"When do we leave?" Seraphina asked, gripping her staff of light.
"Right now," Lux replied, turning toward the door. "Before the—"
BOOM.
The front wall of the apothecary exploded.
Splinters of wood and shards of glass erupted inward like shrapnel. A wave of scorching heat followed, turning the humble shop into an inferno in a split second.
"Watch out!" Lux shouted.
He reached for Seraphina, but he wasn't fast enough. The fireball was already inside.
But the explosion never touched them.
"Sacred Art: Aegis of the Dawn."
Seraphina slammed the butt of her staff onto the floor. A hexagonal barrier of translucent golden light materialized instantly, enveloping the three of them. The fire washed over the dome harmlessly, fizzling out into gray smoke against the holy energy.
"My shop..." Seraphina whispered, looking through the golden barrier at her burning home. Her sadness vanished, replaced by a cold, righteous anger.
Outside, in the muddy street, a man was laughing.
He wore crimson robes adorned with skulls and held a staff topped with a burning ruby. Behind him stood twenty armed thugs—the full force of the Black-Tooth Gang.
[Boss Encounter Triggered]
[Target: Gareth the Cinder]
[Class: Pyromancer]
[Rank: D+]
[Affiliation: Baron's Enforcer]
"So, the little bird broke her cage," Gareth sneered, his voice rasping like sandpaper. "And she found a boyfriend. How cute. Burn them all to ash!"
The thugs roared and charged, brandishing axes and clubs.
Lux grinned. He felt the adrenaline spike—not fear, but excitement.
"Elara, take the trash. Seraphina, keep us buffed. I want the mage."
"With pleasure, Master," Elara said. Her violet eyes glowed.
"May the Light guide your blade, Sir Lux," Seraphina chanted. She raised her hand. "Blessing: Valor."
A golden aura wrapped around Lux and Elara.
[System Alert]
[Buff Received: Saintess's Valor.]
[Effect: Strength +20%, Fear Immunity, Minor Health Regen.]
"Oh, this feels good," Lux laughed.
The golden barrier dropped.
Elara moved first.
She didn't run; she glided. She dashed straight into the charging mob of twenty thugs.
"Obsidian Dance."
She spun.
Black ice spikes erupted from her body in every direction. It was a massacre. Five thugs were impaled instantly. She ducked under a swinging axe and froze the attacker's legs, shattering them with a casual kick. She was a whirlwind of death, precise and silent.
Gareth's eyes widened. "What the hell is that?"
"Eyes on me, Cinder!"
Lux launched himself through the burning wreckage of the wall using [Flash Step].
He closed the twenty-meter gap in a heartbeat. The Soul-Reaper's Crescent trailed behind him, glowing ominously.
Gareth panicked. "Fireball! Fireball!"
He launched three spheres of concentrated flame at Lux's face.
Lux didn't dodge.
"Sanctuary!" Seraphina's voice rang out from behind.
A small, personal shield appeared in front of Lux, absorbing two of the fireballs.
The third one? Lux swatted it aside with his glowing red hand. [Aphrodisiac Hands: Heat Deflection].
"You're a mage?" Gareth screamed, backing away. "You're supposed to be a trash noble!"
"I got an upgrade," Lux growled.
He swung the scythe.
"Reap."
Gareth slammed his staff down. "Wall of Flame!"
A sheet of fire erupted from the ground to block the scythe.
But Lux's weapon was C-Rank, and his Strength was boosted to nearly 50 by the buff.
The scythe tore through the fire wall, dispersing it with sheer wind pressure.
The blade caught Gareth's shoulder.
SHLICK.
"ARGHHH!"
Gareth's left arm flew off, spinning into the mud. Cauterized instantly by the heat of Lux's skill.
The Pyromancer fell to his knees, clutching the stump. "Wait! Wait! I have gold! The Baron will pay you—"
Lux stepped on Gareth's chest, pinning him to the ground. The massive blade of the scythe hovered inches from his throat.
Around them, the sounds of battle had ceased.
Elara stood amidst a pile of groaning, frozen bodies. Not a single thug was left standing. She didn't have a scratch on her.
Seraphina walked out of the burning shack, her dress pristine, her staff glowing softly. She looked at the carnage with a grim expression.
"Mercy..." Gareth wheezed, looking up at Lux. "Please..."
Lux looked down at him cold and unfeeling.
"Did you show mercy to the old woman you extorted? Did you show mercy to Seraphina when you put a collar on her?"
"I was just following orders!"
"Wrong answer."
Lux raised the scythe.
"Elara. Freeze him."
"Yes, Master."
Elara snapped her fingers.
Black ice crawled up Gareth's legs, over his chest, covering his mouth, freezing his scream in his throat. He was turned into a statue of terror.
Lux didn't kill him.
"Statues make for good warnings," Lux said, sheathing his scythe on his back. "Let the Baron see what happens to his dogs."
[Combat Victory!]
[XP Gained: +1,200]
[Level Up! Level 9 -> Level 10]
[Milestone Reached: The First Party Wipe.]
[System Reward: Party Leader Perk Unlocked.]
* Shared Inventory: You can now store items for party members.
* Telepathic Link (Short Range): You can speak to Bonded Members mentally.
Lux took a deep breath. The golden buff faded, leaving him feeling slightly lighter.
He turned to his team.
Elara, the assassin.
Seraphina, the healer.
And him, the Lord.
The villagers were peeking out from their hovels. They stared at the frozen statue of the feared Gareth, then at Lux.
Someone dropped to their knees. Then another.
"They're bowing," Seraphina whispered, her eyes wide.
"They're looking for a savior," Lux corrected. "Let's not disappoint them."
He walked over to Seraphina.
"We need to go. The Baron will send the real army next. We need to be ready."
"My home is gone," Seraphina looked at the burning shack. "I have nowhere left."
Lux extended his hand.
"You have a home. Blackwood Estate has a very comfortable guest room. And a Dimensional Pantry that never runs out of bread."
Seraphina looked at his hand, then up at his face. She smiled—a genuine, radiant smile that made Lux's [System] ping with affection points.
"Then I will follow you, my Lord."
She took his hand.
[Party Member Added: Seraphina Lightsworn]
[Harem Slot 2: Filled]