"Mo, you damn bastard, you... lied... to me...!"

In the silent room, Viser clutched his chest with his right hand. Blood smeared his face, twisting it into a demonic grimace.

The figure he glared at with bloodshot eyes merely smirked coldly.

"Lied?" His voice dripped with sarcasm as he pointed behind him. "You mean them... oh no, *them*?"

There stood armored figures, quiet and orderly.

No—not humans!

Clad in armor with sharp swords, their bloodshot eyes and pale fangs bared at the lips betrayed their monstrous nature.

"Cough... bastard!" Viser’s face contorted with rage. He lunged blindly at the youth named Mo.

But the gaping wound on his chest slowed him badly.

Before he reached Mo, a brutal kick slammed him to the floor.

The heavy boot crushed his unprotected calf. Bones snapped with a sharp *crack*.

Before he could scream, greater pain struck.

Mo’s icy boot pressed firmly onto Viser’s chest wound, his expression utterly ruthless.

"Aaahhh!!!"

Ignoring the screams, Mo increased the pressure and bent down slowly.

A cruel smile curled his lips. The curses on his face writhed like black snakes. "You’re mistaken. Lied? No. This is just recycling trash like you. Oh, and your family... they were killed long ago. What I showed you? Just a replay."

"You... ah! Bastard! I’ll kill you! I’ll kill you, ahhh!"

Watching Viser’s frenzy, Mo’s grin widened. His boot pressed harder.

"Arrogant words. But what can you do now? Trash should know its place!"

*Crack!*

Viser’s chest bones shattered under the force.

Agony drowned his mind, then stole his consciousness.

"Heh..." Mo sneered. Even unconscious, Viser wasn’t spared.

But—

"Stop playing."

The monsters parted neatly, revealing a petite figure wrapped in a black robe. Only a sliver of her face showed beneath the hood. Strands of pure white hair fell across her chest.

Mo turned, his gaze hostile. "Interrupting my game, Shadow?"

The girl stared back, expressionless.

"A few Carrion Eaters lost contact. They’ve met humans. This isn’t time for your games."

"Tch..." Mo’s face tightened with reluctance. He kicked the unconscious Viser aside. "Eat. Your former captain’s final gift."

The inhuman command echoed with a sneer.

"Roar!" The Carrion Eaters hesitated briefly, then lunged like starving hounds.

No scream came. The monsters swallowed him whole.

Shadow watched the bloody scene, unmoved. Not a flicker of emotion crossed her face. Only a colorless light flashed deep in her pupils.

From the room’s shadows, another figure emerged.

Betty frowned at the gore and the licking Carrion Eaters. She said nothing, turning to the robed girl. "Lady Shadow."

"Hmm." Shadow nodded slightly. "Take them. Cause maximum chaos."

"Understood."

Betty’s eyes darkened as she scanned the Carrion Eaters. Half a day ago, they were living humans—some she’d spoken to. But before Shadow, they’d turned from "them" to "it."

Shadow noticed Betty’s shift but stayed silent. She raised her hand. A gray light floated from her fingertips to Betty.

Betty grabbed it without hesitation.

As she touched it, every Carrion Eater’s eyes flickered.

When the light vanished, Shadow said, "Go."

Betty retreated into the darkness, vanishing completely.

Soon, the Carrion Eaters marched out in orderly lines.

"Hey," Mo murmured after the last one left, "will this work? Even enhanced, they’re fragile. Can they really distract that group?"

Shadow didn’t answer. She pulled her hood lower.

Just as Mo thought she’d ignore him, she asked, "Know the difference between humans and monsters?"

"What?"

Her hidden face suddenly wore an eerie smile. "Humans have ‘hearts.’ When monsters devour their own kind’s shells... isn’t their choice obvious?"

"Heh. So that’s why you turned them into Carrion Eaters?" Mo’s sneer made her pause.

"This banquet would bore me with only humans. They’re fierce, yes—but still human." Her voice thrummed with excitement.

Mo smirked. "Don’t hide it. Your soul-deep hatred for humans. You planned this the moment you got the mission, didn’t you?"

Without turning, she flicked her fingers. "No. Amusement. Interest. A whim."

Undeniably, she thrilled at the hell they’d unleash. Humans were simply... too dull.

"Alright," she said. "Strong ones are approaching."