From the top of a small hill, Jamie crouched low, her eyes narrowing as a faint rumble echoed through the storm.
A supply car, its headlights cutting dimly through the curtain of rain, rolled to a stop on the distant road.
Her grip tightened on the hilt of her blade. The vehicle’s nose tilted toward the direction of their valley, and for a mont her heart pounded like a drum.
’Did they find us? Do I strike first?’
Her breath ca faster, her body coiled to spring into action—until the car’s engine rumbled again and the vehicle slowly turned away, continuing on the road until it vanished from sight.
Jamie exhaled, shoulders slumping with relief.
"Tch... I almost thought I’d have to fight again."
She slid down the slope, boots crunching softly on the wet ground as she circled the valley once more.
She checked every ridge, every shadow, every possible entry point. But no figures approached. No lights shone.
Finally, convinced it was safe, she allowed herself to relax.
"Alright. That’s enough for today."
By the ti she returned, dinner was already being prepared. The warm sll of roasted vegetables and broth greeted her, driving away the chill of the storm.
She sat with the others and relayed her report to Lucian, describing the near-encounter.
Lucian only gave a faint nod.
"Don’t trouble yourself over the settlent. You’ve done well. Just keep up the patrols."
Jamie smirked, leaning back with an almost cocky grin.
"Hah, you actually praised ."
She reached over and ruffled his hair roughly—only for a small set of sharp teeth to clamp down near her wrist.
"Oi! Cut it out! I’m not your chew toy!"
Jamie yelped, jerking back as one of the wolf pups growled playfully, tail wagging. Another pup barked and snapped at her sleeve, tugging it as if joining in the attack.
The pups ignored her entirely, bouncing around her feet with endless energy.
Mira sighed and scolded lightly.
"Pups, go easy on Jamie. She’s not food."
But the little wolves didn’t listen to her either, pouncing and nipping more aggressively. Mira pouted, folding her arms.
"They never listen to anymore..."
She muttered under her breath.
Luna giggled behind her hand, unable to hold back her amusent.
Lucian turned toward her.
"And how are you adapting, Luna? Is everything alright here?"
Before Luna could answer, Mira suddenly slid closer, looping her arms around Luna’s shoulders with exaggerated care.
"She’s doing just fine. I’m taking very good care of her."
Luna blinked at the sudden touch, looking a little stiff under Mira’s clingy hold. Still, after a mont she forced a small smile and nodded.
"Y-Yes. I’m happy here. And... well-fed."
"See?"
Mira grinned smugly, pressing her cheek against Luna’s.
Lucian raised a brow but didn’t comnt. The lively chatter continued until night fell, laughter and complaints mingling as the storm outside howled on.
One by one, everyone drifted off to sleep.
When silence finally blanketed the clearing, Lucian stepped outside. The night was harsh and barren—the land still scarred, stripped of its past life.
He stood alone, staring across the empty wasteland, the storm’s winds biting against his skin.
He opened the system window with a thought. No new ssages. No new instructions. Only the sa silent interface staring back at him.
Lucian let out a bitter chuckle.
"Still nothing. I’m growing tired of waiting for that so-called hero to show up."
His words disappeared into the storm. The system, as always, gave no reply.
With a sigh, he turned to head back, deciding sleep would be better than aningless waiting. But just as he stepped toward the shelter, his body froze.
A prickle crawled across his skin—his instincts sharpened, honed by countless battles. Sothing was coming.
No—soone.
Two distinct presences braved the storm, moving directly toward the valley.
At the sa ti, the system pulsed. A sharp alert echoed in his mind.
[Warning: Two unidentified intruders approaching.]
Lucian’s eyes narrowed, and he exhaled slowly.
"Well, this certainly is not the hero I called for."
Straightening his back, he turned toward the storm, already preparing himself.
"Fine. Let’s see what these intruders want."
Lucian crouched low on the sa high ridge Jamie had used earlier that morning.
The storm raged around him, wind snapping at his hair and clothes, but his gaze never wavered from the two figures making their way across the barren ground.
When they ca within range, he raised his hand, gathering the energy he needed to strike.
A glint of power flickered in his palm—only for the leading figure, cloaked and graceful, to suddenly snap her sword upward.
Clang!
The force of his first strike was shattered with one clean motion, sparks scattering in the air.
Lucian’s eyes narrowed.
"She blocked it?"
The cloaked woman’s head tilted slightly, her sharp gaze scanning the hillside. Her instincts were sharp. Without hesitation, she turned toward the direction of his attack.
"There. Soone’s up there."
She muttered coldly, her voice carrying in the storm.
Her boots dug into the ground as she prepared to charge up the hill—
—but by the ti she moved, Lucian was no longer there.
He had already slipped from the high ground, shadows curling around his small fra as he darted across the field with silent speed.
His true target wasn’t the swordswoman at all. It was the second figure, the one standing more openly, less guarded.
The man stiffened when Lucian appeared before him, his eyes widening. He had expected an ambush—yes—but he had not expected to see a child.
"A kid?! What—"
He exclaid in shock, stumbling back.
He didn’t get the chance to finish.
Lucian’s hand flicked out, scattering a fine handful of glittering dust directly into the man’s face. The motes shimred unnaturally, carried by the wind into his nose, his mouth, his eyes.
The man coughed once. Twice. His movents grew sluggish, his knees buckling under his weight.
"W-What... what is this...?"
Lucian’s expression remained calm, almost bored, as he watched.
"Sleeping dust. Don’t bother resisting."
The man—Louise—struggled for less than a minute before his body collapsed heavily into the mud.
His breathing slowed, his muscles limp, and within monts he was completely unconscious.
Lucian didn’t waste ti. He stepped over the fallen man, his eyes already lifting toward the swordswoman who was cutting her way toward them through the storm.
"She’s the real problem."
He murmured under his breath, muscles coiling in preparation.
The clash was inevitable.
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