The guild hall was buzzing with murmurs by noon. Word of the cloaked figure had spread, despite Kazuki's best efforts to downplay it. Townsfolk were on edge—shadowy figures appearing out of nowhere rarely meant anything good. He sat at a side table, flipping through a mission board flyer with a bored expression while his thoughts raced.
"You're distracted," Celestia commented.
"No," Kazuki replied. "Just wondering which of these glorified delivery quests will get me mauled by something big and magical."
She chuckled softly. "You could always rest. Take the day off. Let the world spin without you for once."
He paused, eyes drifting toward the window. "I could," he said. "But I don't want to give that Seer time to report more. If the Demon Emperor is watching me, I need to stay ahead of him."
Before Celestia could answer, the heavy doors of the guild slammed open.
A woman burst in, cloak tattered, eyes wide with panic. "*Help! Someone—please—*my brother's trapped! It's in the forest—he said he saw a beast made of flame!"
The room went silent.
"Flame?" one adventurer muttered. "That sounds like a mana beast."
Kazuki stood, sword already in hand. "Where?"
The woman turned to him, eyes desperate. "South trail. Near the ruins!"
He was already moving.
---
The forest south of Windale was dense, brambled and woven with roots that threatened to snag boots and ankles. The wind was dry and hot—unnaturally so.
Kazuki crouched low, brushing ash off a burnt tree limb. "This wasn't recent," he muttered.
> Danger Level: Moderate
Mana Interference Detected: Fire Attribute – Class: ???
Mission Status: Unofficial – Priority: Self-assigned
"You could turn back," Celestia whispered.
"You know I won't," Kazuki said. "Someone's life is in danger. And besides…" He smiled faintly. "I've got a new toy to test."
He took a deep breath and activated the skill he had created that morning.
> Skill Created: [Blade Dancer – Level 1]
Description: Enhances sword combat by syncing body rhythm to blade flow. +10% agility and reaction speed. MP Cost: 35/minute.
Status: Active
Kazuki's muscles lightened as if the forest breeze flowed through him. His grip on his sword, Soulcut, felt smoother, and each footstep made less noise than the last. The world around him blurred slightly—the edges of movement and intention dancing together.
He moved like water.
Then he heard it—a low, guttural snarl. Not bestial. Human-shaped.
Kazuki edged toward the sound.
A clearing opened up, ringed in charred grass and scorched stones. In the center was a boy—maybe sixteen—collapsed against a rock, a broken staff in hand. He was bruised, pale, barely conscious.
And standing between them was a creature made of flickering heat and molten skin.
Its body rippled like wax over flame. Four arms. No eyes. Just a twisted face of ember-filled cracks and rows of gnashing, glowing teeth.
> Enemy Identified: Ember Wraith
Classification: Class B Mana Beast
Weakness: Water/Ice/Seal-type Magic
Current Threat Level: High
"Great," Kazuki muttered, raising Soulcut. "Hot, ugly, and in my way."
The beast roared and charged.
Kazuki dove forward, sliding beneath its arms, Soulcut slashing up in a rising arc. The blade hissed against the molten skin, cutting deep—but not enough.
He flipped back and activated another skill.
> [Conceal Presence] – Active
Description: Hides user's magical and physical presence. Perfect for stealth attacks. MP Cost: 10/sec
Bonus: Crit multiplier +1.5x when undetected.
He vanished from the creature's perception.
Then, a whisper of steel.
Kazuki reappeared behind the beast and stabbed—straight into the joint of its molten shoulder. The Ember Wraith shrieked and swung wildly. One arm grazed him, flinging him across the clearing.
He landed hard, ribs protesting, but managed to roll to his feet.
The monster turned again, body flaring hotter with rage.
"Kazuki—behind you!" Celestia's voice snapped.
He spun—just in time to see a second figure drop from the treetops.
It was cloaked—again—but different from the Seer. Shorter. Leaner. And wielding a staff of dark-wood with a crystal head.
A young girl—no older than thirteen.
She raised her staff. "Hydra Coil!"
A burst of ice serpents erupted from her staff, slamming into the Ember Wraith's body. The flames hissed and froze, steam rising in a deafening shriek.
The beast staggered.
Kazuki didn't waste the moment.
"Soulcut—Final Arc!"
He poured his MP into the blade. It shimmered with every ounce of his fighting spirit. He dashed forward, slicing through the Wraith in a clean, horizontal cut.
The beast paused.
Then crumbled into blackened shards, vanishing into ash.
Kazuki dropped to one knee, panting.
> [Blade Dancer] Proficiency: 11% → 18%
[Soulcut] Proficiency: 13% → 20%
MP Remaining: 18/500
Pain Index: Acceptable
The girl landed softly beside him. "You're lucky I was hunting that thing already," she said with a smirk.
He looked up, confused. "And you are?"
She grinned. "Lyra. Elemental Tamer. Traveling with my master." She gestured over her shoulder. "You, though—you've got style. I like that."
Kazuki blinked. "You're not from around here."
"Neither are you, Demon Lord," she said cheekily.
He froze. "Excuse me?"
She winked. "Just kidding. Maybe."
Before he could press, she turned and walked off.
"Who is she?" Celestia murmured in his mind.
Kazuki rose slowly, glancing at the boy now being tended to by passing adventurers. He sheathed Soulcut, watching Lyra's disappearing figure.
"I don't know," he whispered. "But something tells me we'll see her again."
He looked down at his hand, flexing his fingers.
The battle had pushed him close to his limits—but it had also taught him something.
He wasn't strong enough—not yet.
But he was getting there.