With the relic in their possession and Abridge offering a brief respite, the group prepared for their next
destination: Marisport, the coastal city renowned for its sprawling markets and ancient water temples. But
before setting out, the growing tension between Kira and his companions took an unexpected turn during
their final night in Abridge.
After a long day of planning, Kira decided to relax in the city’s public bathhouse. The humid air and the
gentle sound of flowing water helped him unwind as he soaked in the warm pool.
Unbeknownst to him, Mira had followed him in. Clad in nothing but a towel that barely clung to her
curvaceous figure, she approached the edge of the pool.
“Kira?” her soft voice broke the silence.
Kira nearly jumped, turning to find Mira standing above him. His face turned crimson at the sight of her.
“M-Mira! What are you doing here?”
She smiled, slipping into the pool beside him. “I thought you could use some company. It’s been a while
since we’ve had time to talk, just the two of us.”
As the warm water lapped around them, Mira leaned closer, her cheeks tinted with a faint blush. “You’ve
changed a lot since we met. Stronger, braver… I just wanted to say I admire you, Kira.”
Kira’s heart raced. “Thanks, Mira. I couldn’t have done any of this without you and the others.”
Her gaze lingered on him, her lips parting as if to say more, but before she could, the door to the bathhouse
slammed open.
“KIRA!” Darumu’s voice rang out. She strode in confidently, her toned body wrapped in a towel that barely
concealed her athletic figure. “I knew you’d sneak off somewhere. You didn’t think I’d let you have all the
fun, did you?
“D-Darumu?!” Kira stammered, sinking lower into the water.
Darumu smirked, stepping into the pool. “What? Don’t tell me you’re shy now. After everything we’ve been
through?”
Mira crossed her arms, her soft demeanor replaced with a hint of irritation. “We were having a moment,
Darumu.”
Darumu shrugged, leaning back lazily. “And now we’re all having a moment. Relax, Mira.”
Kira, caught between the two, felt the temperature in the room rise—both figuratively and literally.
As the group prepared to leave for Marisport, Selvi couldn’t help but notice the lingering glances between
Kira and Mira. Her annoyance bubbled over during their journey through the dense forests leading to the
coast.
“Kira,” Selvi said, her voice sharp, “don’t forget you’re not some prince charming here. Keep your focus on
the mission.”
Kira sighed, scratching his head. “What are you talking about, Selvi?”
“You know exactly what I mean,” she snapped, her piercing gaze flicking to Mira.
Mira blushed but remained silent, while Darumu grinned, clearly enjoying the drama.
Lyria, floating beside Kira in her dragon-girl form, smirked. “Oh, this is getting interesting. I didn’t realize I’d
Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author's preferred platform and support their work!
signed up for a love triangle—or is it a square now?”
Selvi glared at Lyria. “You’re not helping!”
The journey to Marisport was fraught with challenges. The group encountered treacherous terrain, hostile
beasts, and remnants of the Dark God’s corruption spreading through the land.
Lyria proved invaluable, using her enhanced senses to guide them and providing real-time analysis during
battles. But as they neared the coast, the corruption thickened, manifesting in the form of grotesque sea
creatures that attacked relentlessly.
One night, as they camped near the shore, Kira found himself sitting alone by the fire. Mira joined him, her
expression soft.
“Kira,” she began, “do you think we’ll ever be free of this darkness? That this world can be saved?”
Kira nodded. “I have to believe that. If not, then what’s the point of fighting?”
Her eyes shimmered with emotion as she placed a hand on his. “You’re incredible, Kira. I—”
Before she could finish, Selvi’s voice interrupted from the shadows. “If you two are done gazing into each
other’s eyes, we’ve got a problem.”
Darumu appeared moments later, her face serious. “The sea creatures are back. And they’ve brought
something big.”
The group rushed to the shoreline, where the waves churned violently. From the depths emerged a massive
Leviathan, its glowing eyes fixed on the group.
“Looks like we’ve got our work cut out for us,” Kira said, drawing his sword.
Darumu cracked her knuckles. “Let’s take this thing down.”
The battle was fierce, with the Leviathan using its massive tail and water-based magic to keep the group on
the defensive. Lyria provided shields and tactical advice, while Selvi’s arrows and Mira’s healing kept the
team alive.
Kira, inspired by Darumu’s fighting style, unleashed his Arcane Swordsmanship, combining swift,
close-quarters strikes with bursts of magic to weaken the beast.
As the Leviathan prepared a final, devastating attack, Kira channeled his energy into a new skill: Arcane Rift,
a powerful slash that tore through the creature’s defenses.
The Leviathan let out a deafening roar before collapsing into the sea, the water around it glowing faintly
before calming.
Exhausted but victorious, the group finally arrived at Marisport. The bustling city, with its vibrant markets
and breathtaking views of the ocean, offered a stark contrast to the darkness they had faced.
But their respite was short-lived. Rumors of a hidden water temple tied to the Dark God’s corruption began
to surface, and the group knew their journey was far from over.
As they settled into the city’s inn, tensions continued to simmer between the group’s members, with Mira,
Selvi, and Darumu vying for Kira’s attention—while Lyria watched with an amused grin.
“Better get used to this, Kira,” Lyria teased. “You’ve got quite the harem forming here.”
Kira groaned, burying his face in his hands. “Why does this feel harder than fighting monsters?”