"So it was send by Dakun. This guy, he even dares to raise a Revenant as its pet. He is twisted as hell."
The more Kev learned about Dakun, the more deranged he found him to be.
If he ever ended in his hands,
His fate would be worse than death.
A great sense of urgency pressed down on Kev.
He felt like Dakun was lurking in the darkness, waiting for him to slip up so he could take his life.
An urgent need to grow strong bloomed in his heart.
Overwhelming strength.
That was the only way to avoid a terrible fate.
Without much change in his expression, he collected the spoils of the battle.
There were four runes.
He devoured them all.
His strength surged.
His movement speed increased.
His lifespan grew.
His muscles tightened, and his tendons coiled like springs, brimming with explosive power.
"It feels like there's a dragon slumbering inside me."
Kev tightened his core, pushed strength into his thighs, and threw a punch.
Boom!
The freaking air exploded!
He couldn't tell how much force was behind that fist…
But he knew—without a doubt—it was powerful enough to break a person in two like a twig.
"I've grown even stronger. Dakun, by the time we cross paths, it's not confirmed who will come out on top and live to see another day."
Saying so, he yanked his weapons out of the corpse's flesh and continued his lonesome journey.
He wondered what he would face next.
That thought had only just crossed his mind when cold winds began to blow.The temperature in the tunnel dropped rapidly.
A chill crept up Kev's spine as he felt a pair of devious eyes watching him from beyond the reach of his flashlight.That sensation vanished a moment later.
Then.
His world flipped upside down.His surroundings changed.
From a grim and dark tunnel overflowing with the stretch of death and decay, it transformed into beautiful clearing with a big bright moon overhead.
"It's been a long time since we last exchanged words, hasn't it Kev?"
"Selena?"
Kev's eyes widened.
Before him stood his most beloved person who he never thought he would ever see again in his life.
He didn't know then.
Death had arrived.
This time in the most unusual and unexpected form!
"How are you here… No—how are you still alive?" Kev asked in a trembling voice as shock painted his face.
There was nothing off about the young girl in front of him.
She looked exactly like the one etched into his memories.
Selena.
It was as if she had truly come back to life.
But that wasn't possible.
Selena had died many years ago.
She died when they were just kids.
She died in his arms.
There was no way he could have misjudged something like that.
So why…?
Why was he seeing her here—in the Abyss of all places?
What cruel force was behind this?
"I bet you have a lot to say," Selena said with a soft smile. "Let's talk over dinner. I've made your favorite. Adobo rice with grilled chicken and fried chicken skin."
She extended her hand toward him.
It was small and tender compared to Kev's now calloused one.
But once, long ago, his hands had been smaller.
Back then, she used to lead him by the hand—saving him from bullies, gifting him little presents, and bringing light and joy into a childhood that had felt like a deep, dark cesspool.
Her innocent smile seemed to pull at his heartstrings.
Almost in a daze, Kev dropped his broadsword, slowly reached out with his hand and placed his hand into hers.
A radiant smile bloomed across her face, as if she had accomplished something important.
She turned around, gently tugging his hand as if to lead him "home."
But he didn't budge.
"…What?" she asked, turning back toward him—only to freeze when she saw a tear sliding down his cheek.
As if he had become a child with no control over his emotions, his shoulders trembled. His voice cracked a little as he whispered, "I've missed you so much…"
"I've missed you too," she replied softly.
The moment those words left her mouth, Kev pulled her into a tight embrace.
The smile on her face widened stretching from ear to ear, not gracefully or gleefully but unnaturally.
In fact, it was so disturbing that it felt like her skin would tear apart if she applied a little more force.
Her mouth opened wide like beast as if to bite and snap apart a huge chunk of his flesh but her joy didn't last long.
Shhk!
A dagger plunged so deep into her doll-like face its tip came out of the other side.
Her eyes widened in shock as she watched him ruthlessly yank the blade out.
And then, with a sickening squelch, he plunged it back in her face.
Again.
And again.
And again.
"How good it would've been," Kev muttered, "if only you were real…"