The sky cracked open.
That was the only way Kael could describe it.
One moment the storm clouds above District 19 churned violently, lightning crawling between them like veins of light.
The next moment—
The clouds split apart.
Something enormous pushed through the opening.
At first Kael thought it was another building falling from the sky.
Then it moved.
Slow.
Ancient.
Alive.
A colossal silhouette descended through the clouds, its body so massive that entire apartment blocks looked like toys beneath it. Dark wings—torn and skeletal—spread across half the skyline. Chains dangled from its limbs, clinking softly as it fell.
Every step of its descent made the air heavier.
Like gravity itself had thickened.
Kael struggled to breathe.
"What… is that thing…?"
Beside him, Director Virel had gone completely still.
Kael had only known the man for twenty minutes.
But this was the first time he looked afraid.
"That," Virel said quietly, "should not exist anymore."
The creature landed.
The impact shook the entire district.
Glass shattered.
Cars bounced off the asphalt.
Kael nearly lost his footing as a shockwave rippled outward.
The monster straightened.
Up close, its form was grotesque—like a giant corpse stitched together from shadows. Its ribcage was exposed, filled with swirling black mist instead of organs. Its face resembled a skull carved from stone.
And inside the hollow eye sockets—
Two burning white flames.
The creature inhaled slowly.
Then spoke.
Its voice sounded like ancient doors grinding open.
"…I smell him."
The flames in its eyes locked onto Kael.
"…The King's heart."
Kael's chest tightened instantly.
His pulse reacted.
THUMP.
A ripple of dark energy expanded from his body.
The air vibrated.
But the giant curse didn't even flinch.
Instead—
It smiled.
"That power…"
The monster leaned closer, towering over the shattered street.
"…belongs to my creator."
Kael clenched his fists.
"Look, I don't know who you think I am—"
The curse swung its arm.
Kael barely saw it coming.
The impact launched him across the street like a rag doll.
He crashed through a vending machine, metal and glass exploding everywhere.
Pain shot through his ribs.
"Ugh—!"
The giant curse stepped forward slowly.
"Your heart remembers me," it said. "Even if your mind does not."
Kael forced himself up, breathing hard.
"Great. I've got amnesia and now ancient monsters know me personally."
Behind him, Virel raised the strange silver revolver again.
Symbols along the barrel glowed faintly.
"Kael," he said calmly, "buy me thirty seconds."
Kael stared at him.
"You saw what that thing did to me, right?"
"Yes."
"You still want me to fight it?"
"Yes."
Kael sighed.
"…Fantastic."
The giant curse moved again.
This time its claw slammed down toward Kael like a falling building.
Kael's heart stopped.
Silence.
Then—
THUMP.
A violent Black Pulse erupted.
Dark energy blasted upward and struck the monster directly in the chest.
For a moment—
Nothing happened.
Then the curse's massive body trembled.
Cracks spread across its torso like shattered glass.
Kael's eyes widened.
"Did I—?"
The cracks suddenly stopped.
The monster looked down at its chest.
Then laughed.
A deep, ancient sound.
"You truly are his vessel."
The cracks vanished.
The curse lifted its claw again.
"But you are far too weak."
The claw descended.
Kael braced for impact—
Then a streak of silver light cut through the air.
SHHHHNK.
The monster's arm separated cleanly from its body.
The severed limb crashed into a nearby building.
Kael blinked.
"…What?"
Someone stood between him and the giant curse.
A girl.
Probably his age.
Long dark hair whipped violently in the wind.
A white combat jacket fluttered behind her.
In her hand—
A thin glowing blade made of pure light.
Threads of color swirled along its edge like strands of emotion woven into steel.
The giant curse roared in fury.
"You dare—"
The girl moved.
Kael barely saw her.
She dashed forward, slicing through the monster's leg.
SHRRRK.
The massive limb collapsed.
The curse stumbled.
Kael stared in disbelief.
"Who… is she?"
The girl flipped backward gracefully, landing beside Kael.
Her eyes were sharp.
Focused.
Cold.
"You're Kael?"
Her voice was calm but tense.
Kael blinked.
"…Yeah?"
She sighed.
"Great."
Before he could ask anything else—
She suddenly turned and pointed her glowing blade directly at his throat.
Kael froze.
"Uh… what are you doing?"
Her expression didn't change.
"I was hoping the rumors were wrong."
The blade hummed inches from his skin.
"But now I've confirmed it."
Kael swallowed.
"Confirmed what exactly?"
The girl's eyes flickered toward his chest.
Toward his heart.
"The frequency."
She tightened her grip on the blade.
"You carry the Curse King's pulse."
Kael's stomach dropped.
"Yeah, people keep saying that. I still don't know what it means."
The girl took a slow breath.
Then said something that made the air feel colder.
"It means my mission is clear."
The giant curse behind them began regenerating its arm with writhing black flesh.
But the girl didn't even look back at it.
Her entire focus remained on Kael.
"My name is Lyra."
Her blade glowed brighter.
"And I've been sent here for one purpose."
Kael felt his heartbeat quicken.
"Which is…?"
Lyra answered without hesitation.
"To kill you."
Behind them—
The giant curse finished regenerating.
And began charging toward them again.
Kael looked between the monster and the blade at his throat.
"…You couldn't have waited until after the giant demon fight?"
Lyra didn't smile.
"No."
Lightning split the sky again.
The ancient curse roared.
And Lyra stepped closer—
Preparing to strike.
End of Chapter 7