Victor sat down on his throne, a stern expression etched on his face as he observed his scientist busily injecting monstrous creatures.
The loud, guttural growls of monsters echoed through the vast chamber, mingling with the agonized cries of humans. Those humans, unwilling test subjects convulsed violently as the monstrous blood coursed through their veins, transforming them into twisted abominations.
"It’s been over seven days," Victor finally voiced, his lips curling into a smirk. His words were directed at a woman clad in a sleek black coat. She cradled little Hope in her arms, the baby sleeping soundly despite the chaos surrounding them. "That little boy is as good as dead. The earpiece in his ear disconnected long ago."
"I knew he wouldn’t make it, boss," the woman replied coldly, her eyes gleaming with calculated indifference. "He’s still just a boy, after all. What should we do next? You told to bring the baby here. Are you really planning to inject her?"
Victor let out a heavy sigh, the sound reverberating through the room. Rising from his throne, he stepped toward the woman, his piercing gaze fixed on Hope’s innocent face. Gently, he brushed a stray lock of hair from the child’s forehead, his touch surprisingly tender.
"Yes, but not yet," he said, his voice softer now. "She’s far too adorable and valuable. Imagine having a baby monster a pet monster, one I can mold from infancy. What a gift that would be for . As for my queen ... I suppose it’s ti I embark on this journey myself."
"You’re taking the baby with you?" the woman asked, raising an eyebrow as she shifted Hope in her arms. "The baby and those dead children you sent out clearly an sothing to her and her group. Taking the baby will definitely give you leverage in taming the Queen."
Victor’s lips curled into a devious smile as he clasped his hands behind his back. "Precisely. But I’ve decided not to force her, at least, not yet. To gain her powers, she must willingly give them to . For that to happen, we need to be of one heart, one mind. She has to love , even if I feel nothing for her. If that doesn’t work..." His eyes darkened, and his smile turned predatory. "Then I’ll take her powers by force. She’ll have no choice if she wants this baby to stay alive."
Turning away from the woman, Victor barked his next command. "Get the n ready. We leave before dawn."
"Yes, boss," the woman replied with a deep bow. Without another word, she strode out of the chamber, Hope still nestled in her arms.
________________
anwhile, Scarlett and her group followed Austin into the gaping maw of the cave. The darkness enveloped them, a suffocating presence that seed to devour light and hope alike.
The air was thick and heavy with the stench of decay, a noxious blend of rotting flesh and damp earth. Water dripped rhythmically from jagged stalactites overhead, the sound echoing through the cavern like a somber funeral march.
"We’re walking straight into death," Louise muttered under his breath, his voice trembling. His grip tightened on his crossbow as his eyes darted nervously around the shadows. "How many people have died here? All because they wanted to be monster slayers."
"Stop whining like a coward," Kato sneered, his massive sword resting against his shoulder. "You’ll get yourself killed, not because you lack skill, but because you’re too scared to think straight. Pull yourself together."
Louise swallowed hard, his face flushed with embarrassnt.
"Stay close," Austin warned, his voice low and commanding. His sharp gaze scanned the cave’s interior, every movent deliberate. "And don’t expect to save you. You’re on your own."
Scarlett’s fingers curled tightly around the hilts of her daggers. Her eyes, sharp and alert, scanned the labyrinthine path ahead. The oppressive atmosphere bore down on her, the weight of countless lost lives lingering in the very air they breathed.
Beside her, Kato smirked as he communicated through their ntal link. "Get ready, Scarlett. Monsters won’t slay themselves. I’ll be handling things with Garvin and the others when the ti cos, but you’ll need to hold your ground here on your own. Louise is useless so you might be the only one to face these monsters."
Scarlett’s gaze flicked toward him, her jaw set in determination as she replied through the ntal link. "Don’t worry about . I’ll handle it."
The group continued their descent into the depths of the cave. Louise brought up the rear, his eyes darting nervously back and forth as though he expected a monster to lunge from the shadows at any mont. The faint growls of monsters reverberated through the cave, reaching Scarlett, Austin and Kato’s ears except for Louise. The sound was ominous, a clear warning that the creatures were lurking deeper within.
The oppressive silence was soon shattered suddenly. The sound of scuttling claws scraped against the stone, accompanied by an eerie, guttural growl that sent shivers down Louise’s spine.
"What’s that?" Louise whispered, his voice trembling with fear as he glanced around nervously.
Kato scoffed, rolling his eyes in disdain. "What do you think it is? Did you expect to co here for a picnic or to do so shopping? Get your act together!"
Austin’s smile was cold and devoid of humor, his sharp features illuminated faintly by the dim light filtering through the cave. "Just the welcoming committee," he said, his voice like ice, his gaze fixed on Louise especially. "Let’s see how you handle it. The monsters here co in all shapes and sizes, and they’re ready to feast on human flesh."
He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in before adding with a smirk, "Ti to put your skills to the test. Let’s see who dies first. And just so you know, I won’t be sticking around to babysit. Defeat monsters as soon as possible as you wouldn’t be able to leave this cave until you’re done killing them all."
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