CHAPTER 224: CH 224

Meanwhile, a smaller group broke away from the crowd, their faces filled with curiosity and concern. Sun and Ella, along with Peter, Kurt, and Jeff, approached Dave, their eyes locked on him with a mix of questions and gratitude.

"What happened?" Peter asked, his voice laced with a sense of urgency. "Where is Kim Hyun?" His eyes scanned the area, as if expecting Kim Hyun to emerge from the shadows at any moment.

Dave’s response was straightforward. "He’s dead now. You don’t have to worry about him again." A sense of finality hung in his words, a reassurance that the threat had been neutralized.

Ella’s eyes widened in surprise, and a smile spread across her face. "Really?" she exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement, "That’s amazing!"

The others nodded in agreement, their faces reflecting a mix of relief and gratitude toward Dave.

Dave’s gaze then shifted to Kim Sun, and he noticed a subtle downturn to her expression. Her eyes seemed clouded, and her usual brightness was dimmed. But before he could dwell on it, he turned his attention back to the others.

"I want you to gather everyone in front of the building," Dave instructed Peter, Kurt, and Jeff. "We need to discuss our movement forward as beast tamers." His voice was firm, but his tone conveyed a sense of importance. "I’ll be back in a few minutes."

With that, Dave walked towards Kim Sun, his strides long and purposeful. He reached out and gently took her hand, his touch was warm and reassuring. "Let’s talk," he said, his voice low and gentle.

Together, they walked into one of the rooms in the giant building, the door closing behind them with a soft click. The room was quiet, a stark contrast to the bustling activity outside.

Meanwhile, Peter took charge, his voice ringing out across the courtyard. "Everyone, gather in front of the building!" he announced. "Dave has something important to say, and it involves our progression as beast tamers in this world." His words sparked a flurry of activity, as people began to move towards the designated area.

As they waited for Dave’s return, the atmosphere grew thick with anticipation. What did Dave have in mind for their future? How would they move forward in this desolate world? The questions swirled in their minds, but one thing was certain – they were eager to hear Dave’s words and embark on the next stage of their journey.

Meanwhile, none of them knew that a certain fellow was watching everything unfold. A visible vein could be seen on his forehead as he watched from above.

Standing atop a towering skyscraper, Exus gazed out over the city, his blue-hued skin seeming to blend seamlessly with the cerulean sky. His eyes narrowed as he focused on a specific three-story building with a sprawling courtyard, where a group of people had gathered. A scowl etched itself onto his face as he took in the scene.

"What the heck happened?!" Exus bellowed, his voice laced with fury. "How could he have been killed?!" he thundered, his anger palpable. "He had a part of my powers! He shouldn’t have been dealt with so easily!"

Exus’s gaze burned with intensity as he pondered the identity of the individual who had bested his avatar. "Who is this fellow that killed him?" he growled. "He can tame beasts like the rest of the humans, but how was he able to defeat my avatar?!" The questions swirled in his mind, fueling his rage.

In a fit of anger, Exus brought his foot down on the building, and it crumpled beneath him like a house of cards. The structure shuddered, and the sound of crunching concrete and glasses filled the air as it collapsed in on itself. Exus didn’t even flinch; instead, he sprang into action, moving with incredible speed to the next building.

He traversed the city with ease, his movements a blur as he demonstrated the overwhelming strength and speed that came with being a god. His power was a palpable force, one that inspired awe and terror in equal measure.

Meanwhile, Dave, the recipient of Exus’s power, remained unaware of the full extent of his abilities. He had yet to tap into the deeper wellsprings of his strength, and without guidance, he struggled to understand the true nature of his powers. The contrast between Exus’s mastery and Dave’s nascent abilities was stark, highlighting the vast potential that lay dormant within the younger man.

As Exus sprang to the next building, the people in the courtyard turned their heads in unison, their eyes drawn to the spectacle of the collapsing structure. The massive building’s descent into ruin was a sight to behold, and for a moment, everyone’s attention was riveted to the scene. The sound of crumbling concrete and twisted metal filled the air, a cacophony that was both familiar and unsettling.

As they watched, a mixture of curiosity and concern etched itself onto their faces. Some of them wondered aloud if the foundation had been damaged, perhaps weakened by the meteor’s previous impact, which had already ravaged a part of the building. The thought seemed plausible, and they nodded to themselves, accepting the explanation.

As the building finally came to rest in a cloud of dust, the onlookers shifted their gazes away, their expressions a mask of indifference. It wasn’t as if this was an unusual occurrence; the city had seen its fair share of destruction, and the people had grown accustomed to the sounds of collapse and chaos. They went about their business, seemingly unperturbed by the latest disaster.

Exus’s gaze swept across the cityscape, his eyes scanning the rooftops and streets below. He was searching for something, a particular energy signature that seemed to elude him. Suddenly, he sensed it – the faint resonance of his avatar’s power. "This energy, it belongs to that human," he muttered to himself. "Is he still alive?"

The energy felt familiar, it was the distinctive signature of Kim Hyun. Exus’s eyes narrowed as he tried to pinpoint the source, but just as he thought he had it located, the energy vanished into thin air. It was as if it had never existed at all.

Exus’s brow furrowed in confusion. He had been certain that Kim Hyun was alive, but now he wasn’t so sure. "For a moment, I thought he was alive," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

As he pondered the mystery, Exus’s gaze fell upon the rubble-strewn site of the building he had crushed beneath his feet. Unbeknownst to him, Kim Hyun’s lifeless body lay trapped beneath the debris, his soul departing his mortal coil as the building collapsed on him. Which was why for a moment, Exus had thought Kim Hyun was alive, when actually, it was just his soul leaving his body.

Exus’s thoughts turned to the human who had bested Kim Hyun, his avatar. "I guess I’ll have to keep this strange fellow on my radar," he said, his eyes glinting with interest. "He seems like a threat. Or is it my avatar that is so weak?" The question hung in the air, and Exus’s expression turned contemplative.

"Well, time would tell if this mysterious human posed a genuine threat, or if it’s my avatar that was just weak." Exus uttered his final words as he prepared to leave.

With a sudden burst of movement, Exus vanished into the shadows, disappearing from sight. He melted into the city’s fabric, leaving behind no hint of his presence. His hiding spot, which was known to no one, awaited him; a secret refuge where he could ponder the implications of what had transpired.

***

In the room where Dave had entered with Kim Sun, the air was filled with tension and unspoken words. Dave gestured toward a chair, offering for Sun to sit in. She didn’t hesitate as she settled into it, her movements slow and deliberate. Meanwhile, Dave had taken the seat opposite her, as he observed her face.

"Are you alright?" he asked with a gentle voice.

Sun offered a faint nod, her eyes fixed on a spot on the floor, avoiding his gaze. Her fingers intertwined tightly, as her knuckles turned white.

Dave leaned forward slightly, his elbows resting on his knees. "I heard about what happened between you and Kim Hyun," he began cautiously. "He claimed to be your husband."

"Ex-husband," Sun corrected, her voice barely above a whisper. She paused, taking a shaky breath. "I divorced him after he... after he hurt my little cousin." Her hands trembled, and she clenched them into fists, nails digging into her palms.

A tear traced a path down her cheek, but she quickly brushed it away. "I thought I’d feel relief knowing he’s gone," she continued, her voice quivering. "But the anger... it lingers. I wish he had suffered more before he died. Now he’s just... gone. But my anger remains. I hope he rots in hell for eternity."

Her shoulders shook as silent sobs overtook her. Dave moved closer, his movements slow and deliberate, giving her space to pull away if she wished. When she didn’t, he gently placed her head on his shoulder, offering silent support to her.

As she leaned into him, seeking solace, Dave’s eyes caught a glimpse of something on her neck. A familiar mark that he recognized. His brow furrowed, as his gaze continued to linger on the faint mark on Kim Sun’s neck. It was identical to those borne by the mergers.