Following Creek's lead, Nyx, Viktor, and Lucas arrived at the entrance of a large, decrepit mall. The windows were boarded up with rough wooden planks, and the air was thick with the scent of rot and abandonment.

The boss should be here soon, Creek thought, a sly grin spreading across his face. Suddenly, the sound of slow, deliberate clapping echoed from within the mall's dark entrance, growing louder as a shadowy figure stepped into view. As he emerged, the figure revealed himself to be a muscular man with thick tattoos snaking from under his tank top. A metal crowbar swung lazily from one hand while he held a cigarette to his mouth with the other.

Nyx, Viktor, and Lucas quickly noticed they were now encircled by men armed with bats and metal rods.

"Boss! Boss!" Creek rushed over, practically panting with excitement. "These kids were way too easy to fool!" he boasted.

"Kids?" The tattooed man's voice was laced with irritation. His eyes narrowed as if he couldn't believe what he'd just heard.

"Yeah, yeah… I did exactly what you said!" Creek stammered, trying to salvage the situation.

"How many times have I told you," the man growled, exasperation dripping from his words. "I said men or women. What am I supposed to do with kids who'll just piss themselves?"

Realizing his mistake, Creek scrambled to recover. "The one in the red mask's definitely a man, and I think the one in the plain mask might be a woman!"

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"A woman, huh?" The tattooed man's expression turned intrigued. "Hey, you, in the plain mask," he barked, "take it off."

Silence fell over the group.

Lucas stood still, watching the situation unfold with calm curiosity, thinking, Is this all part of Boss's plan?

Seeing no reaction, the tattooed man scoffed, stepping forward. "Fine, I guess I'll just take it off my—"

Before he could finish, a blade pressed against his throat. Viktor had used his skill, Shift, to instantaneously close the gap, his knife held steady.

"I'll make this easy for you," Nyx spoke, his voice carrying an unmistakable edge of authority.

Instantly, the atmosphere grew dense and stifling. Every thug surrounding them dropped to their knees, their bodies betraying them as a wave of terror washed over them.

"Wh-What's happening?!" one man shouted, his voice trembling.

"M-My body... it won't move!" another stammered, panic flooding his voice.

Only Nyx, Viktor, Lucas, and the tattooed leader remained unaffected by the intense, palpable dread. The leader's face turned pale, beads of cold sweat forming and trickling down his brow as he watched his men, helpless and trembling at Nyx's unseen command.

Interesting... so I can focus this effect selectively, Nyx thought, assessing his new power.

The tattooed man swallowed hard, his eyes darting from his fallen men back to Nyx. Who is this guy? he thought, barely containing his horror.

Nyx took a step forward, his gaze unwavering, his voice frigid. "I'll give you a choice: submit… or die."

The tattooed man felt a chill as Nyx's words hung in the air, a dark promise looming over him.

[ Fearful Descent ] [ TIER: D ]

Effect: Inflicts the status condition 'Fear' on opponents, with severity depending on the opponent's level.