NOVPUBFrom a staggering height of twenty-five stories, any carbon-based life form would be doomed upon descent.
Silhouettes tumbled through the void, their contortions in mid-air culminating in a haunting thud against the ground.
These once vibrant forms were not just lifeless now, but gruesomely misshapen; smashed beyond recognition into a grotesque, bloody pulp, with shards of skulls scattered in a macabre spray. The scene was chillingly harrowing.
In the blink of an eye, pandemonium erupted.
Many bystanders, initially drawn by the spectacle, were now paralyzed with screams.
Panic ripples through the masses, causing a frenzied scattering in every direction.
Such visceral carnage was seldom witnessed.
Yet, amidst this tumult, Daniel stood unwavering by the roadside, his gaze coldly fixed on the unfolding horror.
Sophia nestled against him, her vision eclipsed by his protective hands.
Soon, the distant wail of varying sirens pierced the air.
A convoy of ambulances and police cars hurtled in from every direction. Recognizing the magnitude of the crisis, they maneuvered recklessly, heedless of parked vehicles, converging urgently at the base of the towering edifice.
Their rapid response was commendable.
However, a cynical thought crossed Daniel’s mind, "Had this been a routine disaster, their swiftness might have made all the difference, saving countless lives. But alas… this smacks of the supernatural."
Given its central urban locale, and the sheer number of traumatized witnesses, the repercussions of this event would be profoundly felt.
In no time, an increasing number of government vehicles pulled up at the base of the building.
One by one, officials emerged, their faces etched with deep concern and anxiety. Mishandling an incident of this magnitude could very well mark the end of their political careers.
To Daniel’s surprise, snatches of their conversation hinted that they recognized this wasn’t the handiwork of typical terrorists but bore the hallmark of a supernatural event.
"Are there still people inside?"
"It’s an office building. At the very least, there would be over a hundred employees inside."
"Damn it! We explicitly forbade overtime. How could so many firms still flout the rules?"
"If the boss offers overtime pay, the employees are all too eager to put in the hours."
"Damn them all. Tomorrow we’ll enact a new legislation: no overtime, whether you offer pay or not. We need more ambulances here now!"
Many officials, gazing at the grotesque remains strewn on the ground, interjected, "Given the situation...would calling for ambulances even make a difference?"
The authoritative official shot back, his eyes blazing, "Is it your place to determine who gets saved and who doesn’t? With so many eyes on us, we need to maintain appearances. No wonder your political careers are so bleak. Use your heads for once instead of always thinking about lining your pockets!"
"Right... Call the Supernatural Events Investigation Bureau. Are we, mere mortals, expected to deal with these monsters?"
"All the funding the federation pours into them and this is their response time? I thought they were some righteous agency. Just like us, they’re just leeching off the state without lifting a finger."
Another official chimed in, "Mayor, the Investigation Bureau says their agents are already on the scene and that we should fully cooperate with their investigation."
The mayor paused, irritation evident, "Damn it. Some obscure Investigation Bureau expects me to dance to their tune?"
"If it weren’t for Martin heading the Investigation Bureau, who’d give a damn about them?"
"Where are they?"
Daniel escorted Sophia back to the car, instructing her firmly to lock the doors and not to get out unless he returned, regardless of who approached.
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Sophia nodded in agreement.
As Daniel prepared to head into the thick of it, she tapped on the window and called out, "Daniel, be careful. You have to come back!"
Daniel couldn’t help but smile, "Don’t worry. The monsters that appear in places like this aren’t that formidable."
His words were clearly meant to comfort Sophia.
Facing any monster always required the utmost caution and focus.
The last thing Daniel wanted was to be caught off guard.
"Hey, you! Yes, I’m talking to you!"
As Daniel approached the building, a voice halted him.
Turning around, he saw the cluster of officials.
Noting Daniel’s lack of response, their faces darkened with anger.
Mayor Robert, displaying evident displeasure, stepped forward and said, "Are you the Daniel from the Investigation Bureau?"
Daniel stared straight back at him without answering.
Robert paused for a moment, taken aback. He’d heard that Evolvers often had quirky personalities, and it seemed the rumors were true.
Robert continued, "You look quite young. The Investigation Bureau is sending just you for this? Can you handle it?"
"Do I need to call for armed backup?"
Daniel replied calmly, "If you don’t want more casualties, I’d advise against it."
"All you need to do is wait here. Act on your own, and you’re on your own." With that, Daniel walked straight into the building.
Behind him, officials whispered into Robert’s ear, "That kid is too arrogant."
"Who does he think he is? Just an officer from a bureau, and he dares to disrespect the mayor!"
"Mayor, don’t worry. I’m well-acquainted with Martin from the Investigation Bureau. I’ll call him later and have him deal with this insolent young man." Robert frowned, not responding vocally.
But internally, he lamented deeply.
These sycophants, who only knew how to curry favor, had no clue about the significance of Evolvers.
Then, another group, overwhelmed by the terror wrought by the monsters, sobbed and screamed as they leaped from the twenty-fifth floor.
The shrill cries, laced with despair, were palpable to all.
Thud!
The dull impact sounds followed in rapid succession. In an instant, they became lifeless bodies, their gruesome state too horrific to behold.
Inside the building, the lights flickered intermittently.
Daniel bypassed the elevators next to him and entered the stairwell, ascending.
Using the elevator at a time like this would be tantamount to suicide.
Moreover, the display above all eight elevator doors indicated they were stationed on the first floor—clearly manipulated by the monster.
Inside the stairwell, Daniel moved swiftly, three steps at a time, rapidly reaching the twenty-fifth floor.
The journey felt almost too smooth, without any anomalies, causing even Daniel to question the uncanny ease.
Pushing open the stairwell door, he entered the twenty-fifth floor.
This level housed only one company, and its vast office space sprawled out before him.
Clutching a dagger made of silk thread in his hand, Daniel observed a row of employees seated by the now-missing floor-to-ceiling windows.
Their faces portrayed a mix of confusion and daze, evidently under the influence of the monster.
But where was the monster itself?
Raising his right hand, the Enchanted Eye in his palm blinked open.
A blood-red scene immediately flooded his mind.
Yet, there was no sign of the creature.
Daniel approached the affected employees slowly, "Look into my eyes."
For a moment, a blood-red aura enveloped them.
Gradually, everyone began to awaken.
Many, realizing the height at which they sat, gasped in shock. "What the hell happened?!"
"How did I end up sitting here?!"
"Someone help me, I have a fear of heights!"
One by one, they scrambled away from the windows, retreating towards safety.
Daniel watched them, his voice calm and collected, "Leave this place, and do not use the elevators."
They didn’t hesitate and swiftly made their exit.
Standing still, Daniel reflected on the situation.
Up until now, everything had proceeded suspiciously smoothly.
Reaching the floor without a hitch, effortlessly rescuing the employees.
It was eerily seamless.
The flickering lights cast his shadow long and gaunt.
Suddenly, from the shadow’s farthest end, it eerily stood up on its own.
Daniel watched with rising bewilderment.
His shadow had come alive, morphing into a distinct entity, its face adorned with a clown’s mask.
"Prophet Daniel."
A cold voice pierced the desolate expanse of the office.
As the voice faded, the clown casually discarded the carcass of a dog — or, more aptly, a monster that resembled a dog.
Daniel could sense the malice radiating from the clown, a strength far surpassing his own and even more potent than Alex’s aura.
Could this be a Level 4 Evolver?!
Alarmed, Daniel clutched his dagger, ready to lunge.
Yet, in that pivotal moment, he discovered he was immobilized, with only his eyes retaining their mobility.
A scornful chuckle escaped the clown’s lips, "It seems your gift of foresight isn’t so formidable after all, failing to predict my dramatic entrance."
"Ah, of course. With your feeble might, you wouldn’t dare use your power for too long."
As the words settled, Daniel felt the return of motion to his body.
Yet, it wasn’t of his own doing.
Like a marionette, he was manipulated to walk forward, drawing perilously close to the clown until their faces nearly touched.
Daniel’s brow creased. He discerned how the shadows beneath the clown’s feet were entwined with his own — a bizarre and uncanny ability.
Though he had never encountered this clown before, an internal system informed him of the clown’s origins.
The clown, a senior member of Rebirth Corporation.
An enigmatic smirk slowly curved Daniel’s lips.
