The monster turned its head slowly, its many eyes glowing in the red mist. It stopped playing. It knew now—it had to end them.
Minseok was breathing hard, trying to stand firm. Skywing circled above, trying to stay close, but even the falcon looked uneasy.
"You think you can take her from me?" the creature hissed, its voice deep and shaking the dark air. "Then I'll show you what pain feels like."
The red light around it twisted and shot toward Minseok's face. He cried out, dropping to his knees, hands clutching his eyes.
"Agh—my eyes!" Minseok screamed, falling forward.
"Minseok!" Jinhyu shouted, running toward him, heart pounding like thunder.
The creature laughed, sharp and cruel. "Now how can you command your falcon when you can't even see it? You lowly human… receiving great power and wasting it. Tch."
It moved fast, almost like it vanished. Then it appeared in front of Minseok and kicked him hard in the chest.
Minseok was thrown back like a ragdoll.
