Master… but why…?" Miss Jun asked, her voice trembling with fear.
Lord Seven turned once more toward the statue of Lord Shiva. He took a long, heavy breath before speaking.
"People from three different villages are disappearing… at the same time."
"What…? That's impossible…" Miss Jun whispered.
Lord Seven continued, his tone grave.
"This village sent a request for help as quickly as possible. By the time we received it… fifty people had already vanished. Sixteen were found dead."
A Rank Four Guardian stepped forward, stunned.
"That many… at the same time?"
"It's impossible for Ashura to attack multiple villages simultaneously," another added. The others turned toward him.
He continued, more seriously,
"Out of ten missions, only three or four involve them. To attack three villages… they would need large numbers."
Lord Seven interrupted,
"At that time, most guardians were already away on missions. We didn't have time to recall them… so I sent Rank One guardians."
Miss Jun's eyes widened.
"Don't tell me… you sent them on this mission?"
"Indeed," Lord Seven replied. "But I warned them to only investigate… not engage."
His voice darkened.
"I was wrong."
"They knew reinforcements would follow… so they ambushed them."
Silence filled the hall.
"I don't know what they're planning… but I feel something big is coming. Their numbers have been increasing over the years… and somehow, this incident is connected."
He lowered his head.
"Right now… those guardians are fighting for their lives."
His voice sharpened.
"Go. Save them. Immediately."
A pause.
"With my divine sight… I can see the battle in the Eastern Village. Six of them one is your student."
Miss Jun stepped forward.
"Forgive my interruption, my lord…"
Her voice steadied. Her eyes burned with resolve.
"Yes, she is my student. But in battle… every guardian is equal to me."
A faint smile spread across the room.
"We are all students of the Seven Great Sages. You never showed favoritism… and neither will we."
She bowed slightly.
"We give you our word. We will bring them home… no matter the cost."
Lord Seven nodded.
"I believe in you… my children."
His voice turned cold.
"Now go… kill them… and bring your brothers and sisters home."
The moment they left the temple—
Darkness swallowed the sky.
The moon vanished behind thick clouds.
The night grew… unnaturally silent.
Meanwhile…
Two female guardians raced toward the Eastern Village.
"It's a full moon tonight," Devi said.
"Yes… but the clouds are blocking the light," Maya replied calmly. "Stay sharp."
"Okay—"
WHOOSH!
Arrows tore through the air.
"Watch out!"
Devi flipped backward, using a tree for support.
CLANG!
Maya sliced through the arrows mid-air.
"Are you alright?" Devi asked.
"I'm fine. Did you see anything?"
"No…"
Silence returned.
But this time—
It felt wrong.
Heavy.
Watching.
Waiting.
Then—
Crunch.
"There—!" Devi snapped—
WHOOSH!
Another wave of arrows—faster, deadlier.
"Stay behind me," Maya said.
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
The arrows shattered… but the force pushed her back.
"These aren't normal…" Devi muttered.
A low chuckle echoed.
"Heh… you noticed."
From the shadows—
Figures emerged.
One… five… ten.
"Are they human?" Devi asked.
"They were," Maya replied coldly. "Not anymore."
A man stepped forward.
"You can call us… Hunters."
He smiled.
"We are Ashura… but not completely."
His eyes gleamed.
"Kill you… and we gain power."
"Let's begin the hunt."
Devi smirked.
"You picked the wrong targets."
BOOM!
She vanished.
SLASH!
One body dropped instantly.
"Fast…" one whispered.
Maya moved like lightning.
SWISH! THUD!
Two more fell.
The forest exploded into chaos.
Steel clashed.
Arrows flew.
Blood spilled.
Then—
The leader raised his hand.
"Enough."
The air changed.
Molten chains erupted from the ground.
They wrapped around Devi—
Ignoring her defenses.
"Maya!" she shouted.
Chains surged toward Maya—
She cut them down—
But one caught her from behind.
The leader laughed.
"Now… let's have some fun."
He walked toward Maya slowly.
"Don't," Devi warned coldly. "You'll regret it."
He grinned.
"Oh? She can't even move."
He reached out—
"DON'T TOUCH ME!"
A blinding blue light exploded from her body.
The sky itself trembled.
Miles away—
Indra looked up.
"What… is that?"
"I don't know," Sun replied. "But it's powerful and it's coming from the west."
"Do you think it's Maya and Devi?" Worry took place on Indra's face.
"Sun, go after that bastard. I am going to look in that direction. If those two girls are there, then they might be in danger and they need some help. I will come after you as soon as I am done. Okay? So be careful, Sun."
"You too, Indra."
Sun continued to chase after that Ashura, and Indra went toward the direction of the light.
Back in the forest—
The leader screamed.
"My hand—!"
Fear consumed him.
I told you will regret this didn't I Devi
The light faded.
Maya stood transformed—
Radiant.
Terrifying.
Seven glowing swords floated behind her.
One rested in her hand.
"It's not possible…" the leader whispered.
"Who… are you?"
Devi smiled slightly.
"She's a Valkyrie."
The leader froze.
"And if you see her like this…"
Devi's voice turned cold.
"You're already dead."
Maya raised her blade.
"Moonfall… Sword Domain."
The swords began to orbit.
"Die."
"NO—!"
At that moment—
Indra arrived.
He saw a figure holding a severed head.
Without thinking—
"Lightning Spear!"
He launched his attack.
The figure turned—
"Devi—?!"
His eyes widened.
"WATCH OUT!"
But—
It was already too late.
Devi closed her eyes.
A scream tore through the