Finally, it was in my hands.
I looked down at the heavy tome, the dark leather cover etched with strange runes that seemed to shift when I stared too long.
The Legacy of the Mad Sage.
My chest tightened with a mix of triumph and unease.
Then the familiar blue shimmer appeared before my eyes.
\[Quest Completed]
\[Reward: All your skills have leveled up]
The corner of my lips twitched despite myself. I'd taken risks, gambled with my life against a veteran demonic human—and it had paid off.
But I couldn't celebrate. Not here. Not yet.
I slipped the book into my storage bracelet, feeling the faint tug of mana as it vanished inside. The weight on my arm was gone, but the responsibility pressed heavier than ever.
"I've got what I came here for. Now it's time get out of here."
I reached into my pocket and pulled out a simple white mask. Thin, lightweight, carved with a subtle scar symbol etched diagonally across the surface. Cold and expressionless. The kind of thing that stripped away humanity, replacing it with anonymity. With one smooth motion, I slipped it over my face.
The mask sealed against my skin, the faint hum of enchantments whispering to life. My heartbeat steadied. I wasn't Arthur anymore. Just a ghost moving through the chaos.
From below, screams echoed—civilians panicking, guards shouting orders, blades clashing against unnatural strength. The acrid smell of burnt mana and blood hung in the museum air. My lungs tightened. Every second wasted here could mean someone spotting me.
I inhaled sharply, forcing my legs to move. I sprinted toward the stairs.
Halfway down, shapes emerged through the haze: two masked demonic humans and several guards clashing violently at the base. The guards were bloodied, exhausted, their armor cracked. The masked figures still moved with lethal precision. The moment my boots hit the step, both groups turned toward me.
"Hey, who are you?!" one of the demonic humans barked, suspicion laced in his tone.
No hesitation. My hand dipped into my belt pouch.
I hurled a smoke bomb at the ground.
*Pshhh!*
The device burst instantly, and thick gray smoke flooded the hall, curling upward and swallowing everything in sight. Cries of confusion erupted as both guards and enemies stumbled back. This wasn't ordinary smoke—it shimmered faintly, laced with mana distortion. It clung to the senses, muffled sound, blurred vision.
"Damn it! I can't see—!" a guard shouted, coughing.
My own vision blurred for a split second before stabilizing. The mask hummed faintly, filtering the interference. I had specifically paid for this set—a mask and bombs made to counter awakeners. Expensive, but invaluable.
Inside the haze, panic erupted. Blades swung blindly. Orders barked. Footsteps scrambled in every direction. I ignored all of it, lowering my stance and bursting forward through the confusion.
Every heartbeat thudded in my skull as I darted through the smoke. My boots pounded the marble stairs, echoing against the chaos behind me. My chest burned, but adrenaline drowned out the ache.
I broke through the smoke veil at the base of the stairwell. Cool air slapped against my face. My eyes darted around—the wide museum hall stretched open before me, faint moonlight spilling through the cracked windows. But I wasn't safe yet.
With one thought, I channeled mana into the ring on my finger.
The world rippled.
My body shimmered, then vanished.
The invincibility ring. Bought in the markets a few days ago with almost every coin I had saved. Its design was simple—an unassuming band of silver with a faint sapphire glow. Most would overlook it, but I knew its worth. By bending light and perception, it wrapped me in a veil of invisibility. Not absolute protection, but enough to make me untouchable for a short time.
Now cloaked, I could see them. Dozens of awakeners and civilians scrambling, demonic humans cutting through the crowd. None of them noticed me slip by, just a shadow gliding between the chaos.
'Keep moving, Arthur. Don't stop. Not until you're clear.'
I activated Dash. My body jolted forward, mana burning through me like fire in my veins. The floor blurred beneath me as I surged toward the exit.
Pain flared briefly in my legs—Dash was powerful, but draining. I clenched my teeth and pushed harder. Fatigue clawed at my muscles, so I used Sylandra's Blessing. A soothing warmth spread through my body, a soft green glow flickering faintly beneath the mask. The crushing weight in my chest eased, my muscles loosening just enough to keep running.
The air split with shouts behind me. "Something just passed us! Over there!"
They sensed it, but they couldn't see me.
I darted through the entrance archway, the cool night air hitting my skin like freedom. I didn't pause, didn't look back. The museum was chaos incarnate, and if I lingered for even a second, everything I'd fought for could be lost.
My breaths came in ragged bursts, mask fogging slightly with each exhale. My fingers tightened over the ring, heart hammering.
I had what I came for. The Legacy of the Mad Sage pulsed faintly within my bracelet.
-----------
The flames and steel clashed endlessly, the air inside the museum thick with smoke and blood.
The Demonic Human Leader stepped through the scattered embers of Amelia's failed spell, his demonic sword dragging a scar of red light across the marble floor. Each footstep carried a crushing weight, like gravity itself bent to his presence.
Michael planted his spear against the ground, steadying his breath. He could feel the pressure gnawing at his chest. *This one isn't like the others… he's fought hunters before. He knows how to kill us.*
"Stay sharp," he muttered.
Amelia responded with a short nod, hands already glowing red as fire coiled between her palms. Julia tightened her grip on her sword, smiling faintly despite the bruise spreading across her cheek.
The leader's lips curled. "You three are entertaining, but this dance ends here."
Then he vanished.
Michael's eyes widened — the enemy was already on him. The spear came up just in time, steel ringing as demonic energy slammed against it. The force blasted him backward several meters, boots carving lines in the marble.
Julia intercepted next, blade flashing in a diagonal arc. Sparks exploded as her sword met the crimson glow of the leader's weapon, but the impact sent her spinning aside.
"Crimsonheart Fire Magic: Blazing Torrent!"
Amelia shouted. A river of fire surged from her hands, roaring across the hall. The inferno lit the room in red, consuming everything in its path.
The leader swept his blade in a single arc. The torrent split apart, flames scattering like dying embers. He strode through the fire unscathed.
Amelia cursed under her breath. 'He cut through it?'
The leader's blade pulsed. A shockwave erupted from his swing, the energy lancing across the hall. Amelia barely conjured a wall of fire to shield herself, but the impact still launched her backward. She hit the ground hard, coughing blood.
"Amelia!" Michael gritted his teeth and thrust his spear, forcing the leader back a step. "Julia—together!"
Julia was already moving. She dashed forward, blade flashing in rapid slashes, forcing the leader into a close exchange. Sparks cascaded with every strike, the sound sharp and brutal. Her movements were erratic, almost feral, each strike more reckless than the last.
Michael pressed the other side, spear strikes aimed to limit the leader's movement. Together, the two forced him into defense.
But only for a moment.
The leader roared, demonic energy exploding outward in a shockwave. Julia was thrown clear across the hall, slamming into a wall. Michael staggered, nearly losing grip of his spear.
And still the man stood tall, barely scratched, his crimson eyes glowing with amusement.
"You're skilled. But skill alone doesn't kill monsters like me."
Amelia dragged herself up, flames circling her body in defiance. "We're not done yet." She clasped her hands together, a blazing circle forming beneath her feet.
"Crimsonheart Fire Magic: Meteor Flare!"
A massive orb of fire formed above her, its heat warping the very air. She thrust her hands forward, sending the burning mass hurtling toward the leader.
The impact detonated in a thunderous blast, flames engulfing half the hall. The floor shattered, pillars cracked, and the ceiling trembled under the force.
Michael shielded his eyes from the brightness, heart pounding. *That has to—*
The flames parted.
The leader strode out of the inferno, his cloak scorched, his blade glowing brighter than before. A trickle of blood lined his lip, but his grin only widened.
"Better. But still not enough."
Julia staggered back to her feet, sword trembling in her grip. "Michael… if we don't end this, he will."
Michael's hands tightened on his spear. His heart raced, adrenaline drowning out the pain. He felt something stir deep within him, a heat that wasn't his own. The spear in his hand pulsed faintly, glowing like a heartbeat.
Amelia's voice broke through his thoughts. "I'll hold him—finish it!"
Julia smirked, blood at the corner of her mouth. "Let's do it , get ready spear boy."
Julia lunged forward — her blade clashing against the leader's with wild ferocity. Amelia's flames were spiraling around him to limit his movement.
Michael's world narrowed to the glow in his hands. The spear grew heavier, but also… alive. Light surged along the shaft, building to a blinding brilliance.
He charged.
The leader noticed too late. His blade swung up to block, but Julia forced it aside with a reckless slash, leaving his chest open.
Michael thrust.
The spear erupted, light exploding outward in a sunburst.
"RAAAAHHH!"
The impact tore through the leader's body, radiance consuming him from within. His scream echoed across the hall before his form shattered into fragments of burning ash.
The explosion of light faded, leaving only silence. Michael fell to one knee, chest heaving, the glow in his spear dying away.
Julia leaned on her sword, eyes wide but grinning. "That… was insane."
Amelia stumbled to his side, flames fading from her hands. "Michael… what was that?"
He shook his head slowly, breath ragged. "I don't know. The spear… it just… responded."
Julia smirked through her exhaustion. "Looks like you're full of surprises."
Around them, the remaining demonic humans broke into panic. With their leader gone, they scattered and fled into the shadows.
The hall fell still.
And then, the sound of boots echoed through the wreckage. A squad of men in black coats entered, their insignia gleaming. At their head, a silver-haired officer scanned the carnage with sharp eyes.
"I'm from the Investigation Agency," he announced. His gaze fell on the trio. "You three… We would like to ask for your cooperation as we have some questions regarding the incident."
Michael exhaled, lowering his spear. "Figures."
Julia chuckled, nudging him weakly. "Congratulations, hero. You just bought yourself a whole lot of attention."
Amelia exhaled sharply, the weariness in her voice unmistakable. "Let's just get this over with". she muttered, brushing a strand of hair from her face.