Boom...!!!
A deafening blast completely shattered the silent midnight in Xiris City.
At the same time, it jolted Elles awake from the shallow sleep he had struggled to sink into for the past two months.
"Damn it! What happened?!"
He violently flung off the blankets and roared in irritation and fury.
However, Elles received no response.
"A monster! It's a monster!"
"..."
Hearing the cries of alarm from outside, Elles' expression changed dramatically. In a panic, he fumbled open the window facing the city.
The first thing he saw was the enormous blaze rising in the north of the city.
"Is that... the residential district?!"
Elles' eyes widened as he cried out in disbelief.
Only then did he see the civilians scattering through the streets in the firelight.
The crowd continued to swell, fear spreading as if it were contagious.
Bang!!!
"Lord City Master, this is bad! The monster..."
A guard kicked open the door and shouted in a panic.
"I know!"
Elles turned his head and roared, forcing the guard's words back down his throat.
"Damn it!"
He cursed loudly, muttering something under his breath without pause.
"A bunch of greedy scum... Those people..."
"M-My lord...?"
"Get out!!! Where are the city guards? Are they all dead--!"
At a time like this, Elles had no patience to spare for this useless fool.
His gaze instantly turned vicious as he glared at him ferociously.
"Yes, yes! I'll gather the troops immediately!"
The guard straightened in fright and hurriedly acknowledged the order.
Then he scrambled out of the room.
"..."
Boom--!!!
Another explosion rang out, and the blaze outside illuminated the dark room through the window.
Elles silently stared outside at the large areas of buildings collapsing one after another, and at the twisted figures screaming in the flames.
A monster?