~BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMM!!!~


    The tremors shook the cavern violently, dislodging ancient dust from the ceilings and sending scrolls tumbling from their precarious perches.


    Neron steadied himself against the pedestal, his mind racing.


    The booming voice outside rang in his ears, its authority undeniable, and it stirred a sense of foreboding deep in his gut.


    Lilith, standing by the entrance to the hideout, exuded a calm that belied the chaos outside.


    Her back was to him, her posture rigid and purposeful.


    "I told you to stay here," she said firmly, her voice cutting through the tension like a de.


    Neron clenched his fists. "And I told you, I''m not just going to sit here while someone''s clearly targeting you—and possibly me. You''ve trained me for weeks now. I can hold my own."


    Her gaze flicked over her shoulder, her crimson eyes sharp and unyielding. "This isn''t a training exercise, Neron. It''s a battle. And you''re not ready."


    ~BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMM!!!~


    Another explosion echoed outside, louder this time, as if punctuating her words.


    The ground trembled again, cracks forming along the stone walls.


    "Lilith," Neron began, his tone pleading, "I can''t just let you face whatever that is alone. I''m part of this now. If someone''sing after you—or me—then I need to know why. I have a right to stand beside you."


    Lilith sighed deeply, pinching the bridge of her nose.


    For all his inexperience, his determination was unshakable, and she knew arguing further would only waste precious time.


    "Fine," she said finally, her toneced with exasperation. "But if you so much as flinch in the wrong direction, I''ll knock you out myself and drag you back here."


    Neron gave a small nod, suppressing the spark of relief that threatened to show on his face. The gravity of the situation wasn''t lost on him.


    "Let''s go," she said, turning toward the exit.


    Her footsteps were steady, almost casual, as if she were heading to a routine errand rather than a confrontation with an unknown force.


    Neron followed, his heart pounding with a mix of anticipation and dread.


    ''I can already feel a suffocating pressure from this point…'' He thought to himself. ''And Lilith is acting a little different from usual…''


    The cause of her change in behaviortely had to be attributed to whatever man was waiting for them.


    Neron gulped and steeled himself as he walked forward.


    The hideout''s entrance opened into the vast wastnd, a sea of cracked earth stretching to the horizon under a crimson sky. The figure causing the disturbance stood some distance away, his presence undeniable even at a nce.


    He was tall and broad, his silhouette radiating raw, unrelenting power. His attire was simple yet striking: loose blue robes that fluttered in the arid breeze, and a long, curved de strapped across his back.


    His brownish hair gleamed in the dim light, and his piercing golden eyes locked onto Lilith the moment she emerged.


    "Lilith," the man said, his voice deep and resonant. "It''s been far too long."


    Lilith crossed her arms, her expression t. "Martial de God. I was wondering when you''de looking for trouble again."


    Neron''s eyes widened.


    Martial de God?


    The name itself carried weight, and the aura emanating from the man made it clear he wasn''t someone to take lightly.


    He had never heard of such a man before, though.


    "I see you''re still as dismissive as ever," the Martial de God said with a chuckle. "But you know why I''m here."


    Lilith raised an eyebrow. "Let me guess: another pointless rematch? Honestly, don''t you have anything better to do?"


    His grin widened, a mixture of amusement and challenge in his gaze. "You know better than anyone that ourst battle was iplete. I''ve spent years sharpening my skills, Lilith. This time, you''ll take me seriously."


    Neron stepped forward, his voice cutting in.


    ''Wait. He came here just to fight her? He''s not after the Arcanas?'' He wondered deep in thought.


    Unfortunately for him, that was a mistake.


    The Martial de God nced at Neron, his expression shifting to one of mild curiosity.


    "The Arcanas?" He let out a lowugh. "I see… so you have them as well. I''ll be taking those too, I suppose."


    Your next journey awaits at m v|l-e-NovelBin


    "Why? Lilith asked with a smile. "It''s not like you really need them."


    "I don''t. But… let''s just say I know someone who does."


    "I see…"


    "My primary goal right now is singr: to fight you again, Lilith… and win this time."


    The Martial de God''s gaze darkened, his amusement fading.


    "Ah, and as for you… the Singrity." His eyes narrowed on Neron. "We''ve been searching for you, and it seems I''m in luck. That stupid colleague of mine let you slip out of his grasp back then in search of an Arcana, but I won''t make the same mistake."


    Neron felt a chill crawl up his spine. "Singrity? What are you talking about?"


    Lilith stepped between them, her stance protective.


    "That''s enough," she said, her voice sharp. "If you''re here for me, leave him out of it."


    The Martial de God''s grin returned, though it held a predatory edge.


    "You misunderstand, Lilith. The Cult''s orders are clear. The Singrity must be eliminated. If he''s with you, then he''s part of this fight."


    Lilith''s eyes narrowed dangerously.


    "You want a fight? Fine. But here''s the deal: you leave him alone. I''ll give you a battle that satisfies you, and in return, you walk away without touching him."


    He tilted his head, considering her words. "And if you fail to satisfy me?"


    "You won''t," she said simply, her confidence absolute.


    The Martial de Godughed again, the sound echoing across the barrenndscape. "Very well. A worthy battle it is. But don''t expect me to hold back, Lilith. I''ve surpassed every limit since ourst encounter."


    Lilith turned her head slightly, addressing Neron without looking at him.


    "Stay back. No matter what happens, you don''t interfere."


    Neron''s jaw tightened, but he nodded reluctantly.


    The twobatants began to close the distance between them, their movements deliberate and measured. The air between them seemed to hum with tension, the very ground beneath their feet cracking from the weight of their auras.


    Lilith muttered under her breath, her voice so low that only she could hear it.


    "Let''s get this over with."