To Be Feared...

"I can't...I can't do this anymore!"

"..."

*Drip

"Everyone is dead, we are the only ones that survived, and for what? To just go and die fighting against another one of those things?!"

"...Yeah, that's the way of life for us, don't you think?"

*Drip

"...How can you be so calm?"

"I'm used to it"

*Drip

"Hahaha, you are used to it? Used to what? To everyone dying just to kill one of them?!"

"Yes"

*Drip

Two voices talked with one another surrounded by darkness. The young and energetic voice argued with the tired voice of another man. Nothing could be heard or seen apart from their loud voices, and the dripping of some liquid falling down and splashing on a puddle.

"F*ck all of this. What's the point of even living?"

"..."

*Drip

From that point forward, nothing other than the sound of the dripping water could be heard.

The young voice expected a response but the older voice couldn't answer that question, not even for himself.

The silence continued until the sound of someone rummaging through a bag was suddenly heard.

"What?!"

"It's just me, relax, kiddo"

*Drip

"Don't call me that, you bastard"

"Haha"

A familiar-sounding click could then be heard.

And in the darkness that loomed over the two men, the light finally illuminated their surroundings. However, with it only coming from a mere metal lighter, the light could only be so strong.

Revealing the two men, both of them wore a similar uniform. A white long-sleeved shirt under a black vest, atop it, wearing a black and long coat.

Holding the lighter, was a young-looking man and even as he sat one could easily tell that he was quite short in height, however, he possessed an aura of experience and calmness that only further enhanced his sharp and stoic expression.

In a sense, one could tell that he was almost easygoing. However, in the darkness what really stood out, was his white hair and gray almost whiteish eyes that hid behind a pair of glasses.

Next to him sat another man, this time taller and somewhat mature looking, although he didn't possess the same kind of aura as the other man. His expression and way of talking displayed an immature man with a face that showed hatred like no other.

The man had brown hair and the same grey almost whiteish eyes as the other man.

Unlike the man holding the lighter, however, the young man was holding a gun, most similar to an old hunting rifle, the other man had a rifle as well, however, his rifle rested on a large bag to his side instead.

*Drip

The old man, holding the lighter then proceeded to take out a cigarette, lit it up, put it in his mouth, and sucked the smoke with a long and steady intake, he then proceeded to exhale the smoke into the other man's face whilst he laughed like an old man.

"...Cough, Cough, Cough, f*ck do you think you are doing?"

"Just getting in a good laugh"

"I will f*ck you u-"

"THIS IS UNIT NUMBER NINETEEN, HERE FOR CLEANUP"

Interrupting the man's attempt to threaten his companion was the voice of another man in the far distance of the tunnel.

The two men, seeing as others had finally arrived, decided to end their quarrel.

"This is unit number three, HURRY THE F*CK UP"

To their right, the two men could see a light approaching them slowly, illuminating the previously dark tunnel.

Wearing the same uniform as the two men, a group of twenty men and women were making their way closer and closer.

However, before they had even reached them, the men and women of that unit had suddenly stopped. Some of them threw up, others covered their eyes in disgust.

Darkness was a space that no one would desire to be in, darkness was scary, it was evil, and one couldn't know what lurked inside of it, however, it also covered the truly hideous things of the world.

As the light moved closer to the two men, it revealed the dismantled corpses of others on the ground. Men tore apart in half, squashed to the ground, bitten apart, and impaled by spikes.

Revealing a sea of corpses drenched in blood, the two men were no different from them, it was that only they had their limbs intact.

The personnel that had arrived also noticed something on the ceiling, it was the body of a man, impaled by the neck and stuck to the top, with his blood slowly dripping through the large spike connected to his body.

*Drip

Moving closer the other unit was able to spot another thing in the distance.

They saw it, a monster similar in shape to a dragon. No, it was more of a mix between a dragon and a porcupine, with its body and tail being covered in spikes that looked similar to quills.

The monster was covered in holes, with many of its wounds still bleeding from its recent battle.

Its eyes, however, were disturbing, looking exactly like a squid's.

The existence of such a monster in itself had already sent a shiver down the arriving unit's spines.

However, amongst the arriving crowd was a middle-aged man, with tidy black hair and eyes, his face spoke confidence and his body showed discipline, unlike the other men.

Approaching the two men, with large and prideful strides, he held onto a clipboard and pen in confidence.

"Report"

"...Unit three, under orders of our stupid command-"

"Language"

"Tch, Unit three under special orders from division number two's commander was entrusted with the subjugation of the porcupine demon, code name, Spikiy F*cker. Although successful in the attack and subjugation, the unit has been reduced to merely two members, I, the squad leader, Jack Walker, and second in command squad member, Zain Horzt."

"Thank you for your work, also don't name demons with a bad word"

"Ha, anyways, I see you have a bunch of rookies in your unit"

"Indeed, the army had recently been lacking in manpower, I hope you guys are able to replenish your unit with talented members"

"Haha, what's even the point?"

"...I know"

"...So have you prepared us a ride, John?"

"Yes, after leaving the tunnel you will be able to see a truck"

"Aight"

Standing up, Jack and Zain both started to pack their equipment, after getting everything ready, they approached a member of the arriving unit.

Being inexperienced in the field, the cadet froze in front of the two men covered in blood, annoyed at the cadet's reaction, Zain proceeded to just steal the flashlight that the cadet was holding.

Raising his hand to try and get it back, the rookie stopped in his tracks once he noticed the angered expression coming from Zain.

And with that out of the way, the two men made their way out of the tunnel.

Outside the tunnel was a dense forest, with long large branches covered in leaves that blocked the bright sun from illuminating the ground, it was as though they were a bunch of umbrellas.

Not bothering to look at the scenery, the two men got inside the only truck with a driver inside.

Without saying anything else, the driver just made his way out of the forest, following the asphalt road back to civilization.

Jack and Zain didn't say anything on the ride back, they both just stared into the window to watch the fleeting scenery as they prepared themselves to go back.

Exiting the forest, Jack was able to see an ugly sight, far into the distance, a sight that he hated to see.

Large castle walls, almost ten meters in height, and numerous guards patrolling such walls. Looking past them one could see a somewhat modern city, it would be more accurate to say that it looked like a town like Britain in its eighties.

The outside terrain of the walls was also filled with craters. No grass or greenery could be seen from afar, only some destroyed land with no glimpse of its beautiful past.

Jack didn't hate the town for its appearance or anything like that, he just hated how life was inside.

In front of the gates of the castle, a group of guards wearing the same uniforms as the rest approached them, and after the usual procedure, they were finally let inside.

Looking at the streets, Jack couldn't help but cringe.

Hunger was apparent in almost all citizens of the town, many of them working just to get enough food for the day. It was a saddening sight.

Homeless people could also be seen everywhere, with much of the land inside the walls being turned into farmland.

Ignoring the eyes of the many children who looked at the truck with hopeful and admiring gazes, all Jack could do was sit back while closing his eyes.

Making their way into a large metal-fenced area, the group proceeded to have another checkpoint before finally reaching, the Core, located at the center of the town.

The Core was the main base of operation for the Demon Force. Secluded from the public the Core worked as a military base, place of residence, laboratory, and most if not everything relating to the demons.

And at the center of the Core were three large buildings, all of them enumerated by a big number in front of them.

Heading to the building with a large number on the front, and after another series of unpleasant safety procedures, Jack and Zain both made their way to the top floor.