At the Humr Manor, things were pretty festive.
Seraphina had gone out on a purging spree, taking action against every single church mber she found evidence against. As the church went through turbulent tis, she left Lysaria with Riku.
Normally, she would have never done sothing like that, leaving a Vestal of the Inner Fla with a man who called her a friend. However, sothing told Seraphina that that was probably the best decision she could make as her own enemies kept growing due to the purge.
And secondly, for so weird reason that even she could not explain, she had co to trust Riku.
Lysaria and Lila had a nice reunion at the Humr manor, embracing each other in a tight bear hug. Elara also t Lysaria, and just as Riku had predicted, they got along splendidly.
On this particular evening, a grand banquet was being held in the main hall of the manor. Elder Borin, Elder Tharin, and many of the children from the Underbelly, including Korgin and Brina, were honored guests, celebrating the new Marquis Humr’s rise in status.
The long tables were laden with food. Though the famine was still a concern, the dishes were plentiful—simple roasted ats and root vegetables, but bolstered by trays of Riku’s fluffy matcha buns and frosted pitchers of fizzy drinks, chilled to perfection with his ice magic.
Marquis Gregor Humr rose from his seat, his voice booming with pride and gratitude.
"My friends! We gather tonight not just to celebrate a new title, but to celebrate a new hope for Luxia!" he declared. "For weeks, we lived in fear of a shadow we could not fight. I myself lay on my deathbed, a victim of not only the Crimson Creep, but also a vile conspiracy that sought to destroy my house from within."
"But one man, with his courage and his miraculous gifts, showed us the way. He saved , he saved the noble Lord Arnold’s family, and he has given this entire city a fighting chance. I ask you all to raise a glass to our Whisper Healer, Master Riku!"
The hall erupted in cheers. "To Master Riku!"
Riku stood, a humble smile on his face. "Thank you, Marquis Gregor. But I could not have done any of this alone." His gaze swept the room. "This victory belongs to the master craftsn of the Underbelly, Elder Borin and Elder Tharin. It belongs to the courage of my friends—Lila, Elara, and Lysaria. It belongs to the trust of House Humr, and even to the difficult choices made by High Archon Seraphina."
His expression grew serious. "We have pushed back the shadow, but the fight is not over. I promise all of you, we will not rest until this Crimson Creep is gone from our lands for good!"
More cheers followed, louder this ti. The mood was electric, filled with hope and a sense of shared purpose. Marquis Charles stood, raising his goblet high. "Well said, Master Riku! Now, let the feast begin!"
Just as the servants were about to bring out the main course, a sound shattered the joyful atmosphere.
VREEEEEEN!
A high-pitched, piercing siren suddenly shrieked from the direction of the city center. It wasn’t the sharp alarm of a single ward; it was a city-wide magical alert, a sound reserved for an invasion or a catastrophic disaster.
The laughter died. The cheering stopped. Forks and goblets were frozen in mid-air. A stunned, fearful silence fell over the grand hall.
"What is happening?!" Marquis Charles yelled over the din.
Riku froze. A cold dread, completely separate from the surrounding panic, washed over him. That sound... he knew that sound. In his past life, in the world of EverRealm Online, that specific, city-wide magical siren was reserved for only one thing: a world event. The spawn of a raid boss, an invasion, a catastrophe that threatened the entire region. It was never good news.
Of course, such an event was welcod with open arms by the players in ga, but in reality, it would not be that straightforward.
These events had another quirk. All the powers that characters could display in-ga would normally not be enough to solve the matter unless the players completed the hidden quest or the cause of the world quest. This was what scared him the most.
"Stay here," he commanded his friends, his voice low and serious, cutting through their rising panic. "All of you. Do not leave this hall until I return." A troubled feeling bubbled inside him. This wasn’t a simple monster attack. This was sothing else entirely.
Without waiting for a reply, he moved quickly, heading alone to the highest balcony of the manor. What he saw made his blood run cold.
A monster was tearing through the rchant’s Quarter. It was a grotesque giant, easily three stories tall, its flesh a horrifying patchwork of bulging muscle and pulsating, crimson veins. With every step, it smashed through buildings, sending splintered wood and stone flying. Its roars echoed off the city walls, followed by the thin, terrified screams of citizens.
"By the Light..." Lysaria breathed from behind him, having followed despite his warning, the others close behind her. She clasped her hands in horror. "What is that abomination?"
"What is this? Is this sent by the forces who are behind the Crimson Creep?" Clara’s voice was a grim whisper in Riku’s mind. "Their final weapon, perhaps?"
"This is their endga," Riku said, his voice hard as steel. "They’ve unleashed the Creep in its purest form."
He leaped from the balcony, determined to get a closer look.
Flight [-20 Goodwill Points]
Riku shot towards the giant, weaving through the smoke-filled air. As he drew nearer, he could see the horrifying details. Thick, corded arms, bigger than tree trunks, swung wildly, smashing rooftops to splinters. A foul, red mist stead from its skin, carrying the tallic tang of the Creep. Its single, glowing red eye burned with mindless fury.
The giant spotted him. With a deafening roar, it swung one of its massive arms in a wide, sweeping arc, aiming to swat him from the sky.
But for all its terrifying power, the creature was slow. Its movents were telegraphed. Riku easily dodged under the clumsy attack, the wind from the blow whipping at his robes. As the giant’s arm completed its swing, its massive chest was left completely exposed.
Now.
He knew he had to act. He focused his mana, gathering a brilliant sphere of holy energy in his palm.
Solar Flare [-200 Goodwill Points]
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