PAIN BREEDER
CHAPTER 3 "Bound Souls"
FADE IN:
The portal's purple-black light swallowed them.
For a moment, the world disappeared.
Only pain and silence remained.
When Ren opened his eyes, he found himself lying on his back on hard ground.
His body ached.
Distant, unfamiliar animal sounds reached his ears.
The smell of rotting flesh and mold filled his nose.
He slowly lifted his head and looked around.
The air was different.
Cold. Heavy. Oppressive.
A dark forest.
Tall, twisted trees with massive, dark trunks.
The kind that pulled at a person's soul — terrifying in a world where Ren was no longer fully human.
The branches moved slightly, as if they were alive.
The rain here fell more lightly.
At that moment, a cold hand touched his shoulder.
Ren shuddered inside.
He turned his head.
It was Elara.
Her hands rested on his shoulders.
She was no longer semi-transparent.
She looked more solid now.
But she still wasn't fully alive.
Her eyes were pale.
Yet they had taken on a wilder, more feral quality.
If Ren hadn't known she was his mother, he would have run away long ago.
REN (in a low, hoarse voice)
Where… are we?
SYSTEM VOICE
[Welcome to Elyria – Outer Zone]
[You have entered the Broken Realm]
Ren looked around.
In the distance, a massive cracked moon hung in the sky.
As if someone had slashed the heavens with a blade.
REN (whispering)
Elyria…
So this is it…
Elara slowly sat up.
Her weak arms gripped Ren's shoulder for support.
ELARA (weak, trembling voice)
…It's cold…
But… I'm by your side.
Ren looked at his mother.
For a moment, their eyes met.
In that gaze, there was both old love and a terrifying reality.
REN (whispering, voice cracking)
Did I… do this to you?
Elara didn't answer.
She simply smiled faintly.
A broken, pain-filled smile.
SYSTEM VOICE
[Bond Level: 52%]
[You and your Echo are now permanently linked]
[Any pain inflicted on the Echo will be shared]
[Any power gained by the Echo will also strengthen the Host]
Ren's face tightened.
REN
So…
when I hurt her…
I'll feel it too?
SYSTEM VOICE
Correct.
This is the price of true power.
Ren took a deep breath.
The air felt like lead in his lungs.
At that moment, the sound of hooves echoed from afar.
A group of riders was approaching.
Ren quickly pulled Elara behind him.
REN (low, tense voice)
Hide.
Elara's body trembled slightly.
But she obeyed.
Ren slipped into the shadow of a tree.
The riders drew closer.
There were three of them.
Clad in black armor, swords at their waists.
On their chests was the Hunter emblem — a broken sword.
HUNTER 1 (loud, threatening voice)
There's a portal trace here.
Must be Breeders.
HUNTER 2 (mocking)
If we catch one, the guild will pay us well.
HUNTER 3 (cold, full of hatred)
Breeders torture monsters.
They're not human.
Kill them all.
Ren's fists clenched tightly.
Elara's hand lightly touched his arm.
ELARA (whispering)
…Don't go…
Ren turned to his mother with regret in his eyes.
REN (low, broken voice)
So… what do we do now?
The footsteps grew louder and closer.
HUNTER 1 (loud, mocking voice)
Breeders! Come out of hiding!
Just hand over that little creature next to you!
Dark laughter rose from Hunter 2.
Ren didn't respond to the voices.
Just as he was about to say something—
BAMMM!
Elara suddenly stood up.
She walked forward with steady, determined steps.
She slammed her right arm hard against a sharp, jagged rock on the ground.
CRACK!
KRRRAAAKKK!
The sounds of bone shattering and flesh crushing filled Ren's ears.
A wet, sickening crunch.
REN (in shock and horror, shouting)
MOM! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!
Elara's right arm hung twisted and bloody.
But her face held a strange mix of determination and pain.
At that exact moment, the bushes they were hiding behind burst open violently.
Hunter 1 emerged with his massive sword.
HUNTER 1 (grinning)
I found you, Breeder!
Ren's back was turned.
The sword whistled through the air as it came down.
Ren closed his eyes calmly.
Then he slowly turned around.
At that instant, the system screen exploded in his vision.
Purple cursed energy completely covered his right arm.
SYSTEM VOICE
[Right Arm Break Activated]
[Crimson Strike – Stage 1 Online]
Ren's right fist flared with purple-red flames.
As the sword descended, Ren dodged to the side and drove his fist into Hunter 1's chest.
BOOOOM!
The hunter was thrown backward.
His armor began to melt.
The smell of burning metal and scorched flesh filled the air.
The battle had begun.
END OF CHAPTER 3