The Holder of Light

"Haaah... such a bother."

His footsteps echoed lazily as he walked down the stone path toward the city hall.

"Why does it have to be me…? There are plenty of other jobless people in the office."

The man's voice was indifferent. He wore a long white coat—spotless and pristine—stark against the gloomy afternoon. But from his demeanor and the glint in his eyes, anyone could tell… this was no ordinary man.

In fact, he might not even be human.

His steps carried him into the main building.

The guards inside immediately reacted, approaching with hands inching toward their weapons.

"Excuse me, sir. What business do you have at—"

A thin smile crept across the man's face.

Not a friendly smile.

A cold smile…

…one that made the skin crawl.

KRRAAAKK!!

The guards' necks twisted a full 360 degrees—in a single blink.

No one touched them.

The man hadn't made any suspicious movement.

But now, their bodies lay collapsed on the floor.

Dead.

No sound. No time to scream.

The man only shrugged.

"Huh. All weaklings."

He continued down the corridor—and every guard who stood in his way met the same fate.

Necks twisted. Bodies fell.

None of them ever saw what twisted their heads.

Eventually, he reached the mayor's office.

A plump, middle-aged man who had only just realized the presence of his uninvited guest.

"W-Who are you!?"

The mayor stammered, his hand scrambling to press the bell to call the guards.

But no one came.

Not a single step. Not a single sound.

"Pointless."

The white-coated man leaned against the wall, reaching into the folds of his coat.

"I've already... sent them all on vacation."

The mayor swallowed hard. His body began to tremble.

"W-What do you want...?"

The man chuckled.

A soft laugh, like he was enjoying a game far too easy.

"Oh, nothing really."

He pulled out a blood-red crystal—small, yet pulsing faintly like a living heart.

The light from the crystal began to glow... dark red... alluring... seductive.

"I merely came... to offer you a choice."

"Something you probably... can't refuse."

The mayor's eyes began to glaze over.

His gaze lost control. His breath quickened.

The crystal… was hypnotizing him.

That crimson light...

was devouring his will.