Broken Oaths, Burning World

"This isn't just about revenge or justice. This is about ensuring that no more innocent lives are destroyed by these monsters. Tonight, we will take back the night."

The room echoed with murmurs of agreement. As the sun disappeared completely and darkness engulfed the city, the group prepared for the battle to come.

Noctum Hollow would never be the same again.

As night falls, Noctum Hollow plunges into an even deeper darkness. The air is thick with the acrid smell of burning refuse and the distant hum of machinery. Flickering street lights barely illuminate the winding alleys, casting eerie shadows that seem to move of their own accord. The few who dare venture outside do so quickly, darting from one shadow to the next in a desperate attempt to avoid drawing attention.

In the underground clubs and dens, neon lights pulse erratically, casting harsh colors over the faces of patrons. These spaces are filled with muted conversations and calculated stares, where every individual seems to carry secrets. The elite gather in exclusive lounges, where the dark atmosphere and dim lighting shield them from scrutiny. Predators, emboldened by the city's culture of impunity, exchange favors and plot their next moves under the guise of business meetings.

Noctum Hollow at night is a city without empathy or compassion, a place where morality has eroded to nothing.

The entrance to the underground lair of the predators loomed like a dark maw, hidden beneath the shadowy streets of Noctum Hollow. Adela, Wanaka, and Jun approached in disguise, their faces obscured by hoods and masks, weapons hidden beneath their cloaks. The faint stench of decay and despair wafted through the air as they descended into the depths, each step muffled against the grimy, uneven floor.

Adela, her eyes sharp beneath the shadow of her hood, led the group. Her sword, polished but worn from use, hung loosely at her side. Wanaka, quiet and focused, had his katana ready, his grip firm as they moved through the narrow corridors. Jun, the tech expert turned warrior, carried a short blade and a concealed firearm for emergencies.

The lair was a maze of dimly lit tunnels, guarded by a network of ruthless predators. The trio blended in with the crowd, moving as if they belonged. They passed groups of men huddled around monitors, their sinister laughter echoing through the space. The faint cries of children drifted through the air, making the tension nearly unbearable.

Wanaka whispered, "The children must be in the holding room ahead. We need to move fast."

Adela gave a subtle nod. "No mercy. Strike hard, strike fast."

They turned a corner, coming face-to-face with two guards. Before the men could react, Adela unsheathed her sword in a flash, slashing one across the throat in a single, fluid motion. Wanaka moved like a shadow, his katana slicing cleanly through the second guard's midsection.

Jun quickly disabled a nearby surveillance camera with a device he'd brought, ensuring no alarm was raised.

The trio pressed forward, encountering a small group of predators blocking the corridor to the holding room. Adela stepped forward, her voice calm but deadly. "You won't see the light of day again."

The predators laughed, drawing weapons, but their bravado was short-lived.

Adela surged forward, her sword slicing through the air. She disarmed one man and drove her blade into another's chest. Wanaka followed, his katana gleaming as he parried an attack and countered with a devastating strike, severing his opponent's arm before finishing him with a quick slash to the neck.

Jun, though less experienced, held his ground. He dodged a swing and stabbed his attacker in the gut, then used his firearm to take down another charging predator.

The corridor became a blood-soaked battleground as the trio systematically eliminated every foe.

At the end of the corridor, a reinforced door stood as the final barrier. Jun worked quickly, hacking the lock while Adela and Wanaka kept watch.

The door clicked open, revealing a room filled with terrified children, their faces pale and gaunt. They huddled together, their small bodies trembling in fear. The sight ignited a fury in Adela.

Wanaka stepped inside, kneeling to reassure the children. "We're here to help. No one will hurt you anymore."

One by one, the children hesitantly moved toward them. Adela and Jun provided cover as Wanaka gently guided the children out of the room.

The trio moved swiftly through the tunnels, but reinforcements were closing in. The sound of heavy boots and shouting echoed behind them.

"We need to hurry!" Jun urged, his voice tight with urgency.

Adela turned to Wanaka. "Take the children ahead. Jun and I will hold them off."

Wanaka hesitated but nodded. "Be careful." He led the children toward the exit, his katana ready in case of an ambush.

Adela and Jun stood their ground, weapons drawn. The first wave of predators rounded the corner, guns blazing. Adela deflected bullets with her sword, charging forward and cutting down the nearest attacker. Jun used his firearm, taking precise shots to neutralize the enemies.

When reinforcements thinned, Adela glanced at Jun. "That's enough. Let's move."

The two retreated, regrouping with Wanaka and the children near the entrance.

Emerging from the underground into the cold night air, the children clung to Wanaka and Adela, their eyes filled with a mixture of relief and lingering fear.

Adela knelt to meet their gazes. "You're safe now. No one will hurt you again."

Jun contacted Madam Di-Xian to report their success, his voice steady despite the adrenaline still coursing through him. "We've got the kids. Mission accomplished."

The trio stood together, their clothes stained with blood but their resolve unshaken. Tonight, they had struck a blow against the darkness of Noctum Hollow, and they weren't done yet.

The air in the underbelly of Noctum Hollow was suffocating, thick with the stench of filth and corruption. The dim, flickering lights barely illuminated the narrow corridors, where the hum of servers and the distant cries of children created an eerie backdrop.

Roy, Alvi, Rahu, and Masud entered cautiously, their weapons drawn and senses heightened. They moved as a unit, their mission clear: eliminate the monsters operating this nightmare network and save the children hidden within its depths.

As they rounded a corner, a group of heavily armed guards appeared. Roy, the most experienced in close combat, was the first to react. He fired his custom pistol, each shot precise and lethal. One guard fell instantly, his weapon clattering to the ground.

Alvi, wielding a modified SMG, provided suppressive fire, forcing the remaining guards to scatter. "Push forward!" she shouted over the gunfire.

Rahu moved in, her clawed gloves gleaming under the dim light. With feline agility, she leapt onto one of the guards, slashing his throat with a swift swipe before somersaulting backward to dodge a retaliatory strike.

Masud, carrying a shotgun, blasted through a locked door, revealing a hidden control room filled with servers. Inside were two more guards, scrambling to reach their weapons. Masud didn't give them the chance, taking them both down with quick, brutal efficiency.

The group pressed forward, encountering another wave of enemies. These were tougher, their grotesque appearances revealing the true nature of their monstrous operations. Enhanced by illegal substances and cybernetic implants, these "monsters" were faster and stronger than ordinary men.

One lunged at Alvi, who ducked just in time, using her SMG to spray bullets into his chest. He staggered but didn't fall, his augmented body absorbing the impact. "Masud, now!" she called out.

Masud responded with a grenade, tossing it into the middle of the group. The explosion rocked the corridor, taking out several enemies and scattering the rest.

Rahu and Roy advanced simultaneously, their fighting styles complementing each other. Roy used his firearm in close quarters, disarming and incapacitating enemies with brutal precision. Rahu, with her claws and martial arts skills, was a whirlwind of deadly strikes, ripping through the remaining guards with cold efficiency.

They reached a reinforced door at the end of the corridor. Alvi quickly set to work hacking the electronic lock, her fingers flying over a portable terminal. "This is the main holding room," she said, her voice tense.

"How long?" Roy asked, standing guard.

"Give me thirty seconds," Alvi replied, her focus unbroken even as the sound of approaching reinforcements grew louder.

Rahu and Masud prepared for another fight. As the first wave of reinforcements appeared, Masud fired his shotgun, the echoing blasts sending enemies sprawling. Rahu darted between them, her claws flashing as she took down anyone who got too close.

The lock beeped, and the door slid open. "We're in!" Alvi shouted.

Inside, they found a dozen children huddled together, their faces pale and eyes wide with terror. The room was dimly lit, filled with makeshift cages and chains.

Roy knelt down, his voice soft but firm. "We're here to help. You're safe now."

The children hesitated, unsure if this was another cruel trick, but Alvi stepped forward, removing her mask to show her kind eyes. "Come with us. We're getting you out of here."

The children slowly began to move, their trust fragile but present.

The group guided the children back through the corridors, but more enemies awaited them. This time, the monsters were desperate, their network collapsing around them.

Masud fired his shotgun relentlessly, clearing the path ahead. Rahu protected the rear, her claws slashing through anyone who dared approach. Roy and Alvi stayed with the children, ensuring their safety as they navigated the labyrinth of tunnels.

At one point, a hulking brute with cybernetic arms charged at them. Roy fired multiple shots, but the brute kept coming. Alvi tossed a flashbang, blinding the attacker long enough for Rahu to leap onto his back and drive her claws into his neck. The brute fell with a guttural roar.

They emerged from the underbelly into the cool night air, the children clinging to their rescuers. Sirens wailed in the distance as reinforcements from Madam Di-Xian's team closed in to secure the area.

Roy looked at the group, his expression grim but resolute. "This isn't over. We've saved these kids, but there are more out there."

Alvi nodded, her face streaked with sweat and grime. "Then we keep going."

As the children were loaded into waiting vehicles, Rahu and Masud shared a glance. Tonight, they had struck a blow against the darkness of Noctum Hollow, but the fight was far from finished.

The air was thick with the stench of mildew and secrets long buried. Beneath the crumbling façade of an old public library, Katoge, Zoyah, Wolverine, and Don descended into the Forgotten Vault Library, a clandestine meeting ground for the city's darkest elite. Their mission: uncover and destroy the truth buried within and rescue any victims caught in the web of corruption.

The group moved silently through the dimly lit corridors, their steps muffled by layers of dust that coated the ancient marble floor. The eerie, greenish glow of the library's subterranean lamps cast shifting shadows, making the cavernous space feel alive.

As they reached the heart of the archive, the silence was shattered by the unmistakable sound of a book slamming shut. From the shadows emerged a group of guards, their faces hidden by masks bearing grotesque designs—symbols of the elite's twisted power.

"Intruders," one of them hissed. "They've come to defile the sanctity of our knowledge."

Katoge smirked, his dual katanas flashing as he unsheathed them. "Sanctity? You mean the lies you bury here?"

Without warning, the guards attacked.

Katoge moved like a phantom, his blades slicing through the air with deadly precision. His first strike severed the weapon of an approaching guard; his second ended the man's life.

Zoyah, wielding her crescent-shaped blades, danced through the chaos with unparalleled grace. Her every movement was a lethal flourish, disarming and dispatching guards with a mix of agility and ferocity.

"Stay sharp," she called out. "These aren't ordinary grunts."

Wolverine, with his towering frame and iron gauntlets, charged into the fray. He slammed one guard into a bookshelf with bone-crushing force, sending ancient tomes tumbling to the ground. Another came at him with a blade, but Wolverine caught it with his gauntlet, snapping the weapon in half before delivering a devastating uppercut.

Don, ever the strategist, provided cover with his repeater crossbow, picking off enemies who tried to flank the group. His calm demeanor belied the precision with which he took down each target.

The guards dispatched, the team pressed deeper into the library. The oppressive atmosphere seemed to grow heavier, as if the very knowledge contained within these walls resisted their presence.

They found a massive, ornately carved door at the center of the chamber. Katoge stepped forward, inspecting the ancient lock. "This is it," he said. "Whatever they're hiding, it's behind here."

Zoyah leaned against the wall, catching her breath. "Let's crack it open before more of them show up."

Before they could act, the sound of muffled cries reached their ears. Don's sharp eyes spotted a narrow passageway leading off to the side. "There are people here," he said. "Prisoners."

Following the sound, they found a hidden cell block filled with terrified captives—men, women, and children, their eyes hollow from despair. Some were shackled to the walls; others huddled together in corners.

"Zoyah, with me," said Wolverine as he began breaking chains with brute force.

Zoyah picked the locks with her nimble fingers, freeing the captives one by one. "You're safe now," she said gently, though her voice carried a steel edge of urgency.

Katoge stood guard, his katanas at the ready, as Don searched for a way to lead the captives out.

Their rescue effort was interrupted by a deafening roar. From the darkness emerged a monstrous figure—a heavily armored enforcer wielding a massive warhammer. Behind him, more guards flooded in, blocking their exit.

The enforcer sneered. "You think you can steal our secrets and leave?"

Katoge stepped forward, his katanas glinting ominously. "We're not stealing. We're taking back what you never deserved."

The battle was brutal. The enforcer swung his warhammer with devastating force, shattering shelves and scattering ancient texts. Katoge met his strikes head-on, using his agility to stay just out of reach while delivering precise counterattacks.

Wolverine held the line, using his gauntlets to block incoming blows and protect the captives. "Zoyah, get them out of here!" he shouted.

Zoyah and Don worked together, guiding the captives through the chaos. Don fired his crossbow to cover their retreat, his bolts finding their marks with unerring accuracy.

Rallying the remaining guards, the enforcer charged again, but this time Katoge was ready. With a fluid motion, he dodged the hammer and delivered a dual strike to the enforcer's exposed flank. The giant stumbled, giving Wolverine the opening to land a devastating punch that sent him crashing to the ground.

The battle won, the team regrouped in the main hall. The captives were safe, but the library's secrets still loomed ominously behind the ornate door.

Katoge wiped the blood from his katanas. "We need to destroy everything here. This place is a monument to their sins."

Zoyah nodded, her gaze hard. "Agreed. But first, we need to expose them for what they are."

Wolverine placed a hand on Katoge's shoulder. "Let's finish this."

Together, they turned back to the door, ready to unveil and dismantle the horrors hidden within the Forgotten Vault Library.

The air in the Shadow Courtyard was heavy with a mix of decay and fear. Toxic weeds crawled across the ground, intertwining with rusted machinery and debris. The faint hum of hidden surveillance cameras pierced the eerie silence, the only sound apart from the mechanical whir of the artificial moonlight projector casting a pale, unsettling glow over the plaza.

From the concealed entrance, Madam Di-Xian and Agent-90 emerged, their footsteps silent against the cracked stone. They surveyed the gathering below—a collection of predators and criminals huddled together, discussing their heinous plans and indulging in their monstrous pursuits.

Madam Di-Xian's voice was a whisper of steel. "This ends tonight."

Agent-90 adjusted his glasses, his Reverse Eyes gleaming. "They won't see it coming."

From the shadows, Agent-90 threw a precision blade, striking one of the guards perched above the gathering. The man crumpled without a sound, and the chaos began.

Di-Xian led the charge, her twin blades slicing through the air with deadly accuracy. The courtyard erupted into panic as the criminals scrambled to respond.

Agent-90 moved like a phantom, dispatching targets with brutal efficiency. He disarmed one opponent with a sharp twist of the wrist and used the man's own weapon to eliminate another. "You orchestrate horrors for children," he growled, "but tonight, the nightmare is yours."

Madam Di-Xian's movements were a dance of death, her martial skills unmatched. She parried a flurry of blows from three attackers, her blades singing as they cut through their defenses. "Every child harmed is a debt you owe in blood," she spat, driving her sword through the final attacker.

The toxic weeds proved a treacherous ally, their thorny vines tangling the feet of those trying to flee. The overgrown machinery hissed and groaned under the weight of the battle, adding to the chaos.

Soon, only the head of the group remained. He was a tall, wiry man with a predatory smirk that didn't waver even as his comrades lay dead around him.

"Do you think this changes anything?" he sneered, backing toward the courtyard's center. "Cut off one head, and two more will rise in its place."

Before Madam Di-Xian or Agent-90 could respond, a shadowy figure materialized behind the man. The smirk vanished as the figure grabbed him by the head. The sickening crunch of bone echoed through the courtyard as the figure slowly crushed his skull, letting the lifeless body fall to the ground.

The figure stepped into the dim light—it was Gonda, their informant.

"You're late," Gonda said coolly, his gaze shifting to Madam Di-Xian and Agent-90.

Moments later, Robert, Chief Wen-Li, and a contingent of SSCBF officers—including Nightingale, Tao Ren, Lan Qian, and Lingaong Xuein—emerged from the passageways, weapons drawn and ready.

Wen-Li stepped forward, her expression grim. "You must be Madam Di-Xian, it's pressure to meet you" as she glanced at Agent-90 who stood still.

Madam Di-Xian raised an eyebrow. "How did you know to come here?"

Wen-Li motioned toward Gonda. "Let's just say we had a conversation"

In a dimly lit alleyway a week prior, Wen-Li stood across from Gonda, the stench of the city's filth surrounding them.

"I told you to give updates regularly but you don't," Wen-Li said, crossing her arms.

Gonda leaned against the wall, his voice low. "I know Chief but I got news. It takes my time to get information. It's about the missing child. I've got the location of the culprits—the ones running the whole operation."

Wen-Li's eyes narrowed. "How did you do?"

Gonda smirked. "Because even I have my limits. These people… they're worse than scum. They're predators hiding in the shadows of Noctum Hollow. If you want justice for those kids, you'll take this lead and act on it."

He handed her a slip of paper with an address. "This is where it starts. But be careful—this isn't just any operation. The city's filthiest elites are behind it." then add "there is someone who can help you to serve justice"

"Who?" ask Wen-Li in confused

"Crimson Lotus, a secret organisation lead by the intimidating vigilant who works in the shadow"

Agent-90 adjusted his glasses, glancing at the fallen body of the group's leader. "So, this is where the trail begins."

Wen-Li nodded. "And this is where it ends for them."

Madam Di-Xian stepped forward, her expression fierce. "Then let's make it count. Tonight, Noctum Hollow will know what happens when justice comes calling."

With the team assembled and their resolve strengthened, they prepared to move deeper into the city's dark heart, ready to bring down the predators once and for all.

The abandoned warehouse served as a temporary war room, its dim lighting casting long shadows over the assembled group. The room was divided—on one side stood Katoge, Zoyah, Don, Adela, Wanaka, and Wolverine, along with the rest of the Crimson Lotus agents. On the other side were Madam Di-Xian, Agent-90, and Gonda, flanked by Chief Wen-Li, SSCBF's officers, and a contingent of operatives. The tension was palpable, the air heavy with unspoken hostility.

When the SSCBF's officers caught sight of the Sinners and the outlaw Amigu-Rumi group, weapons were drawn in an instant. The room buzzed with readiness for combat, their gazes hard and unyielding.

"Stand down!" Madam Di-Xian's voice cut through the room like a blade, her aura radiating an oppressive, commanding energy. It was a presence so strong that even the hardened officers felt an involuntary shiver.

Chief Wen-Li stepped forward, her eyes fixed on the Sinners. "Madam Di-Xian, I respect your judgment, but why are they here?" She gestured toward the Sinners and outlaws. "They're criminals. Most of them have records longer than the list of missing children."

The room fell silent as all eyes turned to Madam Di-Xian. Her gaze was sharp and unwavering as she replied.

"Because sometimes," she began, her voice low and deliberate, "you need darkness to fight darkness. The people we're hunting are predators—monsters in every sense of the word. They've built their empire in the shadows of Noctum Hollow, preying on the vulnerable. These Sinners and outlaws"—she gestured toward Katoge's group—"have firsthand experience navigating that darkness. They have skills we can use, skills you lack."

Agent-90 adjusted his glasses, his tone cold but composed. "If we're going to take down an operation this large, we can't afford to be picky about allies. Every second we waste arguing, another child suffers."

Katoge smirked, leaning casually against the wall. "Relax, SSCBF. We're not here for glory or redemption. We're here to kill monsters. That's something we're good at."

Zoyah, standing beside him, added, "You might not trust us, and frankly, we don't care. But we have intel and abilities you can't ignore. The choice is yours—work with us, or let the predators keep running their little empire."

Wen-Li's fists clenched. Her instincts screamed against trusting known criminals, but she couldn't ignore the gravity of the situation. "This operation isn't just about stopping them. It's about justice for those children."

Madam Di-Xian nodded. "Exactly. And justice demands action." She turned to the Sinners and outlaws. "This isn't a free pass for your sins. You're here because you offered your help. Betray us, and you'll answer me." Her tone carried an unspoken threat that left no room for argument.

Madam Di-Xian approached the table in the center of the room, spreading a detailed map of Noctum Hollow across its surface. She began pointing to key locations.

"This is where the predators have their strongholds: the Weeping Catacombs, the Blackened Vaults, and the Crimson Lantern. Each of these places is heavily guarded and interconnected through their network. Our goal is twofold—eliminate the predators and rescue the remaining children."

Agent-90 chimed in. "We'll split into teams to hit all locations simultaneously. The element of surprise is critical."

Madam Di-Xian continued, "Katoge, Zoyah, Don, Wanaka, Wolverine, and Adela will lead one strike team targeting The Whispering Sewers. My Crimson Lotus agents and I will take the Rusted Alley. Wen-Li, your officers will handle the Weeping Catacombs Agent-90 and Gonda providing support. Lan Qian along with Nightingale as well will dismantle the network in the Blackened Vaults."

Gonda chuckled darkly. "I've already planted misinformation among their ranks. They'll be expecting an attack, but not the scale we're about to deliver."

Wen-Li crossed her arms, her gaze sharp. "And what happens if they retaliate? These people won't go down without a fight."

Madam Di-Xian's eyes gleamed with cold determination. "Then we'll ensure they don't live long enough to retaliate."

The group exchanged solemn nods. The tension in the room remained, but the shared goal bound them together.

"Tonight," Madam Di-Xian said, her voice carrying the weight of her resolve, "we turn this city of nightmares into a graveyard for predators, rapists and pedophiles."

With the plan set, the groups prepared for the operation that would bring justice to the shadows of Noctum Hollow.

The warehouse fell silent as the groups split up, their determination solidified by Madam Di-Xian's words. The battle ahead was not just a fight but a declaration—an end to the terror lurking in Noctum Hollow.

The Rusted Alley was a labyrinth of abandoned buildings, their walls scrawled with graffiti marking them as territory for the predators. Madam Di-Xian walked at the front, her crimson robes flowing behind her like a storm's harbinger.

"Keep your eyes sharp," she ordered. "This area is likely booby-trapped."

Farhan moved silently to her right, his rifle trained ahead. Roy and Masud flanked the team, their eyes scanning the windows above. Suddenly, a barrage of gunfire erupted from the rooftops.

"Ambush!" yelled Alvi, ducking behind cover.

Madam Di-Xian leapt forward, her hands glowing with an otherworldly energy. With a flick of her wrist, she sent a wave of force crashing into the buildings, shattering the windows and sending attackers plummeting to the ground.

Masud charged, using his tonfa sticks to disarm and incapacitate the enemies, while Farhan picked off snipers with pinpoint accuracy. Roy hurled smoke grenades, providing cover as Alvi hacked into a nearby terminal to disrupt their communication lines.

At the Blackened Vaults, The vaults were a high-tech underground facility, its walls lined with servers and screens displaying disturbing images and videos. Lan Qian's face twisted in disgust as she approached a console.

"This is the core of their network," she said, plugging in her hacking device.

Nightingale stood guard, her blade drawn, while the operatives set up explosives. Suddenly, alarms blared, and automated turrets descended from the ceiling.

"Hostiles inbound!" shouted one of the operatives.

Nightingale moved swiftly, her sword slicing through the turrets' barrels before they could fire. Alvi worked furiously, bypassing the vault's firewalls while the others defended the position.

When the predators stormed in, Lan Qian became a blur, her strikes so precise that her enemies fell before realizing they'd been hit. Alvi's device beeped as she completed the hack.

"Network disabled. Let's blow this place to hell," she said, grabbing her gear.

But the chaos to rise up, at the Weeping Catacomb, Agent-90 dashed through the decrepit halls, his glasses reflecting the dim, flickering lights. He was a precise machine, each strike a calculated act of violence. Beside him, Wen-Li wielded her Crimson Shackle, a spectral chain of glowing red energy that extended and contracted with lethal precision, wrapping around monsters and snapping their spines in one fluid motion.

As they pushed deeper into the catacombs, a monstrous figure leapt from the shadows, a grotesque amalgamation of muscle and malice. It slammed its massive hand into Agent-90, throwing him against a stone pillar with such force that cracks webbed through the stone. Blood trickled from his temple as he collapsed to the ground, unconscious.

"Agent-90!" Wen-Li cried out, rushing toward him as the beast advanced. But before she could reach him, something shifted.

Agent-90 opened his eyes, finding himself enveloped in absolute darkness. A faint, guttural voice echoed from the distance, chilling and insidious.

"Come closer... Agent-90..."

Drawn by an invisible pull, he walked forward, his footsteps echoing in the void. A figure emerged from the darkness—an ethereal being dressed in ancient Eastern Emperor's robes, adorned with intricate patterns of fire and shadow. The spirit's face was identical to Agent-90's, but its eyes were Demonic Reverse Eyes, gleaming with an eerie, demonic light.

"Who are you?" Agent-90 demanded, his voice steady but edged with unease.

The spirit's lips curled into a dark smile. "I am you. Or rather, the part of you that you suppress—the part that craves vengeance, that cannot stomach the atrocities you face. These monsters... they've torn apart the innocent. And you've held back for too long."

The spirit raised a clawed hand. "Let me take over. I'll show them the true meaning of fear."

Before Agent-90 could respond, the spirit's form blurred, and a blade appeared in its hand. It slashed through Agent-90's neck in one swift motion.

Agent-90's body convulsed on the ground as smoke poured from his mouth. His eyes snapped open, now Demonic Reverse Eyes, glowing with unearthly fire. He rose slowly, his presence radiating raw, oppressive power.

"Agent-90?" Wen-Li whispered, her voice trembling.

He turned to her, his voice a deep, guttural growl. "Sloth. Take your team and leave the city."

Wen-Li froze, speechless. Gonda stepped forward, his face grim. "You heard him. We need to go. Now."

Outside the city, the survivors regrouped. Wen-Li quickly informed everyone of Agent-90's transformation. The Sinners and Amigu-Rumi group exchanged nervous glances.

Katoge's voice was low, almost trembling. "I've heard stories, but... to see it..."

Madam Di-Xian sighed, a hand briefly touching her forehead in exasperation. "He's here again..."

"What do you mean? Who?" Wen-Li demanded.

Before Madam Di-Xian could answer, Jun told everyone as he point his finger towards the floating object from the distance, the spirit—still in Agent-90's body—rose into the air above Noctum Hollow. The sky darkened unnaturally as a shield of dark energy encapsulated the city, ensuring nothing escaped.

The spirit raised two fingers, drawing an arrow of fire from an invisible bow. The atmosphere crackled as he aimed at the center of the city.

With a single, chilling word, "Perish," the arrow shot downward.

The ground erupted in an inferno, the explosion consuming an 800 km² area. Towers crumbled, buildings melted, and the monsters hidden within the depths of the city were obliterated. The heat was so intense that the land itself turned to molten slag, leaving behind a gigantic crater where Noctum Hollow once stood.

As the dust settled, the spirit descended, his form landing gently in front of Wen-Li and the others. Slowly, Agent-90's eyes returned to normal, and he collapsed to his knees, visibly shaken.

Wen-Li stepped forward cautiously. "Who are you?" she asked, her voice trembling.

Agent-90 looked up at her, his usual stoicism replaced with confusion and emotionless fear comes to his eyes. "I... I don't know anymore."

The group stood in stunned silence, the weight of what they had witnessed settling heavily over them. For all their planning and fighting, they now faced a new and terrifying unknown: the entity within Agent-90.

—--The End Of Vol. 1---

*Volume-2 Coming Soon