Chapter 11: When tye Hero Says Yes to the Villain's Appetite
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"Do you really want to see how serious I am?"
Arondight sensed a sudden shift in the air, so he instinctively stepped back. The space beside Red Hilt warped and bent inward like a whirlpool of shadow. Then, a black void tore open, its edges pulsing with crimson light and a chilling hum that filled that space. And then from that unnatural hole, something thick beside Red Hilt spilled like a curling tendril of red smoke, seeping across the floor like a living mist.
That's where Arondight saw Harbinger and the children's outline forming within the red haze. The faces of the children were pale with fear, while their body was bound by streams of living red smoke. They failed to immediately escape the warehouse because they were blocked right outside by Red Hilt's minions, all monsters made of pure red smoke with sharp fangs, claws, and massive bodies.
"How-?!" His voice cracked in shock; his lightning spear was flickering violently in his grip. "How did you-"
"The decision is yours, Arondight..." The way Red Hilt cut through Arondight's words was smooth but commanding, like a guillotine's blade poised to fall on the young hero's head. "Will you have dinner with me or..." then the villain gestured lazily at writhing red smoke monsters circling the children, "...my pets will have them for dinner?"
He knew the villain was up to something bad, but never thought he would use innocent children against him. Because of this, he hated the villain even more, to the point that he wanted to rush in and finish the fight, but he couldn't. If he did, Red Hilt would surely order his monsters to harm the children and Harbinger. His conscience couldn't bear to see any innocent people harmed when there was a safer and better solution.
So, without further ado, Arondight gritted his teeth as his eyes locked on Red Hilt and said, "Fine, I'll have dinner with you!"
For a heartbeat, Red Hilt said nothing. He simply allowed the words to sink in. Then, slowly, he straightened himself and tilted his head as if savoring the moment.
"Well, well..." he purred. His tone was low and dangerous, yet teasing. "That wasn't so hard, was it? Choosing to sit with me instead of letting a few kids die." Then, Red Hilt's eyes glittered mercilessly, yet undeniably amused as he finished his sentence, "...that's my hero."
"But let's make one thing perfectly clear," Arondight snapped. His eyes flashed with controlled fury as he continued, "I'm only agreeing to this for the sake of those kids and my partner. Don't think for a second that I'm playing along with your insane tactics to seduce me or...that I'll ever give in to whatever you're planning to--"
Red Hilt cut him off with a lazy but almost playful smile hidden beneath his demonic mask. "Relax, hero," he said smoothly, letting the words drip with mischief. "Don't worry...your remaining dignity is safe with me, honestly? Resisting me is half the fun..."
Before the hero could react to that, the bloody-red, smoky tendrils wrapped around him, lifting him effortlessly off the ground. His lightning spear sparked in his hands as he struggled, but the smoke moved faster than any force he could summon, curling around his wrists, ankles, and torso like liquid iron.
"Hey, you--you bastard son of a bitch!" Arondight barked, jerking against the bindings, "Let me go, you asshole!"
But Red Hilt didn't listen to Arondight. Instead, the villain enveloped Arondight with red shadows. The hero gradually felt that the world around him slowly blurred, and the space seemed to change.
This was no ordinary attack-he was being transported.
This was the first time Arondight had witnessed how Red Hilt demonstrated his ability to warp from one dimension to another. This was just a rumor among his fellow heroes. Still, no one had ever proven that the notorious no. 2 villain could do it. But now that he had experienced it himself, he felt like he was riding a roller coaster at impossible speeds, where every fiber of his stomach was being pulled and twisted as the environment shifted around him.
But soon, the chaotic movements stopped.
The smoke that had enveloped Arondight's body disappeared. He collapsed onto the soft, plush carpet that smells like an expensive perfume while gasping for air. A wave of nausea immediately followed and churned violently in his gut. He tried to press a hand to his chest to steady himself as his eyes slowly adjusted to his environment. When his vision was cleared, he realized he was no longer in the warehouse. Instead, Arondight found himself in the vast and luxurious dining hall of Noble Seas, one of the 5-star hotels in Galahad City that only a few elite and influential people could afford. Chandeliers that looked like they were made out of diamonds sparkled above him, casting intricate patterns across the room, and the long tables were laid with polished silverware and crystal glasses. The aroma of rich, exotic dishes from the chef's kitchen filled the air, mingling with the faint tang of the sea breeze drifting through open windows.
Arondight slowly stood up, wiped the sour taste from his mouth, tried to shake off the lingering nausea, and scanned the room incredulously.
Noble Seas? Why here?
Of all places in Galahad City, why would Red Hilt choose this ultra-exclusive, gilded hall for a dinner?
But more importantly...
What kind of "dinner" was this villain preparing for him?