Arriving at the old warehouse, Dexter hesitated outside, the dilapidated structure looming like a dark specter against the moonlit sky. He pushed through the creaking door, heart racing, and stepped inside. The air was thick with dust, and the faint glow of moonlight filtered through the broken windows, casting eerie shadows. His gaze fell on a figure slumped against the wall—Ava, unconscious and vulnerable. Relief washed over him, but it was quickly overshadowed by the darkness creeping in at the edges of the room. Just then, he felt it—a deathly aura washing over him, icy fingers crawling down his spine. The twins emerged from the shadows, their expressions unreadable, but the menacing energy radiating from them was palpable. Dexter recognized them immediately, Joon and Tae, grade A awakeners notorious for their ruthlessness. “So you’ve come,” Joon said, a sly grin curling his lips. “How touching. You really think you can save her?” “Let her go,” Dexter demanded, stepping forward
He could feel the struggle weighing on him, but then a notification flashed in his mind: “Mission Update: Defend Ava. Power boost activated.” Dexter felt the surge of energy, a rush that propelled him forward with incredible strength. He swung his dagger with newfound speed, catching Tae off guard as he thrust forward, landing a decisive strike. “Enough!” Joon roared, fury lighting his eyes as he unleashed a massive wave of magic, sending shockwaves that rattled the very foundation of the warehouse. Dexter braced himself, feeling the force push him back. But he wouldn’t give up. With the system at his side, he summoned every ounce of power, channeling it into one final, desperate attack. “System: Overdrive!” Magic surged around him, amplifying his abilities to their peak. Dexter lunged forward, a whirlwind of energy and steel, as he faced the twins head-on in a last stand. The battle raged on, the clash of magic and weapons echoing through the warehouse, and Dexter fought not ju
As Tae launched another fireball, Dexter dodged to the side, his body moving on instinct. He retaliated with a Shadow Slash, a quick slice of dark energy aimed at the twins. “Firestorm!” Tae shouted, countering the attack. The two spells collided, erupting in a blinding explosion of fire and shadow. In the chaos, Dexter spotted Ava stirring, her eyes fluttering open. “Dexter?” she murmured, groggy but aware. “Stay back!” Dexter commanded, feeling a surge of protective instinct as he faced the twins. With Ava conscious, he had to end this quickly. “Overdrive!” Dexter activated, pushing his abilities to their maximum as he charged forward. The air crackled with energy, and his speed increased tenfold. He aimed his daggers at Joon, determined to take him down before he could recover from the previous attack. Joon’s eyes widened in surprise, and he barely had time to react. Dexter struck with precision, landing a series of rapid blows that forced Joon to retreat. “Stop him!” Tae yell
With a sudden burst of determination, Dexter made his choice. “I won’t leave anyone behind!” he yelled, feeling the weight of his decisions press heavily on him. He wouldn’t be like them—he wouldn’t abandon anyone, even those who had tried to harm his sister. “Dexter, no!” Ava screamed, tears brimming in her eyes as the building shook around them, dust and debris falling from the ceiling. But before he could act, Joon, now half-conscious, began to stir, his expression filled with rage and desperation. “You’ll pay for this, Dexter! You’ll regret letting us live!” Dexter shot a glance at Joon, sensing the potential threat. “You’re wrong,” he replied coolly, summoning his energy for one last strike, his daggers glinting in the dim light. “Wait!” Tae shouted, panic clawing at his throat as he realized the stakes. “We don’t have to fight anymore! We can help each other!” Dexter hesitated, torn. The system buzzed in his mind, assessing the situation. But the crumbling warehouse left him
The dim light of the hospital room cast shadows over Ava’s still form, hooked up to various machines that beeped softly, measuring her vitals. Dexter paced anxiously by her side, his heart racing as memories of the night before flooded his mind. He could still hear the chaos—the screams, the battle, the moment he had torn her away from the Deer Twins.“Stay with me, Ava,” he murmured, gripping her hand. “I need you to wake up.”The door swung open, and Henry rushed in, his expression serious. “Dexter, are you okay? What happened out there?”Dexter turned, his face a mix of determination and worry. “I thought I could handle it, Henry. I thought I could save her,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper.“You did save her,” Henry replied, stepping closer. “But we need to figure out what’s next. The mage cops are on their way to deal with the twins. They’ll be here soon.”Dexter felt a surge of frustration. “They’re not here yet. What if they come back? What if they hurt her again?”He
The officer’s words barely registered as Dexter rushed past her, his heart racing. He pushed through the emergency door and back into the hospital, his mind consumed with worry for Ava. As he entered her room, he found her still unconscious but stable, the machines beeping steadily beside her.“Thank the stars,” he murmured, relief flooding through him. He pulled up a chair beside her bed, gripping her hand tightly. “I’m here, Ava. I’ll make sure you’re safe.”Minutes turned into hours as he sat by her side, replaying the encounter with the Deer Twins in his mind. The adrenaline rush from the fight was fading, leaving behind an unsettling mix of anxiety and guilt. If only I had been stronger, he thought. If only I could have finished them off.The door creaked open, and Henry slipped into the room, a worried expression on his face. “Dexter, what happened out there?” he asked, taking a seat beside him.“Just what I told you,” Dexter replied, still looking at Ava. “They came after me. T
As dawn broke, casting golden rays through the city’s skyline, Dexter felt the weight of determination heavy on his shoulders. He had returned to the hospital after his meeting with the informant, his mind racing with thoughts of Ava and the Deer Twins. The encounter had only strengthened his resolve to become stronger.When he arrived at Ava’s room, Henry was already there, seated by her bedside, a worried expression etched across his face.“Morning,” Dexter said, forcing a smile as he approached.“Morning,” Henry replied, his eyes darting to Ava. “Any news?”“Just the usual,” Dexter said, his voice steady despite the turmoil inside. “I’ll be taking on some missions to level up.”Henry raised an eyebrow, concern deepening his features. “You’re serious about this, aren’t you? You’re going to put yourself in danger again?”“Henry, I have to,” Dexter replied, his tone firm. “I can’t let them come after her again. I need to get stronger.”“And what if something goes wrong? What if you ca
The warehouse loomed ominously in the twilight, its peeling paint and shattered windows reflecting the chaos that had unfolded within. Dexter stood in the center of the large, empty space, a grim determination etched on his face. He was no longer the naive Grade E awakener who had stepped into the world of the supernatural. Now, he was a force to be reckoned with, and tonight he intended to prove it.As he prepared himself for the confrontation, the air thickened with tension. The Deer Twins—Tae and Joon—had come to settle a score, sent by the infamous Grade S awakener, Dead Skull, to eliminate him. Dexter had heard whispers of Dead Skull’s power, and the knowledge sent a chill down his spine.“Look who we have here,” Tae taunted, a mocking grin plastered on his face as he stepped into the light. “The little hero thinks he can take us on alone. How quaint.”“Enough games,” Dexter shot back, his voice steady. “You’re here to kill me, and I’m here to end this.”Joon stepped forward, a g