Night draped itself over Nerulia Haven, calm and silver-blue. The moon hung full, bathing the rising city in quiet radiance. Construction lanterns flickered. Merchant wagons rested. Spirits fluttered through half-formed rooftops like curious fireflies, assisting quietly as only Yuto could command.
For once, it was peaceful.
Too peaceful.
Even Advisor went silent.
Yuto stood atop a stone balcony overlooking the city foundations. His cloak swayed in the gentle mountain breeze. Beside him, Elira leaned on the railing ,soft hair dancing, eyes glowing faintly with magic reflection. Neither spoke at first.
Elira's fingers tapped nervously. "Yuto… it's coming closer than ever "
He grimmly replied " I can sense it already "
Then...
A low rumble.
The earth trembled. A chilling wind cut through the night. Birds scattered like terrified shards of shadow.
Yuto's body stiffened instantly. "That's..."
[ Advisor: Corruption signature detected. High threat.]
[Correction: extremely high threat.]
Elira's heartbeat spiked. "Something's coming."
The warning arrived too late.
A thunderous roar shattered the night.
ROOOOOOOOOOOAR!!!
Trees exploded at the northern ridge. A massive silhouette tore through the forest, each step cracking stone. Corrupted mana oozed like ink across the air.
A towering currropted werewolf emerged fur matted black, muscles bulging like steel cables, crimson veins pulsing with vile power. Its jaw was jagged bone. Dark sigils crawled across its hide like living scars.
It stood twice Yuto's height. Maybe more.
And its eyes… weren't bestial.
They were intelligent.
And furious.
"Spirit…" it snarled, voice distorted and deep. "You dare purify my kin."
Elira froze. "It can speak...?!"
[Advisor: Oh fantastic. It talks. Because nothing says peaceful evening like a philosophical vengeful hell-wolf.]
Yuto stepped forward slowly, aura igniting. "You're behind the forest corruption"
The monster laughed ... a sick, raspy echo.
"You kill my brother."
Yuto's gaze sharpened. "The corrupted stag?"
The beast's grin widened, baring teeth longer than daggers.
"He was weak. But he was pack. So I tear your precious little kingdom apart."
Mana burst from it, a shockwave of malice. Buildings quaked. Lanterns shattered. People screamed.
Elira gasped. "It's heading for the town!"
Yuto's body blurred instinctively.
Acceleration Burst!
He collided with the wolf mid-charge, fist wreathed in spiraling spirit energy. Their impact detonated the ground ....shockwaves rolling like thunder across the city.
BOOM!!!
The monster was forced back but only grinned wider.
"You… smell like divinity. Like prey worth devouring."
Yuto flicked his fingers, shaking off pressure. "Sorry. I'm not on the menu."
[Advisor: Debatable. You get eaten in at least three hypothetical timelines.]
"Not helping."
---
The corrupted were wolf lunged, faster than mountains should move. Yuto barely dipped aside, afterimages trailing behind him. Claws carved craters in the stone where he stood seconds before.
[Mana Shaping .. Crescent Arc!]
Twin blades of spirit-infused mana slashed forward, the wolf crossed its arms, blocking.
Sparks. Mana shockwaves. Blood, black and steaming, dripped.
"You bleed," Yuto murmured.
"I consume."
Tendrils of corruption lashed from its body. Yuto sliced them apart but one slipped past. straight toward Elira.
"ELIRA!"
He teleported ethereal, spirit flash, raw instinct. Wrapped his arms around her, shield bursting bright.
HP -74
Pain flared, then spirit regeneration flickered, sealing his wounds.
Elira clung to him, shaking. "Yuto… you... you saved me."
Their faces inches apart. Her breath warm. His eyes shimmering spirit-silver.
Time stalled.
Her voice a whisper. "Why are you always risking yourself for me?"
"I don't want to lose you, any of my friends," he answered quietly, honestly, too quickly.
Elira froze, blush igniting like wildfire.
"Y-You… idiot… don't say things like that suddenly…"
She turned away, but stayed pressed against him.
The moment hung....
ROAR!!!
The werewolf barreled toward them.
Elira's eyes widened. Yuto pushed her aside gently.
"Stay behind me."
[Advisor: Translation: romantic moment denied. Combat mode engaged.]
Yuto's aura surged, spirit marks glowing along his skin.
His HP dipped again .. just enough.
[Spirit Form Triggered.]
His body shimmered, turning ethereal, silver and azure flames dancing around him. Hair lifted, eyes blazing with ancient spirit-light. The world bent from pressure.
The alpha staggered, instinct screaming.
"A… spirit lord…?"
"No," Yuto murmured. "But I'll become one."
[Spirit Strike : ECLIPSE PULSE!]
He vanished, then reappeared behind the beast, palm pressed to its spine.
A shockwave of purifying energy erupted.
The wolf howled, corruption burning away like tar in sunlight. It turned, rabid now, frothing, desperate.
"I WILL NOT FALL! I AM!.."
Yuto's voice cut through like steel.
"You threaten my people."
He raised his hand.
"My city."
His aura expanded, divine pressure shaking the earth.
"And one of the people I care about."
Elira's breath caught.
The wolf lunged.
Yuto whispered...
[Mana Shaping : Final Form]
[Spirit Sever = MOONLIGHT EXECUTION]
A crescent of pure spirit silver cut the sky.
Silence.
Then the world split ....
BOOOOOOOOM
Light. Wind. Dust.
The corrupted alpha fell in two clean halves .. corruption dissolving into harmless motes.
Its final whisper winded out:
"…monster… spirit… king…"
Then nothing.
---
[Level Up!]
LVL 27 → 35
Stats Rose Significantly
(Will display full sheet next chapter)
Body Evolution: 22% → 42%
Evolution surge triggered by high-tier corrupted kill
New Unique Skills Awakened!
[ Moon Devour : Absorb Corrupted Essence]
(Purifies and converts hostile power into spirit growth)
[Lunar Dominion : Fear Aura vs Corruption]
[Corrupted creatures tremble & weaken in your presence]
[Advisor: Congratulations. You unlocked "I scare evil things by existing" mode.]
---
Citizens peeked out, trembling and awestruck. Zarek, Mimi and Serphina rushed out to meet Them
Elira stepped beside Yuto,closer than before, shy yet proud.
"You protected us all…"
Yuto exhaled, exhaustion washing over him. His spirit glow dimmed, body returning to flesh.
He swayed ...Elira caught him, arms wrapping gently.
"You idiot… don't fall now."
He chuckled weakly. "Just… dramatic timing."
She didn't let go.
The night wind blew. The lanterns flickered alive again.
And Nerulia Haven… had a protector the world was beginning to fear, and adore.
---+