The forest seemed to hold its breath as the superior succubus glided toward the cart, her silken attire shimmering in the moonlight. Her presence was a weight, pressing against the knights' resolve, their swords trembling in their grips. Kain, still perched in the gnarled oak, felt the air grow heavier, the demonic energy coiling like a serpent. His amber eyes narrowed, tracking her every move. The metallic tube in his hand pulsed, its runes glowing brighter as he weighed his options.

Below, Captain Morrigan's voice cut through the chaos. "Hold the line! Don't let her near the cart!" His blade gleamed as he stepped forward, planting himself between the succubus and the cart. His men, shaken by the sudden collapse of their comrades, rallied behind him, their faces pale but determined.

The succubus paused, her crimson eyes glinting with amusement. "Such bravery, my vagina is quivering." she purred, her voice dripping with mockery. "Do you truly believe you can stop me, little captain? Your men are already crumbling."

Morrigan's jaw tightened, but he didn't flinch. "I don't know what you are, but you're not getting that cart," he growled. "Men, tighten the formation! Crossbows, aim for her heart!"

The remaining guards raised their crossbows, bolts glinting with alchemical tips. Joren, his hands still shaking, fumbled to reload. "Captain, she… she's not like the others," he stammered, his voice barely above a whisper. "Those three knights—they just dropped. No wounds, nothing!"

"Focus, Joren!" snapped the scarred knight beside him, his own face taut with fear. "She's just another demon. We've killed plenty tonight."

The succubus tilted her head, her smile widening. "Oh, sweet boy, I'm far more than 'just another demon.'" She raised a hand, her fingers curling as if pulling invisible strings. Two more knights gasped, clutching their chests before collapsing, their eyes wide and lifeless. The guards faltered, their formation breaking as panic surged.

"What in the gods' name is she doing?!" Joren shouted, his crossbow slipping from his hands.

"Stay calm!" Morrigan roared, though his own voice trembled. "She's toying with us. Don't give in to fear! This might be an illusion. She can't kill us like this without even getting closer."

Kain's grip on the tube tightened, his mind racing. She's draining their life force without touching them, he thought. This isn't just a superior succubus. She's something ancient, maybe even a matriarch. His eyes flicked to the second group of succubi, still lurking in the shadows. They hadn't moved, their auras steady, almost disciplined. Why aren't they attacking? Are they with her, or…

His thoughts were cut short as the succubus's gaze snapped back to him, her eyes piercing the darkness. "You're still watching, aren't you?" she called, her voice carrying an unsettling warmth. "Come down, shadow-walker. Join the fun."

Kain's blood ran cold. She'd sensed him again, even through his partial phase into the shadow realm. His cloak rippled as he shifted, his form flickering like a candle flame. "Not yet," he muttered, his voice barely audible. He twisted the tube, its runes flaring as it locked onto her aura. The device hummed, confirming her power level—far beyond anything he'd faced in months.

Below, the cart driver whipped the horses, urging them forward, but the animals were frantic, their hooves skidding on the uneven path. "We need to move!" the driver shouted, his voice cracking. "Whatever's in this cart, it's drawing them like moths to a flame!"

Morrigan spun toward him. "Keep it steady, damn it! If we lose that cargo, it's our heads!" He turned back to the succubus, raising his sword. "You want it? Come through me."

The succubus laughed, a sound like breaking glass. "Oh, I like you," she said, stepping closer. Her movements were hypnotic, each step a deliberate seduction. "So strong, so defiant. Tell me, captain, what's in that cart that's worth dying for? Is it a man once called the greatest human knight?"

Morrigan's eyes narrowed. "You'll never know."

Her smile didn't waver. "We'll see." She raised a hand, and the air shimmered, a wave of dark energy rippling toward the knights. Two more collapsed, their bodies hitting the dirt with dull thuds. Joren screamed, dropping to his knees, his hands clutching his head as if trying to block out her voice.

"Captain, we can't fight this!" one of the guards yelled, his crossbow shaking. "She's killing us without even touching us!"

"Hold your ground!" Morrigan shouted, but his voice was losing its edge. The succubus was closing in, her presence suffocating. The remaining knights tightened their circle around the cart, but their movements were sluggish, their morale crumbling.

Kain had seen enough. He leaped from the tree, his cloak billowing as he landed silently on the forest floor. The succubus's head snapped toward him, her eyes gleaming with delight. "There you are," she said, her voice a low purr. "I was wondering when you'd show yourself."

Kain straightened, the tube still in his hand, its runes now blazing with crimson light. "You talk too much," he said, his voice cold. "Step away from the cart."

The succubus tilted her head, studying him. "Bold words for a man who smells of… what is it? Vampire blood?" Her lips curled into a wicked smile. "You're no ordinary hunter, are you?"

Kain didn't respond, his amber eyes locked on hers. The knights stared at him, their expressions a mix of confusion and hope. "Who the hell is that?" Joren whispered, his voice trembling.

"Doesn't matter," Morrigan said, his grip tightening on his sword. "If he's fighting her, he's on our side."

The succubus laughed again, her gaze never leaving Kain. "Oh, I doubt that. This one's playing his own game." She took a step toward him, her hips swaying. "Tell me, shadow-walker, why do you care about this cart? Is it the sword? Or something… more personal with Sir Juno?"

Kain's jaw clenched. She knows about Juno. His mind raced, piecing together the implications. The Marciel family's greatest knight and his sword was no ordinary weapon—it was a relic, tied to ancient magic and the bloodline that had once banished demons from Sturgon. If she was after it, this was bigger than a simple ambush.

"Back off," Kain said, raising the tube. Its runes pulsed, and a low hum filled the air. "Or I'll make you."

The succubus's eyes narrowed, but her smile didn't fade. "You think that little toy can hurt me?" She raised a hand, and the air around Kain thickened, pressing against him like a vice. His vision blurred, his knees buckling under the weight of her power.

"Captain, now!" Kain shouted, his voice strained.

Morrigan didn't hesitate. "Fire!" he roared, and the remaining guards loosed their crossbows. A volley of alchemical bolts streaked toward the succubus, their tips igniting midair. She waved a hand, and most disintegrated, but one grazed her shoulder, drawing a thin line of black ichor.

She hissed, her composure slipping for a moment. "Insolent mortals!" she spat, her eyes blazing. The pressure on Kain eased, and he staggered forward, the tube still humming in his hand.

"Nice shot," he muttered, glancing at Morrigan. "Keep her distracted."

Morrigan nodded, his face grim. "You heard him! Keep firing!"

The guards reloaded, their hands steadier now that Kain had drawn her attention. The succubus snarled, her gaze flicking between Kain and the knights. "You think you can outmaneuver me?" she said, her voice laced with venom. She raised both hands, and the air shimmered again, but Kain was ready.

He twisted the tube, and a beam of crimson light shot from its tip, striking the succubus in the chest. She stumbled back, her eyes widening in surprise. "What… is that?" she gasped, clutching the wound. Black ichor seeped between her fingers, but she didn't fall.

Kain didn't answer. He darted forward, his form flickering as he phased partially into the shadow realm, moving faster than any human could. He reappeared behind her, driving a dagger into her back. The blade glowed with runes, and she screamed, a sound that shook the trees.

The knights seized the moment, charging with renewed vigor. Morrigan's sword slashed across her arm, drawing more ichor, while the guards fired another volley. The succubus staggered, her aura flickering, but she wasn't done.

"You… will regret this," she hissed, her voice echoing unnaturally. She raised a hand, and a wave of dark energy erupted, knocking the knights back. Kain dove to the side, barely avoiding the blast. The cart rocked, the horses rearing in panic as the driver struggled to control them.

Kain rolled to his feet, his eyes scanning the shadows. The second group of succubi still hadn't moved, but the lone human figure among them stepped forward, their face obscured by a hood. "Enough," a voice called, calm and authoritative. The succubus froze, her head snapping toward the sound.

"Who dares?" she snarled, but her voice wavered.

The hooded figure stepped into the moonlight, revealing a familiar figure with sharp features and eyes that glowed faintly. "Sir Juno will be ours," he said, his tone cold. "This isn't your hunt. None of you know about the real threat."

Kain's eyes narrowed. Another player. He glanced at the young human male, whose expression shifted from person to person, as if measuring everyone's power. Kain also noticed two other women hiding nearby who followed the young man—they looked quite similar to the succubi present, revealing that this situation was not as simple as he had thought. More than two parties were already involved in this battle.

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