Beyond the territory's wooden fence, an endless expanse of gray mist stretched out, obscuring everything within.
This was the Void's domain, an unknown land where danger could emerge at any moment. The mist was thick and impenetrable, hiding whatever might be lurking just beyond sight.
But fire couldn't lie.
The blazing fireball that streaked toward Lucian was a warning of imminent danger.
Lucian narrowed his eyes and took several cautious steps back, positioning the wooden fence between himself and the incoming attack. His plan was simple, let the fence absorb the impact while he prepared to counterattack.
Yet, as soon as the fireball exploded, scattering flames and ash, another figure darted forward with incredible speed.
The sharp clang of metal echoed as Lin Daiyu appeared, her slender form moving with elegance. In one fluid motion, she snatched the longsword from Lucian's hand.
"Wait—what?!" Lucian blurted, startled by her sudden action.
Holding the sword with a casual grip, Lin Daiyu turned to face the fireball. Her delicate features remained calm, even serene, as she swung the blade with overwhelming force.
BOOM!
The fireball shattered on impact, its flames dissipating into harmless embers. Lin Daiyu's expression didn't change as she gracefully retreated a few steps, returning the blade to Lucian.
"Here, Master. Your sword."
Her gentle smile and poised demeanor were almost surreal, especially after what she had just done.
Lucian stared at her in disbelief. "You… broke a fireball with pure strength?"
Lin Daiyu tilted her head, looking amused. "It wasn't strength, Master. I simply applied enough force in the right place. The sword itself is inconsequential."
Lucian accepted the blade, his hands trembling slightly. As he glanced down, he couldn't help but notice the faint marks her delicate fingers had left on the hilt.
Her hands, though slender and pristine, carried a hidden power that sent a shiver down his spine.
Before Lucian could process what had happened, another figure emerged from the mist.
This time, it was a larger creature—a hunched, grotesque demon clutching a staff. Its crimson skin glowed faintly, and its twisted features were warped with malice.
Lucian's grip tightened on his sword as he prepared to strike, but Lin Daiyu stepped forward, her calm voice cutting through his thoughts.
"Master, allow me."
Without waiting for his response, she snatched a nearby wooden rod—no more than a simple branch—and charged toward the creature.
The demon raised its staff, chanting in guttural tones as it summoned another fireball.
But Lin Daiyu was too fast.
CRACK!
Her improvised weapon smashed into the demon's skull with such force that its head caved in, the sound akin to tofu being crushed. Blood and brain matter splattered across the ground as the creature collapsed in a heap.
The remaining demons in the mist began to charge, shrieking in rage. Lin Daiyu's expression remained serene as she leaped into their midst, her movements a blur of grace and destruction.
Her wooden rod was a blur, slicing through flesh and bone as though it were steel. Limbs were severed, torsos crushed, and heads pulverized.
Within seconds, the battlefield was silent.
Seventeen demons lay scattered across the ground, their bodies broken and lifeless. At the center of the carnage stood Lin Daiyu, her white robes pristine, not a speck of blood staining her delicate figure.
She dropped the wooden rod and turned to Lucian, her soft smile returning. "Master, the threat has been eliminated. Are you unharmed?"
Lucian's jaw hung open as he surveyed the devastation. The wooden fence now had a massive crater in front of it, the ground cracked and split from Lin Daiyu's sheer power.
"Unharmed?" he echoed, his voice shaky. "You just annihilated an entire wave of monsters… with a stick."
Lin Daiyu tilted her head slightly, her expression innocent. "Isn't that what you summoned me for, Master?"
Lucian swallowed hard, his hands gripping the longsword tightly. He couldn't decide whether to laugh or cry. "This… this is beyond anything I expected."
Before Lucian could say more, a familiar mechanical voice echoed in his mind.
"Combat Concluded!"
"Initiating Combat Evaluation!"
Combat Evaluation:
Enemies Defeated:
17 Level 1 Sinking Demons
1 Level 2 Sinking Demon Shaman
Outcome: Victory!
Performance Grade: S
Rewards:
Base Reward: 18 Void Origin Stones
Bonus Reward (S Grade): 100 Void Crystals, Territory Building [Arrow Tower]
Lucian blinked as the rewards materialized before him, the shimmering items neatly arranged in his inventory. He felt a wave of excitement as he scanned the list, but his gaze kept drifting back to Lin Daiyu.
"Master, shall we open the treasure chests now?" she asked, her voice gentle.
Lucian hesitated, his thoughts a whirlwind. He had expected the first wave to be manageable, but Lin Daiyu's sheer dominance had redefined what was possible.
As he glanced at her serene expression, he felt a mix of awe and unease.
If she could reduce monsters to pulp with nothing but a stick, what else was she capable of?
"Sure," Lucian said finally, forcing a smile. "Let's see what we've earned."
Lin Daiyu nodded, a faint glimmer of amusement in her eyes as she followed him back toward the chests.
For Lucian, one thing was certain the Void's challenges were only beginning, but with Lin Daiyu by his side, nothing seemed impossible.