CHAPTER 57: CHAPTER 56: THE CHASE

[Before the battle started]

The world outside the shopping mall had descended into a storm of wings and fury.

High above, Volt—three-headed dragon fought, Each of his heads moved with serpentine precision, snapping and tearing through the black-feathered murder of ravens that swarmed him.

The ravens weren’t just attacking, they were smothering. Every time Volt shook free, more birds swarmed back in, stabbing with needle-sharp beaks, raking his armored hide with claws

On his shoulder crouched Junior, the pale spider monkey, his eight red eyes darting in every direction. Itss tail coiled around one of Volt’s scale ridges for balance as he chittered nervously.

Then a voice slid into its mind—calm, controlled, but edged with urgency.

"Junior.Follow Mr. Kang. Don’t lose him." It was Shin Ye-jun. His master.

Junior straightened, letting out a sharp chitter. Volt’s central head tilted toward him.

"Hmph. You’re still a hatchling, little spider. Take someone with you."Volt’s middle head spoke to junior.

Before Junior could move, Volt’s left head snapped sideways, catching a raven mid-flight and shredding it.Volte continued, "You’ll only get yourself plucked out of the air. Go. Find one of the humans."

Junior gave one last glance at the chaotic aerial brawl before springing off Volt’s shoulder, diving toward the mall’s upper levels.

Near the entrance of a half-ruined café, sprawled across a bench, was Hyun-tae—boots up, head tilted back, shotgun resting loosely against his chest.

His snores were loud enough to be heard over the faint echoes of the battle outside.

Junior landed silently on the bench, padded feet barely making a sound. He tilted his head, studying the man for a moment.Junior landed on his chest, lifted a tiny white-furred arm...

SLAP! Crisp enough to echo.

Hyun-tae’s eyes snapped open. Without hesitation

BOOM!

The shotgun roared, muzzle flash blinding in the dim hallway. Pellets tore into the air where Junior had been half a second before.

"SKREEEEE!"

Junior loud voices echoed through the shopping mall.

Boom Boom, the shotgun’s ego spoke, "Calm down, idiot. That’s one of us."

Hyun-tae blinked, lowering the weapon as the gun’s gravelly voice filled his head.

"Ohhh! I remember him now. He is Ye-jun’s pet monster that he can transform into."

Suddenly Hyun-tae made a weird face to show his disgust, " Man! That kid, when we fought that half horse half human guy. He transformed into such a monster. If I didn’t knew that before hand. I would have shot that kid down."

"Yeah yeah You can yap about it another time. But first let me listen to what Junior is trying to convey."

"You can understand him?"

Boom Boom didn’t answered Hyun-tae question this time.

Then Junior started to speak something. He moved his four arms and legs in such a gesture that it was difficult to understand what he was saying.

But somehow Boom Boom understood what Junior meant and then said to Hyun-tae "Monkey says follow. He’s got a lead."

"I’m following a monkey now?", Hyun-tae was confused.

"I will fill the details as we move follow him". Boom boom replied, urging Hyun-tae to follow Junior.

They started to move.

Junior was already bolting toward the shattered mall entrance, glancing over his shoulder to make sure Hyun-tae followed.

The moment they stepped outside, the cold hit them like a wall, carrying the tang of dust and ozone.

Outside, Mr. Kang was moving fast for an old man, or rather he was an undead,his feet leaving trails of brown slush as the concrete beneath him melted into sucking mud.

Hyun-tae’s boots squelched with every step, mud dragging at his legs. The old man was clever—slowing pursuit without needing to turn around.

But it didn’t affect Junior’s pursuit as he used his webs to swing through the alley.

Suddenly, a shadow passed overhead. The ravens had noticed them.

Hyun-tae’s finger tightened on the trigger—only for a blur of pale wings to slice across the moon. Snowy owls swooped in from the flanks, colliding with the ravens mid-dive.

"Guess the bird division’s on our side."Hyun-tae spoke.

"Talk less. Shoot more." Boom Boom continued, " So what the monkey said to me was...."

Hyun-tae fired twice, each blast cracking the night open. Mud splattered under the shockwaves, clearing a narrow path forward.

Junior kept weaving through the muck, tail flicking in sharp, deliberate signals—left, right, leap. Hyun-tae followed, shotgun steady in his hands.

They caught Mr. Kang at the edge of the road, where the street lamps flickered in the cold wind.

His back was against the wall of a ruined bakery covered in webs that was shot by Junior hands raised, eyes wide.

Hyun-tae pointed his shotgun in front of Mr.kang’s face.

"Please! wait. Don’t kill me." He pleaded, his chest rose and fell rapidly, hands held up in a shaky surrender.

"Wait—please. I don’t want to die again. You don’t understand—" But Hyun-tae cut him off saying "You are already a monster."

This comment seems to shift something inside Mr.kang. "You think killing me will solve anything? Cheng-min. That guy. He is the real monster."

Mr.kang continued his outburst, "Why did he kill us.The heart, I will give you the heart but please don’t let him survive. He needs to pay for his crimes."

"I’m a military personnel." Hyun-tae spoke, aiming his shotgun at Mr.kang chest where Cheng-min hearts beat,"Don’t worry, I will aveng you. You are a brave man."

"Thank you. Thank you".

BOOM.

The slug punched through the crystalline heart, shattering it into a spray of glittering shards.

Mr. Kang collapsed instantly, lifeless eyes staring up at the dim, stuttering light.

Junior landed beside the body, inspecting the shards with a curious tilt of his head before letting out a satisfied chitter.

Hyun-tae raised the walkie-talkie, thumb pressing the button.

"Hey! Is anyone there?" No one answered. But he still continued speaking,

"I have killed Mr.kang and destroyed the heart alongside."

Then Ye-jun’s tired voice came through.

"Come back."

Hyun-tae slung the shotgun over his shoulder.

"Let’s go, monkey. Guess the fun’s over."

Junior bounded ahead, owls ghosting above them.