The air shifted in the market.

  The first Malignant stepped into view from the shadows beyond the stalls, toppling a food cart as it prowled forward, devouring scraps in its path.

  It had the body of a canine, but it was contorted, wrong. Fur peeled from its frame, revealing exposed bone and muscle twitching unnaturally beneath the patches that remained. Magenta fractures pulsed along its body, growing brighter with every breath.

  The stench of rotting, burning flesh spread fast.

  Villagers screamed and fled, leaving belongings behind. Stalls overturned in the chaos.

  Amid the panic, Abell stood still. “Finally, another shot,” he thought.

  His heart pounded in rhythm with the golden blade in his hand, pulsing with energy.

  Hugo stood behind him, eyeing Abell curiously.

  “Let’s see if he’s improved,” Keeko muttered, arms crossed.

  “I hope he remembers our training sessions.”

  Hugo chuckled. “Have some faith. He looks confident.”

  She exhaled through her nose. “Hm. I guess so.”

  A growl rippled through the air, making Abell’s body tense.

  The creature charged—claws scraping stone, sparks flying beneath each stride. Its ember-like eyes locked onto him.

  Abell readied his blade, but it was faster than expected. With a violent swipe, its claws tore through a nearby stall. If he’d moved a second later, it would’ve been his face.

  The sheer force of the strike sent a gust of wind past him, scattering fruit and splintered wood.

  Abell twisted just in time, landing hard on his feet and gasping for air. He went on the offensive—but the Malignant was quicker.

  It lunged again. He ducked low, the claws slashing through air and smashing into the cobblestone, cracking it wide.

  “Damn, where’s the opening?”

  The beast didn’t let up. Each strike came faster, more aggressive.

  “Stay calm, Abell. Counter!” Keeko shouted.

  His heart pounded. Every dodge, every movement was matched. The Malignant gave him no room. Sweat poured down his brow as he scrambled to find an edge.

  It let out a furious roar, its body surging with energy. It reared back, claws wide for a crushing blow.

  Abell gritted his teeth. No time left.

  He rolled aside barely, and the ground shattered where he’d stood. Debris flew in every direction. Using the dust as cover, he moved fast. With a pivot, he slashed at the Malignant’s hind leg, blade cutting deep. The creature screeched, stumbling as its balance gave way.

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  “Finally!” Abell surged forward, driving his glowing sword into the creature’s back. It sank deep, piercing fractured flesh and striking the pulsing core.

  The Malignant let out one last agonized roar before convulsing. The light in its core flickered, then vanished. Its limbs twitched, then crumbled to dust.

  Hugo watched in silence. “Hmm… would you look at that? That Lux…”

  Abell wiped the sweat from his forehead, chest heaving. His ribs ached. It was over.

  Or so he thought.

  Two more Malignants crept from the shadows—identical, wolf-like beasts with the same grotesque aura. One was slightly larger than the other.

  Abell readied his blade, bracing.

  They didn’t charge blindly this time.

  The larger one lunged first, snapping at his arm. It was slower—Abell dodged easily. But before he could strike back, the smaller one cut in from his blind side.

  Pain flared through his ribs as claws raked across him. Blood soaked his shirt.

  Now he was flanked one ahead, one behind.

  He grit his teeth. “This is new. I’m going to need a plan.”

  Keeko’s fists clenched. She saw it immediately he wasn’t in control.

  “He’s being too passive now,” she muttered.

  Hugo crossed his arms, smiling slightly. “That’s just how he fights, isn’t it? All instinct, no hesitation.”

  “Instinct won’t save him when he’s outnumbered,” she snapped, eyes locked on her son. He was letting the Malignants control the pace.

  One forced the dodge. The other punished the movement.

  If he didn’t break the rhythm, he’d be torn apart.

  “You worried?” Hugo asked.

  “Of course. That’s my son.”

  Abell’s mind flashed back to her voice: Control your emotions. Keep a sound mind.

  “What to do now?” he thought.

  Then: “Screw it. If I get hit, I get hit.”

  The Malignants charged, pulsing with wild energy. But this time, Abell didn’t move.

  He stood his ground.

  The larger beast struck first, claws flying. Abell raised his blade in defense.

  CLANG!

  The impact rattled his arms, pushing him back—but the Malignant staggered. Its body locked up for a moment.

  “What the…?” Abell blinked. “Something slowed it.”

  He turned sharply, slashing across the smaller one’s side.

  It howled, but lunged again.

  He met it with a clean counter blade ripping through flesh, golden energy searing into corrupted muscle.

  It screeched, then crumbled.

  “One down,” Abell muttered, breathless.

  The larger one roared, its core flashing erratically. Its movements grew erratic, wild with rage.

  Abell’s blade flashed. He felt it. He was nearing his limit.

  “Well… here goes nothing.”

  He took his stance again. Every part of him screamed to run.

  The Malignant barreled forward, snarling, ready to tear him apart.

  Abell braced. But—

  THUD.

  A sickening crash split the air. Wood splintered. Abell’s eyes darted to the side.

  The Malignant was pinned and its broken body slammed into a shattered stall. Its core flickered, then died.

  In front of it stood Keeko. Her hand was still extended from the blow, her face unimpressed.

  She turned to her son, voice sharp. “What was that, Abell? Are you trying to get yourself killed?!”

  He opened his mouth, but she cut him off.

  “That plan was reckless! You left yourself wide open. I’ve told you countless times, use your brain. Think ahead!”

  She kept going, unaware that some villagers were slowly returning, eyes wide, unsure if the danger had passed.

  “Your Lux would’ve run out if I hadn’t stepped in.”

  But Abell wasn’t listening anymore.

  His side throbbed, arms like jelly.

  Two down, he thought.

  He let out a shaky breath… and smiled. Just a little.

  Keeko’s scowl deepened. “Are you even listening to me, young man?!”

  A slow clap broke the tension. Hugo stepped forward, grinning. “Amazing. No wonder you were hiding him from us.”

  Keeko shot him a glare. “I wasn’t hiding him. I came out here to care for my family.”

  She might’ve said more, but the village elder rushed forward.

  “Thank you, both of you! Your efforts protected us we will celebrate tonight in your honor.”

  Keeko sighed, brushing hair from her face. Her expression softened just a bit as she looked at Abell. “Always happy to help,” she said.

  Abell saw his chance.

  While she turned toward the elder, he took a cautious step back. She reached for him again—but he was already gone.

  “Thank you, old man,” he thought.

  Hugo watched him go, eyes narrowing with interest.

  “He’s got spirit,” he said under his breath. “Rough around the edges—but something’s there. Watching him grow might be… entertaining.”