As the dust settled, City Lord Longus descended from the sky, transforming back into his humanoid form. His steps were unsteady as he clutched his stomach tightly, his usually composed demeanor strained by an overwhelming fatigue.
“Impressive as always, my lord,” one of the clan leaders said as they approached him, having finished their own battles. They wore exhausted smiles, their faces lined with weariness after the long and grueling fight. Yet, despite their fatigue, they couldn’t help but flatter the city lord, their voices carrying a tone of reverence.
“How could those abominable demons ever stand a chance against you? Only if they’re tired of life would they dare to invade our city.”
Another old man chimed in, his tone filled with reverence. “Truly, my lord, you are the shield and sword of Arcadia. With you leading us, no force in this world or the next could ever hope to breach our defenses.”
But the City Lord barely registered their words. His vision blurred, and he felt a wave of nausea washing over him. His body, once brimming with immense power, now felt weak and drained. ”
“Argh!”
“Cough! Cough!”
Without warning, he coughed over violently, spitting out a large amount of blood that stained the soil beneath him a deep red.
The clan leaders, who had been so absorbed in their praises, froze in shock as they watched the city lord collapse to one knee, his hand still pressed tightly to his stomach. The sight of the blood left them speechless, their expressions shifting from admiration to horror. They had never seen the city lord, the unshakable pillar of Arcadia, in such a weakened state.
“My lord, what’s happening to you?” Mirrel Nortel asked, his voice trembling with rare anxiousness.
Alger Silvermoon rushed forward, concern etched deeply into his face. “Someone, fetch a high grade healing potion, quick!”
Mirrel Nortel hurriedly rummaged through his space bracelet, his hands shaking slightly as he searched for something that could help.
“Here, Brother Alger,” he called out, his voice tinged with urgency. “I have an A-grade Health Restoration potion with me!”
In a flash, Mirrel pulled out a small vial filled with a shimmering red liquid, the glow of which seemed to pulse with potent life-giving energy.
That was no ordinary health potion—this was an A-grade Health Restoration potion. It could restore one’s health to a normal condition in mere seconds.
Alger Silvermoon, who had been anxiously watching over the city lord, exhaled a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding. “Ohh, an A-grade Health Restoration potion? That’s even better,” he said, relief washing over his face.
Without wasting a moment, Aria’s father carefully poured the potion into City Lord Longus’s mouth. The city lord, still barely conscious, instinctively gulped down the liquid. The effect was almost immediate—his face began glow of a healthy colour.
Then he recalled the horrifying experience of entering that black hole of the Dreadnaught Colossal demon.
As soon as he entered that void, he had felt that his strength and life force was slipping away fast. It was really a panicky situation.
Fortunately, he was eventually able to break the void confinement—due to the ruination force that had corroded the space shattering the place in explosive force.
He regretted his rash action, clenching his fist. He should have handled it more carefully. But now, there was no use crying over spilled milk. He had to pay the price—and it was no small one.
He stared at his system panel with a melancholic expression. He had lost 10 levels, dropping back to level 90. It was horrifying, to say the least. Who knew how long it would take him to recover his full power now?
*****
“Yes, Victory!”
“We won!”
The triumphant shouts echoed across the battlefield as the colossal demon’s demise became apparent. Knights and hunters alike cheered with unrestrained joy, their voices rising in a chorus of relief and exhilaration.
The sight of the monstrous Dreadnaught Colossus being obliterated had turned the tide of the battle, filling the air with renewed hope and the sweet taste of victory.
But, The battlefield was now covered with corpses of humans, beasts, and demonic creatures —a gruesome site. Some mourned for their loved one’s death, recalling their despairing tale.
Fortunately, at the last moment, the reserve forces from the multiple city outposts, joined in the frey, and turned situation around.
More importantly, as soon as Dreadnought Colossus died, the demonic enchantment from the beasts wore off, and became vulnerable.
Then the beasts suddenly fled from the battlefield, seemingly confused about how they had ended up there.
“Huff, huff, huff…”
Ethan panted heavily, as he transformed back to his human form. He gasped for breath feeling fatigue all over his body. After using overlapped skills again again, his body had been tormented beyond recognition.
The pain was not only physical but also from the Soul. He laid on the ground, closed his eyes for a moment to recover, surrounded by mountains of mountains of corpses.
Although his body was aching from all the pain, a faint smile could be seen at the corner of his lips.
And why not? His gains were not Small.
[ Status:]
[ Name: Aengus Degaro (Ethan Smith) ]
[ Occupation: Hunter ]
[ Race: Human ]
[ Level: 21 ]
[ Class: None [
[ Age: 18 ]
[ Strength: 40 ]
[ Agility: 37 ]
[ Defense: 35 ]
[ Mana: 560/8190 ]
[ Attribute points:15 ]
[ Skills:]
-Active: Inferno Leap-59 (D), Berserker’s Might- 30 (D) Earth Manipulation-12(D), Lava Juggernaut -12 (D), Azula Sword Strike- 35 (E), Paralyzing Breath-10(E), Shadow Step -9 (E), Razor Claws – 4 (E), Netherhorn Burst (E)
– Passive: Rage of the Titan (D), Blaze Guard-8 (E), Fire Serpent’s Digestion -5 (E), Predator’s Instinct -23 (E), Health Regeneration -4 (E), Minotaur’s Outburst (E)
[ Special skills: Monster Breeding (Level-1), Blood Regeneration (level-1) ]
[ Unique Skills: Appraisal (Basic), Skill Absorption (Mythic), Universal Synthesis (Ultimate) ]
[ Equipment: Holy Dragonian-blade (C) ]
His level had increased 3 levels, beside gaining a few new skills from the Minotaurs. He took the risk to gain them, finding them intriguing.
—
As Ethan finished distributing his 15 attribute points, a sweet, floral fragrance drifted under his nose, so dense it felt as though it was right beside him. Curiosity piqued, he slowly opened his eyes and began to rise. But before he could fully sit up, something unexpected happened.
“Smooch!”
By accident, Ethan’s lips were met with another pair of soft and warm lips. The unexpected fluffy sensation sent a tingling shock through his entire being. As his eyes focused, he realized the source of the sweet lips: Aria.
She was impossibly close, her calm, emerald green eyes gazing into his. Ethan’s breath caught in his throat as he took in her face, the delicate curve of her pink lips still lingering on his.
Aria seemed to be in confusion but didn’t overreact.
Their eyes locked, and for a moment, the world around them seemed to fade, leaving only the two of them, as if a drift in a sea of unspoken emotions.
The air between them grew warmer, charged with a growing effect hormones. Slowly, almost instinctively, they leaned closer, closing the small distance between them inch by inch. When their lips met again, the sensation was electric—a connection that was both exhilarating and divine. On the dirt ground, their bodies were pressed together creating an sensual atmosphere.
Their kiss was awkward at first, due to inexperience and the uncertainty of new feelings. Yet, as their lips pressed together and their breaths exchanged, they began to find a rhythm. What started awkwardly soon became natural, as if they were learning together in that very moment.
The world outside their embrace ceased to matter, the intensity of the kiss pulling them deeper into each other. The closeness, the warmth, the softness of the moment—it was something neither had expected, yet something they both surrendered to fully.
Although Ethan had kissed before, their was no spiritual connection between them. However, With Aria, he felt an overwhelming peace.
As their kiss deepened, Ethan’s mind began to wander, painting vivid pictures of a future he had never allowed himself to hope for. He imagined a life with Aria—getting married, sharing the joys of a wedding day, having children, and growing old together.
He could see themselves being as grandparents, playfully taunting each other over their gray hair, surrounded by the warmth of a family they had built together.
How peaceful that might be? He could finally fulfil his wish of getting familial love, fulfilling his long emptiness inside. “It shouldn’t be that impossible, right?
