The world today was already completely different from before.
Before the dimensional rifts appeared, Great Xia had once been the safest country in the world.
But after the dimensional rifts opened, under the crushing pressure of despair, the ugliness and evil buried deep within the human heart began to erupt.
Compared to several years ago, it was roughly estimated that more than a billion people on Azure Star had already died.
More than a billion.
And at least one-third of them had not died from disasters or monsters—
But from the madness of human beings themselves.
Cults.
Fanatics.
Extremists.
Obsessives.
Under the immense pressure brought by monsters from the dimensional rifts, many people simply lost their sanity.
Once the mind collapses, humans are capable of doing anything.
Even now, after the situation had stabilized somewhat, there were still many such people.
Especially those who believed in twisted cults.
Not long ago, there had been a news report about a once-famous philanthropist.
Behind the scenes, he had been extracting the brain marrow of pure children, believing it could strengthen his brain and awaken supernatural abilities.
The number of victims?
Ninety-nine children.
Insane.
Inhuman.
Horrifying.
But in truth, this was merely one corner of the darkness in the current world.
The harmonious society of the past could never return—at least not now.
Because as long as crises continued to exist, human evil could never truly be eradicated.
Compared to that philanthropist, the so-called "eye collector" standing before Mammon—who looked like a successful elite of high society—did not surprise him at all.
"Eat them."
Mammon didn't even bother looking at the five people.
He spoke calmly and continued walking toward his small, broken house.
The Rat Demon crouched low, its limbs gripping the ground.
Its crimson eyes—each the size of a small bowl—stared greedily at the five humans.
To it, they looked like a delicious feast placed on a plate.
Demons created by Mammon's Blood Curse developed an almost uncontrollable obsession with flesh and blood.
Because flesh and blood were both their food and the source of their power.
"M-monster…!"
"Why is there a monster here?!"
The fat man in the suit stood frozen with fear, staring at the rat demon the size of a wild boar.
How was this possible?!
Although the town was remote, it was still within a safe zone.
How could such a large monster appear here?
Judging by its size and aura, it had to be at least a C-class disaster.
"Stay calm. Notify the patrol team immediately."
Mr. Dai's face had turned pale as well, but his mature composure allowed him to remain calm.
In front of death, he had no time to worry about Mammon's eyes anymore.
He whispered sharply to the fat man while slowly stepping backward.
Mr. Dai had always been extremely careful with his own life.
After all, someone involved in such dark dealings would have been executed by the Human Alliance long ago if he were careless.
The three bodyguards beside him were warriors he had hired with great expense.
One of them was even an ability user.
Although ability users were superior to ordinary people—
Under the lure of profit, they would still sell their lives.
"SKREE—!"
A heavy, sharp screech suddenly rang out.
The rat demon lunged toward Mr. Dai like lightning.
"Mr. Dai, watch out!"
One of the martial artists' pupils shrank.
He drew a long blade and slashed toward the rat demon.
At the same time, the ability user clenched his fist.
A metallic sheen appeared on his arm.
He possessed a Steel Reinforcement ability.
But—
RIP!
The long blade was instantly torn apart by the rat demon's claws.
The rat demon opened its horrifying jaws and bit away half of the martial artist's head.
Meanwhile, the ability user's iron fist slammed into the rat demon's body, blasting a bloody hole into it.
But that was all.
The rat demon simply crouched over the corpse and continued devouring the flesh.
The tearing sounds of a beast feeding echoed continuously.
Blood and the pungent smell of gore filled the area.
The horrifying scene made the remaining four people turn pale.
"It has regeneration!"
The ability user observed carefully.
Soon, however, he discovered something that shattered his will to fight.
The bloody hole he had punched into the rat demon's body—
Was already healing.
Within seconds, it had completely regenerated.
He was a C-rank ability user.
Before awakening his powers, he had already practiced traditional martial arts.
His ability had greatly enhanced his combat strength.
Yet facing the rat demon—
He had no confidence.
Those claws that could tear steel…
And that regeneration ability…
"Mr. Dai, we can't handle this monster."
"We need to retreat immediately."
The steel ability user spoke in a deep voice.
As he finished speaking, he glanced toward Mammon, who stood quietly in the distance watching them.
Or rather—
Mammon was watching him.
That curious, interested gaze sent chills down his spine.
This boy was definitely not ordinary.
And that monster…
Clearly obeyed his command.
"Retreat."
Seeing that the rat demon was still absorbed in devouring the corpse, Mr. Dai immediately gave the order.
That damned idiot!
Both he and the ability user had realized the same thing.
Mr. Dai's eyes turned cold as he glanced at the fat man in the suit.
The information he provided had been completely wrong.
But now was not the time to settle accounts.
Escaping safely was the most important thing.
However—
The moment the four of them turned to run—
A massive flesh-monster suddenly shot forward.
It instantly grabbed another martial artist beside Mr. Dai.
CRACK!
A crisp snapping sound echoed.
The man's body was bitten cleanly in half.
Blood splashed across the steel ability user's body.
Mr. Dai and the others froze in place.
Mammon raised his arm, which had transformed into the monstrous flesh creature.
His crimson vertical pupils stared calmly at the three remaining people.
"…Did I say you were allowed to leave?"