A once-bustling, vibrant city filled with ceaseless activity and the hum of human life had now devolved into a living hell. Cries of pain, anger, despair, and grief mingled with the crackling of fires and the booming echoes of explosions, painting a grim scene.
As Caroll arrived after a long and arduous journey, her gaze fell upon the grotesque, multi-eyed monsters rampaging through the city. Their writhing tentacles wreaked havoc, their ghastly forms stirring nausea, revulsion, and dread in anyone who laid eyes on them.
These creatures were entirely different from the evil spirits humans had encountered before. Their anatomy and aura clearly marked them as alien, originating from an entirely separate ecosystem, possibly a different world altogether.
Caroll recognized these abominations for what they truly were: Evil God's progeny.
"Evil God's progeny!" she muttered under her breath, recalling the knowledge imparted by the enigmatic being who had bestowed her power.
"What?" asked one of the exorcists accompanying her, turning to Caroll with confusion.
"Nothing," she replied curtly. Explaining the monsters' origins to her companions would serve no purpose. Instead, she issued a warning, "Be extremely cautious. These creatures are unlike the evil spirits we've faced before—they're far more powerful."
"You didn't need to tell us that. We can feel it ourselves," one exorcist grumbled grimly.
The atmosphere among the exorcists was heavy as they observed the chaos. These elite warriors, the pinnacle of human combat prowess, found themselves daunted by the sheer power radiating from the monsters. Even the leader of the Exorcist Association, a figure of authority and strength, looked pale and troubled.
"We must focus on rescuing any survivors. Avoid direct confrontation with the creatures—they're beyond our ability to handle," the leader ordered reluctantly. Their priority had shifted from eradicating threats to minimizing human casualties.
In a dim, cramped space, faintly lit through narrow gaps, a trembling child whispered, "Grandpa, I'm scared."
"Don't be scared," came the quivering but firm response of an old man, who struggled to sound calm. "We just have to stay hidden a little longer. The exorcists will come and drive these monsters away. We'll be safe then."
"When will they come?" the child asked, his voice tinged with fear but also a sliver of hope.
"Soon, very soon. Now hush, stay quiet," the old man urged, patting the child's head.
Despite their silence, an unsettling, sticky sound crept closer—a squelching, slithering noise, as if something viscous was crawling along the walls and floor.
The two huddled closer together, trembling in primal fear as the sounds intensified. Outside, a decrepit two-story building bore the full brunt of the presence causing their terror. A massive, grotesque monster, its body large enough to dwarf the building, loomed near. Its five grotesque eyes, bound together by fleshy sinews, glimmered with malice as it scanned the structure.
The monster peered into the building with ease. To such a being, mere walls were no barrier. Its grotesque tentacles slithered inside, searching. Moments later, it dragged out the terrified old man and the child.
"What fragile, pitiful creatures!" the monster sneered telepathically, its voice oozing into the old man's mind.
Despite its alien origins and monstrous appearance, the creature was no mindless beast. It had intelligence, and with intelligence came cruelty. It delighted in tormenting weaker beings, savoring their despair.
"Why don't you beg for mercy? Maybe I'll let your little one live," it taunted, the psychic voice seeping into the old man's consciousness.
The old man looked up in shock, disbelief written across his weathered face.
"What's with that look? Did you think I'm just a mindless brute? How insulting," the monster scoffed.
Perhaps out of annoyance or sheer sadism, the creature lashed out with a smaller tentacle, brutally tearing off one of the old man's legs.
"Ahhh!" The old man screamed in agony, blood gushing from the ragged wound. Yet despite the unbearable pain, he gritted his teeth, his resolve unshaken as he glanced at his grandson.
The monster devoured the severed limb with relish, though it grimaced as it chewed. "Tasteless. Maybe your soul will be more satisfying," it said, preparing to rip the man apart piece by piece.
But the old man only smiled bitterly. He knew pleading with this beast was futile. If it chose to toy with him, it meant his grandson would survive for just a little longer—long enough, perhaps, for the exorcists to arrive.
Shing!
A streak of crimson light sliced through the air, severing the tentacle poised to strike. Black, viscous blood sprayed from the stump.
The old man's eyes widened in astonishment as he saw a fiery-haired valkyrie descending from the sky, her blade cutting through another tentacle and freeing his grandson.
"You've finally arrived, the strongest among the weaklings," the monster mocked. Its severed tentacles barely registered as injuries.
Its grotesque eyes focused on the exorcist, Caroll, standing midair with flames swirling around her. One hand gripped her blade tightly, while the other cradled the trembling child.
"Impressive for your kind, but still far too weak," the monster sneered, raising its remaining tentacles.
"Run! Don't worry about me!" the old man shouted decisively. Though he recognized Caroll's reputation and strength, the size and presence of the monstrous creature dwarfed her.
"Grandpa!" the child sobbed, clinging to Caroll. "Please, big sister, save my grandpa. He's all I have left!"
Caroll tightened her grip on her sword, the glowing scales on her face shimmering brightly. Every instinct told her to flee, but her heart refused. She swung her blade again.
"How noble, how foolish," the monster chuckled darkly. Its massive tentacles lashed out, their speed and strength creating sonic booms in the air.
Crash!
A single strike from the monster's tentacle sent Caroll crashing into the ground. Dust rose as she coughed up blood, her back a mangled mess. She estimated several bones were shattered. Yet, despite her injuries, she had protected the child, who remained unharmed in her arms.
"Your idiocy leaves me speechless," a cold, emotionless voice echoed in her mind.
Caroll laughed bitterly. "What, do you have nothing better to do than spy on me all day?"
"Hmph," came the reply, tinged with disdain. "Focus on your situation. You've attracted the attention of every monster in the city."
"Aren't you going to help me? I owe everything to you. Are you just going to watch me get eaten alive? My death would reflect poorly on you, wouldn't it?"
Standing shakily, Caroll faced the advancing monster with a smile, her words a mix of defiance and taunt.
"You brave, pitiful thing. Your soul might actually taste interesting," the monster sneered, its tentacles reaching for her once more.
But before Caroll could brace herself for the inevitable, a scorching aura blanketed the city.
A booming, arrogant voice echoed from the skies:
"Which idiot's progeny is this? Do you know whose territory you've trespassed on? If you've come here to take lives, you must have a death wish!"
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