The silence pressed against Askum’s chest. In that quiet, something crawled up from the depths of his mind.

The sun stood high overhead, heat scorching the rooftop of the condominium.

Yet his body back then did not sweat.

He was kneeling. Crushed. Face-down before a man in a red shirt.

“Looks like you got wrecked pretty badly, Askum.”

Azazil crouched beside him, voice casual. As if the figure on the ground was not the strongest Pelesit in the district. Thick red smoke poured from Azazil’s shattered right hand.

A small glass vial was extended.

The liquid inside shimmered green.

Askum’s hand trembled as he poured it over the wound.

Pshhhh!

The scream still burned at the back of his throat. Skin pulled tight. Bones snapped back into place.

Healed.

His pride was not.

“Rest. I’ll handle it.”

Those words cut deeper than any injury.

Askum clenched his right hand.

“You think I’m weak?”

Silence.

Then Azazil smiled wider.

“You’re the strongest Pelesit I’ve ever seen, Askum.”

A compliment sharp as poison.

—

“Hello?”

The voice dragged Askum back to the present.

Not Azazil.

Not the rooftop.

Khai.

That expressionless face stood before him. Empty. Unmoved. As if Askum was not a threat at all.

The image of a dented frying pan flashed through Askum’s mind. Just for a second. Long enough to tear his ego open again.

Askum grit his teeth.

He straightened his posture. Broad chest. Massive frame blocking the light.

Different sizes. Different emotions.

But neither gaze retreated.

“You know who I—”

“Sorry, I don’t take requests.”

Khai smiled awkwardly, scratching the back of his head.

“What?”

Askum froze. Ratree turned sharply.

She grabbed Khai’s arm.

“Hey. That’s the Pelesit from this morning.”

Her voice was low. Her eyes never left Askum.

“Pelesit? Him? Isn’t he the restaurant waiter?”

Khai pointed at Askum, genuinely confused.

Ratree smacked her own forehead.

“God, you’re an idiot.”

“Huh?”

That pointless exchange erased Askum completely from the moment.

And it burned.

To Askum, that face wasn’t calm.

It was insulting.

No fear.

No urgency.

Askum clenched his fist.

Pip! Pip!

Ratree’s tablet screamed to life. Graphs spiked violently. Her eyes widened.

“Don’t mess with me!”

Askum raised his arm. Thick red smoke swallowed his fist, pulsing like something alive.

“Get down!”

Khai shoved Ratree away. She fell hard onto the floor.

“Khai!”

Too late.

Khai raised his hand to block the punch.

The impact exploded through the restaurant.

Khai’s body was launched backward, smashing into the wall with a brutal crack before slumping motionless.

Silence.

The restaurant froze.

No screams. No footsteps.

Only eyes locked on Askum standing at the center of the room.

The humans hesitated. Breath held. Bodies stiff.

They knew.

This was not a fight you could win.

Not with logic.

Not with courage.

Their opponent was a Pelesit.

Askum looked at Khai.

No reaction. No sound.

He lowered his gaze to his own fist.

A smile formed.

His ego stitched itself back together.

His confidence surged.

He was the strongest Pelesit.

Sirens wailed.

Chaos erupted. People scattered. A bunker door rose from the street outside, yawning open.

A child crying.

A woman screaming.

Security shouting orders.

To Askum, it sounded like music.

Humans afraid. Their arrogance stripped away. The hierarchy laid bare.

“Humans only care about themselves.”

He walked toward Khai slowly.

The screams faded. Only broken glass crunching underfoot remained.

“No one’s coming to save you.”

Red smoke thickened around his arm, sharpening into massive spikes.

“This is your grave.”

He raised his hand.

“Just die, Kenz—”

Suddenly—

Thunk!

A spoon smashed into his head.

Askum turned.

Ratree.

She was still standing behind him, gripping a cup with white knuckles. Her knees trembled. Breathing shallow. Face pale.

She was terrified.

“You’re… scared?” Askum grinned.

Ratree swallowed hard.

“I am.”

Her voice shook. But her feet did not move toward the bunker.

“Beating someone unconscious… that’s not exactly fair.”

“So brave.” Askum sneered.

Askum’s eyes burned red.

Ratree’s body locked instantly. The cup slipped from her hand. She collapsed onto the floor, unable to move.

“Know your place, weak human.”

Askum stepped closer.

Ratree could only hear his footsteps.

“So this is… Pelesit Zing radiation…”

This wasn’t like this morning.

It felt different.

Less dense.

Less crushing.

The footsteps drew nearer.

Ratree lay frozen. Arms useless. Legs numb. Breath trapped in her chest.

She gathered what little strength remained.

“Khai… I know you can hear me.”

Her voice cracked. But her resolve didn’t.

“Your Zing… it’s heavier than this.”

Askum’s laughter drowned her out.

His shadow swallowed Ratree whole.

Tears slid onto the floor.

Am I going to die here?

Askum raised his spiked arm.

Amid the screaming sirens—

Pip! P-pip! P-pip!

A new graph sliced through the existing data.

A label blinked violently.

Unknown Zing