As Jack selected the Holy Sword, the image in front of him shimmered—then solidified into a real weapon in his hand. The blade pulsed with glowing runes etched into its metal. The handle was a light tan, smooth and warm to the touch.
Next to him, Rose now held an identical sword, her eyes wide with disbelief. Jack raised his blade—it felt weightless, like it belonged in his hand.
All around them, other people had made their choices. Some wielded the same glowing sword, while others stood behind towering armored boxes that completely enclosed them.
Then, another pop-up appeared:
"The King has chosen: Shadow Beasts."
"Event Duration: 20 minutes."
A new wave of dread swept through the street as dozens of masks fell from the sky, clattering as they hit the pavement. Jack and Rose instinctively stepped back. Coco barked furiously in Jack's arms.
From the shadows, tendrils of black smoke slithered toward the masks. One by one, the shadows merged with them—forming humanoid creatures with animal-like limbs, glowing red eyes, and the faint outline of ribs and claws.
Screams echoed from inside the armored boxes.
"What's happening out there?!" someone shouted from inside one, blind to the terror outside.
But they were supposed to be safe… weren't they?
Jack's breath caught in his throat as one of the shadow creatures approached a box. It reached out with smoky limbs—then phased directly into the metal.
There was no sound. No clash. Just silence… and then, screams.
Agonizing, muffled screams.
Then—nothing.
Rose gasped and covered her mouth as tears streamed down her cheeks. The street was frozen in collective shock. The tension broke like glass when more people screamed and started running in every direction.
The shadow beasts scattered, some chasing the sword-wielders, others heading toward the armored boxes like predators to prey.
Jack snapped out of his trance as one of the beasts lunged straight at him.
His sword began to glow brighter—instinctively, he swung.
The creature evaporated in a burst of smoke, leaving only its mask clattering to the ground.
Jack barely had a moment to breathe before he spotted a small group of creatures racing toward them. He turned to Rose—her legs were trembling, her face pale. Frozen.
Without thinking, Jack clenched the sword's handle between his teeth, grabbed her arm with his free hand, and sprinted.
Coco barked wildly in his arms as they dashed toward the next street, the sound of pursuit growing louder behind them.