The dark forest clearing grew tense.
Before June Astral and Lucas de Hein stood two enemies—the black mage cloaked in dark aura and the massive warrior holding a heavy blade.
But then something else moved in the shadows.
From behind the trees, more figures appeared.
Silent.
Fast.
Dressed in black.
An entire group of assassins surrounded the clearing, their blades shining faintly in the dim forest light.
Behind them, several dark-robed figures stepped forward.
More black mages.
June slowly exhaled.
"So… it's not just two."
Lucas's silver eyes calmly scanned the enemies.
"An assassin army… and a circle of black mages."
The assassins moved like shadows, spreading out around them.
The black mage in the center smiled coldly.
"You came exactly as we expected."
June stepped slightly forward, her hand already resting on the hilt of her sword.
She glanced at Lucas.
"Looks like they prepared a welcome party."
Lucas didn't look worried.
His voice remained calm.
"Numbers won't help them."
June smiled slightly.
Then she spoke clearly.
"There are two groups."
She pointed her chin toward the assassins surrounding the forest.
"I'll handle the assassins."
Her brown eyes sharpened.
Then she looked toward the dark mages.
"And you…"
She gave Lucas a knowing look.
"…you know very well who you should handle."
Lucas's silver eyes glowed faintly with magic.
"The black mages."
June drew her sword slowly.
The blade flashed in the dim forest light.
"Good."
Around them, the assassins tightened their circle.
The black mages began chanting quietly.
Dark magic symbols started glowing on the ground.
June rolled her shoulders slightly like someone preparing for a game.
"Let's finish this quickly."
Lucas raised one hand as powerful magic circles appeared around him, spinning slowly in the air.
The forest wind suddenly grew stronger.
Two powerful figures standing back-to-back.
One with a sword.
One with magic.