Panther and his friends continued their ride as the road slowly disappeared behind them. The sound of the engines faded, replaced by rustling leaves and the quiet breath of the forest.
They stopped and walked deeper into the woods.
After a while, Panther halted.
"We've reached the place."
Eve looked around, confused.
"I don't see any warehouse."
Dion smirked and pointed upward.
"Look up."
Eve followed his gaze. Hidden among thick branches, high above the ground, a structure blended perfectly with the tree itself.
"Oooh…" she whispered.
Louice stepped forward proudly.
"Welcome, our new member. You'll have to sign in to get our membership."
Dion laughed. "Like she has a choice."
"Let's go up," Louice said.
They climbed one by one. Eve slipped for a moment.
"Ooops—"
But she caught herself before falling.
"We built this place together," Panther said as they climbed.
"This is where we stay when sudden matters happen… or when something goes wrong."
They finally reached the warehouse.
Inside, baskets of fruits were already stored—their emergency supplies.
Louice turned on the radio.
Dion grabbed two oranges and handed one to Eve.
"Here."
"Thanks," she said, sitting down.
They ate quietly as the forest wind passed through the leaves.
The radio crackled to life.
"Breaking news—reports confirm the appearance of individuals known as Blessed Ones. Authorities have announced the formation of an official group to rank the Top 10 Heroes worldwide."
Everyone listened closely.
"The first confirmed Blessed One is a 25-year-old male with the power of fire manipulation."
Dion grinned.
"That's pretty cool."
"Fire manipulation…" Panther murmured.
"What an awesome ability. Please, God… bless me too."
Dion puffed out his chest.
"Oh no. It's good to be blessed, but if I get powers along with my natural strength, monsters won't even stand a chance."
"It's not like you're scared," Louice laughed.
Dion shot him an offended look.
"Scared? Me? Please. I just don't want the world begging me for mercy."
Eve chuckled and walked toward the edge of the warehouse.
"Nice view—"
She froze.
"…Wait."
She pointed ahead.
"Guys. There's smog covering the village."
Everyone stood.
A thick, unnatural mist blanketed the houses below.
"Something feels off," Panther said.
Louice nodded.
"Let's check it."
They climbed down and headed toward the village.
The road was silent.
Too silent.
"Why is there no one around?" Panther asked.
Dion's legs trembled.
"Guys… can we hurry? My instincts are telling me to run."
Eve stopped.
"Look."
People lay motionless on the ground.
"Not one," Louice said grimly.
"There's a whole bunch of them."
Suddenly, a child stumbled out of the smog, coughing.
"P-please… help…"
He collapsed.
Panther caught him immediately.
"We need to move him somewhere safe."
That was when the shadows moved.
Dark shapes stretched unnaturally across the ground toward them.
Dion stepped back.
"W-what are those things?!"
Eve stepped forward, calm but alert.
It's his doing… the lower-class beast—Shadow Eater.
(A beast that hunts alone, preying on weaker monsters and humans. It releases a spell into the air, slowly rendering its prey unconscious and devouring their minds. Once the prey falls, it can command their shadows. To feed, the beast must hide its soul somewhere else. Destroy the hidden soul, and everyone can escape.)
A shadow lunged.
Eve twisted aside and struck with her bare palm. Blue energy burst from her hand, tearing the shadow apart.
"Stay behind me," she said firmly.
Another shadow rushed toward Dion.
"AH—! Tell my mom I'm a good boy!"
Eve dashed forward, grabbed the shadow, and crushed it. It dissolved like smoke.
"They're weak," she said, fists clenched.
"But persistent."
More shadows attacked.
She blocked with her forearms and struck with precise punches, each hit releasing controlled bursts of energy that erased the shadows.
Dion stared in horror.
"She's fighting with her hands…"
Eve's eyes narrowed.
"There," she said.
"A blue light. That's the core."
She pointed ahead.
"Louice! Panther! Destroy it—hurry!"
Panther and Louice ran toward the blue light.
The glow grew brighter with every step.
"What is that… shining?" Panther said.
"I think we have to destroy it. Hurry—Eve can't hold on much longer!"
Louice pulled out a small knife.
"Not big," he said calmly, "but sharp enough."
They reached the core. Dark energy pulsed around it.
Louice struck.
The knife sank in—but the core didn't break.
"Tch… it's tougher than it looks," Louice muttered.
Panther stepped beside him.
"Again—together."
He steadied Louice's wrist.
"Now."
Louice thrust with full force.
The core cracked.
A sharp scream echoed as the blue light shattered completely.
For one second, Panther saw a huge man—human, yet exactly like him.
"You have to know who you are."
Memories flooded his mind.
Panther collapsed.
A dark soul burst out and dissolved into smoke. The smog lifted, fading into the night. Villagers slowly began to wake.
Louice caught Panther before he hit the ground.
The village was saved.