GOLEMS

Baldwin was currently facing off against two formidable opponents: Bryce, a clone of the Vampire King, and Jing, a clone of the Vampire Law of Justice leader.

Yes, Baldwin had sealed away all his powers except for his natural abilities—shadow and lightning. If compared to his full strength, he could only use about 10% of his maximum power. But even that came with a restriction. To maintain the seal's integrity, he couldn't unleash the full 10% at once. Yet, despite being so heavily restrained, Baldwin still believed he could take down both powerful clones without issue.

Jing, the leader of the Punishers, placed his hand on the ground, attempting to use his shadow abilities. But the moment he activated them, he realized—Baldwin's shadows had already taken control of the battlefield.

"I think these clones can't even see or hear properly. They're just acting on their own, like fools," Baldwin scoffed.

At that moment, Bryce's clone stepped forward, summoning a long blood spear. With a sharp thrust, he aimed it straight at Baldwin. But before it could land, Baldwin's shadow intercepted the attack, stopping the spear in its tracks.

Jing's clone leaped high into the air, landing strategically—close, but not close enough for direct combat. He raised his arms in a cross formation before launching forward, his hands glowing a deep, ominous red.

Baldwin, however, didn't even flinch. He didn't need to.

His shadow had already blocked the attack.

"Hah. I didn't expect you two to be this weak. Is it because you're just fake clones? Or were you always this pathetic?" Baldwin mused, shaking his head. "Well… it doesn't really matter. I've had enough of this."

With a flick of his wrist, a small spark of white lightning shot from his right hand, striking both clones.

At first, nothing happened.

Bryce and Jing exchanged glances, confusion flickering across their faces.

Then, without warning—

Boom!

Both clones exploded like balloons, bursting into nothingness.

Baldwin let out a satisfied exhale, then turned to look at Athan.

Athan was fighting with one hand, struggling to hold up his pants with the other.

Baldwin smirked. "Athan! Don't let them see your mid-handle!" he shouted with a chuckle.

"Oh yeah! They're not BL! help me!!!" Athan exclaimed.

"I'm right here, you know," Baldwin said dryly.

"Wait… that kid finished them off?!" Joseph blurted, his face contorting in shock.

The shadows beneath the robed men suddenly shifted, swallowing them whole. They tried to jump, to escape, but no matter how much they struggled, they couldn't break free.

Joseph gritted his teeth. "Why is this happening?! I have to run!"

Without hesitation, he pulled out another crystal and attempted to break it. But in his desperate focus on escaping, he failed to realize—Baldwin was already behind him.

Before he could react, a firm hand clamped around his throat.

"Oh? A new crystal, huh?" Baldwin mused, his grip tightening.

Joseph choked, his eyes widening in terror.

With an effortless motion, Baldwin hurled him into the depths of the shadows. They swallowed him without a trace. As the last remnants of Joseph disappeared, the shadows slithered back, returning to Baldwin like loyal hounds.

Baldwin dusted off his hands. "Alright, Athan, let's check out the commotion. The golem is still fighting against someone or something, right?"

Athan grinned. "Yeah, you can hear it too, right? So, are we gonna fight it?"

Baldwin smirked. "No worries. We're just kids—not the Vampire Lord and the Demon King."

With that, the two casually strolled out of the alleyway as if nothing had happened.

The once-bustling marketplace had turned into a scene of chaos—crates of spices overturned, the scent of crushed herbs thick in the air, and terrified citizens scrambling for shelter.

Velisara tightened her grip on Olivia, her daughter's small frame pressed against her side. Olivia's wide, frightened eyes flickered between her mother and the towering golem, its single eye gleaming with an unnatural golden glow. The scales etched onto its stone face seemed to tip slightly as if weighing judgment upon them.

The golem's foot, freshly severed, trembled before the holy light surged through its cracks—but then, before her eyes, the molten stone knit itself back together, thick roots of magic binding it whole once more. Velisara's breath hitched, her brows knitting in a sharp scowl. Regeneration. That meant this wouldn't be easy.

A ripple of heat distorted the air around the construct as it raised one massive hand, embers flickering between its stone fingers. It can fire. That realization barely had time to settle before a burst of flame roared toward her.

Velisara twisted her body, holy light coiling around her form as she leaped back, her blade catching the fire's edge, dispersing some of its heat—but not all of it. The scorched ground beneath her hissed as she landed, her golden hair whipping against her face. She adjusted Olivia's weight in her arms, her heartbeat steady despite the odds.

Then, just as the golem's foot came crashing down again, aiming to pin her, a blur shot past her vision—swift and deliberate. The impact never came.

Velisara's eyes widened.

Who…?

The ground quaked beneath Velisara's feet as the golem's weight pressed into the stone, its single glowing eye fixed on her. The city hall gate loomed behind them, its iron archway now marred with cracks from the shockwaves of the battle. Citizens cowered behind overturned carts, the scent of burnt spices and scorched earth thick in the air.

Then, a voice cut through the chaos.

"I am Eva! Dark elf from the Beginning Kingdom. Let me help you. You can take it down on your own, but why waste the effort?"

Velisara turned her head just as a blur of silver and shadow streaked past her. Eva moved like a specter, her dark cloak billowing as she leaped into the fray, her blade a whisper of death. She struck the golem's shoulder with fluid precision, black mist trailing her weapon as a deep gash split the stone.

The golem recoiled, its molten core pulsating beneath its cracked surface. Velisara wasted no time. With Olivia still secured in her arm, she lifted her free hand, summoning a burst of holy light. The searing energy shot forward, slamming into the golem's chest, forcing it back several steps.

Eva landed lightly beside her, golden eyes glinting. "Not bad," she mused, spinning her blade.

Velisara didn't reply. She watched as the golem's wounds began to close once again, the molten veins knitting stone back together. Regeneration. Three times, maybe more.

Before she could react, the golem raised its massive fist, fire swirling around it. A column of flames erupted toward them.

Velisara clenched her jaw, pivoting to shield Olivia, but before the fire could reach them—

BOOM!

A metallic crunch echoed through the plaza. A massive, jagged weapon slammed into the golem's side, knocking it off balance.

A deep chuckle followed.

"Looks like you two could use some backup."

Velisara's gaze snapped to the source. A broad-shouldered man, his wild brown hair barely tamed, stood with a smirk. He rested his weapon—a beast-shaped contraption of steel and fangs—on his shoulder. Sparks of energy flickered along its edges.

Mr. Smith.

He cracked his neck, rolling his shoulders. "Don't mind me. Just figured it's been a while since I smashed something."

The golem roared in defiance, flames surging around its frame. It lunged at them, its stone fists ready to crush everything in its path.

Velisara met Eva's gaze. No words were needed.

Eva vanished into shadow, her magic wrapping around her like a second skin. Velisara leaped forward, her blade igniting with divine light. And Mr. Smith? He grinned wide, his beast weapon roaring to life as he charged straight in.

The battle escalated, each strike sending shockwaves through the marketplace. Yet, amidst the chaos, Velisara felt it—a presence. A watchful gaze.

On the outskirts of the battle, standing atop the ruins of a broken stall, a lone figure observed.

Athan.

His arms crossed, his expression unreadable. He made no move to help, only watched, as if waiting for something.

And then—

A low hum filled the air. The sky darkened.

The scent of ozone thickened.

And from the shadows, stepping forward with slow, measured steps, Baldwin emerged.

His crimson eyes glowed, lightning dancing at his fingertips.

Velisara exhaled, gripping her sword tighter.

This battle was about to end.