High above—
the emerald spirit quietly observed the battlefield.
Her emerald eyes slowly shifted.
"...A vampire..."
A brief pause.
Her gaze drifted elsewhere.
"...And another."
She tilted her head.
Then, a faint smile curved her lips.
"...Two little ones as well."
Silence.
"...What's that?"
Her attention settled on a single point far below.
Deep within the shattered forest—
amid broken earth and splintered trees—
someone stood.
Draven.
His coat had been torn apart by the impact.
Blood covered his body.
Dirt clung to his clothes.
His left arm—
the one that had been blown apart—
was already regenerating.
Muscle.
Bone.
Veins.
Skin.
Layer after layer of flesh rapidly knitted itself back together before the naked eye.
Within moments—
only smooth, unscarred skin remained.
The countless wounds across the rest of his body continued closing one after another.
Not far away—
the severed remains of his arm lay half-buried beneath broken stone.
Only the hand had remained intact.
The black glove still covered it.
In Draven's remaining hand—
he calmly held the black cat.
The blue slime clung quietly to his shoulder.
Without taking his eyes off the enemy—
he spoke in a low voice.
"...Move."
The black cat blinked once.
"...Meow."
Without hesitation—
it leaped away.
The blue slime gave a tiny wobble.
Then—
its body melted into Draven's shadow.
Disappearing completely.
Draven slowly straightened.
His bow remained firmly in his grasp.
Above—
**WHOOSH!!**
Vaelith descended first.
Lucifer and Elenya remained safely cradled against her chest.
She landed several meters away.
"My Lord—"
Before she could continue—
Draven's crimson eyes turned toward her.
"...Keep your distance."
His voice was calm.
Yet it carried unmistakable urgency.
"...Get them away from me."
Vaelith froze for only the briefest moment.
Then she immediately obeyed.
"...Understood."
Without questioning him—
she retreated farther back.
Putting even more distance between Draven and the two infants.
A moment later—
Lyriana landed beside her.
Ryke stumbled slightly before regaining his footing.
Kaelira arrived almost immediately afterward.
Her wolf ears stood upright.
"...Master."
Her eyes swept over him from head to toe.
Then she grinned.
"...You're still alive."
Draven ignored the remark.
Instead, his gaze shifted toward Lyriana.
"...Where's the artifact?"
Before Lyriana could answer—
another crimson streak descended from the sky.
Aldric landed heavily upon the ruined ground.
Pythia stepped down beside him.
She carefully held the rotating spatial artifact with both hands.
Its concentric rings continued to rotate.
Soft blue mana pulsed through the engraved runes.
She bowed respectfully.
"...Here, My Lord."
Draven spared the artifact a brief glance.
Then his attention returned to Lyriana.
"...Take the artifact."
She immediately accepted it.
"...Yes, Your Highness."
Draven's gaze shifted toward Vaelith in the distance.
"...Go with her."
"Open a portal."
"Once it's stable..."
"...Vaelith goes through first."
A brief pause followed.
"And contact me immediately."
Lyriana inclined her head.
"Right."
Without another word—
she grabbed Pythia by the wrist.
Her crimson wings spread wide.
**WHOOSH!!**
The two shot toward the deeper reaches of the forest.
Vaelith followed without hesitation.
Lucifer and Elenya remained safely secured against her chest.
The distance between them and Draven rapidly widened.
Nearby—
Kaelira watched them disappear into the forest.
Then she slowly turned her head.
Ryke...
...was already running.
"...Huh?"
She blinked.
"Where are you going?"
Ryke didn't even slow down.
He shouted over his shoulder.
"You moron!"
"He's the target!"
"Staying anywhere near him is just asking to die sooner!"
He accelerated even further.
"I'm not interested in becoming collateral damage!"
Within seconds—
he had already vanished into the trees.
Kaelira stared blankly after him.
Aldric let out a quiet snort.
"...Useless."
A brief silence followed.
He folded his arms.
"...Though..."
"...he isn't wrong."
His crimson eyes drifted toward Draven.
The young vampire calmly bent down.
He picked up the severed hand lying among the broken stones.
He pulled the black glove free.
Then slid it onto his newly regenerated hand.
Flex.
His fingers slowly curled into a fist.
As though confirming everything worked exactly as it should.
Only then did he look up.
Aldric tilted his head.
"So..."
"...What's the plan?"
Draven's crimson eyes never left the elf hovering high above the ruined forest.
"...I'm his target."
"If everyone leaves..."
"...there'll be no reason for him to chase them."
He rested his bow against one shoulder.
"I'll keep him occupied."
"Until the portal is ready."
Aldric stared at him for several long seconds.
Then he clicked his tongue.
"...You're seriously planning to fight that guy?"
He glanced toward the emerald spirit floating silently beside the elf.
"...That's a Spirit Contractor."
"And judging by his strength..."
"...I don't think that's the only powerful spirit he has."
Draven answered simply.
"...I know."
Aldric let out a slow breath.
"...You're insane."
Draven finally looked at him.
"...I guess."
Silence.
Then—
Aldric grinned.
"...Fine."
He rolled his shoulders.
Crimson mana slowly began leaking from his body.
"I'm staying."
Draven's expression remained unchanged.
"...Suit yourself."