Jax stumbled back as web-like cracks spread across the front glass window. The sound of the glass breaking rang out like a gunshot in the silent shop.Tiny sharp pieces rained down onto the tiled floor, sparkling under the dim fluorescent lights.The giant beast outside let out a horrible, guttural growl that made the metal shelves shake. It pulled back its heavy arm, preparing to swing a second time and smash through the remaining frame.Jax's heart hammered against his ribs like a trapped bird. Cold sweat broke out across his forehead, stinging his bruised right eye. He knew he could not outrun this monster. His body was already aching from Victor’s brutal beating, and his legs felt heavy like lead."Move, Jax, move!" he screamed at himself in a frantic whisper.Desperate for anything to use as a weapon, Jax reached behind the checkout counter. His hand brushed against a wooden broom leaning against the wall. He grabbed the handle tightly, his knuckles turning white. He snapped the

Jax stood still behind the glass, staring at the black veins spreading across Sterling’s arm. The sight was terrifying, but Jax felt no pity.Sterling had stepped on him for half a year, treating him like a slave, and now the ruthless boss was begging for mercy."Jax! Take the money! Open the door!" Sterling screamed, slamming the thick stack of bills against the glass. Blood dripped from his mouth as his skin turned paler by the second. "Ten thousand dollars! It's yours! Just open it!"Jax smiled coldly, stepping right up to the barrier. He looked Sterling straight in the eye, his voice smooth and calm."Paper money is worthless garbage now, Sterling," Jax said, his voice easily carrying through the magical boundary. "Besides, do you remember last Friday? I begged you for fifty dollars to buy medicine for my fever. You laughed in my face, tossed a ten-cent coin on the floor, and told me to lick it up if I wanted cash."Sterling’s eyes went wide with remembered guilt. He shook his hea

The ground shook even harder as concrete cracks spread across the street outside. Mia let out a small scream, dropping her water bottle as she held onto the edge of the silver counter.Jax grabbed the heavy wooden frame of the checkout desk to steady himself. He kept his eyes locked onto the iron sewer grate sitting twenty feet away from the store entrance.With a deafening crash, the heavy metal grate burst straight up into the air, flying high before smashing down on top of a parked car.A massive creature crawled slowly out of the dark hole. It was three times the size of a normal man, covered in dark, stone-like scales that glistened with wet slime. Instead of eyes, the front of its head had four long, twitching feelers. Its fingers ended in long, curved digging claws that tore up the asphalt like paper.Ordinary ghouls standing near the street backed away in fear, whimpering like scared dogs. The massive beast did not even glance at them. It turned its long, ugly head straight to

The bright red laser dot stayed locked directly on Jax’s chest. The air grew cold and quiet as the gunman on the dark roof five stories up adjusted his grip on the heavy rifle.Jax stood right at the edge of the store entrance. His mind raced, but he kept his body still. He knew that one wrong move outside the barrier could mean a bullet through his heart, but as long as he took one step back, he would be completely untouchable.Jax took a slow step backward, crossing the shimmering line into his safe zone. The moment his boots touched the clean store tiles, a sense of absolute calm washed over him."Don't move a single inch, boy!" a loud, rough voice boomed down from the rooftop across the street.A man stepped out from the dark shadows of the roof, standing right near the edge. He wore a dark green tactical vest, heavy combat boots, and black gloves. Behind him stood four other armed men carrying assault rifles. They were ex-security guards who used to guard the private bank down th

Jax looked at the glowing purple screen hovering in front of his eyes. Five hundred energy points was a cheap price to pay for doubling the size of his sanctuary. He tapped the yes button without a single second of hesitation."Expand domain now," Jax ordered softly.A wave of golden light rushed out from the cashier counter, spreading across the floor like water. It shot straight through the right side wall of the shop, passing right through the concrete like it was thin paper.A loud, deep hum echoed through the building. The dark wall separating the convenience store from the old, abandoned bakery next door suddenly began to melt away. The heavy bricks turned into shimmering dust, leaving behind a wide, beautiful arched opening that connected the two shops into one giant sanctuary.The golden barrier outside stretched instantly, wrapping around the entire bakery front. The dusty bakery space lit up with bright white lights, and the broken glass windows on that side sealed up, turni