The silver leaves of the sanctuary swayed gently in the night breeze, but the calm was deceptive. Kazuki stood atop one of the higher platforms, Moon-Bone Edge in hand, eyes scanning the horizon. Lyria rested nearby, still recovering, her green aura faintly pulsing.
Eryndor approached silently, bow slung across his back. His gaze was grim.
"They've sent more," he said quietly. "A full Moonfang battalion. Elite warriors, spellcasters, and assassins. They intend to wipe out the sanctuary and claim you alive, human."
Kazuki clenched his jaw, Moon-Bone Edge glinting under the moonlight. "Then we'll make sure they don't get past us. Not today, not ever."
Lyria stirred, sitting up slowly. "Kazuki… I can help. My magic is weak now, but I can amplify your attacks."
He nodded. "Then we fight together. Just like before."
TRAINING AND COMBO DEVELOPMENT
Before the attack, Kazuki practiced with Lyria. The Moonlight Ascendant path had unlocked latent abilities:
Moonlight Resonance (Lv.1): Boosts attack speed and mana recovery in combat
Lunar Pulse Lv.1: A ranged strike that combines Moonlight Aura and Moon-Bone Edge energy
Celestial Fusion Lv.1: Combines Kazuki's blade strikes with Lyria's healing pulses to create a simultaneous offense-healing effect
For days, Kazuki and Lyria synchronized their movements, learning to anticipate each other. Every swing of Moon-Bone Edge was paired with a burst of healing energy from Lyria, every step amplified by Lunar Step, every strike enhanced by Predator's Intuition.
The system confirmed the progress:
[SKILL MASTERY IN PROGRESS… Moonlight Ascendant Lv.1 → Lv.2][New Combo Techniques Unlocked: Celestial Strike, Lunar Veil]
Kazuki felt unstoppable—but he knew that Moonfang would not wait.
THE MOONFANG ASSAULT
On the fifth night, the alarm rang out. Red glows appeared between the silver leaves. Moonfang warriors emerged:
3 Moonfang Elites – Level 22
5 Moonfang Assassins – Level 18
4 Moonfang Spellcasters – Level 20
Kazuki's eyes narrowed. "Lyria… stay behind me. We take the frontline."
Lyria shook her head, her green aura brightening. "No. We fight together. Trust me."
The first wave of assassins darted from the shadows. Kazuki activated Moonlight Resonance, speed doubling instinctively. He dodged, countered, and struck multiple enemies in succession, while Lyria's pulses healed minor scratches on the fly.
"Predator's Intuition!" he shouted, anticipating the spellcaster's fireball. He lunged and deflected the spell with Moon-Bone Edge, sending shards of silver energy scattering.
The Elites joined the fray, blades clashing with Moon-Bone Edge in sparks of silver and crimson. Kazuki moved like liquid moonlight, every strike precise, every dodge calculated.
UNLOCKING MOONLIGHT ASCENDANT Lv.2
The battle pushed Kazuki to the edge. His body burned with exertion, yet his mind remained sharp. As he blocked a lethal strike from a Moonfang Elite, the system flashed:
[MOONLIGHT ASCENDANT PATH: EVOLUTION AVAILABLE]
Lv.2 unlocks Moonlight Overdrive: Temporarily multiplies all damage, speed, and mana regeneration for 1 minute
Celestial Strike Lv.2: Combines Moonlight Blade and Lyria's mana for devastating area attack
Lunar Veil Lv.2: Creates a protective barrier for both Kazuki and Lyria, absorbing incoming damage
Kazuki's pulse raced. "Now… let's finish this!"
He activated Moonlight Overdrive, silver light flooding his body. Lunar Step, Moonlight Blade, Predator's Intuition, and Celestial Strike flowed together seamlessly. Lyria followed, her mana amplifying every motion, every strike, every pulse.
The Moonfang battalion faltered under the sudden surge. Assassins fell, spellcasters' spells backfired against the barrier of Lunar Veil, and the Elites were thrown into chaos.
THE TURNING POINT
Kazuki and Lyria moved as one—blade and magic, offense and healing fused perfectly. Moon-Bone Edge cut through elite armor while Celestial Strike sent arcs of silver light tearing through enemies.
The sanctuary's elves joined, inspired by the duo's display of power. Archers fired from elevated platforms, and spellcasters supported Kazuki and Lyria with elemental bursts.
After an hour of relentless combat, the Moonfang battalion was routed. The surviving enemies retreated into the night, leaving only scorched earth and broken mana traces behind.
LEVEL UP AND STATUS
After the battle, Kazuki felt an incredible surge of power, the system chiming repeatedly:
[EXP GAINED: MASSIVE][LEVEL UP → Level 22][Moonlight Ascendant Lv.2 Unlocked][New Skill Unlocked: Moonlight Overdrive Lv.1, Celestial Strike Lv.2, Lunar Veil Lv.2]
◈ STATUS ◈
Level: 22
HP: 510/510
Strength: 70
Agility: 75
Endurance: 55
Intelligence: 35
Skills: Lunar Step Lv.2, Moonlight Blade Lv.2, Moonlight Aura Lv.2, Predator's Intuition Lv.3, Adrenal Surge Lv.2, Silver Pulse, Double EXP, Moonlight Fusion Lv.2, Mana Resonance, Critical Instinct, Moonlight Ascendant Lv.2, Moonlight Overdrive Lv.1, Celestial Strike Lv.2, Lunar Veil Lv.2
Titles: The Undiscovered One / Moonblood Warrior
Equipment: Moon-Bone Edge (Upgraded, Mana-Conductive, Enhanced Critical)
Kazuki leaned against a silver tree, exhausted but exhilarated. Lyria rested beside him, smiling faintly, her energy slowly recovering.
"You… survived," she whispered.
"We survived," Kazuki corrected. He looked out toward the dark horizon, knowing Moonfang would not stop. "And next time… we'll be even stronger."
The sanctuary glowed softly beneath the moonlight, a beacon of hope, a place where the Moonblood Warrior and the princess would continue to forge their legend.
END OF CHAPTER 15