Chapter 1 Part 3
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9J1h0aVy4s
Erik: "That's Drearygeist. His real name is Damian, but he prefers to go by that alias, for reasons known only to him."
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4i9jfOQuMu
Ava (Concerned): "But why? Did something happen to make him so somber?"
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1p1p3xZS1C
Erik: "Unfortunately, I don't have any insight into his history. Nobody does. His motives and past are shrouded in mystery."
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4PHV5PT4f
As Damian soared away towards his destination, Ava couldn't shake her curiosity. She glanced toward her teammates, who were engaged in a discussion about their next course of action. Lena's gaze met Ava's, and she responded with a reassuring smile and nod. Ava reciprocated the gesture, her determination evident, as she picked up her rifle and set off in pursuit of Damian, seeking answers.
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUUhUZMFTy
Erik, noticing Ava's departure, became increasingly concerned.
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVE7qmQKoUK
Erik (Concerned): "Whoa! Whoa! Where is she going?"
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJao1xV7TAc
Lena: "She's on a quest for answers. You could say curiosity got the better of her." She added a smirk to her words.
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjkNKMf9CQ
Erik (Worried): "You don't mean she's going after Damian, do you?"
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wjKWOgKcj
Lena nodded, her expression conveying determination.
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkd495Ldc7
Lena (Determined): "Indeed. So, let's not waste any more time. She might need some backup."
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfsU7fpDXf
With that resolve, Lena readied her weapon, and the two of them prepared to follow Ava into the unknown.
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZLrkk8rS1
Meanwhile, Damian had reached his destination, an apartment complex on the city's outskirts, nestled alongside a freeway and the picturesque beach. Landing gracefully on the balcony, he made his way inside through the door. Damian entered the living room, taking a seat and placing the object he had acquired from the vault on a small coffee table. With a mere thought, his attire transformed into a simple t-shirt paired with gray sweatpants, and he slipped on a pair of crocs for comfort. Leaning back, he took a few deep breaths, contemplating the need for a new costume.
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcY4vLouW6J
Damian's thoughts were abruptly interrupted by the sound of the front door being forcefully pushed open, revealing Ava, who had entered with her laser rifle trained on him. Despite the tense standoff, Damian met her gaze with an unflinching expression, seemingly unafraid of her weapon.
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0oNGrYBqzY
Ava (Determined): "Alright, Damian! I want answers."
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XeGsnO4dB
Damian (Annoyed): "You could have knocked..."
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbPOtHMOWs
Ava remained unamused by his casual response but took note of his remark.
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxTTZ0TY1N
Damian (Annoyed): "What is it that you want answers about? And you'd better be planning to replace that door..."
Ava remained determined, her grip on the rifle unwavering.
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW12URk0dHH
Ava: "I want to know your backstory, and I'm not leaving until you tell me!" She clutched the rifle tighter.
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84OBwdCDnE
In response, Damian rose to his feet, his gaze unwavering as he pointed toward a wall, sending Ava crashing through it. Despite the shock of the sudden impact, Ava quickly regained her composure and attempted to stand. When she looked up, she found Damian standing over her, his presence imposing.
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHh6oijmqV
Damian knelt down to her level, locking eyes with her as he spoke.
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFY17sTK7aN
Damian: "That... was for breaking my wall."
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDcTQcedQF
With a display of telekinesis, Damian lifted Ava by her neck, choking her in a show of aggression.
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1w3A90Kj7x
Damian (Aggressive): "And this is for aiming an illegally modified rifle at me and trying to force me to divulge personal information!"
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFdOXbYczP
Moments later, Damian released his grip, allowing Ava to drop to the ground. He took a few deep breaths to regain his composure, extending a hand and helping Ava to her feet.
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBV8nyJmXb
Damian (Calm): "And finally, my apologies for getting aggressive..."
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcbx085qPd
Damian guided Ava back into the living room and gently seated her in a chair. Picking up her dropped rifle, he examined it with a mixture of interest and indifference.
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsXCiFzCqN
Damian: "An Aimbot 1022 Z-tech Laser Rifle... quite fascinating. I would inquire about how you came to possess this, but that's not my concern."
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5d1SSEXbC
Placing the rifle next to the chair where Ava was seated, Damian made his way over to the couch and took a seat.
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2Rmelzvbi
Ava (Injured): "W-what...? I thought you were going to kill me..."
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuysF367ah
Damian: "No, Ava. While you did intrude into my home and attempt to coerce me into sharing information, and your friends are strategically positioned to ambush me at any moment..."
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UrephaXTL
Ava's eyes widened in shock at his revelation.
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAaMzMPEor
Ava (Shocked): "They are...?"
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfjaRnK8jx
Damian nodded, and with a snap of his fingers, Erik, Lena, and Jasper materialized inside the apartment instantaneously. They landed unceremoniously on the floor, quickly assuming defensive stances, ready to engage. However, Damian exerted his telekinetic control, restraining them in mid-air, preventing any immediate action.
Ava was taken aback by Damian's responses, but she sensed an opportunity to connect with him.
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyp7u4Cwy1
Ava (Trying not to sound nervous): "H-How old are you, Damian?"
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04KoTYznRY
Damian (Unhesitant): "16."
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKs7ybYzFw3
Ava glanced over at her restrained teammates, a bead of sweat forming on her forehead.
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YNMCatGri
Ava (Clearly Nervous): "I-I'm 18... Do you have any parents?"
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bHXeovFhQ
Damian (Unhesitant): "No, I was created as an experiment by multiple individuals. I don't have specific parents."
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxF5tlSsKCC
Ava (Still Nervous): "D-do you have any f-friends?"
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWW5T5BLnBr
Damian (Unhesitant): "No."
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNB4nPxnh3
Ava's concern grew, and she began to empathize with Damian's isolation.
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwo660cvKhz
Ava (Concerned): "That's so sad... It must feel pretty lonely."
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrV21szNGax
Damian (Hesitant): "Y-yeah... It gets lonely."
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElHNPmNOxA
Ava pressed on, her curiosity and empathy driving her to seek more answers.
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuocBGLVhfF
Ava: "So... why? Why are you called Drearygeist? What happened?"
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡroJBVJz1K1
Damian opened up, his voice tinged with a sense of melancholy as he recounted the events of the past year.
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftaDbSfEOU
Damian: "I... Well, a year ago, this place wasn't the hellscape you see today. It was peaceful, safe. There were no wars, no violence—just a sanctuary for those who wanted to escape reality, to evade the chaos of the world. But, as is often the case, human nature took over. Someone had to be in power, someone had to impose their 'order' on everything. The metaverse succumbed to chaos, and now every day is a constant battle."
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HjjGgmim2
He paused for a moment before continuing, his voice filled with determination.
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bzJfQYTCZ
Damian: "I couldn't stand by and watch this place, with its limitless potential, crumble in the never-ending struggle for power. I decided to act, to reclaim its lost peace by any means necessary. I wanted to make them feel the pain—the pain I felt when I witnessed this utopia's destruction. So, I do to them what they did to this place. I dismantle everything they built, making them experience the anguish of loss. And I'll eliminate anyone who stands in my way."
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeMnbOlMSU
Ava and her restrained team remained silent for a prolonged moment, absorbing Damian's words. Eventually, Ava broke the silence.
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3b8CHTVsW
Ava: "So, you were here before any of us... You witnessed the creation of this place and its inevitable downfall."
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4TFJEsEF1
Damian: "That's right. This place was a virtual paradise with a few cybernetic enhancements. It was incredible... until people like you arrived, craving power and control. When I tried to stop it and restore its former glory, they labeled me as crazy. No one understands... No one has experienced what I have. In just a year, this utopia turned into a dystopia."
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeB9aIGlp2n
Ava had absorbed Damian's words and, despite the complex situation, began to empathize with his plight. She recognized the need to find a way to reason with him.
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYRYzgHc0f
Ava (Sympathetic): "Listen... I understand how painful it must have been to witness this place descend into chaos. But this isn't the answer... I'm not here to stop you."
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Agxtwuaz2
With a struggle, Ava managed to stand up from the chair.
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01UQKq8uKb
Ava: "But please... just reconsider."
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hHJQwgwqU
Damian shook his head, his resolve unwavering.
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3Qni27OxE
Damian: "While I understand your perspective, I know that if I don't take action, this place will continue to deteriorate rapidly. I have to do this... I need to impart a harsh lesson that they won't forget for generations. Peace won't come without them first experiencing pain, whether it's physical or mental."
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtunqYWMKvD
Damian lowered his hand, releasing Ava's teammates from their telekinetic restraints. He then stood up and retrieved the item he had taken from the coffee table.
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXm5X9tILH
Damian: "And this right here... This will help me achieve that. This is the system's source code file. It was being held by the system's moderators in a highly secure building, quite some distance away from the city."
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYcJrqcAMSN
Erik, being the experienced hacker he was, was visibly shocked. His eyes widened, and he began to tremble.
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhUgLnpERh
Erik (Terrified): "H-How did you get that?! That building is the most secure one in the metaverse! There are guards literally everywhere! There's no way in, and sure as hell no way out!"
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeu0npo9LFD
Damian remained unwavering in his determination.
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCv59u9Dmyk
Damian: "I easily eliminated the guards... and I haven't encountered any moderators. But even if I did, they wouldn't be able to stop me either."
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJXfoOtGW5
Ava attempted to reason with him, her voice filled with concern.
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ClStpKz1u
Ava: "I don't know what he's talking about... but that doesn't sound good. Listen, Damian, please don't do anything irrational. Just think about this."
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8A7zmJZtW
Suspense filled the air as a heavy silence settled. Damian tightened his grip on the file. In a sudden and tense turn of events, Erik swiftly drew his laser pistol and fired a shot at Damian. Damian reacted with incredible speed, materializing his katana and expertly deflecting the blast. At the same moment, Lena, seemingly appearing out of nowhere, attempted to strike Damian from behind with her own blade, but Damian quickly spun around and blocked her attack, all while maintaining his hold on the file. Their blades clashed, Damian effortlessly fending off their combined assault.
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hV8VZb9QX
Damian continued to skillfully defend himself against Lena's attacks. With a swift and precise movement, he slashed through her blade, cutting it in half. However, Lena was not deterred and quickly drew another blade, retaliating by slashing Damian's katana in half. Damian tossed the broken katana to the ground and, with a burst of energy, his hand became enveloped in electricity, forming a blade-like weapon around it. The intense duel between Damian and Lena persisted, their strikes and parries a blur of motion.
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUPgKzwbwl
Meanwhile, Erik and Jasper recognized the urgency of the situation. They quickly gathered the injured Ava and her rifle, then rushed out of the complex to ensure her safety.
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuK6M9GdbGm
Damian exerted his strength, gradually pushing Lena back, but she showed remarkable resilience, refusing to yield. The intense battle raged on until Damian decided to disperse his electricity blade. With a swift motion, he pointed toward the window, propelling Lena through it with force, causing her to crash and land outside.
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOag3jcQkF
Damian followed suit, leaping gracefully through the window and landing on his feet in front of Lena. As Lena swiftly drew a butterfly knife and attempted a rapid upward slash, Damian's lightning-fast reflexes allowed him to evade her attack. In retaliation, Damian executed a slashing motion, leaving a cut across Lena's face, leaving her momentarily stunned.
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00r85AUpV6
Lena, however, was not one to stay down for long. She quickly regained her footing with a graceful backflip and, upon landing, released several smoke bombs, shrouding the area in thick smoke.
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAeDYCaaOu
With little effort, Damian swatted through the thick smoke, his movements fluid and precise. He materialized another katana, poised for a lethal strike. Lena, despite her injuries, acted quickly. She caught the blade with her bare hands, her determination overcoming the pain and making her palms bleed.
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmETB5mBEG
In a split second, Lena disappeared and reappeared behind Damian, launching what appeared to be a deadly punch. However, Damian was not to be outdone. He spun around swiftly, retaliating with a powerful punch of his own. Their fists clashed in a fierce battle for dominance. Ultimately, Damian's strength prevailed, and with a rapid roundhouse kick to Lena's face, she was knocked unconscious, collapsing to the ground.
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdziaTuzjjR
To Be Continued..
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0nWBBzpN2
