The ground trembled beneath Ragnar's feet.
He crouched low, the unconscious silver-eyed girl resting against the roots of a tree.
The tremors grew louder. Not footsteps… a stampede.
Then came the roars.
Dozens. Hundreds.
A tide of beasts burst from the treeline: fanged wolves with molten hides, winged serpents dripping venom, frost-wreathed apes. The air itself screamed with killing intent.
Ragnar's blood ran cold.
"A Beast Tide… now?" he muttered.
The girl stirred faintly, silver eyes flickering.
"Run… you idiot… you can't…"
Running wasn't an option. The tide was coming straight at them.
Ragnar's shadow stirred, eager.
"Perfect. Kill them all. Feed me."
His fists clenched. His body screamed with fatigue. But deep down, he knew this was the only way forward.
[Law Fragments Available: Beast Aura, Frost Bite, Venom Fang.]
[Fusion Potential Detected.]
Ragnar leapt into the fray.
The first wolf lunged, jaws glowing molten. Shadowflame Claw ripped upward, splitting it in two. Its Law fragmented, devoured instantly.
[Law Fragment: Molten Fang — Acquired.]
[Fusion: Shadowflame + Molten = Infernal Claw.]
His arm ignited, darker, hotter. Flames devoured the ground beneath him.
A serpent struck from above — Ragnar vanished with Shadowlight Step, reappearing above it. Claw plunged down. Venom hissed into steam.
[Law Fragment: Venom Fang — Acquired.]
[Fusion: Shadowlight + Venom = Poisoned Mirage.]
[New Passive: Attacks leave toxic afterimages.]
System pop-ups rained down. Each kill stacked power. His blood sang. Vision blurred between exhaustion and exhilaration.
Behind him, the girl dragged herself upright.
Silver eyes glowed faintly. Hands wove symbols.
"Don't die before I kill you," she muttered. A blinding wave of silver light shredded a wave of beasts.
Ragnar blinked. Her Law was sharp, refined — something ancient.
They fought back-to-back. Shadows and silver light tore through the endless horde.
Blood soaked the ground. Beasts howled, fell, and vanished.
When the last wolf collapsed, silence returned.
Ragnar stood over the corpses, panting. Arms wreathed in molten Shadowflame. System hummed with new power.
The girl leaned against a tree, smirking faintly despite her wounds.
"Not bad… for a monster."
Ragnar wiped blood from his face, glaring.
"And you? What are you?"
Her silver eyes glinted.
"Someone who knows exactly what you are, Ragnar."
His heart skipped.
She knew his name.