The night in Belmora was colder than usual. The rain had stopped, leaving alleys slick and dark as mirrors. Klaus Machiavelli walked with Selene at his side, his wolf prowling ahead, his crow circling above. His white hair gleamed faintly under moonlight, his crimson eyes burning.
He knew they were being followed.
[Lucifer]: "They're here, Crown-Bearer. Shadows within shadows. Eight… no, ten of them. All trained killers. The guildmaster must be desperate."
Klaus smirked faintly, his breath steaming. "Good. Let's bankrupt him with corpses."
Selene's nine tails flicked, moonflame dancing at the tips. Her silver eyes glowed. "They've made the mistake of hunting a predator."
The first dagger struck.
The Ambush
From every alley mouth, figures in black masks surged forward. The Black Veil Assassins. Their blades dripped poison, their bodies moving like liquid shadows.
The wolf lunged, ripping out a throat. The crow shrieked, scattering voidfire sparks. Selene's tails lashed, throwing illusions of burning foxfire into the dark, confusing the assassins.
Klaus's wings unfurled in a storm of shadowfire. He roared, claws igniting, and tore through the first two assassins in an instant.
[SYSTEM] Target Defeated.[DEVOUR] Trait Acquired: Silent Step (Basic).[DREAM-WEAVE] Lifespan Reclaimed: +12h.
Blood sprayed. More assassins fell.
But then—the elite moved.
A tall figure cloaked in violet steel slashed across Klaus's side with a curved blade glowing green. His shadow armor cracked. The poison hissed into his veins.
Klaus staggered. His vision blurred.
[SYSTEM WARNING] Condition: Poisoned (Severe).Lifespan Drain: -5 Years (projected).Status: Debilitated. -30% Strength.
"Bastard!" Klaus snarled, lashing back with his claws. He tore the assassin apart, but the damage was done. Blood poured from his ribs, sizzling black.
Selene's Wrath
Selene's eyes went wide. Her nine tails erupted into blazing foxfire. Illusions and flame overlapped, a domain of shimmering light and shadow swallowing the alley. The assassins faltered, their senses scrambled.
"Touch him again," Selene whispered coldly, "and I'll burn your souls to ash."
She struck—faster than Klaus had ever seen. Illusions of a hundred foxes tore into the assassins, each tail a whip of fire. In moments, the Black Veil killers were nothing but smoldering corpses.
Only silence remained, broken by Klaus's ragged breathing.
Selene dropped the last assassin's body and rushed to him, catching him as he fell to one knee.
"Klaus!" Her voice cracked, more fierce than tender, but urgent all the same. "You're bleeding out."
He coughed, dark ichor dripping from his lips. "I've… survived worse."
[Lucifer]: "Hah. Liar. That poison eats years, Crown-Bearer. Even you can't bargain your way out without help."
Back to His Den
Selene dragged Klaus through twisting alleys, her illusions masking their path. To the world, they vanished in foxfire. In reality, she half-carried him, his wings flickering, his breath shallow.
By the time they reached his flat, he was pale, blood soaking through torn clothes. She lowered him onto the couch, tails wrapping around him like a cocoon.
"Don't move," she commanded.
She tore open bottles, mixing herbs with her own foxfire flames. Her hands shook, though her expression remained calm. Klaus watched her through half-lidded eyes.
"You're… worried."
She shot him a glare. "Don't flatter yourself. I need you alive for profit."
But her hands lingered too long on his chest, her tails tightening protectively around him.
System Interventions
[SIMP SYSTEM: Target Resonance +1%.]New Passive Acquired: Foxfire Restoration — Minor regeneration when Selene is near.
A faint warmth entered Klaus's veins, the poison slowing. His crimson eyes closed for a moment, savoring the strange comfort.
[Lucifer]: "See? The fox is wrapping herself tighter than her tails admit. Keep bleeding, Crown-Bearer. Pain buys loyalty better than gold."
Klaus smirked faintly, even as blood seeped from his lips. "I'll remember that."
The Gate of Temptation
As Selene worked, a shimmer flickered in the corner of the room. Reality warped. A new Dream Gate burned open—shaped like a mirror of black glass, whispering voices spilling through.
[DREAM-WEAVE] Gate Detected: "Sanctum of Venoms."Entry Cost: 1 Year Lifespan.Special Reward: Poison Cleanse (removes all toxins).Warning: Entering in current condition carries 82% chance of death.
Klaus's veins throbbed, the poison burning deeper. He grit his teeth. "One year… to cleanse…"
Selene whirled, silver eyes blazing. "Don't you dare! You're barely standing—if you go in now, you won't come back!"
[Lucifer]: "Ah, delicious. The fox begs you to live, while the Gate tempts you to gamble. Which mistress will you obey, Crown-Bearer—survival, or ambition?"
Klaus's vision swam. His hand trembled toward the Gate. He whispered, voice low, hungry:
"Then I'll gamble… eternity."
The Gate pulsed, hungry.