief, his voice trembling as he called out, filled with confusion and sorrow.


    "Lord Rio, I trusted you... Why? Why did you deceive me like this?"


    Rio paused, turning his gaze to Charles, his eyes narrowing with amusement.He grinned, a dark, twisted slash across his face, teeth glinting like a predator''s.


    "You trusted me?" he echoed, his voice darkening, sinking into a growl. "Fool! Not even my parents trust me.


    How could you trust someone who lies through their teeth?"


    The laughter from Joy and Annie erupted in unison, cruel and biting, a frigid gust that swept across the battlefield, chilling the blood-soaked air.


    "What about Beno''s hidden power?" Charles cried, his voice desperate, cracking under the weight of betrayal. "What about his evil side? Was that a lie too?"


    Rio''s mocking laugh cut through the air like a blade, sharp and relentless. "A lie? All of it, Charles. Everything. Our goal was never to awaken any so-called power. Our real mission was to kidnap you.


    And as for Annie,"he gestured toward her, his hand sweeping lazily, "well, she just wanted to have a little fun with you two.


    See, you almost killed someone''s brother, someone''s lover, someone who actually cares. Hahaha, foolish brat!"


    Charles'' heart sank, plummeting into a pit of despair as memories of the bond between Luna and Beno flooded his mind¡ªtheir laughter echoing through quiet nights, the warmth in their eyes like a hearth he''d never known.


    His guilt gnawed at him like a hungry beast, teeth sinking deep, his body trembling as the full weight of his actions crashed down, a tidal wave of regret that drowned his resolve.


    Outside the Dungeon Gate


    Franky stood apart from the group of officials, his sharp eyes scanning the horizon, piercing through the gloom.


    The air was thick with tension, a palpable weight that pressed against his chest, even the seasoned officials around him seeming uneasy, their whispers hushed and jittery. They had been waiting for two hours, yet no word had come from the teams inside.


    The examination was meant to be straightforward¡ªa controlled test, a proving ground for candidates. But something about this felt off, a dissonance that prickled his instincts.


    The dungeon gate before him loomed, its massive stone frame cracked in places, faint fractures spiderwebbing across its surface like veins on a dying leaf.


    It was no ordinary dungeon¡ªits aura was a living thing, heavy and oppressive, radiating a danger that set his nerves alight. Franky''s eyes narrowed. He''d faced countless missions, S-rank dungeons included, but this... this was different.


    "Is this normal?" one of the officials muttered, her voice low, barely masking her anxiety as she shifted closer to Franky.


    He didn''t answer immediately, his gaze locked on the swirling energy pulsing from the cracks in the gate.


    What had once been a calm, glowing blue now flickered, shifting into deeper hues of crimson, a subtle change that pulsed like a heartbeat. Franky''s stomach churned.


    He''d felt the power of S-rank dungeons before¡ªforeboding, yes, but this was malevolent, a raw, primal force that rippled through the air, sinking into his bones like a warning carved in marrow.


    He shook his head, muttering under his breath, "I must be imagining things," though his instincts roared otherwise.


    The dungeon was tailored for students, its difficulty calculated¡ªyet the feeling wouldn''t relent, a gnawing dread that coiled tighter with every passing second.


    He glanced at the officials, their faces etched with unease, eyes darting to the gate. They felt it too.


    The Mockery Intensifies


    Annie, her face twisted with mock sympathy, cooed, "Aww, our baby''s crying. Want some milk, Charles? Maybe Beno''s just a dead worm now, eh?"


    Her voice dripped with venom, her golden eyes glinting as she leaned forward, savoring his despair.


    Joy strode forward and kicked Beno''s broken form, his foot making a sickening thud against the bloodied flesh, a wet crack as ribs gave way beneath his boot.


    "What''s wrong with you, worm? You alive, or are you just dead meat?" he taunted, his voice filled with cruel amusement, lips curling into a sneer.


    Beno''s eyes flickered open for a brief moment, his gaze hollow but burning with determination, a ember refusing to die.


    He was consumed by darkness, his body covered in a mask of blood, the crimson flood obscuring his features, matting his hair to his shattered skull.


    He could barely see, the world a red blur, but he could still hear them, their taunts slicing through the haze like knives.


    Joy laughed, his tone condescending."He''s already dead," he mocked.


    "Hey, King¡ªgo ahead and eat him. He''s not worth your time."


    Charles'' pleas rang out, his voice breaking with desperation."No, no! Please! He can be saved! Please, show mercy!"


    Rio''s eyes glinted with amusement as he turned toward Charles, shaking his head.


    "Mercy? Mercy is for the weak. The King doesn''t give mercy... because he''s the King."


    Annie stepped forward, her heels clicking on the dirt, a sharp staccato as she approached Charles, her tone suddenly cold.


    "Your sister," she said, her voice laced with venom, "was killed by our master. Not by Beno Mark. She died because she was in the way of our true purpose¡ªour master''s purpose."


    The words cut through Charles like a dagger to the heart, a blade that twisted and tore.


    His entire world came crashing down, the betrayal a weight that crushed his spirit, the loss a void that swallowed him whole, the truth a poison seeping into his veins.


    He collapsed to his knees, tears streaming down his face, carving trails through the blood and dirt caking his skin, his sobs raw and broken.


    But before anyone could process this grim realization, a soft, almost imperceptible cough came from the bloodied figure on the ground. Beno Mark.


    Joy''s attention snapped back, his mocking grin faltering for a moment."Is he still alive?" he mused, then kicked Beno''s body once more, this time harder, the impact a dull thud as flesh gave way, blood spraying from the wound, eager to snuff out the pest that defied death.


    This time, something within Beno stirred.His lips parted, blood dripping down his chin, a crimson river staining his teeth.


    Beno parted his lips.His voice, deep and commanding, echoed through the chamber.


    "Kneel... or bleed." sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Crimson Awakening


    The Goblin King and goblins collapsed onto their knees instantly, their bodies trembling, claws scraping the dirt in abject submission.


    Their instincts screamed for survival, primal fear overriding their bloodlust, forcing them into a bow so low their foreheads pressed into the gore-soaked earth.


    Annie let out a shaky laugh, her voice trembling despite her bravado. "W-what''s wrong with him?"


    Joy''s voice wavered, his confidence fracturing. "I... I don''t know."


    The words, though loudly audible, sent a wave of dread through the group.A heavy silence settled over the battlefield, the air thickening, the goblins'' breaths hitching as they froze, their eyes widening in shock.It felt as though the very air had shifted, darkened, the temperature plummeting as the ground beneath them trembled with an ancient, unspoken power, a rumble that pulsed through the dirt like a heartbeat.


    Without warning, Beno stood, his body moving like a shadow that tore through the silence, fluid and unstoppable.


    His eyes, once dull and lifeless, now glowed a furious crimson, twin infernos that burned through the haze, radiating malice and wrath. The aura around him surged, blood-red energy curling around his form like a twisted storm, tendrils of power lashing out, crackling with a sound like snapping bones.


    The dungeon itself seemed to react, the very walls echoing with the raw, oppressive power he unleashed, stone groaning under the strain.


    Joy''s face twisted in horror as he backed away, his voice faltering."What... What is this? What''s happening?"


    But before he could react, Beno''s hand shot forward, fingers extended as if clawing something from the air


    . A pulse of energy erupted, a crimson wave that sliced through the space with a high-pitched shriek, invisible yet devastating.


    SLASH!


    Joy''s arm was severed clean off, the blade of energy parting flesh and bone like paper. Blood gushed from the wound like a geyser, a torrent that sprayed across the dirt, soaking Annie''s boots as Joy''s agonized scream filled the dungeon, a raw, guttural wail that echoed off the walls¡ª"AAAAAHHHH!!"


    As Joy ran toward Rio, staggering and clutching the stump, his vision blurred, head spinning¡ªup and down, up and down¡ªbefore his head hit the ground, severed in a single, brutal instant. His last sight was his own headless body still standing, blood fountaining from the neck, limbs twitching as it swayed.


    THUD.


    His severed head rolled to the floor, eyes wide and frozen in terror, mouth gaping in a silent scream. Beno loomed over it, his glowing crimson eyes the last thing Joy saw before¡ª


    CRACK.


    Beno''s boot crushed Joy''s skull, the impact a wet snap as bone shattered, brain matter bursting outward in a grisly spray, blood and bone fragments splattering across the floor, a crimson mosaic of ruin.


    Annie vomited on the spot, her stomach heaving as bile splashed onto the dirt, her golden eyes wide with disbelief, hands trembling as she clutched her mouth, retching uncontrollably.


    Rio''s heart pounded wildly in his chest, a frantic drumbeat against his ribs.


    Sweat dripped down his face, cold and clammy, pooling at his chin as for the first time, he understood true fear, a visceral terror that turned his blood to ice.


    Charles watched in pure horror, his chained hands shaking, eyes locked on Beno¡ªor what had once been Beno.


    This wasn''t Beno Mark.This was something else. A king. A nightmare. A monster.


    The sky above the dungeon thundered violently, a deafening boom that split the heavens, lightning flashing crimson through the cracks in the gate outside.


    The very air smelled of death, thick with iron and ash, a shroud that choked the living.


    Beno turned, his crimson gaze locking onto Rio, unyielding and merciless, a predator sizing its prey.


    Rio''s body instinctively knelt, legs buckling as he dropped, his forehead slamming into the ground, a submissive bow driven by terror, his breaths shallow and panicked, sweat mingling with the dirt.


    Charles, too, found himself kneeling, his entire body shaking, chains rattling as fear gripped him, his tear-streaked face pale, eyes darting between Beno and the carnage.


    The remaining goblins fell to their knees in terror, claws digging into the earth, whimpers escaping their throats as they could feel it now¡ªthe terrifying presence of something ancient and powerful, a force they''d never anticipated, a king rising from the blood and ruin.


    Rio''s eyes widened as he felt the overwhelming pressure, a weight that crushed his spirit. The King¡ªno, the true King¡ªwas rising.


    He dropped lower, forehead grinding into the dirt, his entire body trembling in fear, a pathetic whimper slipping past his lips.


    Annie, too, felt it.Her mouth opened in a silent scream, no sound escaping, her vocal cords paralyzed by dread.


    She could only stare, her body rigid, golden eyes dilated, hands twitching as if to flee but unable to move, rooted by the terror radiating from Beno.


    And then, as if the world had stopped, a voice like thunder rang out across the battlefield.


    "Those who mock the King... do not deserve even a single peaceful moment."


    Rio''s eyes snapped to the blood staining Beno Mark''s boot, the realization crashing down like a tidal wave, drowning him in dread. Joy''s crushed skull, the gore beneath Beno''s heel¡ªhe didn''t even give Joy a peaceful memory of seven minutes'' death.


    The words Beno had spoken echoed in his mind: "Kneel or bleed." It wasn''t a choice. It was a decree. The terror that surged through him froze him in place, his breaths hitching, chest tight with panic.


    The ground trembled as Beno Mark, now a figure of absolute authority, slowly walked forward, each step a thud that shook the earth, his presence suffocating, a calm before the storm, the calm before annihilation.


    He approached the skeletal throne, his blood-red aura causing the bones to vibrate, rattling under the weight of his power, dust cascading from the frame.


    Thunder cracked in the sky, the forest igniting in flames, trees erupting in an unholy fury, fire licking the heavens with crimson tongues.


    Beno reached the throne, his blood-red aura surging, a storm of energy that warped the air, and he sat down slowly, the bones creaking as they bowed beneath him, his gaze sweeping over the trembling figures of Rio, Annie, and Charles.


    "You," Beno began, his voice cold and commanding, a blade of ice that cut through the silence, "will learn the true meaning of mercy."


    And with a single, pointed gesture, he raised his hand.His eyes locked onto Rio, crimson burning into his soul, and in that moment, the forest fell silent, the world holding its breath.


    [End of Chapter 13]


    Hey readers, I''ve been working all night on this scene, pouring every ounce of energy into making sure you feel the terror and get those goosebumps. I really hope it gave you the chills. If you liked it, please share it with your friends and leave a comment! What do you think Beno Mark will do next? Will he show mercy, or is the worst yet to come? I''d love to hear your thoughts and predictions!


    See you on next Chapter. :)

 Chapter 14: The Throne of Death

    Chapter 14 - The Throne of DeathThe air inside the dungeon was thick with the stench of blood and decay. Glistening pools of crimson mingled with the dust, staining the cracked stone floor. Corpses of goblins and skeleton warriors lay strewn across the battlefield, their bodies torn apart like ragdolls¡ªlimbs twisted, skulls shattered, entrails spilling in grotesque heaps. The eerie glow from the dungeon''s core pulsed faintly overhead, casting jagged shadows that flickered as if alive, acknowledging the presence of something far beyond mortal comprehension.


    At the foot of a massive skeletal throne, Beno Mark sat, his posture deceptively relaxed yet radiating an aura that made the dungeon itself tremble. His once-dark attire clung to him, soaked in blood¡ªsome his own, seeping from countless wounds, some from the creatures he''d slaughtered, streaking his torn fabric in violent smears. His cold, piercing gaze locked onto Rio, who stood several meters away, chest heaving with labored breaths.


    Despite the gashes crisscrossing his body, despite his frail frame compared to the hardened hunters of legend, there was something terrifying about him. An unshakable dread rippled through the air, a whisper of power that had the world outside quaking in fear of his name.


    Rio''s hands shook as he opened his inventory, fumbling with a pair of power-detecting glasses. He shoved them onto his face, his breath catching as glowing red numbers flared across the lenses.


    [Power Level: C-Rank]


    "C-rank...?" Rio''s voice cracked, disbelief twisting his features. He''d braced for an S-rank monstrosity, a titan of destruction. But C-rank? A smirk curled his lips as confidence surged, drowning his fear. He''s only a C-rank right now... I can win this!


    Without hesitation, he yanked a small, dark vial from his inventory. His trembling fingers uncorked it, revealing a forbidden enhancement pill¡ªa cursed concoction that promised unimaginable strength at a horrific cost. The vial hummed with malevolent energy, its contents swirling like liquid shadow, tendrils of darkness licking at the air.


    Beno tilted his head slightly, his bloodied hand resting against his cheek as he watched with an eerie, almost amused calmness. "So, that''s your plan, is it?"


    His voice was a low murmur, yet it echoed through the dungeon like the tolling of a death knell, each word dripping with regal authority that sent a shiver racing down Rio''s spine.


    Rio ignored him and swallowed the pill.


    The effect was instantaneous¡ªand horrifying.


    "ARRRGGHHH!!" Rio''s scream ripped through the dungeon as his body convulsed violently. Black veins bulged beneath his skin, pulsing like living serpents. His muscles swelled grotesquely, tearing through his clothes as his skin darkened to a sickly gray. His arms stretched, bones cracking audibly, his spine arching with a sickening snap. Jagged claws erupted from his fingers, and his eyes blazed crimson, his hair igniting into an electric blue that crackled with static.


    He was no longer human¡ªa towering, grotesque beast, surpassing even a B-rank hunter. The dungeon walls trembled under his monstrous aura, the air warping around him like a heatwave, the pressure suffocating everything in its reach.


    Annie, watching from a distance, clenched her fists, her eyes gleaming with manic excitement. "Yes, Rio! Kill that bastard!"


    Her voice was a shrill, unhinged cackle, bouncing off the stone walls as she rocked on her heels, reveling in the chaos.


    Rio flexed his claws, the raw, destructive power surging through him like a drug. His blood-red eyes fixed on Beno, who remained seated, his expression unchanged¡ªno fear, no concern, only a faint, mocking amusement in those cold, piercing eyes.


    That look ignited a furnace of rage in Rio''s monstrous form. "BENO MARK! I''M GOING TO KILL YOU!"


    His roar shook the dungeon, his body blazing with destructive force. He drew his arm back, his fist glowing with fiery energy that scorched the air. "DESTRUCTION PUNCH!"


    The very fabric of reality cracked as the air compressed into a sonic boom. The ground beneath him exploded, shards of stone hurtling outward. A massive shockwave erupted, obliterating everything¡ªthe skeletal throne vanished into ash, the ground erased into a smoking crater, goblin corpses disintegrating into dust. The dungeon itself screamed, a guttural wail reverberating through the stone.


    Beno was hurled backward like a broken doll, his body smashing through stone pillars with bone-shattering force before slamming into the farthest wall. Blood splattered across the ground, a crimson arc painting the stone.


    Annie''s eyes lit up with glee. "Yes, Rio! You did it! You finally¡ª" She sprinted toward Rio''s monstrous form, her laughter wild and triumphant, expecting to see Beno''s corpse reduced to rubble.


    But then¡ªshe stopped.


    Her breath caught in her throat.


    Her eyes widened in horror. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Her entire body froze, as if the air had turned to ice.


    Rio still stood, his massive frame towering over the wreckage.


    But... his head was gone.


    A grotesque fountain of blood gushed from his neck, drenching his muscular form. His lifeless body remained upright, oblivious to its own demise, claws twitching faintly.


    And then, from behind him, a shadow emerged.


    Beno Mark.


    His body was battered, blood dripping from his mouth, clothes in tatters. But in his right hand, he held Rio''s severed head¡ªspine and all, dangling like a grotesque trophy. Rio''s face was frozen in shock, mouth agape mid-scream, crimson eyes wide with terror.


    Annie''s world shattered.


    "RIOOOOOOOOOO! NOOOOOOOOOOO!" Her scream pierced the air, raw and agonizing, as she collapsed to her knees. Her body shook violently, hands clawing at the ground as if she could undo the nightmare before her.


    "RIOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Her voice broke, a guttural wail of despair. She clutched her head, nails digging into her scalp, tears streaming down her face as she convulsed. "No... no... NO! This can''t be happening!"


    The Birth of the King of War


    Charles stood frozen at a distance, his breath trapped in his chest as he witnessed the carnage. The moment Rio''s attack connected, Beno had been blown away by the sheer force. But instead of resisting, Beno had used it¡ªhis fingers driving into Rio''s skull with surgical precision, nails piercing bone like daggers. Then, the force of Rio''s own punch ripped his head clean off. It wasn''t just brutality¡ªit was strategy, warfare.


    Rio had killed himself without even realizing it.


    Charles'' body trembled, his knees threatening to buckle. "This..." he whispered, his voice barely audible over the pounding of his heart. He clenched his fists, mind reeling.


    This wasn''t just strength. This wasn''t just instinct. This was the work of a warlord.


    He looked up at Beno, standing amidst the blood-soaked battlefield, dragging Rio''s severed head like a trophy. "This is... the King of War..."


    His voice quivered, laced with sheer terror.


    Annie''s Madness ¨C Desperation & Fear


    Annie''s breathing turned ragged, her pupils shaking as her body twitched uncontrollably. In blind panic, she lunged at Charles, grabbing his collar with feral desperation. "I-If you come near me, I swear I''ll kill him!"


    Her dagger pressed against Charles'' neck, hands trembling so violently the blade nicked his skin, drawing a thin line of blood. Her entire body was drenched in sweat, eyes bloodshot, mouth twitching as sanity slipped away. "Stay away, you demon!" she shrieked at Beno, her voice cracking with fear.


    Charles froze, heart pounding. He''d seen what Beno did to Rio¡ªthe unrelenting brutality. Annie was making a deadly mistake.


    Beno didn''t respond.


    He simply walked forward.


    Step.


    Step.


    Step.


    His calm, methodical footsteps echoed, each one a hammer blow to Annie''s fraying mind. Her grip tightened, but her hands shook harder. "STAY BACK!" she screamed, a raw, animalistic howl.


    Step.


    Step.


    Step.


    Beno''s cold gaze locked onto her, unreadable as stone¡ªno anger, no hatred, no pity, just chilling indifference.


    "You tremble like a lamb before the slaughter," he said, his voice low and resonant, carrying the weight of a king''s decree."You fear death, don''t you?"


    Annie''s breath hitched, her eyes widening in terror.


    "You don''t want to die," he continued, his tone merciless, stating an immutable truth.


    Step.


    Step.


    Beno closed the distance, his presence suffocating, a predator stalking prey too weak to flee. Annie''s body seized up, her vision blurring as her chest heaved.


    Her mind screamed¡ªrun, fight, survive.


    Beno with Absolute voice:- "Glory of Dead"


    A notification flashed in her vision, glowing red against the dungeon''s darkness.


    [New Ability Unlocked: Hearing of Souls]


    The world shifted. Her ears rang with a high-pitched whine, the dungeon walls twisting as reality unraveled. Then¡ªshe heard them.


    The voices of the dead.


    "Help me..."


    "Please... save us..."


    "Why... why did I have to die?"


    "This pain... it never ends..."


    Thousands, tens of thousands of screams clawed at her sanity, a relentless cacophony from every direction. She clutched her head, nails digging into her scalp as her knees buckled.


    She saw them¡ªJoy''s ghost, his arrogant face twisted in sorrow; Rio''s decapitated head, mouthing silent screams; goblins, hunters, adventurers¡ªtheir ethereal forms reaching for her, ghostly fingers clawing at her skin, voices drilling into her skull.


    "Save us."


    "Save us."


    "SAVE US!"


    The Breaking Point ¨C Brain Burst


    Annie''s body convulsed, her vision spinning as the voices overwhelmed her. She couldn''t escape, couldn''t breathe. Her mouth foamed, eyes rolled back, screams turning to choked gasps.


    Then¡ªa crack.


    A sickening snap echoed in her skull, her mind shattering like glass. Blood trickled from her nose, her twitching ceased, and her body went limp. Her eyes stared into the void, mouth frozen in a silent scream.


    She was gone.


    Dead.


    Her brain had exploded from the overload, her soul claimed by the abyss.


    Aftermath ¨C Charles'' Horror


    Charles watched, hands trembling uncontrollably. He stared at Annie''s motionless body, her expression frozen in terror, lifeless eyes reflecting the dungeon''s dim glow.


    And Beno... exhaled, a faint breath carrying the weight of indifference, as if he''d swatted a fly.


    Charles'' body shook, breaths shallow and panicked. Beno Mark wasn''t human¡ªa nightmare in flesh, a living embodiment of death.


    He was standing before a King of War.


    Submission of the Unworthy


    Charles fell to his knees, the weight of the moment crushing his spirit. His breaths came in ragged gasps, heart pounding as if it might burst. He wanted to run, to fight, to scream¡ªbut he knew the truth.


    There was nothing he could do.


    He''d seen true power¡ªfrom Beno Mark.


    No human could rip a man''s head off with one hand. No human could stare down death and emerge victorious. No human could stand there, drenched in blood, body broken yet unyielding, cold eyes void of hesitation.


    Charles trembled as Beno turned to face him. The air grew heavy, the dungeon bowing to his presence.


    "Charles," Beno said, his voice calm¡ªtoo calm¡ªresonating with the authority of a king who''d conquered death.


    Charles flinched, throat dry, words barely escaping. "Y-Yes... my King...?"


    Beno stepped closer, gaze locking onto him like a predator sizing up prey. "I will spare you," he said, tone cold and unyielding.


    "Not because I forgive your treachery, but because I made a vow to your sister¡ªto protect you."


    Charles'' chest tightened, shame burning within. His sister. His hands clenched, nails drawing blood.


    Beno had every right to kill him.


    Yet, because of a promise, he lived.


    But then¡ªBeno spoke again, voice a low decree that chilled Charles'' spine. "If you ever betray me again, I will ensure your death is one of honor¡ªa fitting end for a traitor."


    No threat, no malice¡ªjust cold certainty, a promise from a king who never faltered.


    Charles lowered his head, pride and soul crushed beneath that presence. "Yes, my King," he whispered, lips trembling.


    The Collapse of a Monster


    Beno exhaled, tension dissipating. But something was wrong. His body wavered, vision blurring as pain crashed down like a tidal wave. Blood trickled from his arms, soaking his torn shirt. His breaths grew ragged, fingers numb.


    The world tilted, darkness creeping in. Then¡ªhis body gave out.


    Beno Mark collapsed, the King of War felled by his own battle.


    Hospital Awakening


    The world felt heavy, an endless abyss pulling Beno under. The air pressed on his chest, suffocating.


    A soft, rhythmic beeping pierced the void, tugging him back. Something cool brushed his skin, contrasting the burning ache within. His eyelids trembled, then opened.


    A blurry white ceiling loomed, light harsh and unfamiliar. His body ached, every muscle protesting as he stirred. Everything felt dull, a haze.


    Then¡ªhe saw her.


    A shadowed figure hovered above, framed by sterile light. His vision focused¡ªtears, swollen red eyes, trembling hands.


    "You idiot..." Her whisper shook with emotion.


    Then, she threw herself onto him.


    Luna''s Tears


    Luna clung to Beno, arms wrapping tight around his battered body. She trembled, raw emotion shaking her frame. Her tears soaked his neck, warm against the thin hospital gown.


    "Why do you always make me worry like this?!" she sobbed, voice cracking, strength replaced by vulnerability.


    Beno winced but didn''t push her away. His voice rasped faintly, "Luna..."


    She pulled back slightly, sniffing as she wiped her eyes. Her lips trembled, fingers clutching his gown. "You were found near death," she said, voice barely a whisper.


    "Charles carried you out of the dungeon. If we hadn''t found you in time, you¡ª" Her voice broke, unable to finish.


    Beno frowned, mind foggy. "Dungeon...Oh...yes..But... I was fighting... cultists..."


    Charles'' Hidden Truth


    In the corner, Charles froze, blood running cold. Beno had forgotten¡ªAnnie, Rio, the massacre, the submission.


    Yet¡ªhe lived.


    Charles touched his chest, heart pounding. He heard Beno''s last words from the dungeon: "Do not speak of what happened here," a low growl brooking no defiance. "Not to anyone."


    His fists clenched, nails biting into his palms.


    Beno Mark was not human.


    And the world... had no idea.


    "Charles submitted, but did Beno even realize the weight of what he just did? And now... he''s already forgetting everything? This isn''t normal.


    Is it just trauma messing with his mind, or is there something far more sinister at play? Could he be possessed?


    Or is his own consciousness shattering under the pressure? Maybe there''s something¡ªor someone¡ªlurking within him, waiting for the right moment to take control.


    What do you think? Drop your theories in the comments, vote my novel Forsaken hunter and let''s uncover the truth together!"

 Chapter 15: The Song Beneath the Cherry Tree

    Chapter 15 - The Song Beneath the Cherry TreeA Restless Night


    The faint scent of antiseptic filled the quiet hospital room, a sterile tang that clung to the air like a ghost. The ticking of a wall clock was the only sound, its relentless rhythm slicing through the silence, save for the occasional shuffling of nurses outside,


    their footsteps muffled echoes in the dimly lit corridor. The room was a cocoon of stillness, shadows pooling in the corners, the faint glow of moonlight seeping through a cracked window.


    Two patients lay on adjacent beds, separated by a thin, faded curtain that swayed slightly with each breath of the ventilation system. Charles lay there, wide awake, his gaze fixed on the ceiling, its cracked plaster a map of his spiraling thoughts.


    His heavy eyes burned with exhaustion, but sleep eluded him, his mind a storm of unanswered questions.


    Why does he remember nothing? Why only the dungeon and cultist incident?


    He clenched his fist beneath the covers, knuckles whitening as frustration gnawed at him. Beno, sleeping silently beyond the curtain, was a puzzle that refused to fit together. Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The King side knows everything about Beno, yet Beno himself remembers nothing. It makes no sense. The contradiction gnawed at Charles, a splinter in his mind he couldn''t dislodge.


    Charles closed his eyes tightly, the weight of confusion pressing down until his temples throbbed. But in the stillness of the room, a faint murmur drew his attention, a whisper that cut through the haze.


    Beno was sweating heavily, beads of perspiration glistening on his pale forehead, his breathing uneven, shallow gasps that hitched in his throat.


    His fingers twitched, clawing at the sheets as if grasping at something invisible, his body a prisoner to a nightmare''s grip.


    In the prison of his mind, Beno stood amidst a crimson-drenched dungeon. The air was thick with the stench of blood and ash, forests ablaze with roaring flames that painted the sky a hellish red. Rivers ran thick with blood, sluggish and viscous, bubbling as they carved through the scorched earth.


    Corpses piled like mountains, their twisted limbs jutting out, faces frozen in silent screams, a grotesque monument to slaughter. At the center loomed a black skeleton throne, its bones gleaming with an oily sheen, radiating a malevolent presence that pulsed like a heartbeat.


    To his horror, he found himself sitting upon it, his hands gripping the armrests, the cold bones biting into his flesh.


    "No... No, I don''t want this..." Beno mumbled in his sleep, his body trembling, a shudder that rippled through the hospital bed.


    He tried to awaken, thrashing against the nightmare''s chains, but it held him fast. Suddenly, as if fate itself weaved a different thread, the hellish vision melted away.The red sky shifted into a gentle blue, clouds parting to reveal a serene expanse.


    Cherry blossoms bloomed, their petals drifting lazily through the air, and soft grass replaced the scorched ground, cushioning his feet with a tender embrace.


    Under the shade of a grand cherry tree sat a figure¡ªLuna, her silver hair catching the sunlight, humming a song with closed eyes.Her delicate voice swirled through the air, a soothing melody that danced like a spring breeze, washing away the blood and fire.


    Beno''s panic softened. Luna looked up and smiled, patting her lap gently. Without words, he sank down, resting his head there, the warmth of her presence a balm to his fractured soul.


    The nightmare faded into a quiet dream, the tension draining from his body as his breathing steadied.


    A Song Like Magic


    Outside the dream, Charles blinked in disbelief. Luna stood by Beno''s bedside, singing softly, her voice a thread of light piercing the room''s gloom.


    The melody was ethereal, weaving through the air like a spell, each note a brushstroke painting peace over chaos.


    [Verse 1]Beno, let the darkness fade / Nightmares break in Luna''s shade / Through the green, a soft light gleams / Cherry tree will guard your dreams


    [Verse 2]Rest, my love, beneath the sky / Where the stars in silence lie / Plants will whisper, shadows flee / On my lap, find peace with me


    [Pre-Chorus]Close your eyes, don''t be afraid / Even sorrow''s tears will fade / I will hold you through the storm / In my arms, you''re safe and warm


    [Chorus]Branches cradle whispers low / Tales of love we''ll never know / Blooming hearts and petals fall / This haven hears your silent call


    [Verse 3]Winds hum sweet and clouds drift slow / Underneath the moon''s soft glow / Here no fear can hold its claim / Cherry tree will know your name


    [Verse 4 - New]When the cold winds bite your skin / Let the lullabies begin / I''ll sing for you till dawn arrives / With every note, your hope survives


    [Bridge]Roots run deep, they tie us tight / Safe within the velvet night / Stay with me, you''ll never part / You are calm within my heart


    [Chorus]Branches cradle whispers low / Tales of love we''ll never know / Blooming hearts and petals fall / This haven hears your silent call


    [Outro - Soft Whisper]Petals falling, softly glow / In your dreams, you''ll always know / When you wake, I''ll still be near / Luna''s song will calm your fear


    Charles felt as if even his own anxiety dissolved under the melody, the weight on his chest lifting, his racing thoughts slowing to a gentle hum. The song was a lifeline, tethering them both to a fragile calm.


    But what happened next made his eyes widen.


    Luna glanced around cautiously, her movements deliberate, her serene facade masking something deeper. She wasn''t merely singing.


    From her pocket, she pulled out a small syringe, its needle glinting faintly in the moonlight. Without hesitation, she took Beno''s arm, her touch gentle yet precise, and gently took a sample of his blood, the crimson liquid filling the vial with a slow, steady draw.


    Then, softly, she kissed his hand, her lips lingering as if in prayer.


    "I will cure you... for sure," she whispered, her voice a vow laced with desperation.


    Charles'' heart skipped a beat.His instincts flared, a jolt of adrenaline surging through him. What is she doing? The question burned, suspicion coiling tight in his gut.


    As Luna exited, her footsteps silent against the tiled floor, Charles carefully got out of bed, ignoring the pain in his body.


    His ribs ached, his muscles screamed with every movement, but curiosity overpowered his injuries. He trailed after her, keeping to the shadows, his breath shallow to avoid detection.


    The Hidden Truth


    She moved swiftly through the hospital corridors, her Blonde hair a faint shimmer in the dim light, her pace purposeful.


    Charles followed, his bare feet cold against the floor, every step a calculated risk. She stopped before a locked door marked with a faded sign: Authorized Personnel Only. The air around it felt heavier, a quiet menace lurking beneath the sterile facade.


    Underground? Charles thought, his pulse quickening.


    He watched as Luna pressed her hand against a hidden panel, her fingers brushing a concealed scanner. The door clicked open, a soft hiss escaping as it revealed a passage leading below the hospital, a steep stairwell descending into darkness, its walls lined with flickering fluorescent lights.


    Without hesitation, Charles spotted a ventilation shaft nearby, its grate loose and rusted. Despite his weakened state, he gritted his teeth, hauling himself up with trembling arms.


    He forced himself to climb inside, the metal groaning under his weight, crawling through the narrow tunnel, his elbows scraping against the sharp edges, the air stale and metallic in his lungs.


    Through a small gap, he peered into a brightly lit laboratory, its stark white walls a jarring contrast to the dungeon''s gloom.


    Machines hummed, their screens casting a cold glow over the room. Dr. Roy, a renowned researcher with graying hair and sharp, calculating eyes, stood before several screens displaying Beno''s X-ray scans, blood analysis, and brain patterns, the data scrolling in endless streams of numbers and graphs.


    What the hell... is this? Charles'' breath caught, his mind racing.


    Luna entered, handing over the syringe, her chest heaving slightly. "Here''s the sample," she said, catching her breath.


    Dr. Roy nodded."Thank you. This will help. I''ve been focusing entirely on him these past days."


    Charles felt chills down his spine as he saw Beno''s images plastered on every screen, his skeletal structure, his blood cells magnified, his brain waves spiking erratically¡ªa living specimen dissected in digital form.


    Luna asked, "Doctor, how is he?"


    Roy sighed heavily, his shoulders slumping under an unseen weight. "His condition is worse than I expected. His emotional balance is completely broken."


    "His anger and happiness swing unnaturally fast, which makes him extremely unpredictable. The truth is, no medicine is working. His immune system... outright rejects everything."


    Luna''s eyes widened, a flicker of fear crossing her face. "Then how is he still alive?"


    Roy''s expression darkened, his voice dropping to a grim whisper. "That''s the strange part. When I injected poison into a blood sample to test his immune system,


    the cells died as expected... but minutes later, they revived and destroyed the poison completely. His blood regenerates and resists foreign substances. It''s not human."


    Charles gritted his teeth, his fists clenching against the vent''s cold metal. So this is how he survived so many fatal injuries... The realization hit like a punch, tying together the fragments of Beno''s impossible resilience.


    Luna stepped back, trembling slightly. In her mind''s eye, she saw Beno, strapped to a lab table, his body riddled with tubes, surrounded by greedy nobles and corrupt researchers, their eyes glinting with avarice as they prodded him like a specimen. Tears welled in her eyes."Doctor... I can''t let this continue. Stop the research."


    Roy turned sharply."Luna, don''t be naive! This is a scientific breakthrough! Do you realize what this could mean?"


    "It means," Luna interrupted, her voice cutting through his fervor, "that if anyone outside finds out, they will rip him apart for answers."


    Roy remained silent, his jaw tightening, the weight of her words sinking in.


    Luna clenched her fists."Beno isn''t just a test subject. He''s... he''s someone who saved me when everyone called me a witch, when no one stood by me."Her voice cracked, raw with emotion.


    "I won''t let him suffer because of what makes him different."


    Dr. Roy closed his eyes and exhaled, a long, weary breath. "You''re right."He reached for a lighter, its flame flickering as he held it to the stack of documents. "For his sake, we''ll end it."


    He lit the papers on fire, the edges curling black as they turned to ash, the acrid smoke curling upward, a funeral pyre for the truth they''d uncovered.


    Confrontation in the Depths


    As Luna turned to leave the research facility, her sharp instincts caught a flicker of movement inside the vent above. Her eyes narrowed, her hand snapping to her blade in a fluid, practiced motion.


    "Breathing Style: Wind Leaf ¡ª Silent Cut."


    The ventilation shaft sliced cleanly, the metal parting like paper under an invisible blade, a gust of wind howling through the lab.


    The section crashed down, a deafening clang reverberating as Charles tumbled out, landing hard on the cold floor. His knees buckled, pain shooting through his bruised body, but he winced and immediately scrambled to his feet, hands raised in surrender.


    "W-Wait! Luna! It''s me!" he shouted, his voice hoarse with panic.


    "Charles?!"Luna''s eyes widened for a brief second, shock flashing across her face, but her grip tightened around her blade.


    Wind gathered sharply at the edge, a shimmering crescent of air that hummed with lethal intent, the lab''s lights flickering under its pressure.


    "Why were you spying on me?" Her voice was ice, each word a blade poised to strike.


    Charles stepped back, swallowing his nerves, his heart pounding against his ribs. "I-I just followed you after I saw you take Beno''s blood! I didn''t mean to sneak around!"


    Luna advanced, her boots silent against the floor, her blade halting just an inch from his neck.The cold wind brushed against his skin,


    a razor''s edge that sent shivers down his spine, goosebumps prickling as he felt the sting of its proximity. Her eyes bored into him, searching for deceit.


    Her breathing slowly calmed, the wind dissipating as she muttered under her breath, "...You''re lucky," and lowered her sword, the blade retracting with a soft click.


    Charles panted heavily, sweat beading on his brow. "Luna... what is going on? Who exactly is Beno Mark? And why¡ªwhy were you crying over him?"


    Luna flinched slightly and turned away, hiding her face behind a curtain of silver hair. "It''s none of your business," she said coldly, her tone a wall slamming shut.


    Charles'' eyes widened, anger surging as his hands balled into fists. "None of my business?!"


    His voice trembled, raw and ragged. "I''m the one who risked everything to save him! I was the one who saved him from Dungeon! Why don''t you trust me?"


    Luna bit her lip, surprised by his outburst, her resolve wavering as his words struck deep.


    Charles clenched his fists tighter."I''m just as curious as you are. I also care about him... more than you think."


    Luna gasped softly, her breath catching, unable to respond immediately, her eyes flickering with guilt and recognition.


    After a long silence, she finally sighed, her shoulders slumping. "Fine," she said, her voice softening. "I''ll tell you everything I know about Beno Mark... from his childhood to the strange things only I witnessed."


    Charles was taken aback."Why would you share something so important with me?"


    Luna stared directly into his eyes, unflinching, her gaze piercing. "Because I''ll need your help... if we are to cure Beno Mark."


    Without waiting for an answer, she turned, her silhouette sharp against the lab''s glow. "Follow me."


    The Confession


    The two quietly made their way to the empty hospital cafeteria, its vastness swallowed by shadows, the lights dim and flickering, casting long, jagged patterns across the tiled floor.


    The silence was almost suffocating, broken only by the faint hum of a vending machine in the corner. They sat at one of the corner tables, the plastic chairs creaking under their weight, the surface scratched and stained with years of neglect.


    Luna looked down at her hands, fidgeting slightly, her fingers twisting together as if wrestling with the weight of her words. "Beno grew up as a normal child," she began, her voice soft, a whisper against the stillness.


    "He was cheerful, energetic... always smiling. We were neighbors in the past and we used to play together every day." Her lips curved faintly, a ghost of a smile lost to memory, the warmth of those days clashing with the cold present.


    Charles listened carefully, his breath steady, his eyes locked on her, not daring to interrupt.


    "But everything changed when Renzo awakened," Luna continued, her gaze distant, staring through the table into a past she couldn''t escape. "Beno''s emotions began shifting... unnaturally. He was no longer the Beno I knew."


    "When he was sad, it was like he drowned in darkness. When he was angry, he lost control entirely." Her voice tightened, the words heavy with sorrow.


    She took a deep breath, steadying herself against the flood of memories.


    "At first, I thought it was just the pressure of being weaker than his brother. But then... I started noticing other things.


    His parents... they met a suspicious man one night. He wore a black coat, a strange hat, and a mask that hid his face."


    Charles leaned in, intrigued, his pulse quickening as the pieces of Beno''s enigma began to take shape.


    "After that day, Beno became worse. He would smile and cry at the same time. He acted like someone else controlled him. And then... he disappeared."


    Luna''s voice cracked slightly, a fracture in her composure as tears glistened at the edges of her eyes.


    "He came to my house one night, knocking on the window. I asked him why he was there. He said he ''ran away from home.''


    But... his red eyes told me a different story. They were filled with terror."


    Luna''s fingers trembled as she recalled the memory, her hands clutching the edge of the table, knuckles white. "I hid him, gave him a small room, and let him stay for as long as he wanted."


    "I was curious, so I asked him again why he ran away. He told me... his parents no longer wanted him."


    Her voice lowered, a whisper heavy with dread. "And when I asked who told him that, he said... ''A man in a coat and mask told me. He said, if you run away now, you might survive.''"


    Charles froze."Survive? Survive from what?" His voice was sharp, urgent, the question hanging like a blade between them.


    Luna shook her head."I don''t know. And I fear knowing the answer."


    She clenched her skirt tightly, the fabric bunching under her grip, her nails digging into her palms. "There''s more... but I''m not sure if you''re ready to hear it."


    Charles exhaled, staring into Luna''s conflicted eyes, seeing the storm of pain and resolve warring within her.


    Before she could continue¡ª


    Luna whispered, almost too softly to hear:"But I will tell you... because you''re going to help me save him."


    Her voice trembled as tears formed at the corners of her eyes, glistening like shards of glass, her vulnerability laid bare.


    [To Be Continued...]


    [Bonus: Luna & Beno Special Announcement]


    ???? Beno: Hey, you lot! This time it''s not your usual author speaking ¡ª it''s me, Beno, and Luna''s here too.


    ???? Luna: Hello~! We''re happy to tell you that we finally created a Discord server! If you join, you can even listen to my Cherry Tree Love Song ¡ª for free!


    ???? Beno: grumbles Anyway, I''m happy you''re reading our story, BUT... you''re all acting like ghosts. No collections? No comments?


    Beno glares fiercely


    ???? Beno: Since you''re so stubborn, I''ll activate the King''s System.


    ? SYSTEM ACTIVATED ?


    ? KING''S ABSOLUTE COMMAND:


    BOW BEFORE YOUR KING!


    PUT THIS STORY IN YOUR COLLECTIONS AND TYPE "YES, MY KING" IN THE COMMENTS!


    Or else... I''ll erase you from existence. ????


    ???? Luna: Ahhh! That''s too scary! Just be kind and support us, okay~? Thank you for reading! ?


    .gg/t5gfzfDg

 Chapter 16: The Night Beno Was Forsaken

    Chapter 16 - The Night Beno Was ForsakenIt was autumn. The nights had grown longer, stretching into an endless abyss, and the winds sharper, slicing through the air like invisible blades. The world outside my window was a tapestry of rustling leaves and creeping shadows, the kind that made you question every sound. I still remember it¡ªthe faint groan of my window creaking open, a sound that clawed at the silence, followed by a ragged breath that sent a shiver racing down my spine.


    I turned over in bed and froze.


    Beno was standing there.


    His silhouette loomed in the dim moonlight, a broken figure carved from darkness. His clothes hung in tatters, streaked with dirt and grime, clinging to his frail frame like a shroud. His cheeks were sunken, hollowed out by sleepless nights, and his hands trembled violently, as if the weight of his own existence was too much to bear. But what struck me deepest¡ªmore than the labored rasp of his breathing, more than the bruises blooming like dark flowers along his arms¡ªwas his eyes.


    They were hollow. Completely void of life. Two empty pits staring out from a face that should have held warmth, now drained of all humanity, as if something had reached inside and torn his soul away.


    "Luna..." His voice was barely a whisper, raw and broken, scraping against the stillness like a plea from the grave.


    I bolted upright, my heart slamming against my ribs.


    "Beno? What the hell¡ª?"


    "They don''t love me," he interrupted. His lips quivered, his body swaying as if he might collapse at any moment.


    "My family... they hate me. They''re going to sell me."


    My blood ran cold. The words sank into me like ice, freezing my thoughts, my breath. The room seemed to shrink, the shadows stretching toward him as if drawn to his despair.


    "What?" I managed, my voice a fragile thread.


    "A man in a coat," Beno whispered. He wrapped his arms around himself, his nails digging into his skin, leaving red welts as he clung to what little remained of his sanity.


    "He was hiding behind the tree in my backyard.


    He said... if I waited for him, he''d save me.


    He told me to leave my family, to run. That if I stayed, my parents would sell me off."


    I sat there in stunned silence, the weight of his words pressing down like a suffocating fog. My mind raced, grasping for something¡ªanything¡ªto make sense of it.


    "Did you tell anyone?"


    I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, trembling in the dark.


    "I didn''t trust him,"


    Beno admitted. He sniffled, his shoulders shaking as tears glistened in those lifeless eyes.


    "But I didn''t trust them either. So I came here. I... I knew you''d believe me."


    My sixteen-year-old self was a storm of confusion and fear, utterly unprepared for the abyss staring back at me through Beno''s gaze.


    The air grew heavy, oppressive, as if the room itself recoiled from his presence. I did the only thing I could think of¡ªI stumbled out of bed, my bare feet cold against the floor, and went to my father.


    The Man in the Coat & the Shadows


    My father, Marco Ruth, wasn''t just a government officer. He specialized in paranormal activity, a man who''d seen things that would break most minds. When I spilled Beno''s story to him¡ªvoice shaking, hands clutching the edge of his desk¡ªhe didn''t scoff or call it childish fear. His face hardened, eyes narrowing as if peering into a darkness I couldn''t yet see.


    "Watch the Mark household. Tell me everything you see," he said, his voice low and steady, a command that carried the weight of unspoken dread.


    And so I did.


    For weeks, I watched.


    And what I saw terrified me to my core.


    Every night, shadowy creatures hovered above Beno''s home. They weren''t human¡ªnot even close. Dark, twisted figures, their forms writhing like smoke given life, with glowing red eyes that pierced the blackness. They floated silently around the rooftop, spectral hunters in a world that shouldn''t exist, searching for something. Waiting. Their presence was a violation, a stain on reality, and the air around the house seemed to hum with a low, malevolent energy that made my skin crawl.


    And Beno''s family?


    They acted as if he had never existed.


    No search parties scoured the streets. No grief stained their faces. No missing person''s report ever reached the authorities. At dinner, they laughed, their voices echoing through the windows like a mockery of normalcy.


    They played board games, pieces clicking against the table as if erasing Beno from their lives was a game itself. They went on as if their eldest son had never been born, their smiles too wide, their eyes too empty.


    One night, Beno stood beside me at my window, his frail form trembling as we peered across the street. His hands shook, his breath hitching in shallow, uneven gasps.


    "Maybe... I was never supposed to be born," he whispered, his voice a fragile thread unraveling in the dark.


    I grabbed his hand, my fingers tightening around his cold, clammy skin. It was all I could do to anchor him, to keep him from slipping into the void that seemed to call his name.


    The shadows outside pulsed, their red eyes flickering like distant stars, and I felt a chill settle deep in my bones.


    But then¡ªone fateful night¡ªeverything changed.


    The Night Elena Mark Showed Her True Form


    It was late. The streets were empty, swallowed by a silence so profound it felt alive. The moon hung heavy in the sky, a bloated, pale witness to the horror about to unfold.


    Then¡ªa scream shattered the silence.


    Not a human scream. No.


    This was inhuman. A sound that clawed at the edges of sanity, a wail from some otherworldly abyss that made the walls tremble and the air thicken with dread.


    I rushed to the window, my heart pounding so hard it threatened to burst. And I saw Elena Mark¡ªBeno''s mother¡ªhovering above the house, her body twisted into something monstrous. Her once-delicate frame was a nightmare of blackened, rotting flesh, peeling away in strips to reveal sinew and bone beneath. Horns curled from her skull, jagged and glistening with a sickly sheen. Her eyes burned a deep, glowing red, twin infernos that seared into the night.


    And beneath her?


    Lucas Mark¡ªher husband¡ªwas floating helplessly in the air. His body dangled like a marionette with cut strings, his face frozen in a silent scream. A massive armored hand pierced through his chest, its dark metal glinting as blood dripped in slow, deliberate rivulets to the ground below.


    A low, guttural laugh echoed through the air, a sound that burrowed into my skull and gnawed at my nerves. Then, with a sickening rip, the hand yanked his soul from his body¡ªa shimmering, translucent wisp torn free, writhing in agony before dissolving into the night.


    I slapped a hand over my mouth, biting back a scream as tears blurred my vision. My knees buckled, the world tilting as nausea clawed at my throat.


    And Elena?


    She just smiled. A grotesque, toothy grin that split her decayed face, radiating a perverse satisfaction.


    Then¡ªa black portal split open behind her, a gaping maw of swirling darkness that pulsed with an unholy hunger.


    Her grotesque wings stretched out, leathery and tattered, as she turned toward the sky. With one last, blood-curdling screech, she vanished into the abyss, the portal snapping shut with a sound like breaking bones.


    Lucas Mark''s lifeless body collapsed onto the front steps, a crumpled heap of flesh and blood, his vacant eyes staring up at the indifferent moon.


    I couldn''t breathe. My chest heaved, but no air came. The room spun, shadows dancing at the edges of my vision.


    I was sixteen. I wasn''t ready to know that monsters human were real.


    I crawled under my bed, the wooden floor cold against my skin, and prayed, my whispers lost in the suffocating silence.


    When the world grew still, I crept to the next room where Beno slept, his frail form curled beneath a thin blanket.


    His eyes, still heavy with sleep, flickered open as I whispered his name, my voice trembling with the weight of what I''d seen. I told him everything¡ªeach horrific detail spilling out as my hands shook, my breath hitching. There was no time to soften it, no time to shield him from the truth.


    Without hesitation, I grabbed my phone, the screen''s glow stark against the darkness, and called my dad. He needed to know¡ªbefore it was too late.


    The Truth About Renzo Mark


    The hallway stretched endlessly before him, a tunnel of shadows that seemed to swallow the light. Beno''s heartbeat thundered against his ribs, his breath came in short, sharp gasps, each one a struggle against the panic clawing at his chest. His legs burned, muscles screaming, but he forced himself forward, shoving past the suffocating weight that pressed down on him.


    He had to see Renzo.


    He had to know.


    The door to Renzo''s room loomed ahead, slightly ajar, a sliver of dim light bleeding through the crack like a wound. Beno''s trembling fingers reached out, brushing the wood, and pushed it open. A soft creak echoed through the silence, a sound that reverberated in the hollow space.


    Renzo stood by the open window.


    His back was turned, his silhouette framed against the night, a dark statue against the swirling wind. The cold wind stirred his dark hair, making it sway like tendrils of shadow. The room was pristine¡ªbooks stacked neatly on shelves, a chair tucked under the desk, the bed made perfectly. Nothing was out of place.


    And yet¡ª


    Something was wrong.


    Beno''s breath hitched. A cold shiver slithered down his spine, coiling around his lungs like an iron grip. The air felt thick, tainted, as if the room itself held its breath.


    "Renzo," he called, his voice barely above a whisper, fragile and lost in the dark.


    Renzo didn''t move.


    Beno swallowed hard, his throat dry as ash, and took a step forward. Then another.


    "You saw it, right?" His voice cracked, splintering under the strain. "You saw everything."


    Still, nothing.


    Renzo stood motionless, gazing out into the night, as if he hadn''t heard.


    As if Beno wasn''t even there.


    A sharp unease twisted in Beno''s stomach, a gnawing dread that grew with every silent second. He lunged forward, grabbing Renzo''s shoulders, shaking him slightly.


    "Renzo¡ªlook at me!"


    Finally, his brother turned.


    But his eyes¡ª


    They weren''t the same.


    The warmth, the spark, the flicker of life that had always defined Renzo¡ªgone. Replaced by a hollow emptiness, cold and detached, like staring into the void of a corpse masquerading as the living. They were mirrors reflecting nothing, windows to a soul that no longer existed.


    A lump formed in Beno''s throat. His grip tightened, fingers digging into Renzo''s shoulders as if he could force the brother he knew back into being.


    "Tell me you saw it!" His voice trembled, teetering on the edge of collapse. "Tell me you remember!"


    For a long moment, there was silence, a chasm stretching between them, vast and unbridgeable.


    Then, Renzo''s lips parted slightly.


    "You weren''t here," he said, his voice barely above a whisper, yet it sliced through Beno like a jagged blade.


    Beno froze.


    His chest caved in, the air ripped from his lungs as if the words had punched through him. His hands, still gripping Renzo''s shoulders, slowly loosened, falling limp to his sides.


    "What...?" The word barely escaped, a ghost of sound.


    "You weren''t here," Renzo repeated.


    There was no anger. No blame.


    Just an eerie, quiet certainty, a statement of fact that carried the weight of a death knell.


    Beno staggered back, his mind a whirlwind of fractured thoughts. His vision blurred at the edges, the walls closing in, the air growing thick and suffocating. The room tilted, shadows writhing like living things.


    "I¡ª" He tried to speak, but his throat constricted. "Renzo, I¡ª"


    His brother didn''t respond.


    Didn''t blink.


    Didn''t move.


    Just stood there. S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As if Beno was a stranger.


    As if they had never shared memories.


    As if they had never been family.


    Something heavy and ice-cold settled deep in Beno''s gut. His fingers curled into fists, nails digging into his skin until blood welled beneath them. Renzo was right there¡ªso close¡ªand yet, Beno had never felt farther away.


    His legs gave out. He sank onto the wooden floor, his hands digging into his hair, pulling at the strands as his chest rose and fell in ragged, uneven breaths. The room spun, the silence roaring in his ears.


    Renzo was here.


    But at the same time¡ª


    He wasn''t.


    Something had taken him.


    And Beno...


    Beno had been too late.


    The Man in the Coat Returns


    Beno vanished after that night. No trace, no word. No one saw him again.


    Days bled into weeks, each one heavier than the last, the silence a constant reminder of his absence. Then¡ªone evening¡ªthe air grew still, the world holding its breath as a shadow fell across my doorstep.


    A man in a long coat arrived.


    He was tall, unnaturally so, his frame stretching into the dim porch light, casting an elongated shadow that seemed to writhe against the ground. He smiled¡ªnot warm, not polite, but the kind of smile you''d see on a hunter watching its prey, predatory and cold, teeth glinting faintly in the dark.


    "Excuse me," he said smoothly, his voice deep and velvety¡ªtoo perfect, a sound that slithered into your ears and lingered like a curse. "I''m Beno Mark''s relative."


    My stomach dropped, a sickening lurch that left me dizzy.


    "His mother sent me to retrieve him."


    My father stepped forward instantly, placing himself between me and the man, his broad shoulders a wall of defiance. His expression was stone-cold, unyielding, but his eyes betrayed a flicker of something raw.


    "I don''t know what you''re talking about," he said flatly, his voice a low growl.


    The man chuckled softly, tilting his head, his dark eyes boring into us like twin voids. "Ah... I see," he murmured, his fingers tapping against his coat in a slow, deliberate rhythm that echoed in the stillness.


    Then, leaning in slightly, he whispered:


    "Very well. I trust you, Marco Ruth."


    At the mention of his name, my father visibly tensed. His jaw clenched, his fingers curling into fists, knuckles whitening as the air grew thick with unspoken menace.


    And for the first time in my life¡ª


    I saw fear in my father''s eyes.


    The man in the coat didn''t say anything else.


    He simply smiled, tipped his hat¡ªa gesture too casual, too wrong¡ªand turned away.


    But before disappearing into the night, he turned his head slightly.


    "Oh," he added casually. "Miss Luna?"


    My breath hitched, my heart seizing in my chest.


    "If you ever see me again..." His voice softened¡ªalmost playful, a promise wrapped in dread. "Run."


    Then¡ªhe was gone, swallowed by the darkness as if he''d never been there, leaving only the echo of his words and a chill that sank into my bones.


    When my father shut the door, his hands were shaking. The lock clicked with a sound that reverberated through the house, a futile barrier against the unknown.


    I had never seen him afraid before.


    But now, as he turned to me, his voice barely above a whisper, I knew¡ª


    Whatever that man was...


    It was beyond anything we had ever faced.


    The Hospital Room ¨C The Weight of the Past


    Charles sat in silence, his mind reeling from the torrent of horror Luna had unleashed. The story clawed at him¡ªmonsters lurking in human skin, shadows with red eyes, a brother lost to an incomprehensible void. It sounded like a nightmare spun from a horror movie, but he knew Luna wasn''t lying.


    And that was what made it worse.


    Beno Mark¡ªthe man he''d dismissed as a stubborn, weak-willed hunter¡ªhad been living through hell since childhood. Every mocking word Charles had thrown, every sneer, every time he''d treated Beno like a failure¡ªit all crashed back, a wave of guilt that drowned him.


    He clenched his fists, knuckles whitening as his nails bit into his palms.


    "Now you see, don''t you?" Luna said softly, placing a hand on his shoulder, her touch firm yet laced with understanding. "Beno isn''t just some reckless hunter. He isn''t just weak. He''s carrying more than anyone should ever bear alone."


    Charles swallowed the lump in his throat, his voice cracking. "I should have asked about my sister," he muttered bitterly. "Instead of fighting him... instead of pushing him away..."


    His chest felt tight, a crushing weight of regret pressing down until he could barely breathe.


    "He''s not just some coward running from a fight," Luna continued, her voice steady but heavy. "He''s been running from something none of us can even comprehend. His entire life has been one long battle against nightmares none of us can see."


    Charles wiped at his eyes, swallowing hard as tears threatened to spill. "And yet... he still keeps going."


    That was what hit him the most. Beno hadn''t surrendered¡ªnot to the betrayal, not to the loss, not to the shadows that hunted him. He stood up every day, fought, survived, despite a past that would''ve broken anyone else.


    Charles let out a deep breath, his shoulders trembling.


    "What do we do now?" he finally asked, his voice raw.


    Luna''s expression darkened, her eyes narrowing with resolve. "We prepare."


    She crossed her arms, her voice filled with quiet determination."Beno may not say it, but something is coming. Something far worse than the creatures we''ve fought. We need to get stronger, Charles."


    She met his gaze, unflinching.


    "Because the next time that man in the coat comes looking for Beno..."


    A shiver ran down Charles'' spine, cold and unrelenting.


    "We''ll be ready."


    Later That Night ¨C Charles'' Realization


    The hospital lights buzzed faintly, casting a sterile glow over the quiet ward as Charles approached his room. He paused at the door, staring inside, the sight before him stilling his breath.


    Beno lay on the hospital bed, asleep, his face turned slightly toward the window. For the first time since Charles had known him, he looked peaceful. No tension knotted his shoulders. No exhaustion shadowed his eyes. Just... rest, a fragile calm that seemed alien on his battered features.


    Charles stepped inside silently, settling onto his own bed across from Beno. But he didn''t sleep. His mind churned, replaying Luna''s words, each one a dagger twisting deeper.


    Everything Beno had suffered.


    Everything he had survived.


    And despite it all¡ªhe never asked for help.


    Charles ran a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply."You really are a fool, Beno Mark," he muttered under his breath, the words laced with a bitter edge.


    He glanced at Beno one last time, then lay back, staring at the ceiling. His own wounds throbbed, a dull ache, but it felt distant now, overshadowed by a new weight.


    Because for the first time in his life, Charles wasn''t just thinking about himself.


    Beno wasn''t the arrogant weakling he''d assumed. He was something far rarer.


    A broken hero, carrying sins that weren''t even his own.


    And for the first time¡ªCharles felt ashamed of the way he had treated him.


    Tomorrow, things would be different.


    He''d make sure of it.


    Somewhere on the Vast Earth¡ªWithin the Shadow Realm


    A majestic yet nightmarish castle loomed beneath a sky devoured by eternal darkness, its spires jagged and twisted like the bones of some ancient beast. The air was thick with an unnatural silence, broken only by the monstrous growls of unseen horrors lurking in the abyss, their presence a constant, gnawing threat.


    At the heart of this dread-filled domain, atop a throne sculpted from the bones of fallen warriors, Shadow King Nyzharoth sat¡ªhis towering frame shrouded in flowing obsidian robes, tendrils of shadow curling around him like living serpents. His piercing void-like eyes fixed upon the trembling figure before him, unblinking, unrelenting.


    A man, clad in a long, tattered coat, kneeled before the king. His face, hidden beneath a shadowed hood, twisted in fear, his body quaking as if the ground might swallow him whole. "Hail my king. Hail, King of the World!" he spoke, his voice quivering, a desperate plea for mercy.


    Nyzharoth''s voice was like a whisper from the abyss."Tell me... Have you found him?"


    The kneeling man hesitated. A bead of sweat trailed down his cheek, glistening in the faint, sickly light. "We... We have failed, my lord."


    A suffocating silence followed. The very walls of the castle seemed to shudder, the air growing dense with an unspoken threat. Nyzharoth''s fingers twitched¡ªshadows writhing like living serpents, coiling tighter around the throne.


    "Failed?" His voice was calm¡ªtoo calm, a stillness that promised violence. "Are you telling me that you cannot find a mere insect?"


    The man''s breath hitched, his body stiffening as terror seized him. "I¡ªIt''s the Isolated Land, my king... The hunters there have grown strong enough to slay my creatures. Worse, they have begun studying paranormal activity. It makes it... difficult to reach him unnoticed."


    The temperature in the throne room dropped, a bone-chilling cold that seeped into the stone. The shadows around Nyzharoth pulsed like a living entity, stretching toward the trembling servant, their edges sharp and hungry.


    "Difficult?" the king echoed, his voice now carrying the weight of untold horrors, a sound that reverberated through the chamber like a death knell.


    The man in the coat stiffened, his words tumbling out in a rush. "But do not worry, my king. I have shattered his emotional balance¡ªhis mind is fractured beyond repair. He is nothing but a hollow shell, a fool wandering toward his own death. It is only a matter of time before he perishes in the dungeon."


    A long silence stretched between them, the air crackling with tension.


    Then, Nyzharoth let out a slow, cold chuckle, a sound that slithered through the room like a venomous promise.


    "I hope you are right."


    The shadows recoiled, slithering back into his throne, but deep within those abyssal eyes, a storm of malevolence brewed. Because if the prophecy was true...


    That "insect" would return. And when he did¡ªhe would come for the throne.


    The Shadow King''s Warning


    Nyzharoth leaned back into his throne, his expression unreadable, his abyssal eyes sinking deeper into the darkness.The air in the chamber grew heavier, oppressive, as shadows slithered across the floor, coiling around the kneeling man''s feet like starving beasts awaiting a command.


    Then, in a voice colder than death itself, Nyzharoth whispered:


    "If you are wrong... you will suffer a fate worse than him."


    The man in the coat flinched, his breath catching in his throat, a choked gasp swallowed by the silence.


    Somewhere, far beyond the Shadow Realm, beneath a fractured sky, the so-called "insect" was still alive.


    And deep within the endless corridors of a forgotten dungeon...


    Something stirred.


    Something ancient.


    Something that should have never awakened.


    The hunt had begun.


    [To Be Continued...]


    ---


    [System Message]


    Ding!


    A mysterious quest has appeared.


    [Reader Quest: Strengthen the Shadow King''s Throne]


    - Objective: Add this story to your collection and offer a Power Stone.


    - Failure Penalty: Instant Death.


    - Reward: 1 Bonus Chapter.


    A cold, mechanical voice echoed in your mind.


    "Will you accept?"


    [ YES ] [ NO (Death is certain.) ]

 Chapter 17:

    Chapter 17 - "The Weight of Promises"Hospital Room - The Night Before


    The hospital room hummed with a sterile drone, a faint buzz prickling Beno''s ears as his eyes fluttered open. His vision blurred¡ªa haze of dull light bleeding into stark white walls, edges melting into a fogged mirror. Pain lanced his skull¡ªjagged, like glass shards twisting deep¡ªdrawing a wince from his cracked lips.


    His body felt tethered, heavy chains pinning him to the bed.


    A shadowy figure sat beside him¡ªstill, carved from the dim glow of a bedside lamp. As his sight sharpened, Charles''s face emerged¡ªsunken eyes, dark circles etched deep, exhaustion seeping from every line. He hadn''t slept. Not a flicker.


    Beno''s throat scraped raw as he croaked, "You okay?"


    Charles flinched¡ªyanked from a dark abyss, his crimson eyes blinking in surprise. A weary smile ghosted his lips, faint and hollow. "Should be asking you that," he murmured¡ªvoice soft, trembling beneath a fragile mask.


    Beno exhaled¡ªshaky, pushing against the mattress. His limbs screamed, heavy as lead, and he slumped back with a groan. "I''m okay..." He paused¡ªbrows knitting. "What happened to the cultist?"


    Charles''s face darkened¡ªa shadow flickering, gone in an instant. "Goblin King ate ''em," he said, shrugging with practiced ease. "I handled the goblins and the King."


    The lie slid out¡ªsmooth, silk over steel.


    Beno''s gut twisted. Memories fractured¡ªslipping like sand, elusive and jagged. Something felt off, a whisper gnawing at him, but before he could dig, a new voice cut through.


    "Hmm... My mom used to say that, y''know. Karma will haunt you back." Karama leaned against the doorway¡ªarms crossed, his usual bravado softened, sensing the room''s brittle edge.


    Charles twitched at "mom"¡ªa jolt in his jaw, fingers curling, trembling briefly before stilling. His eyes darkened¡ªstorm clouds rolling in.


    "Charles..." Beno''s voice thickened¡ªguilt clawing up his throat. He hesitated, then forced it out. "I''m sorry. I let your sister die."


    Charles hissed¡ªa sharp breath through clenched teeth, head turning away, jaw tightening until it pulsed. Silence crashed down¡ªsuffocating, icy. Then, after an eternity, he spoke¡ªlow, raw. "It''s okay." His eyes glistened¡ªtears catching the light, spilling free. "I understand, Beno."


    The words struck¡ªa fist to the chest. Guilt surged¡ªhot, relentless¡ªBeno''s fists clenching, nails biting into palms as his breath hitched. "I try so hard to remember," he choked¡ªtears burning, voice cracking. "But my head¡ªit''s splitting apart, like something''s breaking inside." A tear fell¡ªwarm, tracing his cheek. "I fail. Over and over. I''m sorry, Charles."


    Silence stretched¡ªheavy, their soft sobs mingling, Beno''s hiccups threading with Charles''s trembling breaths.


    Charles inhaled¡ªshaky, deep. "Did you know... my sister and I had dual abilities?"


    Beno lifted his head¡ªvision blurred, curiosity piercing the haze.


    "Rare as hell among hunters now." Charles stared at his hands¡ªvoice distant, lost in time. "Our parents died in an accident when we were kids. Then some unknown bastards hunted us¡ªwanted our powers. Clara... she shielded me. Every. Damn. Time."


    His voice quivered¡ªpressing on. "She could see the future, Beno."


    Beno''s eyes widened¡ªshock jolting through him.


    Charles laughed¡ªdry, hollow. "My birthday... I found her crying. She never cried." His knuckles whitened¡ªfingers digging in. "She wouldn''t tell me why¡ªjust made me promise." His voice splintered. "''Charles, be strong. When I''m gone, carry on without me.''"


    Dread pooled in Beno''s gut¡ªcold, sinking.


    "I didn''t get it. Told her she was crazy¡ªshe wasn''t going anywhere. She just smiled¡ªsoft, sad." Charles''s voice broke. "''Someday, I''ll vanish from this world. But you''ll meet someone amazing. Protect him, no matter what.''"


    The weight crushed Beno¡ªunbearable.


    "That was the last time she was alive."


    Charles''s hands shook, unraveling. "She left that morning. Came back..." His voice shattered. "A corpse."


    Beno swallowed¡ªthroat raw, burning.


    "She was... torn apart. Limbs missing, her torso ripped open like the hounds had burrowed into her. The ground was soaked in blood, and what was left of her flesh was barely clinging to the bone. Her face..." His voice broke, and he swallowed hard. "It was still there¡ªbarely. The skin shredded, her eyes wide open, frozen in terror."


    Charles''s words fell¡ªstones in a void. "Just her toes left."


    A tear slid down his cheek¡ªunwiped, glinting. "She kept her promise. Came back. Not alive."


    The air strained¡ªtaut, ready to snap. Beno''s tears spilled¡ªchest heaving with an ache too vast to name. "Charles... I..."


    "If I''d been stronger," Charles whispered¡ªbarely audible, "I could''ve saved her. But I wasn''t. She died for me."


    Sobs tore free¡ªraw, unrestrained¡ªechoing in the stillness.


    Outside, Luna pressed against the wall¡ªbreath shallow, fists clenched, nails drawing blood. She didn''t move¡ªleaving them to their grief.


    Morning light sliced through the blinds¡ªgolden streaks cutting the sterile floor. Antiseptic stung Beno''s nose as he stirred¡ªpain dulled to a throb, his body alive again.


    Charles stretched¡ªwincing, bruises shadowing his skin, exhaustion lingering like a specter in his eyes.


    A sharp knock broke the quiet. Dr. Roy strode in¡ªcoat billowing, stern face set. "Well, you survived," he huffed¡ªcrossing his arms. "Let''s see if you''re intact."


    He checked Charles''s bandage¡ªnodding. "Arrow had a trace of Dark Matter. I got it out. Lucky it wasn''t worse." He sighed. "No reckless crap, got it?"


    Charles smirked¡ªdefiance flickering. "Yeah, yeah, Doc."


    Roy turned to Beno¡ªglare piercing. Beno grinned weakly. "How''re you, Dr. Roy?"


    Roy inhaled¡ªslow, deep. "You absolute idiot."


    Beno blinked¡ªstartled.


    "Third time in my hospital from some brain-dead stunt!" Roy snapped¡ªpinching his nose. "Do you like getting hurt?"


    Beno shrank¡ªsheepish. "Uh... sorry."


    Roy muttered¡ªhuffing. "You''re healing too damn fast. Thank God for Franky''s potion last night. Drink another to finish it."


    Beno perked up. "I can leave?"


    Roy rolled his eyes¡ªexasperated. "Yes."


    "But my bones¡ª"


    "Would be in a cast without Franky," Roy cut in. "She dosed you both. You''re not a mess because of her."


    Memory clicked¡ªBeno grinned. "Oh, the exam!"


    Charles deadpanned. "Are you mentally ill?"


    "Did we pass?"


    Charles sighed¡ªlong-suffering. "Of course, moron."


    Luna stepped in¡ªtray balancing steaming plates, her hair catching the light, determination glinting in her eyes. "Breakfast, Beno." Pancakes¡ªwarm, syrup-drizzled. "And you, Charles. Eat."


    Beno''s stomach growled¡ªbut Luna''s next words froze him. "We''re hitting Noak Guild today."


    "Today?!" He gestured¡ªwild. "I''m not healed¡ª"


    Luna stared¡ªunimpressed. "I know." She pulled a glowing vial¡ªmolten gold¡ªfrom her bag.


    Dr. Roy''s jaw dropped. "Mandolus High-Level Potion¡ª" he breathed¡ªawe trembling.


    Charles leaned in¡ªeyes wide. "That regrows limbs in seconds! Where''d you get that?" sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "My dad''s a government bigshot," Luna shrugged. "Gift."


    Charles gaped. "You''re wasting a $100,000 potion on him?!"


    "It''s fine," she waved off. "Drink, Beno."


    He hesitated¡ªthen downed it. Warmth erupted¡ªveins blazing, bones knitting, bruises fading. He leapt up¡ªgrinning. "I''m alive! Look, Charles!"


    Charles sighed¡ªrubbing his temples. "Put your arms down, lunatic."


    Luna smiled¡ªfaint. "Let''s move. Noak Guild¡ªlicense, exam docs, party registration."


    Beno bounced¡ªeager. "Let''s go!"


    Charles paused¡ªface darkening. "I''ve got a stop first."


    "Where?" Beno tilted his head.


    "It''s personal," Charles said¡ªshaking it off. "Go ahead. I''ll catch up."


    Luna frowned¡ªbut nodded. "Don''t dawdle."


    Charles slipped out¡ªvanishing into the streets.


    Mist clung low over the graveyard¡ªa shroud, thick and still, muffling the rustle of leaves and a crow''s distant caw. Charles''s boots crunched gravel¡ªslow, heavy¡ªeach step a pull against a wound he couldn''t outrun.


    He stopped¡ªbreath catching¡ªbefore a weathered gravestone, moss-stained and chipped, alone under a gnarled oak. The name hit like a blade: Clara Fennel. "A brave soul who sacrificed everything."


    He knelt¡ªfingers trembling as they traced the letters, rough stone biting his skin. His throat seized¡ªdry, aching¡ªtears clawing up, hot and relentless. "Big sis..." His voice cracked¡ªa whisper, raw and jagged. His chest shuddered¡ªbreath hitching as he pressed his palm to the grave, cold seeping into him. "I found him. The idiot you told me to protect. Weird... stubborn... reckless..." A sob broke free¡ªlow, guttural¡ªtears spilling, dripping onto the stone. "But kind. So damn kind."


    He clenched his fist¡ªnails digging in, blood beading faintly. "I hope your sacrifice wasn''t for nothing." His voice trembled¡ªgrief tearing through, his body curling as if to shield the pain. "He''s chasing his brother... I wanna help him. Like you wanted." Tears streaked his face¡ªunwiped, glistening in the mist. "Maybe this is my path."


    A gust swirled¡ªsharp, tugging his hair. He laughed¡ªbitter, broken. "I miss you, sis. So much it hurts." His shoulders shook¡ªresolve hardening through the sorrow. "But I swear¡ªI''ll get stronger. I''ll meet people worth fighting for. And I''ll stand here again¡ªnot the weak kid you died for, but someone you''d..." His voice caught¡ªswallowing hard. "...be proud of."


    The wind tightened¡ªembracing, fleeting. Charles wiped his eyes¡ªsleeve rough against his skin¡ªand stood, resolve steeling his spine. "Wait for me, sis. I''ll be back."


    He turned¡ªboots crunching away. Behind him, a faint glow shimmered¡ªwispy smoke rising from the grave, twisting into Clara''s form. Her translucent figure flickered¡ªsorrow and warmth warring in her eyes as she watched him go. "Be careful, little brother," she whispered¡ªvoice a breeze threading the mist. Her gaze lifted¡ªskyward, hardening with foreboding. "The world''s about to crumble. Shadows stir beyond the gate... and only Beno can face the storm."


    Her form wavered¡ªdissolving into the fog, leaving silence in her wake.


    Charles stepped into Noak Guild''s bustling hall¡ªshaking off the graveyard''s weight. Luna''s voice cut through¡ªsharp, annoyed. "Told you not to take too long."


    He groaned¡ªeyes rolling. "What, you my mom now?"


    Her scowl deepened. "If I was, you''d be out a window already."


    "Tch. You wouldn''t dare."


    "Wanna test me?" Her tone dropped¡ªdark, knuckles popping ominously.


    Beno''s voice burst in¡ªbright, oblivious. "Guys, look!" He pointed¡ªbouncing. "Franky''s photo! And another legend! This place is insane!"


    Charles sighed¡ªexasperated. "Calm down, you''re like a kid."


    High above, Franky leaned against the balcony railing¡ªarms folded, eyes glinting as he watched Beno wave at posters like an excitable pup. A shadowy figure stood beside him¡ªface veiled in darkness.


    "This group''s meant to save humanity?" the figure asked¡ªdoubt dripping.


    Franky smirked¡ªamused, but sharp. "Dunno. But I''d wager on ''em."


    The shadow scoffed. "He''s not ready. Far from it."


    Franky''s gaze lingered on Beno¡ªknowing, piercing. "Not yet." His voice lowered¡ªominous, heavy with portent. "But mark my words¡ªhe''ll surprise us all. He''s no mere man... he''s the Forsaken Blood of the Dying Star, born to unmake fates and shatter worlds."


    The shadow stilled¡ªsilence stretching as Franky''s smirk widened, tension coiling around Beno''s unseen destiny.


    [End of Chapter]

 Chapter 18: The Forsaken Hunters Guild Registration – A New Party Forms

    Chapter 18 - The Forsaken Hunters Guild Registration ¨C A New Party FormsHere''s the revised Chapter with your requested enhancements: Beno''s reaction to the sniper shot is extended with raw, visceral emotion as he grapples with losing Renzo''s final message;


    a subtle hint about Violent Gates is woven into the Guild Hall scene for chilling foreshadowing; and Beno''s inner conflict is deepened with a flashback that amplifies his reaction to Renzo''s "too weak" taunt, cutting into old wounds with visceral intensity.


    The Manhwa-NovelFire style remains gripping¡ªvivid, emotional, and dynamic¡ªwith key words highlighted for emphasis.


    The Guild Hall pulsed like a living forge, a cavernous sprawl of weathered stone thrumming with untamed chaos. Soaring ceilings swallowed sound, only to hurl it back in a wild roar¡ªhunters bellowed triumphs, their voices clashing with the rhythmic clang of hammers on steel, a symphony of grit and glory.


    The air hung dense, thick with sweat''s gritty tang, metal polish''s sharp bite, and the electric hum of mana-infused gear¡ªa rugged scent that sank into skin and soul. Lanterns swayed on rusted chains, their flickering flames casting jagged shadows that danced across the stone floor, where forge sparks flared and died like stars in a storm.


    Mina perched on a wobbly stool behind the desk, her tangled hair spilling like a storm cloud over her shoulders. Her fingers darted through yellowed forms¡ªswift, sure¡ªher gray uniform creased, badge glinting faintly.


    She barely glanced up as three figures approached, her focus split between papers and the hall''s restless pulse.


    "Forming a new party?" Her voice cut through¡ªdry, weary.


    Beno stood tall at the forefront¡ªarms crossed over his frayed jacket, sharp green eyes locking onto her with quiet ferocity, a storm brewing beneath calm. Charles slouched beside him¡ªelbow propped lazily, messy hair tumbling as he stifled a yawn, boredom radiating.


    Luna rounded them out¡ªponytail swaying, leaning in with a mischievous smirk, gloves creaking against the wood.


    Beno nodded¡ªslow, deliberate. Charles muttered, "Yeah," daring a challenge Mina ignored. Her gaze slid to Luna¡ªrecognition sparking.


    "Seen you before," she said, brow arching. "Always switching crews." S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Luna waved dismissively¡ªvoice light, edged with steel. "Old party whined too much¡ªteamwork, rules. No time for that."


    Mina chuckled¡ªsoft, sliding a curling form stamped with the Guild''s crimson seal. "Party name?"


    "Forsaken Hunters," Beno said¡ªlow, firm. The words rippled¡ªa heavy pulse silencing the chatter for a heartbeat. Mina''s eyebrow shot up¡ªsmirking faintly. Grim. Intriguing.


    Charles groaned¡ªhand dragging through his hair.


    "It''s cursed, man. Something less ominous?"


    "It fits us," Beno snapped¡ªunwavering. "That''s enough."


    Luna grinned¡ªeyes glinting. "Love the edge."


    Charles rolled his eyes¡ª"Your trouble kink''s showing"¡ªfondness softening the jab.


    Mina tapped a roster sheet. "Who''s leading?"


    Charles jabbed Beno¡ª"This idiot monkey"¡ªbefore Beno could speak. Beno glared¡ªflat, unamused¡ªbut Luna nodded, trust unshaken.


    Mina smirked¡ªsliding a scratched pen with a feather tied to it. "Fill it out." As Beno reached, his phone buzzed¡ªsharp, insistent.


    He sighed¡ªglancing at Charles. "Meeting Franky. You handle this."


    Charles opened his mouth¡ªcut off by Luna''s playful,


    "Left my keys outside!" She darted off¡ªsilver hair flashing. Charles slumped¡ªgroaning, "Idiots."


    Mina leaned on her hand¡ªeyes glinting. "You don''t mind." Charles grumbled, "They''ll drive me insane," but his voice softened¡ªcracking. "How long can this last? Am I strong enough to hold us, or will I lose it all?"


    Her smirk faded¡ªtone firm. "Just don''t lose it." Charles nodded¡ªresolve hardening as he stared at the form.


    Faintly, a hunter at a nearby table muttered, "Heard another crew vanished¡ªsome strange dungeon swallowed ''em whole. Guild''s hushin'' it up." Mina''s pen paused¡ªeyes flickering¡ªbefore resuming, the hint sinking into the hall''s din.


    The caf¨¦ nestled between towering buildings¡ªa warm haven glowing with hanging lanterns. Coffee''s rich aroma mingled with pastry sweetness, wrapping the murmur of voices in a comforting haze. Beyond the glass, the city churned¡ªcars honking, footsteps echoing, a gray shroud pressing down.


    Beno slouched¡ªarms crossed, foot tapping restlessly, green eyes drifting with boredom. Charles sipped from a chipped mug¡ªshrugging. "Guild''s slow with newbies."


    The table jolted¡ªBeno''s phone vibrated, its shrill ring slicing the calm. He glanced¡ªUnknown Number¡ªsuspicion creasing his brow. Fingers hovered¡ªthen answered, voice clipped.


    Silence stretched¡ªsuffocating¡ªuntil a low crackle broke through, words hidden. His grip tightened¡ªknuckles white, face darkening, a storm brewing. Luna and Charles froze¡ªthe playful air shattering.


    Luna leaned in¡ªsoft, concerned. "What''s wrong?" Beno didn''t answer¡ªchest heaving, gaze locked on the blank screen.


    "Renzo''s landlord," he forced out¡ªrough, trembling. Charles''s mug clattered¡ªurgency sharpening. "What else?!"


    "Selling his apartment. We need to clear it." The news sank¡ªcold, heavy¡ªsilence swallowing them.


    Luna''s eyes softened¡ªtone firm. "We''re going. Now." Charles whispered to her, "He''s shaken bad." She nodded¡ªgentle, steady. "Might be a nightmare, Beno¡ªcreepy photos, knives stabbed through."


    Beno''s face darkened¡ªshadows pooling. Charles groaned¡ª"You''re making it worse." She shrugged¡ª"Just preparing him"¡ªeyes serious.


    Beno stood¡ªchair scraping, resolve and turmoil masking his face. "I''m going," he said¡ªflat, final. Luna and Charles scrambled after him¡ªfootsteps echoing his determination.


    The luxury complex towered¡ªa sleek monolith, glass and steel piercing the clouded sky. Fractured lights danced like restless spirits¡ªan eerie glow in the dusk.


    Wind howled¡ªfaint, tugging at Beno''s nerves, setting them ablaze. Renzo''s grin... his sharp words... the day he left. How long since this was home?


    A bald man in a dark suit leaned by the entrance¡ªscrolling his phone, stern face etched with lines, aura cold. Beno stepped up¡ªboots clicking, voice steady despite the tightness. "You the landlord?"


    The man''s eyes didn''t lift¡ªthumb swiping¡ªthen snapped up, cutting through Beno like a blade. "Beno Mark?"


    He sighed at Beno''s nod¡ªpocketing his phone. "Waited too long. Eight hours¡ªclear it. I''m selling." His gaze flicked to Luna and Charles¡ªdismissing them. Beno swallowed¡ªthroat burning, bowing stiffly. The landlord tossed keys¡ªcold, heavy¡ªBeno caught them, fingers curling tight.


    "Room 22," he nodded to the elevator¡ªthen walked off, footsteps fading.


    The door clicked¡ªreleasing a stale breath of cool air. The living room unfolded¡ªvast, pristine, windows framing a glittering cityscape.


    A bookshelf sagged with dusty tomes, a glass table gleamed between leather couches, a marble counter sparkled¡ªuntouched, a life halted. Charles whistled¡ª"Renzo lived fancy." Beno barely heard¡ªdrawn to Renzo''s room, a pull he couldn''t fight.


    Luna caught his pause¡ªvoice cutting through. "What''s wrong?" Beno''s breath sharpened¡ªshaky. "What if it''s worse? Something I can''t face¡ªsomething that''ll break me?"


    Her hand gripped his shoulder¡ªfirm, anchoring. "You can''t run forever. We''re here." Charles nodded¡ª"Open it."


    Beno''s hand trembled¡ªkey scraping. His pulse roared¡ªfrantic, matching the chaos in his chest. CLICK¡ªa gunshot in the stillness.


    The door swung wide¡ªRenzo''s presence pulsing in a clean, somber space. Midnight blue walls swallowed light, a pinboard sagging with maps and scrawl weaving secrets.


    A photo¡ªBeno and Renzo as kids, parents beaming¡ªshattered his calm. His eyes darted¡ªheart racing¡ªsnagging on a crisp letter in Renzo''s hand.


    Luna pointed¡ªsoft, urgent. Beno reached¡ªhands shaking, tears pricking as Renzo''s absence crushed him. Charles noted¡ª"It''s for you"¡ªvoice awed.


    Beno''s fingers brushed a memory card taped beneath¡ªCharles grabbed it, pulling a dusty laptop from under the bed.


    In the living room, Charles wiped grime¡ªLuna''s concern deepening as Beno trembled, breaths shallow. The screen flickered¡ªpassword prompt halting them. Guesses failed¡ªtension coiling.


    "Beno22," Beno rasped¡ªvoice breaking. ACCESS GRANTED. Luna''s eyes widened¡ª"How''d you know?" "My birthday... this room... it''s for me."


    A single video loaded¡ªfamily photo wallpaper stabbing his heart. Charles clicked¡ªRenzo''s face filled the screen, silence crashing.


    Renzo sat on the couch¡ªwhite hair tousled, blue eyes sharp, piercing the grainy video. "Beno... big bro... I know you''re watching."


    The words struck¡ªa blade, deep. Beno''s heart clenched¡ªraw, knot tightening. Big bro... Memories¡ªRenzo''s laugh, their home¡ªhaunted him, breath catching, eyes locked.


    Renzo''s face hardened. "I know you''re looking for me. Hear this first." The air thickened¡ªa storm brewing. Luna edged closer¡ªbreath held¡ªCharles rigid.


    "You''re too weak to follow me."


    Beno flinched¡ªshame burning, fists curling, blood dripping. Weak... A flashback seared¡ªtraining fields, Renzo ahead, swift, strong, Beno panting, falling, dust in his lungs. "I''ll catch you!" he''d sworn¡ªsmall, breathless¡ªRenzo''s back always out of reach. The old wound tore open¡ªdoubt clawing, rage surging, powerlessness choking him.


    "Where I''m going... it''s a Violent Gate."


    Charles gasped¡ª"No freaking way..." Luna murmured¡ª"How does he know?" Violent Gates¡ªGuild whispers of vanished hunters¡ªdevoured legends. Beno''s mind reeled¡ªpulse hammering. Renzo... there?


    "Our mother was taken¡ªkidnapped by something unknown. I''m going after her."


    The world tilted¡ªBeno''s blood froze, memories¡ªher warm hands, her lullabies¡ªtwisting dark. Tears stung¡ªchest heaving, pain clawing. Alone?!


    "You''ll want to help," Renzo softened¡ªpleading. "But you''re not ready. Get tougher. When you are..." A smirk flared¡ªcocky, familiar. "Catch me if you can."


    Beno''s sob caught¡ªfraying. Catch you... He wanted to scream¡ªweakness pinning him.


    "This world... it''s a lie."


    A thunderclap shook Beno''s skull¡ªpanic clawing, questions spiraling. A lie?! What truth?!


    BANG!


    A sniper shot shattered the window¡ªglass raining like jagged tears. The bullet struck¡ªscreen exploding in sparks and flame, Renzo''s face vanishing. Beno surged¡ªvoice ripping¡ª"RENZO!!"


    He lunged¡ªhands trembling, scrabbling at the wreckage. His fingers closed on a melted shard¡ªplastic hot, biting his skin¡ªbreath ragged, chest tightening as horror sank in.


    Gone... his last words... gone. His vision blurred¡ªtears spilling, a choked scream strangling in his throat. He clutched the piece¡ªhelpless, knuckles white¡ªloss hitting like a gut punch, doubling him over, gasping.


    Smoke choked¡ªCharles bolted to the window, boots crunching¡ª"Dammit! Nothing!"¡ªvoice tight. Luna grabbed the extinguisher¡ªfoam hissing, frantic.


    Beno froze¡ªheart slamming, tears streaming, hands shaking, blood pooling from his grip. "What lie?!" he whispered¡ªknees buckling, pain anchoring him. What truth, Renzo?!


    The extinguisher clattered¡ªLuna pale, Charles raging. Silence settled¡ªthe city''s hum mocking through the hole. Beno sank¡ªhead in hands, Renzo''s mission, his loss, the gunshot¡ªa thread severed.


    A dark shadow loomed¡ªvast, unknowable. Beno wasn''t ready¡ªnot for the truth taunting from the ashes.


    [End of Chapter]

 Chapter 19: The Forsaken Hunter Rises Again

    Chapter 19 - The Forsaken Hunter Rises AgainBeno Mark sat motionless on the worn leather sofa, its cracked surface creaking faintly under him. His head hung low, fingers clawing into his knees¡ªknuckles white, veins bulging as if they''d burst through his skin. His mind was a maelstrom¡ªthoughts crashing like thunder, shredding each other in a desperate scramble for answers.


    Renzo doesn''t hate me. The certainty blazed¡ªfierce, unyielding, a lifeline in the chaos.


    But then... why?


    Why had Renzo spent years crushing him¡ªtreating him like an insect, a speck unworthy of notice? What had he seen that day¡ªthe day their father''s blood painted the earth red? Why had his warmth turned to ice, his gaze venomous, his words jagged blades? Why did he blame Beno? What was the lie?


    A sharp ache stabbed his skull¡ªeach question a relentless spike, spiraling with no escape. His chest tightened¡ªbreath shallow, ragged¡ªhis heart pounding so hard it felt like it''d shatter his ribs. Yet one truth cut through¡ªunshakable.


    Renzo was getting stronger.


    And if Beno didn''t catch up¡ªif he didn''t breach the Violent Gate before it slipped away¡ªhe''d lose him. Forever.


    A bitter wind screamed across the rooftop, clawing at Luna''s leather jacket as she crouched near the edge. Lebius City sprawled below¡ªa concrete jungle pulsing with neon veins, their glow flickering through the relentless drizzle. Rain streaked cold and steady, slicking the metal under her gloved hands, the air biting with wet steel and faint smoke.


    "Charles, anything?" Her voice sliced through¡ªsharp, steady.


    Charles stood a few steps off¡ªAmber eyes narrowed, scouring the jagged skyline. His magic ward rested against his shoulder, gunpowder''s tang lingering faintly. "No." He exhaled¡ªfrustration flashing in his gaze. "But I''ve got a bad feeling. That shot... no amateur could pull it off."


    Luna''s brows knitted¡ªBlue eyes glinting. "What makes you so sure?"


    He tapped his temple¡ªslow, deliberate. "The angle. The wind. The timing¡ªperfect. And they''re gone. No footprints, no trace. That''s assassin-level precision."


    She clicked her tongue¡ªtch¡ªirritation flaring. "Annoying as hell."


    Rising, she stretched¡ªjoints popping, shaking off stiffness. "Forget it for now. We need to check on Beno."


    Charles holstered his ward¡ªsmirk tugging his lips. "Yeah, before he drowns in that thick skull of his."


    Room No. 22 was a dim hollow¡ªcity hum seeping through cracked windows, shadows pooling thick in the corners. Beno hadn''t moved. His presence loomed¡ªsuffocating, the air heavy with his silence. His breath rasped steady, but his eyes...


    Empty. Cold. Distant.


    A void that sent a shiver down Luna''s spine.


    She stepped closer¡ªheart sinking, a quiet ache blooming in her chest. "Beno," she said¡ªsoft, tentative, her voice trembling just enough to betray her worry.


    Nothing.


    Her throat tightened¡ªsteps faltering as she closed the gap. "Beno!" Louder now, edged with desperation, her golden eyes searching his face for a flicker of life.


    Still nothing.


    Luna''s stomach twisted¡ªconcern gnawing deeper, her hands hovering near him, unsure. He looked... lost, like a shell teetering on collapse. She sat beside him¡ªclose, her shoulder brushing his¡ªvoice softening, pleading. "I know you''re stuck in there... Please, come back."


    Charles crossed his arms¡ªvoice cutting through her gentleness. "Yeah. We wanna catch Renzo before the Violent Gate shows? Stop brooding and move."


    Beno blinked¡ªslow, like surfacing from a nightmare.


    His head lifted¡ªand Luna''s breath caught.


    His gaze was an abyss¡ªdark, fractured, a hollow chasm swallowing light. Something deeper than thought, something shattered. His face twitched¡ªlips parting, a faint tremble rippling through him.


    Luna recoiled¡ªCharles stiffening beside her¡ªa chill slithering up their spines, like facing a stranger wearing Beno''s skin. He''s not... human right now.


    Then¡ªit hit.


    A whisper sliced his mind¡ªsoft, warm, wrenching.


    "Beno..." His mother''s voice¡ªElena Mark¡ªsilver hair cascading as she combed his, a lullaby from a lifetime ago. "Renzo''s your little brother. He''s still weak. If anyone tries to hurt him..."


    Her gentle smile burned in his memory¡ªwords carving into his soul. "Don''t let them live."


    Child-Beno had grinned¡ªbright, fearless. "I won''t, Mother."


    "Don''t ever leave your brother alone, okay?"


    He''d promised¡ªsmall fists clenched, heart swelling.


    He''d broken it.


    His chest seized¡ªbreath snagging, a choked gasp escaping as his hands spasmed, clawing at his thighs. Sweat beaded on his brow¡ªcold, clammy¡ªhis body shaking as panic surged, a tidal wave crashing over him. His vision blurred¡ªtears stinging, unbidden¡ªhis pulse hammering so loud it drowned the room. "I... I failed him..."


    The words slipped¡ªraw, jagged¡ªhis voice cracking as he doubled over, fingers digging into his scalp, tugging at his hair like he could rip the guilt out.


    Luna''s eyes widened¡ªheart lurching, hands reaching instinctively. "Beno¡ªstop!" Her voice trembled¡ªpanic mirroring his, her tough facade crumbling.


    Charles stepped forward¡ªfrown deepening, voice sharp. "Hey, snap out of it!"


    But Beno was gone¡ªlost in the storm. His breaths came fast¡ªragged, shallow¡ªeach one a struggle, chest heaving like it''d cave in. His nails scraped his scalp¡ªred lines blooming¡ªhis body rocking as sobs broke free, low and guttural, tearing from his throat. "He''s gone... I let him go..."


    Luna grabbed his wrists¡ªfirm, desperate¡ªpulling his hands down. "Enough!" Her tone hardened¡ªtough-love snapping into place, though her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. "You''re not lost yet. Thinking won''t fix this¡ªaction will."


    Beno''s shaking slowed¡ªbreath hitching, eyes flickering up to hers. The abyss lingered¡ªbut a spark flared, faint but alive.


    Charles smirked¡ªvoice steadying. "Yeah. We''re not chasing Renzo''s ghost sitting here. Move, idiot."


    Beno''s gaze sharpened¡ªslow, deliberate. He straightened¡ªforceful, a tremor of resolve rippling through him. Luna and Charles stepped back¡ªshock flashing as he shed the weight like a broken chain.


    "Stop fooling around." His voice¡ªstrong, unshaken¡ªcut the haze.


    Luna blinked¡ªstammering. "W-What?"


    He rolled his shoulders¡ªcracking his neck, determination igniting. "No time to waste. We get stronger. Now."


    Charles grinned¡ªslow, wicked. "Heh. There''s the stubborn bastard I know."


    Luna wiped her eyes quick¡ªscoffing, grin tugging her lips. "Took you damn long enough."


    Beno faced them¡ªexpression dead serious. "Will you help me?"


    They locked eyes¡ªgrins syncing. "Of course," they said¡ªvoices one, unyielding.


    Beno exhaled¡ªfists clenching, fire roaring in his veins. "Then let''s go. We''ll catch Renzo together."


    A beat¡ªsilence taut.


    Then, resolve blazed¡ªunbreakable. "Forsaken Hunter will rule the earth."


    Luna''s smirk sharpened¡ªfierce. "Damn right we will."


    Charles chuckled¡ªshaking his head. "Idiots."


    But his smile burned bright.


    The hunt was on.


    Violent Gate


    The Violent Gate was a blood-soaked realm¡ªa crimson sky stretching vast, swirling with violet lightning that crackled like divine wrath.


    The ground was a jagged wasteland¡ªobsidian rocks pulsing with an eerie glow, edges glinting under the hellish light. Wind howled¡ªsharp, biting¡ªcarrying ash and decay''s faint stench through the air.


    This wasn''t a dungeon. It was a warscape. A tomb for the forsaken.


    Renzo Mark sat alone¡ªperched on a cracked boulder, silver hair catching the dull, unearthly sheen. Wayxrons soared overhead¡ªscaled dragon-kin, their wings slicing the air like cursed blades.


    He barely noticed¡ªgaze locked on a worn photo, a fragile smile softening his lips. sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A voice pierced the stillness¡ªbold, teasing. "Oh? Missing big brother already?"


    Renzo didn''t flinch.


    Sophia Ainsworth¡ªS-Rank legend¡ªstrode forward, crimson cloak whipping in the wind. Her amber eyes gleamed¡ªamusement veiling curiosity as she crouched beside him.


    His face hardened¡ªphoto tucked away. "It''s not like that."


    She tilted her head¡ªplayful, pressing. "Sure? No one''s watching. Be real with me."


    Silence¡ªhis fingers tightening on his sleeve, voice a whisper. "I just want him safe."


    Sophia froze¡ªhis words raw, unyielding, cutting through her jest. A softness flickered in her eyes¡ªbrief, unguarded.


    "My brother''s weak... innocent." His jaw clenched¡ªgaze darkening. "I won''t let my mess swallow him."


    She leaned back¡ªstudying him, voice musing. "But if he awakens..." A pause¡ªeyes narrowing. "He''ll chase you, won''t he?"


    Something dangerous flashed in Renzo''s icy-blue eyes. "I prepared for that."


    Sophia''s frown deepened¡ªvoice low. "What do you mean?"


    He pulled a worn tape recorder from his coat¡ªedges scratched, faded. "I left him this." His tone steadied¡ªfirm, quiet. "If he unravels the shadow''s riddle, he''ll find his path."


    Sophia''s breath caught¡ªcryptic words hanging heavy, hinting at a deeper game. Before she could press¡ª


    "Commander! Enemies incoming!"


    A shout sliced through¡ªurgent, jagged.


    Renzo turned¡ªeyes sharpening like daggers, piercing the horizon. Maro¡ªA-Rank veteran, tall and muscled¡ªrushed up, sweat streaking his brow, breath ragged but eyes blazing.


    "They''re here. Full battalion. Heavily armed."


    Renzo''s hand twitched¡ªexcitement, not fear.


    He rose¡ªslow, deliberate¡ªthe ground trembling beneath him.


    "Prepare for battle." His voice¡ªcalm, absolute¡ªrang with command.


    Hunters snapped alive¡ªweapons drawn, magic flaring like a brewing storm, the air crackling with power.


    Renzo faced the battlefield¡ªthe horizon shifting, a sea of shadows rising from crimson mist. Blue-Flame Armored Orcs surged¡ªcerulean armor flickering like hellfire, roars shaking the earth, a tide of fury and steel.


    His lips curled¡ªsavage, wild.


    "They want war?"


    His aura erupted¡ªraw, suffocating, warping the air with its weight. Rocks splintered¡ªground cracking under his presence.


    He raised his sword¡ªblade glinting like night''s edge.


    "ATTACK!" His roar split the sky¡ªthunder unleashed.


    High above, atop a ruined citadel, the air grew still¡ªa suffocating hush swallowing sound. Shadows thickened¡ªcoiling like living tendrils around crumbling spires, the crimson sky dimming as if recoiling.


    A faint hum pulsed¡ªlow, ominous¡ªvibrating through the stone, a prelude to dread.


    A figure emerged¡ªsinister amber eyes gleaming from the gloom, cutting through the haze like twin flames. His black cloak billowed in the cursed wind¡ªragged edges fluttering like raven wings, his silhouette towering against the fractured sky. The citadel groaned beneath him¡ªstone cracking faintly, as if bowing to an unseen weight.


    A smirk curled his lips¡ªslow, wicked¡ªbaring razor-sharp teeth that glinted with malice.


    "So..." His voice rumbled¡ªdeep, resonant, a tremor in the air. "This is the Isolated Brat. Renzo Mark."


    A low chuckle followed¡ªdark, amused, laced with a terror that sank into the bones.


    A shadowed figure knelt beside him¡ªhead bowed, voice trembling. "My Lord, he''s the one who butchered our elite forces."


    The smirk widened¡ªeyes narrowing with cruel delight. "Then it''s time we repay him."


    He turned¡ªblack-iron boots striking stone, each step a dull thud echoing like a war drum. His presence thickened the air¡ªoppressive, a storm brewing in silence.


    "Raise your weapons." His command spilled forth¡ªcarnage given voice, a pause stretching taut. "Let the Isolated Hunter learn what it means to defy the Demon King."


    Behind him, a legion of darkness rises¡ªnightmare warriors clad in infernal steel, weapons dripping with the blood of fallen worlds. Their roar shakes the citadel¡ªfury splitting the air.


    "HAIL, DEMON KING ZERATOTH!"


    The battle for the Violent Gate ignites¡ªunstoppable, apocalyptic.


    [End of Chapter]

 Chapter 20: The Breeding Grounds

    Chapter 20 - The Breeding GroundsThe air was thick¡ªa rancid stew of bleach and rot. A single bulb flickered overhead, its weak light clawing at the shadows of the lab. Cold steel gleamed under the glow, reflecting the trembling form of a woman, twenty winters old, strapped to a table. Her wrists bled where iron cuffs gnawed her skin. Her chest heaved, each breath a jagged knife in her lungs.


    She woke to pain. A skull-splitting ache, like thorns twisting inside her brain. Her eyes fluttered open¡ªthen snapped shut as a blinding beam stabbed down from above. Shapes loomed through the haze: white coats, masked faces, eyes like dead stars.


    Two hovered close, their hands gloved in latex. Others watched from the edges, silent as vultures.


    "She''s awake,"


    one muttered, his voice flat, devoid of warmth, a gravestone etched with indifference.


    "Stop it?"


    another asked, his head tilting toward the observation window¡ªa dark rectangle high above, where a shadowy figure stood motionless, a god overlooking his altar.


    The intercom crackled, spitting a voice heavy with authority, sharp as a blade.


    "No. Begin."


    Her heart lurched, a wild thing caged in her ribs. She yanked at the chains¡ªmetal screamed against metal, a desperate hymn echoing in the sterile void.


    "Where am I?" she rasped, her throat raw, her voice trembling with the terror of a child lost in the dark. "Who are you people?


    LET ME GO!"


    The words broke, splintering into a sob that clawed its way out of her chest.


    A scientist stepped closer, his mask tilting as he studied her. In his hand, a syringe gleamed, filled with a dark, viscous liquid that swirled like liquid night.


    "Her womb''s perfect," he said, his tone clinical, detached.


    "Time for the Orc Gene."


    Her breath froze, a shard of ice lodged in her lungs.


    "W-what... what gene?" Her voice rose, shrill with panic.


    "WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO ME?!"


    She thrashed, her body a storm against the restraints. The chains rattled like the bones of some ancient beast, unyielding, cruel. A gloved hand flashed out¡ªcrack¡ªstriking her cheek with a force that snapped her head aside.


    Pain bloomed, hot and sharp, a red flower unfurling across her face. Tears burned her eyes, spilling over, tracing paths down her dirt-streaked skin. She tasted salt and blood, her lip split where the blow had landed.


    "Hold still," the scientist hissed, his voice a serpent''s whisper.


    The needle came next. It plunged into her belly, a cold steel fang piercing her flesh. Ice flooded her veins, then fire¡ªa searing heat that spread like wildfire, consuming her from the inside. Her back arched, her spine bowing as if it might snap. A scream tore free¡ª


    "AAAAHHHH!"¡ª


    raw and primal, bouncing off the walls, a sound no human throat should make. Her body wasn''t hers anymore. Something foreign writhed within, clawing at her core, sinking roots into her soul. She felt it¡ªalive, hungry, wrong.


    Monitors shrieked, their beeps a frantic chorus. "Implantation complete,


    Chief," a voice called, steady despite the chaos.


    The shadow above shifted, a silhouette of judgment.


    "Good," the intercom growled.


    "The Dark Potion¡ªnow."


    Her eyes widened, pupils shrinking to pinpricks as terror clawed up her spine.


    "No..." she whimpered, her voice a fragile thread.


    "Please... my son... he''s alone... LET ME OUT!" She pictured him¡ªhis small hands, his wide eyes, waiting for her in their tiny home. The thought was a knife, twisting deeper.


    A laugh slithered from beneath one of the masks, low and cruel. The scientist leaned close, his breath hot against her ear.


    "That kid? We gutted him already. Left him in the dirt."


    The world shattered. Her scream turned feral¡ª


    "NO! YOU''RE LYING! WHY?!"¡ªa howl of grief and rage that shook her frail frame. Her son¡ªher light, her reason¡ªwas gone?


    She saw him in her mind, his body broken, his laughter silenced. The pain was a tidal wave, drowning her, pulling her under. She thrashed again, weaker now, her strength bleeding out with her tears.


    They ignored her. A vial tipped over her stomach, and black liquid poured forth, thick and warm, pooling on her skin like spilled ink. It sank in, seeping through her flesh, a sickening heat spreading inside.


    Her belly swelled, stretching tight, unnatural, grotesque. She gasped, choking on horror, her hands clawing at the air.


    "No... no... NO¡ª!" The thing inside grew, feeding on her, a parasite devouring her life. Her ribs creaked, her skin split at the edges, blood trickling down her sides. She felt it¡ªher body hollowing out, her essence stolen by the monster they''d planted.


    Her nails dug into her palms, drawing blood, but it was nothing compared to the hunger eating her alive. She screamed until her throat burned, until her voice was a rasp, a ghost of itself. The monitors wailed, a death knell ringing in her ears.


    "Chief, it''s failing," a scientist said, his voice tight, edged with unease.


    "The spawn''s mindless. No brain activity¡ªjust a husk."


    The intercom crackled, cold and final.


    "Dispose of her. Find a new vessel. The Great Plan demands perfection."


    The cuffs clicked open with a hollow sound. She crumpled, a broken doll, her body too weak to fight. Two guards seized her arms, their grips bruising, and dragged her across the floor.


    Her legs trailed behind, lifeless, scraping the tiles. Her head lolled, tears streaking her face, mixing with the blood and sweat.


    A steel hatch loomed ahead¡ªthe Underground Disposal Chamber. It yawned wide, a maw of darkness, and they hurled her in. She hit the ground with a wet thud, the impact jarring her bones, and the hatch slammed shut, sealing her in shadow.


    The Wolf in the Pit


    The pit was a grave of stone and rot. Damp walls glistened with slime, reflecting the faint glow of the boy''s golden eyes. He crouched in the filth,


    sixteen summers young, his silver hair matted with dirt and dried blood. His body was lean, wiry, marked with scars¡ªclaws and teeth etched into his skin by years of torment. Hunger gnawed at his gut, a relentless beast, but his spirit burned hotter, a fire stoked by rage.


    The air was heavy, thick with the stench of death¡ªrotting flesh, spilled blood, the ghosts of those who''d come before. He''d stopped counting the bodies long ago.


    His claws flexed, trembling, as footsteps echoed above. The hatch groaned open, a sliver of light cutting through the dark.


    "Eat, puppy," a scientist sneered, his voice dripping with mockery.


    The woman''s body fell, landing at his feet with a sickening crunch. Her lifeless gaze locked on his, wide and empty, her belly torn open, a hollow shell where life had been stolen.


    Her skin was pale, almost translucent, streaked with blood and the black residue of their poison. His breath hitched, a pang of sorrow piercing his chest. She was like him¡ªanother victim, another soul crushed beneath their boots.


    His claws trembled, digging into the dirt.


    "I''ll kill them," he whispered, his voice a blade honed by years of pain.


    "Every. Last. One."


    The words were a vow, carved into his bones, a promise to the dead and the dying. Tears welled in his eyes, carving trails through the grime on his face, but he blinked them away. Weakness had no place here.


    He sank his teeth into her flesh¡ªcold, bitter, the taste of despair.


    "Sorry..." he choked out, his voice breaking as he bit again.


    Each swallow was a wound, a scar on his soul, but it fueled him. The rage grew, a storm brewing in his chest, lightning crackling in his veins. He ate because he had to¡ªbecause survival was the first step to vengeance.


    The hatch slammed shut, plunging him back into darkness. His golden eyes glowed, twin beacons in the void, unyielding, unbroken.


    Noak Guild: The Calm Before


    The guild hall was a crypt of silence, its wooden beams creaking under the weight of stillness. Beno slouched in a chair, boots kicked up on the table, his axe resting against his thigh, its blade catching the dim light. His dark hair fell into his eyes, and he blew it away with a huff.


    "This is boring," he groaned, his voice bouncing off the walls, a restless drumbeat in the quiet.


    Luna sat across, her slender frame hunched over a leather-bound tome, her silver hair spilling over her shoulders like moonlight.


    "No quests today," she said, her tone even, her eyes never leaving the page.


    "That''s not it!"


    Beno snapped, slamming his fist on the table.


    "Our first gig should''ve been a dungeon¡ªblood, guts, glory! Not this garbage."


    He gestured at the empty hall, his frustration a living thing.


    Luna''s gaze flicked to him, sharp as a dagger.


    "We''re new. They won''t toss us to the wolves yet."


    "I am a wolf," Beno grinned, flexing his arms, muscles rippling under his tunic.


    Charles, hunched over a stack of papers at the far end, growled low in his throat.


    "Shut up, both of you." His quill scratched furiously, ink staining his fingers, his brow furrowed in irritation.


    Beno smirked, leaning forward.


    "Angry little scribe, huh?"


    Charles shot to his feet, fists balled, his red hair blazing like fire in the lantern light.


    "Say that again, you ape!"


    "Fight me, hothead!"


    Before fists could fly, Luna''s book slammed down¡ªthwack¡ªand she glared, her green eyes flashing.


    "Quiet. I''m reading."


    They froze, rubbing their heads where her glare seemed to strike.


    "Fine... sorry," Beno muttered, slumping back.


    He leaned back, then perked up, a spark igniting in his dark eyes.


    The Blind Woman''s Cry


    The guild doors creaked open, a slow, mournful sound. A frail figure shuffled in¡ªan old woman, her eyes milky and blind, her hands clutching a cane that tapped the floor like a heartbeat. Her gray hair hung in thin strands, her face etched with lines of sorrow. A hunter shoved past, knocking her aside with a rough shoulder. "Lost, hag?" he sneered, his voice a blade.


    She smiled, unsteady but unbroken. "Are you a hunter?"


    "Yeah. What''s it to you?"


    "My granddaughter... she''s gone. Help me." Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He laughed, a harsh bark. "Not my mess."


    Undeterred, she moved on, her cane guiding her from table to table.


    "Please... someone..." Her voice trembled, a fragile plea carried on the wind.


    No one cared. Laughter and clinking mugs drowned her out.


    Beno''s fists clenched, knuckles whitening. He stood, boots thudding as he crossed the room, his shadow stretching long and dark.


    "Hey, old lady," he called, his voice softer than usual.


    "Tell us everything. We''ll find her."


    Her blind eyes shimmered with hope, tears welling at the edges.


    "Thank you... oh, thank you..." Her hands shook as she gripped her cane, gratitude spilling from her like water from a cracked cup.


    Charles leaned in, his quill poised. "What happened?"


    Her voice quavered, each word heavy with pain.


    "Midnight. I was sick¡ªfever burning me up, my bones aching. She saw me suffering, my little star. Said she''d get medicine. I begged her to stay, but she left, her footsteps fading into the night. She never came back. I waited¡ªhours, maybe days¡ªthen the rain fell, cold and cruel. I went outside, felt tire marks in the mud with my hands."


    Beno blinked, brow furrowing. "How''d you see tire marks?"


    Luna smacked him, a quick slap to the back of his head. "She felt them, idiot."


    "Oh. Right."


    Charles scribbled fast, his quill a blur.


    "We''ll take it. Go home, ma''am. We''ve got this."


    She bowed, tears falling to the floor.


    "Bless you, children. Bless you."


    As she shuffled out, Beno cracked his knuckles, a storm brewing in his chest.


    "Someone''s gonna pay," he growled, his voice low, a promise of violence.


    The Wolf''s Oath


    Back in the pit, the boy¡ªFenris¡ªgnawed through sinew, blood staining his lips, dripping down his chin.


    "Sorry..." he whispered, his voice breaking, a prayer to the woman''s silent corpse. Her empty eyes stared up, accusing yet forgiving, a mirror to his own torment. The metallic tang of her blood filled his mouth, a bitter reminder of what he''d become.


    His claws scraped the stone, carving shallow grooves.


    "I''ll make them scream,"


    he vowed, his golden eyes burning through the dark.


    "I swear it." The words were a chant, a ritual, binding him to his fate.


    The darkness pressed in, thick and suffocating, but his rage burned brighter¡ªa wildfire, a beacon, a god of wrath awakening in his soul. He ate, he endured, and he waited. A storm was coming¡ªone they''d never survive.

 Chapter 21: Dumping ground

    Chapter 21 - Dumping groundThe old woman''s frail hands trembled as she clutched a worn-out photograph to her chest. Her milky-white eyes were filled with silent grief.


    "She''s gone," she whispered. "My granddaughter... she never came home."


    Beno Mark clenched his jaw, his fingers curling into a fist. The woman''s voice was so weak, yet it carried a weight that pressed down on his chest.


    "We''ll find her," he promised.


    Charles crossed his arms. "We need a place to start. CCTV?"


    Luna nodded. "According to the old woman, she was last seen near the park entrance. That''s the first place we should check."


    They wasted no time. The trio made their way to the security station, where an exhausted officer sat behind a small desk, flipping through old reports. The room smelled of cheap coffee and stale air.


    Beno approached the officer and pulled out his Hunter License, the silver badge glinting under the dim lights.


    The officer raised an eyebrow but nodded, pushing a keyboard toward them. "Go ahead. Just don''t break anything."


    Beno pulled up the CCTV footage, scrolling back to the last recorded sighting. The screen flickered, the time stamp rolling backward.


    At 3:42 PM, the girl appeared.


    She walked alone near the park entrance, her cane tapping lightly against the pavement.


    Then¡ª


    A black van pulled up beside her.


    The doors swung open, and three men stepped out.


    The way they moved¡ªquick, calculated, efficient¡ªsent a shiver down Beno''s spine. One man grabbed the girl from behind, another clamped a hand over her mouth, and the third shoved her into the back of the van.


    She barely had time to struggle before the doors slammed shut.


    And then¡ªjust like that¡ªshe was gone.


    Luna sucked in a sharp breath. "They''re professionals."


    Charles'' brows furrowed. "No license plate. The van''s modified¡ªreinforced windows, no brand markings. Someone didn''t want this traced."


    Beno rewound the footage, scanning the frame carefully.


    There¡ªon the rear door¡ªa faint symbol.


    His pulse quickened.


    "...I know that mark."


    Luna turned to him. "Where have you seen it before?"


    Beno stared at the screen, the image triggering something buried in his memory. Then, it clicked.


    "The garbage trucks."


    Charles raised a brow. "What?"


    Beno pointed at the faded mark. "I used to see this symbol on waste disposal trucks when I worked in a restaurant. They''d pick up garbage from restricted zones."


    Luna''s eyes widened slightly. "A landfill?"


    Beno nodded.


    Charles let out a scoff. "Bullshit. You think they dumped a kidnapped girl in a landfill?"


    Luna, however, looked deep in thought. "...Wouldn''t that be the perfect place? No cameras, no patrols, just mountains of trash."


    Beno''s stomach twisted.


    "...We have to check it out."


    The Landfill ¨C A Place of Death


    The landfill stretched endlessly before them, a graveyard of discarded waste and rotting filth.


    Mountains of trash rose like grotesque hills, shrouded in mist and the sickening scent of decomposing flesh. Flies buzzed hungrily around the piles of waste, their tiny wings creating an eerie hum.


    Beno pulled his scarf over his nose. "Goddamn, the smell."


    Luna winced. "It''s not just garbage... there''s something else. Something rotting."


    Charles muttered, "You''re imagining things."


    They moved cautiously, scanning the area for anything out of place. The landfill was eerily silent, apart from the occasional distant sound of a garbage truck dumping another load.


    An hour passed.


    Nothing. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Beno sighed, rubbing his temples. "Damn it. There''s nothing here."


    Charles smirked. "Told you it was bullshit."


    Luna frowned, biting her lip. "Wait. Look over there."


    She pointed toward a partially buried metal grate near one of the trash heaps. It was rusted, barely visible beneath layers of filth, but something about it felt wrong.


    Beno stepped closer, nudging aside debris. "This isn''t a normal sewer drain..."


    Before he could finish, the ground beneath him gave way.


    "BENO!" Luna screamed.


    He fell.


    The air rushed past him as he plunged into darkness, hitting cold, damp concrete below.


    Pain shot up his side. He groaned, coughing as dust filled his lungs.


    Then¡ª


    His eyes adjusted to the dim light.


    And his breath caught in his throat.


    Bones.


    Piles of them. Stacked like a grotesque monument, some still covered in decaying flesh.


    Women''s bodies.


    Beno''s stomach lurched. He staggered back, his boots slipping on blood-soaked ground.


    Above, Charles and Luna peered down, their faces pale.


    "Beno!" Luna called. "Are you okay?!"


    Beno barely heard her. His heart pounded as he stared at the horror before him.


    Luna and Charles carefully slid down after him.


    Luna gasped, covering her mouth.


    "What the fuck is this?!"


    Charles paled, his usual smugness gone. "...No way... no fucking way."


    Beno''s hands clenched into fists.


    This isn''t just a kidnapping.


    This is a slaughterhouse.


    Then¡ª


    A sound.


    A wet, shuffling noise from the shadows beyond the piles of bones.


    Beno froze.


    His instincts screamed at him.


    Charles turned slowly. "...Did you hear that?"


    Luna''s hands trembled.


    A shadow moved.


    Not a trick of the light¡ªsomething alive. Watching.


    Then¡ª


    A low growl echoed from the darkness.


    And the bones shifted.


    Something huge emerged from the piles of corpses.


    Beno''s breath hitched. Its form was unnatural.


    A grotesque humanoid figure, its limbs too long, its flesh stitched together like a patchwork of human skin. Its eyes were hollow, black pits that seemed to pull in the light around them.


    Luna took a step back, her voice barely a whisper. "...Run."


    Then¡ª


    A scream.


    A woman''s voice, shrill and desperate, somewhere deep in the tunnels beyond.


    The creature twitched, its head snapping toward the sound.


    Then¡ªit moved.


    Not running, not walking¡ªit launched itself forward, its jaws unhinging, revealing rows of needle-like teeth.


    The entire tunnel shook as it smashed into the wall, tearing through debris like paper.


    Luna let out a strangled breath. "We need to get out of here. NOW."


    Beno gritted his teeth, his pulse hammering.


    They had seconds before the creature realized they were there.


    "Don''t make a sound," he whispered.


    Charles nodded stiffly.


    Luna barely dared to breathe.


    As they stepped back, a single bone slipped beneath Charles'' boot.


    CRACK.


    The creature stopped.


    Then¡ª


    It turned its head toward them.

 Chapter 22: The Crying Monster

    Chapter 22 - The Crying MonsterBeno''s boots landed with a heavy thud against the damp floor, the stale air reeking of rusted metal and something far worse¡ªrot and sorrow. The tunnel was dim, flickering lights swinging weakly above, casting long, shifting shadows on the curved, stone walls. Luna and Charles followed close behind, their footsteps hesitant, quiet.


    This place wasn''t normal.


    It wasn''t just hidden.


    It felt wrong.


    The kind of wrong that seeps into your skin. Like the air itself didn''t want them there.


    Suddenly, a sound echoed through the corridor¡ªa wet dragging noise, heavy and unnatural. Something was coming.


    Then it emerged from the darkness.


    A towering creature, limping forward on crab-like legs, its hulking frame scraping against the stone walls. Chitinous plates covered its twisted body, glistening like wet armor. Its arms were long and jagged, ending in sharp, claw-like extensions that looked like they could rip through steel. It had a humanoid shape, but only just¡ªthe proportions were all wrong. Warped.


    Its face was hidden behind a thick layer of growth... except for the mouth, where teeth were too many, and too sharp.


    Beno froze.


    Luna''s voice broke the silence.


    "We have to fight that thing."


    Charles stepped back, eyes wide, terror clutching his throat.


    "No need," he said quickly. "I can burn it alive. Right here."


    He raised his hands, flames already flickering between his fingertips.


    But Luna slapped his wrist down.


    "Idiot! You can''t use fire magic in here!"


    Charles blinked, stunned.


    "Why not?!"


    "This whole place reeks of natural gas. You blow a single spark, this entire tunnel goes with it¡ªand us!"


    Her voice was sharp, commanding.


    Beno felt his heart skip. She was right. That bitter scent wasn''t just rot¡ªit was gas, leaking through unseen crack and from bodies and bones . A spark could kill them all.


    "Same goes for lightning," Luna added, glancing at Beno. "No spells. We fight this thing clean."


    The creature shrieked. A horrible, warbled cry, like metal bending under pressure.


    Luna didn''t wait.


    She stepped forward, blade in hand. Wind gathered silently around it, forming a thin, invisible edge


    "Silent Cut," she whispered.


    She moved like wind¡ªquick, almost invisible. A blur passed the creature''s midsection, and then... the top half of its body slid away from the bottom.


    The head dropped to the floor with a dull thud.


    It was over.


    Or so Beno thought.


    He took a step forward to look closer. But when his eyes landed on the severed head, his stomach twisted into a knot.


    "Wait..."


    He crouched, trembling.


    "That''s a face. A¡ªhuman face..."


    Charles laughed nervously.


    "What are you even talking about?"


    But Luna had already seen it too.


    Her sword clattered to the ground.


    "Oh gods..."


    The creature''s face, beneath all the grotesque deformation¡ªbeneath the layers of hardened flesh and warped tissue¡ªwas a baby. The features were small. The mouth was rounded. The eyes wide and innocent, though lifeless now.


    It hadn''t just looked human.


    It was human.


    Something twisted, something broken. Something turned into this.


    Then the body twitched.


    And the crying began.


    "Ma... mama... Mamaaa..."


    A high-pitched, trembling voice echoed through the hall.


    Beno froze.


    The monster¡ªthe child¡ªwas still alive. Even without its head, the body writhed, reaching out blindly, letting out that soft, pitiful cry.


    "Mama... mama..."


    He felt something shatter inside.


    His breath left him in a choked gasp.


    It was a child. A victim.


    And they''d killed it.


    Luna fell to her knees, her hands trembling.


    "I didn''t even... I didn''t check. I just¡ª"


    She couldn''t finish.


    Beno stared at the twitching remains, rage curling in his chest like poison.


    "Who did this...?"


    Charles kept his distance, eyes fixed on the still-twitching body.


    > "We need to move," he said quietly. "If something this twisted is wandering around, then whatever made it... might come looking."


    Beno didn''t move. He just stared.


    The monster''s limbs twitched weakly, reaching toward the walls like it was still searching for its mother. That sound¡ª*mama... mama*¡ªechoed again, softer this time, gurgling from the severed throat like the last breath of a curse.


    It was the most pitiful thing Beno had ever heard.


    > "This isn''t a lab," he muttered, more to himself than to the others. "It''s a... it''s a Swear."


    Luna looked up, still pale. Her voice was barely above a whisper.


    > "A cursed holy site..."


    Beno nodded slowly, his expression hardening as it all began to piece together. The unnatural silence. The gas. The twisted architecture. The symbols they hadn''t noticed until now¡ªetched into the walls like old prayers rewritten in madness. This wasn''t a place for experiments.


    This was a place where people made **promises to something unholy**.


    Where rituals were performed.


    Where **humanity was broken**.


    > "They didn''t just make a monster," Beno said. "They offered* someone. A child."


    His hands clenched into fists.


    Luna tried to wipe her blade clean, but it was shaking in her grasp. She dropped it again.


    > "I didn''t look... I should''ve¡ª"


    > "Stop," Beno said, his voice suddenly calm. Too calm.


    It was the kind of quiet that comes before a storm.


    > "They did this."


    He stood slowly, eyes burning with something deeper than anger. A cold, controlled fury that felt alien in his chest. Until now, he''d been cautious. Passive. Even afraid.


    But this...


    This crossed a line.


    > "I''m not going to forgive them."


    His voice trembled¡ªnot from fear, but from the effort of holding himself back.


    > "Whoever you are... whoever did this... I''ll kill you."


    Charles was already moving, checking the dark corridors for movement.


    > "Hate later. We leave now."


    Beno turned and followed, Luna stumbling after them with hollow eyes. They moved fast, retracing their path through the cracked corridors, up rusted stairs and crumbling ladders. The walls seemed to watch them go, as if the Swear itself remembered every face it had swallowed.


    They burst through the final metal door and into the dying light of evening. The outside world felt too quiet, too normal, like it didn''t know what was festering beneath its skin.


    The trio climbed into the old, dusty car they''d hidden near the dumpyard entrance.


    None of them spoke.


    But as the engine started and the tires rolled over gravel, Beno''s eyes caught something in the rearview mirror.


    Figures. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    People in black, unloading something from a covered truck near the same entrance they had just escaped from. Cold, clean, efficient. They moved like soldiers¡ªbut not the kind that wore uniforms.


    They were unpacking bodies


    Small ones.


    Dozens.


    Beno''s breath caught.


    This wasn''t just one child.


    This was a system.


    And they''d only scratched the surface.


    His hands tightened on the seat, jaw clenched.


    > "This isn''t over," he whispered.

 Chapter 23: Prey of the Underworld

    Chapter 23 - Prey of the UnderworldThe Noak Guild was its usual mess of chaos. Laughter bounced off the stone walls, tankards slammed onto tables, and hunters exchanged stories louder than necessary. The scent of ale, sweat, and iron lingered in the air like smoke after a fire.


    But tucked into a quiet corner beneath a flickering lantern, Beno Mark, Charles, and Luna sat in silence. Their drinks sat untouched.


    Since the child mutation incident... none of them had been the same.


    Beno leaned forward, staring at the scarred table. His voice was quiet, rough. "Should we tell the officials? Let them handle it?"


    Charles didn''t answer right away. He exhaled slowly, eyes unfocused. "Even if we do... who''s to say they''ll believe us? And what if the people behind it *are* the officials?"


    That thought lingered like a shadow between them.


    Luna, who hadn''t spoken since they sat down, finally looked up. Her hands were clenched in her lap. "They were children," she said, voice barely above a whisper. "Tiny, scared... and someone chose to *experiment* on them. I can''t stop seeing their faces."


    Her words stung more than silence ever could.


    A moment passed. Then another.


    "You''re right," Beno muttered, dragging a hand down his face. "We can''t let this go."


    That was when a voice, sharp and strange, broke through the heavy mood.


    "You *could* leak it to the media," said a man nearby. "If you want people to see the truth."


    The trio turned, startled.


    He was short¡ªbarely up to Beno''s shoulder¡ªwith a wiry build and oversized goggles resting on his nose. His white coat looked out of place among the armored guild crowd. There was a strange energy about him, like he never stopped thinking.


    "Media?" Charles asked, still unsure whether to take him seriously.


    The man gave a small shrug. "People love outrage. Especially if it involves kids. Public pressure can do what the law refuses to."


    Charles exchanged a look with Beno and Luna. For the first time in hours... something like hope flickered in their eyes.


    "It might work," Charles said, slowly. "If the people see it... even corrupt hands will be forced to pull back."


    Beno nodded, some strength returning to his voice. "Yeah. Let''s uncover the truth."


    Luna looked between them, then gave a short, firm nod. "We''ll drag this into the light. No matter who stands behind it."


    The man grinned and extended a hand. "Name''s Sam Pool. I''m new to the guild, but I''ve been looking for a team. Sounds like you''ve got a hell of a mission."


    Beno grasped his hand. "Welcome to the storm, Sam."


    But as their pact was sealed with that handshake, someone else watched from the shadows behind the stone wall. A tall figure cloaked in black, lips curled in a thin, dangerous smile.


    "So... the Son of the Forsaken Star decides to meddle."


    He turned away, footsteps fading into the dark.


    "Very well. I''ll be waiting." Evil Smile


    A low hum filled the street as Sam pulled up in his van.


    It looked more like a surveillance truck out of a spy movie¡ªbulky, armored with matte black panels, and mounted on the roof was a satellite dish that rotated slowly, catching signals from unseen places. The back doors opened with a mechanical hiss, revealing three humming computer monitors, a drone perched like a hawk on its charger, and rows of blinking gadgets lining the shelves.


    Beno, Charles, and Luna stared, their expressions a mix of surprise and curiosity.


    "You built all this... yourself?" Charles asked, blinking.


    Sam adjusted his goggles with a grin. "Yup. Government tech is too slow. This? This is faster, smarter... and doesn''t ask for permission."


    Beno let out a low whistle. "Okay, that''s impressive."


    Sam stepped up to the console, fingers flying across the keyboard. A nearby screen showed a digital map of Veno City, marked with red dots.


    "Since you mentioned the mutated child was found near a dumping ground," Sam began, "that''s where we''ll start. But I''m not expecting them to just show up again. We need intel. So¡ª" he turned, holding up a tiny metallic object between his fingers, "we plant this tracker on any suspicious vehicle we find. It''s shaped like an ant, but don''t let that fool you."


    He pressed a button and the tiny "ant" unfolded slightly¡ªrevealing a miniature camera lens, a mic, and tiny legs for gripping.


    "Video, audio, and GPS tracking," Sam said proudly. "Range up to 2 kilometers. And yeah... I built this one at home."


    Charles nodded, but frowned. "Still... what if they never come back? What if the child was just a failed experiment, dumped and forgotten?"


    Sam''s grin faded. "That''s possible. But it''s the only lead we''ve got. Unless we sit and wait for another tragedy."


    Beno spoke up, voice firm. "I saw the car. The truck too. They were parked near the back alley of the restaurant where I used to work, in Veno City."


    Luna looked at him. "I remember. You mentioned it before. If we''re starting anywhere... that''s the place."


    "Perfect." Sam passed out small earpieces and they loaded into the van.


    The van rolled into Veno City under the dull gray sky, blending into the flow of traffic like a shadow among shadows. As the skyline rose before them, Beno''s breath hitched.


    They passed the familiar corners of his old life¡ªfaded shop signs, the worn-down diner where he used to mop floors, the rust-stained alley behind it. The closer they got, the more the memories clawed their way out from the depths of his mind.


    Then the van turned toward the subway entrance.


    That place.


    Beno froze. His eyes locked on the stairwell leading underground, half-buried in shadows. The same entrance. The same cracked tiles. The same rusted railing where he had once gripped for his life.


    It all came rushing back. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The echo of goblin snarls.


    The scent of blood and burnt flesh.


    The darkness pressing in from all sides, his own breathing echoing in his ears as he fought just to stay alive.


    And Renzo¡ªhis cruel smirk, the eyes that watched with amusement while Beno nearly died.


    Beno''s fingers dug into the seat. His breathing quickened, shallow and ragged. He didn''t even realize he was trembling.


    Luna noticed first.


    She reached across the van and gently took his hand. Her palm was warm against his cold fingers.


    "Beno..." she said softly, her eyes meeting his. "You''re not that helpless boy anymore."


    He blinked, her voice cutting through the fog of panic like a light in a tunnel.


    "You''re a Hunter now," Luna said, squeezing his hand. "Stronger. Smarter. Alive."


    Charles leaned forward from the passenger seat, concern etched into his face. "You don''t have to do this alone, man. We''re with you."


    Beno swallowed hard, forcing his throat to open. He looked at the subway again, his heartbeat still pounding¡ªbut steadier now.


    "Renzo," he muttered, voice low but clear. "I''ll make sure I will catch you soon."


    Sam, watching from the side, didn''t speak¡ªbut he turned his chair back to the monitors, subtly giving Beno a moment of space.


    The van idled by the curb.


    The city didn''t notice them. It never did.


    But something had shifted¡ªsomething deeper than fear.


    Beno had walked back into the place that tried to bury him. And this time, he wasn''t alone.


    High above, on the rooftop of a derelict building, five shadows stood silently under the overcast sky. The city''s soft hum did little to veil the deadly intent in their gaze as they peered down at the unsuspecting team below.


    Their leader, a tall figure clad in dark, jagged armor, adjusted his scope and grinned. His eyes locked onto Beno.


    "So... that''s the worm we''re hunting?" he muttered. "Beno. E-rank. And the others... Luna, D-rank. Charles too. Barely worth calling Hunters."


    Behind him, a brutish man with arms like tree trunks and a rusted hammer strapped across his back chuckled. "Tch. Weaklings."


    Another voice¡ªslimy, nasal¡ªspoke up, licking his cracked lips as he stared at Luna through the binoculars. "Boss... that girl''s young. Real young. Pure. I call dibs on breaking her in."


    The leader didn''t turn, but his smirk widened into something rotten. "We''ll keep her. She''ll make a fine offering to the pleasure pits. Our brothers will enjoy the fruits of her... youth."


    The others laughed¡ªlow, guttural, inhuman.


    "As for the boys," the bald one with the snake tattoo sneered, "they''ll fetch a decent price in the slave markets. Especially the black-haired one. Quiet types sell well."


    The boss finally turned, eyes gleaming with cruelty. "No mistakes. No noise. We do this clean. Quick. Then we disappear before that media freak in the van realizes we were ever here."


    Their shadows stretched long in the dying light as they began descending the building silently, like wolves preparing to pounce.


    Hammer-man cracked his neck. "Let''s play, boys."


    "Let''s *hunt*," the boss whispered.


    Below, Beno and the others had no idea what was coming.


    But death... was already watching.

 Chapter 24: Hammerfall

    Chapter 24 - HammerfallThe sky was painted in dull greys. Clouds hung heavy, as if mourning the place Beno once called his second home.


    He stood before the broken silhouette of the five-story building, its skeleton half-consumed by the Gate incident. Walls peeled, windows shattered, metal twisted like dried veins. Time hadn''t been kind to this place. Neither had the monsters.


    Beno didn''t say a word.


    He just stared.


    At the bent gate.


    At the sign that barely clung to the rusted frame.


    "Yura Corp Logistics" ¡ª his first job in Veno City.


    Now, it was nothing but a charred husk.


    Each step he took toward it echoed in his mind like memories scraping open old wounds. The scent of iron dust. The eeriness of familiarity.


    So much had changed¡ªhe had changed.


    But the place still mocked him.


    They made their way to the structure beside it¡ªan old, half-collapsed building near the restaurant ruins. Vines clawed at the lower walls. Broken glass crackled under their boots.


    But¡ª


    Charles paused. His eyes narrowed.


    "The third floor... it''s clean."


    The others looked up.


    He was right.


    The windows weren''t broken. The walls weren''t decayed.


    It looked... maintained.


    Sam adjusted his goggles.


    "No dust. No rubble. That''s not natural."


    Beno took a slow breath.


    "Someone''s living there."


    Sam turned, reaching into his bag.


    "Let''s confirm. I''ve got something for this."


    He knelt beside his van and pulled out a small, matte-black device the size of a fist. It unfolded with mechanical grace¡ªtiny rotor arms clicking into place. Lights flickered to life. A whirr filled the air.


    Charles watched in quiet awe.


    "Your toys are getting fancier, Sam."


    Sam smirked.


    "I make magic with scrap metal and spite."


    The drone rose into the air, hovering silently like a phantom. Its lens scanned the building, floating higher and higher until it reached the third floor. They watched its feed on a tablet¡ªshadows flickered inside the window. Curtains swayed unnaturally. Something was off.


    Then¡ª


    SHNK!


    A glint. A flash.


    THWACK.


    The screen went black.


    BANG!


    The drone exploded mid-air, bits of rotor blades spiraling down like metal feathers.


    Sam''s jaw clenched.


    "They just cut my drone in half."


    Beno''s heartbeat quickened.


    "They knew we were watching..."


    Charles stepped forward, cracking his neck.


    "Well, they''ve saved us the trouble of knocking."


    Suddenly¡ª


    Voices above.


    Boots thudded on cracked concrete.


    A shadow loomed over the edge of the rooftop.


    Six figures.


    Armed. Grinning.


    Like wolves circling a wounded animal.


    One of them stepped forward.


    Massive. Shirtless. Muscles thick like stone. A grotesque hammer rested on his shoulder. His face was twisted¡ªlike cruelty had carved it.


    Hammer Guy (grinning):


    "Boss told us to kill you. Honestly, I thought this''d be boring. But seeing you up close..."


    He spat off the edge.


    "You''re not even real Hunters, are you?"


    Beno stepped forward, jaw tense.


    "What the hell are you talking about?"


    Hammer Guy laughed, cruel and deep.


    "I mean, come on. Look at you. Some E and D-rank rats thinking they can play hero? Trying to poke your nose into things bigger than you? That''s suicide, kid."


    Beno clenched his fists.


    "So it was you. The kidnappings. The experiments. The children..."


    Hammer Guy smirked.


    "Not exactly. We''re not the scientists. We''re just the cleanup crew. Kill the nosy ones. Tie up the loose ends."


    Luna''s voice cut in, sharp and ice-cold.


    "You''re monsters."


    Hammer Guy''s eyes lit up at her. His tone turned sickening.


    "And you, sweetheart... You''ve got fire. I like that. How about this¡ªcome with me, be my personal pet, and I''ll give you a life of luxury and endless pleasure."


    He licked his lips.


    "Deal?"


    Luna''s face twisted in disgust.


    She tilted her head slightly.


    Then¡ª


    Luna (dryly):


    "Have you seen your own face?


    You look like someone deep-fried a bulldog and taught it to speak."


    Silence.


    Even Sam snorted. Charles burst into laughter. Beno cracked a grin.


    Sam (whispering):


    "She cooked him."


    Hammer Guy''s face turned red with rage.


    "You little¡ª!"


    Luna drew her blade, smile gone.


    "Try it. I dare you."


    Without warning, the massive man holding the hammer stepped off the rooftop.


    Beno''s eyes widened.


    His body tensed instinctively as he saw the hammer man plummet through the air like a living missile.


    But¡ª


    He vanished.


    Just like that. Midair. Gone.


    A second later¡ª


    CRASH!!


    The sickening crunch of metal and concrete erupted behind the building.


    Beno spun around¡ªjust in time to see Charles¡ª


    ¡ªslammed into a wall.


    His body hung limp, half-buried in shattered bricks, like a ragdoll pinned to a canvas. Blood streamed down his forehead. His limbs twitched uncontrollably, as if still trying to register what had just happened.


    "CHARLES!!"


    Luna gasped and rushed toward him, horror overtaking her face.


    Charles coughed¡ªred mist sprayed from his lips.


    His eyes flickered with terror¡ªnot from pain, but from recognition.


    Charles (weakly):


    "T-They''re... C-rank... High C-rank at least..."


    His voice trembled.


    "Sam¡ªcontact the Noak Guild. We can''t win this...!"


    Sam didn''t hesitate. He bolted toward the van parked a few meters away, his hand already reaching for the emergency comms.


    But¡ª


    FWISH!


    A sharp shadow sliced past him.


    CLANG!


    Sam barely flinched in time, a blade missing his spine by inches¡ªonly because Luna had intercepted it.


    She clashed swords with the attacker¡ªa pale, sickly man with dead eyes and ghost-pale skin, yet his movements were crisp and deadly. Each strike had the precision of a trained killer.


    Luna gritted her teeth.


    "Dammit... These guys... I can barely keep up..."


    She deflected another blow, her feet skidding back across the gravel. Her arms shook¡ªnot from fear, but from effort.


    Meanwhile¡ªBeno''s blood boiled.


    He clenched his jaw, his eyes fixed on the hammer man who now stood grinning in the distance.


    Beno summoned his lightning step.


    With a crackle of energy beneath his feet, he shot forward¡ªsword drawn¡ªaiming straight for the enemy''s heart.


    But¡ªthe hammer man moved like a ghost.


    He twisted effortlessly, dodging the strike with mocking ease.


    "That''s it?"


    His deep voice rumbled with laughter.


    "You move like a toddler with a toy."


    Beno growled.


    "We''re not amateurs!"


    But even as he struck again¡ªslash after slash¡ªeach one missed by miles. It was like trying to hit mist. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The hammer man burst into laughter.


    "Listen here, black-head," he sneered, casually sidestepping Beno''s latest swing.


    "You''re not strong. You''re just loud."


    With one brutal motion, he slammed his boot into Beno''s back.


    BOOM!


    Beno flew through the air¡ªcrashing through the restaurant''s broken windows and tumbling across splintered tables.


    Groaning, Beno pushed himself up.


    His sword shook in his grip.


    His ribs burned.


    Pathetic, he thought. *I didn''t even see it coming...


    But something sparked in him.


    "No."


    Not yet.


    He stood¡ªblood dripping from his mouth¡ªand raised his sword again.


    He focused.


    He activated his skill¡ªLightning Shadow Strike¡ªa slash that sent a phantom trail toward the hammer man.


    This time, it hit.


    A shockwave burst around the villain as the shadow slash struck home.


    Smoke clouded the rooftop.


    For a moment, Beno''s heart flickered with hope.


    But then¡ª


    Laughter.


    Low, amused, unhurt.


    The hammer man stepped forward¡ªdusting ash from his shoulder.


    "Nice massage, kid."


    He grinned, cracking his neck.


    "Now it''s my turn."


    In a blink¡ªhe was gone.


    Behind Beno.


    WHAM!


    A single, monstrous kick crashed into Beno''s spine.


    The force bent him in half¡ªhis body flung across the floor like a sack of flesh.


    CRACK!


    He hit the wall hard¡ªbut didn''t lose consciousness, thanks only to the reinforced guild uniform acting like weak armor.


    Still, his limbs refused to move.


    Beno gasped, staring at the cracked tile beneath him.


    Is this it...?


    Is this what I''ve come to?


    Weak. Useless. Powerless¡ªagain.


    But¡ª


    From somewhere behind, a voice pierced through the ringing in his ears.


    "Beno!"


    It was Sam.


    Crouched behind the van, panting, his communicator in hand.


    "I reached them¡ªNoak Guild is on their way!"


    The relief in his voice was real¡ªbut fear still clung to it.


    "They said to hold on until backup arrives!"


    Beno clenched his jaw.


    Hold on...?


    That was all they could do?


    Bleeding. Broken. Outmatched.


    And they were supposed to just hold on?


    Hammer Head landed with a thud, cracking the concrete beneath him. His team¡ªfour other shadows, each carrying blades, clubs, or whips¡ªdropped down from the third-floor ledge, smirking as if this whole fight were just a lazy after-dinner walk.


    The towering brute stretched his neck with a crack.


    Hammer Head:


    "Huh... so the little rat still managed to call the officials?"


    He turned toward the van, where Sam had been frantically typing on a small device, sweat pouring down his face.


    "You really think anyone''s coming to save you?" he chuckled.


    And then¡ªhe moved.


    A blur.


    Before Sam could react, a massive hand ripped him out of the van, lifting him like a ragdoll. In one smooth motion, Hammer Head hurled him into the air.


    Beno''s eyes widened, heart skipping a beat.


    "Nooooo! Leave him alone!"


    But the brute loved that reaction. The fear. The desperation.


    He leapt.


    WHAM!!


    A brutal kick struck Sam midair, sending him flying¡ªcrashing beside Beno. Blood spattered across the cracked pavement. His goggles shattered. Head split. One arm twisted unnaturally. He gasped, choking on blood and pain.


    "Sam!" Beno crawled to him, hands trembling.


    He could barely speak. Sam''s eyes were rolling back.


    "Please... not like this... not again...!"


    His hands gripped the bloody ground. He could barely breathe.


    The world was shaking.


    Something inside Beno cracked.


    "Stop it... please, I''m begging you," he muttered, eyes red. "Don''t hurt him anymore..."


    His voice wasn''t commanding anymore. It was shattered. Vulnerable. Small.


    Hammer Head tilted his neck.


    He hadn''t even used his weapon yet.


    This wasn''t a battle.


    It was a slaughter.


    From behind his back, he reached over and slowly pulled out his monstrous hammer. The weapon was nearly as big as Sam himself¡ªits metalhead stained, edges jagged from past kills.


    He raised it above his head¡ªgrinning.


    "Let''s squash this bug properly."


    Sam blinked once¡ªbarely conscious.


    Beno screamed¡ª"NO!"


    And then¡ª


    A flicker.


    A sudden pressure.


    Like the air had shifted¡ªcracked.


    the hammer fall¡ª and....

 Chapter 25: The Day Death Stood

    Chapter 25 - The Day Death StoodThe hammer was about to crash down¡ª


    Boom!


    A fireball exploded from behind, small but sharp enough to disrupt the attack. Smoke curled through the air as Hammer Head staggered slightly from the impact.


    Beno whipped his gaze toward the source.


    There, barely standing, was Charles. His knees trembled, body bruised and bloodied, but his outstretched hand still glowed faintly with dying embers. He had used the last of his strength... to save Sam.


    Hammer Head turned, a slow snarl spreading across his face.


    "You again?" he growled.


    With a sudden blur of motion, Hammer Head vanished¡ªthen reappeared in front of Charles. His foot slammed into Charles'' chest with a crack, sending him crashing through a stone wall like a ragdoll.


    Charles slumped on the ground, coughing blood.


    Hammer Head approached with terrifying calm, raising his weapon high.


    "D¨¡m... D¨¡m..."


    Each step thudded like a war drum.


    Then¡ªSLAM!


    The hammer crashed down, splattering blood across the broken pavement.


    Beno''s brain snapped.


    A sharp pain struck his head¡ªlike knives digging into his skull. He dropped to his knees, trembling.


    "Stop... stop... please stop..." Beno cried, voice cracking. Tears ran down his face as his vision blurred. "Please... let him go..."


    He clutched his head, overwhelmed by helplessness, breaking down like a child lost in a nightmare.


    And Hammer Head¡ªhe was laughing. He relished it. The fear. The despair.


    He wanted more.


    Across the battlefield, Luna froze.


    She had just finished off the skinny one¡ªhis body lay limp, throat slashed clean. But Beno''s scream cut through the chaos like a blade through silk. Her breath caught. She turned, eyes widening at the sight of Beno on his knees, sobbing, broken.


    And then she saw Charles¡ªunmoving. Blood pooling.


    Her heart cracked.


    "You hurt my friends..." she whispered, her voice trembling with fury and grief. "You pushed Beno... to this limit..."


    Tears spilled from her eyes, but her rage was absolute. The ground beneath her feet trembled.


    A chime echoed in her ears.


    [Ding!]


    [Congratulations! Level Up Achieved ¡ª Emotion Surge Bonus Granted.]


    Wind whipped around her as she gripped her sword tighter. Her aura surged¡ªno longer the calm breeze it once was, but a violent, howling storm.


    She closed her eyes.


    A single breath.


    "WIND STRIKE: Silent Killer Slash."


    Flash!


    A bladed gust of wind tore through the air toward Hammer Head. He moved¡ªfast¡ªbut not fast enough. The wind clipped his shoulder, drawing blood.


    But Luna wasn''t done.


    Before he could recover, she was already in front of him.


    His eyes widened.


    Too fast.


    CRACK!


    Her foot slammed into his face¡ªhis nose crunched as his head jerked back violently.


    She flowed into motion, graceful and deadly. Like a whirlwind, her blade danced. Slashes carved through broken buildings and debris as she charged. Her strikes were relentless, precise¡ªevery swing aimed to kill.


    But Hammer Head met her attacks with brutal strength, blocking and parrying with monstrous force. Sparks flew as metal clashed with blade.


    And yet¡ªhe grinned, blood leaking from his nose.


    "YEAH!" he roared. "That''s it, bitch! Show me more!"


    He lunged.


    Grabbed Luna by the hair.


    SLAM!


    Her head smashed into the road with bone-cracking force. The impact shattered the stone beneath her.


    He lifted her up, still clutching her by the hair.


    Blood dripped down her face. Her arms hung limp¡ªyet her eyes, barely open, still burned with rage.


    ---


    Beno watched.


    He couldn''t move.


    His knees trembled. His breath caught in his throat like a lump of stone. Every heartbeat was like a hammer blow inside his skull. His vision swam, colors bleeding together as if the world itself were breaking apart.


    There they were.


    Charles¡ªslumped against a shattered wall, blood trailing down from his mouth, his body limp, face pale.


    Sam¡ªhalf-buried in a crater, his chest barely rising, skin soaked in red, eyes shut tight like he was afraid to wake up.


    And then...


    Luna¡ªthe last one still standing. Barely. Her legs shook. Her blood-matted hair clung to her face. Her sword trembled in her grip.


    She was about to fall too.


    No. No. NO.


    A scream tried to claw its way out of Beno''s throat, but only a choked gasp came out. His body wouldn''t respond. His heart slammed against his ribs like it wanted to escape.


    Then¡ª


    One of the Hammer Head grunts, his voice twisted with filth, spoke up behind the monster.


    "Boss... you broke her too much. How''re we supposed to enjoy her now?"


    Hammer Head chuckled darkly, rolling his neck as blood trickled down his chin. "She''s still breathing, ain''t she? That''s enough. Let''s make use of her while she lasts. We''ll ride her ''til her last breath."


    The words seared into Beno''s ears like hot oil.


    His eyes widened.


    Snap.


    He screamed.


    Pure, raw, animal.


    "I''LL KILL YOU ALL! If you touch her¡ªI swear¡ªI''ll rip every one of you apart!"


    But before he could even take a breath¡ª


    CLANG!


    A slim, pale man appeared from the side like a ghost. Without a word, he drove his sword straight into Beno''s chest.


    Shlk.


    Beno''s body jerked.


    He staggered.


    Blood coughed up from his lips, splattering across his chin. His legs gave out as the cold blade slid free. He fell hard onto the ground, gasping like a dying fish.


    Hammer Head crouched beside him, amused. "You should''ve just watched," he said with a low chuckle. "We were gonna let you see your sweet little girlfriend become our toy. Then we''d send you to hell after. But now?"


    He stood up, arms wide.


    "Now you''ll miss the best part."


    Beno lay there, twitching, blood pooling beneath him. His heartbeat slowed, a dull thud... thud... thud...


    His vision blurred.


    Colors faded.


    Sound warped.


    And then, silence.


    ---


    A dream? A memory? A dying vision?


    Beno opened his eyes¡ªand found himself standing in a vast, golden field.


    Sunlight poured down from a crystal-blue sky. Wind rolled gently through the tall grass. It felt... warm.


    In the distance, he saw her.


    Luna.


    But not the Luna bleeding out on stone. She was just a child here, running barefoot through the grass, laughing. Her silver hair glowed in the sunlight. She turned to him with a bright smile, her eyes untouched by pain.


    "Beno!" she called out cheerfully, waving. "What''s wrong? You look so serious!"


    He blinked, tears in his eyes.


    "I... I saw something terrible," he whispered, choking. "They were going to hurt you¡ªI couldn''t stop them¡ªI was useless, I¡ª"


    She giggled, spinning through the grass like it was a game. "You''re always so dramatic. No one''s going to hurt me."


    "No!" Beno yelled, voice breaking. "They will! They already did! I... I couldn''t protect you¡ªI let you down¡ªI let everyone down...!"


    Luna walked up to him and gently took his hand.


    "You promised me something once," she said softly. "Remember?"


    He stared at her.


    She smiled again¡ªso bright it hurt to look at. "You said even if you died, even if everything was taken from you¡ªyou''d still protect me."


    "...I did," he whispered.


    "Then get up, Beno," she said, her voice like wind over fire. "Go fulfill your promise."


    ---


    Back in reality¡ª


    Beno''s body convulsed.


    His heartbeat, which had nearly stopped, suddenly surged.


    THUMP.


    THUMP.


    His fingers twitched. His blood, once still, began to boil.


    And somewhere deep inside, something cracked open. Something dark. Something ancient.


    ---


    Meanwhile, the battlefield was quiet for just a moment. The air was heavy. Thick with blood, broken stone, and malice.


    Four of Hammer Head''s grinning men stood nearby. One of them dragged Luna by the hair, her body limp, her blade knocked far from reach.


    Only the five of them remained now:


    - Hammer Head, laughing like a god of carnage.


    - Four monsters with no humanity in their eyes.


    - And Beno...


    ...who hadn''t moved.


    The shattered ruins stood still, eerily quiet after the chaos.


    Luna was barely conscious, blood trailing down her forehead, vision blurred. Her body trembled, and her sword lay shattered beside her.


    The remaining four Hammer Head members circled her like hyenas, eyes gleaming with twisted hunger.


    One stepped forward and yanked off her shoulder armor.


    Luna winced, struggling, but her strength was gone.


    Hammer Head chuckled darkly.


    "She killed one of ours... guess we''ll enjoy her nice and slow."


    Then¡ª


    "Stop."


    A voice cut through the air.


    Soft. Calm. Yet... unshakable.


    So silent, so heavy, it was like the world itself paused to listen.


    Hammer Head froze mid-motion. His head snapped up, eyes scanning the horizon. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    No one.


    "What the hell..." he muttered. "Who said that?"


    He looked around, confused¡ªno new presence, no footsteps.


    He shook his head. "Tch. Just my nerves. Keep going."


    But then¡ª


    The air changed.


    The sky... darkened.


    Clouds rolled in, not gray¡ªbut a deep, unnatural violet, swirling like a storm birthed from nightmares. The light vanished. The ground shook.


    A wave of pressure exploded outward¡ªdense, black and violet aura spiraled like a storm. The weaker Hammer Head members dropped to their knees, clutching their chests, gasping for air.


    "W-What is this...?!" one cried. "I¡ªI can''t breathe¡ª!"


    Hammer Head''s eyes slowly widened as he turned toward the source.


    There.


    Beno.


    Still soaked in blood.


    Still with a sword wound across his chest.


    Standing.


    No... Rising.


    His body was soaked in blood, a deep gash across his chest. But he stood tall now. Straight.


    Not like a boy fighting monsters.


    But like a king returned from the grave.


    That black-violet aura poured off him in waves, tearing cracks into the ground with every breath he took. The sheer gravity around him warped the space¡ªair shimmered, light bent.


    One of the thugs whispered, voice trembling, "H-He was dead... he was dead! I stabbed him through the heart!"


    Hammer Head''s mouth dried. His fingers tightened around his war hammer. "That...


    That''s not a human aura."


    Beno raised his eyes¡ªthose once-soft, unsure eyes were now cold, distant, endless.


    Eyes that no longer belonged to a mortal.


    And then¡ªa sound.


    A voice¡ªbarely a whisper, but somehow everywhere.


    In the air. In their bones.


    In the very earth.


    "Kneel... or bleed."


    The command wasn''t shouted. It didn''t need to be.


    It was law.


    Every living soul on the field froze. The weaker ones dropped, eyes blank, spines locking up. They weren''t just afraid¡ªthey were on the verge of surrendering their very will.


    Even Hammer Head... shook.


    Charles, still barely alive and collapsed against the ruins, forced his head up. His vision swam, his mouth filled with blood. But when he saw Beno standing there¡ª


    His eyes widened with tears.


    "The King... he''s awakened..." he whispered, voice raspy and broken.


    "May the King live forever."

 Chapter 26: Judgment of the King

    Chapter 26 - Judgment of the KingKneel... or bleed.


    The command wasn''t shouted.


    It didn''t need to be.


    It was law.


    Every soul on the battlefield froze.


    The weaker ones dropped instantly, eyes hollow, knees buckling. Not from fear¡ªno, this was deeper. This was submission. Their very wills were unraveling.


    Even Hammer Head... trembled.


    From where he lay slumped against broken stone, Charles forced his head up. Blood soaked his mouth. His arms refused to move.


    But when he saw the figure standing in the dust...


    Tears welled in his broken eyes.


    > "The King... he''s awakened..."


    His voice cracked. "May the King live forever..."


    Not far away, Luna blinked through a haze of blood and pain. Her lips were chapped, her voice just a breath.


    > "B-Beno...?"


    Beno said nothing.


    His eyes were locked on Hammer Head.


    The brute gritted his teeth, lifting his hammer.


    "You think some power-up changes anything?! You''re still¡ª!"


    BOOM.


    Beno moved.


    Not a run.


    Not a lunge.


    He simply... stepped.


    And the ground shattered beneath his foot¡ªsplintering like glass, sending a crater outward in a ring of raw power.


    In an instant¡ªhe was gone.


    Appeared again right in front of Hammer Head.


    A ghost.


    A god.


    A storm clothed in skin.


    His voice was calm. Cold.


    > "I warned you not to touch her."


    Dark wind spiraled around his palm¡ªsilent, but screaming in pressure.


    > "You mocked my cries...


    > Fed on our fear...


    > Laughed while my friends bled..."


    His fist clenched. The sky wept.


    > "You brought death to my door..."


    His voice dropped to a whisper.


    > "Now... I''ll show you mine."


    Hammer Head, bloodied but unyielding, planted his feet in the rubble. Mana surged around him like a violent storm. His eyes blazed with madness.


    "You''re not the only one who''s awakened!"


    He roared, lifting his weapon above his head, and the ground cracked beneath him. Lightning coiled around the massive hammer, screaming with power.


    "Destruction Slam!"


    He slammed the weapon down with all his might.


    BOOOOOOM!


    The explosion shook the heavens. The blast swallowed Beno whole, launching him like a broken doll through the air. His body crashed through three buildings, the last one folding in on itself as stone and flame exploded skyward.


    Luna screamed, but her voice was lost in the chaos. She couldn''t move¡ªher limbs wouldn''t listen. Yet her eyes, filled with horror, never left Beno''s broken form.


    Smoke. Silence.


    Hammer Head dropped to one knee, panting. He coughed¡ªthen blood spilled from his lips.


    "What... the hell? That took seventy percent of my mana..."


    He clutched his chest. Fear crept into his eyes.


    Even after that... he''s still alive?


    The dust began to settle. And then¡ª


    A voice.


    Low. Calm. Terrifying.


    "Subarashi... Subarashi..."


    Hammer Head''s pupils shrank.


    Beno walked through the smoke, bloodied but standing tall, his body bruised but his aura stronger than ever. He cracked his neck slowly, stretching one arm behind him.


    "Now... it''s my turn."


    With a blink¡ªhe vanished.


    CRASH!


    He reappeared in front of Hammer Head, fist raised. The brute barely dodged¡ªBeno''s punch slammed into the ground, sending out a shockwave so powerful that every nearby building''s glass shattered.


    Wind howled outward, tearing signs from walls, rattling the bones of every man watching.


    Hammer Head turned to run.


    But Beno was already behind him.


    In a blur, something glinted¡ªthen disappeared.


    Hammer Head stumbled.


    He looked down.


    His legs were gone.


    Cleanly severed.


    He hit the ground screaming. "W-Wait¡ªPLEASE! Spare me! Don''t kill me!"


    Beno''s footsteps were slow, steady, final.


    "If you had touched me... maybe I could''ve forgiven you."


    He stopped just before the crawling man.


    "But you touched my friends. My family. My Queen."


    Beno''s aura darkened, and for Hammer Head, the world grew cold.


    "Now... you''ll pay."


    To the others, Beno looked like a man.


    To Hammer Head¡ªhe saw death itself. His sins, every cruelty, every crime¡ªmanifested in the form of the boy who now stood before him.


    Suddenly¡ª


    DING!


    [New Skill Unlocked: Imagination Prison]


    Hammer Head gasped. "W-What is th¡ª?"


    Reality shifted.


    He was no longer on the battlefield.


    He was naked, surrounded by countless twisted shadows of men, holding him down. He screamed as their hands touched him, laughed at him. And then¡ªhis body warped.


    He had become a woman.


    The scene grew unspeakable, and he screamed louder. But no one could hear him. Not anymore.


    It was all in his mind. S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Outside, his body collapsed into a coma¡ªtrapped inside Beno''s imagination trap, cursed to live in pleasure and humiliation until death freed him.


    Beno turned, cold rage still in his eyes.


    The remaining thugs screamed. Ran.


    But none escaped.


    Beno moved through them like a demon¡ªripping limbs, shattering bones, turning cowards into corpses. Blood drenched the street, and none dared fight back.


    None survived.


    When the final scream faded, Beno stood alone.


    His chest rose and fell, eyes dimming, rage retreating.


    He turned to his fallen friends.


    "You gave me your trust..."


    He raised his hand, glowing with Restoration Magic. Light spilled from his fingers, wrapping around the broken forms of Sam, Charles, and finally, Luna.


    Sam stirred, blinking.


    Charles groaned¡ªalive again.


    Luna... was still.


    Beno knelt beside her. His hand shook as he placed it over her heart, whispering words in an old tongue.


    A soft light glowed beneath his palm.


    "Come back to me... please."


    Luna gasped.


    Her fingers twitched.


    He smiled, gently laying her down on the ground.


    Then, with his energy finally spent¡ª


    Beno collapsed beside her.


    The storm faded.


    But the field remained silent.


    Veno City no longer looked like a place it was ruined but now it''s almost like unable to reconstruction.


    Buildings stood in fractured silence¡ªwalls torn down, streets cracked open like dried earth, smoke rising from burnt stone.


    The ground was littered with rubble, blood, and the haunting stillness that only came after something terrible had passed.


    To anyone watching from a distance, it was clear¡ª


    This wasn''t a battle.


    It was a massacre.


    Three figures approached cautiously through the ruins, cloaks billowing in the wind.


    Mona, deputy leader of the Noak Guild, narrowed her eyes as she scanned the battlefield. Her steps slowed. Around her, two swordsmen and a mage followed silently, eyes wide with disbelief.


    > "This wasn''t just some human fight..." Mona whispered. "This looks like an A-rank monster fought here..."


    The wind shifted.


    And that''s when they saw them.


    Bodies.


    Not monsters. Humans.


    Forsaken Hunter Group were¡ªcollapsed, scattered, bloodied.


    Luna was half-buried beneath broken debris, Charles slumped against a wall, Sam curled up like a child. And at the center, like the eye of a storm¡ª


    Beno, lying motionless.


    "Move!" Mora barked.


    The guild members sprinted forward, digging out healing potions and salves from their pouches. Kneeling beside each fallen figure, they began pouring them carefully, trying to stabilize whoever still breathed.


    > "She''s alive!"


    The healer pressed fingers against Luna''s neck.


    "Her mana''s nearly burned out, but her body''s intact."


    Luna stirred.


    Her eyes blinked open, unfocused, searching.


    And then¡ªshe turned her head.


    Beno.


    He lay beside her, blood still wet on his lips, his breathing faint but steady. She gasped and pushed herself upright, ignoring the stabbing pain in her chest.


    > "Beno...!"


    Her hands shook as she touched his shoulder. For a terrifying moment, she felt no response¡ªbut then his chest rose, slow and shallow.


    He was alive.


    > "Thank the gods..."


    But her relief didn''t last.


    Because her mind pulled her back¡ªto the moment she saw him standing in the smoke, his voice calm, his face blank, and bodies falling like paper dolls. That **other side** of Beno¡ªthe one that killed without hesitation, without mercy.


    The King who tore men apart with nothing but thought.


    She stared at him now, and for the first time, she wasn''t sure who she was looking at.


    ---


    A few feet away, Charles groaned and forced himself up on trembling legs. His whole body screamed in protest¡ªbut somehow, it responded. He looked down at his arms, his chest¡ª**healed**.


    > "He... he fixed us?" he muttered, dazed. "Even after all that..."


    He stumbled over to Sam, who lay curled in the shadow of a crumbled statue.


    Sleeping peacefully. Wounds gone. Breathing steady.


    > "He really is something else..."


    ---


    Meanwhile, one of Noak''s swordsmen found another body¡ªhalf-buried in rubble, breathing raggedly.


    Hammer Head.


    Eyes rolled back. Foam at the mouth. His muscles twitched with every breath.


    > "We found a survivor!" the swordsman shouted. "He''s in a coma!"


    Mora approached, her expression tightening.


    > "That''s... Hammer Head," she said, recognizing the scarred face. "Mercenary. Dangerous. Keep him restrained."


    They poured a potion on him anyway¡ªstandard rescue protocol. His body stabilized, but he didn''t wake. Whatever had trapped his mind... still held him.


    > "Take him to the guild hospital. With the rest."


    ---


    As the rescue squad moved, Luna sat beside Beno, watching his still form.


    He looked peaceful. Too peaceful.


    Like someone hiding a storm beneath still waters.


    Her hands curled into fists on her lap.


    > "What happened to you...?" she whispered. "What did I see out there?"


    She didn''t know if it was power. Or trauma. Or something... darker.


    But whatever it was, it had awakened. And now it wouldn''t go back to sleep.


    Even with the healing, even with the victory¡ªBeno had changed.


    And deep inside her, something whispered that the beno she knew...

 Chapter 27: The Fear in Her Eyes

    Chapter 27 - The Fear in Her EyesBeno Mark''s eyelids twitched.


    His breath hitched softly, chest rising under the weight of numb exhaustion. His body felt... heavy, like stone. Warm fabric brushed against his cheek. He could smell faint traces of herbs, antiseptic, and firewood.


    His eyes opened slowly¡ªsluggishly¡ªlike waking from a century-long dream.


    The ceiling was wooden. Familiar.


    A voice spoke nearby.


    "You''re awake."


    Beno turned his head, barely able to move his neck. His vision cleared just enough to see the broad shoulders and thick beard of Guild Master Franky sitting beside him, arms crossed, a deep frown etched on his face.


    Beno blinked. He was lying on a worn leather couch¡ªthe kind they kept in the rest area of Noak Guild. He knew this place. It was home. Safety.


    His hand drifted over his chest. No pain. No scars.


    His injuries were... gone?


    He pushed himself up with effort and glanced around.


    There¡ªsitting across the room, arms folded tightly around herself¡ªwas Luna.


    Her expression wasn''t what he expected.


    Not warmth.


    Not relief.


    Fear.


    Her body trembled slightly. Her amber eyes were wide, locked onto him¡ªbut not in awe. Not in worry.


    It was like she was looking at something beyond human.


    Something she didn''t understand.


    Something she feared.


    Beno''s heart sank. He opened his mouth, lips dry.


    "...Luna?"


    She flinched. Took a step back.


    "Wait¡ª" Beno reached out, barely lifting his arm toward her.


    But she turned¡ªand ran.


    Out of the room. Like she couldn''t breathe near him.


    The sound of the door slamming echoed through the quiet room.


    Beno sat frozen. His hand dropped into his lap. His throat tightened.


    He didn''t understand.


    Why?


    She was always there before. Always the first to check on him. Always the one to scold him gently, or place her hand on his shoulder, reminding him he wasn''t alone.


    But this time¡ª


    She ran.


    From him.


    Wild thoughts flooded his mind.


    Is it because I failed her?


    Because I wasn''t strong enough?


    Because I couldn''t protect her?


    His fists clenched in his lap.


    Tears welled in his eyes before he could stop them.


    He bit his lip, voice trembling as it escaped.


    "I couldn''t even save my friends... I let Luna get hurt... maybe she lost everything because of me."


    The tears fell¡ªhot, bitter, ashamed.


    "I''m supposed to protect them..."


    Guild Master Franky let out a long breath. His voice was low. Steady.


    "Stop."


    Beno looked up, eyes still blurry.


    "Stop thinking weird shit, kid."


    Franky stood and walked over, placing a hand on Beno''s shoulder with firm weight.


    "She didn''t lose anything. Not her dignity. Not her humanity. Not herself."


    Beno blinked, lips parting.


    "Then... why is she so scared of me?"


    Franky''s hand tightened for a moment. His jaw clenched.


    He looked over at Charles, who stood silently near the door¡ªarms crossed, eyes hidden in shadow.


    Charles didn''t speak.


    He didn''t need to.


    He knew the answer.


    But if Beno heard it¡ªif he understood what truly happened in the storm, what he had become for even a brief moment¡ªhe would break.


    He would never forgive himself.


    So Charles said nothing.


    And Franky simply exhaled again, voice softer this time.


    "She''s not afraid because you failed her."


    He looked Beno in the eyes.


    "She''s afraid because, for a second... she saw something that wasn''t you."


    Then suddenly


    Beno Mark gripped the sides of his head, his body trembling.


    A sharp, burning pain lanced through his skull.


    His vision blurred.


    His breath quickened.


    And then he screamed.


    The sound tore through the silence like a blade¡ªraw, desperate, helpless.


    Franky stepped back, eyes widening. "Beno?!"


    Beno''s eyes rolled back, veins pulsing at his temple. Something was clawing its way to the surface¡ªmemories? Visions?


    No.


    Pieces.


    Unformed and jagged, flooding his mind.


    A battlefield.


    A crimson aura.


    Laughter that didn''t sound like his.


    Blood spraying like mist.


    A monster... wearing his smile.


    Then¡ªdarkness.


    His body collapsed, limp across the couch, unconscious once more.


    Franky stood still, jaw clenched.


    "...Not good."


    The courtyard behind the Noak Guild building was quiet.


    Not silent¡ªjust quiet in a way that made everything feel distant. The soft rustling of the wind brushing through winter leaves. The creak of wooden benches chilled by snow. The muffled sounds of conversation and laughter from inside, blurred like they belonged to another world.


    Luna sat alone on one of the benches, shoulders hunched, arms wrapped tightly around herself.


    Her cloak was draped over her head, but it did nothing to hide the way her body trembled. Her fingers curled into her sleeves as if trying to find warmth¡ªor strength¡ªthat just wasn''t there anymore.


    Her eyes were red. Not from the cold.


    From tears.


    She hadn''t meant to cry. Not here. Not where anyone could see.


    But the moment she stepped outside¡ªthe moment she left that room¡ªsomething inside her cracked.


    She couldn''t do it.


    She couldn''t look at Beno.


    Not the same way.


    Not anymore.


    She buried her face in her hands and let the tears slide silently down her cheeks. Each drop landed heavy, disappearing into the fabric of her gloves, leaving behind the sting of guilt.


    > Why can''t I look at him?


    >


    > Why did I run?


    Luna had always been one of the braver ones. Not the strongest¡ªbut steady. Calm when others panicked. The one who always stood between chaos and collapse. She fought beside Beno before. Bandaged his wounds. Teased him for being reckless.


    But when she saw him awaken¡ª


    When she met his eyes in that room¡ª


    They weren''t the same.


    That wasn''t her Beno.


    That smile... wasn''t soft.


    It was the kind of smile you see on a beast who knows it can kill and enjoys knowing you know.


    Her breath caught again.


    She remembered the battlefield.


    She remembered standing frozen while bodies flew like toys¡ªripped apart, dissolved into mist, bones cracking with impossible force.


    She had always believed it was Charles'' sister who saved Beno that very first day in dungeon. A sacrifice made in silence.


    But now?


    Now the truth clawed at her from inside.


    It was Beno.


    He was the one who crushed the C-rank boss. Crushed it without mercy, without hesitation.


    She start thinking,


    > What if he didn''t stop?


    >What if one day, he turns that smile... on us?


    > Would he still be Beno then? Or something else entirely?


    The questions spun endlessly, smothering her thoughts. Her chest tightened.


    She didn''t even hear the footsteps approaching.


    A soft hand rested gently on her shoulder.


    Luna flinched.


    She looked up, eyes wide, body stiff with panic.


    But it wasn''t him.


    It wasn''t that smile.


    It was Ella.


    The older hunter knelt in front of her, lowering her cloak just enough to meet Luna''s gaze. Her green eyes were calm, her black hair tied back in a loose braid.


    "I saw you run out," she said softly.


    "I didn''t want to intrude, but... you''re trembling, Luna."


    Luna wiped her eyes quickly, shaking her head. "I''m fine. It''s just cold¡ª" S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "No," Ella interrupted gently. "It''s not."


    There was no judgment in her tone. Just quiet understanding.


    Luna''s lip quivered.


    And the moment she opened her mouth, the words came pouring out¡ªeverything. Her fear. The memory. The way Beno looked. The way he moved. That smile. The terrifying realization that maybe the person she trusted most... might not be the same anymore.


    Ella listened.


    She didn''t speak. Didn''t interrupt.


    Only placed a hand on Luna''s arm and let her cry again. Slower this time. Not the frantic sobs of confusion¡ªbut the quiet unraveling of someone holding too much for too long.


    When Luna finally stopped, her voice was a whisper.


    "I want to talk to him... but every time I try... something in me pulls away. I want to believe it''s still him but..."


    "...you''re scared," Ella finished.


    Luna nodded slowly.


    Ella took a long breath and leaned back slightly.


    "It''s okay to be scared," she said. "You saw something the others didn''t. You didn''t look away."


    "But I ran," Luna whispered.


    "You ran because your instincts screamed at you to survive," Ella said. "That doesn''t make you weak."


    She paused.


    "It means you understand what you saw."


    Luna bit her lip. "Then what do I do?"


    Ella smiled gently.


    "We don''t bury fear. We understand it. You''re afraid of what Beno became¡ªbut that also means you care enough to want the truth."


    She stood, brushing snow off her knees.


    "So we start small. You and me. We''ll talk. Train. Prepare."


    "And when the time comes," she added, eyes sharpening just a little, "you''ll be strong enough to face whatever side of him wakes up next."


    Luna sat in silence, heart still heavy¡ªbut now just a little less alone.

 Chapter 28: The Price of Resistance

    Chapter 28 - The Price of ResistanceBeno stirred.


    A dull, throbbing pain bloomed in his skull as his eyes blinked open. Harsh fluorescent lights glared overhead, making him squint. The sterile scent of disinfectant hit his senses next, sharp and sour. Machines beeped steadily beside him.


    > A hospital... When did I...


    His mind was foggy, fractured. The last thing he remembered was the ambush¡ªblades, blood, the roar of chaos¡ªand then, darkness.


    Slowly, he turned his head.


    Luna sat beside him, unmoving. Her face was pale, her eyes hollow. She didn''t run this time. She wasn''t crying. But her silence was louder than any sob.


    "Luna," Beno said, voice low and scratchy.


    She didn''t respond. Her lips trembled, but no words came. She stared down at her hands¡ªclenched so tightly, her knuckles had gone white.


    Across the room, Charles and Sam sat quietly. Their expressions were grim, their eyes bloodshot. Like they hadn''t slept.


    "Charles? Sam?" Beno asked, sitting up slowly. "What happened? Is everyone okay?"


    The two exchanged a look.


    Charles stood and walked over. He leaned in, voice hushed, as if afraid the walls might hear.


    "Beno... you need to listen carefully," he whispered. "Something went wrong. Badly wrong."


    He took a breath, then explained everything.


    While Beno had been unconscious, the guild had immediately transported him to their emergency medical wing. News of his condition spread fast, and Luna¡ªguilt-ridden over their last argument¡ªhad insisted on seeing him that night. Ella, ever supportive, came along.


    But the timing couldn''t have been worse.


    "They were attacked on the way," Charles said. "Ambushed. An unknown group surrounded them¡ªarmed, skilled, and organized. Luna says they weren''t ordinary thugs. They were hunters. High-ranking ones."


    Beno''s eyes narrowed. His heart thumped louder with each word.


    "They took Ella," Charles continued, voice tight. "She fought them¡ªbought Luna just enough time to escape. But she... she was captured."


    Luna finally spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. "It was the same van. The black one we reported weeks ago¡ªthe one linked to the missing women cases."


    Beno''s blood ran cold.


    That van. The same one they''d seen while investigating the illegal experiments. It had vanished from the streets like a ghost, slipping through every net the guild had cast. They''d suspected something dark was brewing beneath Libeus''s polished surface, but no one imagined it would strike so close. So soon.


    "We tried to track them," Sam added, frustration lacing his voice. "But before we could move, we were hit by the Wolf crew¡ªthose rogue enforcers. Someone''s trying to cover this up."


    Beno''s fists clenched beneath the thin hospital blanket.


    Ella¡ªgone.


    Taken by the same organization they''d been hunting. The same one abducting women for unspeakable experiments. And now, one of their own had been dragged into that nightmare.


    Rage boiled in his chest, hot and bitter.


    But beneath it, something colder took root¡ª*clarity*.


    They weren''t just dealing with criminals anymore. These people were smart. Organized. Protected by power and money. They had eyes inside the guild... and maybe higher.


    This wasn''t just another mission.


    It was war.


    And Beno wasn''t going to sit in a hospital bed while Ella suffered.


    Not again. sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Scene Shift: The Underground Lab


    Somewhere far beneath the surface, buried in the shadows of Libeus...


    Cold metal doors hissed open as two masked guards dragged an unconscious Ella into a dim corridor. The sterile white of a hospital was gone¡ªreplaced by damp concrete, flickering red lights, and the hum of machines that didn''t belong in any legal facility.


    They tossed her into a narrow, reinforced prison cell with no windows¡ªjust thick walls and a barred door of alloy. Chains rattled around her limbs as they secured her wrists and ankles to the floor.


    Clang.


    The cell door shut.


    Silence returned.


    Minutes passed before Ella stirred. Her eyelids fluttered open weakly. Pain bloomed in her ribs and shoulders, but it was the stench¡ªof sweat, blood, and something rotting¡ªthat truly woke her.


    She blinked, disoriented, only to find herself surrounded by young women. Maybe five... maybe ten. She couldn''t count them all. They were scattered across several cells, each one chained, beaten, trembling. A few lay completely still¡ªtoo quiet.


    Muffled sobs echoed down the corridor.


    Ella''s heart pounded as her breath caught in her throat.


    This wasn''t just a prison. It was a slaughterhouse.


    Across from her, one woman huddled in a corner, cradling a pendant¡ªa grandmother''s keepsake¡ªgripping it like a lifeline.


    Ella struggled to sit up. "H-Hey... you¡ªhow long have you been here?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.


    The woman turned slowly. Her eyes were bloodshot. Haunted.


    "I''ve been here... a week," she said, her voice cracking. "They took me from the outskirts. Said I was being transferred to a guild. But it was a lie..."


    Her breath hitched.


    "Every night... I hear screams. Girls crying. Begging. Then silence. And in the morning... they''re gone. But I saw one¡ªjust once¡ªwhen they threw the body out. Her stomach... it was cut open. Hollowed out. They''re using us for something¡ªillegal monster breeding or... or worse."


    Ella felt her stomach churn. The bile rose in her throat.


    She''d heard the rumors. The missing women, the untraceable vans, the whispers of something dark buried beneath Libeus. But this¡ªthis was beyond horror.


    This was inhuman.


    And now, she was inside it.


    Scene: Escape Attempt


    Ella''s eyes adjusted slowly to the dim red hue of the underground cell. The iron stench, the cries, the bruised women¡ªit all clawed at her sanity. She had fought monsters, seen death, but this? This was evil wearing a human face.


    But she wasn''t just some helpless girl.


    She was a hunter.


    Her breath slowed, body still as she studied her cuffs. They were forged from reinforced iron¡ªnot standard prison shackles¡ªbut rust... rust could weaken anything.


    Quietly, discreetly, she summoned moisture from the air. Tiny droplets formed around her fingertips, condensing into a trembling bubble of water. She pressed it against the cuff''s hinge, whispering to it with her mana. Her water, laced with pressure and oxygen, began to corrode the metal. Slowly. Silently.


    Then, she shifted her palms to the wall, mixing pressure bursts with moisture. The concrete cracked just enough to anchor her grip.


    Snap!


    With one final surge of physical strength, enhanced by her hunter physique, Ella shattered the weakened cuff.


    She winced as the metal tore skin, but she didn''t pause. Moving quickly, she reached the adjacent cells, whispering to the girls, "Stay quiet¡ªI''ll get you out."


    One by one, she cracked locks, shattered chains. Hope began to flicker in those broken eyes.


    But hope came too loud.


    Ella hadn''t seen the camera mounted above her own cell¡ªhidden in the shadowed corner. The red light blinked once.


    Too late.


    ALERT: Cell breach detected.


    The metal door burst open.


    Three guards stormed in, grinning beneath their masks.


    "Well, look at the little hero," one snarled, brandishing a shock baton.


    They lunged.


    Ella ducked, spun, and drove her fist straight into the first guard''s face¡ªbone cracked beneath her knuckles. She seized him by the neck, threw him into the second, sending both crashing into the cell bars. The third rushed her¡ªbut she twisted and delivered a brutal kick to his solar plexus, knocking the air from his lungs.


    She didn''t wait.


    Blood dripping, heart pounding, she ran.


    Down the hall. Past doors marked with numbers, past screams behind steel. She didn''t know where the exit was¡ªbut she had to find it. She had to¡ª


    Zzzap!


    A cold, electric sting tore through her neck. Her legs gave out.


    She crumpled mid-stride.


    The world blurred. Distant laughter echoed around her as boots approached.


    Someone knelt beside her, grabbed her hair, and forced her half-upright. She couldn''t fight. She couldn''t even scream.


    "You''ve caused quite a mess," a smooth voice drawled. "But you''re special, aren''t you?"


    As her vision swam in and out of black, Ella saw him¡ªthe man in the white coat, surrounded by equipment and surgical tools.


    The Chief of the Illegal Experiment Division.


    A name unknown to the surface.


    But in this darkness, he was king..

 Chapter 29: Beneath the Mask, A Leader

    Chapter 29 - Beneath the Mask, A LeaderScene: Ella''s Capture (Full Scene Continued)


    Ella''s body lay still ¡ª paralyzed by the sting of a high-voltage stun gun. Her limbs wouldn''t respond, and her breathing was shallow. Her ears rang with horrifying sounds ¡ª weeping, screams, chains clinking... the air was thick with despair.


    She was thrown near an old well, wrists cuffed, dragged like cargo. Her face scraped against the cold stone floor, and her vision flickered from the static in her head. In the distance, she could barely see through the dim flickering lights ¡ª until shadows approached.


    Guard: "Chief, we''ve captured the girl."


    From the darkness emerged a figure ¡ª tall, thin, draped in a tattered jester''s uniform stitched with red and black. His face was hidden behind a wide, smiling porcelain mask. No expression, no soul ¡ª just a painted grin that mocked everything it saw. He didn''t walk. He floated with theatrics, like a stage performer whose audience was made of corpses.


    He crouched down, inches from Ella''s face, his breath cold as winter air.


    Joker Chief: "Hmm... no fear in your eyes? Interesting."


    He tilted his head to one side like a curious child admiring a broken toy.


    "You''re a hunter, aren''t you? That explains the stubborn look. Hunters resist. Hunters fight. Hunters can''t be used for birthing our precious children. You''re... defective."


    His tone was playful, almost gentle ¡ª but the cruelty behind his words was unmistakable.


    He chuckled, fingers tapping her cheek mockingly.


    Joker Chief: "But don''t worry. There''s always a place in the Pleasure Squad."


    Ella blinked, confused. Her lips barely moved as she whispered,


    Ella: "...Pleasure squad?"


    The guards behind the Joker burst into laughter, the kind that made the skin crawl. But Joker''s laugh was worse ¡ª a high-pitched, cracked sound that seemed to echo from another world entirely.


    Joker Chief: "It means you get to stay alive. As long as you keep the higher-ups smiling... satisfy them... scream for them. A warm body with some fight in it? They love that."


    Ella''s stomach turned. Disgust bubbled in her throat.


    And then ¡ª she spat. Right on his mask.


    The laughter stopped. For a moment, everything was still.


    Ella: "You monster. You pervert. Uncuff me ¡ª and I''ll show you what a defective hunter can do."


    One of the guards stepped forward, alarmed.


    Guard: "Chief, she''s B-Rank. She''s dangerous!"


    But Joker didn''t care.


    Joker Chief: "Uncuff her. I want to play."


    The metal cuffs clicked open and hit the ground.


    Ella wasted no time. Her aura flared ¡ª faint, but sharp. She surged forward with the last of her strength, mana lacing her fist as she aimed for his masked face.


    She never landed the blow.


    Joker''s knee drove into her gut like a battering ram. The wind was knocked clean from her lungs. Then came the kick ¡ª sudden, brutal, and aimed at her chest.


    CRACK.


    Her body flew through the air like a ragdoll, crashing onto the moss-covered stone rim of the ancient well. Pain shot through her spine, her breath came in rasps.


    Joker Chief (mocking): "Oops. Did the little hunter slip?"


    She tried to move. Just an inch. Her arms trembled. Her vision blurred.


    Joker approached slowly, step by step, humming a lullaby soaked in madness.


    Joker Chief: "You''re not even worth selling."


    Then ¡ª one final kick.


    It landed square on her back, and her body tipped over the edge.


    She didn''t scream. She couldn''t. Her voice was gone, swallowed by pain.


    She fell into the darkness.


    The Well ¨C Dumping Ground of the Failed


    Scene: Ella''s Fall ¡ª The Monster in the Pit


    Ella''s body struck the stone floor with a sharp crack, her breath stolen by the impact. Pain bloomed across her back and ribs, but it was the smell that hit her next ¡ª the rancid stench of rotting flesh. Her eyes fluttered open, watery from the sting of decay.


    Bones littered the ground. Some still had scraps of skin hanging from them. Jewelry glinted faintly in the dim light above ¡ª earrings, necklaces, broken watches. All once owned by women. All now part of this silent mass grave.


    Ella''s heart pounded as she rolled to her side, blood from a cut on her lip dripping down her chin. Her eyes caught movement.


    Across the chamber, chained to the stone wall, knelt a boy.


    He looked no older than sixteen ¡ª his body lean, malnourished, but still unnaturally muscular. His skin was a patchwork of scars and bruises. His hair was shaggy brown, matted with dried blood. One eye was shut from swelling, but the other glowed ¡ª red, feral, a beast''s gaze in a boy''s body. And his ears... pointed. His claws... unnatural. His teeth... sharper than human.


    He was no ordinary prisoner.


    He was a failed experiment.


    Born in a lab. Raised in confinement. Fed the flesh of other failed subjects ¡ª human and inhuman. Conditioned to survive by devouring. There was nothing natural about him.


    > "Chief, she fell!" a voice echoed from above.


    Ella lifted her head just as the masked man reappeared, peering down into the pit. That grinning white mask gleamed, the red jester uniform fluttering in the wind above.


    > Joker Chief: "Oh dear... how clumsy of me. You fell into the *disposal chamber*."


    He laughed. It was the laugh of a man who found joy in others'' misery ¡ª shrill, manic, twisted.


    > Joker Chief: "Looks like I won''t get to enjoy you after all. Ah well... Fenris, you''ve got a meal."


    Ella froze. Fenris? She turned to look at the chained boy ¡ª no, the creature ¡ª again. His crimson eye was locked on her now. Not wild. Not hungry. But *sad*.


    > Joker Chief: "Eat her, Fenris. Or no water for another three days."


    The laughter echoed again and faded as the masked figure disappeared, leaving only silence... and breathing.


    Ella pressed herself against the wall, her chains clinking.


    The boy ¡ª the monster ¡ª didn''t move. His claws rested on the ground. His body trembled, not from fear, but restraint. She could hear his stomach growling, the echo of hunger inside him.


    He hadn''t eaten in three days. He *should* have pounced on her.


    But he didn''t.


    > "Are you... human?" Ella whispered.


    Fenris lifted his head, his voice ragged and deep, soaked in pain and anger.


    > Fenris: "I was never given the choice."


    His eyes glistened. Not with rage. With tears.


    > Fenris: "They made me in a cage. Taught me to eat what screamed the loudest. And told me I was a monster when I obeyed."


    Silence hung heavy.


    Ella''s fear didn''t vanish ¡ª but it shifted. This wasn''t a beast. This was a boy punished for existing.


    > Fenris: "I won''t eat you. Even if I starve. I''m done being their dog."


    He turned his face to the wall, the chains rattling softly.


    And for the first time, Ella saw it ¡ª not a failed experiment, not a monster, but a soul fighting not to lose what little humanity remained.


    Scene: Guild Hall


    The room was buzzing with tension.


    Ella''s disappearance had shaken everyone ¡ª a B-Rank hunter, gone without a trace. The Forsaken team sat in silence, the weight of helplessness sinking deep.


    Franky stood at the front, gripping a crumpled newspaper in one hand ¡ª the front page read: "B-Rank Hunter Ella Missing ¨C Authorities Clueless." His other hand trembled with fury as he stared at the article. His jaw clenched so tight a vein bulged from his neck.


    "This... is an insult," he growled. "To every hunter who swore to protect this city. To every family waiting for someone who won''t come back."


    He slammed the paper on the table.


    "We''ve lost too many. And we''re still blind."


    Murmurs rose from the crowd. Some fearful. Some indifferent.


    Then Beno stepped forward.


    "I''ll go."


    The room went silent ¡ª then someone laughed.


    "You?" a hunter sneered. "The guild''s little decoration piece?"


    "He''s just acting like his brother Renzo. Trying to play hero," another spat.


    Beno''s eyes didn''t flinch. But something in the air shifted.


    He drew his sword in a single smooth motion ¡ª steel flashing under the torchlight ¡ª and stabbed it into the floorboards. A pulse surged from his body. Not a visual aura, but weight. A presence.


    The room went silent.


    A few felt it ¡ª pressure. The kind that only came from monsters or kings.


    Beno''s voice, quiet at first, cut through the room like a blade.


    "You''re right."


    "I''m not a legend like Renzo. I don''t have the strength of Guild Master Franky. I don''t have your years of experience."


    He raised his eyes ¡ª clear, furious, and full of conviction.


    "I''m just a hunter who gave false hope to a blind woman ¡ª and now her daughter might be one of them."


    "Ella''s not the only one missing. There are others. Forgotten. Discarded."


    "This isn''t about rank. This isn''t about pride. This is about not letting evil take another damn soul while we sit here judging who''s worthy."


    "So assign me. Or don''t."


    "But I will go. And I will save every last one of them."


    He took a breath, eyes narrowing.


    "And if anyone stands between me and that goal, I''ll cut through them ¡ª even if it''s a god."


    Silence held the hall.


    No one laughed now. Not a whisper. The mocking hunters stared in awe. Charles and Luna exchanged glances ¡ª this wasn''t the Beno they knew.


    This was a commander. A king in the making.


    Franky broke the silence. "...Beno Mark will lead the search party."


    No one objected. sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    They couldn''t.


    Because in that moment ¡ª he wasn''t just a fool anymore.


    He was the sword leading the charge.

 Chapter 30: Thunder on the Shore

    Chapter 30 - Thunder on the ShoreThe assignment came with a heavy silence, like the air before a storm.


    Beno Mark stood still in the dimly lit conference room, his eyes scanning the map pinned on the wall.


    Though a low-ranking hunter, something about the way he carried himself¡ªthe way he spoke, the way he listened¡ªdemanded respect. He wasn''t chosen by rank, but by presence.


    His unwavering seriousness made him a natural leader in this tangled operation.


    The mission was grim and urgent: rescue the women trapped in an underground experiment lab.


    But there was a terrifying problem¡ªno one knew where the lab was. No leads. No trails. Just rumors. And yet, dozens¡ªmaybe hundreds¡ªof women had vanished.


    Around him, the team assembled. Charles, methodical and quiet, and Luna, sharp-eyed and unpredictable. Sam, the tech expert who wore sarcasm like armor.


    Supporting them from the perimeter were Mario, Vina, Luis, and Gin¡ªseasoned hunters with experience in recon and data retrieval. From law enforcement, Senior Investigator Sato, a veteran with scars deeper than his years, and his assistant Mulo, the one who never spoke unless necessary.


    Together, they were the only hope.


    The Briefing Room ¨C 22:47, Libeus


    Maps, drones, and digital feeds glowed across the room. Sam and Charles had been working non-stop, using AI-generated overlays to scan the entire country of Libeus for patterns¡ªclusters of disappearances, anomaly zones, and silent neighborhoods.


    Charles tapped the map. "These areas... they''ve had missing cases going back months. But the patterns... they''re too perfect."


    "Exactly," Sam said, voice flat. "Whoever''s behind this, they know what they''re doing. No noise, no witnesses. Like clockwork."


    He zoomed in on a district flashing red. Nano City. A sleek urban sprawl with a rotten core.


    Sam continued, "This place¡ªNano City¡ªit''s been reporting unusually high cases of missing individuals. Mostly young women. Mostly students. Graduate level, smart, tall, slim. There''s a preference, and that''s what''s creeping me out."


    Beno''s fingers clenched around a pen. He didn''t speak¡ªjust absorbed.


    Sato, who had remained silent until now, opened his laptop and spun it around. "We managed to get some CCTV footage from nearby locations."


    Everyone leaned in.


    The screen showed grainy night footage. A woman walking. A van slowing down. Then¡ªnothing. The feed turned black in less than a second.


    "Laser beam to blind the camera," Sato explained. "Professional level tech. And their timing is always evening or nightfall. They''re targeting low-traffic zones and know every blind spot."


    The room fell silent.


    Then, out of nowhere, Luna leaned forward, her voice casual, "I have an idea."


    Everyone turned to her.


    "What kind of idea?" Sam asked, raising an eyebrow.


    She smiled mischievously. "Well, bring your ears closer."


    Charles frowned. "No. Wait. I can already tell this is going to be something dangerous."


    Luna winked. "Exactly."


    Operation Begin ¨C 01:12 AM


    With no location confirmed, Luna volunteered herself as bait¡ªher appearance matching the target profile almost too well. It was a plan no one liked, but everyone knew it might be the only way to draw them out.


    "I''ll be tracked the whole time," she said. "You''ll be following close. I won''t go down easily."


    Sam cursed under his breath. "You better not."


    As Luna walked the quiet streets of Nano City alone, wearing a concealed comm and tiny tracker in her coat, the tension gripped everyone like a noose.


    Each shadow felt like an enemy. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Each second stretched longer.


    Then... a van turned the corner.


    Sato whispered into the mic, "Don''t engage. Just wait. Follow them."


    She walked calmly.


    The van slowly tailed her.


    Then in a flash, just as the others had vanished¡ªso did Luna.


    Panic. Chaos. Action.


    "MOVE!" Sato barked. Everyone sprang into action.


    Sam tracked Luna''s signal¡ªit was moving fast, deep through the underground hillside highway. The van that took her had slipped into a hidden tunnel system, long forgotten and masked from public maps.


    Charles and Mario roared ahead on motorbikes, their tires screeching against the narrow bends. Gin and Vina followed on foot, cutting corners with expert precision.


    Beno and Sam trailed behind in a white van, eyes locked on the tracker. The tension was unbearable.


    They had it mapped¡ªonly two possible exits from that highway. Charles blocked one. Beno covered the other. They were ready.


    But minutes passed.


    The black van never emerged.


    "Where the hell is it?" Beno muttered, knuckles white around the steering wheel.


    Sam frowned. "Signal just cut. Something''s wrong."


    They doubled back.


    The team regrouped, searching the highway until they found it¡ª


    The black van, abandoned near a jagged cave wall carved into the mountainside. This wasn''t a regular tunnel. This was old, damp, and tight.


    No signs of a fight. No blood. Just silence.


    And Luna¡ªgone.


    "What the hell...?" Charles muttered.


    Then Beno noticed it¡ª


    A massive, dark hole in the far wall, half-covered by rubble. Wind rushed through it, carrying the scent of salt and sand.


    "It leads to the beach," he said.


    Sam didn''t wait. He launched his bee drone into the air, its wings humming. The live feed split on his tablet screen. He guided it through the tunnel, over the ridge, sweeping every direction¡ª


    Then he spotted them.


    "Three targets. They''ve got Luna. Heading toward the old mansion by the shore."


    Rage ignited.


    "They outsmarted us," Vina hissed.


    "No," Beno stepped forward, lightning sparking at his heels. "They delayed us."


    In a single motion, Beno vanished from view¡ª


    Lightning Step.


    A thunderclap echoed through the tunnel as he launched from the highway''s edge, down the cliffside, tearing through the air like a comet. Dust exploded in his wake.


    The enemy barely had time to react.


    As the figures sprinted across the beach with Luna''s unconscious body slung over a shoulder, Beno landed in front of them like a bolt from the gods. The sand cracked under his feet, electricity arcing along the ground.


    "Put her down," he said coldly.


    The kidnappers pulled weapons¡ªplasma daggers, shock blades. One of them, a hulking hybrid with cybernetic arms, roared and charged.


    Beno didn''t flinch.


    "Lightning Wheel¡ªTHUNDER SLASH!"


    A crack of thunder split the air.


    Beno''s Lightning Wheel Slash tore through the trees and scattered stones like glass. The shockwave scorched the ground, a streak of raw power surging toward the three figures fleeing with Luna.


    One of them raised a hand¡ªa shimmering shield of magic flared to life, absorbing most of the impact, but the sheer force still sent them staggering.


    The masked man growled, "So you came to capture us, huh?"


    Beno didn''t reply. He stepped forward, lightning still crackling along his blade.


    From behind, Charles and Marco arrived¡ªCharles landed with a flaming dash, his boots leaving scorched trails. Marco bent gravity itself, the ground rippling as his pressure field slammed into the enemies.


    The fight exploded into chaos.


    Charles unleashed fireballs, igniting the trees around them, forcing the kidnappers to split up. One tried to cast a binding spell¡ªbut Marco''s gravity field pulled him off balance, slamming him into the dirt.


    Another pulled twin daggers, rushing Beno. Sparks lit up the beachside night as blade clashed with blade¡ªBeno parried, pivoted, and kicked the man into a boulder.


    They weren''t elite¡ªjust low-rank Hunters, but they were desperate, vicious, and drugged with fear.


    Within moments, the three collapsed. Bloodied, groaning, defeated.


    Beno grabbed one by the collar, lifting him off the sand.


    "Who are you? Where are the other women?"


    The man chuckled, face bruised and teeth bloodied. "You''re too late... Free us, Joker... will come for us..."


    His eyes suddenly glowed crimson.


    "BENO!" Sam shouted.


    Instinct kicked in¡ªBeno hurled the man into the air just as a volatile surge of mana built up in his chest. In midair, the man detonated¡ªa twisted magic suicide bomb.


    Chunks rained down.


    The other two began convulsing, their bodies twisting, glowing red¡ªBeno''s eyes widened. Too late. Heads burst like fruit. It was vile.


    Even hardened Hunters turned their eyes away.


    Beno sprinted toward Luna¡ªstill unconscious, still breathing.


    "Luna! Luna!"


    She stirred, groaning weakly.


    "Where... where am I?"


    Beno gently helped her sit up. "You''re safe now. Thank god..."


    Her eyes widened as memories surged back. "Wait... I was in a van... they injected me with something¡ªI... I passed out."


    A voice echoed from above.


    "This is Investigator Senire! From the cave entrance above! Are you all okay down there?"


    Beno responded, "We''re fine. But we found a trafficking route. Get your team¡ªwe''re searching this entire area. They were hiding something big."


    Sam rushed toward the massive hole in the wall, his drone buzzing beside him. His face went pale as he pointed.


    "Guys... the old warehouse near the beach¡ªit''s worse than we thought."


    They ran.


    When they reached it, the stench of chemicals and rot hit them like a wall.


    Inside: six women, barely alive. Chained. Drugged. Unconscious. Human trafficking victims.


    They freed them fast. Vina and Gin checked vitals, Charles lit emergency flares, and Sam called for medical evac.


    And even as dawn broke, casting a silver light over the waves¡ª


    Beno knew this was just a scratch on something far more monstrous.


    The real war had just begun.


    Aftermath ¨C Dawn


    They couldn''t save everyone.


    But they saved some. Dozens of women traumatized, but breathing. Luna limped to Beno, who looked at her silently before nodding.


    "You pulled it off," he said.


    She smirked. "Told you I had a good idea."


    Sato walked past them, shaking his head. "We''ve barely scratched the surface. This wasn''t the lab. This was just an outpost."


    Beno''s jaw tightened. "Then we go deeper."


    And as the sun broke the sky, so did a promise¡ª


    Inside Underground well


    Inside the well, Ella sat in a corner, eyes locked on the wolf boy. She still couldn''t trust him. No matter how human he looked, he carried monster genes in his blood.


    She could defend herself if needed, but her right hand was broken during her fight with Joker. All she had now was her left hand¡ªand that wouldn''t be enough if he turned on her.


    Climbing out was impossible. She was trapped.


    Fenris stood nearby. His eyes glowed red, almost like a beast eyeing prey. But he didn''t move.


    He looked... conflicted. The hunger was there¡ªdeep, raw¡ªbut he didn''t act on it. He wasn''t just a monster. He was a prisoner of something darker.


    Ella saw the hatred in his eyes, a fury born of years of torment. But it wasn''t directed at her. When he looked at her, his gaze softened.


    Not like a man looking at a woman¡ªbut like something broken recognizing something fragile.


    "How long have you been like this?" she asked.


    He hesitated, his voice low. "I was born in a lab... So... sixteen years. I''ve been locked here ever since."


    "Sixteen? Are you serious?" Ella blinked. "Then how do you speak? Who taught you language... humanity?"


    Fenris looked at her. Something in her voice¡ªmaybe the question¡ªunlocked something buried.


    He trembled, then turned away and walked to a pile of bones in the corner.


    He picked up a skull, holding it gently like it was sacred.


    And then he wept.


    Tears poured down his cheeks as he clutched the skull to his chest, memories crashing into him¡ªones he had long forced himself to forget.