Chapter 1 Part 3
409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW60Uruxrsg
Erik: "That's Drearygeist. His real name is Damian, but he prefers to go by that alias, for reasons known only to him."
409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafuE6HRS4R
Ava (Concerned): "But why? Did something happen to make him so somber?"
409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAJ0lzyfwD
Erik: "Unfortunately, I don't have any insight into his history. Nobody does. His motives and past are shrouded in mystery."
409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajbPRcKFig
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.
409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OnGT9DIPW
Erik, noticing Ava's departure, became increasingly concerned.
409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGi6DoOIGN
Erik (Concerned): "Whoa! Whoa! Where is she going?"
409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaswQDcV0Gp
Lena: "She's on a quest for answers. You could say curiosity got the better of her." She added a smirk to her words.
409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7o5GEQfCxN
Erik (Worried): "You don't mean she's going after Damian, do you?"
409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSolYY8RJp
Lena nodded, her expression conveying determination.
409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFyk5eDdYV
Lena (Determined): "Indeed. So, let's not waste any more time. She might need some backup."
409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSRMnQH9YZ
With that resolve, Lena readied her weapon, and the two of them prepared to follow Ava into the unknown.
409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlc953yutA3
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.
409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82mt9YZmT1
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.
409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5T78palngH
Ava (Determined): "Alright, Damian! I want answers."
409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAGtfMSfkS
Damian (Annoyed): "You could have knocked..."
409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqUQ1Gm75E
Ava remained unamused by his casual response but took note of his remark.
409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvwKC4dA33
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.
409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRuKucm0lpw
Ava: "I want to know your backstory, and I'm not leaving until you tell me!" She clutched the rifle tighter.
409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwcpjjNlYF
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.
409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvbQwAA8Go
Damian knelt down to her level, locking eyes with her as he spoke.
409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUWGL0Kd3L
Damian: "That... was for breaking my wall."
409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31jpkjAUwU
With a display of telekinesis, Damian lifted Ava by her neck, choking her in a show of aggression.
409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocGMiAqZFZ
Damian (Aggressive): "And this is for aiming an illegally modified rifle at me and trying to force me to divulge personal information!"
409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1yG6jlBGX
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.
409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AXxLUUocX
Damian (Calm): "And finally, my apologies for getting aggressive..."
409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGcXpD5Jwc
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.
409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLcrjxRJiy
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."
409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmbzp26d26
Placing the rifle next to the chair where Ava was seated, Damian made his way over to the couch and took a seat.
409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAExiFc1I6
Ava (Injured): "W-what...? I thought you were going to kill me..."
409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqNp5HSgME
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..."
409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDhW6GfqUU
Ava's eyes widened in shock at his revelation.
409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDFPvnDAtX
Ava (Shocked): "They are...?"
409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAOAyPmafl
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.
409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNneYDGqXBD
Ava (Trying not to sound nervous): "H-How old are you, Damian?"
409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuAk9UHv9l
Damian (Unhesitant): "16."
409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLc8w2pIQtD
Ava glanced over at her restrained teammates, a bead of sweat forming on her forehead.
409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkvOnLz1vW
Ava (Clearly Nervous): "I-I'm 18... Do you have any parents?"
409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBiNUmUP7n
Damian (Unhesitant): "No, I was created as an experiment by multiple individuals. I don't have specific parents."
409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RaV1PzmzX
Ava (Still Nervous): "D-do you have any f-friends?"
409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQvch8srQg
Damian (Unhesitant): "No."
409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYwl9Q1M6a
Ava's concern grew, and she began to empathize with Damian's isolation.
409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9bekMo3NB
Ava (Concerned): "That's so sad... It must feel pretty lonely."
409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG59INYTMpA
Damian (Hesitant): "Y-yeah... It gets lonely."
409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPCNPuYyuq
Ava pressed on, her curiosity and empathy driving her to seek more answers.
409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3RngMJhbW
Ava: "So... why? Why are you called Drearygeist? What happened?"
409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qZv3YowVH
Damian opened up, his voice tinged with a sense of melancholy as he recounted the events of the past year.
409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPG44YCY4CI
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."
409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ107UbCkf9O
He paused for a moment before continuing, his voice filled with determination.
409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRnuPRNVJX
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."
409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqYUZIUC7e
Ava and her restrained team remained silent for a prolonged moment, absorbing Damian's words. Eventually, Ava broke the silence.
409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ul6LCqxu4
Ava: "So, you were here before any of us... You witnessed the creation of this place and its inevitable downfall."
409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBFKRS7j3U
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."
409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmdNDIdF5w
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.
409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAg6R8BYkj0
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."
409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVupxKG0HV
With a struggle, Ava managed to stand up from the chair.
409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtPaqhyZYI
Ava: "But please... just reconsider."
409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MyKC7obrh
Damian shook his head, his resolve unwavering.
409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlf7kYTjjca
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."
409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1T6p6PLx9C
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.
409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUCNx3ryf0
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."
409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQLaC1vUYH
Erik, being the experienced hacker he was, was visibly shocked. His eyes widened, and he began to tremble.
409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNeEOSnV8Uz
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!"
409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡze1TWEQWc9
Damian remained unwavering in his determination.
409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1yIOOi98p
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."
409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGt5HHlvhH
Ava attempted to reason with him, her voice filled with concern.
409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMMT0tGh4u
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."
409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNomlBhLsm
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.
409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hBWFyc6yq
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.
409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7s2bU1gBve
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.
409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDt9m7dKEIV
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.
409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQDGFRiJNY
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.
409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1SZNmCGiRv
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.
409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LDbw18uXa
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.
409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvv1nWSyw0B
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.
409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHrDYGhYFWs
To Be Continued..
409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lCOXpdYOM
