Incubus Ascension

The alley reeked of blood and damp stone. Liam stood over the broken figure of C2, his fingers still tingling from the last snap of bone. Rain hissed against the rooftops above, but down here the world felt small, reduced to the wet coughs of a man who refused to die.

C2 lifted his head, eyes gleaming with unnatural hatred. He spat a thick glob of blood onto the ground at Liam’s boots. "I wouldn’t say anything if I were you. You’re just wishing it."

Liam’s lips curled. "Is that so?"

He seized C2’s wrist. The crack that followed echoed like a gunshot in the narrow space. C2 screamed, but the sound twisted into a laugh that chilled the air.

Liam leaned closer, voice low and steady. "I realized you could regenerate. You’re immortal. But you can still feel pain."

He went to work. Every bone, three times over. Methodical. Unhurried. The kind of cruelty that came from necessity rather than joy. By the third round, C2’s laughter had dissolved into ragged whimpers. His body knit itself back together only to shatter again.

"Enough!" C2 gasped at last, tears mixing with the rain on his face. "The Eye... it was the creature we met. Offered us immortality in exchange for making a road for him to enter our world. First time was only a whisper. After we passed his trial, we woke up with his power."

Liam straightened, breathing controlled. The pieces clicked together in his mind with sickening clarity. ’Same possession method as the True Devil. They came from the same place.’

"Why Nyx and Medusa?" he asked.

C2 wheezed a broken laugh. "The Eye only told us we needed to get rid of them. Never said why. Gave us the tools, a way to sense them. That’s all."

Liam’s jaw tightened. Something still didn’t add up. "How did the Eye know Nyx and Medusa would be freed in this age?"

"We asked him the same thing," C2 muttered. "He always said he could see the future. Predicted someone would come who would free both of them."

Liam’s heart hammered against his ribs. ’Did he just mean me? How far ahead does this thing see?’

He turned to the girls watching from the shadows—old allies and new faces alike. "We need to leave this place. Now."

They moved quickly. The old group understood the weight in his words. The newer ones followed with uneasy glances but kept pace. After a long, tense walk through winding paths, the spires of Luminaris City rose ahead, glowing softly in the evening light.

Liam approached a familiar door and knocked. It flew open. Vanessa launched herself at him, arms wrapping tight around his neck.

"You’re back," she whispered, voice thick.

Then she looked past him. Her eyes widened at the small army of women trailing in his wake. "Liam... what did you do?"

"It’s a long story," he said, managing a tired smile. "Can we come in?"

Inside, warmth and the smell of cooking filled the house. Vanessa moved like she’d been waiting for this moment, setting out food while everyone settled. Stories spilled out over the meal—the new continent, the impossible battles, Liam’s level now sitting at a staggering 900. Vanessa listened with wide eyes, then shared her own changes.

"I’m working as Sylvia’s secretary now," she said. "The city’s gotten so much better since you left. Sylvia’s help changed everything."

Liam’s fork paused. "How is Sylvia doing?"

Vanessa fell quiet. The silence stretched. "She’s been overworking herself since you left. Practically living in the city hall these days."

"Even now?" Liam checked the time—eight in the evening. He stood. "I should check on her."

He looked at the gathered girls. "Wait for me here. I’ll bring her back."

The walk through Luminaris felt surreal. Upgraded walls, smoother roads, lanterns that cast steady golden light. A strange wave of emotion hit him. ’From a rat dying silently in the sewers to this. But it’s still not enough. I’m still weak compared to the real threats out there.’

He reached the city hall. The building was quiet, as expected at this hour. Only one window glowed. Liam climbed the stairs, knocked on the office door, and heard a faint, weary voice.

"Enter."

He almost didn’t recognize it. He pushed the door open.

"Sylvia," he said softly, stepping inside. "You wouldn’t welcome an old friend?"

She lifted her head. Tired eyes met his, then widened in shock. Papers scattered as she shot up from her desk and rushed him, leaping into his arms.

"You came back!" she cried.

Liam hugged her tight, lifting her off the ground for a moment. "Yes, I just got back. I met Vanessa—the girls are at her house. Want to come meet everyone?"

"Of course," she said, voice brightening despite the exhaustion. "It’s been so long."

They walked back together through the quiet streets. When they entered Vanessa’s house, the old group erupted with joy. Sylvia was pulled into hugs, laughter mixing with happy tears. Liam introduced the new faces, and stories flowed again—battles won, losses endured, hopes for what came next.

Then the system notification appeared in his vision.

**Quest: Escape the Eye**

**The Eye is after you. Do not get caught.**

**Time Limit: 3 days**

**Failure: Death and System Exposure**

**Rewards: Saving the world – 3 Shards of Reality**

Liam’s heart hammered harder than it had during the interrogation. ’Targeted by something like that...’

He glanced at the Shards of Reality he’d already earned from the previous quest. Another notification followed.

**Shards of Reality can be used in the Exclusive Shop to purchase items unavailable with SP.**

’Alright,’ he thought, tilting his head slightly.

Three days. He looked around at the girls—old friends and new companions—talking and laughing under one roof. Staying here felt right, safer for them.

He stood. The room quieted.

"It seems the Eye is targeting me," he said. "Because of that, I can’t bring you with me. It would only put you in unnecessary danger."

Loud protests erupted immediately. Voices overlapped, girls insisting they would come, that they wouldn’t let him go alone.

Liam raised a hand, voice firm but gentle. "The Eye is only after me. Dragging you along would just get you hurt."

Ast met his eyes. "Where are you planning to go, then?"

"I don’t know," he admitted. "If what C2 said is true, the Eye could know everything—even where I might head next."

One of the girls stepped forward, voice cracking. "Then how will we know you’re still alive?"

Liam offered a small, reassuring smile. "I’ll come back here. To Vanessa’s house. Just like I always do."

The words hung in the air, heavy with promise and the weight of everything still unsaid. Outside, the night pressed against the windows, full of unseen eyes and ticking time. Inside, Liam felt the pull of every connection he’d fought to protect—and the cold knowledge that, for now, he would have to face the coming storm alone.