Velisara and Olivia had planned a simple visit to the city—a trip to meet Mr. Smith and gather supplies. With Balwin off exploring the market, she felt a twinge of guilt using his money. But she knew him well—he'd be more than happy to see them enjoying it.
As they strolled through the bustling streets, Olivia's gaze lingered on a sweet shop, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. Velisara couldn't resist. Stopping at the shop, she purchased a small selection of treats. The moment Olivia took a bite, her face lit up with pure delight—perhaps the happiest Velisara had ever seen her.
The sight warmed her heart. Wanting to prolong the moment, she decided to explore further, looking for other things Olivia might enjoy. They wandered past stalls brimming with goods until Velisara spotted a vendor selling honey—a rarity these days. She bought a small jar before moving on. Then, her attention landed on a spice shop carrying ingredients from the Xing Fu Empire, renowned for its high-quality seasonings.
Just as she was about to step inside, something caught her eye near the city hall gate. A group of men in black robes were arguing with the guards. The guards stood firm, blocking their entry, but the robed figures refused to back down. The air between them was tense—until, without warning, the men drew their weapons.
Velisara turned away, uninterested in getting involved. But just as Olivia reached out to push open the shop's door, an unnatural energy surged through the air. A shadow loomed over them, vast and ominous, swallowing the storefront in darkness.
Velisara's instincts screamed. She didn't hesitate. In a single motion, she grabbed Olivia and leaped back.
From midair, she saw it.
A massive golem had appeared out of nowhere, its hulking form crashing through half the spice shop in an instant.
Velisara landed atop a nearby two-story building, cradling Olivia protectively. Below, the streets had erupted into chaos—screams, dust, and bodies scattered in the aftermath of the destruction. The golem towered over the carnage, an eerie presence among the rubble. Embedded in its chest was a strange insignia—a single eye with a weighing scale. White smoke hissed from its body, billowing like breath from a living creature.
Velisara's jaw tightened. I should have been more careful. A moment's distraction, and Olivia could have been hurt.
She needed to escape while she had the chance. This creature was too dangerous. Preparing to leap to another rooftop, she suddenly spotted a child—a boy, no older than five—alone in the street, crying.
Her blood ran cold.
The golem's massive foot was descending—straight toward him.
Velisara's mind screamed at her to flee. To take Olivia and run.
But she couldn't.
"Olivia, hold on tight," she commanded, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her.
"I'm ready, Mama!" Olivia clung to her. "Are we saving that little boy?"
Velisara nodded, eyes locked on the child.
"Not just me—we are."
Velisara leaped down, landing gracefully beside the trembling child. Her sharp gaze locked onto the massive golem, and, as if sensing her challenge, the construct turned its eerie, smoke-emitting face toward her.
"Mama! Can you really defeat it? You hesitated before!" Olivia asked, gripping her mother's clothes tightly.
Velisara let out a small chuckle. "Of course I can. It's easy," she said, then added softly, "I was just worried about you, dear." Her eyes, however, never left the golem. She crouched slightly, addressing the boy with a gentle voice.
"Hey, don't be afraid. No more tears! You're a man, aren't you? Men don't cry," she said with a reassuring smile. "Where's your mother?"
The boy sniffled, wiping his face. "She's… in the house," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
Before Velisara could respond, the golem let out a deep, mechanical groan. Its colossal foot lifted high into the air.
Her expression sharpened as she raised her right hand.
"Run. No—hide somewhere safe, okay?" she instructed firmly, giving the boy a gentle push. He hesitated, but the weight of her words sent him scurrying toward the remains of a nearby stall.
Velisara turned back, standing her ground.
The golem's massive foot came crashing down, aiming to flatten her and Olivia in a single, devastating strike.
"Olivia, are you afraid?" Velisara asked, her voice calm despite the imminent danger.
"No, Mama! I'm not afraid!" Olivia declared, though her grip on her mother tightened.
A faint smile touched Velisara's lips.
From her right hand, golden light erupted.
The golem did not stop. Its enormous foot plummeted toward them like a falling mountain.
Olivia squeezed her eyes shut, bracing for impact. A deafening explosion tore through the air.
Dust and debris scattered, the shockwave rattling nearby buildings.
For a moment, there was silence. Then, cautiously, Olivia opened her eyes.
Her mother stood unharmed. The golem's leg—gone. Not severed, not broken—completely obliterated.
And yet, the golem did not fall. It swayed slightly, struggling to balance, its single glowing eye flickering as if trying to process what had just happened.
Velisara flicked her wrist, the golden energy in her hand solidifying into a long, radiant sword. Light pulsed along its blade, illuminating the city hall gate area.
"For something so big…" Velisara muttered, twirling the sword effortlessly, "...you're painfully slow. How ironic."
But before she could advance, the golem's body emitted a strange hum. Its missing leg began regenerating—flesh-like tendrils of molten rock twisting and forming into shape once more.
Velisara's eyes narrowed. The creature wasn't just rebuilding itself—it was changing. The more it regenerated, the shorter it became, as if it were sacrificing height for some unknown advantage.
"Oh?" Velisara tilted her head slightly, a smirk forming on her lips. "So, you've got some tricks up your sleeve, huh?"
At the same time, Balwin stepped toward the hotel window, drawn by the distant sounds of destruction. He pushed the curtains aside and immediately spotted it—the symbol.
A single eye with a weighing scale.
Athan appeared behind him, his expression darkening the moment he saw the mark.
"That's it! That's the marking I saw before!" Athan exclaimed. "But why is it on that golem now?!"
Balwin exhaled through his nose, his red eyes gleaming with amusement.
"Hmph. So that's what's going on… They're searching for me here," he muttered, a smug smile creeping onto his face. "How foolish of them, thinking they can take down the Demon King."
His fingers flexed as he cracked his knuckles, his power stirring beneath the surface.
"I doubt they'll even scratch me," he added, glancing at Athan with a confident smirk. "Even in my sealed state."
Without another word, Balwin turned, took a single step forward—and leaped out of the third-floor window.
Glass shattered behind him as he descended, his body cutting through the air like a blade.
He was ready for a fight.
"Wait! I'm coming too! Wait for me!!!" Athan shouted, rushing toward the window without hesitation.
With a firm push, he vaulted over the edge, following his best friend—his soul brother—straight into the chaos below.