Chapter-10:Unstable Growth
The silence didn't last.It never did.
"…Contain the area.""…Seal all exits."
"…No one leaves."Orders echoed across the hall.
Sharp.Immediate.The Academy Special Division moved fast.Too fast.Like they were prepared.
Raj noticed.So this isn't new…
The broken wall was already being sealed.A barrier forming.Faint.But strong.The outside—Cut off.
The inside—Locked."…We're trapped," someone muttered."…No," the tall boy said calmly.
"…We're contained."A small difference.But important.Raj exhaled slowly.His body still felt… strange.Heavy.Light.Wrong.All at once.
The energy he took—Wasn't stable.It moved.
Inside him.Like it was alive."…Tch."He clenched his fist.The feeling intensified.A pulse.Dark.Sharp.
For a moment—His vision flickered.Red.
Then normal."…Not good," the girl said quietly.
She was watching him.Closely.
"…You took corrupted energy."Raj smirked faintly.
"…And?""…And it changes people."Silence.
The smiling boy added—"Not always in a good way." Raj didn't reply.But his eyes—Darkened slightly.
The system flickered.Stronger than before.Unstable.
[Foreign Energy Detected, Assimilation… Incomplete]
Raj's breathing slowed.So I need to control this too…
Before he could think further—BZZZT.The alarm returned.Louder.Harsher.Everyone froze.
"…Again?" someone whispered.The tall boy's expression hardened."…Multiple signals."
The girl looked toward the sealed wall."…More are coming."—CRACK.This time—Not one place.
Three.Different points.The barrier trembled.
"…Brace!" a teacher shouted.Too late.—SHATTER.
Three breaches.Three shadows.Three corrupted.
They crawled in.Twisted.Broken.Hungry.
The air turned cold.Fear spread instantly."…We can't handle three at once!""Fall back!""Regroup!"
The formation broke.Not completely—But enough.
Chaos slipped in.The first creature lunged—
Fast.Wild.The smiling boy moved.—FLASH.
He appeared behind it."Too slow."—CRACK.
A clean strike.The creature dropped.
But—Got up again."…Annoying."The second charged straight at the girl.She didn't move.
Until the last second.Then—BOOM.
The ground beneath it collapsed.Crushed. Controlled."…Stay down."The third—Went for Raj.
Directly.As if—
It recognized him.Raj's eyes narrowed.It's targeting me…The creature screamed—And lunged.
Raj didn't step back.Didn't dodge.He waited.
Watched.Calculated.Unstable movement…
But predictable bursts…The creature swung—
Raj shifted slightly.Minimal movement.
Perfect timing.The claw missed.Barely.
Raj stepped in.Close.Too close."…You're mine."
He grabbed it.Again.Direct contact.
"Raj—DON'T—!" the tall boy shouted.Too late.
The system surged violently.More intense than before.
[Warning: Corruption Overload]
[Extraction Attempt… Forced]
Energy exploded into him.Wild.Chaotic.Burning.
Raj's body shook.His vision turned red—
Then darker."…Control it…"A whisper.To himself.
Not force.Control.His grip adjusted.His breathing slowed.But the energy—Fought back.
Harder than before.The creature screamed—
But so did something inside Raj.A voice.
Not his.More…Take more…His pupils shrank.
"…No."
For the first time—Resistance.Not against the enemy—But against himself.The system flickered rapidly.[Host Stability: Decreasing]
Raj's knees bent slightly.Pressure building.Cracking.
Inside."…Stop it!" the girl shouted.The tall boy moved—Fast.Closing the distance.But Raj—
Was faster.He pulled back.Forcefully.Breaking the connection himself.—SNAP.The energy cut off.
Violently.Raj staggered.Breathing heavy.
The creature—Weakened.Open.The tall boy didn't hesitate.—BOOM.A final strike.
It collapsed.Gone.Silence.Again.But this time—
Everyone felt it.Raj stood still.Head lowered.
Breathing uneven."…You almost lost control," the tall boy said.Serious.Sharp.Raj didn't reply.Slowly—He lifted his head.His eyes—For a second—Glowed faint red.Then—Returned to normal."…Almost."A small smile.Dangerous.
The system stabilized slightly.
[Assimilation: Partial Success]
→ Corruption Resistance Increased
→ Control Threshold Expanded
Raj exhaled."…I'm learning."The girl stared at him.
"…Or changing."The words lingered.Heavy. True.Before anyone could respond—A new voice echoed.Through the entire hall.Cold.Distorted.
Not human."—Interesting."Everyone froze.
"…What was that?" someone whispered.The voice continued.Clearer now.Watching.Amused.
"—You can take it… and still stand."Raj's eyes sharpened.The presence—Familiar.Not physically.
But—Connected.
The system reacted violently.
[External Entity Detected]
[Origin: Unknown]
"…So it's you," Raj said softly.The voice chuckled.
Low.Disturbing."—Grow stronger."A pause.
"—I'll come for you."—CUT.Silence.Dead silence.
Even the air felt frozen.Raj stood still.Then—
Slowly—He smiled.Not fear.Not anger.Something else.Excitement."…I'll be waiting."Outside the barrier In the darkness—Something moved.Watching.
Waiting, Hunting.
And for the first time—
Raj wasn't the only predator.
[Chapter-10 Ended]