Scene: Guild Hall – Morning Mission Briefing
The squad had returned to Bronwilde Guild.
Atmosphere? Cold as f**k.
Reinhard: silent.
Donovan: focused.
Aziel: trying to lighten the mood.
Monku: made jokes, but no one laughed.
Seris: deadly quiet.
Lyra: distant.
Kaien: faking a smile, hurting inside.
Then the guild clerk posted a new bounty:
> Urgent S-Rank Bounty: "Deadmarch Hydra" spotted near Emberveil Ravine.
Reward: 12,000 gold + relic-class loot.
Reinhard: "That's above our pay grade."
Aziel: "Which is why we're definitely doing it."
Kaien: "Time to prove we're worth the legends."
---
🧊 Twist: Paired Patrols
To avoid clashing mid-fight, Donovan and Reinhard make the call:
Split the team into pairs for recon.
Kaien: "Alright, so—who's with who?"
Reinhard: "You and Lyra. Clear the south route."
Silence.
Lyra doesn't protest. She just nods.
Seris doesn't look at Kaien.
Kaien doesn't say a word.
---
🌫️ Scene: Kaien & Lyra – South Trail
Tension so thick it could kill a dragon.
Kaien finally speaks:
> "I'm not good at this stuff, alright? Feelings, people, choosing…"
Lyra: "I don't want you to choose. I want you to be honest.
You act like we don't matter when you're scared."
Kaien stopped walking.
> "I'm not scared of you, Lyra. I'm scared of losing you."
Her steps stopped too.
> "Then stop pushing me away."
Boom.
A tremor shook the forest. They both turned as the ground cracked open—
> Hydra spawn. Three heads. Acid magic.
No time to hesitate.
---
⚔️ The Fight – Synchronized Pain
Kaien activated Instinct Override, sword glowing.
Lyra summoned Light Lance Form – Seraph Mode.
For the first time since the kiss—
they moved in perfect sync.
Kaien cut the first head. Lyra blasted the second.
The third tried to strike—Kaien took the hit for her. Blood sprayed.
Lyra screamed.
Activated her forbidden glyph.
> "Radiant Reversal!"
Light exploded—turning the hydra's own acid into a burst of flame that incinerated it.
Kaien dropped to one knee.
Lyra grabbed him—he thought she'd yell.
Instead?
> She kissed him.
No hesitation.
On the mouth. Hard.
Then she pulled back, cheeks flushed but fierce.
> "That wasn't for your harem. That was for me."
Kaien blinked. "I—I wasn't ready for that."
Lyra: "Too bad. Don't fumble this one."
---
🛡️ Meanwhile – Seris Watches From Afar
She saw it.
Didn't cry. Didn't speak.
Just walked back to camp early.
Reinhard saw her.
> "You're stronger than that."
Seris: "No. I'm not. And that's the problem."
---
🐍 Final Scene – The Real Hydra Awakens
In the depths of Emberveil Ravine…
the true Deadmarch Hydra stirred.
> Nine heads.
Venom that melts magic.
A roar that cracks stone.
And in its heart... a cursed relic that pulses in time with Kaien's crest.
Far above, the man in black watched.
> "Come, Kaien.
Let's see what you do…
when the people you love start dying."