THUD! THUD! THUD!
The carriage stopped shaking violently. Silence fell like a burial shroud.
"What was all that about?" a knight whispered, lowering his sword with trembling hands.
"Stay focused, men." The squad captain's voice cut through the tension. "That scream wasn't ordinary. And this presence—this aura of bloodlust I feel now—it wasn't there a moment ago."
"Yeah, you're right. What do you think is happening in there?" The guards murmured among themselves, their formation unconsciously tightening.
MEANWHILE, INSIDE THE CART...
Havoc narrowed his crimson gaze one last time at Bronn's lifeless body.
I didn't want it to end like this, but fate has its cruel ways. Rest in peace, Bronn.
Then he stared at the steel ceiling of the containment cart, his new form radiating power that made the metal groan.
Time to get out of here.
He raised one of his monstrous arms—now fused into a ruined arcane cannon, humming with lethal heat.
WHIRRRRRRR—
The blast charged, air swirling around him like a miniature hurricane. Energy crackled between his claws.
Then—
THWOOOOOSH!
BOOOOOOM!
The blast exploded outward, obliterating the cart's ceiling in a pillar of destruction that stretched toward the sky. The shockwave rippled through the air, bending trees and raising clouds of dust and debris.
"What is that?!" Knights shielded their eyes as the energy beam pierced the sky like a spear of judgment.
"No… what's going on here?" The squad captain stared at the towering column of light, sweat beading on his forehead.
As the blast faded, Havoc leaped through the hole he'd created—
THUD!
—landing with a horrific impact that cracked the earth beneath his feet.
Wow, talk about blast power. I'm way stronger now.
All the knights froze, every muscle stiffening. The air became suffocating under Havoc's overwhelming presence.
"No… this can't be possible. This has to be a joke." A knight's armor rattled as he shook uncontrollably.
"I can't believe it… it's here. A real one."
Havoc raised his head, crimson slits striking terror into their hearts as they jolted backward.
"How is this even happening? Where did a Soul wretch come from?" The squad captain stared, sweat dripping from his brow.
"Why are they so scared of me?"
Then Havoc followed their gaze and saw his reflection in a nearby knight's polished armor. He had truly transformed into a nightmare made flesh.
He was now a corrupted reptilian humanoid standing nine feet tall—skin like blackened tortoise shell, cracked and armored, with molten veins glowing beneath like lava flows. His right arm had fused into a massive, rune-lined arcane cannon, hissing with residual heat and wisps of smoke. His left arm had mutated into a colossal, clawed paw—furred, gnarled, and twitching with beastly hunger. Behind him, a short tail swung like a pendulum—shaped like an axe blade, its edge gleaming crimson.
He smirked. "How wonderful."
THRUM-THUMP! THRUM-THUMP!
What's that noise?
His eyes widened in fascination as he looked down at his chest.
A metallic heart pulsed like a reactor—glowing red, humming like an engine forged in the depths of hell itself.
"I can't believe it. I'm really a Soul wretch. I feel more powerful, more menacing—like I could conquer the world."
"From what I studied, if you transform into a Soul wretch after merging with a new Echoform through a soul pact, you become a mindless monstrosity that only seeks destruction and slaughter. But you gain insane amounts of strength, mana, stamina, and raw power."
"I should have lost all sense of reasoning and started tearing this place apart. But for some reason, I have all my senses and memories intact. No—they've been enhanced. I've become more intelligent. I can feel it."
"Then why do the Solar Chronicles claim that Soul wretches are senseless and have no will? Were they lying because they knew people would exploit this power?"
"This makes perfect sense. They didn't want the world to know because they feared more of these monstrosities would be created. If the wrong person learned of this, they could exploit it. It could bring about a war unlike any other—the world could be overrun with Soul wretches."
"Hahahaha… this is so amusing. Why didn't I think of this sooner?" Havoc stared at the ground with a devilish grin.
"I'm losing it. This knowledge—it's too much. I'm so happy I could just kill everyone here."
"What's it doing?" one knight wondered, his voice barely a whisper.
"It isn't moving," another said, his voice hitching with terror.
"It's time. I'll slaughter everyone here, then hunt down Elsa."
Havoc raised his head, his gaze sweeping across all the knights. The air shifted—he was ready to paint the ground red.
"Huh!" The captain jolted, feeling the murderous intent wash over him like a tide.
"Men, be ready! This Soul wretch is preparing to kill!" the captain shouted.
Havoc's gaze shifted to him with predatory focus.
"So he can tell. Maybe I'll take him out first."
CLANK!
"I can't take this anymore! That's a real Soul wretch! I don't want to die!"
A knight dropped his sword and sprinted toward the woods.
"No! Don't run, or you'll—"
SWWWWWSSSSHH!
The captain didn't finish his warning.
Havoc's clawed hand vanished in a blur of motion, slicing the fleeing soldier's head clean off with one devastating strike.
SPURT!
THUD.
Blood sprayed from the severed neck as the lifeless body collapsed. Golden armor clanked against stone as it hit the ground.
Havoc stood motionless in his monstrous pose, blood dripping from his claws. His crimson eyes burned brighter with each drop.
"AAAAAAAAHHH!"
"RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!"
After a moment of stunned silence, the soldiers' fears overwhelmed them. They scattered like ants, running in every direction.
"No, no… this is bad. Really bad." The captain's mind raced. "That Soul wretch was too fast. Even I didn't see it move. But where did it come from?"
"The cart… there wasn't one in it, just Havoc and Bronn. Don't tell me one of them transformed into this thing. But how? Knowledge of soul pacts isn't common. They must have performed one a while ago, but when?"
"The soul pact wasn't successful—he turned into a Soul wretch and became a freak of nature ready to slaughter all. His soul wasn't strong enough to withstand the strain of being a vessel for two Echoforms."
The captain watched his men scatter in terror.
"I don't wanna die! I don't wanna die!" A knight clutched his head, tears streaming as he crouched on the ground.
"At this rate, we'll be wiped out without putting up a fight. We need to stand together to have any chance at killing this monstrosity."
"Listen to me!" the captain roared, trying to rally his troops.
But the men kept running.
"AAAAAHHH! SOUL WRETCH!"
Havoc tilted his head toward the sky.
Hahahaha… I love every scream. Where has this feeling been all my life? I feel more alive than ever before. Yes, I love it. I need to kill more… more.
He turned toward a group of five soldiers huddled together.
"Time to blow them up."
Havoc raised his cannon arm skyward.
WHIRRRRRRRR—
The blast began charging, wind rippling around him in violent spirals.
"No! Please have mercy!" one of the men begged.
"Mercy? Well, too bad. I have none."
THOOOOOOM!
SHHHHHOOOOOSH!
The blast tore through the ground, raising dust and debris. Trees bent under the shockwave's power.
"No, no, NOOOO—"
SIZZLE!
BOOM!
The blast consumed the men, turning flesh, blood, and bone to ash in seconds.
"Hahaha! What blast power! I love it! I need to kill more… MORE!"
Let them keep coming.
The captain gritted his teeth. How do I defeat this monster? Running isn't an option—it sliced off that soldier's head in a blink. It'll catch up to me in no time.
I have no choice. I must face this monster myself and rally my soldiers. They didn't make me squadron captain for nothing. Time to live up to the title.
His eyes burned with determination. I can't let that thing reach the kingdom.
The captain raised his arm to the sky.
"MAGMARIOUS—PHASE SHIFT!"
FWOOOOSH!
A pillar of red light erupted around him as his hidden Echoform awakened. From within the blazing column emerged a magnificent flaming tiger, its roar shaking the very air. The ethereal beast was minature—smallier than any earthly tiger—with fur like living fire and eyes like molten gold.
ROOOOOAAARRR!
The sound was primal, earth-shaking.
The tiger began to dissolve into streams of crimson energy, flowing toward the captain's outstretched hand. The energy condensed, solidified, and transformed into a blazing sword that seemed to hold the very essence of the flame tiger within its core. Runes of ancient power danced along the blade's surface.
WHOOOM!
The light faded, leaving the captain holding his transformed Echoform—a blazing red sword that glowed with inner fire, the air rippling with heat around it.
What was that? Havoc felt the surge of power, his predatory instincts sharpening. I can feel someone using their Echoform. But who?
Havoc turned, spotting the captain holding the blazing weapon. The sword pulsed faintly with power—not overwhelming, but respectable. If Havoc hadn't transformed into a Soulwretch, this opponent might have given him trouble.
Havoc licked his lips with a forked tongue. *Time for me to have a little fun.*
The captain stood ready, his blade crackling with energy.
"Hey, Soulwretch!" The captain's voice boomed across the battlefield. "Come face me! Leave my men alone, and I promise your death will be slow and painful!"
Havoc's smirk widened, revealing rows of razor-sharp teeth. This tone… this cocky bastard reminds me of Lorenzo. And I hate it. I'll rip his throat out. Yes, that's exactly what I'll do.
"What is the captain thinking?"
"Does he have a death wish?"
"He should run, not fight! That thing is more than we can handle!"
The remaining knights whispered in horror.
I know they're wondering what I'm planning. But they shouldn't worry. I've got this. I'm not letting this beast out of my sight.
Havoc prepared to charge, the ground cracking under his feet like a spider web.
It's ready to strike. The captain raised his blade into a defensive stance.
THOOMP!
Havoc bolted forward like a savage beast, his claws gouging trenches in the earth as he ran. Each step left craters in his wake.
"Here we go!" The captain raised his blazing sword with equal ferocity.
Havoc closed the distance in seconds, then struck with his massive claw—
The captain brought his blade down with righteous fury—
CLAAAAAAANKKK!
The collision created a blinding explosion of light and sparks. The impact sent a shockwave rippling outward, debris flying like shrapnel as hurricane-force winds whipped wildly around the two combatants.
"That's insane!" one knight shouted, shielding his eyes from the brilliant flash.
"I hope the captain is okay!"
As the light began to fade and the dust started to settle, two silhouettes could be seen locked in combat—one human, one monster.
But something was wrong.
The captain's blazing sword was cracked down the middle, its flames flickering weakly.
And Havoc's claw was completely unharmed.
The Soulwretch's grin widened as he leaned in close to the captain's horrified face.
"My turn," Havoc whispered with deadly promise.
His cannon arm began to whir with charging energy, pointed directly at the captain's chest—
—TO BE CONTINUED —