The moon hung low over A1 City, casting silver light over the empty streets. Two White Soldiers patrolled near the market district, their footsteps echoing on the cobbled ground.
"This area has been too quiet," one of them muttered, gripping his spear tightly.
The other nodded. "Yeah… it's unsettling."
Before they could speak further, a low growl rumbled through the air. From the darkness, a Stray emerged—its body twisted and covered in shifting black energy.
Without hesitation, the soldiers charged. Their training kicked in as they moved in perfect coordination. One slashed at the Stray's legs, while the other aimed for its head. Within seconds, the beast collapsed.
The first soldier smirked. "Too easy."
But then… the air grew thick with bloodlust.
More Strays appeared, their glowing red eyes piercing through the darkness. One by one, they attacked, and the soldiers fought back, blades flashing under the moonlight. They took down the creatures swiftly, their movements precise and deadly.
"Looks like we'll be cleaning up the streets all night," one of them joked.
But then… it arrived.
A single Stray, unlike the others. It was larger, more monstrous. Its energy swirled violently around its body, pulsing like a heart.
"Careful," the first soldier warned. "This one is—"
Before he could finish, the creature moved.
Faster than they could react, it struck.
One soldier was sent flying into a wall, his armor shattering on impact. Another was grabbed and crushed like a toy. Within seconds, the entire squad was down, their blood staining the ground.
The Noble Family's soldiers arrived next, drawn by the sounds of battle.
"What the hell is that?!" one of them shouted.
"Formation! Take it down!" another ordered.
They surrounded the creature, their swords glowing with refined energy techniques. With a synchronized attack, they unleashed a barrage of strikes, their energy slashing through the night.
The Stray… didn't even flinch.
With a single, monstrous roar, it released an energy blast, wiping out the soldiers in an instant. Their bodies fell, lifeless, to the ground.
The streets fell silent.
And then…
A shadow moved.
The Stray's eyes locked onto the figure approaching through the darkness. A cold, suffocating energy filled the air. The creature growled, sensing something far more dangerous than itself.
The shadow raised a hand.
A ball of pure energy materialized, crackling with unstable power.
The Stray screeched and lunged—
SWOOSH!
A black sword cleaved through the night, cutting the Stray's attack in half.
The monstrous creature froze. Its energy flickered, its body trembling as if it had just seen death itself.
Standing before it… was the Black Knight.
His armor gleamed in the moonlight, his legendary sword dripping with dark energy. His eyes, hidden beneath his helmet, stared at the Stray with an eerie calmness.
"This one… is different," he murmured.
The Stray roared, attacking again.
The Black Knight moved like a shadow. In an instant, his sword glowed with dark heat, and with a single slash, the beast was obliterated.
As its remains scattered into black mist, the Black Knight didn't relax. Instead, he looked at the ground, his mind racing.
"This isn't normal. Something… is changing."
Before he could investigate further, his senses flared. More Strays were appearing elsewhere in the city.
With a final glance at the blood-soaked street, he vanished into the night.