Lydel sprinted to the booth, slamming his hand against the button. A low groan echoed through the chamber as the side wall panel slowly lowered.
Kyren had already thrown open every stall, and the horses—spooked by the commotion—immediately bolted for the sloped exit. The sound of hooves thundered through the underground chamber as they galloped up the ramp, escaping into the night.
Lydel didn't waste a second. He ran to the potion stands, knocking them over, smashing glass against the stone floor. He stomped on whatever remained, making sure not a single vial could be salvaged—even if the fire didn't reach them. Meanwhile, Kyren heaved against the carriages, shoving them into position so they would all catch fire as the flames spread. The packaging area—nothing but wooden tables and crates—needed no help. It would burn on its own.
Kyren moved toward the stage. Oil lanterns hung from the walls, their dim glow flickering. He grabbed two.
"All the horses are gone!" Lydel called.
Kyren turned, hurling one of the lanterns at the wooden stage. Glass shattered. Fire roared to life, licking up the drapes and climbing toward the ceiling. Without hesitation, he smashed the second lantern onto the packaging area. Flames spread instantly, igniting the hay-strewn floor of the stables. Within seconds, a wall of fire surged upward, consuming everything in its path.
"We gotta go, Kyren! Before this whole place comes down!" Lydel shouted.
Kyren turned, but the fire was spreading fast—too fast. The potion stands erupted into flames, cutting off his path. The inferno trapped him between the growing blaze and the only exit.
With no time to hesitate, Kyren activated his armor. Black energy rippled over his body. Then, he activated Flash Step.
A burst of speed launched him forward, straight through the roaring flames.
Lydel saw Kyren emerge, his silhouette breaking through the fire, and immediately turned toward the sloped exit. He summoned his armor, knowing full well a fight awaited them above ground.
Both sprinted up the ramp. The fire had already spread to the underside of the church. As they burst into the courtyard, chaos unfolded around them. Cultists scrambled, some fleeing, others desperately trying to put out the raging flames. Some ran through the front doors—screaming, their robes ablaze. Others sprinted toward the town, searching for water.
But before Kyren could make a move, a crushing pressure closed in on him.
A massive form barreled toward them.
Thneed.
His body had fully transformed, muscles swollen, fur bristling. His voice was barely more than a growl.
"The scum did it."
Kyren barely had time to summon his weapons before Thneed lunged.
The beast crashed into the ground where Kyren had just stood, his two massive fists leaving a crater in the dirt. Kyren Flash Stepped back, narrowly avoiding the impact. Thinking fast, he activated Eclipsing Fangs—the skill Silverfang Surge extending his dagger's reach by nearly two feet. A gleaming silver mana blade slashed outward, slicing into Thneed's arm. It didn't sever the limb completely, but it was deep enough to render it useless.
But Thneed didn't stop.
Rage twisted his features, his remaining arm swinging wildly. The corrupting nature mana in his body was turning him feral, his mind lost to instinct.
Lydel stepped in, his silverfang blade flashing. He slashed at Thneed's right leg—not deep enough to cripple him, but enough to draw blood. The beast roared, spinning, and swung at where Lydel had been.
An afterimage.
Thneed's attack met nothing but air. A second later, a slash cut into the back of his leg. He spun again, his leg nearly buckling, but there was nothing in front of him—only another afterimage.
His back was turned.
Kyren Flash Stepped in. Lion's Requiem gleamed as he poured mana into it, activating Black Lion's Claws. The blade sharpened to a deadly edge.
One clean slash.
Thneed's head and right shoulder separated from his body.
Before anyone could react, a golden blur streaked toward them.
Lydel barely had time to raise his sword before the strike hit. A gauntleted fist slammed into his side, sending him flying across the courtyard. He crashed into the porch of a house, rubble crumbling around him.
Kyren dashed in, meeting the golden figure's attack head-on. He struck downward with Lion's Requiem, but the man raised his armored arm. A thick gauntlet stretched down, covering his entire fist.
CLANG!
Kyren's blade bounced off.
Before he could react, a counterpunch slammed into his chest, launching him backward.
Lydel, groaning, forced himself to his feet. He sprinted forward to intercept the next attack. He slashed with Silverfang, leaving an afterimage. The golden warrior ignored it completely. Lydel ducked, dodging the punch, then lunged forward with his blade—
The attack connected.
Or so he thought.
The man barely flinched as the sword bit into his shoulder. Instead, he retaliated instantly, his gauntlet slamming into Lydel's side. Lydel tumbled back, collapsing into the rubble once more.
Kyren gritted his teeth, pushing himself up. He Flash Stepped in, aiming for the man's arm with Eclipsing Fang. The extended mana blade slashed deep, cutting through flesh. Kyren appeared behind him, about to Flash Step again—
But the man turned with inhuman speed.
Kyren barely dodged left, but the momentum still clipped him, sending him tumbling. He caught himself just in time to see the man remove his robe.
He was massive. His body rippled with muscle, his scarred face sharp and cruel. Long black hair framed his brutal expression.
A voice rang out.
The man in silver robes stood behind him, watching from a distance.
"Before you stands Rezark, the last Heavenly Convert. The final disciple of the High Mother. He who will conquer the Outskirts in the All-Father's name."
Nature mana poured into Rezark's body. His muscles tripled in size, his height increasing by at least two feet. Then—
He charged.
Kyren barely had time to raise his dagger before the punch landed. Even blocked, the force sent him flying.
I can't take another hit like that.
Kyren didn't give himself time to think. He Flash Stepped in, slashing. Eclipsing Fang carved across Rezark's chest. The wound bled, but it wasn't deep.
He dashed again. This time, he used Lion's Requiem, pouring mana into it. The next slash on Rezark's back cut deeper. A warm sensation spread through Kyren's body—his passive healing kicking in.
Again.
Another slash.
Rezark flailed, trying to catch him, but Kyren was too fast. The small cuts were adding up. Kyren saw his chance. He dashed in for the final strike—
A steel grip closed around his throat.
Rezark lifted him off the ground, his voice a deep, guttural growl.
"The Outskirts will be mine," he snarled. "In the All-Father's name, I will remake this city. I will avenge the world he wished to build. The world that you ruined."
Kyren barely heard the words. He struggled, kicking, his weapons slipping from his grasp.
Rezark sneered. "Stop wriggling, wretch."
Kyren's mind raced. Then—
Return to inventory.
His weapons vanished into mana.
Then—
Summon weapons.
The hilts reappeared in his grip.
Instantly, he activated Black Lion's Mane, flooding his body with mana. Both blades glowed with power—Lion's Requiem sharpening to its peak, Eclipsing Fang extending two feet longer.
Kyren swung.
A clean cut. Rezark's forearm severed at the elbow.
Kyren dropped, spinning midair—Eclipsing Fang slashed across Rezark's thighs. He staggered.
Kyren didn't stop. He lunged, driving Lion's Requiem straight through Rezark's heart.
The silver-robed man's voice echoed.
"This is not the last you'll see of us."
Then, he vanished—too fast for even Kyren to follow.
Kyren's body shuddered with warmth—his wounds healing. He turned to Lydel, who was finally stirring.
Kyren handed him a health potion.
Lydel took it, pressing it to his lips.