To the Monster's Lair(2)

"We'll kill them before they have a chance to attack us. That's why we need weapons like this machete—infused with electricity."

Avasyu began describing the monsters.

"They're leech-like creatures with ten glowing, dark red eyes. They have no neck, no head—just a grotesque mass of eyes and a gaping mouth filled with razor-sharp teeth. And that's their power. They know how to devour heads—I learned that firsthand when they kept attacking mine.

But I've also discovered their weakness,electricity."

A single strike from this weapon will cut through them, and the electric surge will be fatal. That's how we'll defeat these normal monsters."

"Normal monsters? What do you mean by normal monsters?" everyone asked.

Avasyu nodded. "Yes… normal monsters. They aren't here on their own. They were sent—ordered to kill us by their leader. That's why we need to take down the leader to end this. Otherwise, no one will survive to see the next morning."

His voice was firm as he continued, "I want all of you to craft your preferred weapons based on this machete. Once that's done, I'll need some of you to help me take the leader down." He scanned the crowd. "If anyone has questions, ask now."

A voice from the back spoke up. "How did you even manage to kill them? You're just a kid."

Avasyu smirked slightly. "I have powers. Superpowers. I got them while fighting those monsters. A lightning bolt struck me, and I survived… but it changed me."

He raised his hand. "I can absorb electricity and release it through my hands upon contact."

Gasps spread through the crowd. The chief stepped forward. "So, you're one of those special kids with powers now." He paused, studying Avasyu. "We'll talk once you return after defeating those monsters. In the meantime, I'll guard the children and wake them."

Avasyu nodded in agreement.

The chief then turned to the crowd. "All guards, start crafting the weapons immediately. Once you step outside this facility, Avasyu will lead the way. You are all capable of protecting yourselves and each other, but I expect you to also protect Avasyu. If anyone wishes to stay, you may, but I need at least 30 volunteers to go with him.

"Those willing to fight, stand to the left with Avasyu. Those who choose to stay, move to the right. Regardless of your choice, everyone must help me wake and guard the children."

Avasyu handed his guard the machete and returned to his room, while the thirty guards headed to the basement to craft their weapons.

Sitting on his bed, Avasyu thought about the battle ahead. He knew it wouldn't be easy, but he was confident—no matter what, he would win using his powers.

To calm his mind, he began meditating, focusing on the time he had spent inside his dream. After deep thought, he finally found the answers he was searching for.

He had spent a total of 50 hours inside the dream, yet in reality, he had only been asleep for an extra 5 hours. That could only mean one thing—those 5 hours were the dream itself.

But then, another question surfaced. Why did he fall asleep after inhaling the monster's gas but never again after gaining his powers?

He soon realized the answer. Before, he was just an ordinary person. But now, after gaining the power of thunder, electricity surged within him. Since electricity was the monsters' weakness, the gas that once put him to sleep could no longer affect him.

After meditating successfully for five more hours, Avasyu opened his eyes at the sound of his guard calling him.

"Everyone's ready to go. Are you ready?" the guard asked.

Avasyu nodded. "Yes. I'll join you in a few minutes."

He got up from his bed and made his way to the facility's front gate, where everyone was waiting. His guard walked beside him, then handed him the machete.

"Are you really ready?" the guard asked again.

Avasyu gripped the weapon firmly. "Yeah, I am."

Turning to the group, he addressed them with determination. "We have only six hours to defeat them. We need to find them quickly and kill them the moment we see them. Then, we take down their leader."

Everyone gripped their weapons tightly and stepped into the forest, following Avasyu.

He led them through the shortest path, weaving through the dense, pitch-black woods. But the darkness posed no challenge—everyone's golden eyes allowed them to see in the dark, though only for a limited time.

After thirty minutes of silent trekking, they arrived at a specific spot. The forest had been eerily empty, with no sign of monsters. Whispers of uncertainty spread among the group until Avasyu raised a hand.

"Stay silent," he warned. "They're behind those two large rocks."

Everyone instinctively tried to peer through the narrow passage between the boulders, but the creatures' bodies remained hidden. Only their eyes—dozens of them—glowed ominously in the darkness.

Beyond the rocks, a horde of monsters lurked in the shadows, their dark red eyes piercing through the night.

The area ahead was an open space, shrouded in impenetrable blackness. But within that darkness, countless glowing red eyes fixated on a single figure sitting in the middle.

Its eyes were the same eerie crimson as the others—but larger, more menacing.

The leader.

As they took in the sight, they immediately realized just how dangerous these monsters were. Their leader sat ominously in the middle of the clearing, its glowing red eyes radiating an unsettling presence.

Avasyu stepped forward and addressed the group. "Everyone, I have a plan to defeat them."

The group leaned in, speaking in hushed voices. "What's the plan?"

Avasyu explained, "My guard and I will go in first. We have experience fighting these creatures, so we'll push our way inside their ranks.

While we do that, I need all of you to surround them. Stay hidden and wait for my signal. When you hear my whistle, attack from all sides at once.

There are about 80 monsters here, but we're only 30. Our only chance is to overwhelm them. Once we take them down, we'll focus on their leader and kill it. That's the plan."

The group fell into silence, processing his words. They turned to his guard, who met their gazes with a firm nod.

"I support him," the guard said. "I will protect him. And I need all of you to protect me, too."

After another moment of thought, everyone exchanged determined glances. One by one, they nodded in agreement.

An intense battle lay ahead.