The following day dawned like any other in the bustling City of Magina. Merchants opened their stalls, adventurers prepared for their quests, and the members of the Devil's Shadows planned their next moves.
But the peace shattered when the warning bells rang across the city.
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The Beast's Arrival
An SSS-rank elite monster, a Shadow Hydra, emerged from the city's outskirts. Its massive, writhing heads tore through buildings, its dark aura spreading chaos. Civilians screamed and scattered as the beast rampaged, its very presence a challenge for even the strongest adventurers.
The Devil's Shadows, along with other guilds, quickly mobilized. Angel, Jackson, Mark, and Lissy rushed to the front lines, determination etched on their faces.
"An SSS-rank?" Angel muttered, gripping her blades tightly. "This is way above what we've dealt with before."
"We have no choice," Mark said, stepping forward with his shield. "We have to stop it before it destroys the entire city."
Jackson raised JC's staff, ready to summon a light barrier to protect the fleeing civilians, but before he could act, a brilliant golden light enveloped the area.
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A Mysterious Savior
A massive light barrier formed between the Shadow Hydra and the city, halting the beast's advance. The group froze in shock, turning to Jackson.
"Jackson… did you—?" Lissy began, her eyes wide.
Jackson shook his head, equally stunned. "That wasn't me."
Their eyes darted around, searching for the source. Then they saw him.
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JC's Return
Standing atop a tall building, silhouetted against the morning sun, was JC. His long, white coat billowed in the wind, and his crimson eyes glowed faintly as he stared down at the chaos below.
For a moment, the group couldn't believe their eyes.
"It's… JC," Lissy whispered, her voice trembling.
"Is it really him?" Angel asked, her voice a mix of relief and disbelief.
Mark clenched his fists, anger bubbling beneath the surface. "After all these years, he shows up now?"
JC's expression was calm, stoic as always. Without a word, he extended his hand, and the light barrier pulsed, pushing the Shadow Hydra back. The beast roared in defiance but was unable to break through the radiant shield.
The group began moving toward him, but before they could call out, JC turned away and disappeared into the distance, vanishing as quickly as he had appeared.
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Lingering Questions
The Shadow Hydra, temporarily restrained, retreated back into the wilderness, leaving the city in an uneasy calm. The group stood at the edge of the battlefield, staring at the empty rooftop where JC had been moments ago.
"Why did he leave again?" Lissy asked, her voice heavy with frustration.
"He's hiding something," Jackson said, gripping the staff tightly. "Something he doesn't want us to know."
"But why save the city if he's just going to walk away?" Angel added, her tone sharp.
Mark remained silent, his gaze fixed on the horizon. Deep down, he knew JC had returned for a reason, but whatever that reason was, JC wasn't ready to share it yet.
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A Faint Hope
That night, as the group regrouped in their guildhall, the city buzzed with rumors of the mysterious light mage who had saved them. To the citizens, he was an unknown savior, but to the Devil's Shadows, he was their missing leader.
Though JC had vanished once more, his brief appearance rekindled something in them—a hope that they might one day stand together again.
And somewhere in the shadows, JC watched, his expression unreadable. The mark of Wrath burned faintly on his chest as he whispered to himself, "Not yet… but soon."