Shin, Shego, and Velzard sat around the dining table, enjoying a hearty meal of steak, roasted potatoes, and warm bread fresh from the oven. The soft glow of candlelight danced across their faces, casting a tranquil atmosphere over the evening.
Shin set his fork down and looked between his two wives.
"You two don't have to come out tonight," he said gently, though his tone carried quiet authority. "It should be a quick battle."
Velzard arched a brow, her icy-blue eyes narrowing with subtle challenge.
"Is there a reason you don't want us there, dear husband?" she asked, her voice cool and calm, yet edged with curiosity.
Shin sighed.
"Yes," he admitted. "Tonight isn't worth your time. I'm only going out because I'm the leader, and I want to make sure no soldiers fall. But you two…" His gaze softened as it shifted between them. "You don't need my protection. I know that."
"Then why hold us back?" Shego asked, tilting her head.
"It's just a minor skirmish," Shin said with a shrug. "Consider it free experience. You'll have nine more nights to enjoy the fun—and I've got a hunch we'll be seeing some… interesting visitors tomorrow."
His smirk deepened as he looked toward Velzard. "Maybe even some dragons, drawn by my awakened bloodline."
Then his eyes shifted to Shego. "And perhaps a few phoenixes, enchanted by your flame."
Velzard and Shego exchanged a glance, their expressions growing tense.
Shin hesitated for half a second before adding with a sheepish smile, "And… there might be a few succubi, too."
The room chilled instantly.
⸻
Shin Quickly Tries to Defuse the Situation
"I just want you both ready for anything," Shin said quickly, raising his hands in surrender. "Shego, don't worry—Velzard and I will make sure that little fox doesn't distract you too much."
Velzard smirked, immediately catching his teasing tone.
"Yes, Shego," she purred. "We can't have our husband chasing after more sisters when he hasn't fully satisfied the ones he has… even if he is a dragon."
Shego crossed her arms, though the corners of her mouth curved into a smirk.
"I'm holding you to that," she said, green eyes flashing with mischief. "When you return, you're handling both of us."
Shin leaned back with a cocky grin. "Of course." He turned his gaze to Velzard. "And you, my frosty queen… I expect to see that tail tonight."
Velzard's cheeks flushed with a rosy hue, and she turned away, muttering under her breath.
"Sure… bad husband."
⸻
Preparing for Battle
After dinner, Shin stood and stretched, his thoughts already shifting to the night's battle.
"Heart," he called out as he walked toward the door, "set me up with a daily training regimen."
"One sec, big bro!" Heart chimed cheerfully.
(Ding! New Daily Mission Unlocked: Training Regimen)
• 100 push-ups
• 100 sit-ups
• 100 pull-ups
• 10 km run
• 100 vertical slashes (sword/spear)
• 100 diagonal slashes (sword/spear)
• 100 horizontal slashes (sword/spear)
• 100 stabs (sword)
• 100 lunges (spear)
• 1.5 hours of mana meditation
Rewards:
• +5 stat points
• +1 to Strength, Endurance, and Intelligence
"Perfect," Shin grinned.
At the stables, his Chaos Wolf waited silently. The beast's eyes gleamed in the dark, intelligent and alert.
Shin placed a hand on its head. "From now on… your name is Apocalypse. Lead the Chaos Wolves with pride."
Apocalypse growled approvingly.
"Let's go," Shin said, mounting the beast. "Time to end this quickly. Tomorrow will be even busier."
⸻
The Choice: Conquer or Fall
As Shin approached the territory walls, a booming voice echoed from the heavens.
"Hello, lords of Alros," Gavin announced. "By decree of the gods, you are granted a 30-day protection period. For the first ten nights, monsters will attack under the cover of darkness. Survive, and you'll be rewarded with treasure and experience. Choose your difficulty: Normal, Hard, or Conquer."
Shin didn't hesitate.
"Conquer," he said.
(Ding! Difficulty set to: Conquer. Prepare for battle.)
⸻
Rallying the Troops
Shin drew his spear, his golden eyes gleaming with intensity.
"Tonight," he called out, voice echoing across the ramparts, "we fight not just to survive—but to forge legends! No one dies. Understood?"
"For the Kingdom of Legends!" his soldiers roared.
"Ka Ryo Ten, En—take the archers to the wall!"
"Yes, my lord!"
"Ri Shin, Kyou Kai—split the ground forces with So Sui and San Nou."
"Understood!"
⸻
Wave One Approaches
(Wave One: Level One Goblins – 0/400 Killed)
The goblins' shrieks echoed in the distance.
"Let's show them what real power looks like," Shin muttered. "Apocalypse—go."
He raised his spear.
"Archers—light them up!"
⸻
Wave One: Goblins
"Loose!" Ka Ryo Ten shouted.
A flurry of arrows whistled through the sky, striking the horde with deadly precision.
(Ding! 200/400 Goblins Killed)
"Fire again!" Shin ordered.
Another volley. Another massacre.
(Ding! All Goblins Killed.)
"Excellent work!" Shin called, eyes gleaming.
⸻
(Ding! Ka Ryo Ten, En, and Archers reached Level 2.)
⸻
Wave Two: Hobgoblins and Goblins
(Wave Two: Hobgoblins – 0/200. Goblins – 0/500)
"Kyou Kai. San Nou," Shin commanded. "Focus on the hobgoblins. Thin their numbers."
"Yes, my lord," Kyou Kai grinned, poison magic coiling around her.
⸻
A Swift and Merciless Attack
Kyou Kai and San Nou launched into the fray.
Their strike was devastating—half the hobgoblins died instantly. The rest collapsed moments later as Kyou Kai's venom took hold.
(Ding! Kyou Kai reached Level 3. San Nou and troops reached Level 2.)
(200/200 Hobgoblins. 250/500 Goblins Killed)
⸻
Shin Cleans Up
Shin surged forward atop Apocalypse, spear glowing.
"Leave the rest to me."
He tore through the remaining goblins in a blur of movement.
(Ding! All Enemies Killed. Wave Two Cleared.)
⸻
Wave Three: The Real Fight Begins
Gavin's voice returned.
"Wave Three Approaching."
(Hobgoblins – 0/400. Goblins (Lv 2) – 0/300. Goblins (Lv 1) – 0/600. Goblin Cavalry – 0/250)
"Ri Shin," Shin called. "Activate your bloodline. You're up. Kyou Kai, support him."
"None of you are allowed to die."
⸻
The Power of Byakko
Ri Shin's body surged with power, white lightning streaking across his skin. His Byakko bloodline awakened, flooding his troops with strength.
"For the Kingdom of Legends!" he roared, charging forward.
So Sui, San Nou, and their units followed, with Kyou Kai flanking and striking with precise venomous blows.
⸻
Annihilation
The enemy never stood a chance.
(Ding! 200/400 Hobgoblins. 300/300 Level 2 Goblins. 400/600 Level 1 Goblins. 250/250 Goblin Cavalry Killed)
⸻
(Ding! Ri Shin reached Level 3. So Sui and troops reached Level 2.)
⸻
Mopping Up
"Ka Ryo Ten," Shin ordered, "archers—clean up the rest."
"Ri Shin, Kyou Kai—take out the stragglers."
Moments later, the battlefield was clear.
(Ding! Ri Shin and Kyou Kai reached Level 4. All troops reached Level 3.)
⸻
Wave Four Approaches
Shin's eyes narrowed.
(Wave Four: Hobgoblins – 0/500. Level 2 Goblins – 0/400. Level 1 Goblins – 0/600. Goblin Shamans – 0/100. Goblin Cavalry – 0/300)
He clicked his tongue. "They're escalating."
"I'll need scouts out tomorrow," he muttered. "We need to know if other territories are falling… and what else is coming."
⸻
The Calm Before the Storm
As the enemy marched forward, Shin exhaled slowly, tightening his grip on his spear.
"Apocalypse," he whispered, "let's show them what chaos really looks like."
The night was far from over.
And Shin was just getting started.