(1) (The beginning of the conflict)

The warm glow of yellow lights illuminated the night market, a place that never lost its charm.

Tiny lamps dangled between the buildings, casting a soft radiance that reflected off the cobbled street. The sounds of bargaining, hurried footsteps, and clinking metal blended into a distinctive symphony. The aroma of grilled food wafted through the air, mingling with the scent of exotic spices sold by the merchants.

In the middle of a slightly quieter section of the market road, two girls walked side by side.

Their hoods covered most of their faces, concealing their identities.

On the edges of the stone-paved path, vendors displayed their eye-catching goods: potions in dazzling colors, swords engraved with glowing runes, delicacies from their world, and rare items that emitted mysterious auras. But the two girls showed no interest in the merchandise.

“Serena,” whispered Violina, the hooded girl on the left, as she leaned closer. “Are you ready to take down those human adventurers later?”

Serena glanced sideways at Violina and sighed. “Like it or not, I have to be. The Guild has ordered it. We have to free them, don’t we?” she replied softly.

Violina gave a small nod, her gaze drifting toward the cobblestones ahead. “Yeah. But why are more and more of our people being brought here every month? I just don’t understand,” she muttered with concern.

Serena stared straight ahead, her eyes hidden beneath her hood, filled with determination.

“If we don’t save them, they’ll be turned into magic equipment by those human adventurers. Magic weapons, armor—everything made from their bodies. If the humans keep getting stronger while we keep losing people, our world will be destroyed.”

Violina clenched her fists tightly beneath her cloak, her eyes glowing with restrained anger.

“Monstrous. They think our kind is just raw material!”

Serena turned, her expression cold but intense. “What choice do we have?” she said sharply. “Only from our bodies can magic weapons be made. Weapons powerful enough to fight monsters summoned by the Gods’ Game. They know that.”

Their conversation paused as the atmosphere around them shifted. The once quiet alley began to fill with human adventurers. The girls stopped walking, their eyes scanning carefully.

Adventurers were easy to spot: iron armor reflecting the dim lights, massive swords strapped to their backs, sharp daggers at their waists, and magic staves with glowing tips.

Some carried thick tomes with rune-embellished covers, ready to cast spells at any moment.

“Why are there so many human adventurers here?” Serena whispered, barely audible.

Violina looked toward the increasingly crowded end of the alley. “It looks like they’re heading that way. Whatever’s there must be important.”

Serena’s gaze sharpened, her brows furrowed in a rare serious expression.

“I’m sure that’s where our target is. The captive monsters—they’ll show up there. They’ll be auctioned off, and the human Guilds will compete to buy them.”

The two exchanged a look, needing no further words.

Serena and Violina nodded at the same time, agreeing on their next move. They quickened their pace, pushing against the flow of human adventurers heading toward the alley’s end.

But in that effort, the hoods of their cloaks shifted slightly, revealing their long hair. Serena’s white hair reflected the soft yellow light, while Violina’s fine brown hair shimmered gently.

As they rushed forward, passing two hooded adventurers who seemed to be whispering to each other, a hand suddenly grabbed Violina’s arm. Her steps halted, her body spun around, and she glared sharply at the one who had seized her.

“Who are you?” Violina demanded sharply, her eyes narrowing with suspicion.

The hooded man slowly pulled back his hood, revealing a face partially cloaked in the shadow of the dim lights.

“Serena, Violina. Wait!” he called out urgently.

Violina froze in place, her eyes widening in shock. Serena, on the other hand, spun around quickly, her posture tense and ready for anything.

“I’m here too,” said a soft yet firm voice from the woman standing beside the man.

The woman lowered her hood, revealing wavy black hair that cascaded over her shoulders. A faint smile adorned her gentle face.

Violina, who had been caught off guard, suddenly broke into a wide grin—so wide it tugged at the corners of her lips.

“Asra, Hars! What are you doing here? What’s going on?” she asked excitedly.

Serena, usually more reserved and guarded, finally stepped forward toward them. The tension in her face began to ease, showing the same relief and joy.

“Asra and Hars. How are you?!” she greeted, though her voice remained a touch restrained.

Hars, the man who had called out to them, simply gave a thumbs-up and a small smile, a quiet signal that he was doing well.

Beside him, Asra casually waved her right hand. Her bright, confident smile brought a hint of warmth to the tense atmosphere.

“We’re doing fine,” Asra replied, her gaze fixed on the two girls in front of her. Her eyes seemed to search for the story behind their expressions.

Hars glanced around cautiously. After making sure no one was too close, he leaned in and whispered into Violina’s ear.

“We’ve also been assigned to rescue the captured monsters brought into this market,” he murmured.

Violina glanced at Serena briefly before asking, “Were you sent by Miss Ra and Mr. Snade too?”

Serena tilted her head slightly, curious to hear the answer.

Hars and Asra exchanged a confused look before Hars responded, “Miss Ra, yes. But not Master Snade. We came with Mr. Arltez.”

Violina raised an eyebrow, then whispered, “The Minotaur master?”

Hars gave a brief nod, then stepped back, leaving the conversation hanging.

Asra, seemingly more aware of the surrounding situation, glanced around uneasily. The passersby were beginning to eye the group with suspicion, as the four of them stood motionless in the middle of the street.

In a low but firm voice, she said, “Let’s talk while we walk. Standing here draws too much attention. Everyone’s heading to the front—let’s just follow them.”

Serena, Violina, and Hars nodded, agreeing with the suggestion. They resumed walking toward the end of the alley, moving along with the steady stream of humans heading in the same direction.

The further they went, the more crowded it became.

Vendors at the roadside were busy serving customers—offering gleaming weapons, brightly colored fabrics, and mouthwatering foods. Some adventurers were chatting at neatly arranged tavern tables, while servers hurried past carrying trays of steaming dishes.

As they finally emerged from the alley, a wide open area unfolded before them. A circular courtyard filled with rows of tables and chairs spread across the space. Four other narrow alleys connected to this place, making it look like a central gathering point for adventurers.

Asra came to a stop, her gaze sweeping across the area with a neutral expression.
“So this is the end of the alley. Turns out it’s just a big courtyard where human adventurers hang out,” she said, her tone tinged with disappointment.

Serena glanced around, her eyes scanning the surroundings, searching for anything suspicious.

After a moment, she muttered, “Where are the monster captives? Are they really here?” Her voice couldn’t hide the frustration.

Violina turned her body, trying to spot any signs that matched their mission. But everything looked normal—too normal. Adventurers laughed, servers bustled about, and the scent of food filled the air. Nothing resembled a black market or a prison.

Hars looked around with a serious expression. His voice was low, as if he didn’t want to attract attention.

“Let’s wait. Who knows, maybe Mr. Snade or Mr. Altrez will contact us soon and tell us what to do.” His gaze shifted to Serena and Violina, filled with curiosity. “You brought your phones, right? To communicate with Master Snade?”

Violina glanced at Serena, raising an eyebrow slightly—a silent question.

Serena, understanding the look, reached into the pocket of her black skirt and pulled out a small phone, its screen reflecting the dim streetlight.

“I did,” Serena replied briefly. “Mr. Snade told us to carry one just in case.”

Hars nodded. “Same here. Master Altrez said this phone would be important when the time came. But still, there’s been no word until now.”

Violina furrowed her brows, curiosity itching at her mind.
“Hey, Hars, Asra,” she said suddenly. “Are we the only ones assigned by the Guild to rescue the captives at this market?”

Asra shrugged casually. “I don’t know. The Guild tends to keep their strategies secret.”

Hars just shook his head, indicating he had no answer either.

But before they could continue the conversation, the phone in Serena’s hand vibrated. A short ringtone rang out, just loud enough to be heard over the noise of the crowd, causing all of them to turn toward her.

Serena quickly looked at the screen, nerves and curiosity swirling inside her.

“There’s a message from Mr. Snade,” she said.

Violina immediately stepped closer, her eyes filled with excitement. “What does it say, Serena?”

Serena read the message carefully. Her expression changed drastically—from focused to shocked. Her eyes widened as she absorbed the information she had just received.

“Master Snade is with Master Altrez,” Serena began to explain, her voice slightly trembling with emotion. “They’re preparing to launch an attack on the central area here. It’s all meant to create a diversion—to distract the human adventurers.”

Violina stared at Serena, wide-eyed, while Hars narrowed his gaze, processing the information.

“An attack?” Violina echoed, her voice caught between awe and concern. Her eyes swept over the crowd of human adventurers, moving about in their gear. “This place is crawling with human adventurers. By the way... is it safe to talk here?”

Asra, who had been silent until now, finally spoke. Her tone was calm and reassuring.

“If Mr. Snade and Mr. Altrez have made that decision, then they’ve already thought everything through. All we need to do is stay focused on the main task—rescuing the captives.”

Before Violina could respond, Asra’s phone suddenly vibrated. She took it out, read the message quickly, then let out a short sigh.

“Sorry, Serena, Violina,” Asra said, her voice laced with regret. “We have to go. There’s an urgent task. Mr. Altrez has ordered us to rendezvous with Mr. Orong at the station before the attack begins. We need to make sure he’s with us.”

Serena furrowed her brows, curiosity clear on her face. “Mr. Orong? Isn’t he the magic weapon engineer? Is he part of the same mission?”

Hars let out a short sigh before replying. “No idea. I’m confused too about why Mr. Altrez wants him there. Maybe there’s something we don’t know yet.”

Serena and Violina exchanged glances. Though uncertain, they eventually smiled. Serena waved casually. “Alright. Be careful. Let us know if anything changes.”

Violina added brightly, “Good luck! We’ll keep going with our part of the mission.”

Asra gave a faint smile, and Hars gave a quick nod before the two of them slipped into the crowd, vanishing like shadows.

Now only Serena and Violina remained.

The two girls stood there for a moment, watching as the crowd around them grew thicker.

The circular courtyard was filled with human adventurers. Tiny lights dangled above the stalls and taverns, giving the night a warm glow despite the busy atmosphere.

Serena adjusted the hood of her cloak, which had slipped slightly, making sure none of her white hair was visible. Violina, as always, followed Serena’s lead, scanning every little detail.

“So... what do we do now in a place this packed?” Serena whispered, her eyes sweeping over the scene.

Violina shrugged before replying. “Let’s just look around for now. Maybe we’ll spot a clue.”

Serena nodded, but her attention was soon drawn to a server passing by with a tray full of food. The enticing aroma of spices filled the air, making her stomach flutter.

“Look at that,” Serena murmured, gesturing with her chin toward the server. “If we could taste their cooking, I bet it would be amazing. The smell alone is already so tempting.”

Violina let out a soft laugh, but her expression quickly soured.
“Serena, you know their food doesn’t sit well with us. It tastes like sand. I don’t want to go through that again.”

The two continued walking cautiously.

Beneath their hoods, their eyes remained alert, scanning every detail. The human adventurers crowding the courtyard appeared busy, but Serena knew better—many among them were hunters who wouldn’t hesitate to kill a monster like her.

In the midst of the noise, a deep bell rang out from the northern edge of the courtyard.

The sound was sharp and commanding, cutting through the clamor like a blade. Serena and Violina stopped in their tracks, following the gaze of the crowd as all eyes turned toward the great bell hanging above a grand building.

The atmosphere shifted. Human adventurers began packing up their belongings. Tables and chairs that once cluttered the center of the courtyard were swiftly cleared and stacked into tall piles. A sudden seriousness took over the area.

“Serena,” Violina whispered, her voice nearly lost in the growing commotion, “I think something big is about to happen.”

Serena gave a small nod. “I feel it too. Stay calm and watch everything closely.”

From the alleyway on the right side of the courtyard, the sound of engines rumbled into earshot.

A convoy of large trucks slowly rolled in, each flanked by fully armed human adventurers walking beside them. Eight trucks came to a stop in the center of the courtyard, their massive tires grinding against the dusty cobblestone.

Once all the trucks had parked, a flashy red convertible car entered the courtyard with swagger.

Inside sat four individuals, each with a striking appearance. Their outfits were lavish—sharp black suits adorned with glittering accessories like golden canes, katana swords, and oversized rings on every finger.

The man with the golden cane was the first to step out.

With a smooth yet arrogant gesture, he turned to one of his companions and took a wide-brimmed leather hat.

He placed it stylishly on his head before receiving a small megaphone from one of the adventurers.

Striding confidently toward the center of the crowd, his cane tapping against the cobblestones, his voice boomed through the megaphone:

“Step right up, loyal buyers!” he called, spreading his arms like a seasoned merchant. “We, from the Central Adventurers’ Guild, have brought you the latest collection of magical goods! Don’t miss this golden opportunity!”

The crowd grew louder as the eight trucks began unloading their cargo.

The adventurers guarding the vehicles worked swiftly, pulling out ornate wooden crates and arranging them on long tables carved with softly glowing magical patterns.

To one side, several other tables were prepared for the more open sales—complete with stationed cashiers. Meanwhile, the rarer items were placed on an auction table, heavily guarded by adventurers.

“Look at that,” Serena whispered, her eyes fixed on one of the displayed items—a long sword with a bluish-green blade, along with several other mysterious artifacts. “These items are incredible. I can feel their aura from here.”

Violina swallowed hard, trying to suppress the dread creeping up inside her.
“They must’ve been made from our people,” she muttered quietly, her voice laced with sorrow.

Serena turned to her, eyes glinting sharply beneath her hood.
“That’s why we’re here. Focus, Violina.”

The crowd suddenly shifted, parting to make way for several new arrivals.

From four different directions came four groups, each consisting of five individuals, all dressed in striking attire.

They walked with confidence, their luxurious outfits adorned with magical symbols, while their weapons looked more like priceless works of art—swords, spears, even bows encrusted with glowing gemstones.

Violina observed them closely.
“Serena, who are they? Why is everyone making way for them?”

Serena shook her head, watching with a raised brow.
“I don’t know. But they’re clearly not ordinary people.”

The man with the golden cane stepped forward, his face beaming like a host welcoming honored guests. He bowed his head slightly in a polite gesture, though his demeanor still radiated superiority.

“Welcome, Lord Altair, Lady Frinsen, Lord Razen, and Lord Sirian,” he said, addressing each of them by name with exaggerated respect.

The four group leaders stepped forward, standing in a line before the main auction table.

Lord Altair, a tall man with long blond hair tied neatly, glanced over the items on display with a calm yet piercing gaze.

Lady Frinsen, a slender woman with sharp black eyes, ran her fingers through her long black hair as she smirked slyly.

Lord Razen, a burly man clad in layered silver armor, looked impatient, tapping his fingers on the hilt of a massive sword strapped to his back.

And finally, Lord Sirian, a young man in a long gray coat, both hands gloved in thin black leather.

“As always, you know how to impress us, El,” said Lord Altair, the leader of the first group, in a deep, cold voice.

The man with the golden cane—El—only smiled proudly.

“Of course, Lord Altair. The finest goods are always reserved for our finest clients.”

“El. I assume you already know what we’re here for,” said Lady Frinsen.

The courtyard fell into a tense silence once more, all eyes fixed on El and the four distinguished guests standing before the auction table.

El, clearly enjoying the attention, stepped forward confidently. His golden cane tapped against the stone floor, its echo reinforcing his presence.

“But of course, Lady Frinsen,” El replied smoothly, nodding politely to the woman with the blue-tinted hair. “The items you're seeking have been prepared—especially for my four honored guests.”

Meanwhile, Lord Altair narrowed his eyes at El.
“Tell us—what have you brought? We traveled a long way just for this.”

El smiled and nodded in understanding. He glanced toward the three people who had arrived with him in the red car. They nodded in return and began making phone calls.

With deliberate flair, El stepped fully into the center of attention, his smile widening as he responded to Lady Frinsen’s comment. His cane struck the stone ground with an intentionally dramatic rhythm.

The crowd of human adventurers, once filled with chatter, fell into complete silence—every gaze locked on the line of monsterkind being dragged out of the massive trucks.

Chains and ropes inscribed with glowing runes bound them tightly, emitting powerful magical energy to suppress their abilities.

Serena clenched her fists, her eyes unable to turn away from the weary, hopeless faces of the captives.

Some stumbled as they walked, their bodies covered in wounds. A small child from the foxfolk race sobbed softly, his ears and tail drooping, yet not a single adventurer showed the slightest concern.

Violina, standing beside Serena, could barely contain her rage.
“They need us,” she whispered sharply.

Serena swallowed hard, her mind racing.
“I know. But we can’t be reckless. They have too many guards here. If we move now, we’ll all be captured.”

El, on the other hand, seemed to relish the attention he was getting. He stepped forward, raising his golden cane high into the air.

“Behold, my friends! Our finest catches! From the nimble catfolk to the clever foxkin—even elves, known for their powerful magic. All ready to be sold to the highest bidder!”

The human adventurers began to move, surrounding the captives like shoppers at a marketplace. Some of them laughed at the monsters’ suffering.

Lord Razen looked at El, then turned his gaze back to the line of monsterkind being sold. His mind was already made up.
“I’ll take the adult ones,” he declared, then glanced at the three others beside him—Lady Frinsen, Lord Altair, and Lord Sirian. “I hope none of you mind.”

Lord Sirian offered a small smile and a nod.
“Do as you like, Lord Razen. I’ll be taking the small ones.”

Lady Frinsen joined in, saying,
“In that case, I’ll choose the ones with the most magical potential.”

Lord Altair, his frown clearly visible, cut in.
“Leave some for me. If not, I’ll turn this into a real auction—whoever’s the richest gets the prize.”

El smiled, clearly pleased by the discussion among his four elite clients.
“Very well. Please, make your selections first.”

Then, raising his voice to address the rest of the crowd, he shouted,
“And everyone else! The rest of the merchandise is now open for bidding! We’ll offer a special bonus to those who buy in bulk!”

Serena and Violina, visibly tense, could only imagine the horrors that awaited their fellow monsters.

Suddenly, Serena’s phone vibrated. She opened the message, with Violina leaning in to read along.

It was from an anonymous number:
Prepare yourselves. Don’t forget what was planned. Work with Hars, Asra, and Mr. Orong to ensure this mission’s success.

The once-bustling crowd was instantly thrown into chaos.

The human adventurers who had been busy choosing their "merchandise" now panicked as a giant blue slime burst out of a sewer grate. Glowing red eyes gleamed from its gelatinous body.

“A slime like that shouldn’t even exist here!” one adventurer cried as he backed away. But there was no time to think.

The slime raised one massive arm and slammed it into the ground with terrifying force, sending out a shockwave that hurled dozens into the air.

“Serena, do you see that?” Violina whispered, her eyes locked onto the slime.
“That’s Mr. Snade.”

Serena nodded, her expression serious.
“Let’s do our part.”

Meanwhile, amid the chaos, Lord Razen stood tall, squinting at the rampaging slime.
“Why is there a monster that huge here?” he barked, his massive sword now gripped tightly in his hands.

Lady Frinsen stepped forward calmly, her slender sword glowing with water magic.
“Whatever it is, we just need to eliminate it. No time for questions.”

She swung her sword gracefully, creating a magic circle that summoned high-velocity water torpedoes.

The torpedoes shot forward, slamming into the slime’s body and knocking it back. But the slime quickly reformed, absorbing the energy of the attack.

“Conventional magic won’t work on it!” a voice cried out from behind the crowd of adventurers.

Before anyone could react, a deafening roar echoed from another direction.

From between the crowd emerged a monstrous bull-like creature, its massive body clad in metal plating. In its hand, it wielded a gigantic hammer. The beast bellowed, then slammed its hammer into the ground, sending shockwaves that launched people into the air.

Amid the chaos, El shouted,
“Don’t let the monsters ruin our event! Adventurers, show your strength!”

The mayhem in the square intensified.

The human adventurers, who had previously tried to guard the captives, now struggled to hold their ground amidst the attacks from both the rampaging monsters and the giant blue slime.

El’s frantic commands to hold the line were nearly drowned out by the uproar.

Serena and Violina darted swiftly through the crowd.

Their eyes locked onto the prisoners being shoved roughly back into the trucks. Every blow and kick that landed on the bodies of their fellow monsters made their blood boil.

“Violina,” Serena said firmly, tightening her grip on her dagger.
“I’ll free the prisoners. Leave the rest to you.”

A sharp grin spread across Violina’s face.
“Understood.”

One of the guards noticed them and shouted,
“Hey! Who are you?!”

His cry alerted the others, who quickly raised their weapons.

Serena gave him a cold stare, while Violina closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

When she opened them again, her form had changed. Wolf ears rose from her head, and a long, brown furry tail swayed behind her. A fierce aura radiated from her body.

“A monster?!” one guard shouted—but the words never finished.

With blinding speed, Violina lunged. Her sharp claws and fangs tore through eight guards in an instant, their bodies collapsing on the stony ground, blood pooling beneath them.

While Violina cleared the path, Serena approached the trembling captives, who stared at her in confusion and fear.

“You! If you want to live, come with us now,” Serena commanded, her gaze firm yet filled with determination.

One of the male monsters, bruised and pale, whispered in disbelief,
“Who… who are you? What do you want?”

Violina, now standing beside Serena again, flicked her wolf ears and shot the man a sharp look.

“We’re your friends, uncle. If you want freedom, come with us. We don’t have much time.”

The captives exchanged hesitant glances—but the strength in Serena’s eyes and the terrifying sight of Violina in her transformed state swayed them.

“All right, we’ll come,” one finally said. Some even climbed back into the truck to alert others still hiding.

At that moment, a loud shout of their names made Serena and Violina look up.

In the sky above, Hars—transformed into his harpy form—swooped down, carrying Asra and Mr. Orong in his talons.

“Serena! Violina!” Asra called out, waving his hand.

When they landed, Mr. Orong—small in stature, green-skinned, with a curved-down nose and slightly pointed ears—immediately scanned the captives. His eyes narrowed, taking in their condition.

“Violina, dear. Am I not worthy of a greeting from you?” he asked, mockingly hurt.

Violina offered an awkward smile and a slight bow.
“Apologies, sir. My focus was on the mission.”

Mr. Orong looked at the captives with firm resolve. Gripping his staff—a gnarled wooden rod topped with a glowing circular gem—he struck it against the rocky ground.

A burst of blue lightning erupted from the gem, shattering the chains and magical rune-bound ropes that had kept the monsters imprisoned.

“You are free now,” Mr. Orong declared, his voice calm and unwavering.

Asra, standing beside him, stepped forward with steady resolve. He closed his eyes and brought his hands together in a silent prayer.

In an instant, a pair of branching antlers like those of a deer sprouted from his head. A gentle green light radiated from his body, enveloping the prisoners. The wounds covering the monsters’ bodies slowly began to fade, their long-endured pain easing into relief.

“We don’t have much time. Everything’s in place,” Asra said urgently, nodding toward Serena.

Above them, Hars hovered in the sky, his wide harpy wings slicing through the air as he signaled.
“Follow me! Head west!” he shouted.

Serena and Violina quickly guided the captives to move.

Asra shifted into his half-deer form—his lower body now that of a swift stag, complete with strong legs and a small tail. He lifted two monster children onto his back and began to run gracefully, leading the way.

“Hurry up!” Serena urged, helping an injured elf woman who struggled to keep pace.

But their escape came to a halt when a blonde man stepped out from the crowd.

Lord Altair stood tall, his magic staff already raised. Behind him, four of his personal guards stood ready—each armed with a mix of close-range and ranged magical weapons. Their eyes were sharp and threatening.

“Did you think you could just run away?” Lord Altair said coldly. “My property isn’t going anywhere.”

Before anyone could react, a thunderous boom shook the ground. The massive bull monster from earlier leapt back into the fray, slamming his gigantic hammer into the earth. A cloud of dust exploded upward, separating Lord Altair from his guards.

“You handle the escapees! I’ll deal with this one!” the bull monster roared, his furious gaze locked on Altair.

Lord Altair smirked.
“A mere monster? You think you can take me on?”

The bull monster didn’t answer. Instead, he swung his massive hammer once more, forcing Lord Altair and his guards to scatter.

“Go! This is your chance!” he shouted, glancing briefly at Serena and the others.

Seizing the opportunity, Serena, Violina, and the group bolted toward freedom.

“Thank you, Mr. Altrez!” Serena called back, leading the prisoners into the west alleyway.

Pak Orong paused for a moment and looked over his shoulder toward Altrez, who was still locked in battle against the human adventurers.
“Be careful, Altrez! Come back safely—and make sure Snade does too!” he shouted, his voice firm, eyes filled with both worry and trust.

They charged through the crowded market. Stalls collapsed, goods scattered, and screams of panic echoed everywhere. Hars and Violina acted swiftly, taking down anyone who tried to block their path.

A human adventurer lunged at them from the side, but Hars dove from the sky and kicked him aside, sending him flying.

Violina, still in her wolf form, attacked another guard—ripping the weapon from his hands and knocking him out with a single strike.

Amid the chaos, Serena felt something fast approaching from behind. The gust of wind it carried was so strong, it sent debris flying through the air.

“Violina!” Serena called out, running to her side. “Go to the station with the others. I’ll catch up.”

Violina turned to her with a confused look. “What’s wrong, Serena?”

“Someone’s chasing us. I’ll handle it,” Serena replied firmly before halting and spinning around.

She took a deep breath, closed her eyes for a moment—and began to transform.

A long blue dragon tail emerged from beneath her skirt, followed by a pair of blue horns growing from her head.

Now in her half-dragon form, Serena clenched her right fist and readied herself for the incoming threat.

In the distance, a man was rushing toward her at lightning speed. Serena struck first with a powerful punch—but the man countered skillfully, and their blows collided, unleashing a shockwave that shattered everything nearby.

“A dragon monster?” the man asked in awe. “What’s your name? And what are you doing here?”

Serena recognized him—Sirius, one of the men who had bid on the monster captives earlier. He looked young, but his sharp gaze told a story of countless battles.

“Shut up!” Serena snapped. “I’m here to free my people! You humans—killing us, using us as tools!”

Sirius fell silent, staring at her intently. Then slowly, he smiled and clasped his hands behind his back, his posture relaxing.

“Alright,” he said, surprising Serena. “Go. If that’s your goal, I won’t stop you.”

Serena's eyes widened, stunned. “What do you mean?”

“I don’t care about the others,” Sirius said with a faint smirk. “Go on. I just wanted to see what you’d do.”

Serena stared at him with suspicion, but felt no malice in his presence. She cautiously stepped back, never taking her eyes off him.

“…Thank you,” she said quietly before turning and running back to rejoin her group.

Sirius watched her go, his smile lingering.
“Hope we meet again, beautiful,” he murmured softly before walking away, vanishing into the chaos of the marketplace.