Three

Chapter Three — The Monster’s Target

Celine’s POV

Before we knew it, a monster appeared.

I barely had time to react before it rushed toward me and grabbed me by the neck.

“Ah!”

My eyes widened as its sharp claws dug into my skin.

I grabbed its hand with both of mine, desperately trying to free myself, but its grip was too strong.

“L-Let me go!”

The words came out weakly.

I struggled, kicking my legs as I tried to force its hand away from my throat. I couldn’t breathe properly, and the pain in my neck grew worse with every passing second.

“Help…” I managed to choke out.

I turned toward the stranger who had helped me earlier, my eyes filled with fear.

He was only a few steps away, but before he could reach me, the monster raised its other hand, preparing to strike me again.

My heart nearly stopped.

“Please!” I cried, struggling harder. “Help me!”

The monster tightened its grip around my neck.

I felt my strength leaving me.

Was I really going to die here?

I had barely survived the first monster. I had only just discovered my strange ability, and I didn’t even understand how it worked.

I didn’t want to die. Not like this, and not before I had even taken revenge on Jasper and Vanessa.

I shook my head desperately, tears rolling down my cheeks.

Just then, the man stopped moving.

His gaze fell on the monster’s hand wrapped around my neck.

For a brief moment, he said nothing.

Then his expression changed.

His face turned red with anger, and the atmosphere around him suddenly became terrifying.

“Let her go.”

The monster ignored him and raised its other hand higher, ready to strike me.

The man took a step forward.

“I said, let her go!”

His voice was so cold that I froze despite my desperate struggle.

The monster finally turned to look at him.

“Who are you to tell me to let her go?” it growled.

Then it looked directly into the man’s eyes.

The monster’s expression changed instantly.

The confidence on its face disappeared, replaced by fear.

It immediately released my neck and stumbled backward.

I fell to the ground, coughing as I struggled to catch my breath.

The monster didn’t attack again. Instead, it turned around and ran away as if it had seen something terrifying.

I stared at it in shock.

The man hadn’t even touched it!

What exactly was he?

Before I could think any further, I quickly got up and ran toward him.

“Please, I’m scared! I can’t stay here alone. Take me with you!”

He looked down at me, his expression still cold.

I grabbed his sleeve, afraid he would leave me behind.

“Please,” I begged again. “I don’t know how to fight those monsters. If you leave me here, I’ll die!”

For a moment, he said nothing.

Then he looked into my frightened eyes.

“Okay,” he replied.