The creature's scream pierced the silence of the alley.
Aira's heart pounded so loudly she could barely hear anything else.
It charged at her with terrifying speed.
She stumbled backward, her breath uneven.
"I can't do this…" she whispered.
[Warning: Host Fear Level Critical]
[Emergency Response Activated]
Suddenly, time slowed.
The monster's claws, once a blur, now moved like thick water cutting through air.
Aira felt something inside her shift.
Her shadow stretched unnaturally beneath her feet.
"Move…" she told herself.
And her body obeyed.
She dodged.
The claws sliced past her face, missing by inches. A burning sting spread across her arm where the tip barely grazed her skin.
Pain shot through her—but she stayed standing.
Her shadow rose again.
This time, it formed something solid.
A blade.
Black. Sharp. Alive.
The creature screeched, red eyes glowing brighter.
[Shadow Control – Level 1 Unlocked]
"I won't die here!" Aira shouted.
With shaking hands, she thrust the shadow blade forward.
The blade pierced through the creature's chest.
For a split second, everything went silent.
Then the monster shattered into particles of dark smoke, dissolving into the night.
A glowing screen appeared before her eyes.
[Mission Completed]
Reward: Basic Shadow Manipulation]
+50 EXP]
Level Up Achieved]
Warm energy flowed through her body. The pain in her arm faded slightly.
She stared at her trembling hands.
"I… killed it?"
Before she could process anything—
Another notification flashed.
[Alert: A Higher Entity Has Detected the Host]
Time Remaining: 72 Hours]
Her stomach dropped.
"Detected… by who?"
The streetlights flickered violently.
Far above the city skyline—
Two crimson eyes opened in the darkness.
Watching her.
Waiting.