A man in a black robe dashed through the crowded street, heart pounding in his chest. His breath came in short, desperate bursts.

Black-Robed Man (thinking):
He’s just one guy!! But why… why does it feel like if I stop even for a second—I’ll die?!

Three of his comrades followed closely behind, all panting and glancing over their shoulders. Fear clung to them like sweat.

From atop a shop roof, the wind howled softly.

Qing Yan stood calmly, watching them scramble like ants.

Qing Yan (grinning):
“Huuu… Run as far as you can.”

He snapped his fingers.

SNAP.

In an instant, he vanished—and then reappeared, flying above the panicked group.

Qing Yan (hovering mid-air, playful):
“Let’s see… which one? Hmm… that one looks like fun.”

He snapped his fingers again.

SNAP.

The man on the far right jerked violently. His body twisted, his chest burst open—organs tore apart and spilled onto the pavement.

Screams erupted. Panic spread like wildfire.

Random Bystander:
“RUN!! He’s killing people!!”

Another Voice:
“What kind of monster is he?!”

The street descended into chaos—people shouting, running, knocking over carts and crates to flee.

Qing Yan landed slowly, smiling cruelly at the mess.

Qing Yan (thinking, amused):
“Monster? Heh… it’s been a while since someone called me that.”
(voice turns casual)
“Well… I should keep civilians safe. But that doesn’t mean I can’t have a little fun.”

He disappeared again.

When he reappeared, he stood directly in front of the remaining three—black-robed men skidding to a stop. Their eyes widened in terror.

They dropped to their knees.

All Three (together):
“Please spare us, O great lord!!”

Qing Yan (smirking):
“Ooooh… perfect sync? I’m impressed.”

He tilted his head mockingly.

Qing Yan:
“There are three of you left. I’ll let two of you live—”

Leftmost Comrade (interrupting):
“W-Which tw—”

SHNK!
His head was suddenly no longer attached to his body.

Qing Yan (eyes glowing):
“How dare you cut off my line?”

Blood pooled on the ground. The remaining two shook violently, unable to look at the corpse beside them.

Qing Yan (coldly):
“…Only two left. But that son of a bitch ruined the game I had planned.”

He looked down on them kneeling, disappointment laced with menace in his voice.

Qing Yan:
“I used my mind and time to plan it... I won’t let it go to waste.”

Both (terrified):
“Y-Yes, sir!”

Qing Yan (serious):
“Run to the safest place you know—or to the person you believe in most.”

He stepped closer, voice low and chilling.

Qing Yan:
“If both of you reach that place—or person—within 30 minutes... and if they manage to protect you when I come, I’ll let you live. I won’t chase you again.”

He paused, smirking darkly.

Qing Yan:
“But... if you fail to reach them, or if they fail to shield you—”
(voice turns colder)
“You. Will. Die.”

The two shivered under his gaze.

Qing Yan:
“Oh, and one more rule: if one of you dies before reaching safety, the other automatically survives. Deal?”

Both (nodding furiously):
“Y-Yes, sir!”

Their thoughts raced as they looked at one another.

(Both thinking):
“Who in the world could save us from a monster like this?! He’s only doing this to toy with us…!!”

Then—realization struck.

They turned to each other at the same time.

Both (gasping, hopeful):
“The night shift manager!!”

Qing Yan grinned wide, eyes glowing with glee.

Qing Yan:
“Then let the game…
BEGIN.”

With that, he disappeared into the air—his laughter echoing through the streets as the twisted hunt began.

[TO BE CONTINUED]

Author’s Note:

Qing Yan doesn’t just kill—he plays. The hunt has begun, and the “Night Shift Manager” may hold more secrets than expected.

Thanks for reading—drop a comment if you’d survive his little game.