A City Rebuilds, and a Hero Rises
The town of Grasia stood in ruins. The battle against Snape had left buildings shattered, streets cracked, and people mourning their lost loved ones. Though the demon general had been slain, his poison had seeped into the air, leaving behind a lingering sense of unease.
Ashborn sat at the edge of the town's fountain, watching the golden veins on his hands fade away. He could still feel it—that power. It had surged through him in the heat of battle, consuming his very being. He had never felt anything like it before.
"What… did I just become?" he muttered under his breath.
Rick and Lida approached, exhaustion still evident in their eyes.
"You tell us," Rick said, shaking his head. "You wiped the floor with a demon general. You should be celebrating."
Lida knelt beside him, placing her hands on his chest. A faint golden glow surrounded them as she used healing magic to purge any lingering traces of poison.
"Your body… It's different now," she whispered, her brows furrowing.
Ashborn stared at his own hands, still feeling the remnants of power coursing through him.
"Is this a gift or a curse?"
---
A Warning in the Dark
That night, while the town celebrated their survival, Ashborn stood alone at the highest point of Grasia—the ruined bell tower. The wind howled, carrying the echoes of laughter and relief from below. But he couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right.
And then, it happened.
A shift in the air. A presence.
"You're stronger than I expected," a voice said from the darkness.
Ashborn's grip tightened on his sword as he turned.
From the shadows, a figure emerged. He wore black armor etched with glowing demonic runes, and his long silver hair moved like a specter in the wind. But it was his eyes—cold and calculating, glowing red—that sent a shiver down Ashborn's spine.
"Who are you?" Ashborn demanded.
The figure smirked, stepping forward until only a few feet separated them.
"You may call me Claude," he said, his voice smooth yet laced with unshakable authority.
Ashborn's heart pounded.
Another one? So soon?
"You're one of the Demon Lord's generals," Ashborn muttered. It wasn't a question.
Claude inclined his head. "Indeed. The third general, to be precise."
Ashborn's grip on his sword tightened. If he attacked now, could he win?
Claude's glowing red eyes studied him for a moment before he spoke again.
"Do not be mistaken," he said. "I did not come here to fight—merely to observe. I wanted to see the human who defeated Snape."
"Then take a good look," Ashborn spat. "Because I'm coming for your kind next."
Claude chuckled, his smirk widening. "Oh, you misunderstand. Snape was weak, yes—but he was still one of us. His loss is… unfortunate. But the true war is only beginning."
Claude turned his back on Ashborn, looking up at the night sky.
"Your little victory will not go unnoticed. The Demon Lord is watching."
Ashborn clenched his fists.
"Tell your 'lord' that I'm coming for him next."
Claude let out a deep, amused laugh. "I look forward to it," he said.
Then, in the blink of an eye, he vanished into the darkness, leaving only a faint trace of mana in the air.
Ashborn stood there in silence, his mind racing.
This wasn't over.
The war had only just begun.
---
The Road to Bolton
A week passed in Grasia. The town had begun to rebuild, and the Skylark Party had officially registered as an S-Rank group—a title few in the world could claim.
But there was no time to celebrate.
A messenger from Bolton, a major city to the east, arrived, barely able to catch his breath.
"Monsters… everywhere!" he gasped. "They're destroying the city!"
Ashborn's blood ran cold.
There was only one explanation.
Kevin—the second demon general—had begun his attack.
Without hesitation, Ashborn, Rick, and Lida packed their supplies and set off for Bolton.
As they traveled through dense forests and open plains, Ashborn reflected on Claude's words.
"The Demon Lord is watching."
That could only mean one thing.
This war was far from over.
---
End of Chapter 7
Next Time: Chapter 8 - The Shadow of a Greater Threat
Kevin's army attacks Bolton!
Ashborn and his party face their toughest battle yet!
A new power awakens in the heart of war…