Mei then said, "Then let''s start now. Please sit in the middle of the ritual."


    Following Mei’s words, I sat in the center of the ritual circle. Just then, a warm glow suddenly lit up from my necklace.


    Shocked, I looked at both Hera and Lucas. Lucas nodded, and Mei then remarked, "It seems the necklace is reacting quickly."


    Lucas and Hera stepped away from the ritual circle. Noticing this, I turned to them, but Mei reassured me, "Do not worry. They''re just getting ready. In this ritual, their only role is to be lookouts. They cannot interfere, because if they do, the ritual will fail instantly—turning you into a monster. Their job is to watch and act only if something goes wrong because of the necklace."


    Lucas and Hera took their positions. Hera held a crystal in her hand and, without hesitation, crushed it. The moment it shattered, the fragments reassembled—forming a long spear. The remaining shards floated behind her and transformed into a small sword. She took a stance, ready for battle at any moment.


    Lucas removed his glasses, and in an instant, his eyes turned red—devilish, piercing. His pupils shifted into something unnatural, watching me intently. Then, suddenly, his sclera darkened, turning pitch black. A truly demonic gaze bore down on me.


    What the fuck is that?! His Authority is supposed to be called "The Truth," but how the hell does this count as that? Shouldn''t it be called "Demonic Eyes" or something? That name sounds way more reasonable—and cooler, honestly.


    I turned my attention to Hera. What kind of Authority does she even have?


    Before I could dwell on it, Mei stepped in front of me and sat down. Smiling, she said, "If anything goes wrong, those two will kill you. If you turn into a monster, that is."


    She grinned, then asked, "Now, are you ready?"


    I glanced at Hera and Lucas. If I fail, they’re going to kill me. If I get devoured, they’ll kill me. But honestly, it won’t even matter. The entity will get me first.


    Even so, I met Mei’s gaze and steeled myself. "Please begin."


    Mei then smiled and raised both arms. Her sleeves slid down, revealing a golden bracelet embedded with a green gemstone. She made a strange gesture—her right hand poised as if holding an invisible orb, while her left cradled an unseen cup.


    A green light flickered from the gemstone.


    "What is that?" I asked.


    Mei answered without hesitation, "A relic."


    She turned to me, and though blindfolded, it felt like she could see me.


    A relic…? I thought.


    Suddenly, a green cube, invisible except for its glowing edges, appeared before her. Light radiated from within. A golden cup materialized in her left hand, filled with a thick, blue liquid—blood. In her right hand, something grotesque took shape. A beating, blood-soaked heart, deep blue and dripping.


    The overwhelming stench hit me instantly—a rotting, putrid smell so strong I instinctively covered my nose.


    That’s a heart, but… Mei calmly stated, "This is the heart of the monster you will eat. And this is its blood. You will drink it."


    I looked at her in disbelief, but she simply said, "Hold it."


    I hesitated, repulsed by the stench, but eventually reached out, grabbing the heart. It pulsed in my palm. Its aura was unsettling—dangerous, filled with uncertainty. The texture was slimy, squishy, and warm, blood oozing between my fingers.


    Am I seriously eating this?! Where the hell did it even come from?


    Mei smiled, explaining one last time, "Now then, Julian, I will begin the prayer and bless it for protection. When I tell you to eat, swallow it whole—do not bite it. Keeping the heart intact ensures the connection to the Worldflow remains unbroken. Once you swallow it, drink the blood immediately. It will be painful, but endure it. Savor every drop, even the blood dripping from the heart itself. It may sound disgusting, but this is the only way to become a Worldwalker. Focus."


    Are you sure this isn’t a ritual to become a monster? I thought grimly, staring at the heart in my hand.


    My heart pounded violently in my chest, but I still followed Mei’s orders. Steeling myself, I closed my eyes. Mei turned to Lucas and Hera—Lucas nodded, signaling for her to proceed.


    Mei pressed her palms together in prayer, bowing her head before speaking:


    "Oh, Sanguira, Goddess of the Crimson Tears,


    You who weep for the forsaken and bleed for the faithful,


    In this sacred hour, as the ritual begins,


    I call upon Your gaze to fall upon me.


    Let Your blood-stained tears be my shield,


    Let the sorrow You bear be my strength.


    In the dark embrace of the unknown,


    Guard my soul, my flesh, my fate.


    If trials seek to break me, let them tremble before You,


    If shadows dare consume me, let Your light drown them in crimson.


    May Your will carve my path,


    May Your mercy temper my suffering,


    As I walk this path of transformation.


    I give this offering in faith,


    I spill this blood in reverence,


    And I stand beneath Your name,


    Unyielding, unbroken, unforgotten.


    By Your tears, by Your blood, by Your will—so it shall be."


    As she prayed, blood seeped from beneath her blindfold, as if she were weeping in blood. The blue heart in my hands slowly turned red, as did the blood in the cup. The blessing was complete.


    Mei raised her arms. Using her right hand, she wiped the blood dripping from her right eye. With her left, she wiped the blood from her left eye. Then, in a commanding voice, she declared:


    "Awaken, my goddess."


    The braziers surrounding the ritual suddenly ignited with crimson flames. Red orb embers floated in the air like scattered stars, illuminated the chamber with an eerie glow.


    Mei turned to me. "The blessing is done. Now, eat the heart and drink the blood."


    Taking a deep breath, I lifted the heart in my right hand, bringing it to my mouth. The stench grew even stronger, its rotten scent burning my nose. But I was prepared.


    Opening my mouth wide enough to fit it, I shoved the heart inside, swallowing it whole in one motion. Thick, warm blood spilled from it, some sliding past my lips and dripping down my chest, soaking my necklace in red.


    Mei stood up.


    The ritual had begun.


    Just as I swallowed, a burning sensation surged through my chest. In that moment, I coughed up blood, pain tearing through me as if something inside was trying to take over.


    Ugh… What is this?


    I struggled to endure it—it felt like my heart was being replaced by the monster’s heart. A pained cry escaped my lips, and instinctively, I clutched my chest with my right hand, fingers digging into my skin as if trying to rip out whatever was inside me.


    Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    But before I could, Mei grabbed my hand, stopping me.


    "Endure and focus, Julian. If you fail, you will be devoured," she warned.


    The sensation was eerily familiar—the same feeling I had when I first struggled to move my body. But this time, the pain was lesser. The real difference, however, was the overwhelming presence of something inside me, devouring me, trying to take control.


    Ugh… Is this the monster I ate? I thought, trying to steady my breath.


    I forced myself to focus, willing the pain to fade from my mind. If I lost control, I would become a monster.


    Mei then stepped behind me. "Interesting… You''re still holding on. Now, drink. This is the part where you must never acknowledge anything, Julian. No matter what."


    I glanced at the necklace on my chest—it wasn’t reacting. Not even the slightest glow. Lucas and Hera, who had been watching closely, seemed particularly fixated on it, yet there was no response.


    Is the necklace really not going to help me? I wondered.


    But there was no time for doubt. I had to push forward. Hera and Lucas would do their job—whether that meant protecting me or killing me if I lost control.


    With the cup in my left hand, I raised it. The stench was unbearable, rotting and putrid, but I gritted my teeth and drank, forcing myself to savor every last drop of the thick, nauseating blood.


    Heat exploded through me, burning me from the inside out while a freezing cold spread over my skin. My body convulsed as the monster I had consumed fought harder, its presence growing stronger.


    And then—I felt it.


    Worldflow.


    It surged within me, wild and untamed, a chaotic force rampaging through my veins. A scream ripped from my throat as a red aura flared around me, but at the same time, it bled out of my body like fire scorching my skin. Burns began to spread across my arms, my chest—first-degree burns erupting in different spots as the power threatened to tear me apart.


    Mei acted fast. She pressed a hand to my back, her own Worldflow pouring into me, healing the burns, soothing the violent energy inside me.


    But I could feel it—the Worldflow, the blood, the heart. They were changing me.


    Yet, the necklace still didn’t react.


    Lucas, his demonic eyes unblinking, continued to watch it closely. Hera did the same, her expression unreadable.


    This is… Mei thought, her focus sharpening. A Worldflow rampage. This is too much. Right now, I''m expelling the excess, but Worldflow keeps forcing its way inside. I need to create a path, guiding it through his body, forming a proper stream. But this monster’s heart… It’s corrupting him. At this rate, he’ll turn into a monster.


    The battle inside me grew fiercer. The Worldflow tore at my insides, the monster''s will refusing to be subdued. My mind wavered, but I clenched my jaw. I have to hold on.


    And then—


    A voice.


    Cryptic. Haunting.


    "Cam… Campbell… Julian…"


    It echoed from every direction, calling my name.


    Different voices—some like a woman, some like a child, others not human at all.


    The ritual chamber darkened. A thick, black mist slithered into the room.


    Lucas stiffened. "They''re here. The invitation has come."


    Hera moved instantly. Her body glowed blue as she coated herself in Worldflow, repelling the mist. Lucas followed, his red aura flaring. The floating red orbs in the room blazed, pushing the darkness back. The entities lurking in the walls tried to slip through, but the protection of the Goddess held firm. The red braziers flared, forcing the shadows to retreat. The voices softened, their eerie whispers fading.


    This is my chance!


    I forced myself to focus, tuning everything else out. I could feel it now—Mei’s Worldflow forming a stream inside me, guiding the energy through my veins, expelling the corruption.


    Follow her lead. Guide the energy. Expel the corruption.


    Mei’s breath hitched as she noticed. "He’s… controlling it?"


    The monster’s will was unrelenting. It clung to me, refusing to be subdued.


    "I… don’t wa…"


    A voice echoed—not from outside, but inside me.


    "I don’t want to be eaten…"


    A plea. Desperate.


    "Please… do no… don’t eat me… Don’t eat me…"


    A chill ran down my spine.


    Terror.


    But before I could react, Mei’s voice cut through the fear. "Do not acknowledge it. Focus."


    I snapped back, shoving the voice aside. No distractions. Just focus.


    But the monster inside of me spoke out, its voice much louder now — a chorus of horrifying cries, some human, some utterly inhuman. The voices were filled with agony, despair, and curses, and they came one after another, overlapping into a nightmare symphony.


    “Wh… Why? Why?… You devoured us… For power?… You… We will curse you… Curse you!!” a pained and cursed voice echoed.


    Who…? Is this from the monster I consumed? Mei said not to acknowledge them. I have to focus… I have to…


    “Don’t… Please don’t… I don’t want to be devoured… No… no… no… I’m begging you… Please…” a desperate, trembling voice pleaded.


    This… This is a monster I ate, right? Then why does it sound like a woman? Whose voice is this…?


    “Noo… Mommy sa… Save me… Where are you… Please don’t devour me…” a child’s voice cried out in gut-wrenching horror.


    A child?! What the hell is this?! Is the monster trying to trick me? Is this its way of making me acknowledge it?


    “Devoured… No… No… I am alone… I don’t want to be alone… I don’t want to be devoured…” another voice sobbed in pure despair.


    I felt my skin crawl, but I kept my focus razor-sharp, refusing to acknowledge them as Mei instructed. I can’t break. I won’t break.


    But the voices only grew more sinister, more terrifying. One, in particular, sounded far more deranged.


    “Heh… Hahaha… HAHAHAHA… Devoured… Haha…” It laughed maniacally in my ears. “I… I am being devoured… I can’t accept this… I-I am being devoured… I’ll… No, we will devour you… YOU WILL BE WITH US… WE WILL BE YOUR NIGHTMARE… WE ARE THE NIGHTMAREEEE!!”


    A bone-chilling terror struck my core. My body stiffened, but I clenched my jaw, forcing myself not to give in. Ignore it… ignore it…


    Suddenly, the monster within me screamed — a piercing, deafening cry that flooded my ears with unbearable pain. Blood burst from both my and Mei’s ears as the sheer force of its will resisted being devoured. Black veins began to spread across my body, and the corruption was setting in fast.


    Lucas’ eyes widened, as did Hera’s. However, despite witnessing everything unfold before them, they could not intervene—not until the ritual was complete. If they stepped in now, the ritual would fail instantly.


    Lucas clenched his fists as tightly as he could, his demonic eye glowing as he observed the ritual. He watched not only as corruption devoured me little by little but also how the monster inside me slowly consumed me. Yet, his focus was also on the necklace—watching for any reaction.


    But despite everything, the necklace remained unresponsive, showing no intention of aiding its wearer. Lucas couldn''t understand why. It had healed Julian from the moment they found him, so why was it silent now? His demonic eye pulsed, reacting to his search for an answer. And then—he saw it.


    A shadowy figure—a black woman—emerged from the ground behind Julian Campbell. She reached out, her hands embracing him from behind. A chilling, eerie smile spread across her face. Lucas could see it clearly.


    Who...? The woman from Julian''s story...? What is that...?


    Blood began to trickle from Lucas'' eyes, yet he felt no pain. Instead, his hands trembled, and his heart pounded erratically. The sheer presence of this being—this thing—terrified him. But he couldn’t look away.


    Hera, standing beside Lucas, saw the blood dripping from his eyes. Alarmed, she immediately turned her gaze toward the ritual, but all she could see was Julian and Mei struggling. She couldn’t perceive the orb or the braziers reacting to whatever Lucas was witnessing. But she knew—something was there.


    Is it bypassing the protection of the Goddess Sanguira...?


    Sensing Lucas'' fear, Hera instantly tapped into him, shouting, "Commander!"—desperately trying to bring him back to reality.


    Lucas heard her voice, but he still couldn''t tear his gaze away from the being. His voice was barely above a whisper, trembling with fear.


    "Release all your Worldflow at once."


    He could feel it—he could see the truth. But this being… This thing was beyond truth itself. A being of absolute danger standing behind Julian.


    Meanwhile, Julian and Mei continued their struggle against the monster he had consumed. Julian''s heart pounded wildly, veins bulging across his body, pain surging through every inch of him. The monster''s screams grew worse—louder, more agonized.


    Ugh… Ahhh… Am I…?


    Before Julian could finish his thought, a voice echoed from behind him. The monster instantly fell silent—not just silenced, but terrified. It had sensed something.


    A presence.


    Mei, standing behind Julian, stabilizing him, immediately sensed the shift. Her instincts screamed danger, and she reacted without hesitation.


    "Sanguir—!"


    But before she could finish, Julian heard it.


    A voice.


    A voice that crawled under his skin, chilling him to his core.


    A familiar voice.


    A terrifying, eerie whisper.


    "Mother loves you."


    Lucas'' eyes widened in horror.


    "Hera!" he shouted.


    Without hesitation, Hera’s entire body became engulfed in intense Worldflow. Though she didn''t understand the situation, she followed Lucas'' orders without question.


    Lucas'' demonic eyes burned brighter, his voice ringing with power.


    "The truth is what I see. My eyes lead me to the truth and change what I see to my desire—for the truth is what I saw!"


    At his command, the orbs and the braziers blazed with blinding light, their radiance intense enough to make one go blind. In Lucas'' vision, the orbs gathered in the center, drawn toward the shadowy woman behind Julian. The flames of the braziers followed, twisting into a vortex, forming a ritual circle.


    A small tornado erupted within the ritual room, swirling with light and fire.


    Hera''s voice rang out, panic-stricken. "Commander! Mei is—!"


    Lucas clenched his teeth, hesitating. Then, with a blink of his eyes, he dispelled his power, returning the orbs and braziers to their original state.


    But in that fleeting moment—before everything returned to normal—he felt it.


    A gaze.


    The woman was looking directly at him.


    Her voice, deep and terrifying, reached him.


    "What an interesting authority. Sadly, you were born in this world."


    She laughed. A slow, unsettling, creeping laugh.


    Time seemed to slow just for her.


    "Do you fear me, child? Even though this is our first time meeting? Well… I am not here to harm anyone.


    The new world has come.


    The Last has been born."


    She laughed again—low, cruel, and mocking.


    Then, in an instant, she vanished.


    A powerful gust of wind followed, extinguishing the flames and scattering the orbs. The force sent Mei, Lucas, and Hera reeling, despite their protective Worldflow.


    And just like that—she was gone.