Damn it! I thought I was just coming to find some stupid stone mask, so I didn't stock up on extra bullets. Fighting that dog (that wasn't a dog) used several shots. Shooting this bastard took another. Now... I only have four shots left! Four shots against a demon that bullets can't even hurt?!
Only one way out... run!
I turned around, ready to sprint back into town, but that hoarse voice like sandpaper scraping against itself rang out from behind me, stopping my thoughts cold.
"Where do you think you're going... little mouse..."
Before I could get my footing, its massive body leaped over my head and blocked my path ahead! Its speed was unbelievable! But in that moment when instinct screamed for survival, I bent down and grabbed a handful of dirt and sand, then hurled it straight at its hideous face!
"Gahhhh!" It cried out more in annoyance than pain. Dust definitely got in its eyes and mouth!
Taking advantage of its momentary pause, I quickly changed direction, diving into the thick overgrown grass by the roadside, hoping it might help hide me. But I knew... it could definitely hear me.
"Think you'll play hide and seek... you filthy little rat?" It wiped the dirt debris from its face angrily. Its flame-colored eyes swept toward the bushes where I was hiding. The pressure was so intense I could barely breathe. Where the hell is its weak spot?! No matter how I look, I can't find it! Does it not have one?!
Suddenly! I saw a shadowy figure running out from Rusty town's entrance with a familiar booming shout.
"You ugly demon! Take my hammer!"
Uncle Vex! What the hell is he doing here?! He ran out carrying two blacksmith hammers, looking dead serious!
The Soul Either glanced toward the sound for just a moment. That's my chance! Right now! I closed my eyes, concentrated, trying to squeeze out that crazy energy I'd felt before one more time. Please, come out!
And it actually came! Blue-white electrical current started crackling through my remaining left arm! But in that very moment... the world twisted again! That hellish vision returned! Rust Forest burst into flames, the ground cracked into deep chasms, and the Soul Either in front of me... looked ten times more terrifying! Its body expanded larger, its eyes blazed with hellish fire, and its grin stretched wider... wider... until it was horrifying!
I couldn't move again! What the hell is this cursed feeling! My body won't obey my commands! It slowly walked confidently toward me, raising its hand with razor-sharp claws extended... and grabbed my throat!
"Urgh... ahhh..." My breath caught! All my strength vanished in an instant! The cold from its claws pierced through my skin!
"This time... I came to warn you..." Its hoarse voice whispered by my ear, cold to the bone.
"From this day forward... your life will never know peace."
" 'We'... will hunt you everywhere... every place you go." Its fiery eyes stared deep into mine.
"And the more you use your power... the stronger we become... remember that."
My consciousness started fading... the scene in front of me blurred... am I really going to die like this...
CLANG!
The sound of metal striking violently! The Soul Either's head jerked from the impact! Uncle Vex had thrown his hammer and hit its head dead on!
Still barely conscious, I quickly raised my gun and aimed at its face. I don't care what it said! I have to kill it!
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
Click... click...
My last four bullets! I fired them all into its face! But same as before... every bullet bounced off! Not a single one penetrated! My world went dark again! It squeezed my throat tighter! Tighter! Until I thought my neck would snap in its grip!
But then... it suddenly let go!
"This time... I'll give you a chance..." It grinned, showing sharp fangs, before quickly jumping back into that forest hell, leaving me gasping on the ground.
"Cough... cough... hack... hack..." I lay face-down on the dirt, trying to suck air into my lungs desperately. My whole body trembled. The pain in my throat from being squeezed lingered, but what was more terrifying were its words... "We"... "The more you use your power, the stronger we become"... What the hell is going on?!
Uncle Vex ran over looking panicked to check on me, still holding his other large hammer.
"Hey! Kid! You still alive?!" Even though his words sounded uncaring, his eyes clearly showed worry he couldn't hide.
I didn't have the strength to answer. I could only shake my head weakly and cough violently again, feeling like my lungs might collapse.
The world I used to know... was about to change forever. And it seemed like... the real hell... was just beginning.