The boss room roared with primal fury as the Alpha Werewolf stomped forward, muscles rippling under silver-blue fur. Its crimson eyes locked onto Kael and Elsa, challenging them like a king protecting his throne.
Elsa nocked an arrow into her bow, her green eyes sharp.
"Distract it I'll aim for the joints."
Kael nodded, gripping Vanta's Edge tighter, and as soon as the werewolf lunged, he dashed in low. The beast slashed downwards, claws cutting into the stone like butter, but Kael twisted past them, leaving a slash across its thigh.
"NOW, ELSA!"
A whistling sound tore through the air as her arrow, glowing with wind mana, exploded against the creature's right knee. It howled in pain, staggering back but only for a moment. Its body shimmered, and then it howled, awakening a bloody aura that pulsed like heartbeat tremors.
"It's regenerating fast," Kael muttered.
"Then we'll have to go faster!"
Kael activated Power of Wind, his movements accelerating as he dodged and weaved through sweeping claws. Vanta's Edge hummed in sync with him, almost reacting on its own. He slashed upward clean through the werewolf's arm. A loud crack followed as Elsa fired another shot into its shoulder, knocking it off-balance.
Suddenly, the werewolf let out a deeper growl and then it spoke in broken human tongue:
"Strong... children... Die... now."
Its claws were engulfed in black flame.
"This dungeon boss can speak?" Elsa gasped. "That's a demonoid mutation!"
Kael's eyes narrowed.
"Which means it's stronger than we thought."
With a howl that shook the walls, the beast leapt high into the air and slammed into the ground. The dungeon trembled. Stone crumbled. Elsa lost her footing.
"Elsa, MOVE!"
Kael flung her out of harm's way and took the hit blood sprayed from his shoulder as claws raked through his defense. Gritting his teeth, he used the force of the attack to flip back onto his feet.
"I'm fine!" he yelled. "Just take the shot!"
Elsa didn't hesitate. Her next arrow glowed with all the mana she had.
"Sylvenmire Technique—Piercing Gale."
She fired and the arrow screamed through the air like a banshee.
Kael jumped up, using Vanta's Edge to pin the werewolf in place.
The arrow struck the beast square in the heart, piercing straight through.
The werewolf fell to its knees with a choked growl... then collapsed.
Silence.
The dungeon walls flickered with dim light as the energy around them settled.
Kael landed on the floor beside the body and exhaled.
"That... was fun."
Elsa sheathed her bow, panting and flushed from the effort.
"Yeah. And that sword of yours... it's almost like it's alive."
Kael picked up Vanta's Edge and gave a small smile.
"It kinda is."
They walked to the dungeon's exit.
"Remember," Kael said, turning to her, "not a word about the sword."
Elsa smirked teasingly.
"Oh, maybe I won't…"
Kael narrowed his eyes.
"I didn't want it to come to this."
He stepped closer.
Elsa tensed, bracing herself for a shove or insult but instead…
Kael kissed her.
Soft, brief, but real. Her eyes widened, body frozen but she didn't pull away.
Her mind blanked, but her lips responded gently. When Kael pulled back, she was flushed, completely stunned.
He pulled his hood over his head.
"See you later."
Elsa stood there, unmoving, a rose-red blush on her cheeks.
Kael smiled to himself as he walked away.
"Hopefully that skill helps her keep Vanta a secret."
---
Skill Unlocked: Elarquist Mind Manipulation (Lv. 1)
– Passive
– When you land a kiss on someone, they are 10% more inclined to listen to you.
– Proficiency capped at 50% due to incomplete bloodline compatibility.
---
Meanwhile... deep in the Emberwild Forest
Belle sat casually on a moss-covered stone, sword resting on her shoulder. Her white army general suit shimmered under the faint sun rays piercing through the trees. Around her lay over 500 demonoid corpses, their bodies strewn across the ground in grotesque silence.
Blood stained her cheek as she checked her phone casually.
A new image popped up from a gossip tabloid:
> "BREAKING: Elsa Sylvenmire spotted on an early morning outing with a stunningly handsome boy outside a cafe. Could this be the heiress' secret boyfriend?"
Belle grinned mischievously.
"Knew it. That little brat is dating her."
She wiped the blood from her cheek and sheathed her sword.
A group of royal knights stood frozen in awe, trembling.
Belle skipped past them, still smiling like a girl in springtime.
"Don't worry. That was just my warm-up."