🌇 Scene: Campfire – Post-Mission Cooldown
The squad set up camp after the caravan quest.The Wretches were dead, gold was earned, and the sun dipped beneath the trees.
Kaien leaned back on a log, sipping something warm from a cracked mug.
"That... was the most badass fight of my life."
Donovan: "You got stabbed."
Kaien: "And? Character development, baby."
💢 The Waifu War Begins
Lyra sat on Kaien's right, applying a mana salve to his ribs.
Seris sat on his left, arms crossed, eyes absolutely glaring.
Kaien: "You mad?"
Seris: "Why would I be mad that you let the healer girl put her hands all over you?"
Lyra: "Maybe because you were too busy acting jealous instead of fighting?"
Seris: "Excuse me?"
Kaien: sweating "Oh no. They've discovered each other's emotions."
🔥 Enter: Aziel Duskborne
Before a blade could be drawn or a slap landed, a sudden blast of fire scorched the trees ahead.
Everyone snapped to their feet—Kaien drew his blade instantly.
From the smoke… a shirtless figure stepped through the flames.
Jewelry clinked. Golden tattoos shimmered over tanned skin.
Aziel fking Duskborne** had arrived.
Aziel: "Yo. Sorry I'm late. Took a detour through a volcano dungeon.You know how it is."
Kaien: "Broooo?!"
They ran toward each other—Clasped hands—Brought it in for the double-tap shoulder-bump, bro-hug combo.
Donovan nodded in approval. Reinhard cracked a grin.
Reinhard: "The Brotherhood is almost whole."
Kaien: "All we need now is our monkey."
🧂 Instant Tension
Aziel spotted the girls.
Aziel (smirking): "Damn. You already got two? I was gone for one arc."
Lyra: "…Who is this clown?"
Seris: "…He's worse than Kaien."
Kaien: "Actually… he's hotter than me, and I hate it."
♨️ The Hot Springs Scene (You KNEW it was coming)
They found natural springs nearby. Donovan guarded the perimeter.Reinhard meditated.The girls went to the other side.The boys? Full degenerate vibes.
Kaien: "God, I missed baths. My balls were starting to fuse to my thigh."
Aziel: "Mine still are. I use it to build fire resistance."
Reinhard: "You two are disgusting."
Kaien: "True, but we're passionate."
Monku's voice echoed faintly through the forest:"THIIIIIGHHS!"
Kaien: "He's close. I can feel it."
⚠️ Ambush – Mid-Bath
[Warning: Beast-class detected – Class A – "Nightcleaver Serpent"]
The hot spring rippled.
Something massive slithered from beneath the steam.Black scales. Red glowing eyes. Magic-radiating tongue.
The serpent rose from the water—
Lyra (from the girl's side): "WHAT THE F—?!"
Kaien jumped out of the water NAKED—sword in hand, literally and figuratively.
Aziel: "You're going out like this?"
Kaien: "If I die, I'm dying in the nude!"
🗡️ Skill Unlock – Mid-Fight
Kaien dodged a snap of the serpent's jaw, cut deep, blood spraying.
[HP: 12%][Crest Surge Triggered][New Skill Unlocked: Crisis Edge – Lv.1]Attacks deal 2x damage when HP is below 25%. Critical rate massively increased.
Kaien: "LET'S GO, SYSTEM! FEED ME THAT PEAK ENERGY!"
He leapt high, mid-air, blade glowing red—
Aziel boosted him with a fire burst—
Donovan tanked the serpent's tail smash—Reinhard slashed both serpent eyes with wind—
And Kaien came down with [Crisis Edge], slicing the serpent in HALF, water exploding everywhere.
💦 Aftermath – Girls Soaked, Kaien Still Naked
Seris: staring at Kaien, soaked, panting, sword glowing"…I might actually like you now."
Lyra: blushing, looking away"Idiot."
Kaien: "So uh… which one of y'all is washing my back later?"
Aziel: "This guy is peak MC energy."
🐒 Final Scene – Monku Approaches
The camera (yes, anime camera) pans through the trees.
A shadow bounces between treetops.The sound of jungle drums and primal yelling grows louder.
A wild Monku lands on a cliff above the camp.
Monku Ironpelt: "MY BROTHERS… I HAVE ARRIVED!"
He holds up a staff made of banana bark and demon bone.
"AND I BROUGHT THE PLOT WITH ME!"