The battlefield was chaos wrapped in smoke and flame. Screams, the clash of metal, and the roar of monsters filled the air.
Kairo stood atop the rampart, the Command Nexus glowing before him. Below, Kabolds and Ghouls tore through the enemy ranks, turning what was once a sea of bandits into scattered survivors.
Less than half remained now.
But Kairo didn't smile. His expression stayed tense.
Something felt wrong.
"This… isn't victory yet," he muttered.
Then he saw him — Ardan, the Bandit Captain, finally stepping onto the bloodstained ground.
The man's heavy boots sank into the mud as he walked, dragging a massive sword that gleamed crimson under the flickering fires. His hair was tied back in a messy knot, his armour torn and burned from his life as a bandit, yet his presence radiated command.
His eyes, sharp and dominating, shifted from Zeven — lying bloodied and broken — to Theo, who now stood with exhaustion and resolve.
Ardan's lips curved into a grin.
"So you're the one who beat my right hand."
Theo's breathing was heavy. His arms ached. Yet, when he saw Zeven's sword lying beside him, he picked it up, gripping it tight beside his own.
He laughed, breathless but firm.
"If I run now… then fighting that maniac would've meant nothing."
Kairo's eyes widened.
"Theo… you—!"
He quickly opened the Command Nexus, eyes scanning as Ardan's profile shimmered into view.
[Status Screen – Ardan]
Name: Ardan
Race: Human
Tier: 3.5
Class: Bandit Lord
Skills: Raging Cleave, Iron Crest's Resilience, Predatory Instinct, raging shout
"Tier… 3.5?"
That number shouldn't exist.
His Ghouls could only reach Tier 1.5 after enhancements through the Nexus. But this man — this human — was beyond that.
Then the Nexus pulsed again.
[NOTICE: Individual "Ardan" is currently in metamorphic transition. Estimated tier advancement → Tier 4.]
Kairo froze.
"He's… evolving mid-battle!? Just like theo."
He looked down at Theo, worry clawing his chest.
He wanted to send Onyx to help—
But the next second, the walls trembled. Bandits, somehow slipping past the Kabolds, were hacking at the defenses with axes and bombs.
"No… not now!"
Kairo cursed under his breath and turned to his side. Onyx, cloaked in shadow, stood silently, his armor faintly gleaming violet.
"Onyx! Forget the captain for now—secure the walls! If they fall, everything collapses!"
Onyx didn't speak. He simply vanished, a ripple in the air.
Theo stood firm, both swords raised. Ardan planted his greatsword into the earth with a smirk.
"Boy… join me," Ardan said casually. "You've got skill. I could use someone like you. Swear loyalty, and I'll spare you."
Theo blinked in disbelief, then chuckled.
"Join you? And betray my family? Not a chance."
Ardan sighed, hefting his sword.
"A pity. You don't get offers like this often."
Theo lunged forward, blades flashing in a cross strike.
"Then take this—Rattle of the Deep!"
Ardan swung his massive sword, blocking Theo's strikes with ease.
"What a waste of talent," he muttered, eyes glinting.
A faint smile crossed his face—strangely pleased by Theo's defiance.
Memories flashed: Harvard's mocking laughter, the pale face of the blonde stranger.
But they vanished, swallowed by the roar of battle as he barreled forward.
Dozens of rapid, darting slashes exploded from Theo's blades, moving faster than normal eyes could track. Each strike whistled through the air like cutting wind.
But Ardan met every one of them — his sword moving effortlessly, sparks flying as steel rang against steel.
"Impressive," Ardan said with a grin. "But you're still a child swinging sticks."
He pushed Theo back with one powerful shove. The younger fighter skidded, his boots digging trenches into the ground.
Ardan's eyes glowed faintly gold. His aura was rising.
Kairo could see it from afar — like molten light bursting from a volcano.
The bandits near the wall were cheering.
"The bastard lord didn't see this coming! Tear it down!"
Their laughter was short-lived.
A shadow moved through them like smoke. In the blink of an eye, heads rolled, weapons fell, and silence reigned.
Onyx appeared amidst them, eyes cold.
"You shouldn't have touched his walls." Kairo commented, looling down from the vantage point.
Onyx's lance spun, slicing through two more men. Black mist coiled around him as he dashed again, skewering three at once.
Kairo's Command Nexus flickered, marking the outer perimeter green once more.
"Good… Hurry, Onyx!"
Theo and Ardan clashed again, each strike sending shockwaves through the field. Ardan's strength was monstrous — each swing of his blade carved the earth, shaking the ground.
Theo barely managed to dodge, using Dash to slip past every killing blow.
Ardan swung downward — Theo rolled left.
Ardan twisted his wrist — Theo deflected, sparks flashing.
Theo countered with Rattle of the Deep, slicing at Ardan's arm — but Ardan spun, catching the blades on his sword's flat and flinging Theo backward.
Theo stumbled, his breathing ragged.
His arms trembled, vision blurring.
"Come on…" he hissed. "Not yet…"
Ardan chuckled, walking forward.
"You fight well for someone so young. But you can't bridge experience with courage alone."
He raised his greatsword high.
"This is the end."
Right at that moment, Onyx landed silently among the fallen bandits, their weapons scattered and broken. The wall was secure. He glanced toward the battlefield, eyes cold, ready to rejoin the fight without a word.
Theo's eyes widened. He tried to raise his swords—but his body refused to move.
The blade came down—
A shadow rose beneath Ardan's feet.
From his very own darkness, a figure burst forth—Onyx.
His violet eyes flared, his lance humming with power.
Time seemed to slow as he leaped upward, twisting in midair.
Ardan's eyes flicked down just in time to see the violet blur.
Onyx roared as his lance descended, glowing with crackling runes.
The tip aimed straight for Ardan's head.
The ground shattered from the pressure of his leap.
The lance fell like an executioner's blade, slicing through shadow, intent, and all hope alike.