Chapter 1 Part 3
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Eo4Gk8MK4
Erik: "That's Drearygeist. His real name is Damian, but he prefers to go by that alias, for reasons known only to him."
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FBw6K32Ki
Ava (Concerned): "But why? Did something happen to make him so somber?"
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUo7IodWAcj
Erik: "Unfortunately, I don't have any insight into his history. Nobody does. His motives and past are shrouded in mystery."
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUq49UiCLE
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.
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvzcDaCcEd
Erik, noticing Ava's departure, became increasingly concerned.
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHO0HEbf7H
Erik (Concerned): "Whoa! Whoa! Where is she going?"
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqGV2H6S2P
Lena: "She's on a quest for answers. You could say curiosity got the better of her." She added a smirk to her words.
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xPuURVTys
Erik (Worried): "You don't mean she's going after Damian, do you?"
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevaWFQNbTU
Lena nodded, her expression conveying determination.
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2s2fg34s0a
Lena (Determined): "Indeed. So, let's not waste any more time. She might need some backup."
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQCH5eAt7U
With that resolve, Lena readied her weapon, and the two of them prepared to follow Ava into the unknown.
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbpsPLY1Ki
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.
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYa4dXcu0Zr
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.
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWnlvczj9C
Ava (Determined): "Alright, Damian! I want answers."
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPhfMYPr36
Damian (Annoyed): "You could have knocked..."
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYvhKvMZAF
Ava remained unamused by his casual response but took note of his remark.
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFv7uoV90h
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.
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCGP5iL5no
Ava: "I want to know your backstory, and I'm not leaving until you tell me!" She clutched the rifle tighter.
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfReMblDoRh
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.
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexjbZohRFT
Damian knelt down to her level, locking eyes with her as he spoke.
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50Q0CybzWE
Damian: "That... was for breaking my wall."
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4K0ocQLpgb
With a display of telekinesis, Damian lifted Ava by her neck, choking her in a show of aggression.
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2iNmtwC3Ld
Damian (Aggressive): "And this is for aiming an illegally modified rifle at me and trying to force me to divulge personal information!"
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCaUezqoPn7
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.
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KjXUSQuvn
Damian (Calm): "And finally, my apologies for getting aggressive..."
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhV7xmLJrH
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.
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWmXkHbRHj
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."
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDWlu0P0Mc
Placing the rifle next to the chair where Ava was seated, Damian made his way over to the couch and took a seat.
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQltDNBgvJk
Ava (Injured): "W-what...? I thought you were going to kill me..."
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlAtlqWnzz
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..."
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLamQTeNQCl
Ava's eyes widened in shock at his revelation.
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84jJyGCUyd
Ava (Shocked): "They are...?"
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDykXTJbohe
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.
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9L5yIsbVy1
Ava (Trying not to sound nervous): "H-How old are you, Damian?"
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPk3P9JkJf
Damian (Unhesitant): "16."
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtESVoQrbP
Ava glanced over at her restrained teammates, a bead of sweat forming on her forehead.
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaD2Ybu5qai
Ava (Clearly Nervous): "I-I'm 18... Do you have any parents?"
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcQIgvfViC
Damian (Unhesitant): "No, I was created as an experiment by multiple individuals. I don't have specific parents."
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhB5E9YKulw
Ava (Still Nervous): "D-do you have any f-friends?"
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcntVOUq8vR
Damian (Unhesitant): "No."
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVWR7tU1TX
Ava's concern grew, and she began to empathize with Damian's isolation.
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66cql9Fybb
Ava (Concerned): "That's so sad... It must feel pretty lonely."
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1V2dXJSWAv
Damian (Hesitant): "Y-yeah... It gets lonely."
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORaTSn7KvV
Ava pressed on, her curiosity and empathy driving her to seek more answers.
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡet5kk1hGVF
Ava: "So... why? Why are you called Drearygeist? What happened?"
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3mk5XJqaS
Damian opened up, his voice tinged with a sense of melancholy as he recounted the events of the past year.
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpERc5Q6AY
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."
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6wy4LYJte
He paused for a moment before continuing, his voice filled with determination.
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW66sqTLb3O
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."
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndmECQNTRU
Ava and her restrained team remained silent for a prolonged moment, absorbing Damian's words. Eventually, Ava broke the silence.
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX30sMy17kb
Ava: "So, you were here before any of us... You witnessed the creation of this place and its inevitable downfall."
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOv5of85Jbw
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."
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpQAiOVufK
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.
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8iL6sW4pU
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."
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpOoJFK90w
With a struggle, Ava managed to stand up from the chair.
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡauSnhsWknf
Ava: "But please... just reconsider."
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEmrWQaWxC
Damian shook his head, his resolve unwavering.
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70UJPMdOub
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."
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VlFJWiuPv
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.
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUjXyqiLkR
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."
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkptXCbJtDu
Erik, being the experienced hacker he was, was visibly shocked. His eyes widened, and he began to tremble.
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexN9sMZOG9
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!"
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzYcfCW204
Damian remained unwavering in his determination.
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqyKTEvIWmD
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."
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYfYoUvkLo
Ava attempted to reason with him, her voice filled with concern.
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxWR5zAHNW
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."
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEx7rJPb09F
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.
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUZsLUe7dp
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.
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCN30S87zyT
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.
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgj1tkArt3
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.
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fFe0KqZqB
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.
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmZgb9gMhg
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.
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLorrxrpfDb
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.
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlouSly6G6
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.
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CwcA8qQqK
To Be Continued..
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4QD3xaLMv
