Inside a dimly lit room, a blood-red crystal hovered motionless above a small altar carved with ancient, unfamiliar symbols. The faint light from the crystal pulsed slowly, as if alive—breathing. Before it stood the Mayor, silent… staring intently at the crystal without blinking even once. His eyes were empty, yet filled with obsession.
Suddenly, the large doors of the room swung open. The guards entered with heavy steps, dragging and pushing dozens of people into the room—the elderly, beggars, the helpless, taken by force from the corners of the city. Cries and whimpers filled the air alongside the clanking boots of the guards.
There was no mercy. Anyone who tried to resist was immediately struck, kicked, or beaten without pity. One by one, they were forced to sit facing the crystal, their bodies trembling, faces pale with paralyzing fear.
Once everyone was in place, the crystal began to emit a bright red light. The atmosphere of the room shifted instantly—the air grew heavy, cold as death. Then, the light expanded… and began to pull. One by one, their souls were forcibly drawn from their bodies, floating into the crystal, absorbed without mercy. Silent screams echoed through invisible realms.
But after all the souls had been consumed, the crystal dimmed. Its light slowly faded, showing no further reaction. The Mayor hissed, his expression contorting into rage. With a hoarse voice straining to contain his fury, he ordered the guards:
"Find more… capture anyone out there. I need more."
Without question, the guards quickly rushed out, hunting new prey—street dwellers living without direction, without protection. No one would miss them. No one would come looking.
The Mayor remained standing there. His gaze had not wavered from the red crystal for even a second. His obsession had turned into madness. He no longer cared about the value of life. To him, children, the elderly, men and women were merely material… sacrifices… food for the crystal that demanded souls for something greater, something darker.
And behind the dim glow of that crystal, something… waited.
This time, the guards began targeting the scrap metal district—a slum that housed those no longer acknowledged by society. With sweet smiles and intoxicating promises, they spread the news:
"The government is opening new job opportunities. At the government office. High pay. A decent life awaits."
People who had known only suffering all their lives eagerly accepted the offer. Tired faces long covered in dust and sweat now shone with hope. They believed. They wanted to believe.
Without a hint of suspicion, they flocked to follow the guards to the government building, wearing the best clothes they had, carrying hopes and dreams that had just begun to grow… unaware that their steps were a one-way journey toward death.
Upon arrival in that room, the scenario repeated. The red crystal glowed brightly—far brighter than before. But this time… it revealed its terrifying potential.
The aura emitted from the crystal was not merely light, but pure energy pressure that slammed into the entire room. The floor began to crack, walls fractured as if about to collapse, and the air felt like it was being squeezed from every direction. Silent screams rang out again—souls forcibly ripped one by one, vanishing into the hungry red light.
In the midst of the chaos, a lazy voice echoed from a corner of the room.
"You'll need more than that… That crystal won't react to just a handful of dirty souls," said a mysterious man leaning casually against the wall. His clothes were dark, his face half-covered in shadow. He picked up an apple from the Mayor's desk, biting into it without guilt, as if watching an ordinary scene unfold.
The Mayor glanced briefly, then raised his voice—firm, cold, and bloodthirsty.
"Did you hear what he said?! Bring even more!"
Without waiting for a second command, the guards sprinted out. No more disguises. No more sweet talk. Now they hunted openly.
And inside that room… the red crystal still glowed, pulsing like a living heart—growing stronger, more ferocious… as if it were only a matter of time before something monstrous emerged from within it.