Wes and Scarlett crouched low behind the thick tree line, eyes fixed on the battle unraveling below. The clash between steel and scales echoed through the forest, drawing their undivided attention.
Wes narrowed his eyes. What are they gonna do? That snake's huge... Can those knights even take it down?
Scarlett's gaze drifted toward the back of the formation—and her expression shifted.
"Wait… Wes," she whispered. "Look there. Behind the knights."
Wes followed her line of sight. His eyes widened.
A girl stood in elegant stillness, wrapped in flowing white and silver robes adorned with golden runes. Long, platinum blonde hair cascaded down her back, a small tiara resting delicately atop her head. Her staff—topped with a radiant sun-shaped crystal—glimmered in the sunlight.
Her eyes were gentle violet with flecks of gold, narrowed in fierce focus.
"She's… beautiful," Wes whispered.
"She's a priestess," Scarlett said. "And judging by her robes… maybe even someone important."
Just then, the priestess stepped forward, voice strong and commanding. "Do not falter, my knights! Don't embarrass the Kingdom of Elaria! Are you with me?!"
"YES, PRINCESS AMARA LYSELLE!!" the knights roared in unison.
Amara smiled with pride. "Good. Then charge the beast!"
The knights shouted a war cry and charged at the monstrous serpent.
Wes blinked in surprise. "Wait, princess? What's a royal like her doing out here fighting a boss-level snake?"
"No idea," Scarlett said, just as baffled. "But she's brave, I'll give her that."
Wes narrowed his eyes and whispered, "Appraisal."
MONSTER STATUS
Name: Verdant Fang Serpent
Rank: D
Level: 12
HP: 610/610
MP: 90/90
Strength: 38
Agility: 30
Endurance: 35
Skills: Constrict, Poison Fang, Earthspike Burst, Roar of Terror
Threat Level: Dangerous
Description: A monstrous serpent native to ancient ruins and dense forests. Known for its crushing power, venom, and elemental burst attacks.
Wes winced. "Yikes. That thing's a Verdant Fang Serpent. D-rank. That's no joke."
"No kidding," Scarlett muttered.
"Now let's see our new friend…" Wes said. "Appraisal."
STATUS: Princess Amara Lyselle – The Noble Healer
Class: Cleric / Light Mage (Dual-Class)
Level: 10
HP: 220/220
MP: 360/360
Skills:
Heal
Greater Heal
Light Barrier
Holy Ray
Radiant Pulse
Blessing of Valor
Titles: Princess of Elaria, Highborn Healer, Light of the Western Kingdom
"Whoa. She's a dual-class—cleric and light mage," Wes whispered.
Scarlett looked impressed. "No wonder she's holding her own. But that serpent…"
The battle raged. The knights struck with enchanted blades, carving gashes into the serpent's thick scales. But it retaliated—thrashing, biting, and smashing the ground with its tail. Roars echoed as magical barriers cracked.
Amara narrowed her eyes. "Captain Arwen Durnhal, hold strong. I will heal and protect you!"
The grizzled knight, bleeding but determined, looked back and smiled. "My princess… thank you. Men! Hold the line for Princess Amara!"
He charged, blade glowing.
Still, the serpent did not fall. It grew wilder. More vicious.
Minutes passed in a blur of battle cries and flashing steel.
Amara's hands trembled from overcasting as her knights faltered.
"Come on… there must be a way," she whispered. "I can't let them die."
Suddenly—
BOOM! The serpent coiled, tail whipping through the air.
CRASH! Knights went flying, hitting the earth with groans of pain.
Wes and Scarlett gasped.
The serpent slithered menacingly toward a fallen Arwen, unconscious and bleeding at the base of a tree.
"CAPTAIN DURNHAL!" Amara screamed.
Arwen groaned, struggling to push himself up.
"I… must protect… the princess…" he muttered weakly. "I can't… bring shame to… the Kingdom…"
The serpent lunged forward.
THWACK! The impact sent Arwen hurtling back into a tree. He crumpled to the ground, unmoving.
"COMMANDER!" the knights shouted.
Amara's breath caught in her throat. "No… Arwen!"
The serpent hissed and coiled again, inching closer to the fallen commander.
"Get up!" one knight cried.
"Leave him alone!" another screamed, trying to rise but collapsing from his wounds.
"Princess—run!" a third shouted. "Save yourself!"
Amara's eyes locked on the fallen man before her. Her heartbeat thundered.
I won't run. I can't run. Not when they fought for me.
The serpent hissed, fangs dripping, as it reared its head inches from Arwen.
"No…" Amara whispered.
She sprinted forward.
"LIGHT BARRIER!" she cried.
A radiant dome shimmered to life just as the serpent struck.
CRACK! Its head smashed into the barrier. It recoiled with a shriek.
Amara knelt beside her captain. "You're not dying. Not today."
CRACK! CRACK! The serpent continued ramming the shield.
Scarlett and Wes, still in the trees, were frozen.
"She's insane," Wes whispered. "She ran into a death zone for him."
"She's brave," Scarlett replied, eyes narrowed. "But she can't hold it forever."
Amara strained, her magic faltering.
What do I do? They're all down. Arwen… please wake up…
"I don't want to die," she whispered, tears forming in her eyes. "Not like this."
CRACK! The barrier splintered.
CRACK! It shattered.
The serpent hissed, eyes locked on Amara.
It opened its mouth.
Amara closed her eyes. I'm sorry, Father… Mother… I failed…
"ARC SLASH!"
A black blur flashed.
CLANG! Steel met fang. The force rang out.
Amara blinked, stunned.
A red-haired woman stood in front of her, sword raised.
"Are you alright?"
"I-I… Who are you?"
"Scarlett Hayes. Swordswoman. Nice to meet you."
The serpent roared and lunged again.
Amara screamed. "It's coming back!"
Scarlett braced. "WES! IDIOT, WHERE ARE YOU?!"
From above—
"My bad! I'm coming! WIND BULLET!"
BOOOOM! A gust blasted the serpent, sending it flying.
Wes landed, spinning his revolver.
"And that's how you make an entrance."
Scarlett groaned. "Be serious."
Wes strutted forward. "I am serious. No snake's eating you two."
SMACK! Scarlett hit him.
"OW! Why?!"
"For being you!"
They bickered as Amara stared, stunned.
Who are these people? she thought.
The clearing had fallen into a strange silence after the explosive chaos. For a brief moment, the sound of wind brushing against leaves and the faint groans of recovering knights were all that remained.
Princess Amara looked between the two strangers in front of her, stunned. "W-Who are you people?"
Scarlett froze mid-argument, blinked, then gave an awkward smile. "Ah… right. Sorry. I'm Scarlett Hayes, and this idiot right here is—"
"Wes Walker!" Wes cut in with a dramatic grin. "Magic Gunslinger. And, uh, traveler extraordinaire."
Scarlett sighed. "We're travelers. We saw the fight and… stepped in."
Amara took a small step forward, placing her staff gently in front of her. Her voice softened with genuine gratitude. "I am Princess Amara Lyselle of the Kingdom of Elaria, Highborn Healer and Third Daughter of King Alarion Lyselle. And… thank you. Both of you. You arrived when we needed it most."
Her expression warmed as she looked from Scarlett to Wes. "You saved not just me… but my people. I am truly grateful."
Wes smiled brightly. "No problem, Princess. Happy to help!" He gave her a playful wink.
Amara blinked, and a slight blush colored her cheeks.
Scarlett narrowed her eyes—and then stomped down on Wes's foot. Hard.
"OWWW!!" Wes yelled, hopping on one leg. "What was that for?!"
"You're being a moron," Scarlett snapped.
Amara giggled quietly, a hand over her mouth at their antics.
Wes turned to reply when a sudden rumbling sound returned their attention to the center of the battlefield.
CRACK… ROOOOOAAARRR!!
Out of a pile of collapsed trees and shattered rock, the Verdant Fang Serpent burst forth again—its body bloodied, but its eyes burning with rage.
It hissed, tail smashing the ground, then let out a roar that echoed through the forest.
Wes's eyes widened. "Yup. That's one really angry snake."
Scarlett glared at him. "Be serious! How is that thing not dead?!"
Wes held up his hands. "Hey, hey—we're level 4. That thing's a D-rank monster. Level 25! We barely dented it!"
Amara's expression turned cold and focused. "It's incredibly resilient… and extremely dangerous. We need a plan."
Wes's mind turned fast. We can't run. We can't tank it. But maybe… we can balance the odds.
A smile crept across his face.
Scarlett noticed immediately. "Why are you smiling, idiot?"
Wes raised his revolver and pointed it—not at the snake—but at the fallen knights.
"This is why," he said. "Healing Bullet x7."
BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! Seven glowing shots fired.
Each one struck a downed knight, surrounding them in radiant, shimmering energy.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" Amara screamed, stepping forward in alarm. "You just shot my knights!"
Scarlett gasped. "ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?!"
WHACK! She smacked Wes hard across the head.
"OWWW! My head again?!" Wes shouted.
"That was insane, Wes!" Scarlett yelled.
"Wait! I was helping! I swear!"
Scarlett didn't stop. She lunged and grabbed Wes into a tight headlock.
"Say you're sorry before I snap your neck!"
"GAHHH!! OW OW OW!! My skull's gonna split!!" Wes flailed, face turning red. "Scarlett! Mercy! MERCY!!"
"WHY did you shoot them?!" Scarlett barked.
"I-I-I healed them!! I swear! Just look!!"
Scarlett paused. Amara turned her head.
The glow around the knights intensified.
Moments later, the first knight stirred, groaning. Then another sat up, blinking. Cuts vanished. Bruises faded. They looked at their hands in shock.
"What in the goddess's name…?" one knight murmured.
Another knight clutched his side. "My ribs... the pain's gone?"
A third blinked rapidly. "I feel... great?"
Captain Arwen Durnhal groaned and opened his eyes, dazed.
"...Princess?" he croaked.
Amara rushed to him, tears shining. "Captain! You're awake!"
"What… happened?" he asked, slowly sitting up.
"We thought you were lost," she said softly. "But these two strangers… they saved you."
Durnhal looked around at his men, all rising to their feet, inspecting their restored bodies. "They look healed. Completely."
He turned his eyes toward Wes, then down at the strange revolver in Wes's hand.
Amara followed his gaze, eyes curious. That weapon... it glows with divine light. It's not like any magic wand or sword I've seen. Is it… some form of relic? Or something else entirely?
Wes noticed her staring. "Oh! This? This is Reveria. Long story. But she's got a bite."
Before anyone could say more—
ROOOAAAARRR!!!
The serpent shrieked again and charged, its body smashing through trees and ground.
Wes raised his revolver. "Not yet. But now… we fight back."
Scarlett stepped forward, sword glowing. "Let's go. Together."
Amara nodded and stood, helping her knights up. "You have our blades."
Arwen grabbed his sword, face grim. "For the Princess!"
Wes grinned and flicked the revolver's cylinder. "Alright, let's bring this ugly reptile down."
All of them—Scarlett, Wes, Amara, and the knights—took battle stances as the giant serpent lunged toward them once more.
The Verdant Fang Serpent lunged, jaws wide, but the party scattered in different directions. Captain Durnhal landed on his feet several meters away and shouted, "CHARGE!"
The knights let out a unified roar and sprinted forward, weapons raised. The battlefield once again erupted into chaos as steel clashed with scaled flesh. Amara stayed behind, eyes focused, casting healing spells and protective barriers where needed.
Wes glanced at Scarlett beside him. "Shall we, partner?"
Scarlett gave a smirk. "Let's do it."
She dashed into the fray with her blade glowing. Wes spun his revolver and pointed it toward the monster. "Let's turn down the heat. Ice Bullet!"
BOOM!
The bullet shot forward in a blur of frost, smashing into the serpent's side and encasing a portion of its scales in ice. The monster screeched and writhed.
Scarlett joined the knights, dancing between their movements with clean precision. Her sword lashed out in sync with their strikes—slicing and deflecting the serpent's counterattacks.
The knights, renewed by Wes's healing, fought with newfound vigor. One knight ducked under a tail swipe and slashed at the creature's underbelly. Another vaulted from a fallen tree and struck down on the serpent's back. Captain Durnhal led the charge, bashing his shield into the creature's snout before stabbing with brutal accuracy.
"Keep its focus divided!" he shouted. "Don't let it center on one target!"
Amara chanted spells behind them, her hands glowing as she layered barriers over the front lines and emitted radiant waves of healing.
Scarlett used her blade like a crimson comet, jumping from one strike to the next. "Arc Slash!" she called, leaving burning trails across the serpent's flanks.
Then she darted back to Wes. "Combo attack?"
"Sounds interesting."
She sprinted forward while Wes yelled, "Water Bullet!"
A blast of water struck the snake, soaking its body.
"Lightning Bullet!" he followed up.
The shot connected with the soaked scales—ZAAAPP!—causing the serpent to convulse in electrical agony.
Scarlett appeared in front of the reeling creature and activated her new skill: "Crimson Fang Slash!"
A spiraling slash ripped across the monster's back, eliciting another guttural roar.
"Form up!" Durnhal shouted. "Push it from the sides! Don't let it center us!"
The knights repositioned again, ducking beneath strikes and countering with precise teamwork. One knight slid across mud to cut the creature's underbelly while two others performed a synchronized double thrust into its flanks.
The serpent retaliated with a furious tail whip that threw two knights back. Amara quickly threw out a barrier to block a chunk of flying debris and cast a healing burst to stabilize the wounded.
The serpent turned its eyes toward her and lunged.
Amara gasped, frozen in place.
Wes saw it. "Good try, snaky."
"Bullet Fusion – Twin Element Shell!"
BOOM!
Fire and lightning converged into a single shot, slamming into the serpent's chest mid-lunge. Explosive shockwaves blew it backward.
Wes appeared in front of Amara with a cocky grin. "That was close. You alright, Princess?"
Amara's face flushed. "Y-Yes. Thank you…"
He's a chaotic mess… but kind, she thought.
"PAY ATTENTION!" Scarlett snapped, appearing behind Wes and slapping him hard in the head.
"OW! Again with the head!" he cried. "It's gonna be permanently dented!"
Scarlett rolled her eyes. "Then start using it, idiot."
Wes looked back at the snake and narrowed his eyes. "Let's finish this."
He charged forward. The serpent struck, but Wes danced through the air using Acrobatics, flipping off branches, dodging tail strikes, and returning fire with Mana Bullets.
He jumped off a low-hanging branch, flipped sideways off a broken stone pillar, rebounded off a fallen log, and leapt again from the serpent's writhing back.
"Mana Bullet!" BANG!
"Mana Bullet!" CRACK!
Each shot echoed across the battlefield, striking the serpent's neck, shoulders, and underbelly. He flipped through the air, narrowly dodging a venomous spray that scorched a nearby boulder.
He kicked off the trunk of a tall tree, spiraled downward, and shot again—this time right into the serpent's gaping mouth.
The knights and Amara watched, jaws slack.
Captain Durnhal muttered, "Is he… laughing while doing that?"
One knight whispered, "He's treating the battlefield like a playground."
Amara's eyes widened in amazement. He's chaotic… but oddly effective.
Scarlett crossed her arms and sighed. "Idiot. As always. But… that's Wes."
Wes landed on a mossy boulder, winked at the serpent, and prepared another round.
"Come on, big guy. Let's dance."
The serpent roared in fury and swept its tail again.
"Bullet Barrier!" Wes shouted.
Glowing bullets formed a circular wall—but the beast's tail smashed through it, sending Wes flying.
He slammed into a tree and collapsed to the ground.
"WES!!" Scarlett cried.
Amara gasped. "No!"
Wes groaned. "That… really hurt…"
The serpent lunged.
"LIGHT BARRIER!"
A radiant dome formed inches from Wes's face, stopping the strike cold.
Wes turned, breathing hard. "Thanks, Princess."
"Just repaying the favor."
He stood. "Flashstep." He vanished and reappeared beside Amara and Scarlett.
Scarlett gave him a look. "You alive, idiot?"
He laughed. "Yeah. Feels like I got hit by a truck again, but I'm good."
Scarlett snorted. "You would joke at a time like this."
The serpent let out another mighty roar.
Captain Durnhal's eyes locked on it. "We need to end this! Suggestions?"
Amara's expression turned contemplative. "It's fast… but we've hurt it. If we can blind it or bind it—"
Wes rubbed his chin. "Or shock it again…"
Scarlett nodded. "We'll need timing. Precision."
Their minds raced, strategies forming.
"Let's finish this, shall we?" Wes said, leveling his revolver.
Everyone nodded, bracing themselves. Wes pointed his gun at the massive serpent. "Light Bullet!"
The bullet soared forward, erupting into a brilliant flash. The giant snake hissed and thrashed violently, its vision stolen by the searing light.
"GO!!!" Captain Durnhal roared.
The knights charged with renewed determination. Their swords and spears slashed and pierced the serpent's thick hide, gouging deep wounds across its body. The beast, though blinded, retaliated with raw fury—whipping its tail through trees, knocking several knights into the air like ragdolls. Crashes echoed as bodies slammed into the forest floor.
Captain Durnhal gritted his teeth and barked orders. "Circle it! Cut off its movement!"
The remaining knights adjusted their formation, harassing the serpent from multiple directions. Two slashed across its flank while another stabbed beneath its chin. The creature bucked wildly, screeching in pain, its massive body lurching with every blow.
Scarlett took her chance and dashed forward. She sprang off a fallen log and delivered a vertical slash across the serpent's neck, biting deep into scale and sinew. Blood sprayed, but the wound wasn't fatal.
"Damn it—it wasn't enough!" she growled, landing beside Wes.
The serpent lunged at her from behind.
"Light Barrier!" Amara shouted.
The radiant shield materialized in time, catching the beast's jaws and halting its strike.
Scarlett turned, smiling at the princess. "Thank you, Princess."
"No problem," Amara replied, steadying her breath.
Scarlett pointed across the clearing. "Wes! Finish it!!"
Wes stepped forward, eyes cold. He raised his revolver and whispered, "Goodbye."
"Fire Bullet—FULL POWER!!"
His revolver flared with burning elemental energy. The barrel radiated crimson light as a surge of magical fire built in its chamber.
KA-BOOOOM!
The bullet screamed across the battlefield like a comet and slammed into the center of the serpent's forehead.
A deafening explosion followed.
The serpent roared in agony as its massive form ignited. Flames erupted across its body, coating it in a blaze of fire. The ground trembled as the burning beast thrashed, then finally collapsed with a resounding crash. The forest trembled under the weight of its fall. Smoke and ash filled the air.
Silence.
Then—
"We… we did it…" Wes let out a tired laugh and collapsed to the ground. "I did it…"
The knights stared in wide-eyed disbelief.
"He took it down with one shot..."
"What even is that weapon?"
"I've never seen magic like that before... That revolver... it's not normal."
"Could it be divine...?"
Scarlett walked up and cast a long shadow over Wes.
"You alright, idiot?"
Wes grinned up at her. "I'm good. Just... completely outta magic."
"You reckless idiot," she muttered.
Wes lifted a shaky hand and gave her a peace sign. "But I saved the day, didn't I?"
"Sure. If by saving you mean blowing yourself up."
She bent down and helped him up, draping his arm over her shoulder.
Wes looked at her with a warm smile. "We did it, partner. Took down a D-rank monster. Nothing could stop us."
Scarlett rolled her eyes but smiled faintly. "Yeah, yeah. Just don't expect me to carry you every time."
Amara approached quietly. Who are these two? she thought. They saved us… that shot… and that revolver—was it forged by magic? She paused when her eyes met Wes's.
He looked up and flashed a grin. "Hey, Princess. What's up?"
Amara blushed slightly. That smile… even after all that chaos...
Scarlett narrowed her eyes, already annoyed. "Don't you flirt with the princess."
She pinched his side hard.
"OW OW OW! It hurts! It hurts! I'm defenseless! Outta mana!" Wes wailed.
"Exactly why you should shut up and sit still, idiot," Scarlett snapped.
Amara giggled, covering her mouth.
"You two are something else."
Wes looked at her. "You okay, Princess?"
"I am. Thanks to you. And... I can help you too."
She placed her hands gently on his chest. "Healing Light."
A warm glow surrounded him. Color returned to his cheeks. Muscles relaxed. His strength returned.
He stood and stretched, renewed.
"Wow… I feel amazing! Thank you, my beautiful princess."
Amara turned red, eyes wide.
He called me beautiful… just like that?
Scarlett's fist met his head. "You moron!"
"OW! AGAIN! WHY!?" Wes screamed.
"Don't disrespect a princess like that!"
"I WAS BEING NICE!"
They bickered back and forth, Wes flinching as Scarlett poked, slapped, and scolded him repeatedly.
Amara laughed gently. "You two are... chaotic. But... wonderful."
Off to the side, Captain Durnhal watched the scene unfold.
Who... exactly are these two?