Wilfrid's grin widened, revealing a set of white teeth in the dim light of the room. He lifted his hand, fingers dancing as if controlling invisible puppets. "Curious about what happens when humans and machines merge perfectly? Prepare to witness a true marvel."
With a swift motion, Wilfrid pressed a button on the device strapped to his belt. Suddenly, the room was filled with the deafening roar of machinery, and from the shadows emerged a group of half-human, half-machine hybrids. There were about ten of them, their bodies drastically modified: hands replaced with deadly weapons like spinning chainsaws, automatic firearms attached to their bodies, and other parts fitted with bizarre mechanical apparatuses that looked more like torture devices than weapons.
Abigail, Modeus, and Enzo tensed immediately, their bodies primed as they faced the new enemies controlled by Wilfrid. "Be careful," Abigail whispered to the others, his voice sharp but controlled. "They're no longer human. Don't hesitate to fight back."
One of the creatures with a chainsaw arm leaped at Modeus first, its red eyes glowing as it swung its deadly weapon with terrifying speed. Modeus calmly stepped back, almost laughing. "You're like defective toys," he taunted, drawing his long sword. With a swift move, he sliced the creature in half, blood and oil spraying from its split body.
But before he could savor his victory, two more creatures attacked from opposite sides. One wielded automatic firearms in both hands, firing a rapid barrage of bullets that forced Modeus to jump and dodge to the side. The other lunged with incredible speed, aiming a massive mechanical fist at Modeus's head.
Meanwhile, Enzo faced off against three of the creatures. His large frame withstood a direct blow from an enemy wielding a large knife, but he quickly retaliated with a powerful swing of his axe, shattering the robotic body of his foe into pieces. Even though one creature managed to shoot at him, Enzo deflected the bullets swiftly and charged forward, breaking the creature's neck with a single, forceful strike.
Abigail, on the other hand, moved with agility and precision. Three creatures attacked from different angles, but he evaded them effortlessly with his speed and reflexes. With graceful movements, he drew a slender blade from his waist and targeted the weak points of the mechanical enemies, severing cables and dismantling their internal machinery. Blood mixed with lubricant coated the floor as the creatures fell one by one before him.
Modeus turned his attention back to the two remaining enemies. With a quick leap, he grabbed one of them with a firearm and brutally severed its arm before decapitating the foe with a single sword swing. The last creature, armed with a chainsaw, attacked with a wild scream, but Modeus just laughed, letting it come closer before stabbing his sword directly into its chest, destroying its core and causing it to fall with a mournful screech.
Amidst the chaos, Wilfrid stood calmly, watching as his experimental subjects were defeated one by one by the opposing team. Despite the destruction of his creations, his smile remained unwavering. "Impressive," he murmured, his eyes gleaming with madness. "You're incredibly strong, but that just means one thing. I need to be... more creative."
Modeus wiped blood and oil from his sword, casting a sharp glance at Wilfrid. "Creative, huh? Oh, I can't wait to see what your next insane idea is." His voice was calm, but there was a darkness behind his laughter.
"He won't stop," Abigail said, his breath steady despite just having fought several enemies. "We need to find a way to stop him before he creates more monsters like these."
Enzo nodded, taking a deep breath as he surveyed the scattered corpses around them. "They were once human. What he's doing is unforgivable."
Wilfrid tilted his head, as if contemplating something intriguing. "Ah, you're so bound by that old morality. Evolution requires sacrifice. Without experimentation, without innovation, we'd be stuck in ignorance. And I have no intention of stopping."
"So you're just going to keep torturing people?" Enzo's voice was loud and filled with anger.
Wilfrid gave a thin smile. "I don't see it as torture. It's… progress."
Modeus scoffed, stepping forward and casually swinging his sword. "Ah, progress, he says. It's funny how people like him always think they're visionaries when they're really just insane."
Wilfrid raised an eyebrow, looking at Modeus for a moment before smiling wider. "Madness and greatness often go hand in hand. You'll see… if you last long enough."
With a calm stride, Wilfrid backed away, seemingly allowing them to enjoy this small victory. But his smile hinted at another plan brewing.
Wilfrid chuckled softly, his insane gaze fixed on the trio in front of him. With a wave of his hand, he summoned what he called his latest masterpiece. From the shadows, the sound of mechanical creaking echoed through the room, accompanied by increasingly strong vibrations in the ground.
Two massive creatures slowly emerged from the darkness. They had human-like torsos, but their lower halves resembled giant spiders with long, slender legs covered in barbs that exuded a greenish liquid, clearly a deadly poison. Their bodies were coated in thick metal, and their long, sharp arms flailed wildly as if ready to tear apart anything in their path. Their eyes, empty yet glowing red, fixed on Enzo, Abigail, and Modeus.
"What are those things?" Abigail asked, his eyes sharp as he assessed the creatures before him.
Wilfrid beamed with pride. "Behold the pinnacle of my experiments. Humans fused with machines in their perfect form. They're not only strong but also impervious to pain. The poison flowing through them can kill living beings within seconds."
Modeus just chuckled sardonically. "That's it? I expected something more impressive."
Without warning, one of the spider-like creatures leaped at Modeus with unexpected speed. Modeus jumped back, narrowly avoiding the attack from its poisonous legs, which struck the ground with enough force to create a deep crater.
"Watch out, their poison is deadly!" Abigail warned, stepping back a few paces and preparing his magic.
Enzo pulled out two massive axes strapped to his back and activated the twin automatic guns mounted on his robotic arms. "We need to strike fast before they flood us with poison."
One of the spider creatures swung its sharp arm at Enzo, but with quick reflexes, Enzo dodged and countered with a powerful axe swing. The blade cut into one of its legs, but only managed to scratch the thick metal plating protecting its body. Enzo growled and fired bullets from his automated guns at the creature. The bullets hit hard, but the monster kept attacking, seemingly unfazed by the damage.
Abigail, standing back, raised his hand and began chanting a spell. A dark aura began to form around him. "Regular magic won't be enough to take them down," he murmured. "I'll have to use this."
With a flick of his wrist, Abigail summoned a dark spell he had kept hidden. A pulsating black energy sphere formed in his hand. "Black Magic: Dark Sphere," he whispered before launching the energy ball at the creature attacking Modeus.
The black energy sphere exploded upon hitting the spider creature, causing a massive blast that shattered parts of its mechanical body. The creature let out a loud wail as its legs were mostly destroyed, stumbling backward. But it wasn't defeated yet. With half of its body still intact, it continued to try and attack Modeus, who seemed to be enjoying himself.
"Thanks, Abigail. I was getting bored," Modeus taunted as he swiftly swung his sword, slicing through the creature's weak point and destroying the machine core hidden in its chest.
Meanwhile, Enzo continued his relentless battle with the remaining spider creature. He wielded his axes and automatic guns with tremendous force, attacking brutally without pause. Yet, the creature held its ground, its long, poisonous legs constantly attempting to slice at Enzo and inject venom into his body. Enzo leaped back, narrowly avoiding a poisonous strike aimed at his neck. He raised one of his axes high and, with a powerful swing, managed to sever one of the creature's legs. Green venom sprayed out, dripping onto the floor and corroding anything it touched.
"Quick! Cut off all its legs before it can surround us!" Enzo shouted, breathing heavily and firing bullets at the creature's head. He knew that bullets alone wouldn't be enough to stop this monster.
Abigail nodded and focused his energy once more. This time, he gathered a more potent magical force. Shadows began to swirl around him, forming intimidating black shapes. With a command, these shapes leaped at the spider creature, wrapping around its legs and restraining its movements.
"Now!" Abigail shouted.
Enzo seized the opportunity. He charged forward and, with a double swing of his axes, severed two of the creature's legs simultaneously, causing it to lose its balance. The creature fell, quivering for a moment before Enzo drove his axe into its machine core, destroying the energy source powering it.
Modeus wiped the oil and blood from his sword, casting a hateful glance at Wilfrid. "Your little surprises won't save you this time, Wilfrid."
Backed into a corner, Wilfrid was sweating profusely as he watched Modeus, Enzo, and Abigail take down each of his creations one by one. The manic laughter that had once filled the room was now silenced by a sense of despair. He slumped to the floor, his eyes filled with hatred, staring at the approaching trio. Modeus walked towards him slowly, a terrifying smile on his face.
"Did you really think your little games could defeat us?" Modeus said casually, though there was a clear threat behind his words. Enzo followed closely, his gaze wary. Meanwhile, Abigail remained calm and collected, watching Wilfrid's every move with a sharp eye.
Wilfrid swallowed hard, his legs trembling. But before Modeus could close the distance, one of the spider creatures that had been presumed defeated suddenly moved. From its severely damaged body, its mechanical spine shot out rapidly and extended like a spear, thrusting directly into Modeus's back.
"BLOOD AND POISON!" Wilfrid shouted with maniacal glee, his eyes gleaming with madness as he saw the attack succeed. The bony spike pierced deeply, and green toxic fluid quickly spread around the wound, seeping into Modeus's body. "You're going to die! No one can withstand my poison!"
Enzo, who witnessed the scene, was momentarily stunned. His eyes widened in disbelief, unable to process what had just happened. Blood dripped from Modeus's back, mingling with the poisonous fluid oozing from the wound. Wilfrid, once cornered and fearful, now laughed maniacally. "You think you can defeat me? I'm Wilfrid Rochette! The creator of the human-machine masterpiece!"
Amidst Wilfrid's insanity, Abigail simply smiled slightly, his face calm as ever. He folded his arms and said in a soft but confident voice, "Modeus is fine."
Enzo, still in shock, turned to Abigail. "What are you talking about? He's just been hit with deadly poison!"
Before Enzo could get an answer, Modeus, who had fallen to the ground, started to move. Calmly, he stood up as if nothing had happened. Blood and poison continued to drip from his wound, but his face showed no sign of pain. In fact, a broad smile still adorned his face, even more terrifying than before.
"You... you're still alive?" Wilfrid was speechless, his face pale at the sight. "How is that... possible?"
Modeus grasped the spine still embedded in his back and slowly pulled it out. Green toxic fluid dripped from the end, but Modeus's body remained unaffected. He glanced at the spike for a moment, then casually tossed it to the ground. "You're right, Wilfrid. Your poison might be lethal to others. But I'm different." Modeus grinned, his eyes sharp like a predator toying with its prey.
Wilfrid crawled backward, his eyes filled with fear. "That... can't be... my poison...!"
Modeus approached, his steps slow but assured. "You know, I've been through far worse than this. Poison, fire, ice, being torn apart... everything has tried to kill me. But I always survive."
Abigail stepped forward, glaring at Wilfrid with intense hatred. "You've been playing with other people's lives for too long, Wilfrid. Now it's time for you to face the consequences of your madness."
Enzo, who had been surprised earlier, now smiled faintly. "I'm starting to understand now. Modeus isn't just any ordinary person. No wonder you can handle all this so calmly."
Modeus chuckled softly, casting a glance at Enzo before turning his attention back to Wilfrid. "Yes, I have a bit of an edge over others. And now, Wilfrid..." He leaned in, locking eyes with Wilfrid, whose gaze was trembling with fear. "It's time for this game to end."
Wilfrid tried to speak, but his voice caught in his throat. He backed away further, his back hitting the cold stone wall of the underground room. "No... no... I just... I just wanted to unite humans and machines... I..."
Modeus brought his face closer to Wilfrid's, his smile growing even more menacing. "Oh, I know what you wanted. But you're just one of many like that mad scientist. Unfortunately, you failed."
With a swift motion, Modeus grabbed Wilfrid by the hair and swung his sword toward the mad doctor's neck, cleanly separating his head from his body. He then wrapped the head in cloth, intending to take it back as evidence for Granny Klomin.
This left only a headless corpse lying in the dark room.
Abigail, observing the scene, nodded slightly. "It's time to leave," he said to Enzo. "Our mission is nearly complete. There's nothing left to save here."
Enzo nodded in agreement, though his eyes remained fixed on Modeus. "This guy... he's really something else."
***
After ensuring that all the preparations were complete, Modeus, Abigail, and Enzo began making their way out of the bunker ruins toward the underground village. Their mission was accomplished, with Wilfrid's severed head as tangible proof of their success. The sun was setting as they finally returned, traversing the same path with a calmer atmosphere, though it was still littered with traces of the monsters and dangers they had just faced.
At the village entrance, they were met by guards who promptly called for Granny Klomin. Modeus, holding Wilfrid's head with a nonchalant air, walked with a relaxed stride, a menacing smile on his face, as if he had just finished an enjoyable game. Enzo, still taken aback by the earlier events, occasionally glanced at Modeus, unable to fully grasp who or what this man truly was.
Granny Klomin emerged from the main cave, accompanied by several village elders. Her gaze was sharp and watchful, but there was a hint of respect towards the three before her. "You've returned sooner than I expected," she said as she approached them.
With his usual casual demeanor, Modeus lifted the severed head of Wilfrid. "The job is done. Wilfrid Rochette won't be bothering anyone anymore," he said with a sly grin, then tossed the head onto the ground in front of Klomin. It rolled a few meters before coming to a stop at the feet of one of the village elders.
Granny Klomin gazed at the severed head with narrowed eyes, assessing the situation. "So, you really did it," she murmured, shifting her gaze to Modeus, who stood before her unfazed. "You seem remarkably relaxed for someone who just completed a dangerous mission."
Modeus shrugged casually. "Dangerous? Oh, to me, it was just a game."
Klomin paused, then turned to Enzo, clearly seeking further explanation. "You seem to have something to add, Enzo?"
Enzo stepped forward slightly. "I'm... surprised. The poison Wilfrid used should have been lethal, but Modeus here..." He looked toward Modeus, recalling the moment when the poison had pierced his back. "He's immune to it. No serious wounds, no side effects. I've never seen anything like this."
Klomin's curiosity deepened as she scrutinized Modeus. "Immune to poison?" she whispered. Her gaze then shifted to Abigail, who had remained silent and composed throughout, showing no sign of emotion.
Abigail, although aware of Modeus's abilities, maintained his icy demeanor. He simply inclined his head slightly when Klomin looked at him, not offering any further explanation, leaving Modeus's prowess shrouded in mystery.
After a moment, Klomin nodded, accepting that Modeus was no ordinary person. "Very well," she said finally. "Your mission was a success. The threat from the one causing the rise in monsters is now gone. For now, we can breathe a little easier."
The other village elders sighed in relief, and a few villagers, having heard the news, began whispering, spreading the good news. Modeus, Enzo, and Abigail took a moment to enjoy the calm before Modeus casually raised his hand. "Good, mission accomplished. But... what's next?"
Klomin looked at him with curiosity. "What's next?"
Abigail finally spoke up, his voice firm and calculating. "We need to continue our journey. Our next destination is the most important information syndicate on the continent: The Old World Network."
Granny Klomin was taken aback by the mention of the name. "The Old World Network?" she repeated. "You're actually going there?"
Abigail nodded slowly. "Yes. If there's any additional information about the rise in monsters or demon movements, we'll find it there. Besides, Chief Eliphas has asked us to search for information on the Quantum Artifact."
Enzo, who stood beside them, frowned. "That place... it isn't exactly easy to access, is it? The eastern part of the continent is full of dangers."
Abigail glanced at Enzo before responding, "Danger is part of our job. The Old World Network is located in the ancient ruins in eastern Fertissio. The syndicate is a hub for all kinds of information about the continent, and we might also be able to find work to sustain ourselves."
Modeus grinned widely, his eyes sparkling with interest. "Sounds like fun."
Klomin remained silent, her gaze still fixed on Modeus and Abigail with a scrutinizing look. She knew the journey wouldn't be easy, and there were many unknowns about the eastern region of the continent. "In that case, you'll need to be careful. There are many demons and monsters scattered throughout this continent."
Modeus chuckled lightly. "Nothing to worry about, Granny Klomin."
Enzo and Abigail exchanged looks, and this time Enzo just shook his head with a smile. "You're really confident, Modeus. I hope you're right about that."
Klomin, though slightly taken aback by Modeus's relaxed attitude, gave her final approval. "Very well. If you're set on going, your journey won't be easy. But I believe you can make it through."
With that, Modeus, Abigail, and Enzo left the underground village, preparing to face their next challenge in the eastern part of Fertissio—The Old World Network, a syndicate known for its extensive information about the continent and open to anyone willing to work with them for a fair reward.
***