Instantly, the hallway's silence shattered. A violent burst ripped through the stillness, the air itself crackling as pressure seemed to erupt from every direction. The atmosphere grew heavy, charged with a presence that pressed inward.
But then—a deafening crash came from behind, sharp and unmistakable. The floor quaked beneath them as a grotesque creature surged forth from the shadows—a massive blood worm, its slick, crimson body pulsating with exposed veins. Jagged teeth chattered behind its gaping maw, flinging strands of thick saliva as it lunged, born of nightmare and rage.
But before they could react—another rupture split open the ceiling above them. With a horrible shriek, a second worm-like creature crashed down, bursting through concrete and steel. Dust and debris rained from the impact as its elongated form curled around broken beams, eyes glowing like boiling blood as it loomed above, casting an ominous, shifting shadow across the family.
And then—a third explosion erupted right in front of them, the ground cracking open as if hell itself was clawing its way out. A third blood worm erupted from below, rearing up tall with a sickening squelch. Veins bulged across its twitching, muscular hide, each pulse of its body emitting an unholy, rhythmic hum. It twisted toward them, hissing through rows of fangs that shimmered like needles drenched in gore.
Hashino's family froze in shock. It was the first time Sanichi and Sagira had ever seen such a terrifying creatures, surrounded by abominations from every angle. Sagira instinctively shielded Zen'no with her arms, while Sanichi, though trembling, stepped protectively in front of them, not knowing what else to do.
The air was thick with the stench of iron and decay, and the hallway's lights flickered, casting fleeting glimpses of the horrors closing in.
And yet, just before the monsters could strike—everything stopped.
An invisible force seized the blood worms mid-air, freezing their charge in a single, paralyzing instant. The Guardian Angel's eyes burned with unwavering intensity, fierce and resolute, locked onto hemorrhage—radiating the silent warning of one who would not be challenged.
His divine aura radiated without effort, a blinding pressure that seemed to pour from his very existence. It was pure, motionless authority—a presence so vast and suffocating that even the beasts of nightmare dared not continue.
He spoke with no rise in tone. His voice was calm, almost quiet—but it echoed like law passed down from the heavens. Each word struck with a force that defied volume—measured, unshakable, and final.
"I already witnessed your cruelty," he declared, his tone sharp and unwavering. "Do not extend it to these, or you will answer to me directly. I am allowed to use force if you resist my order. I'm giving you a chance to walk away. You do not know who you're dealing with."
The red-suited man—calm, composed, and ever smug—stepped forward. A knowing smirk tugged at the corners of his lips.
"What a soft-hearted client," he said mockingly. "After all I did, and you want me to simply walk away?" He let out a low chuckle. "That's adorable."
Guardian Angel's eyes flared brighter, his aura expanding.
"Do not persist if you dare. I am far stronger than you—combined. With a single flap of my wings, I could level two nations. Do not test me."
The man narrowed his eyes with intrigue.
"You are worthy to be a vessel." Then he turned and his hand slowly rose, pointing directly at Zen'no. "That child. Give him to me. I am going to take him with me. Or else, you'll witness something far worse than death."
Sagira gasped and clutched her son even tighter, her entire body trembling. Sanichi stepped forward, his eyes resolute, his frame no longer shaking. Though he lacked a weapon, there was something unshakable in his spirit—faith.
The red-suited man, amused, reached down and retrieved a metallic case. He clasped it to his chest, his fingers lingering over the clasp as he smirked again.
"I brought some gift for you. Here. I hope you'll like it."
But before the case could be opened, the Guardian Angel clenched his right fist over his chest which then hung in the air—and the blood worms monster imploded, crushed by an invisible force. Its grotesque form collapsed into itself like it had been vacuumed by the sheer pressure of divinity.
Then he extended his left arm and his hand angled with the palm facing the ground. His middle finger pressed onto his index finger, pointing at him while the rest of his finger was hung loosely. In the instant, a concentrated beam of celestial light erupted from his finger, slicing clean through the red-suited man and the case simultaneously. A hole burst through the villain's torso, light pouring out from the wound.
Staggering backward in shock, the red-suited man gasped. He hadn't expected such swiftness, such divine force.
"I already gave you a warning," he said, stepping forward slowly, his eyes glowing. "But you still persisted. Now, face the consequence."
A moment passed—and then the red-suited man laughed. The hole in his chest closed rapidly as his skin and tissue regenerated in seconds.
He looked back at him with a crazed grin.
"I like you," he said with a chuckle. "But you already know… I am not alone."
Suddenly, his expression twisted. His laughter broke into a painful groan. He clutched his head, stumbling slightly.
"What… What did you do?!" he gasped.
"I disrupted your telepathic connection with your kind," he said coldly. "You're inside my sphere. There's no one coming."
Then it began.
The man's eyes widened with horror. His muscles twitched involuntarily. Veins along his neck throbbed and bulged. His body trembled uncontrollably.
"What did you do?" he repeated, breathless. "What did you do? What did you do? No… No, no, no—I can't! I don't wanna be like them! AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"
His voice deepened, warped by panic and rage. His flesh began to contort. Bones cracked audibly. His red suit ripped apart as his form grew grotesquely larger. Spines pierced through his back. His mouth elongated into a snout filled with rows of serrated teeth. His skin turned a waxy grayish-red, veiny and slick. His eyes dissolved into black, bottomless pits.
"You… You made me like this!" he screamed, voice now layered with monstrous distortion. "THEN I'M GOING TO RIP YOU APART AND TORTURE YOU UNTIL YOU BEG ME TO STOP!"
Zen'no clung tightly to his mother, eyes wide in fear. Sanichi kept his arms protectively around them both, whispering a prayer.
As he transformed, the Guardian Angel stood his ground. Then, without taking his eyes off the creature, he said one word—
"Run."