"The Doctor"

The town center stood frozen in silence, under a pale moon. The flickering fountain lights revealed a gruesome scene: a man kneeling in agony, screaming as his flesh twisted and bones contorted into something inhuman.

Just beside him, a stranger stood—smiling wickedly, as if admiring a masterpiece.

Shin’ō immediately stepped forward, conjuring a spirit gun in one hand. The air around him grew tense. “Who are you and what are you doing to him!? No movements or I’ll shoot!” he shouts, aiming directly at the stranger.

The man’s grin widened. He tilted his head, amused by the threat.

“You shouldn’t be here,” he said smoothly, almost humming. “But meeting you all has gotten me so excited~.”

Shin’ō narrowed his eyes, stepping closer. “Answer the fucking questions.”

The stranger chuckled, dragging a finger lazily down his cheak as if savoring the tension. “Getting rough already? My name is Dr. V. Noire, and I was just playing a little game with my friend over here.”

Audaxor's fists lit up with flame, stepping beside Shin’ō. “That’s not a game. That’s torture!”

Helwin's voice followed, cold and sharp. “Because of you, this town is silent.”

The doctor turned to them, almost theatrically. “Oh, but you see, my little friend has been transforming beautifully—bit by bit—thanks to my ability.”

Bezkon clenched his fists, lightning crackling faintly around his palms. “And what is this ability of yours?”

Dr. V giggled, like a child hiding something delightful. “I’m a half-zombie~ I spread a unique virus through my body... and share it with all my friends.”
Shin’ō’s face darkened, heart pounding in anger. “You destroyed that village, didn’t you? Those people... they were human!”

“Destroyed?” Dr. V shrugged. “No, no. I freed them~ from their meaningless lives. But I’m getting bored now. Let’s play a new game~~.”

He stepped back, raising his arm, and suddenly released the now fully transformed man. The twisted body grew larger, heavier, evolving grotesquely into a zombie tanker.

Bezkon didn’t hesitate. “Helwin, Audaxor—you two handle the zombie. Shin’ō, you’re with me. We’re taking him down.”

The doctor licked his lips, pulling out a syringe from his coat and stabbing it into his neck. His body twitched, one arm deforming into a grotesque flesh sword. “Come now, boys~ Let’s make this fun~.”



Meanwhile, at Bezkon’s home…

Jovino sat huddled in the corner of a room, his shirt soaked in sweat, chest rising and falling with panic.

The walls around him creaked.

A footstep echoed.

Then another.

He crawled to the corner, pressing his back against it, holding his breath. A shadow passed under the doorframe.

The doorknob jiggled—then turned.



Back at the town center…

The zombie tanker roared and charged toward Helwin.

Helwin clenched his fists, sharp frost swirling as he summoned ice to trap the zombie’s legs. The creature froze in place—but only briefly.

With a furious roar, it shattered the ice and lunged again.

Audaxor reacted in time, blasting a flame shot into the zombie’s knee. The monster stumbled, crashing into the ground.

Seeing an opening, both Helwin and Audaxor launched their full powers at once—jagged ice spears and spiraling flames colliding into the zombie’s body with explosive force.



On the other side of the square…

Bezkon hurled a thunder spear, its electricity crackling dangerously. The moment it got near, arcs of lightning danced across the air, striking Dr. V and sending tremors through his body.

The doctor smiled through the pain—and plunged a second syringe into his shoulder.

His muscles expanded, veins throbbing with power. He vanished in a blink—reappearing behind Shin’ō with a twisted giggle.

Shin’ō barely reacted in time, raising his spirit gun and firing a quick burst. The first two shots hit. The next three missed—Dr. V was already gone.

“These boys…” the doctor whispered to himself. “...are so fun~. But if I get hurt any more, it might get troublesome.”

Bezkon dashed in with lightning daggers, aiming low to cut his opponent’s legs—but Dr. V grinned and grabbed Bezkon by the head, slamming it straight into the ground.

The impact shattered stone.

Bezkon lay still. Unconscious.

Shin’ō shouted, rushing in—but Dr. V was faster.

With a blurring motion, he punched Shin’ō in the gut—so hard that blood erupted from his mouth. Shin’ō staggered back, vision going red and hazy.

Through blurred eyes, Shin’ō saw Helwin and Audaxor regroup.

Helwin froze the doctor’s legs once. Audaxor sent a fireball directly into Dr. V’s back.

The doctor snarled and whipped his mutated arm, slamming them both away.

He appeared behind Helwin—ready to kill.

But something stopped him.

His zombified arm began to crumble.

The doctor stared at it, wide-eyed.

“What the…”

A new figure emerged from the shadows—Dr. V’s assistant.

Without a word, the assistant grabbed him from behind, wrapping him in shadows.

“It’s my time to go, boys~.” Dr. V’s voice echoed in the air like a lingering curse. “But don’t worry—we’ll play again soon~.”

And in a blink, they were gone.