Extra Chapter – Beach Day
The sun shone high above the turquoise sea.
The waves danced gently under a warm breeze carrying the scent of salt and the laughter of the group.
For the first time in a long while, Kael and the others could finally breathe in peace.
They had decided to take a few days off before their next mission… and Selene had insisted that "everyone needed to relax before they went insane."
Kael, shirtless, his silver hair flowing with the wind, sat beneath a palm tree, watching the horizon with his usual calm, cold demeanor.
Around him, the group was busy enjoying themselves: Arthus was losing a fight with a rebellious umbrella, Roland was cooking something clearly inedible, and Eris and Liora were laughing nonstop.
But the peace didn't last long…
—Kael! —Lyra shouted, running from the shoreline in a light white dress that sparkled under the sun—. Come swim with me!
Before Kael could answer, Selene appeared behind her wearing a crimson two-piece swimsuit, her fiery aura practically visible in the air.
—Tsk… If Kael's going to swim, it'll be with me, Lyra. Wouldn't want you drowning and forcing me to rescue you again.
Lyra narrowed her eyes with a teasing smile.
—Don't count on it, Selene. This time, I'm the one who gets to enjoy his company.
The two locked eyes, tension thick in the air. Kael just sighed.
—Seriously? You're going to fight over that?
—Yes! —they both shouted in unison.
In the background, Arthus watched the scene unfold with theatrical indignation.
—This is an outrage! Why does Kael always get all the female attention? I deserve love too! —He tied a headband dramatically and pointed at Kael—. Kael! I challenge you—for Lyra's love!
Kael gave him a sidelong glance.
—No.
—What do you mean, "no"? Accept my man-to-man duel!
—I'm on vacation. —Kael leaned back in the sand.
—That cold attitude is exactly why they fall for you! —Arthus cried, dropping to his knees as the wind dramatically kicked up sand around him.
Meanwhile, Nerya appeared behind Kael with a mischievous smile.
She wore a blue swimsuit, her hair tied in a playful ponytail.
—Kael… I'm tired —she said softly.
Without waiting for a response, she climbed onto his back, wrapping her arms around his neck like a sleepy child.
—Eh? Nerya… get off —Kael said calmly.
—No. It's comfy here —she murmured, resting her head on his shoulder.
Lyra and Selene froze.
—What is that girl doing on top of Kael?! —they shouted in perfect unison.
—Get off him right now! —Selene's fiery aura began to flare.
—That's cheating! —Lyra puffed out her cheeks adorably.
Nerya, still smiling innocently, shrugged.
—Kael said I could.
—He what?! —the two yelled together, while Kael simply stared out at the ocean in quiet resignation.
The scene devolved into chaos as Arthus tried to "intervene" and ended up buried headfirst in the sand by Roland and Eris.
---
But suddenly, a massive shadow loomed over the beach.
The waters began to churn violently, and an earth-shaking roar echoed from the depths.
From beneath the waves, a Crimson-Scaled Leviathan burst forth—its enormous jaws lined with rows of razor-sharp teeth and a single eye as large as a house.
—What the hell is that?! —Roland shouted, stumbling back.
—Lunch —Kael replied coldly, standing up as his dark aura rippled through the sand.
Selene smirked, flames spiraling around her arms.
—Finally, a little action.
Lyra raised her staff, her light magic glowing like an aurora.
—Let's do this together!
Despite trembling, Arthus struck a heroic pose.
—For Lyra! For the guild! And for the barbecue we're gonna eat afterward!
Kael stepped forward, charging straight at the Leviathan.
The waves exploded around him as he moved with unreal speed.
The beast snapped its jaws, but Kael spun through the air and slashed one of its eyes with a single black dagger.
Its roar made the entire beach tremble.
Selene and Lyra attacked together — fire and light collided against the creature's scales, boiling the water and painting the sky in gold and crimson.
Nerya leapt from Kael's back, coating her daggers in pure ice and driving them deep into the monster's fin.
—Selene, now! —Lyra shouted.
—Got it! —Selene gathered a massive sphere of fire in her hands.
—Kael, cover her!
Kael nodded, extending his dark aura to form a barrier that absorbed the Leviathan's counterattack.
Selene's fire crashed down like a meteor, followed by Lyra's purifying light.
A deafening explosion shook the entire sea—
and when the steam cleared, the Leviathan fell with one final roar, sinking into the depths below.
Silence.
Then, Arthus raised his fist in triumph:
—We did it! And we've got free dinner!
Everyone burst into laughter, exhausted but happy.
---
🌙That night…
The group gathered around a bonfire.
The sky was clear, and the stars shimmered over the ocean.
The guild master suddenly appeared, laughing with his round belly shaking.
—Ahhh, there you are! Heard you took down a Leviathan, so I came for my share of the feast!
The atmosphere was perfect — laughter, stories, and the soft crackle of the fire.
Kael sat quietly, staring at the waves, while Lyra and Selene sat beside him — one on each side.
—You know, Kael… —Lyra said with a gentle smile—, spending a day like this isn't so bad.
—Yeah… though you could try smiling more —Selene added, nudging him playfully with her shoulder.
Kael sighed. —I'm not made for this kind of thing.
Both girls looked at each other—then, without warning, each kissed one of his cheeks at the same time.
Kael froze, eyes wide open.
Lyra blushed shyly, and Selene let out a triumphant laugh.
Arthus, who witnessed the scene from the fire, screamed:
—Not fair! Not even in the extra chapters do I get any luck!
The whole group burst out laughing.
And for the first time in a long while, Kael smiled too, watching the fire dance before the sea…
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Notice:
There will be no regular chapter today.
We'll continue as usual tomorrow.
Please enjoy this extra chapter 🙏