The lights came alive.
One after another.
Rows of fluorescent bulbs burst into existence.
White.
Blinding.
Merciless.
The Smiling Walker screamed.
Not laughing.
Not chuckled.
Screamed.
A sound so sharp it made Kai's ears ring.
Kai stumbled and cover his ear.
The Nightmare moved backward as smoke rose from its pale skin.
Its endless smile trembled.
Cracked.
For the first time, the Nightmare looked afraid.
Kai didn't hesitate.
Fear was temporary.
Opportunity isn't.
Kai charged.
The knife clenutched tightly in his hand.
The Smiling Walker attempted to retreat into the shadow.
But failed.
Yet the door are too narrow for its large body.
It tried to destroy the door.
But its strength weaken.
Not enough to break a wall.
The emergency floodlights had activated throughout the room.
Every corner was illuminated.
Every hiding place erased.
The Nightmare's body flickered.
Distorted.
As though reality itself struggled to maintain its form.
It wanted darkness.
It needed darkness.
And Kai wasn't about to give it any.
The creature lunged its elongated arm toward Kai's throat.
Kai ducked, barely survive a second slower Kai's throat would been impaled.
The claws skimmed his cheek.
Blood dripped.
Pain exploded across Kai's face.
But he didn't stop.
Kai moved closer.
Nearer.
The Smiling Walker's greatest weapon had always been fear.
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Without darkness—
Without surprise—
Without control—
It has no any difference between wild animal.
Kai drove the knife forward.
THUD.
The blade buried itself in the creature's chest.
The Smiling Walker shrieked violently.
Thrashing around.
Black blood erupted across the floor.
The Nightmare struck Kai away.
Kai flew backward into a metal cabinet.
CRASH!
Kai's vision blurred a moment.
Kai's shoulder screamed in protest.
The Nightmare staggered.
Smoke continued pouring from its body.
Its skin cracked.
The light slowly killing the Nightmare.
But not fast enough.
The Nightmare rushed forward one final time.
Its smile stretched wider than ever.
Desperate.
Mad.
Hungry.
Kai forced himself up.
My legs trembled.
My vision blurred.
Yet Kai refused to fall.
Not now.
Not after everything.
The Smiling Walker appeared before him.
Kai saw the claws.
Saw the smile.
Saw death.
With Kai's final attempt he slipped downward and thrust his knife upward.
SCHLK.
The knife pierced directly through the Nightmare's mouth.
For a moment—
Everything froze.
The smile vanished.
The Nightmare stopped moving.
Confused.
Almost human.
Kai's rapid breathing making him unsettling.
Then cracks spread across its entire body.
Fire burst from every fracture.
The Smiling Walker let out one final scream.
Thrashing toward the light.
Yet before it could touch a single bulb.
It turned to ashes.
Into dust.
Gone.
[Mission]
[Smiling Walker Eliminated]
[Experience: +150]
[Level Up!] New
[Current Level: 2] New
[Nightmare Encyclopedia Level 2] New
[Reward Acquired]
→ Beginner Wooden Box New
→ Skill: Regen Lv. 1 New
Kai unable to move.
Every muscle ached.
Burning sensation of the lungs.
Hands trembled uncontrollably.
But-
"I'm alive."
I killed a Nightmare.
The second Nightmare.
A proof that these monsters can be killed.
A laugh escaped Kai's mouth.
Half relief.
Half disbelief.
Then another thought appeared.
Kai's smile slowly faded.
"Wait..."
Kai looked around the brightly lit generator room.
The fight had been loud.
Explosions.
Screams.
Breaking metal.
Enough noise to wake the dead.
Yet no other monsters had appeared.
Not a single one.
Kai's gaze narrowed.
"Why?"
As if responding to his question—
The System appeared.
[System Notice]
Nightmares possess territorial instincts.
Lower-Rank Nightmares avoid the hunting grounds of an active Nightmares.
Conflict between Nightmares is common.
Areas occupied by strong Nightmares often remain free from weaker entities.
Kai blinked.
"So that's it..."
The Smiling Walker wasn't the only danger.
It had been the reason other dangers stayed away.
The victory had created a new problem.
Now its territory was empty.
And other Nightmares would eventually move in.
A chill ran down upon Kai's spine.
The mall was no longer safe.
Not even temporarily.
Kai opened the Beginner Wooden Box.
1x small recovery potion
1x small flashlight.
1x small folded map.
1x crude combat vest.
Kai shock of disbelief.
"A potion like in games."
"But the other seems no special at all."
"If Nightmares had weaknesses..."
"If the Encyclopedia could reveal them..."
"Then gaining information was more important than hunting monsters."
"Knowledge meant survival."
"Survival meant strength."
"Strength meant answers."
And Kai desperately needed answers.
"What caused the Nightmares?"
"What was the System?"
Kai tried to asked a question yet nothing answered.
"Most importantly—"
"Could humanity survive?"
Kai stood.
His wounds protested immediately.
"Tomorrow."
Kai tightened his grip on the knife.
"Tomorrow, I'll start looking for a safe place."
The emergency lights flickered above.
_______
Beyond the ruined mall.
Beyond the city.
Beyond the darkness.
Countless Nightmares were lurking.
Waiting.
Killing.
Evolving.
And Kai had just taken his first step into their world.
To be continue...