The campfire crackled softly under the star-lit sky. But tonight, even the warmth of the fire couldn't burn away the chill that settled over the squad.
Lucien sat quietly, staring into the flickering flames. The words from earlier still echoed in his head.
"They've found us."
The Demon Lord's scouts were no longer distant threats—they were hunting him now.
His hand instinctively touched his sword. Not out of confidence, but as if grasping for a sense of control in a world that kept slipping further out of his grasp.
Seraphina sat across him, her face unreadable as always, yet her violet eyes watched him with unwavering intensity. Elira and Lyra sat closer, almost protective, while Arin, Nysa, and Kaela sharpened their weapons nearby.
The silence was heavier than the air.
Then Lyra broke it.
"Lucien," she whispered, "you should rest."
"I can't," he replied softly. "Not now."
Elira's voice followed, warm and soothing. "You've already grown stronger, Captain. The system has recognized your bond with us… that means we're doing this together."
Lucien managed a small smile at her words. But his mind was clouded.
How long can I keep them safe?
How long before one of them gets hurt… because of me?
Suddenly, Kaela's sharp voice cut through the night.
"Movement. North perimeter."
Everyone snapped into alert.
Arin leapt up, her daggers already drawn. "Scouts?"
Nysa's silver eyes glowed faintly as she activated her detection spell. "Multiple… small, fast, but there's something bigger behind them."
Lucien stood up, his heart pounding. "Prepare for battle."
The squad quickly moved into defensive positions, forming a circle around Lucien.
From the shadows, glowing red eyes pierced through the darkness.
The Demon Scouts had arrived.
They weren't like the shadow beasts from before. These were leaner, more humanoid, their skin black as obsidian, claws glistening, their grins sharp with bloodlust.
Behind them loomed a much larger figure—a hulking demon beast, nearly twice Lucien's size, its breath steaming like smoke.
A guttural voice rasped from the darkness.
"We found you, Flameborn."
Lucien tightened his grip on his sword. "Squad, stay together!"
The first wave struck like lightning.
The demon scouts darted in with unnatural speed. Arin's twin daggers danced like silver ribbons, slicing the first one clean across the throat. Black blood sprayed, evaporating before it even touched the ground.
Kaela's arrows whistled through the air, pinning another scout to a tree.
"Two down!" Kaela shouted.
But more kept coming.
Lyra's flames roared to life, forming a protective ring around Lucien as the enemy tried to overwhelm them.
"Stay close, Captain!" Lyra cried.
Elira's staff glowed, casting barriers and healing waves as wounds started appearing on her teammates.
But the real threat advanced—the hulking demon beast charged straight at Lucien, eyes locked with deadly hunger.
"Mine," it growled.
Lucien stood his ground, heart hammering.
I can't let them fight all my battles.
He stepped forward.
"Lucien, no!" Elira gasped.
But before the demon could reach him, Seraphina suddenly appeared between them—her robes fluttering unnaturally as she raised her hand.
A burst of violet fire exploded, slamming into the beast and sending it stumbling backward.
Her voice was cold, commanding.
"You dare touch him? Not while I stand."
The squad froze for a moment—none of them had seen Seraphina's full power until now.
Her magic was nothing like Lyra's warm flames—it was colder, sharper, like an ancient force.
Lucien blinked.
What… is she?
But the demon beast roared and charged again, this time maddened.
Lucien moved instinctively, raising his sword. The system pulsed in his mind.
[System Notification: Emergency Synchronization Available]
[Awakening Surge — Flameborn Core at 68%]
[Skill Unlocked: Blazing Edge — Temporary Flame Infusion]
Golden flames erupted from his sword as he slashed, meeting the demon's claw head-on.
The impact shook him, but the demon staggered back with a roar of pain as its arm sizzled.
The squad quickly joined in. Nysa unleashed lightning that struck like fangs from the sky, paralyzing several scouts. Arin's blades cut down another. Kaela's arrows found every weak spot.
The battle turned into chaos.
Finally, after a combined assault, the hulking demon beast let out a final howl before collapsing, its body disintegrating into black mist.
Silence returned.
Everyone stood panting, exhausted, bloodied—but alive.
Seraphina approached Lucien, her voice soft but intense. "You've grown faster than I expected. But this was only a taste."
Lucien wiped the sweat from his brow. "Of what?"
She glanced at the dark sky.
"The Demon Lord knows you're here now. He'll come for you himself."
A heavy silence followed her words.
Later, as the squad sat around the rekindled fire, the weight of the battle lingered.
Lucien sat with Lyra on his right, Elira on his left.
Lyra gently placed her hand on his. "You put yourself in danger again."
"I can't just let you fight for me every time," Lucien said softly.
"But we fight because we care," Lyra whispered, her voice trembling slightly. "You're not just our Captain… you're—"
She paused, cheeks flushing.
Elira's gentle voice followed. "You're becoming the center of all our hearts, Lucien."
His chest tightened.
Before he could respond, Seraphina's distant voice cut in, her eyes reflecting the firelight. "You will have to make choices soon, Captain. The closer you draw us… the harder it will become."
Her words sent a strange chill through him.
[System Notification: Emotional Web Status — Unstable Growth]
[Warning: Multiple High-Level Emotional Attachments Detected]
[Unique Harem Route Progress: 18% Complete]
[Upcoming Event Unlocked: The Festival of Bonds — 5 Days Remaining]
Lucien stared at the glowing text, his heart racing.
Festival of Bonds…?
The system never stopped throwing surprises.