Welcome to the Innocent World - Chapter 68

Chapter 68: The Shadows Arrives

I stand there, locked in shock and confusion as I stare at Luci Chrollos, Athlea’s husband—the man who’s always seemed so decent, a supportive partner to her, and someone who’s kept his life separate from any whispers of corruption. Yet here he is, standing at the heart of an evil alliance, surrounded by those wielding the same malicious red symbol as if it were a badge of honor.

“Luci… why?” The question escapes me, half a whisper and half a shout, colored with disbelief. “Why are you here? Why are you doing this?”

He regards me with a look so casual, so unaffected, that it sends a chill down my spine. He meets my gaze, and there’s a blankness in his eyes, as if he’s long shed anything human.

“Is that supposed to mean something to me, Zero?” His tone is mocking, indifferent.

The anger within me flares up. “Athlea—” I begin, my voice rough. “What about Athlea, your wife? Do you realize what this betrayal would do to her?”

He smirks. “And why would that matter to you?” His words are laced with sarcasm, a calm arrogance that stokes my rage even higher.

“Unless…” He gives me a cold, calculating stare. “What’s your connection to my wife?”

“She’s my… neighbor,” I manage to say, keeping it vague. But he can see the tightening of my fists, the way my voice has risen with each word.

He lets out a cold, mirthless chuckle. “A neighbor, huh?” He tilts his head, scrutinizing me. “Tell me, does she know that her dear neighbor is actually Zero, the feared leader of the Shadow Mystics?”

The accusation makes me pause, my jaw tightening. “And does she know that her own husband is running this sick alliance?” I shoot back, my voice simmering with anger.

“Evil, you say?” Luci sneers, his eyes narrowing. “Do you have any idea what we’re creating here? A revolution. We are building an army of warriors—strong, loyal, and disciplined. We are pushing humanity to evolve.”

“Evolution?” I scoff, my mind flashing to the images of people detonating and blasting into nothingness if they defied his twisted control.

“I’ve seen what happens to those with the red symbol when they disobey. You’re not creating warriors—you’re making mindless slaves.”

“That’s your interpretation,” he says smoothly. “They’ve accepted their place in the revolution. It’s only those too weak to serve who reject it.”

“So, your grand plan is to enslave this entire country, and then… the world?”

His smile widens, a smug, satisfied gleam in his eyes. “It’s only a matter of time, Zero. Every warrior I create brings me closer to controlling the chaos.”

I glare at him, barely able to hold back my disgust. “You’re a coward, Luci. Stabbing your wife in the back while playing the doting husband.” My words land like blows, but he doesn’t even flinch.

He smirks, crossing his arms. “And who are you to judge? Aren’t you the same?”

Anger crackles through me, almost tangible in the air, but I catch myself, drawing in a sharp breath. “At least I don’t lie to those I care about.”

His smirk never fades, and he seems completely unfazed. “Oh, don’t worry about that. I make sure to check in on Athlea every day. She’s perfectly content.”

“Daily calls?” I narrow my eyes. “How do you even manage that while running a business and… all of this?”

Luci shrugs, a trace of mockery in his gaze. “That’s not me on those calls.”

“What?” I ask, the words catching in my throat. “Then… who?”

Another figure steps forward, one I hadn’t noticed before. My breath catches as he enters the light—a man who is an exact replica of Luci.

He’s holding a phone, murmuring into it with an unsettlingly sweet tone, “Don’t worry, Athlea. I’m with you. I’ll be home soon. Have you eaten yet, my sweetheart?”

The blood in my veins chills. Luci’s clone looks up from the call, his face a mirror image of Luci’s, and he smirks as he hangs up.

Luci spreads his arms wide, his face splitting into a satisfied grin. “Impressive, isn’t it? A clone, capable of sharing my consciousness, of handling the… tedious responsibilities of husbandhood while I focus on far greater matters.”

I feel a surge of revulsion rise up within me.

“You’re sick, Luci. Absolutely twisted.”

He shrugs, unaffected by my disgust. “Think what you like, Zero. But you’re standing on the threshold of something far greater than you could ever understand.”

My fists clench, aura pulsing around me, darkening with the intensity of my rage. “You’ll pay for this,. Every ounce of pain you’ve inflicted will come back to haunt you.”

At that moment, the room’s lighting shifts, casting an ominous red glow across the chamber. Five more figures emerge from the shadows, each marked with Luci’s dreaded symbol, each carrying an air of deadly purpose.

The warriors around him close in, a few bearing swords, while others exude an animalistic presence with sharpened, cat-like eyes and feral movements.

The two Alliance members who escorted me stand up, joining the circle surrounding me, cutting off any path of escape.

Luci stands back, arms crossed and a smug expression on his face. “I hope you make it out of here, Zero. I’d love to see just how strong the legendary leader of the Shadow Mystics really is.”

As they close in, a fierce calm settles over me. I’m done with words. In that instant, my gaze darkens, and I snap my fingers.

*SNAP*

The air shifts, vibrating with a sudden, intense energy as shadows begin to thicken around me.

*Thud*

One by one, the Shadow Mystics appear. All seven of them, stepping forward in a ripple of shadow and power, their eyes glinting with determination.

Beta, ever the troublemaker, grins broadly, flashing a look at the Alliance warriors. “Well, this party just got interesting.”

Alpha cracks her knuckles, her gaze cold as steel as she assesses the enemies before us. “I think it’s time we show them why we’re the Shadow Mystics.”

Gamma nods, a subtle smirk playing on her lips as she draws a dagger from her side, twirling it effortlessly. “I was starting to get bored anyway.”

Luci’s gaze sharpens, but he maintains his arrogant smile. “So, you brought company. But I doubt it’ll make a difference.”

He turns to his warriors, clapping his fingers. “Dispose of them.”

The Alliance warriors lunge forward, their red symbols blazing with a sinister glow. My Shadow Mystics respond instantly, moving in sync, each taking on an opponent.

“Luci,” I say, voice low and steady, “I’m coming for you.”

As the fight unfolds, I summon my black robe, the familiar weight settling over my shoulders, and a dark, gleaming sword materializes in my hand. The blade hums with energy, and I grip it tightly, eyes locked on Luci, who watches the chaos with cold amusement.