The night was calm and beautiful. Stars glittered above the floating island, and the Eternal Spring Fountain glowed softly in the center. Kojima Ren sat on the edge of the pavilion with his companions, enjoying the quiet moment after a long day of expansion.
Kojima: The island is finally starting to feel like a real home. The Eternal Growth Seed is working better than I expected.
Sylphira sat right beside him, her long red hair glowing like embers in the moonlight. She leaned gently against his shoulder, her arm around his waist, her golden eyes full of quiet warmth.
Sylphira: Master… I'm happy to see you smiling like this. Every new piece of land feels like another promise that we're building something lasting. I'll stay right here with you, no matter what.
Mira leaned against his other side, her curvaceous figure pressed close. She gave him a teasing smile and traced a finger along his arm.
Mira: Master~ The island is getting bigger, just like your ambitions. If you ever need a private way to celebrate all this growth… I have plenty of ideas.
Vaelor stood nearby with perfect butler grace, holding a tray of night snacks. His crimson eyes sparkled with mischief.
Vaelor: Master, I have prepared a light supper with a touch of shadow essence for flavor. Subtle, smoky, and perfectly dramatic. If it displeases you, I shall throw myself off the island in the most theatrical manner possible while reciting a tragic poem about failed snacks.
Kojima smiled and accepted a snack.
Kojima: You don't have to throw yourself anywhere, Vaelor. The snacks are perfect.
The group laughed softly, the sound light and comfortable. For a moment, everything felt peaceful.
Then the sky changed.
A deep, rumbling roar shook the entire island. The stars vanished as thick black clouds rolled in from the Abyss below. Lightning flashed without thunder, and a massive shadow rose from the darkness beneath the island.
[Ding! Emergency Alert!]
[Mythical Beast Detected — SSS-Rank Black Abyss Dragon "Nyxor" has awakened!]
[The dragon was disturbed by the rapid growth of your territory caused by the Eternal Growth Seed.]
[It is heading straight for the island!]
The dragon emerged like a nightmare made real. Its body was enormous, easily over a hundred meters long, with scales as black as the Abyss itself. Its eyes glowed blood-red, and dark lightning crackled along its wings. It let out another roar that made the island tremble.
Enemy Status — Nyxor, the Black Abyss Dragon (SSS-Rank)
Level: 28
HP: 8,500/8,500
MP: 6,200/6,200
Strength: 95
Agility: 72
Vitality: 88
Intelligence: 65
Luck: 25
Skills:
Abyssal Breath (SSS) — Massive dark lightning and shadow flame attack.
Void Scales (SSS) — Extremely high defense, reflects some damage.
Dragon Fear (SR) — Intimidates lower-level opponents and reduces their stats.
Abyss Regeneration (SSR) — Rapidly heals when in darkness.
Kojima's eyes widened. "This thing is on a completely different level. Everyone, get ready!"
Sylphira's red hair flared as her flames ignited around her hands. Her voice stayed gentle when she spoke to him, but her eyes turned ice-cold as she looked at the dragon.
Sylphira: Master… I'll protect you. I won't let it touch you.
Mira's violet eyes turned ruthless, her seductive smile replaced by a cold, predatory grin.
Mira: Finally something fun. Let me show this oversized lizard what happens when it interrupts my Master's peace.
Vaelor's expression became lethal. His shadows lengthened like living blades, his voice cold and devoid of humor.
Vaelor: As you wish, Master. I shall make this quick, efficient, and thoroughly painful for it.
Kojima activated the Servant Empowerment Link on Vaelor first. Blue light surged around the demon butler, doubling his stats for thirty minutes.
Vaelor (Boosted):
Strength: 45 → 90
Agility: 38 → 76
Vitality: 42 → 84
Vaelor's shadows exploded outward like a storm. "Time for the performance." He charged forward, shadow blades slashing at the dragon's wings.
The dragon roared and swung its massive tail, smashing into the ground and cracking part of the island. Vaelor barely dodged, but the force sent him flying back. He landed hard, shadows flickering.
Vaelor: This one is heavier than it looks…
Mira moved like a blur, her enhanced agility letting her slip under the dragon's belly. She unleashed her Pleasure Aura at full power, twisting it into a ruthless attack. The dragon staggered for a moment, roaring in pain, but its Void Scales absorbed most of the damage.
Mira: Damn… this thing is tough.
Sylphira stayed right beside Kojima, her flames burning brighter than ever. She raised her hands and sent a massive wave of controlled fire straight at the dragon's eyes, trying to blind it. The dragon shook its head and retaliated with Abyssal Breath — a blast of dark lightning and shadow flames that forced everyone to scatter.
The island shook violently. Part of the outer fence crumbled, and one of the new garden patches was scorched black.
Kojima channeled his Thunderheart Resistance Mantle, absorbing some of the lightning and firing a counter-blast that struck the dragon's side. It left a small scorch mark, but the dragon barely seemed to notice.
Kojima: It's too strong… We have to work together!
The fight turned into a desperate struggle. Vaelor used his boosted shadows to bind one of the dragon's wings, but the dragon broke free with raw power. Mira darted in and out, landing hit after hit, but the dragon's regeneration kept closing the wounds. Sylphira poured everything into her flames, creating a burning barrier to protect the pavilion, but the dragon's Abyssal Breath kept pushing her back.
The dragon roared again, its red eyes locked on Kojima. It dove straight toward him, jaws wide open.
Sylphira's voice rang out, gentle but fierce.
Sylphira: Master! Stay behind me!
She threw herself in front of him, flames exploding into a massive shield. The dragon's breath collided with her fire, creating a violent explosion that shook the entire island.
The battle raged on through the night, the dragon proving far stronger than anything they had faced before. Injuries mounted. The island was damaged. But no one gave up.
As the dragon prepared another devastating Abyssal Breath, the chapter ended with the beast still very much alive and the group exhausted but determined.