CHAPTER 99: LOST CONTROL

Before Shaan could finish his sentence, his body collapsed as the effects of Ignis’ aspiration wore off. He felt so weak that he couldn’t even lift his fingers.

[Shaan!] Robin Hood walked toward Shaan. [[Hang in there. I’ll get us out of here soon.]

Robin Hood then used his strength to lift Shaan from the ground and carry his body. Step by step, they began moving toward the door, determined to leave the room as quickly as they could.

[Hey, Shaan. Hang in there, buddy,] said Robin Hood, supporting Shaan gently. [We can get out of here.]

Shaan didn’t say anything and responded with a smile. "Robin Hood... thank you."

[Thank you? For what?]

"Thank you for always helping me in times like this," Shaan said weakly. "Without your help, I would probably be dead by now."

[Hey, hey, that’s my job as a Daemon,] said Robin Hood. [Now, keep your voice down. We’ll be out of this damn place soon.]

With slow steps, they continued walking until they reached the door. Robin Hood pushed the door with all his strength, and before them lay a vast expanse of grass, with a red moon glowing in the sky.

[Oh God, Shaan. Look!] Robin Hood smiled widely. [W-we found the way out! We made it!]

"Yes, I’m glad to hear that."

[Hey, stay with me. I’m sure we’ll meet the others soon.]

However, just as Robin Hood was about to step out, several guards appeared in front of them, with a weapon in each of their hands.

"Stop right there!" The guards simultaneously pointed their swords at the two of them. [You two are a threat!]

[No, no. This is a misunderstanding.] Robin Hood tried to explain everything to them. [We are not criminals as you think.]

"We received reports about a threat inside the underground cave," one officer explained. "I didn’t expect that threat to be a Daemonist and his Daemon."

"N-no, that’s not true. We’re not—"

"All guards, don’t let them escape!"

The two of them backed away, trying to knock down all the guards as they approached them. They tried to escape, but it was useless. Their bodies were too exhausted from fighting the doppleshade, and they had no strength left to run away.

[Let go of me!] Robin Hood shouted, struggling as he saw one of the guards pulling Shaan away from him. [Shaan!]

"Hey, hey—get your hands off me!" Shaan screamed in frustration. "I said, get away from me!"

[Side effects of using Aspira Ignis]

[Insanity level increased drastically by 66 percent]

[Insanity meter: Yellow]

[Status: Alert]

[Insanity level is nearly exceeding capacity. The insanity meter will activate protection mode in a few moments.]

"Arghh !!"

Robin’s scream echoed loudly as he began to lose control of his body. Without hesitation, he brutally attacked all the officers present, causing chaos to ensue.

’Oh my God, no, this can’t be....’ Shaan widened his eyes. ’This is bad, I have to control Robin Hood before things get even more chaotic.’

"Robin Hood!" Shaan shouted. "I command you—stop attacking, right now!"

However, Robin Hood completely ignored Shaan’s orders and continued attacking the guards without stopping. One by one, the guards fell, and everything became more chaotic.

"A dangerous threat has been detected. Daemon is losing control and endangering guards," said the leader of the guards there. "All guards assemble and immobilize Daemon as quickly as possible."

Within seconds, the guards’ eyes all lit up with a red glow, and they charged at Robin Hood together. He fought back, trying to push them away, but it was useless. Their numbers overwhelmed him, and soon, they managed to restrain him. One of the guards pulled out a stun device and jabbed it into Robin Hood’s body, sending electric shocks through him until he convulsed and collapsed, unconscious.

"Hey! What are you doing to Robin Hood!"

"The rogue daemon has been subdued," the guard leader said. "It’s time to bring him to quarantine."

"Hey, where are you taking Robin Hood?" Shaan shouted.

"..."

"Hey, answer me!"

However, the guards didn’t respond at all and continued walking while carrying Robin Hood’s body.

Shaan shouted.

"...."

"Hey, answer me!"

But none of the guards said a word. They just walked away, carrying Robin Hood’s limp body with them. Rage boiled inside Shaan. He wanted to hit them—scream at them—but his body refused to move.

"Damn it! What the hell—"

’Kzzzt!’

The insameter immediately delivered an electric shock to Shaan’s body, causing him intense pain. The more he tried to move, the more painful the shock became, eventually causing Shaan’s vision to blur, and everything turned dark.

***

A blinding light suddenly forced Shaan awake. Slowly, he opened his eyes and immediately spotted a yellow hanging lamp directly above his head. For a moment, Shaan stayed silent. He couldn’t believe he was still alive after everything that had happened.

"Where am I? Where is Robin Hood?"

Shaan looked around and saw stone walls surrounding him. There was nothing else in sight, except for a wooden door that must be the entrance and exit to this place. Damn. What kind of place is this?

"I have to get out of here. I must find Robin Hood and the others. Right now."

With all his strength, he tried to move toward the door, which wasn’t too far from his position. However, as he attempted to walk toward the door, for some reason, he felt something holding his legs back. Realizing something was off, he turned his head and realized there was an iron chain locked around one of his legs.

"Argh, damn it! Damn it! What’s going on?"

He tugged at the chain, trying everything he could to break free, but nothing worked. The metal felt too solid, too heavy to be destroyed by force. When he realized his efforts weren’t enough, he dropped his head in frustration.

’What... what am I supposed to do now?’

As desperation overwhelmed Shaan, suddenly he heard the sound of a door opening in front of him, along with the sound of footsteps approaching him. Immediately, he raised his head.

"Who...who are you?" Shaan furrowed his brow as he saw a black-uniformed guard appear before him. "What’s going on? Where am I?"

"Come with me. It’s time for your judgment."