The mood in the street shifted without warning.

The demons around them suddenly stopped shouting and shoving each other.

One by one, they began backing away, retreating toward doorways and alley corners.

Something was coming.

Heavy footsteps echoed down the street.

A group of demons emerged from between two buildings.

Unlike the others, these ones were organized.

They wore uniform outfits, dark and reinforced, clearly made for combat rather than style.

Their movements were sharp and controlled.

And all of them were looking straight at Garion.

Dahlia noticed it immediately. Her grin faded, replaced by interest.

"Oh?" she muttered. "Looks like we finally caught someone's attention."

Arden swallowed and leaned closer to the group.

"Master… it seems you were right. Velgon really did sell our information."

Garion didn't stop walking. He only nodded slightly. "Naturally."

Dahlia cracked her knuckles. "Of course he did. They're demons. Betrayal is cheaper than honesty."

She looked at the approaching figures again. "And now we finally have a reason to beat them properly."

Garion glanced sideways at her. "So, do I need to move? Or are we handling this here?"

Dahlia laughed. "Relax, Master. We've got this."

She tilted her head, studying the uniformed demons. "Still… these guys aren't like the ones we fought outside the city."

Garion raised an eyebrow slightly. "So. Do you need help?"

"Of course not."

Dahlia's grin widened as excitement crept into her voice. "That's what makes this interesting."

Eliza stepped forward quietly.

Her body lowered a little, weight shifting as she prepared.

Her presence seemed to fade as her [Unique Physique: Ghost] stirred.

The noise of the street felt distant around her.

Arden hesitated, then let out a small sigh. He sat down on a nearby crate, shoulders slumping.

"As usual, I'll stay back," he said apologetically.

"I can't really do much here with my [Unique Physique: Nature] in a place like this."

Dahlia glanced at him. "You sure?"

Arden nodded. "I'll support if things get messy."

Dion stepped forward instead, hands in his pockets, a relaxed smile on his face. "Alright then. Guess I'll join."

Several of them turned to look at him.

"Huh?" Dahlia blinked. "You?"

Arden tilted his head. "Wait… Dion, your [Unique Physique: Wine] is support-type, isn't it?"

Dion chuckled. "That's what everyone thinks."

He rolled his shoulders and took a step closer to the demons.

"Don't mistake recovery for weakness. Wine strengthens the body. It sharpens the mind."

He cracked his neck lightly. "I can fight too."

Dahlia raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Since when?"

Dion smirked. "Since always. You just never paid attention."

Garion finally stopped walking.

He turned slightly, eyes calm as ever, scanning the uniformed demons.

One of the demons stepped forward. "Otherworlders. You are coming with us."

Dahlia laughed loudly. "See? Straight to kidnapping."

Eliza took another silent step forward. The air around her felt colder, thinner.

Dion lifted his hands and stretched casually. "Guess that's our cue."

Garion clasped his hands behind his back. "Remember your form. Don't rush."

Dahlia rolled her shoulders and laughed.

Sparks of storm energy began to crackle around her arms.

Scales spread along her skin, and translucent wings burst open behind her back as her [Unique Physique: Sky Dragon] activated.

"Yes, Master."

The sound of her wings snapping open made several demons flinch.

The uniformed demons reacted instantly.

Boots scraped against the stone as they tightened their formation.

Their leader raised a hand slightly, signalling caution.

Dahlia glanced back over her shoulder. "Dion. Eliza. You two stay at the back."

She smirked. "Let me start this party."

Dion blinked. "Wow. Not even a warm-up?"

He shrugged and reached into his coat, pulling out several sealed bottles.

The liquid inside shimmered faintly as he popped one open.

"Fine. I'll prep support."

Eliza didn't respond.

She had already moved.

While everyone's attention was on Dahlia, Eliza stepped forward without a sound.

The noise of the street seemed to slide past her, unable to touch her presence.

Dion noticed a second later and sighed. "She never listens, does she?"

He glanced back at Arden, who was standing near Garion.

"Looks like I'm responsible for you again, huh?"

Arden nodded quickly. "Y-yes. I'll stay close."

Dion handed him a small bottle. "If things go bad, drink this. Slowly."

Arden accepted it with both hands. "Thank you."

In the next moment, Dahlia moved.

The ground cracked under her feet as she burst forward.

Wind exploded behind her wings, and her body turned into a blur of blue and white.

The demons barely had time to shout.

Dahlia slammed straight into the center of their formation.

One demon was lifted off the ground by sheer force, his body spinning through the air before crashing into another.

"Too slow," Dahlia said brightly.

A clawed swipe sent storm pressure ripping through the group.

Several demons were thrown back, skidding across the street.

At the same time, one demon collapsed silently.

No one saw Eliza strike.

She appeared behind him for half a second, her hand passing through his neck as her body turned mist-like.

The demon dropped without a sound, eyes wide in confusion.

Dion took a sip from his bottle and smiled. "Yep. That's about right."

The demon soldiers staggered back, eyes wide.

"What the hell is this?" one of them shouted.

Another demon wiped blood from his mouth, staring at the crushed armor on the ground.

"How can they be this strong?"

"They're not demons," a third snarled. "So how are they handling the demonic mana?"

The air was thick with corrupt energy, heavy enough to slow ordinary outsiders to a crawl.

Yet these intruders stood straight, breathing evenly, moving freely.

Fear crept in where confidence had been.

One of the soldiers clenched his weapon. "Stop hesitating!"

He raised his blade and shouted, "Attack! If you only defend, you will die!"

The command snapped the others out of it.

The formation broke.

Demons surged forward at once, weapons flashing as they charged.

Dahlia laughed as they came. "That's better! Now let's see how good you really are!"

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