"Hubert! Stop running! Hubert!"Yet, Hubert pressed on. Just as the impending strike was a mere breath away from Hubert, he vanished into thin air. Confusion reigned. Why had Hubert disappeared so suddenly?"Where's Hubert?""Where did he go?"It wasn't just Canis. Jacob, Winston, and everyone else echoed the same sentiments. Only Dominic Henry, nursing his injuries, remained unfazed. He remarked:"Merely a spatial illusion. What's there to be surprised about?"Following his words materialized the gruesome image of a shadow-element zombie, impaled by hundreds of sharp-tipped chains. Before anyone could fully absorb the moment, the creature was torn asunder. Everyone knew that shadow zombies could absorb incoming energy and retaliate, but this one didn’t have the time to draw in the assault. It was over in the blink of an eye—so swift that one could hardly catch a breath.Then Hubert slowly emerged, enshrouded in a space that appeared and vanished just as swiftly. His eyes flared a dee
Enda's eyes clenched shut, the harrowing events from ten years ago rushing back into focus. Back then, he was an exemplary young police officer, cautious in his duties and bolstered by many who wished to aid him. A misfortune led to betrayal by his colleagues, ensnaring him in a web of drug-related crime.That year, Allan was the first to discover Enda's secret drug dealings with nefarious figures, incarcerating him and employing all means to force him into rehabilitation. But Enda's sudden disappearance raised Gideon's suspicions toward Allan. Realizing he could no longer shield such a substantial human liability, Allan crafted an elaborate scheme. He marked Enda with bruises as though he had been beaten, tore his clothes, and staged a scene of kidnapping and assault.Injecting himself with drugs to deflect suspicion from Enda, Allan professed his love the day before his arrest. Allan traded his future and career for a chance at Enda's redemption—because Enda still had family, still
Hubert was not arrogant; he knew that ascending to Level 7 required adequate energy reserves—it wasn't an achievement bestowed without effort. He wasn't patronizing Lancelot, who knew that Hubert was merely jesting. Lancelot gripped Hubert's mouth, grinding his teeth as he retorted,"You've really changed, not like that kid who used to send me longing glances. Now you dare to belittle me?"The grip didn't hurt Hubert, but it did pout his lips, making him irresistibly adorable—a visage that once had Lancelot utterly smitten."Why shouldn't I scorn those who underestimate their own prodigious abilities?" Hubert said, punching Lancelot in the chest to make him release his grip.Their banter ceased as they felt the rising chill in the atmosphere. Domi, Jacob, Winston, and even Canis—they all glared at them like bullets, resenting their casual camaraderie."Let's get moving; the journey ahead is long." Hubert abruptly changed the subject, his eyes scanning the distant horizon. The fallen m
Hubert nodded, and suddenly the earth beneath his feet trembled—nay, it seemed to liquefy into a stream of rushing water, making his head spin. The ambient space also took on a murky, gloomy atmosphere, as if guiding souls toward the embrace of death. Yet, he could still resist the pull, sensing that the energy of this unknown foe was weaker than his own.But who was this person, and what in heavens did they want? He glanced around; others had grown listless, ensnared in their personal illusions or fears."Ethan!"Just then, Domi appeared, flying toward him. Considering how far he had been thrown just moments ago, his speed was astonishing. Thankfully, he too seemed free from the illusion's grasp. Domi abruptly shifted direction, followed by a sharp "thwack." Looking back, Hubert saw Domi had struck Allan, who now lay prostrate on the ground.The nebulous atmosphere immediately dissipated."What just happened?""What's going on?"The others, newly freed from their illusions, converged
Domi, ever the cynic, couldn't resist voicing his mordant opinion. Although he named no one directly, all present could decipher his veiled reference:"Those ensnared by love's web are always thus. Who can truly blame them? One might sacrifice endlessly for another, only to find them entwined with a different soul. Such a realization would break any heart."Both a veiled reference to Enda and a subtle dig at Hubert. Enda wore a face darkened with anger, while Hubert remained nonchalantly provocative."Voluntary sacrifice doesn't entitle you to blame others. Feelings aren't to be distributed on a whim; one must consider if the recipient is deserving.""And what makes one undeserving? To devote oneself fully, endure immeasurable hurt, only to be dismissed as 'undeserving'?""Think what you will. I've no interest in bickering over such trivial matters anymore."Hubert waved his hand dismissively. Every time Domi brought up matters of the heart, it was as if he were stricken with madness,
Hubert waved off the question and countered: "And what about you two? What compels you to penetrate this perilous place?""We've heard that the meteorite crash site harbors an immense source of energy. Harnessing it through focused cultivation would expedite our leveling up—almost doubling the usual rate." came the response.Hubert nodded without speaking, for the information was hardly a revelation to him. Surrounded by hordes of zombies, leveling up was not an insurmountable task. The youthful duo continued:"Surely you must be aware of this? Eliminating him could dismantle the entire zombie network.""Him? Who are you talking about?""Who else but the Zombie King? Slaying him is the ultimate objective, isn't it?"Hubert momentarily looked somber, poised to move toward the duo, but Canis restrained him. With a shake of his head, Canis seemed to caution him against impulsive actions.Hubert was indeed momentarily agitated. The mere thought of Raymond being killed disrupted his equili
Jacob responded languidly as he slowly approached Hubert. A brief shudder overcame him as his eyes took in the two zombies reduced to lumps of meat scattered on the ground. Hubert's handiwork was brutal, a far cry from the gentle soul Jacob had once known. Hubert had lived through two apocalypses, trampling over countless zombies.For that reason, he felt nothing toward these grotesque heaps of flesh. But Jacob was different. It wasn't fear he felt but a growing unease. Hubert's fearlessness seemed only to amplify Jacob's own apprehensions, pushing him further away emotionally. A rift was growing between them, one that Jacob despaired of ever bridging.The realization was heartbreaking. Once, Jacob had Hubert within reach, only to deceive him, driving him farther away. Now, with Hubert hailing from two millennia ago, the emotional distance between them stretched even wider. And although Hubert said he still wanted to share sleep, Jacob knew what his actual intentions were.Now, Hubert
Nicholas's team could now be categorized as a well-coordinated ensemble, but there exists an insurmountable gulf in power levels between him and the rest, making true harmony elusive. It is an unmistakable Achilles' heel. Hubert initiates his pitch:"Given your level and abilities, you could join a much more potent squad. What do you think?"Before Nicholas could respond, one of his teammates interjects:"Hey! You're trying to poach someone from our team? What gall! Even if you're stronger, you can't just blatantly steal people like that."Although the speaker made a seemingly reasonable point, it was ultimately devoid of meaning. In essence, each Superhuman has the right to choose their own team and, naturally, the right to choose a more powerful one. In this crumbling world of death and decay, outright theft or even the subjugation of a Superhuman is regrettably commonplace. It's a world for the strong; the stronger you are, the more companions you can amass. Hubert, subscribing to