Chapter 1 Part 3
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEmAC5qn4H
Erik: "That's Drearygeist. His real name is Damian, but he prefers to go by that alias, for reasons known only to him."
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlltX5GHwrO
Ava (Concerned): "But why? Did something happen to make him so somber?"
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINzSjHDG7R
Erik: "Unfortunately, I don't have any insight into his history. Nobody does. His motives and past are shrouded in mystery."
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjoYjnLiYPJ
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.
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUyyIEg4hTM
Erik, noticing Ava's departure, became increasingly concerned.
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkELr2WrxS
Erik (Concerned): "Whoa! Whoa! Where is she going?"
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUXyW3Xu14
Lena: "She's on a quest for answers. You could say curiosity got the better of her." She added a smirk to her words.
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQcMSG8msA
Erik (Worried): "You don't mean she's going after Damian, do you?"
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXiPUDhiIHm
Lena nodded, her expression conveying determination.
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ARvTaNDAq
Lena (Determined): "Indeed. So, let's not waste any more time. She might need some backup."
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikqrDN8VMK
With that resolve, Lena readied her weapon, and the two of them prepared to follow Ava into the unknown.
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32S9Og1O1l
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.
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡID8SYEJg3A
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.
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CMdL1hwSi
Ava (Determined): "Alright, Damian! I want answers."
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIYCjqDMjX
Damian (Annoyed): "You could have knocked..."
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8P3C4ij2m
Ava remained unamused by his casual response but took note of his remark.
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPeSAz1nchN
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.
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1k8lFiXcX
Ava: "I want to know your backstory, and I'm not leaving until you tell me!" She clutched the rifle tighter.
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6S54O3FaI
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.
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0R3o8fJWl
Damian knelt down to her level, locking eyes with her as he spoke.
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjeGPgH3q1l
Damian: "That... was for breaking my wall."
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDteeVvRbyJ
With a display of telekinesis, Damian lifted Ava by her neck, choking her in a show of aggression.
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimaApOPfCG
Damian (Aggressive): "And this is for aiming an illegally modified rifle at me and trying to force me to divulge personal information!"
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBODE2fMUS5
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.
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFSTK1glPW
Damian (Calm): "And finally, my apologies for getting aggressive..."
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZG1D2IuaZk
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.
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIEiY4YGixe
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."
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡda8I1dzGiB
Placing the rifle next to the chair where Ava was seated, Damian made his way over to the couch and took a seat.
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesn5QbECYm
Ava (Injured): "W-what...? I thought you were going to kill me..."
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5uYdRNs5o
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..."
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsILJtYxHX
Ava's eyes widened in shock at his revelation.
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMRLzB3Ryl
Ava (Shocked): "They are...?"
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLgCLyJ2J2
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.
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqP3rVRewr
Ava (Trying not to sound nervous): "H-How old are you, Damian?"
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7gnxwTQxk
Damian (Unhesitant): "16."
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaezpBFLLt1
Ava glanced over at her restrained teammates, a bead of sweat forming on her forehead.
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHTqDyuKDr
Ava (Clearly Nervous): "I-I'm 18... Do you have any parents?"
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJJNiKQmcN
Damian (Unhesitant): "No, I was created as an experiment by multiple individuals. I don't have specific parents."
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoU3Wh6vRrf
Ava (Still Nervous): "D-do you have any f-friends?"
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTbMqqxOwI
Damian (Unhesitant): "No."
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXgcbPOXAa
Ava's concern grew, and she began to empathize with Damian's isolation.
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSABfDcXEX
Ava (Concerned): "That's so sad... It must feel pretty lonely."
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTaSEmC06g
Damian (Hesitant): "Y-yeah... It gets lonely."
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAazLf0WXaE
Ava pressed on, her curiosity and empathy driving her to seek more answers.
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSZTeQxyvk
Ava: "So... why? Why are you called Drearygeist? What happened?"
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01yCYIy0Ro
Damian opened up, his voice tinged with a sense of melancholy as he recounted the events of the past year.
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmEnrljyhn1
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."
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpLNmd9DvS
He paused for a moment before continuing, his voice filled with determination.
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVkwnnOWEr
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."
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjvwAckYTN
Ava and her restrained team remained silent for a prolonged moment, absorbing Damian's words. Eventually, Ava broke the silence.
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivNb5IWzYk
Ava: "So, you were here before any of us... You witnessed the creation of this place and its inevitable downfall."
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFpK1R3Y89
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."
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5Vdbz8bfU
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.
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdI7mgFbRdm
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."
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk077EcKHgr
With a struggle, Ava managed to stand up from the chair.
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRX7h6tI4eA
Ava: "But please... just reconsider."
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQQq51fGgT
Damian shook his head, his resolve unwavering.
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRU38uJPHP
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."
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QvoS0F0Ql
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.
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBOoJ0qvH2
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."
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbs4ZViuWIb
Erik, being the experienced hacker he was, was visibly shocked. His eyes widened, and he began to tremble.
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jRgKjLq1s
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!"
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZNjenRvuN
Damian remained unwavering in his determination.
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaznSw8ueb8
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."
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVsZIjsq9b
Ava attempted to reason with him, her voice filled with concern.
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Sq82XClay
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."
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogZua2GoUU
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.
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5k7DxYHn28
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.
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KPwCyfCc3
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.
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBP2FPYh7V
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.
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7mwKvuJjP
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.
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOexMdaTJ83
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.
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSG80aBdOdH
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.
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwj6vGQ9o0
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.
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5PS8c0s3t
To Be Continued..
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkA7OEjSVY
