The cave was eerily silent after the massive crater and the destruction of the Evolved Monster.
Rey's cold gaze remained locked on Dr. Shwartz, who was trembling, his knees hitting the ground as he mourned his lost masterpiece. The fire of arrogance that once lit his eyes was replaced by sheer despair. Rey stepped closer, his voice cold and cutting.
"Start talking," Rey demanded, his tone brooking no argument. "Who else is involved? Where's the Dragon Emperor's main stronghold? And how far have you gone with this abominable research?"
Dr. Shwartz gulped, his hands shaking as he began to mutter, "The… the Dragon Emperor commands us from the shadows. We only know fragments of his plans… but the experiments here are a mere prelude…" He coughed violently, blood dripping from his mouth. "We… we were promised power… dominion over… over…"
Suddenly, his words were cut off as his eyes bulged.
Blood began seeping from every orifice—his nose, his ears, even the corners of his eyes. Rey's instincts screamed at him, and he leaped back, immediately erecting a barrier of glowing energy around himself.
Dr. Shwartz let out a horrific scream as his body contorted unnaturally.
His flesh bubbled and swelled grotesquely, and within moments, he exploded in a violent burst of gore and dark energy. The shockwave slammed against Rey's barrier, cracks spiderwebbing across it before the force dissipated.
Lowering his shield, Rey's sharp eyes scanned the scene, only to see something monstrous emerging from the carnage.
Where Dr. Shwartz had once stood was now a towering, deformed figure.
Scales rippled across its body, shimmering in dark, iridescent hues. Its limbs were elongated and clawed, and its face was a horrifying blend of human and dragon, with glowing crimson eyes that radiated mindless rage. Spiked wings jutted out from its back, torn and malformed, twitching spasmodically as the creature let out a guttural roar.
Rey frowned, his mind racing.
"So, you had the formula in you all along," he muttered. "And it activated because you were a traitor to the Dragon Emperor. I guess you didn't see that coming, huh?"
The Dragonoid's roar grew louder, and it charged at Rey with terrifying speed.
Despite its grotesque appearance, it possessed incredible brute strength.
Its massive claws swiped at him, the sheer force of the attack sending shockwaves through the cave. Rey dodged nimbly, flipping backward and landing gracefully on a rocky outcrop.
"No Skills, no strategy… just raw power," Rey observed. He smirked. "Looks like you're all brawn and no brain. That makes this easier."
The Dragonoid lunged again, its claws smashing into the outcrop and shattering it into rubble. Rey leaped into the air, summoning a sword with a flick of his wrist. The blade gleamed with a dark aura as he activated [Battle Aura], enhancing his physical and magical capabilities.
The fight was brief but brutal. The Dragonoid's attacks were relentless, its movements erratic and wild. But Rey's combat prowess far surpassed its mindless aggression. Each swing of his sword was precise, each dodge calculated. He danced around the creature, striking at its joints and weak points, slowly wearing it down.
His [Grand Weapon Mastery] ensured that every attack hit with maximum efficiency.
Finally, as the Dragonoid lunged at him one last time, Rey sidestepped and drove his sword through its chest. The creature let out a bloodcurdling shriek, thrashing wildly as dark energy erupted from its body.
With a final burst of power, Rey unleashed a devastating explosion of magic, reducing the Dragonoid to ash.
Panting lightly, Rey landed gracefully on the ground, dismissing his sword. He stared at the pile of ash and smoldering remains, his mind heavy with disappointment.
"So much for getting answers," he muttered. "This was just a dead end."
Rey clenched his fists, frustration bubbling within him.
"If Tess or the others had been the ones investigating, the same thing would've happened," he reasoned. "These cultists are too devoted to the Dragon Emperor. Even in death, they're just pawns."
He sighed deeply, running a hand through his hair.
There was no point dwelling on it now. The mission was over, and there was nothing left for him here. Turning toward the cave's entrance, he activated his Flight Spell and ascended into the sky, the cool night air brushing against his face.
As he soared back toward the Base, Rey's thoughts drifted.
This encounter had only solidified his resolve. The cult, the experiments, the Dragon Emperor… they all needed to be stopped. And if the others weren't willing to take decisive action, he would do it alone.
The stars twinkled above him as he flew, their light a stark contrast to the darkness he had just witnessed. Rey's expression hardened, determination burning in his eyes.
"One way or another," he vowed silently, "I'll put an end to this madness."
********
[A Few Days Later]
In the dimly lit chamber, the air was thick with tension.
The circular room, concealed deep within the heart of an unknown fortress, exuded an aura of secrecy and menace. Around the table sat a collection of shadowy figures, their faces obscured by masks and hoods.
Each of them represented a facet of power, from military might to covert espionage, all united under the banner of the Dragon Emperor's will.
At the center of the room, a man dressed in a sharp, dark suit stood with a sleek tablet in hand. The soft glow from the device illuminated his face, revealing a cold, calculating expression.
Behind him, a large projection flickered on the wall, showing surveillance footage of a base engulfed in chaos.
The footage played out in silence, save for the occasional hum of static. Bodies of Monsters and researchers lay strewn about, evidence of a ferocious battle. Flames licked the edges of the structure, and debris scattered the area.
The only clue to the perpetrator was a shadowy figure moving at inhuman speed, their face frustratingly blurred.
The man with the tablet turned to the group, his tone calm but edged with accusation.
"This base was cleared in one night," he said. "All research destroyed. Every operative was eliminated. The surveillance footage was nearly useless, and the energy signatures left behind scrambled much of our technology."
He tapped his tablet, freezing the image on the blurry silhouette. "This is the only visual evidence we have. And yet, the agreement was for The Resistance to carry out investigations only—not this."
He turned his sharp gaze toward a man seated at the far end of the circle.
The figure wore a plain robe, his hands folded in front of him, the faint light glinting off a chain around his neck.
The others turned their attention to him as well.
"The assignment was given to one of the most reliable Squads within The Resistance," the seated man said, his voice steady but defensive. "I don't know what went wrong. They always deliver, and they know their parameters."
"Then explain this," the man with the tablet snapped, gesturing to the carnage on the projection. "We throw bones at The Resistance in order to keep the members occupied and distracted while we execute the Emperor's larger plans. Nothing more. We cannot afford loose cannons!"
The robed man clenched his fists.
"I swear to you, I will look into this. I will rein them in."
"You'd better." The man with the tablet's voice dropped to a menacing whisper. "Your use to the Emperor is to keep The Resistance under control. That is your role. If you truly want to rise to the Inner Circle, you must prove your worth. Do not forget that."
The robed man bowed his head, his voice firm but laced with submission. "I understand. It will not happen again."
The other figures in the circle murmured their assent, a ripple of agreement passing through the room.
The man with the tablet turned back to the projection and zoomed in on the shadowy figure. The image remained frustratingly blurred, the figure's energy distorting the recording. Despite this, their movements were fluid and efficient, a deadly precision that sent chills down the spines of even the most hardened individuals in the room.
"We have no name, no face, no allegiance," the man said, his tone heavy with frustration. "But we know this: whoever this is, they are dangerous. Their interference threatens everything we are building. We must identify them—immediately."
A woman with a sharp voice spoke from another side of the circle. "Could this be a rogue? Perhaps someone acting outside their jurisdiction?"
"Possible," the man admitted, his finger tracing the blurred outline on the tablet. "But their energy signature is unlike any recorded member of The Resistance. It's volatile, disruptive… and their skill level is incredibly high too."
The robed man lifted his head slightly. "I will have The Resistance dedicate resources to finding this individual. Whoever they are, they will not elude us for long."
"Good," the man with the tablet said. "And remember: failure is not an option. If this person interferes again, it will not only be your head on the line but all of ours. The Emperor does not tolerate mistakes."
A tense silence fell over the room as the projection faded, leaving the chamber cloaked in shadow once more. One by one, the figures in the circle stood and departed, their movements silent and deliberate.
The robed man lingered for a moment, staring at the empty space where the projection had been.
His fists tightened, his thoughts a swirling mix of anger and fear. He could not fail—not now, not when he was so close to securing his place in the Emperor's Inner Circle.
"Whoever you are," he muttered under his breath, "I will find you. And I will make you pay."
The chamber doors closed behind him, sealing the room in darkness once more.