Every person on the street had frozen, heads tilted skyward, eyes wide with confusion, amazement, and disbelief.
Shopkeepers stepped out of their stalls, travelers paused mid-conversation, and even drunkards seemed to sober up as the massive shadow passed overhead—a creature that looked like a phantom born from shadow and storm.
"What kind of beast is that? I've never seen anything like it!"
"Is there a noble visiting? Or an envoy from the Alliance?"
"That thing's huge... Could it be from the Middle City?"
Gasps and murmurs rippled through the plaza as the colossal beast soared above them. Its wings spread wide, catching the fading golden light of the sunset. The beast's silhouette looked impossibly large, gliding with elegance and power.
Wein's breath caught.
That silhouette. Those wings.
It had to be him.
"Midnight," he whispered.
The Obsidian Crow—his first and only Sacred Beast from the game.
The hunters had just been talking about him earlier, and now he was right in front of him. Was this just a coincidence?
The massive bird gave a mighty beat of its four dark wings, sending a gust of wind that rippled through the streets. Dust swirled and lanterns flickered. Loose parchment and scarves fluttered into the air.
The beast's glowing blue eyes scanned the street below.
Then, for a heartbeat, it locked eyes with Wein.
Wein gasped.
Did it recognize me? Could it be... Midnight was transported here too? Did he escape the realm to find me?
He took a step forward, lips parting to call its name again.
But Midnight, as if sensing something wrong, turned his head sharply. He let out a frustrated shriek, glanced at Wein with a hint of hesitation—then suddenly took off toward the mountains. With a powerful beat of his wings, he vanished into the sky, leaving a shimmering trail of black light behind.
"Midnight!" Wein shouted, running after it, pushing through the stunned crowd.
"Hey—Wein! Where are you going?!" Terr called behind him.
But it was too late.
Midnight was already a speck on the horizon.
Wein slowed to a stop, panting, heart pounding in frustration. He turned his gaze upward again—but the sky now held only fading color and clouds.
Then, from the opposite direction, he saw a new group approaching.
Wein squinted.
More flying beasts—eight of them are approaching fast. The wind from their approach whipped through the town.
He quickly realized what was happening.
He had heard that Midnight had breached the realm gate. Which meant the Alliance would be after him. And that... must've been why Midnight fled.
He must have noticed this group approaching the town.
Wein looked up at the approaching squad. The lead beast landed heavily in the plaza with a thunderous thud, kicking up dust. It was a majestic green serpent—fifteen feet long, covered in smooth, emerald scales that shimmered like glass in the lantern light. Its long, coiled body rested with coiled strength, and two massive feathery white wings folded on its back. The beast's glowing green eyes scanned the surroundings, and a pair of twisted horn-like branches crowned its head like a crest.
Wein knew this creature.
A Seraphis—a beast from Level 44.
Riding it was a man in gleaming silver armor with vermillion trim, a blue cape fluttering behind him. On his chest was a badge bearing the number 6, beneath the insignia of two crossed swords. He had short red hair, a sharp jawline, and piercing blue eyes that swept the gathering crowd like a hawk.
When the man swept his gaze over the crowd, Wein instinctively lowered his head, even though he wore a cloak to conceal his hair.
These people were from the Alliance—they might notice his hair. It would be troublesome to explain things to them.
Murmurs rose around him.
"That's the Alliance Defender Division...!"
"Look at his beast—it's a Seraphis. Absolutely magnificent!"
"What business do they have in a small town like ours?"
"Could they be here because of that flying beast?"
A middle aged man stepped forward, bowing slightly. "Sir, how may we assist you?"
The man dismounted, boots clicking against the stone as he stepped forward. His voice was calm but commanding.
"My name is Bran Crestfall, Captain of Unit 6 of the Alliance Defender Division. We are pursuing a beast that breached the gate of Beast Realm 50. It has been evading us for days. It is large, black, winged, and possesses four wings with glowing blue eyes. Have any of you seen such a creature pass through this area recently?"
The man nodded quickly. "Yes, sir. Just minutes ago, a beast matching that description flew over us. It headed westward."
The crowd erupted into hushed whispers.
"That beast stopped here… could it have been planning to attack?"
"Thank the heavens the Alliance arrived when they did."
Bran turned to his team and gave a curt nod. Seven other armored riders took off instantly, their beasts launching into the air one by one, wings slicing through the sky.
He turned back to the crowd.
"Everyone, stay alert. The beast is extremely dangerous. Until it is captured, do not travel outside the town limits, and avoid moving alone. We will continue our pursuit."
With that, he mounted his Seraphis once more. The beast let out a sharp hiss, its massive wings beating against the wind before it soared into the night sky.
Wein watched the figure disappear into the distance and clenched his fists tightly.
Terr, standing beside him, gave him a puzzled glance. "Brother, what got into you earlier? Why were you so eager to chase after that beast? Were you just amazed by it? But that thing was dangerous! Thankfully, the Alliance is on its trail. I swear, it looked right at us before it flew off. It might've been thinking of attacking. Good thing it saw Unit 6 arrive—otherwise, who knows what could've happened."
Wein hesitated, then asked, "Brother Terr… should we go after that beast? Who knows—maybe we can make a contract with it."
Terr stared at him like he'd lost his mind. "Are you crazy? That was a level 50 beast! Just one flap of its wings and we'd be dead. And you want to form a contract with it?"
Wein pressed his lips together. He didn't know how to explain it. Deep inside, he felt Midnight wouldn't hurt him. It had looked directly at him—hesitated, as if it remembered him. Wein was certain it was looking for him, too.
But from everyone else's perspective, chasing after it would seem suicidal.
Still… he believed in Midnight.
He clenched his fists.
Midnight wouldn't be captured so easily. That much he was sure of.
Right now, what he needed most… was to grow stronger.
To rise in level. To become someone who could stand beside that beast again.
"Midnight… I'll do my best. Just wait for me."