The wounded pier-like monster suddenly let out a piercing, agonized scream. The entire area bathed in the light of dusk froze in an instant.
Both Luca—half submerged in the water—and the creature leaping high into the air were suddenly immobilized.
"This isn't time stop! I can still think! I have to get out of this—fast!"
Though his body was completely paralyzed, Luca's mind was still working.
That fact alone meant one thing: he was in terrible danger.
A heartbeat later, the frozen monster surged toward him at incredible speed.
The light in its only remaining eye—a spherical orb glowing with a sickly yellow hue—was rapidly dimming.
Luca realized at once that the creature had used the power of dusk within that eye to trap him.
"How can I break free from the power of dusk? … The only chance I have is to use the authority of darkness granted by the Goddess of the Night!"
Under the crushing pressure, Luca's thoughts raced.
