With dark faces, the guards waited patiently, caution etched on each of their faces, their eyes glittering as they scanned their surroundings.
**Booooom!**
With a loud rumble, the earth itself caved in, forcing them to retreat a few steps. General Shaw's expression turned grim. He couldn't pinpoint what was happening, but a bad feeling settled in his gut.
*"Young Master, I beseech you to go into the city. Please,"* General Shaw urged, his face lined with worry.
But Richard ignored him, tightening his grip on the lady beside him even as sweat dripped down his brow.
If someone claimed he wasn't afraid right now, he would've beaten them senseless. If not for his pride, he would've fled already.
*Huu…* Taking a deep breath, he steadied himself but his nerves remained tensed. This was the first time he'd witnessed destruction on such a scale. The land beyond the city gates had been reduced to ruins in mere moments, making him gasp unconsciously. The urge to step back tugged at him, but he held his ground. Only now did he realize the guards had been shielding him from the tremor's shockwaves.
With a complicated gaze, he turned to Phoebe. *"We should get into the city. It's too dangerous out here,"* he whispered.
Hesitation flickered across her face before she nodded. *"Okay."*
**Thudd....**
*"Huh?"*
*"Did you hear that?"* General Shaw asked the men behind him, but they only wore confused expressions. Narrowing his eyes, his lips pressed into a tight line as he coldly ordered, *"Stay alert."*
*"Young Master, I won't be sending you off, then."* He turned to Richard with a sharp nod, signaling him to leave immediately.
Without hesitation, Richard swept Phoebe into his arms and sprinted toward the city gates at full speed.
**Kachaaaaa... Booooom!**
The earth cracked with a deafening roar, sinking an inch beneath them.
*"Now!"*
With a scowl, General Shaw barked orders as the guards formed a battle formation. Each one radiated unimaginable killing intent, their combined pressure creating a terrifying force against any foe.
**Thudd! Thudd! Thudd!**
A rhythmic sound, like footsteps, echoed. Every pair of eyes narrowed instinctively.
*"Did you hear it now?"* General Shaw muttered, his face darkening.
*"Umm!"* The guards nodded in unison.
Richard, who had nearly reached the city gates with Phoebe, halted his retreat. Curiosity overpowered him taking a quick look couldn't hurt, could it?
*"This…"*
At that moment, General Shaw's face turned pale. He stumbled back three steps, nearly breaking the formation. Sweat rolled down his brow as horror twisted his features. Swallowing hard, he commanded, *"Be ready for battle at any moment."* He pointed at a bulky guard beside him. *"You go call for backup immediately."* His voice was steel, his expression deadly serious as he turned back toward the unsettled dust.
He roared, *"Hey, friend! What brings you to Wood City? And what's the meaning of this ruckus? You'd better have a damn good explanation!"*
Even though he felt scared he had to do his duty. *Protect the city*
But all he got in reply for his speech was *Silence*.
Only the footsteps continued.
The guards froze, then exchanged glances filled with disbelief.
*Friend?*
General Shaw had called a *beast* "friend"?
This was unheard of. Known for his iron discipline, General Shaw tolerated no disorder in Wood City. He had no friends, no wife, no children just a solitary existence devoted to duty. For a man who didn't even consider King Wood a friend to address a beast so casually…
General Shaw's face burned with embarrassment, but he didn't care. If they'd seen what he just had, they'd understand.
*"Uhhh… I don't—"*
**Sigh…**
**Rumble!**
The guards nearly coughed up blood, their faces whitening in terror.
Even Richard, still at a distance, paled and trembled, shock and fear rooting him in place. He *wanted* to run, to escape this unknown monster, but his feet refused. An invisible force pressed down on him, leaving only one word screaming in his mind: *Horror.*
The guards felt it worst. Uncontrollable tears spilled from their eyes.
*Shock.* That was all they could process.
*"Th-this… this presence…"*
Gasping, they forced their eyes back toward the shadows—but not to fight. Now, it was morbid curiosity. Because it wasn't a beast.
It was human.
**Thudd… Thudd… Thudd…**
After a few breaths, the figure emerged from the ruined earth.
A young many not even twenty with long, disheveled hair caked in dirt. His demonic features gave him a savage elegance, as if carved for battle. One look at him, and you'd swear he was moments from unleashing carnage. Those foolish enough to meet his eyes choked on blood, their minds flooded with visions of their own deaths thousands of times over, with no hope of fighting back.
With a demonic gleam in his eyes, he spoke:
*"Where am I?"*
**Gasp…**
No words. No sounds. No one dared blink or even breathe.
Only silence remained.