"What kind?"

"Fire-based. Probably Ashlings… low-rank fire imps. Grade Delta at most. Normally, I'd handle this myself, but there's something off about the pattern. They're appearing in groups, which isn't natural behaviour for them."

"So what do you need from me?"

"I'm just keeping you updated as I need you to stay away." Her tone was firm. "This could be a trap. The SPIU has been more active, and after that night, we barely escaped them; they might have a lock on your signature. And if they're monitoring the area and you show up..."

"Then they'll have a clear target."

"Exactly. Let me handle this one. You focus on keeping your cover intact."

Akira considered it. The clever play was to listen to her. But something about the situation felt wrong, plus… he didn't like the idea of being dormant.

Ai was right; it would make him look like a Ferrari parked in a shed.

"I'm glad you're finally paying attention."

[EMERGENCY MISSION DETECTED]

[ASHLING SWARM - GRADE DELTA (MULTIPLE)]

[DISTANCE: 2.1 KM WEST]

[WARNING: UNUSUAL PATTERN DETECTED]

[CHOICE AVAILABLE]

[A: Trust Ayaka and stay put. Reward: +50 PP, Maintains cover.]

[B: Go anyway and provide backup. Reward: +200 PP, Combat experience, Risk: SPIU detection, Ayaka's disapproval.]

[C: Go but keep distance and observe. Reward: +120 PP, Tactical advantage, Risk: Moderate.]

"I understand your concern, Ayaka. But if something goes wrong..."

"I can handle fire imps in my sleep, Akira. Don't underestimate me."

"I'm not. I'm just saying, if there are as many as you think, you might need backup."

Her expression hardened. "I'm telling you not to come. This is non-negotiable."

He met her gaze steadily. "And I'm telling you I'll make my own decisions about where I go and what risks I take."

For a moment, they stared each other down. Then Ayaka's lips curved into something that might have been a smile. "You're stubborn. Fine. But if you get caught because of this, don't say I didn't warn you."

"Fine… go on. I'll stay put."

—

The warehouse district was a ten-minute walk at normal pace, five if he pushed it with his enhanced stats. He kept his Essence Cloak at maximum, the upgraded version smoothly masking his signature.

He had gone back to Mia, briefly telling her that he needed to assist a staff member with something and would be back.

He knew Ayaka wouldn't be expecting him, but he wanted them to know he can do what he likes, when he likes and how he likes it.

"Approaching the zone, darling," Ai announced. "I'm picking up multiple heat signatures ahead. Ayaka wasn't exaggerating about the numbers."

He rounded a corner and saw it… the incinerating building was lit up from within, but not with electric lights. It was fire, lots of it. Through the broken windows, he could see small, darting shapes moving in the flames.

And standing at the entrance, facing down at least a dozen of the creatures, was Ayaka.

The Ashlings were just like their name suggests: small, imp-like monsters made of fire. They were about three feet tall, with very sharp claws and teeth that glowed bright white. Their bodies moved and shimmered like a candle flame, burning whatever they touched.

"Persistent little bastards," Ayaka muttered, not noticing Akira's approach yet. She was in full combat mode, her demonic markings visible on her skin, glowing with purple energy.

One of the Ashlings launched a burst of embers at her face. She dodged, but two more used the distraction to teleport closer in puffs of flame.

"Ayaka!" he called out.

She spun, her eyes widening. "I told you not to come!"

"And I told you I make my own choices. Looks like you could use the help."

An Ashling screeched and hurled itself at him, trailing fire. Akira reacted on instinct, summoning the ice essence. The temperature around his hand dropped instantly, frost forming on his skin.

He thrust his palm forward, and a spike of ice shot out, impaling the creature mid-flight. It shrieked once before shattering into harmless ash.

[ASHLING ELIMINATED]

[+15 PP]

"Defeating one ashling just gave 15 PP?"

"That's because you just activated a secret bonus quest," Ai replied

[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION: SECRET BONUS QUEST]

[TASK: DEFEAT AS MANY ASHLING AS POSSIBLE. REWARD: +15 PP per Ashling.]

"Niice, perfect way to farm as many PP as I can,' Akira mentally replied, "Let's do this."

"Show off," Ayaka said, but there was approval in her voice. "Fine. Since you're here, make yourself useful. Ice beats fire. You handle the ones on the left, I'll take the right. And try not to die… Mia would probably murder both of us."

"Deal."

They moved as one, splitting the swarm between them. Akira let the ice essence flow freely now, shaping it into weapons. He formed a long blade of crystalline ice, sharpening its edges enough to cut.

Three Ashlings rushed him simultaneously, their bodies leaving trails of flame. He sidestepped the first, moving fluidly as he used the ice blade to slice through the air, exploding it into steam and ash.

The second one tried to use Heat Haze, creating a shimmering distortion in the air to hide its position. But Akira's perception saw through the illusion. He spotted the real body and threw a shard of ice like a javelin, skewering it.

[ASHLING ELIMINATED x2]

[+30 PP]

The third one was smarter. It used Smoke Veil, disappearing into a cloud of acrid black smoke. Akira couldn't see it, but he could feel the heat building around him. It was preparing for a Flame Burst.

He slammed both palms into the ground, channelling ice essence through the concrete. The temperature plummeted, and frost spread outward in a circle. The smoke dispersed instantly, revealing the Ashling crouched just feet away.

"Got you."

He formed a hammer of ice and brought it down. The creature didn't even have time to screech.

[ASHLING ELIMINATED]

[+15 PP]

On the other side, Ayaka was a whirlwind of violence. She didn't bother with weapons; her enhanced demonic strength let her tear through the fire imps with her bare hands. She grabbed one by the throat and squeezed until it popped like a balloon filled with embers.

"Six down, six to go!" she called out.

The remaining Ashlings seemed to realise they were outmatched. They gathered together, their individual flames merging into something larger. The heat intensified, the air shimmering around them.

"They're combining!" Ayaka warned. "Don't let them finish…"

Too late.

The merged entity stood nearly seven feet tall, and its body was like a huge fire. It opened its mouth and shot a stream of melted fire right at them.

Akira raised both hands, and a wall of ice materialised between them and the flames. The fire hit the barrier with a hiss, steam exploding outward.

"That won't hold long!" he shouted over the roar.

"Then we end this now!" Ayaka ran at the creature from the side, her fist glowing with purple energy.

Akira circled the other way, forming ice javelins in both hands. They struck at the same time: Ayaka's punch shattered the creature's core, while Akira's javelins pierced its body from multiple angles.

The merged Ashling let out a final, echoing scream before collapsing into a pile of cooling embers.

[ASHLING SWARM ELIMINATED]

[BONUS: MERGED ENTITY DEFEATED]

[+200 PP]

[TOTAL PP EARNED: 105 PP + 200 PP → 305 PP]

[TOTAL: 1435 + 305 → 1740 PP]

Silence fell over the place. Akira and Ayaka stood there, breathing hard, surrounded by ash and melting ice.

"Not bad," Ayaka said, wiping soot from her face. "For someone who was supposed to stay home."

"Not bad yourself. Though you're welcome for the save."

"Save? I had it under control."

"Sure you did."

They both smiled, the tension breaking. But then Ayaka's expression turned serious. "We need to leave. Now. That much fire and ice in one place... the SPIU will have detected it for sure."

"Agreed. Let's…"

The sound of engines cut through the air, like multiple vehicles approaching fast.

"Too late," Ayaka hissed. "Run!"

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