Ayona was cutting through multiple creatures with a beaming smile, licking the blood off her lips. Dezira closely followed, occasionally slipping on the blood-streaked floor.

  "Hey! Slow down, you're too quick!"

  Ayona dodged a claw from a crab-like creature, then immediately closed the distance. In one swift motion, she decapitated its elongated eyes, causing it to screech and flail its limbs violently.

  "Have you ever thought you might die being too close?" she asked playfully.

  She extended her palms; the blood that coated the floor began levitating. Distinct shapes began to take form, resembling multiple arts of warfare.

  Dezira's jaw dropped as she regained her balance. Swords, axes, and various other weapons filled the hall, emitting a sharp red glow. So unreal. It's hard to believe this is still reality.

  Ayona snapped her fingers, shooting the weapons towards the bloated monster, instantly impaling it from multiple angles. Blood spurted across the walls and sprinkled her face.

  She let out a deep breath after taking in its iron scent.

  "If only you smelled as good as you taste. Such a bummer."

  The creature's movements were dulling out, no longer finding the strength it had moments prior, until it collapsed to the ground. Lifeless.

  "Don't you get sick from consuming so much blood?" Dezira asked, approaching her and pinching her nose.

  "Nah, it ain't that bad... I mean sure, we can get cramps, vivid hallucinations, and possibly brain tumors from consuming too much—BUT, its intoxicating savor is so irresistible."

  Dezira shook her head in disbelief. She's hooked like a drug addict— that's insane.

  "Anyway, Ms. Adventurer," she began walking down the hall, clasping her hands behind her. "My brother's room is straight ahead. I believe we—I mean me—have already killed everything. So the rest of the way should be a walk in the park."

  Dezira followed her, sighing, not entertaining her side comment.

  "You seem pretty optimistic. Aren't you worried about, well, you know..." Dezira trailed off her statement, not sure if she wanted to finish her sentence.

  "He's fine! He's a tough cookie," she giggled. "I can already hear him complaining, saying, 'Ayona, get out of my room!' Or maybe, 'I didn't ask you to come visit me, you freak!' But as a responsible older sister, it's my elderly duty."

  "That relationship sounds... okay," Dezira steadily replied. "Do you have a plan to escort him out? What's his condition? I may be able to help if by chance you need it."

  "Condition? Hmmm." Ayona lightly scratched her cheek.

  Dezira raised her eyebrows. "Don't tell me—"

  "WAIT! WAIT! WAIT! I remember now! He has a brain tumor! So I think we should be good!"

  Dezira faintly rubbed the bridge of her nose, wishing she hadn't asked.

  I hope this ends soon.

  After turning the corner, pieces of shattered wood littered the floor, leading to an open doorway filled with blood-stained tiles.

  Its printed room number was fractured, barely hanging by a nail.

  Ayona chuckled. "This is to be expected. We can be rough sometimes when disturbed, ya know." Ayona chuckled, elbowing Dezira.

  Dezira forced a laugh in response, quickly averting eye contact. Despite her cheerful demeanor, she saw her fists trembling; a haunting chill shot up her spine when she noticed Ayona's palms were bleeding.

  Her nails are cutting into her skin? I don't think I'm going to like this.

  They passed the door's threshold, Ayona not speaking as much as before, the air was thick.

  The unnatural smell slammed like a truck. Dezira gagged within moments but forcefully swallowed her tide of sustenance.

  That hurt... How can a room smell this bad?

  She fired a glance at Ayona, who displayed no reaction.

  The bed was torn, with foam scattered throughout. Blood drenched the floor, littered with bone fragments and pieces of flesh.

  It was unrecognizable, ravaged.

  Ayona paid attention to nowhere else but the vacant bed. She gently traced it with her fingers with an indiscernible expression. Remnants of dried blood stuck to her skin.

  "Oh my God!" Dezira gasped, covering her mouth.

  Around a corner was a corpse of a trainee who had his lungs completely exposed, as if a bear had gotten to him.

  "I'm-im not sure he's here, Ayona. May-maybe he's somewhere else?" she asked tensely.

  Ayona intensely focused on the blood on her finger, remaining silent, like she'd lost in a world of thoughts.

  "Ayona?" Dezira called lightly, sensing a tension in her chest.

  Ayona let her arm drop to her side, turning towards Dezira with a blank expression.

  Dezira shifted back after seeing her tilt her blade. "Is som—something wro—"

  "He got hurt." Ayona sharply interrupted, causing Dezira to fidget slightly.

  "Wait—I mean, are you certain? Maybe he escaped. This might not be his bloo—"

  "Dezira." Ayona lightly smiled, patting her shoulder. "Do you mind if I stab someone right now?"

  Dezira went dead stiff. Her heart drummed as she saw Ayona's sword trembling. She looked at the doorway but found the grip on her shoulder getting tighter, inducing a low squeal.

  "Answer me, you nurse. You're the reason I had to move so slow. I've protected you up to this point; don't you believe it's time to be useful?" she whispered in her ear.

  Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

  Dezira shivered as she could already feel a swishing motion inside her, fluids moving in a way that they shouldn't.

  "I beg you, please don't do it. I'll do anything, whatever you want me to do." Her voice was hoarse.

  The grip on her shoulder tightened. The sword aimed squarely at her stomach.

  "Oh really? Then be a good girl and stand still."

  Her body immediately loosened, like a river continuing its natural flow.

  A closet door shattered soon afterward, stirring a jump from Dezira.

  A battered man fell through, groaning as he rolled to his side.

  "Oh look, Dezira! How delightful for my brother's doctor to join us."

  Ashen coughed, looking up at the two, still dazed by why his body launched itself through the door.

  Ayona lifted him off the ground by his collar.

  "A little rude to keep yourself hidden, concerning the circumstance. I'm starting to think you're responsible for this. In fact, I should probably end you now."

  "Wa-wait, hold on. I don't know anything, I swear!" Ashan hastily responded. After getting a good look at her, his eyes widened. "Ar-aren't you his sister?"

  Ayona slammed him against the wall.

  The man coughed, almost blacking out as air desperately rushed to fill his lungs.

  "If you wish to not be turned to soup, I suggest you—" Ayona stopped mid-sentence, taking another look at his appearance.

  One of his eyes was slashed, scratches laced his face, while pieces of his skin were peeling off.

  Why does he look like this?

  Ayona looked back at Dezira, who flinched after meeting her eyes, seeing her standing at the opposite side of the room.

  "I'm telling you," he weakly whispered, trying to stay awake. "I don't know anything. After the surgery, I went to the restroom, but after I came back, I don't know. He wasn't there, but some monster, or whatever it was... is responsible for everything you see here."

  Ayona clenched her teeth. "I killed plenty of those. You expect me to believe someone like you should be alive?"

  His eyes widened. "I'm telling you the truth! You got to believe me."

  Ayona remained silent for a bit, watching the man struggle to pry her grip open.

  "I can't say anything else. I beg you to let me go." His eyes began to water. "I still have family to return to. I'm sorry I couldn't do anything for your brother, but please don't take me away from mine." He pleaded.

  Dezira clasped her fingers around a corner of a desk, hesitating to either bolt from the room or remain.

  Ayona gave one last look at the man before dropping him to the ground. She took a deep breath, her sword fading to red dust before disappearing.

  Ashan scrambled to his palms, witnessing the bizarre sight.

  "From start to finish, tell me everything. From the moment you walked in the hospital to this point where I found you. If I suspect even a tiny bit you're being deceitful, then I'll show you who the real monster of this hospital is."

  ******************

  It's wearing a white gown like the other creatures. So this thing was formerly human, likely a patient that consumed medication. Hezekiah determined.

  "It's him," Reed whispered. "The one that spoke to me from before."

  Its elf-like ears twitched, swinging its needle-like tail.

  "Another would've spoken to you as well. It's so unfortunate to disappear like that."

  Hezekiah, still holding the pen, summoned the rules sheet that was only visible to himself.

  I doubt this thing can do anything about my flames, unlike the damn Nurse. But forfeiting the lives of these two seems... unnecessary for the moment, at least for the time being.

  The creature shot out its palm. Threads of red mist expelled from its cracked skin, kneading together until a short dagger took shape.

  "What! What is this!?" Reed took a step back, inching closer to his daughter.

  The blade was stark red with jagged edges. A metallic scent drifted through the air.

  "Nothing you can understand. But let's just say my existence is somewhat peculiar. Don't you agree, Master?"

  "Master?" Reed blurted back, gripping his daughter's hand. He turned to Hezekiah, who had yet to respond.

  Ignoring his look, he steadily raised the pen in front of him.

  The being flinched, giving a dry chuckle. Looks like I'm still influenced by the pen like all other creations. Very troublesome.

  "What do you want with Reed? I doubt he holds any real value for you to retrieve him," Hezekiah asked, already writing the next rule.

  The small creature began approaching the trio, twirling its dagger between its fingers.

  Sally clasped around her father's waist, shielding herself from the sight of the creature.

  "To me he means nothing, but is rather of interest to another. And you using your rule-making abilities to bring his existence back here didn't really make her too happy."

  Reed, trying to keep up with what they're saying, tightened his gaze.

  "Hey! Can you stop drawing in the air and explain what he's talking about!?" Reed demanded.

  "I'm just as confused as you are," Hezekiah answered, crossing his arms after dismissing the rules sheet.

  "Playing the fool to maintain your innocence?" The little creature snickered. "Don't you think it's a bit too late for that?"

  A red light erupted from the manifested copy that was on the front desk, catching Reed's eye.

  "Wha-what now!?"

  Sally tugged on his gown. "I remember seeing this; it appeared moments before you appeared here."

  Reed considered his daughter's words, turning his head to the black sheet of paper again, still attempting to reason with everything.

  The creature curled its claws. Surely he doesn't believe writing a rule will affect me, but then again he's new to this.

  Without answering, Hezekiah suddenly kicked a rock towards the creature.

  The creature deflected it with its blade; cracks of light formed along the rock, startling it.

  Flames burst from the rock, engulfing everything in its path.

  Reed turned and shielded Sally, as chunks of stone collided against him. Hezekiah kept his gaze focused, holding another rock in hand.

  So even this isn't necessarily considered a positive rule, despite what my intentions were.

  A plume of smoke broke forth from the explosion, revealing a metallic red barrier around the creature.

  "Quite clever, instead of trying to use the rules to directly destroy me, you instead took advantage of the fact that we're not resistant to explosions themselves."

  "Daddy! We need to go further back."

  Reed nodded. He gave another look at Hezekiah, who still kept his sights on the creature.

  Who are you really? Was you appearing when my wife died truly a coincidence?

  Securely holding Sally, he hastily took her closer to the collapsed entrance, keeping his attention on both of them.

  Hezekiah studied his shield, hardening his expression.

  "I believe it's time for you to perish now." While the creature prepared its next attack, a sharp tingling sensation ruptured throughout its bloodstream.

  This is...?

  Hezekiah beamed another rock upon its distraction.

  "Curses—" The creature attempted to leap away. The rock exploded, leaving the barrier fractured.

  The creature dismissed the barrier and threw its dagger. It whizzed by Hezekiah and sliced through his hair, piercing through Reed's thigh.

  "Aughhh!" He collapsed. The sharp sting sent him into shock.

  "Daddy!"

  I can't waste time on them.

  Hezekiah dashed to another rock on the ground. He reached, narrowly avoiding another dagger, grasping the rock.

  "You expect the same trick to keep working?" The creature taunted, swinging its tail before charging at Hezekiah, leaving a trail of red mist behind.

  "Shit!"

  Hezekiah summoned the pen, causing the being to hesitate. He threw the rock and swiftly gained distance.

  A deafening boom followed, deafening Hezekiah's ears.

  Chunks of the ceiling crumbled, shattering against the floor. The sentient creature emerged from the smoke again, bleeding from its arm.

  He was already aware of the pen having this kind of influence on us? Very troublesome. That Nurse should've mentioned that.

  "A contest of range is what you want?" Multiple daggers sparking with fire appeared above him. "Very well, let me demonstrate how foolish that is."