The lights began to flicker.
Once.
Twice.
Then—every light in the base turned red.
An unnatural wind howled through the halls, even though every door was sealed. The air grew heavy, suffocating, as if the world itself was holding its breath.
Karry felt it instantly.
Killing intent.
From the ceiling, shadows poured downward—forming into a red horde of beasts, twisted and unnatural. At their center stood an unknown figure, its presence alone crushing the will of anyone who faced it.
Karry froze.
Sasha's eyes widened in shock.
Only Arnold remained calm.
The unknown figure spoke, its voice layered and distorted.
"Nice to meet you… my beloved prey."
It took a slow step forward.
"I received permission to descend," it continued.
"Because you interfered with my toy."
The figure tilted its head.
"And now… I require compensation."
The wind roared louder.
Outside, the sky cracked open and began to rain red.
In an instant—
Nearby buildings vanished.
People were erased from existence without sound, without screams.
Only the information device inside the base remained intact, glowing faintly, untouched.
The unknown figure laughed softly.
"Interesting," it said.
"For mortals to possess technology capable of withstanding my power."
Its gaze locked onto Karry.
"I allowed my attacks to avoid you on purpose," it continued.
"I want your suffering to last."
"So don't die too quickly."
Karry's voice trembled.
"What… what do we do?"
Arnold spoke without hesitation.
"We can't fight this one," he said.
"It's too strong."
He turned sharply.
"We run."
Sasha nodded immediately.
"We have to move. Now."
Karry swallowed.
"Y-Yeah."
They ran.
The corridors shook violently as the red horde pursued them.
The unknown figure's voice echoed everywhere at once.
"You cannot escape my punishment," it sneered.
"You mortals really believe running will save you?"
Suddenly—
The exit ahead was blocked.
The unknown figure stood there, waiting.
"Now," it said calmly,
"there is nowhere to run."
Arnold turned to Karry.
"Karry," he said firmly.
"Take Sasha and run."
Karry froze.
"But—"
"RUN," Arnold shouted.
Karry grabbed Sasha's arm, and they sprinted away.
Arnold ran in the opposite direction—but not toward the unknown figure.
Karry looked back.
Where is he going?
Is he sacrificing himself…?
No.
He has something planned.
Suddenly, a crushing force slammed into Karry.
"You cannot run from me," the unknown figure said coldly.
Karry was thrown violently across the floor.
Sasha was flung in the opposite direction.
The power difference was absolute.
The unknown figure raised its sword.
"I will erase this entire place," it declared.
"Along with these three sinners."
The blade descended—
And stopped.
A black katana blocked the strike.
The shockwave shattered the ground beneath them, but the attack did not land.
A figure stood between them.
He wore a black suit.
His eyes glowed black.
His katana—dark, ancient, legendary.
The unknown figure recoiled slightly.
"Who are you?" it demanded.
The black-suited figure answered calmly:
"You don't need to know."
Then—
"You're going to die."
The unknown figure snarled.
"Such a filthy tongue," it spat.
"Coming from a traitor."
The black-suited figure's voice turned cold.
"I am not a traitor," he said.
"I am the destroyer of my enemies."
The unknown figure's confidence shattered.
"You are… the Dark King of mortals," it stammered.
"The Pseudo Entity—"
"Please," it begged suddenly.
"Don't kill me. I only wanted to get back—"
The sentence never finished.
Its head fell.
Everything stopped.
The unknown figure's power surged violently—but instead of exploding, it was absorbed, flowing into the black-suited figure like smoke pulled into darkness.
He lowered his katana.
"Shut up," he said flatly.
"Don't talk when you're about to die."
He turned slightly toward Karry and Sasha.
"Hey, kids," he added casually.
"Next time, be careful."
"These guys aren't the ones you mess with."
Then—
He vanished into the shadows.
Silence returned.
Karry stared at the empty space.
"…What just happened?"
Arnold arrived moments later, supporting Sasha.
"Where is the red-eyed one?" Arnold asked.
Karry swallowed hard.
"He's dead," Karry said.
"He was killed."
Arnold's eyes widened slightly.
"By whom?"
Karry took a breath.
"…The Pseudo Entity."
Arnold froze.
"The what?"
[End of Chapter 10]