PAIN BREEDERCHAPTER 7: "Voices in the Shadows"
FADE IN:
The inside of the cave was dimly lit by the flickering fire.
Tension was at its peak.
Yoren suddenly raised his hand.
He placed his fingers on the hard stone.
In an instant, the stone crumbled away like dust.
The mouth of the cave opened.
Bright light from outside flooded in.
The surroundings began to brighten.
And the moment the entrance opened—
The hunters were there.
The lead hunter, sword raised, was charging straight into the cave. He was right next to the stone.
HUNTER 1(shouting) Breeders! We've got you—
SHAAKKK!
The sharp sound of an arrow cut through the air.
Lira's arrow struck Hunter 1 straight in the throat.
The man's eyes widened like saucers.
Blood gushed from his mouth.
His sword fell from his hand.
He tried to take one more step, but his knees buckled.
He collapsed to the ground.
LIRA(bow still drawn, cold and sharp voice) One down.
Yoren immediately stepped forward.
He drew his sword.
YOREN(loud and determined voice) Now!
Ren also raised his sword.
Purple energy began to glow around his arms.
Elara slowly stepped forward from behind Ren.
Fear and cold determination mixed in her eyes.
The two remaining hunters staggered back in shock.
HUNTER 2(shouting) They're… not just Breeders! There's someone else with them!
HUNTER 3 Attack! Kill them all!
The two hunters charged at the same time.
Ren lunged forward.
His fist glowed with purple-red flames.
REN(shouting) They're coming!
Lira fired another arrow.
The arrow struck the second hunter in the shoulder.
The hunter screamed in pain but kept charging.
Yoren stepped forward with his sword and clashed with the first hunter.
The sound of metal against metal echoed through the cave.
Ren ran toward the other hunter.
He swung his right fist.
BAM!
The punch hit the hunter in the chest.
Bone cracked.
The man flew backward.
But at that exact moment, Elara moved.
With her weakened body, she lunged forward.
Her right hand grabbed the hunter's leg.
The hunter lost his balance.
ELARA(weak but ice-cold determined voice) …Don't touch… my son.
Ren seized the opportunity.
He swung his left fist into the hunter's face.
CRACK!
The hunter collapsed to the ground.
Now, only smoke, blood, and the sound of rain remained in front of the cave.
Yoren lowered his sword.
He was breathing heavily.
YOREN(looking at Ren) You fight well… Breeder.
Lira lowered her bow, but her eyes were still cautious.
LIRA Your Echo… isn't bad either.
Ren looked at his mother.
Elara's hand was still trembling.
But she was standing.
REN(in a low voice) …Thank you.
Elara simply nodded slightly.
Yoren walked toward the cave entrance.
He checked outside.
At that moment, a voice echoed from a distance.
"Well done… well done… You're very good."
The voice was calm, deep, and mocking.
Everyone turned toward the sound.
From the depths of the forest, a tall man in black uniform slowly approached.
A few hunters walked beside him.
Yoren's face changed instantly.
YOREN(in shock and fear, voice trembling) No… no… it can't be…
The tall man wore a formal black uniform. Gold embroidery on his shoulders, a cap on his head. His face was pale, his eyes cold and sharp.
Yoren's voice trembled.
YOREN He… he shouldn't be here…
Ren quickly pulled Elara behind him.
REN(tense) Who is that?
Yoren swallowed hard.
YOREN One of the highest-ranking hunters in the guild. Codename "Cain".
Cain slowly approached.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
But that smile was anything but friendly.
CAIN(calm, deep voice) Well done… well done… You're very good.
He stopped.
His eyes shifted from Ren to Elara.
CAIN A Breeder… and he turned his own mother into an Echo. Quite an interesting combination.
Yoren's hand moved toward his sword, but it was shaking.
YOREN(fearfully) Cain… this is our territory. Why are you here?
Cain laughed lightly.
CAIN Because I am a hunter. And you… are prey.
Ren clenched his fist.
Purple energy began to glow around his arms again.
Elara remained silent behind Ren.
The rain poured down violently outside.
And a new danger… had truly appeared.
END OF CHAPTER 7