Chasing the Monster

Three days later, northern border of the Evernight Territory—Blackstone Pass Outpost.

The terrain rose steadily here.

The region bordering the Molten Core Territory was covered in jagged, ash-black rocks and heat-resistant shrubs.

A newly built outpost of solid obsidian blocks stood guard over a narrow pass, the banner of Evernight fluttering above it.

The midday sun scorched the earth.

The air reeked of sulfur and dust.

From the watchtower, a sharp-eyed shadow scout suddenly sounded the alarm horn.

“Woooo— Woooo—”

The low, urgent blast shattered the border’s silence.

Inside the outpost, ten fully armed soldiers of the new Evernight army rushed from their barracks.

Under the command of their captain—a scarred veteran with steady eyes—they swiftly formed a defensive line on the open ground before the gate.

Their enchanted armor glinted faintly.

Shields and spears flashed coldly in the harsh sunlight.

From the far side of the pass, dust clouds billowed.

A force of roughly thirty soldiers clad in Molten Core’s signature dark-red forged armor marched boldly across the boundary marker and onto Evernight soil.

Scorching heat rolled off them.

Leading them was an exceptionally burly captain, his skin rough and dark red like cooled lava, arrogance and provocation plain on his face.

“Halt! This is Evernight Territory!”

The outpost captain bellowed.

The lava-demon captain spread his hands with a fake, toothy grin.

“Whoa, easy there, brothers of Evernight!”

“We were chasing a rampaging molten beast that escaped the mines. Crossed the border by accident. Our apologies, our apologies!”

“Chasing a beast?”

The veteran captain narrowed his eyes.

Thirty men, heavily armed, formation loose yet primed for attack.

This was no search party for a runaway creature.

This was a small-scale armed probe—or outright provocation.

“I see no beast.”

The veteran’s voice was ice.

“I do see a fully armed, orderly squad bristling with killing intent.”

“Are Molten Core hunting parties always this grand?”

“Or does a single molten-throat beast require an elite squad to hunt?”

“Hey now, no need for that tone.”

The lava captain’s grin remained, but his eyes turned cold and hostile.

“That creature’s no ordinary beast. Better safe with more men, right?”

“Wouldn’t want it hurting anyone… or running where it shouldn’t.”

He took a deliberate step forward.

“So how about a little neighborly favor?”

“Let us pass, find the beast, and we’ll be gone. No trouble at all.”

He waved casually, signaling his men to advance.

“No passage!”

The veteran refused flatly.

“Without express permission from Her Majesty the Demon Lord or the border commander, no foreign armed force may enter!”

“Turn back at once, or this will be treated as armed invasion!”

“We will respond with all necessary force!”

“You’ll regret it if you don’t leave now!”

“Big words.”

The lava captain’s fake smile vanished, replaced by offended fury and contempt.

“Since when did Evernight make such overbearing rules?”

“When our patrols cross your border, we’ve never been this rude!”

“So Molten Core gets to ignore rules?”

The veteran sneered.

“I suggest you retreat, or I will open fire.”

“Open fire? With just you gate dogs?”

The lava captain scoffed, eyeing the outnumbered Evernight guards.

“I’d love to see what Evernight’s border watch is made of.”

He slashed his hand downward.

His soldiers roared, heat surging around them as they drew weapons and advanced in a half-moon, clearly intent on forcing their way through.

“Prepare for contact!”

The veteran shouted.

Though only ten strong, every Evernight guard was elite, trained under the new system.

In an instant they moved.

Frontline shield-bearers locked together, slamming shields into the ground to form an iron wall.

Spearmen behind thrust gleaming spearheads through the gaps.

The two archers at the rear nocked arrows, aiming deadly points at the approaching enemy.

The entire formation was tight, disciplined, and lethal.

“Not bad.”

The lava captain mocked.

“Let’s see how strong Evernight’s new army really is!”

“Attack!”

The Molten Core soldiers charged.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Combat erupted.

Heavy weapons crashed against the Evernight shield wall, sparks flying with deafening crashes.

Yet the enchanted shields held firm, trembling only slightly.

Evernight spears struck like vipers, targeting armor joints and visors.

In moments, two overeager lava soldiers were wounded and screaming in retreat.

Cold arrows from the archers struck with vicious precision, disrupting the enemy’s rhythm and charge.

This was the fruit of Aria’s training.

Despite being outnumbered, the Evernight defenders fought with perfect coordination—advancing and retreating as one, attacking and defending in harmony.

They held the charge at bay.

“Damn it! These iron turtles!”

The lava captain was both shocked and enraged.

He hadn’t expected a mere ten men, using this strange formation and flawless teamwork, to be so tough.

“No holding back! Full assault! Smash their rotten shields!”

Just as the battle grew white-hot and the lava soldiers prepared to break the line at any cost, a sharp command rang out.

“Hold!”

Head maid Aria arrived with reinforcements.

She rode a pitch-black warhorse wreathed in ominous aura.

Her mere presence forced the enemy soldiers to unconsciously step back.

Behind her, fifty elite Evernight cavalry thundered in like a tide of steel, instantly encircling the intruders.

Every lowered lance gleamed with deadly light, aimed squarely at the now-uncertain invaders.

Aria sat tall in the saddle, her black-and-white head-maid uniform forming a bizarre, chilling contrast with the murderous intent radiating from her.