On the towering mountain ridge a thousand miles from Pardera's capital city, Ery stood poised, his Twilight Wolf form brimming with power. Opposite him, Livi, now transford after her ascension, hovered gracefully opposite him, a living embodint of primal energy and divine elegance.
Livi's new form made her look no older than fifteen, younger even than Shinta. Her once modest swiveling horn had grown, curving upward like a crescent moon, nearly touching her forehead. Her dark hair flowed like liquid shadow, flickering with streaks of dark fla, while her glowing crimson eyes held a mischievous intensity. Blackened wings sprouted from her back, and fur, coarse yet radiant, covered her forearms and legs. Razor-sharp claws tipped her fingers, making her look more beast than human.
"Master, catch if you can!" she teased, her lodic voice echoing through the air like a playful taunt.
Before Ery could respond, Livi lted into the shadows, her presence vanishing entirely. She had always possessed the ability to move within darkness, but her newly elevated realm made her movents nearly undetectable.
Ery extended his senses, and with a gesture, unleashed a formidable wall of Elysian roots. The glowing tendrils erupted from the earth, intertwining into a defensive labyrinth around him. The air buzzed with the raw energy of nature magic as the roots bristled, poised to strike at any intruder.
Suddenly, a flicker of movent appeared within the roots. Livi darted forward, her speed blurring her form. Her claws glinted as they slashed at the roots, tearing through the defenses with a mix of brute force and shadow-infused precision.
Her newfound strength was undeniable. She was a half-step into the Godly Beast realm—a stage beyond even Ancient Desolate Beasts. At this level, most beasts gained the ability to shapeshift, adopting human or other forms. But Livi, a rare divine beast of mutated lineage, had achieved this gift at an earlier stage. Ery's mind flashed back to their first encounter. He had rescued her from captivity, a rare and coveted creature chained and auctioned for 80 million spirit stones in the Golden City. Since then, she had fought alongside him in countless battles, proving her loyalty during the space pirate attack on Earth and many tis thereafter.
"Master, I'm here!" her voice rang out again, seemingly from every direction.
Ery spun, his claws slicing through the air, but she was faster. A shadow flitted past him, and before he could react, her claws lightly tapped his back.
"Got you!" she declared, landing gracefully. Her grin was triumphant, her youthful exuberance infectious.
The Elysian roots retreated into the earth, and Ery shifted back to his human form. He turned to face her, shaking his head with a rueful smile.
"You win, Livi," he admitted, his tone laced with amusent.
Livi clapped her clawed hands together in delight. "Yes! Now you have to keep your promise!"
Her behavior was more playful than ever before, and Ery couldn't help but marvel at the transformation. Not just her appearance, but her attitude as well. She seed younger, more carefree, and utterly unburdened by the weight of her newfound power.
As the mountain winds howled around them, Ery's curiosity deepened. What was her true lineage?
As promised, Ery kept his word and took Livi on a stroll through the bustling shops of Pardera's renowned marketplace. The streets filled with countless rchants hawked their wares—ranging from rare elixirs to enchanted weapons.
The marketplace itself was a dazzling sight: floating stalls held aloft by runic formations, displays of weapons sparking with energy, and rare materials radiating an otherworldly glow. Livi had already picked out several new items, including a dark, flowing dress embroidered with protective runes, which accentuated her recently transford figure. However, she had yet to find the perfect weapon, sothing that suited her new cosmic realm strength. As they approached the weapons stall, her gaze locked on a massive scythe displayed prominently at the center.
"Master! Look at this!" The weapon was both beautiful and nacing—a dark tallic blade glead with crimson accents, runes carved intricately along its edge. The scythe's pole was sleek, seemingly forged from black steel, and adorned with fiery inscriptions that pulsated faintly, resonating with her aura. The blade itself was nearly taller than Livi, but she didn't seem the least bit deterred by its intimidating size.
"This one!" she declared with a wide grin. "Master, I want this one!"
Ery took a closer look at the weapon and then turned to the shopkeeper. "What's the price?"
The rchant, a grizzled dwarf with a beard that shimred like molten silver, gave him a toothy grin. "A fine choice, lad! Middle-grade Tier 7, and a bargain at only 90 million spirit stones!"
Ery blinked, the number sending a jolt through him. 90 million?! He couldn't help but rember the hefty 40 million fine he'd just paid for Livi's tribulation incident. Still, the scythe was indeed a rare find, and its price was below market value—likely because scythes were an unconventional choice for most warriors.
"Livi, are you sure about this one?" Ery asked, knowing full well the answer.
"Yes, Master! This is the perfect weapon for !" she said, practically bouncing with excitent.
He ntally calculated his remaining funds, thankful he had collected substantial loot from his battles in Valhalla and the Valyrian worlds. He sold several unneeded items at nearby stalls to cover the purchase. When the deal was done, Livi bead, clutching the scythe like a prized possession.
"Thank you, Master! You're the best!" she said, hugging the massive weapon as if it were a treasured toy.
Just as Ery thought his shopping spree had concluded, a familiar voice chid in from behind. "Father… what about ?"
Ery turned to see Shinta, his daughter, giving him an innocent but unmistakably expectant smile. She stood with her hands clasped behind her back, her bright eyes sparkling with anticipation.
Caught off guard, Ery chuckled nervously. "Ah, of course. Let's find sothing for you too."
But it didn't end there. Ha Ron and Kingrig—both wearing hopeful expressions. They, too, had recently advanced to the Magus realm and seed eager for their turn.
By the end of the day, Ery was utterly broke. He could only hope that the upcoming Alchemy event would bring him so much-needed gains.
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