Chapter 1 Part 3
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrz2uLDw8Nf
Erik: "That's Drearygeist. His real name is Damian, but he prefers to go by that alias, for reasons known only to him."
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJGBCVV3jy
Ava (Concerned): "But why? Did something happen to make him so somber?"
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzffHZnHkO
Erik: "Unfortunately, I don't have any insight into his history. Nobody does. His motives and past are shrouded in mystery."
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegMWwB0QGO
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.
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AuVjbv18g
Erik, noticing Ava's departure, became increasingly concerned.
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0nWvVaX50
Erik (Concerned): "Whoa! Whoa! Where is she going?"
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8IibITuXfs
Lena: "She's on a quest for answers. You could say curiosity got the better of her." She added a smirk to her words.
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZWEwI3I82
Erik (Worried): "You don't mean she's going after Damian, do you?"
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vc2u8lDb9
Lena nodded, her expression conveying determination.
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJyD3GWJVI
Lena (Determined): "Indeed. So, let's not waste any more time. She might need some backup."
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFLfEaRsnW
With that resolve, Lena readied her weapon, and the two of them prepared to follow Ava into the unknown.
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8O3XkcsL7h
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.
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHorCoE4rO
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.
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6hl0E3Tqq
Ava (Determined): "Alright, Damian! I want answers."
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuS6bBRiFSx
Damian (Annoyed): "You could have knocked..."
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXL32iHNNtt
Ava remained unamused by his casual response but took note of his remark.
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsP9NHT1x7m
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.
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTynd2lXzy
Ava: "I want to know your backstory, and I'm not leaving until you tell me!" She clutched the rifle tighter.
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RgmZxPWTY
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.
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYa3l52WxI
Damian knelt down to her level, locking eyes with her as he spoke.
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8ZNJRO5Zk
Damian: "That... was for breaking my wall."
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWOosapRso
With a display of telekinesis, Damian lifted Ava by her neck, choking her in a show of aggression.
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1Nz307I8I
Damian (Aggressive): "And this is for aiming an illegally modified rifle at me and trying to force me to divulge personal information!"
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fuEBPxGeN
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.
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQ4jgVh7xu
Damian (Calm): "And finally, my apologies for getting aggressive..."
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgrTX0sxq6
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.
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5Tf9p7MlH
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."
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8M1beQfOA
Placing the rifle next to the chair where Ava was seated, Damian made his way over to the couch and took a seat.
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9fFA3R0Z3
Ava (Injured): "W-what...? I thought you were going to kill me..."
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9NSIIu0hH
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..."
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpNDfovKR4
Ava's eyes widened in shock at his revelation.
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIUXB5Fivl
Ava (Shocked): "They are...?"
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvsIWgQLoy
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.
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MafUhtHm2
Ava (Trying not to sound nervous): "H-How old are you, Damian?"
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZngOQ2r9v
Damian (Unhesitant): "16."
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡez5VFNQVn0
Ava glanced over at her restrained teammates, a bead of sweat forming on her forehead.
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarAC7xNg8K
Ava (Clearly Nervous): "I-I'm 18... Do you have any parents?"
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqeU7FWlpnh
Damian (Unhesitant): "No, I was created as an experiment by multiple individuals. I don't have specific parents."
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEVkRUmeem
Ava (Still Nervous): "D-do you have any f-friends?"
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjx8dQ1szR
Damian (Unhesitant): "No."
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7ByFlBZ6t
Ava's concern grew, and she began to empathize with Damian's isolation.
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6cuV9Zj5o
Ava (Concerned): "That's so sad... It must feel pretty lonely."
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAiUX1fo6f
Damian (Hesitant): "Y-yeah... It gets lonely."
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvly0whIz2k
Ava pressed on, her curiosity and empathy driving her to seek more answers.
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsLYnWYrw9
Ava: "So... why? Why are you called Drearygeist? What happened?"
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQADLHJnHy
Damian opened up, his voice tinged with a sense of melancholy as he recounted the events of the past year.
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhg7fCqGMX
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."
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLQTH32dOA
He paused for a moment before continuing, his voice filled with determination.
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09tZqGtJnP
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."
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8eCanjb7i
Ava and her restrained team remained silent for a prolonged moment, absorbing Damian's words. Eventually, Ava broke the silence.
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtL49pNQLc
Ava: "So, you were here before any of us... You witnessed the creation of this place and its inevitable downfall."
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3drTQWsZ7
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."
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4LqotbTvx
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.
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qmb1wQ9eL
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."
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5bVxStHBp
With a struggle, Ava managed to stand up from the chair.
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbIbaYchW3
Ava: "But please... just reconsider."
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sQV0K9jHV
Damian shook his head, his resolve unwavering.
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dQwu1f5IS
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."
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPymy93vcxO
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.
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgDZM2GdBb
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."
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuoxNSc2pFd
Erik, being the experienced hacker he was, was visibly shocked. His eyes widened, and he began to tremble.
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QLqw4jCD7
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!"
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0H8nF7pvw
Damian remained unwavering in his determination.
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMkMet5gtK
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."
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdb2enHhl7u
Ava attempted to reason with him, her voice filled with concern.
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWtIzJn9BP
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."
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KQtcBfBMZ
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.
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8LFDJQS3I
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.
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7g0b3UMreR
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.
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcNBYnZ2Xw
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.
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaf4KpetWNc
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.
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2J9MmXRx9
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.
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDxAsMOwSs
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.
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdo1YJnC7N
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.
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAT9KdLIX5o
To Be Continued..
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzABVvEb1P
