Chapter 30: Unchained Monster
The bloodcurdling scream echoed through the underground bunker, sending a wave of cold terror through every soul who heard it. The agonized cries continued for a few more seconds before they were suddenly cut off, replaced by an eerie silence.
Bugs Queen and the Assassin's Master stood motionless outside the heavy metal door, their expressions unreadable. The other guard, the one who had sighed in relief earlier, swallowed hard. His face had gone pale, and his hands trembled. He had seen many horrors in this war, but nothing unnerved him more than the thing that lurked behind that door.
Bugs Queen stepped forward, raising her hand and placing it against the cold steel of the door. Without hesitation, she pushed it open.
Inside the dimly lit chamber, the walls were painted with blood. Pieces of flesh and bone were scattered across the stone floor—the remains of the unfortunate guard who had been sent in. The air was thick with the scent of death, and a heavy, unnatural pressure filled the room.
At the center of the carnage, crouched in the shadows, was him.
A figure, wrapped in thick, rune-covered chains, sat hunched over what was left of the guard. His body was covered in scars—deep, fatal-looking wounds that should have killed him, yet not a single drop of blood escaped from them. His long, wild hair fell over his face, partially obscuring his features.
The chains that bound him were thick and covered in ancient symbols, glowing faintly as if containing some dark power.
They weren't just physical restraints—they were seals meant to keep whatever was inside him from escaping.
But despite the chains, despite the seals, the moment the door had opened, he had moved.
He lifted his head slightly, revealing a terrifying grin. His eyes—black sclera with glowing red irises—shimmered in the dim light, locking onto Bugs Queen and the Assassin's Master.
"You two…" he muttered, his voice deep and raspy, as if unused for a long time. "It's been… so long…"
His grin widened as a low chuckle rumbled from his throat. "Hehehe… Does that mean you finally want me to kill when he is not here?"
Bugs Queen crossed her arms, her expression calm and unwavering. "It's time for you to complete your role."
The man chuckled darkly, his body twitching slightly against the chains. "And here I thought you'd keep me locked up forever…"
The Assassin's Master clenched his fists. "If it were up to me, you would never be released," he admitted, his voice cold and sharp. "But our situation has changed. The Alliance is growing stronger. If we don't act now, they might actually have a chance to win."
The chained man exhaled sharply through his nose, shaking his head with amusement. "So that's it… you need a monster to kill for you."
Bugs Queen nodded, her eyes unreadable. "We're giving you what you want. In return, you will wipe out our enemies. Completely."
For a long moment, the man said nothing. The room was filled with the sound of his chains clinking slightly as he shifted his position. Then, a slow smile spread across his face.
"You give me what?" he asked, tilting his head. "You think you imprisoned me here?"
He let out a low, mocking laugh. "I am here on my own will."
Then— Crack.
One of the seals on his chains shattered.
A pulse of dark energy surged through the room, sending shivers down the spines of even the strongest criminals outside the bunker. The air itself grew heavier, suffocating.
The Assassin's Master tensed, his body instinctively preparing for a fight. Even Bugs Queen, who had remained calm throughout the exchange, took a step back.
The chained man slowly stood up, stretching his arms as much as his restraints allowed. He rolled his neck, his bones cracking loudly, and grinned wider than before.
"If it were any other day, I would have killed you both right now," he said, his voice dripping with amusement.
His glowing eyes flickered, as if sensing something in the distance. He smirked.
"But… I think someone is calling me from the battlefield."
His aura darkened, and the remaining seals on his body pulsed violently, struggling to contain his power.
"Fine," he muttered, licking his lips. "Let's have some fun."