Incubus Ascension

Liam stood in the center of the chamber, chest heaving, the weight of the fight pressing down on him like a physical force. His fingers twitched, and he extended one hand, willing the dark energy to spill forth. It poured out in thick, coiling tendrils, racing across the walls, floor, and ceiling until the entire room pulsed with his power. The air grew heavy, charged, as if the space itself now answered only to him.

He closed his eyes for a moment, testing it. Every corner, every shadow, every faint shift in the dust—his. Viper’s presence burned against his awareness like a hot coal, unmistakable even without sight. ’He’s there. Cornered. But still dangerous.’

Liam’s eyes snapped open. He lunged.

Steel sang against steel as their blades clashed. This time Viper gave ground immediately, parrying desperately while Liam pressed the assault. Each exchange favored him now—his strikes faster, heavier, fueled by the domain that amplified every sense. He drove Viper back step by step, forcing the assassin into a corner where the walls offered no escape.

Slash after slash rained down. Viper’s defenses cracked under the onslaught, his face twisting with growing panic. Blood welled from a cut across his forearm. Realization dawned in his eyes: he was about to die here.

With a frantic curse, Viper jammed a hand into his pocket, yanked out a small pill, and shoved it between his teeth. The effect was instant. His body swelled with surging dark red energy, veins bulging like ropes beneath his skin. He grew taller, thinner, more monstrous, his limbs elongating unnaturally.

Liam struck again with a blast of his own dark energy, but his eyes widened in shock as the attack faltered—pulled apart, drained away like water into dry sand. ’What the hell? It’s... being absorbed?’

For the first time, his signature power had failed him so completely. A cold knot formed in his gut. He leaped backward, creating distance, sword raised in guard. His mind raced. ’Only one minute left in Devil Time mode. If I drag this out, I lose.’

Viper advanced, grinning through bloodied teeth, draining small amounts with every clash. Liam cursed under his breath. He needed overwhelming force, something Viper couldn’t nibble away piece by piece.

A memory flashed—harsh training days back in the dark mountains, pushing his limits until his body screamed. There was a skill for amplifying output, raw and unstable, but it might be enough.

He channeled it into his blade. Black fire roared to life along the edge, burning with unnatural intensity. Then he triggered Devil Time fully. A burst of white aura exploded outward, blinding Viper for a precious second.

Liam poured everything into the strike—speed, strength, fury. His sword carved through the air and took Viper’s head clean off.

But the head didn’t fall. It began to reattach, flesh knitting with grotesque speed. ’Not enough,’ Liam thought grimly.

He didn’t stop. He hacked again and again, slicing the head into smaller and smaller pieces while the remaining thirty seconds of Devil Time burned away. Ten seconds left—he turned on the body, carving it into chunks with relentless precision. The chamber echoed with wet impacts and the sizzle of black fire.

His heart hammered against his ribs as he stared at the pile of red meat. Even then, he kept cutting, refusing to trust the kill until—

**Quest Completed: Eliminate Viper the Assassin.**

**Enemy Confirmed Killed.**

Liam exhaled shakily, lowering his sword. Relief washed over him, loosening the iron band around his chest. His hands trembled slightly as the adrenaline ebbed. He wiped sweat from his brow, forcing his breathing to steady. ’It’s done. They’re safe.’

He hurried back to where the girls lay motionless in the affected area. Carefully, he carried them one by one beyond the room’s threshold. The moment their bodies crossed the boundary, color returned to their faces and they stirred, limbs regaining strength.

"Are you hurt?" Liam asked, voice rough with concern. "Any side effects? Dizziness, pain—anything?"

Beatrix sat up slowly, flexing her fingers, while the others tested their limbs. They shook their heads.

"No... I feel fine," Beatrix said, offering a weak but genuine smile. "Thanks to you."

Liam nodded, the knot in his stomach easing a fraction. He helped them to their feet, lingering a moment longer than necessary with a steadying hand on Beatrix’s shoulder. Protecting them had become more than duty—it anchored him, gave him something real to fight for amid the chaos of this world.

Unseen in the shadows of a distant corner, a black-coated figure watched silently. Red hair framed a face half-hidden by the hood. The figure’s feminine voice murmured, soft yet intrigued, "Interesting..."

She stepped backward into a swirling dark portal—energy identical to Liam’s—and vanished without a trace.

***

Later, with Viper’s severed head secured in a crude bucket, Liam and the girls made their way through the streets toward the Knight Headquarters. The weight of the macabre trophy pulled at his arm, but he kept his stride purposeful.

They spotted the female knight emerging from the building, her posture tense, shoulders rigid. Liam stepped into her path.

"I’ve got great news," he said.

She lifted her head and glared, clearly exhausted from whatever ordeal had marked her day. "What?"

Liam offered a small, tired grin. "Brighten up. You’re going to like this."

He lifted the bucket’s lid. Her eyes widened, lighting up with disbelief and rising excitement.

"You... you killed Viper?" She stared between him and the gruesome proof. "I’m going to get promoted!"

Liam tilted his head. "You?"

She nodded quickly. "Captain Leon assigned me to shadow your progress. Every achievement you make, I share in the credit. This? This is enough for my promotion, even as a partial share."

Liam considered her for a moment, then shrugged. "Then take the full achievement. I’m leaving this town anyway."

"Wait," she said, stepping forward.

"Why should I stay? I don’t even know your name."

She hesitated, then straightened. "C1. We’re sent from the capital as orphans, raised by the Order. They give us codenames only."

Liam tilted his head again, processing. "Well... I’m leaving."

"Stop." She held up a hand. "How about this—I can’t just take the achievement without returning the favor. Let me help you."

Liam paused, glancing back at the girls. He wanted out of this place, but beyond that? His goals felt hazy, driven more by survival and the pull toward answers about his exile than any clear path. The capital might hold those answers, and she clearly had connections.

"Write me a letter of recommendation to the capital," he said.

Her expression faltered. "Oh... the capital." Her voice grew quieter.

"What’s wrong?"

She rubbed the back of her neck. "Nothing. Give me a moment." From her pocket she produced a small note, scribbled quickly, and handed it over. "Here."

Liam tucked it away and returned to the girls.

Beatrix fell into step beside him. "So the capital is our next destination?"

He nodded. "We need to learn more about this exile business. But first, a map."

They detoured to the archive room, rummaging until they found a serviceable map pointing the way. With supplies gathered, they set off along the river toward the capital, the water’s steady current mirroring the uncertain flow of their journey.

Unnoticed behind them, another figure trailed at a careful distance. Captain Leon watched Liam’s back with narrowed eyes, clutching a small piece of dark-energy-coated material in his fist. A murderous glint sharpened his gaze.

"Let’s see if you slip during this journey," Leon muttered. "Show me what I want to see."

His intent hung heavy in the air as he continued to study the young man ahead, weighing every movement.