The Crimson Beacon

Lu Fang's body was heavy, his consciousness slipping as pain surged through every nerve. The tiger monster loomed over him, its glowing yellow eyes fixated on the girls huddled nearby. Li Mei and Li Lan clung to each other, their pale faces streaked with tears.

"Stay back!" Li Mei shouted, her voice trembling but fierce. She held the brick tightly, her small hands shaking. Li Lan gripped the shard of glass with white knuckles, her wide eyes darting between the monster and Lu Fang.

The tiger growled low, the sound vibrating through the air. Its massive claws scraped against the pavement as it took a step closer. Each movement exuded power, its golden crown shimmering faintly above its head.

Lu Fang's breath hitched. His vision blurred, but he could still make out the beast's menacing form. He tried to move, to shout for the girls to run, but his body refused to obey.

"Please…" he whispered, his voice barely audible.

The tiger crouched, muscles coiling as it prepared to pounce.

Then, it stopped.

A crimson light pulsed in the distance, bathing the city in an eerie red glow. The tiger's head snapped toward the source of the light, its growl deepening into a guttural rumble.

Li Mei and Li Lan froze, their gazes following the monster's. The crimson beam rose high into the sky, its otherworldly energy casting long shadows across the empty streets.

The tiger let out a deafening roar, but this time, it wasn't directed at them. Without a second thought, the beast turned and bounded away, its massive frame disappearing into the darkness as it raced toward the beam.

The silence that followed was deafening.

Li Mei dropped the brick, her hands trembling uncontrollably. Li Lan collapsed to her knees, the shard of glass slipping from her grasp.

"He's gone…" Li Mei whispered, her voice breaking.

But their relief was short-lived.

"Lu Fang!" Li Lan cried, crawling to his side. His eyes fluttered closed, his face pale and drenched in sweat.

"We have to help him!" Li Mei said, her voice frantic. She grabbed his arm, trying to lift him, but his muscular frame was too heavy for her small stature.

Li Lan joined her, both girls pulling with all their might, but it was no use.

"He's too heavy!" Li Mei said, tears streaming down her face. "What do we do?"

Before they could answer, the sound of boots echoed through the street. A group of soldiers emerged from the shadows, their black armor glinting faintly in the red light.

One of them, a young man with a rifle slung over his shoulder, stepped forward. "We've got him," he said firmly.

The girls hesitated, their eyes darting between the soldiers and Lu Fang.

"We're here to help," the soldier assured them. He gestured to his comrades, who quickly moved to lift Lu Fang onto a stretcher.

"Is he going to be okay?" Li Mei asked, her voice trembling.

"We'll do everything we can," the soldier replied. "But it's not safe here. You two are coming with us."

Li Mei and Li Lan exchanged a glance, their fear evident.

"But—" Li Mei began.

"No buts," the soldier said firmly. "This area is crawling with monsters. We're taking you to the refugee shelter."

The girls hesitated, then nodded reluctantly. Two soldiers helped them to their feet and guided them to the rest of the group.

"Stay close," one of the soldiers said. "We'll keep you safe."

Li Mei and Li Lan clung to each other as they followed the soldiers, their eyes darting nervously at every shadow. They cast one last glance at Lu Fang, who was being carried ahead of them, his face pale but peaceful.

---

The scene shifted to the heart of Wide City, where the crimson beam continued to pulse.

The artifact responsible for the light was held by a squad of ten individuals, each clad in black leather armor bearing the insignia of the Crimson Vanguard, the city's elite defense force.

At the forefront of the squad stood Captain Ren Kael, a tall man of 6'2" with a commanding presence. His black hair was streaked with gray, and his sharp eyes scanned the approaching horde of monsters.

Ren was no ordinary soldier. At Peak E-rank, he was among the strongest ability users in the city. His power, leap, allowed him to traverse the battlefield with incredible speed, making him a blur in combat. Despite being classified as an E-rank ability, Ren had refined it to a level that surpassed most of his peers.

In his hand, he held a weapon that seemed almost alive—a sword forged from a dark, otherworldly metal. Its surface shimmered faintly, and strange runes etched along its blade glowed dimly in the red light. The sword was a relic, a weapon of immense power that only someone of Ren's caliber could wield.

Behind him, nine F-rank ability users stood ready. Though their abilities were far weaker than Ren's, their resolve was unwavering.

"Hold the line," Ren commanded, his voice steady. "The monsters will come. Do not falter."

"Yes, Captain!" the squad responded in unison.

The crowned tiger was the first to arrive, its massive frame emerging from the shadows. Its golden crown flickered ominously as it locked eyes with the artifact.

"Remember," Ren said, stepping forward, "our weapons won't harm it. so Use your strength wisely."

The squad braced themselves as the tiger let out a deafening roar and charged toward the artifact.

Ren moved first. His body blurred as he activated Leap, propelling himself high into the air. His sword struck the tiger's back in a swift arc, sparks flying as the blade clashed with the beast's tough hide.

The battle had begun, and the crimson beacon continued to pulse, drawing every monster in Wide City to its light.